Breakfast With Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance

by Rachelle Ayala

Elizabeth dazzles London society with Caroline Bingley’s help, as long as she avoids Darcy. But behind tea and books, she finds a Darcy impossible to resist.

The barely tolerable country lass, Elizabeth Bennet, strikes a deal with none other than Caroline Bingley. Introduction to the London Season in exchange for avoiding Caroline’s prize prospect, Mr. Darcy.

Needing an escape from her nerves and the exhausting social scene, Elizabeth retreats to a quiet lending library for books over steaming cups of tea.

Instead, she finds Mr. Darcy at The Tea Book each morning, matching her wit, challenging her opinions, and seeing past ‘Miss Eliza” to the real Elizabeth—impertinent, intelligent, and utterly unsuitable by London standards.

As Miss Eliza excels in society and attracts the attention of earls, viscounts, and one Fitzwilliam Darcy, Caroline’s jealousy leads to a scandal that leaves Elizabeth’s reputation in tatters.

Will two people who never much cared for the pretense of society overcome their fears and insecurities to pursue a love that makes them truly seen?

A sweet, slow-burn romance where fake friendships backfire and happily-ever-afters are worth the price of social rejection.

* * *

Dual Identity • Forbidden Attraction • Deal with the Devil • Social Climbing Gone Wrong • Friends to Lovers • Secret Morning Meetings • Society Scandal • Acting and Belonging • Slow Burn Romance • Guaranteed HEA

87,000 words, clean romance

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Rachelle Ayala is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She writes emotionally challenging stories but believes in the power of love and hope.

Her book, Knowing Vera, won the 2015 Angie Ovation Award, and A Father for Christmas garnered a 2015 Readers' Favorite Gold Award. Christmas Stray was awarded the 2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Award and A Pet for Christmas had an Honorable Mention. In 2017, her book about a single mother with an autistic son, Playing for the Save, won the 2017 Readers' Favorite Gold Award for Realistic Fiction.

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She is also a writing teacher and founder of the Romance In A Month writing community. She lives in California with her husband and has three children and two birds.

For an updated, printable booklist:
https://www.scribd.com/document/34213...

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Broken Build
Hidden Under Her Heart
Knowing Vera

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Taming Romeo
Claiming Carlos
Whole Latte Love
The Remingtons: Leap, Laugh, Love
The Remingtons: Blush of Love
Bad Boys for Hire: Ryker
Bad Boys for Hire: Ken
Bad Boys for Hire: Nick
Laguna Beach: Lucky in Laguna
Sapphire Falls: Going Haywire
Sapphire Falls: Going Toe to Mistletoe
Sapphire Falls: Going Hearts Over Heels

SPORTS ROMANCE
Played by Love
Playing the Rookie
Playing Without Rules
Roaring Hot!
Intercepted by Love
Playing Catch
Playing for the Save

SWEET ROMANCE
Christmas Stray
A Father for Christmas
A Pet for Christmas
A Wedding for Christmas
Christmas Lovebirds
Valentine Hound Dog
Spring Fling Kitty
Blue Chow Christmas
Valentine Wedding Hound

HOLIDAY ROMANCE
Christmas Flirt
Santa's Pet
Deck the Hearts
Her Christmas Chance
Sapphire Falls: Going Toe to Mistletoe
Bad Boys for Hire: Nick

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Michal's Window

NON-FICTION
Your Daily Bible Verse
Romance In A Month
366 Ways to Know Your Character
Love Stories: Writing a Romance Novella

Reviews

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breakfast With Darcy is a fascinating twist on Pride and Prejudice. I really enjoy these twists on the original. Ms. Ayala's imagination knows no limits! Elizabeth is conflicted. She is accepted as Eliza B but feels uncomfortable with all the deception and artifice. She escapes to The Tea Book (a tearoom I want to visit!), but encounters Mr. Darcy, the one man whose company will jeopardize her deal with Miss Bingley! At The Tea Book, Lizzie feels more free to be herself. Come enjoy the developing relationship with Mr. Darcy and the trials and tribulations she faces as she seeks to avoid Mr. Collins' suit. I was sorry to reach the end!

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

I loved it!

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. This is part of the ‘Darcy and Elizabeth Forever: Pride and Prejudice Variations’ series. All books are standalone reads and can be read in any order.

Enchanting and passionate Pride and Prejudice variations where Elizabeth and Darcy discover the best in each other while navigating thorny situations and unexpected turns. Each story offers a wild and angsty ride for Our Dear Couple filled with playful banter, found friendship, and the undeniable pull of hearts meant to be together. Perfect for readers who cherish spirited romance, furtive kisses, and the simple joy of seeing Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet earn their joyful happily ever after.

A sweet, slow-burn romance where fake friendships backfire and happily-ever-afters are worth the price of social rejection. Elizabeth dazzles London society with Caroline Bingley’s help, as long as she avoids Darcy, but behind tea and books, she finds a Darcy impossible to resist. The barely tolerable country lass, Elizabeth Bennet, strikes a deal with none other than Caroline Bingley, introduction to the London Season in exchange for avoiding Caroline’s prize prospect, Mr. Darcy.

Needing an escape from her nerves and the exhausting social scene, Elizabeth retreats to a quiet lending library for books over steaming cups of tea. Instead, she finds Mr. Darcy at The Tea Book each morning, matching her wit, challenging her opinions, and seeing past ‘Miss Eliza” to the real Elizabeth, impertinent, intelligent, and utterly unsuitable by London standards. As Miss Eliza excels in society and attracts the attention of earls, viscounts, and one Fitzwilliam Darcy, Caroline’s jealousy leads to a scandal that leaves Elizabeth’s reputation in tatters. Will two people who never much cared for the pretense of society overcome their fears and insecurities to pursue a love that makes them truly seen? 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.

[Danette Fowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice Sunday read if you like to curl up with a good book for an afternoon. I love the dual personalities of Elizabeth and Eliza and how Darcy learns to love them. I teally enjoy these novels by this aithor. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth may have all of society in a wonder about her. Unfortunately her heart is with Mr Darcy. Who knows what will happen.

[Karon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful as usual

Excellent commentary on Regency ton society. I especially enjoy how Darcys character is unfolded and Elizabeth's true self re emerges