What do you think?
Rate this book
Brushstrokes: A Darcy and Lizzy Tale
It is not at a grand assembly nor in the company of a crowded ballroom that Mr Darcy first lays eyes on Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but in a far quieter, more unexpected setting—at his London residence, although she doesn’t visit him. Her mistakenly delivered portrait sets in motion a love story neither of them could have anticipated.
For a gentleman so bound by decorum, falling in love, at first sight, is hardly the ideal predicament. Yet, love does not wait for the perfect moment, nor does it concern itself with propriety. As he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth’s beauty, wit and warmth, Darcy must learn that kindness, patience, and the certainty that things can change for the better are the true brushstrokes of lasting happiness.
Steeped in the charm of Regency romance and rich with historical detail, Brushstrokes is a heartwarming and low-angst Pride and Prejudice variation—a tale of quiet devotion, missed chances, and a love that finds its way to a happy and deeply cherished marriage. It is a novel sure to delight all Janeites—though, truly, you must read it to believe it.
Don’t miss this enchanting new take on Jane Austen’s beloved characters—order your copy today!
For a gentleman so bound by decorum, falling in love, at first sight, is hardly the ideal predicament. Yet, love does not wait for the perfect moment, nor does it concern itself with propriety. As he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth’s beauty, wit and warmth, Darcy must learn that kindness, patience, and the certainty that things can change for the better are the true brushstrokes of lasting happiness.
Steeped in the charm of Regency romance and rich with historical detail, Brushstrokes is a heartwarming and low-angst Pride and Prejudice variation—a tale of quiet devotion, missed chances, and a love that finds its way to a happy and deeply cherished marriage. It is a novel sure to delight all Janeites—though, truly, you must read it to believe it.
Don’t miss this enchanting new take on Jane Austen’s beloved characters—order your copy today!
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2025
19 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 30, 2025
unsure
This was a tough read. I like the premise, but ultimately Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth because of her portrait is barely part of the story. Also, the language is odd. Overly poetic maybe? I have my suspicions. Ultimately, this is an oddly written story where the characters speak in verse. I just couldn’t get into it. I did like a better Bennet family but found myself skimming just to get it over with.
This was a tough read. I like the premise, but ultimately Darcy falling in love with Elizabeth because of her portrait is barely part of the story. Also, the language is odd. Overly poetic maybe? I have my suspicions. Ultimately, this is an oddly written story where the characters speak in verse. I just couldn’t get into it. I did like a better Bennet family but found myself skimming just to get it over with.
September 30, 2025
I loved this
What a wonderful story! It was gentle and sweet and romantic and thoughtful. And Wickham got his comeuppance in a unique manner.
What a wonderful story! It was gentle and sweet and romantic and thoughtful. And Wickham got his comeuppance in a unique manner.
October 3, 2025
(notes) This has so much potential but needs more polish. Right near the start is an error; Wickham and Georgiana are eloping.. at a church. . in Ramsgate... a coastal town in England... while she is fifteen and doesn't have guardian permission. Nope! The basic story plot is good, but poorly executed. The dialog is either forced or stiff. There are quit3 a few instances of semi-repeated passages, where a few sentences were either copy/pasted exactly or copy/pasted to be reworded. Then there is quite a few sections where ideas from the original are put there. D&E know each other a week and have hardly conversed and yet she gave him a set down to rework his pride? The consistency just isn't there. It needs a few content editing read throughs followed by an error read through for grammar and punctuation. It truly has so much potential and I enjoyed the plot idea, just would love to see it polished for better execution. I saw someone complain about the dress on the cover not being period correct, but I'm not that facetious, so it didn't concern me.
October 16, 2025
Really good story, needs editing/proofreading.
If you can get past the repeating paragraphs, sentences, and a bewildering statement in the epilogue, then I can recommend this book to you.
A talented artist brings together ODC; both families spent a holiday in Ramsgate in the same summer, but not at the same time. Darcy and Mr. Bennet commissioned portraits of Georgiana and Lizzy respectively. However, when Lizzy’s portrait was delivered to Darcy by mistake, he takes it upon himself to deliver it to the Bennets personally. The image in the painting bewitched him, and he was determined to make the acquaintance of the subject himself, to see if the painter was generous in his portrait, or if it reflected the true beauty of the woman portrayed.
What he found was more than he expected.
Wickham is as dastardly as always; however Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley barely made an appearance.
Be generous (at least until the author releases an edited/proofread version) and you will enjoy the read.
If you can get past the repeating paragraphs, sentences, and a bewildering statement in the epilogue, then I can recommend this book to you.
A talented artist brings together ODC; both families spent a holiday in Ramsgate in the same summer, but not at the same time. Darcy and Mr. Bennet commissioned portraits of Georgiana and Lizzy respectively. However, when Lizzy’s portrait was delivered to Darcy by mistake, he takes it upon himself to deliver it to the Bennets personally. The image in the painting bewitched him, and he was determined to make the acquaintance of the subject himself, to see if the painter was generous in his portrait, or if it reflected the true beauty of the woman portrayed.
What he found was more than he expected.
Wickham is as dastardly as always; however Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley barely made an appearance.
Be generous (at least until the author releases an edited/proofread version) and you will enjoy the read.
October 9, 2025
some lovely writing but . . .
Lizzy’s portrait as the plot premise, immediately establishes Darcy as a romantic, under his reserved exterior. And there is some lovely writing However, two concerns led me to drop my rating back to a three. Firstly, the appalling editing. Both paragraphs and sentences are repeated and there are some typos. secondly, there are some inconsistencies in the narrative. Although Darcy and Liz seem attracted when he first comes to Longbourn, later in the narrative Darcy refers to her reproofs and his attempt at amending his behaviour. These have no prior referents in the story and just create confusion. Also, Lizzie‘s change of heart seems very quick and the ending rushed.
Lizzy’s portrait as the plot premise, immediately establishes Darcy as a romantic, under his reserved exterior. And there is some lovely writing However, two concerns led me to drop my rating back to a three. Firstly, the appalling editing. Both paragraphs and sentences are repeated and there are some typos. secondly, there are some inconsistencies in the narrative. Although Darcy and Liz seem attracted when he first comes to Longbourn, later in the narrative Darcy refers to her reproofs and his attempt at amending his behaviour. These have no prior referents in the story and just create confusion. Also, Lizzie‘s change of heart seems very quick and the ending rushed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews