Saved By Mr Darcy: A Romantic Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Claudia Lomond

A fateful accident befalls Elizabeth Bennet, her aunt, and uncle during their journey to Pemberley. Coincidentally, Mr. Darcy, returning from London, discovers the distressing scene and comes to their rescue. Taking charge, he brings the injured trio to Pemberley, where he dedicates himself to their care and recovery, isolating himself from the outside world.

As Elizabeth awakens in the confines of Pemberley, she witnesses a previously unseen aspect of the man she once adamantly rejected. With a broken leg rendering her immobile, she forges unexpected connections with both Mr. Darcy and his sister, Georgiana. When her own family refuse to travel to care for her, Elizabeth comes to see the true generosity of Mr Darcy's character.

As their bond deepens, will conventional norms be disregarded? Will Elizabeth confront her genuine emotions for the man she once spurned? Moreover, just what is Mrs Bennet hiding?

Saved by Mr Darcy is a sweet and romantic variation with some open door sex scenes.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Regency, Historical, Historical Fiction, Forced Proximity, Drama

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 26, 2024

Reviews

[Megan Rose]

Don't let the title fool you, Saved by Mr Darcy is a sad, melancholic, yet lovely and romantic novel that harkens back to Jane Austen's original and gives it a new, fresh twist. The story had me hood from page one with Elizabeth and Darcy's dual POVs done in 3rd person; it felt like a good nod to Austen's novel.

When I saw steam I imagined Bridgerton steam, but I was delightfully surprised at the different take and didn't distract or take away from the plot.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Saved by Mr Darcy for its twists and turns from the original yet staying faithful to Austen's characters. This is a must-read for any Pride and Prejudice lovers or those who love a bit of Regency Romance.

Thank you Booksprout and author, Claudia Lomond, for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Melanie]

During their journey through Derbyshire Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle suffer a terrible carriage accident on Pemberley's grounds. Mr Darcy discovers the three of them gravely injured and immediately brings them to Pemberley to tend to them. After some days of unconsciousness Elizabeth awakens to discover that she has a broken leg and that she is in Mr Darcy's care. Soon her aunt and uncle need to depart to retrieve their children from Longbourn and to face their own health issues, leaving Elizabeth with the Darcy siblings for her recovery. Elizabeth is now able to observe a complete new side of Mr Darcy, leaving her to regret her vehement refusal of his proposal even more. When her own family is not willing to come for her care Mr Darcy comforts her even more and soon the relationship between them improves and they form a deep bond. But is this enough to fulfill Darcy's dearest wish of a union with Elizabeth? Will Elizabeth come to love him? Is it even possible for them to be together under these circumstances?

The story is very well written by the author Claudia Lomond. It shows some really lovely and sensual moments between ODC but also the potential aftermath of a carriage accident. In my opinion their growing love as well as the sufferings were described in an understandable way, I can very well imagine that someone who was part of a carriage accident suffers these after-effects.

Darcy is very much in love in this story and he suffers a great deal because of that and because of his fears for Elizabeth. He is doing many things to improve Elizabeth's situation without hope of reward. But he is nevertheless not able to stay away from her even when he thinks he has no chance of her love. I like how he is caring for Elizabeth and her relatives. And I also like that he gives Elizabeth security in moments when the memories of the carriage accident come flooding back. I like this Darcy very much because he represents the picture I have from him, kind and caring, but not openly but in secret.

Elizabeth on her part is, because of her injuries and the inability to leave her room, able to observe another, kind and caring, side of Darcy and she comes even more to appreciate his character. She more and more regrets her refusal of his proposal and, unbeknownst to Darcy, her already improved opinion turns to love. Only the thought that he must hate her after her vehement refusal let her hesitate to show her feelings.

I really like Georgiana in this story. She is such a sweet and lovely girl and quite as lively as one might imagine a 16 year old girl. I could really picture her bouncing with delight in the gardens.

If you like Darcy rescuing Elizabeth after a carriage accident and, while tending to her, making her fall in love with him you should definitely read this book.

I highly recommend it.

The story is for a mature audience.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Madenna U]

Elizabeth Bennet ends up severely injured in an accident on Pemberley property while approaching the house for a tour. He does everything in his capacity to care for her wellbeing while also fighting his attraction as he does not know her feelings. Eventually she recovers and communication leads to a happily ever after.

[James S]

a horrible accident

Lizzy and the Gardiners are in a horrible accident while on a trip to Lambton. The story is about Lizzy’s recuperation and how she and Darcy find love. The level of medicine knowledge make for a problematic recovery. I thought it was a tad tough to get through but not onerous.

[Katja]

I put this book on my TBR after reading the free sample and I enjoyed this story overall. Elizabeth gets injured in an accident that also leaves her rather fearful of travelling but Darcy is there to support her recovery.

Minor editing mishaps, like Annesley was spelled wrong several times.

[Caroro 🌸]

Definitivamente un libro.
Empezó muy bien, esta cutie como fanfic retelling pero había momentos donde Elizabeth no era muy Elizabeth y Darcy no tan Darcy idk, estuvo meh

[Gill M]

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...

Whilst visiting the Peak District with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth Bennet is badly injured in a coach accident.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, stops to provide assistance. He is shattered to discover the woman he loved but couldn't have, is unconscious and gravely injured.

The survivors are given shelter and medical care at Darcy's estate, Pemberley.

All the action takes place at Pemberley, as Elizabeth slowly recovers under the devoted care of Georgiana Darcy and the Pemberley staff.

Initially, Darcy can barely leave the vicinity of her room, so desperate is he to know how she is.

When she starts to recover, he is kind but keeps his distance, unsure of his welcome in her company.

Will proximity overcome, Elizabeth's previous antipathy?

I really loved this.
Darcy is so devoted and sweet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[agnes]

3.75

i really need to stop reading P&P fanfiction and get on with my TBR...

[tracy witz]

Not Great

This book is just awkward and clumsy. There are sex scenes that are explicit and not sexy, emotional scenes that ring false, and a narrative structure that just doesn’t work. The basic premise is fine, but Darcy is creepy, Elizabeth is not herself, and the only bright spot is Georgiana.

[Suzan Lauder]

I'm very impressed!

[Julie Goodman]

Heartfelt and Steamy! I loved this book. I really hope that this book will be the first in a series, well done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gratia]

More than expected

Wonderful debut story! This book has far more story and content than the usual "steamy" read. There's actual character development that drives the plot. I hope Ms Lomond had more stories to tell.

[Bethanne]

Lizzie has an accident near Pemberley!

After touring some of Derbyshire the Gardiners have an accident that almost kills them. Elizabeth breaks her leg and has rib fractures. The writer has " fractures "and " broken" as different things while they are the same!
Darcy saves them and while Elizabeth recovers she falls in love with him! Of course she does!!
Mrs Bennet refused to allow the girls to go help Elizabeth and even banned letters to Elizabeth. Its most definitely cruel of her!
It's an enjoyable experience without the angst since its after Hunsford and the proposal!

[Sarah]

3,5⭐️

[Faustine]

DNF. Nice cover. Good but too wordy for me, the action progressed too slowly.

[Michelle David]

Delightful

A very emotional and slightly steamy variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Claudia Lomond. I enjoyed it.

[Alena (Ally) Scott]

Nice job!

Enjoyable variation with a well written storyline with Elizabeth traveling with the Gardiners and the intended stop at Pemberly, then the author's what if takes over. Enjoy!

