Darcy has fled Netherfield to escape the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Yet, when his friend Charles Bingley is not to be persuaded to stay in London but is about to return to his estate in Hertfordshire, Darcy is eager to accompany him. He has finally accepted that he can’t escape Elizabeth but has left a poor impression on his last visit. Now he is determined to woo her properly in the way he knows best.
Elizabeth is at first not best pleased when she sees that the taciturn gentleman from Derbyshire has accompanied his friend. She fears his renewed interference in Jane’s courtship. But soon she sees changes in Mr Darcy and begins to value his company more and more. When the twelve days of Christmas begin she receives mysterious gifts. First she can’t imagine who this mysterious admirer may be but soon she begins to hope that it may be Darcy.
Will her hopes be fulfilled? Will Darcy reveal his hidden identity to her in the end? And will he be able to win her heart on the twelfth day of Christmas?
This sweet, Christmas themed variation was very well written by the author MJ Stratton. I always enjoy her variations very much and this one was no expectation. It left me in quite a Christmas spirit.
I really enjoyed Darcy’s idea to give Elizabeth presents in the spirit of the Twelve days of Christmas. It’s a beautiful way to woo her. I also liked his selection of his presents and that they are all fitting to Elizabeth and her personality. He takes much effort to give her tokes she really appreciates. With his thoughtfulness he is able to gradually change her opinion of him and let her see the real, kind, thoughtful, considerate and loving Darcy.
I also appreciated that he begins to comprehend on his own that his behaviour was lacking as he last stayed at Netherfield and that he is willing to change because he does not like the person he has become.
Because, at the beginning, Elizabeth has no clue who this secret admirer is and Darcy is not sure how she will respond to his attentions, we get to know many thoughts and observations of both of them. I liked this very much because therefore we, the readers, know at every point what Darcy and Elizabeth think about each other. But at the same time we do not know if Darcy’s next present will soften Elizabeth’s opinion. This gives the story a bit of a thrill and you are not able to put it aside.
I really enjoyed reading it when Elizabeth receives a new, secret parcel and learns of its content. I like her joy in discovering it and her thoughts about the sender and his intention. I like that she receives the gifts in the spirit intended.
There are many feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth. His are deepening with each passing day and hers begin to grow with each considerate gift. I like that, with each meeting, they are drawn together more readily and that one can, at some point, see the sparks flying between them.
I really like that not only Elizabeth finds her happiness in this story but that there is also a happily ever after for Jane and Mary. Mary's match in particular is unexpected but well deserved. I liked that, due to her blossoming love Mary becomes more approachable and finds her place among her sisters. She deserves this happiness and the softening of her sharp edges.
The story is only about Darcy’s wooing of Elizabeth and the change of her opinion, therefore there are no villains in this story. As this is a Christmas variation I found this fitting and enjoyed their coming together through a sort of courtship and by getting to know each other better very much.
If you like to know how the Twelve days of Christmas will change Elizabeth’s opinion of Darcy you should definitely read this excellent book.
I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.