What do you think?
Rate this book
Mr Darcy's Long Game: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
At age two and twenty, Fitzwilliam Darcy is thought well of, although he can be quite impatient with other people, with himself, with life. But a chance encounter in Ramsgate changes the trajectory of his life, and he starts a project with only long-term goals. And thus he demonstrates that, when the motivation is sufficiently high, he can indeed be patient.
Five years later, Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet find themselves in the same place at the same time. Elizabeth is delighted with his company - but she has no idea of Mr Darcy's long game, his strategies and machinations.
This Pride and Prejudice variation is low angst and features some mature content. It is around 65K words.
Five years later, Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet find themselves in the same place at the same time. Elizabeth is delighted with his company - but she has no idea of Mr Darcy's long game, his strategies and machinations.
This Pride and Prejudice variation is low angst and features some mature content. It is around 65K words.
- GenresRegency
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2026
About the author
Cathleen Earle
29 books14 followersCathleen Earle is that rare thing - someone who is third generation Southern Californian. Raised in Pasadena, she went to the University of La Verne and now lives in Chino, a town known for cows and prisons. (She has nothing to do with either!)
A long-time education writer and editor, she writes science fiction books for kids and teens and Pride and Prejudice variations for adults.
Cathleen loves science fiction and Jane Austen, alternative rock music and jigsaw puzzles, streaming TV shows (think "Resident Alien" and "The Good Place") and really, really old places (think the Roman Forum and Stonehenge).
A long-time education writer and editor, she writes science fiction books for kids and teens and Pride and Prejudice variations for adults.
Cathleen loves science fiction and Jane Austen, alternative rock music and jigsaw puzzles, streaming TV shows (think "Resident Alien" and "The Good Place") and really, really old places (think the Roman Forum and Stonehenge).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 16, 2026
The initial premise says that young Darcy is very impatient and impetuous... and this longstanding trait is suddenly cured out of him when he meets the Gardiners and their precocious niece Elizabeth at Ramsgate.
The story is direct in hinting that Darcy has a strong interest in the young lady, but also demure enough to say that he never seeks her out, or expresses this (improper) interest in any way.
This early meeting triggers Wickham to be removed from the picture early on, and sets Darcy on a long-term planning path that seeks to watch over Elizabeth, protect her, and even mold her experiences, in order to arrange a future meeting (since Darcy already decided he wants to marry the girl).
The story depicts a super creepy, all-powerful Darcy, and a clueless Lizzy who doesn´t know yet she was singled out for a great match!
This type of tropee can be satisfying for readers wanting to see a focused and determined hero, who has set his sight on the heroine and will move Heaven and Earth in order to get her... but it is also a super creepy trope that romanticizes stalking, and completely removes agency from the heroine -- her world is being monitored and curated for her, her choices are influenced, and her already limited freedoms (Regency reality) become even more constrained.
The reading experience can be enjoyable for some readers, while it´s a problematic plot.
Fair warning !
The story is direct in hinting that Darcy has a strong interest in the young lady, but also demure enough to say that he never seeks her out, or expresses this (improper) interest in any way.
This early meeting triggers Wickham to be removed from the picture early on, and sets Darcy on a long-term planning path that seeks to watch over Elizabeth, protect her, and even mold her experiences, in order to arrange a future meeting (since Darcy already decided he wants to marry the girl).
The story depicts a super creepy, all-powerful Darcy, and a clueless Lizzy who doesn´t know yet she was singled out for a great match!
This type of tropee can be satisfying for readers wanting to see a focused and determined hero, who has set his sight on the heroine and will move Heaven and Earth in order to get her... but it is also a super creepy trope that romanticizes stalking, and completely removes agency from the heroine -- her world is being monitored and curated for her, her choices are influenced, and her already limited freedoms (Regency reality) become even more constrained.
The reading experience can be enjoyable for some readers, while it´s a problematic plot.
Fair warning !
June 21, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely love it when Darcy is sweet and wonderful from the very start. I also love it when all 5 Bennet sisters are supportive of each other and Mary is not ignored and dismissed by everyone. There are places where it becomes rather farcical in the almost wrong kinds of ways, but this is a great feel good, zero angst, love story. I will enjoy it again many times in the future.
I absolutely love it when Darcy is sweet and wonderful from the very start. I also love it when all 5 Bennet sisters are supportive of each other and Mary is not ignored and dismissed by everyone. There are places where it becomes rather farcical in the almost wrong kinds of ways, but this is a great feel good, zero angst, love story. I will enjoy it again many times in the future.
