Compromise, Scandal, Fake Engagement, AND Amnesia? Oh my!
This is not your usual Jae George sweet and light plot. In fact, it could be alternately Mr. Darcy Behaving Very Badly. If you can’t bring yourself to think of him as a cad (even temporarily), then this book may not be for you. But take heart, Our Dear Couple do eventually find their Happily Ever After, and of course, there is a Christian message.
If non-consensual kissing and touching is a trigger for you, you should avoid this story.
I didn’t mind the Bible references, but I could not buy into the premise of Darcy being so drunk he couldn’t remember what he had done. Casual drinkers don’t experience this type of blackout. A longtime alcoholic is more likely to experience blackouts.
The author warns this is not her usual story in the beginning but that was not what put me off in this book. I found the premise interesting but the dialogue to me was nieve. Lizzy particularly immature and a bit irritating. Darcy was a bit of a clod but he is a man after all. And finally it was a bit heavy on the bible references. So a bit of a miss for this one.
I initially borrowed this novel on KU as a result of a Facebook post complaining vociferously about this book because of the triggering event being an assault. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I found the "assault" understandable though not excusable in its eventually revealed context, and I appreciated Ms George's sensitive exploration of how a Regency couple might together, and with spiritual and biblical guidance, reach a better understanding of each other and mutually decide to marry. Also as a note: while contemporary society would indeed class the inciting event as a sexual assault, and had it been known at the time, it would certainly have been a "compromise," It is important, I feel, for the prospective reader to understand it was not a rape, or anything close to a rape.
This is low drama. More about forgiveness, reconciliation, and self growth. A sweet Elizabeth, strong Georgianna, and Jane with a sturdy interior core. Darcy had the self growth and discovery. Worth the late night reading!
A nice story maimed a bit by the sledgehammer of Bible study. The story line was pretty good overall, except the excessive bits of amnesia/idiocy for Darcy. I would wonder at his potential for future amnesia/idiocy and be much more hesitant than Elizabeth ended up being. I would have made him prove himself for longer than Elizabeth did, but hey, it's fiction, and the author can write whatever they want. :-)
I felt that Elizabeth's "conversion" to liking Darcy happened too easily/quickly. However, the letters were delightful.
Other than being clobbered by Bible references, it was a good story and I think most JAFF lovers would like it.