[Maja Letica]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I read Saved by Mr. Darcy in two nights (I would have finished it the first night but I had to sleep and get up for work so it is a page turner).
Lomond writes fluently, clearly, the pace of the story is quite continuous without major oscillations. The premise is interesting and believable - our Lizzie is on the road with her uncle and aunt and they pass through the Pemberley estate and have an accident after which Elizabeth is tied to the bed and Darcy is more than ready to be of service.
I liked the relationship between Lizzie and Georgiana, in the first part of the novel the development of the relationship between our couple was gradual and therefore convincing, they pretty much remained in the characters of what JA set. The angst is there but not overexpressed, just enough to keep you interested, which suits me personally. In the second part of the novel, more precisely in the last third, the characters fall out of their frames, certain behaviors are not convincing to me, I guess the dialogues and interactions seemed too modern, the characters change their basics too quickly. I guess I was missing pages that would have made these jumps in the behavior or in the character arc of Lizzie, Georgiana more acceptable to me. Darcy as a character is the most true to himself from beginning to end and his character development is convincing. The relationship between Lizzie and her mother in the last part in the context of their reactions and interactions did not sit well with me in terms of believability. These are some of the reasons why I can't give more than 4 stars.
The author has very well and realistically portrayed the feelings of a person who experiences trauma, who has to face new circumstances of movement in the world around him and that is additional benefit of this work.
I would recommend this book to all JAFF fans who are looking for sweet romance with little angst and with the addition of some steamy scenes (but not tasteless ones). As this is the first published work, I definitely intend to follow and read the next work of this JAFF author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Celia]

Dropped at 44%. Elizabeth and the Gardiners get into an accident on their tour of the North, coincidentally just as they're about to visit Pemberley. Darcy goes hero mode, saves them, and then lets them all stay and recuperate. Elizabeth is pretty hurt and requires quite a bit of time because of her leg injury. This is one of those "Elizabeth left unchaperoned at Pemberley" type stories, so the stretched realism is something you have to ignore when reading this.

I thought this story was fine, for the most part. I particularly liked Lomond's characterization of Georgiana and the high-stakes opening. However, this book is extremely melodramatic. When Elizabeth's hurt, we get interiority into Darcy implying he'd kill himself if Lizzie died. The dialogue is often so over the top and direct. Darcy vacillates between moody Gothic repression and laying it all out there with maximum corniness. Mrs Bennet is a bit too powerful and controlling as well, which forces the unrealistic plot (echoing the incident of Jane being sent in the rain to Netherfield but even crazier because of the severity). The suspension of disbelief with regard to the melodramatic dialogue and the unchaperoned at Pemberley storyline made me tire of this story rapidly. I can get why people might like this, but I just wasn't in the mood for this style.

[Robin Ramirez]

I love a story where Darcy rescues Elizabeth in some manner and the forced proximity allows them to settle their differences. I love, even more, a Darcy who is so in love and so desires Lizzy that he can't keep his hands off of her. This is such a story! After a terrible carriage accident Elizabeth is rescued by Darcy and must recover at Pemberley. This is a swoon-worthy Darcy! He is worried. He is in love, and the object of his desire is finally in his home. This gives ODC an opportunity to interact with, and speak to, each other in a way that social visits, tea, and dancing do not. While he tries terribly hard to remain a gentleman, and succeeds for the most part, he wants nothing more than to be with Elizabeth in every way. (True fulfillment does not occur until after the wedding.) This book is well written and really shows Darcy's emotions and struggles. Elizabeth suffers from PTSD and the author handles this with sensitivity, creating a believable portrait of how anxiety and fear can change the way a person experiences the world. One in which they were once very comfortable and which seemed very ordinary. ODC navigates all the feels with only a little angst on their part.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth S]

Yet another carriage accident on the road to Pemberley. This time, the Gardiners' carriage is overturned when the horses are startled by a herd of stampeding deer. Two men are killed, the Gardiners are injured, and Elizabeth is unconscious with a broken ankle and leg. Darcy happens upon the scene and rushes to save them. Elizabeth is forced into a lengthy stay at Pemberley, during which she befriends Georgiana and causes Darcy no end of lusty yearnings. Mrs. Gardiner is not doing well with her injuries, both mental and physical, so her husband takes her home to London. Mrs. Bennet refuses to send Jane, leaving Elizabeth to suffer without the comfort of her family.

