Under the Mistletoe with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Charlotte Weatherby

Beneath a simple sprig of mistletoe, everything Elizabeth believed about Mr. Darcy—and herself—begins to change.

When Mr. Bingley chooses not to leave Netherfield—despite Mr. Darcy’s counsel—the winter holidays unfold differently for the Bennet family. Jane’s courtship continues to blossom, bringing the Bennets frequently to Netherfield for dinners, musical evenings, and, eventually, a grand Christmas gathering. And with each visit, Elizabeth finds herself increasingly in Mr. Darcy’s company.

The man she once believed proud and distant now reveals a gentleness she never thoughtful conversations, unexpected smiles, and a quiet protectiveness that unsettles every certainty she held about him. And when Miss Caroline Bingley launches a plan to catch Mr. Darcy under the mistletoe, a surprise encounter with Mr. Darcy chips away at Elizabeth’s defenses and warms her heart in ways she struggles to understand.

Yet the season is not without shadows. Wickham’s mischief threatens the harmony of the holiday, and the Bennet household brings its usual lively chaos. As Elizabeth navigates these complications, she must confront a truth far more she may have wholly misjudged Mr. Darcy… and her feelings for him may already be irrevocably changed.

Let yourself get swept away in a tender holiday Pride and Prejudice variation where one altered choice sets two hearts on a new path, misunderstandings melt in winter light, and love blooms at the most unexpected moment.

Pride & Prejudice variations – “what if Bingley never left Netherfield?” – sweet holiday romance – mistletoe moments – gentle enemies to lovers – Darcy falls first & hard – winter house party – cozy slow-burn romance – uplifting happily ever after

173 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Lit Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet Christmas read. Imperfect, but cozy and romantic anyway.

The stody reveals itself as a (poorly) revised writing exercise that was later picked up for publication. Why do I claim this, you might ask ?? Well, because editing errors seem like little irksome details, and add up until they become glaring.

For example, the story begins the day after the Netherfield ball, when Bingley refuses to leave Hertfordshire and stays to pursue Jane. We are not told that anything else changes from the original story until that pivotal moment. But as the story unfolds, Darcy seems to see Wickham for the first time in years, and to be surprised about it, when in the original timeline Darcy met Wickham earlier after Jane´s stay at Netherfield (before the ball).

The storytelling relies on staple devices (clichés?) too many times for comfort, such as Lydia or someone else interrupting a first kiss between Lizzy and Darcy. The tease is used one too many times across the story. Irritating the reader is not quality writing or "delayed gratification", in my opinion, it´s just a tiresome trope used (and recommended to authors) in the early 2000s about "torturing characters" as much as possible to create tension [ eye roll ].

I did enjoy the story once I decided to overlook the little sins listed above. Not every story is perfect, but this one has potential for further editing and a bit of polishing to make it shine!

[Shannon Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

So romantic making you hold your breath as Darcy and Elizabeth discover their feelings for each other even though it kind of has a Christmas theme it really isn’t Christmas focused. However Mistletoe does make a play in them realizing their feelings for each other.

[April Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet and as an added bonus ODC of course gets the better of Carolyn.

[Terri Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather liked this book .
Some editing issues but not tragic.