Knowing Mr. Darcy: a Pride and Prejudice variation

by Valerie Lennox

Pride and Prejudice as if Jane and Elizabeth have switched places

When Miss Jane Bennet sprains her ankle the day of the Meryton assembly, she cannot dance with Mr. Charles Bingley, and so he dances with her sister Elizabeth instead.

Now, Elizabeth is the object of Mr. Bingley’s affection. It is she who is invited to dine with the Bingley sisters, she who catches cold, and she who is obliged to stay at Netherfield whilst she recovers.

Jane is the one who comes to check on her ailing sister, the one who listens to Mr. Darcy’s pronunciations on accomplished ladies, and later, the one who hears Mr. Wickham’s tale of Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth knows she should marry Mr. Bingley. It is the best thing for her family, and she can find nothing particularly to complain about when it comes to the man.

But it is Mr. Darcy who smolders on the periphery, Mr. Darcy to whom she cannot help but be drawn, even as she knows of the whispers of his bad behavior toward Mr. Wickham.

She cannot help but consider Mr. Darcy, but she does not know him. And knowing Mr. Darcy will unravel everything she is building with Mr. Bingley.

Dear reader, I had such immense fun throwing Jane into all of Elizabeth’s scenes and vice versa. This was truly a delightful book to write, and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Yes, it gets steamy. Lizzy and Darcy, in a carriage, anticipating their vows… I couldn’t stop myself, I’m afraid. Do be aware, as always, that I consider positively nothing sacred when it comes to our dear couple, but I can promise you that it all ends in a sweet burst of everlasting happiness.

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sorry but this story did not pull me in. There were times I almost put it down but I have never not finished a story I started.

I did not like the fact that more than one person could not seem to settle on just who attracted them and for what reason. Yes, circumstances have Jane with a sprained ankle and therefore unable to dance at the assembly so it is Elizabeth who dances with Bingley and Jane finds herself talking to Mr. Darcy. Even Wickham is wishy-washy in his attempts to elope.

I just could not "feel" the attraction between our main lovers. And then those scenes in which Elizabeth and Darcy...well, know that this is a MA rated story!

The author did keep much of canon but at times just put a different person in the scene. So for me there was really no angst, which I do so like.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy dances with Bingley and Jane candy dance

Story is about who will marry who. Very entertaining story. Constant low level of angst with high angst now and then. Jane finds out why her viewpoint about everyone is good, can be very dangerous.

Quite a fun and original story. Lizzy is a bit different and is tiresome in not understanding how pretty she is.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start with the fact that I normally love this author. The writing was good but this storyline really bothered me.
This judgmental caustic version of Elizabeth who is trying to attract a husband for the benefit of her family and doesn’t even think about love is one I quite dislike. She knows she is flattered by Bingley because he pays attention to her over Jane, she is really only lukewarm about him. Still I she leads him on a merry chase. Bingley is so all over the place it can cause nausea, Jane is well…not Jane, & the Col is awful. Elizabeth and Caroline as friends…. Gossiping. *cringe* Also everything being about attraction (sexual tension) and money with very little actually knowledge about one another was disturbing.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a different retelling of a Pride and Prejudice. Jane and Elizabeth seem to have changed their original partners. The story held my interest and kept me turning pages, I had to know how this engaging story would end. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is yet again another fun P&P variation! It’s amazing how changing a few details and behaviors can trigger such different emotions about a story. I must say, for the first 2/3 of the novel I felt quite unsettled as this story was unfolding in a direction not yet explored. Attention to detail and wonderful dialogue between the characters really helped reveal key details and understanding that were at the heart of the plot. Seeing Elizabeth, Jane, Anne, Wickham as well as Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, all slightly different and yet inherently the same made for a satisfying story and a sweet HEA.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Warning: This book isn’t the least bit clean. Contains scenes meant for a mature audience. Be advised.

It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. What if Jane and Elizabeth have switched places? When Miss Jane Bennet sprains her ankle the day of the Meryton assembly, she cannot dance with Mr Charles Bingley, and so he dances with her sister Elizabeth instead, and now, Elizabeth is the object of Mr Bingley’s affection. It is she who is invited to dine with the Bingley sisters, she who catches cold, and she who is obliged to stay at Netherfield whilst she recovers. Jane is the one who comes to check on her ailing sister, the one who listens to Mr. Darcy’s pronunciations on accomplished ladies, and later, the one who hears Mr Wickham’s tale of Mr Darcy. Elizabeth knows she should marry Mr. Bingley, for it is the best thing for her family, and she can find nothing particularly to complain about when it comes to the man, but it is Mr. Darcy who smolders on the periphery, Mr. Darcy to whom she cannot help but be drawn, even as she knows of the whispers of his bad behavior toward Mr. Wickham. She cannot help but consider Mr. Darcy, but she does not know him, and knowing Mr. Darcy will unravel everything she is building with Mr. Bingley. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.

[Katja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun switcheroo in which Jane couldn't dance at the assembly and Bingley latches on to Elizabeth instead. How would things change if it was Elizabeth who got drenched on horseback and Jane in the drawingroom with the Bingleys. It gets a little convoluted there at the last half when allegiances get switched in a fast paced Who's With Who, and you might worry about Jane for a while as she does something unexpected, and Elizabeth lets her. But there is a HEA for most characters who deserve it.

I enjoyed it because there is a lot of dialogue that is frightfully on point, amusing and with a sharp, succinct observations changing the perspective.

Steam level: some sexual content.

I received a free copy and this is a voluntary review.

[Vem · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 22%

Very ooc characters. I didn't mind it much but they were extremely inconsistent and illogical too. We have Charlotte considering accepting a mans offer to be mistress, Elizabeth considering accepting Bingley's proposal just a day after meeting him (even though she is not into him at all), Darcy seemingly into both Jane and Elizabeth??, Darcy, Bingley both going into Elizabeth's room and having conversations with her while she is in bed..

Its too much for me

[loriinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it!

This story is not canonical. It’s not written in the language of two centuries ago. But dang, it was fun to read!