Lydia, of course, must cause her upheaval of everyone's lives, and Darcy will have to sort it all out. Many weeks pass before Darcy and Elizabeth finally come to the point. The wedding night sex scene was explicit and seemed gratuitous. By the end of the book, Elizabeth still was not completely healed. Her fear of carriages still prevented her from traveling.

While the premise wasn't unique, the details made it different enough from previous "carriage accident at Pemberley" tales.

[Sheila Majczan]

As the author's blurb tells us while traveling to tour Pemberley the Gardiners and Elizabeth suffer a traumatic accident in their carriage when a herd of deer stampede. Darcy soon comes upon them. Finding them in need of medical attention he arranges for them to be transported to his house. Not only does Darcy provide housing and medical care, he also provides wardrobes as their clothing was ruined in the accident. He, additionally, writes to the Bennets asking that someone come to attend Elizabeth, who has a leg and ankle broken.

Darcy's emotions are on full display in this version. He anxiously spends many moments either in the hallway outside her room or even in her room...although he knows that if anyone sees this her reputation is ruined.

The Gardiners have to go back to London due to needing to be with their children and to attend to his business. So only Georgiana's companion is there to act as a chaperone.

Yes, Elizabeth sees a completely different side of Darcy. He holds back only due to fears that her feelings are the same as when she rejected him in Hunsford.

This story has to be rated MA as there are several scenes of intimacies described in full detail. Such can be skipped but go in knowing they are there.

[Lisa E]

Not my favorite

Too full of the angst caused by never being open and assuming you know what someone else is thinking, then everything suddenly turns around. Seems like main focus of book is explicit sex scenes. Premarital misbehavior. Odd repetitions as if editing were subpar. We never find out if Mrs. Gardiner completely heals physically or if trauma is the worse issue. We never learn if Elizabeth is able to have children. And this book makes me wonder how Elizabeth is considered such a strong woman when she cannot get over her trauma. I am assuming she does not ride, as in the original, which is never explained there. Makes sense that she had a traumatic experience. But it is considered strong to get back up on your horse after a fall. No one encouraged that as a child. As a brave, strong woman, she likely would have tried again. Instead, this Elizabeth now cannot even get into a carriage. So, that is two traumatic experiences that are dictating her actions. Maybe it is best she not have kids as she would then likely let that trauma interfere with her oh so healthy sex life.

[Bello Valérie]

This variation is good for a lazy afternoon but is not without flaws. There are a few gaps in the plot: at the beginning (chapter 2), Darcy seems to be travelling alone on his horse. He rushes to the accident scene and suddenly a groom plus his own carriage make their appearance. There was some kind of explanation but it was not convincing. It spoiled the scene for me. The writing is not always consistent as you see, but it is not bad. Darcy is a bit ooc, very moody. Everybody seems to give Mrs Bennet the time of day and she completely rules her household. Mr Bennet bowes to her ridiculous will. That felt odd. The whole situation is not entirely believable but I suppose this is acceptable in a P&P variation. This is not a clean variation. I have nothing against sexual content in a P&P variation (even if I find it repetitive after having read so many wedding nights or illicit encounters between those two), but one situation involving ODB was not entirely tasteful. It could have been avoided. But then again, it is only my opinion / taste. I hope this writer releases another (maybe lengthier variation) in the future.

[Maria Escarda]

A romantic story for the ages

This is such a satisfying Pride and Prejudice variation, full of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy; their exchanges, their thoughts and feelings for each other, their affection and love for each other until the very end. It is gratifying to see the once-contentious relationship blossom into a great romance.

In this story, Elizabeth Bennet and her Gardiner relations are forced to stay in Pemberley due to injuries from a carriage accident. Mr. Darcy’s prodigious care and kindness towards them showed Elizabeth how much she erred in thinking him the last man she could ever be prevailed upon to marry. Somewhere in the middle of Mr. Darcy’s pacing outside her designated room and her trying to recover, Elizabeth Bennet realized a love and passion for Fitzwilliam Darcy so deep that she would willingly throw caution and propriety to the wind. The culmination of the love and union is most satisfying.

This variation is highly recommended for those who love stories that focus mainly on the beloved couple.

[Nikki Parker]

On his return to Pemberley, Mr Darcy is stunned and horrified to come across a carriage accident. Discovering that one of the occupants is Elizabeth Bennett, who was travelling with her aunt and uncle, devastates him as she is badly injured and he immediately gets help and insists that they stay at Pemberley while they recover. As Elizabeth spends time with Mr Darcy she gets to know him better and finds her opinion of him changing but Mr Darcy feels that she deserves better than him and when bad news arrives about her sister Lydia, Elizabeth wonders if he will ever have anything more to do with her, especially as the accident has left her damaged in her eyes. A captivating Pride and Prejudice variation that I really enjoyed. Well written with lots of drama and angst, it is engaging and delightful. I couldn't put it down and read it in one go.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole Schlichting]

Well written and very emotional. Not all rainbows and butterflies - there’s as much emotional hurt as physical hurt for Lizzy, and poor Darcy needs a nap at the very least but it does all end up well in the end. I did wish there was more conflict with Mrs Bennett and Elizabeth at the end to really drive home her feeling of loneliness and abandonment. The encounter initially left me thinking she was just being her normal silly self and Lizzy’s reaction wasn’t proportional. But when you think about it, the woman refused to come see her daughter and refused to have anyone (Jane!) else come to see her and she darn near died. Yep, Lizzy went through a lot but she did well and was written as pretty relatable. What really broke my heart was the Gardners not healthy enough to get back to Pemberly. Hope they are ok? Overall a good read.

[Jean Stillman]

The author's description sets the storyline for us very well. Elizabeth and the Gardiners are injured in a carriage accident on Pemberly property. Two men are killed, and the Gardiners are left traumatized. Darcy finds them, and Elizabeth who is critically injured.
There are parts of this story that I just adored. And there are parts that left me wanting.
I love the characterizations of Darcy and Elizabeth. Both were well written, in spite of how melancholy I found Darcy.
I enjoyed the effects the accident had on the three survivors as they struggled to come to terms with both the physical and the mental scars of the accident. Very well done.
While I do like the steamy bits of the story, they seemed awkward and rushed. As much as I enjoy a good smutty read, this one held the worst aspects of the story.
That said, I did find the book worth the read time.

[William Hovey]

Loved this story!

Other readers may complain about the amount of spicy and steamy moments between our ODC, I am definitely not one of them! Reflecting on the plot itself, it was surprising that Mrs. Bennet was the one who wrote to Elizabeth and not her father. I was so captured and engaged that I completely missed any errors of modern language, societal customs, grammar or punctuation. Normally such errors are glaring as I read a book, but not here.

Your treatment of PTSD is excellent, though the HEA could have used some hints indicating eventual recovery. As another reader with a neuromuscular condition it is refreshing to see an author address some of the ways the characters handle difficult challenges.

Definitely recommended. I’m looking forward ward to reading other books in the series.

[Millennium65]

3.5/5 - Angsty injury recovery

This story is a bit sad and angsty, though it ends in an HEA. I've read books with similar premises before, but this one is unique in how it focuses on Lizzy's injury. The book kept me engaged and had decent pacing.

There were a few things that could have been better, though. The first was that tension at the climax was caused by a failure to communicate, which I dislike. It came off as lazy and unbelievable.

Second, the sex scenes seemed really out of place. One minute, Lizzy can't move without pain, and the next, they're tearing each other's clothes off? It seemed a little forced. Also, in terms of emotions, I would have preferred longing and love over lust.

Overall, it was a decent read but probably not one I'll revisit.