June 22, 2026
He that can have patience can have what he will - B. Franklin
4.5* rounded up
This is a short review for a short book whose cover grabbed my attention immediately (I favour the '95 adaptation). Within the pages of the book, I found my ideal Darcy: intelligent and honourable. just and generous. When he determines his goal, he sets out the many steps he must take to achieve it. The dialogue is witty and the story is lively. I highly recommend reading it.
4.5* rounded up
This is a short review for a short book whose cover grabbed my attention immediately (I favour the '95 adaptation). Within the pages of the book, I found my ideal Darcy: intelligent and honourable. just and generous. When he determines his goal, he sets out the many steps he must take to achieve it. The dialogue is witty and the story is lively. I highly recommend reading it.
July 21, 2026
A real treat!
A completely new version of the original, this book makes use of the characters, respectful of their personalities, and weaves a wonderful story full of caring and love. A real joy to read!
A completely new version of the original, this book makes use of the characters, respectful of their personalities, and weaves a wonderful story full of caring and love. A real joy to read!
June 27, 2026
This was absolutely marvelous! No skipping, pure love, determination and consistency! I loved Mr. Darcy in this book!!
Low angst, no boring parts!
Low angst, no boring parts!
June 30, 2026
Ms Earle has become an auto-buy author for me. Mr Darcy's Long Game is another gem that delivers exactly what I like: subtle, often startling humour, a zero-angst (or very low-angst) love story, and just the right tiny splash of steam to make everything feel warm and satisfying.
I adore this version of Darcy--worldly, devoted, and steadfast from the very beginning. The way the author shows his childhood, his growth, and that life-changing moment in Ramsgate when he falls for a young Elizabeth is beautifully done. He’s swoon-worthy without being unbelievable (though I’m more than happy to believe in him anyway). Elizabeth has that perfect spunk, goodness, and lack of malice that makes her so easy to root for. Their courtship is loving and heartfelt rather than full of the usual tension and misunderstandings, and it’s addictive to read. The pace is excellent--never too slow, always engaging--and the story holds your attention from start to finish. The whole idea is a little creepy, but the author handled it so well.
What I loved even more were the Bennet sisters. All five of them are supportive of one another, and Mary finally gets the attention and respect she deserves instead of being dismissed. Seeing Bingley grow a spine with Caroline was also satisfying, and Jane shows a bit more depth than the usual beautiful potted fern portrayal. The whole experience is a comforting hug of a book.
Darcy’s Long Game is a touch far-fetched in a real-world sense, but in the hands of a talented storyteller, it works beautifully as a romantic premise. The result is a feel-good read with good dialogue, lively scenes, and characters who like and respect each other. It’s the perfect palate cleanser or comfort reread, and I know I’ll be coming back to it many times.
If you enjoy Pride & Prejudice variations where the focus is on love, patience, and quiet devotion rather than endless drama, this one is a must. Highly, highly recommended!
I adore this version of Darcy--worldly, devoted, and steadfast from the very beginning. The way the author shows his childhood, his growth, and that life-changing moment in Ramsgate when he falls for a young Elizabeth is beautifully done. He’s swoon-worthy without being unbelievable (though I’m more than happy to believe in him anyway). Elizabeth has that perfect spunk, goodness, and lack of malice that makes her so easy to root for. Their courtship is loving and heartfelt rather than full of the usual tension and misunderstandings, and it’s addictive to read. The pace is excellent--never too slow, always engaging--and the story holds your attention from start to finish. The whole idea is a little creepy, but the author handled it so well.
What I loved even more were the Bennet sisters. All five of them are supportive of one another, and Mary finally gets the attention and respect she deserves instead of being dismissed. Seeing Bingley grow a spine with Caroline was also satisfying, and Jane shows a bit more depth than the usual beautiful potted fern portrayal. The whole experience is a comforting hug of a book.
Darcy’s Long Game is a touch far-fetched in a real-world sense, but in the hands of a talented storyteller, it works beautifully as a romantic premise. The result is a feel-good read with good dialogue, lively scenes, and characters who like and respect each other. It’s the perfect palate cleanser or comfort reread, and I know I’ll be coming back to it many times.
If you enjoy Pride & Prejudice variations where the focus is on love, patience, and quiet devotion rather than endless drama, this one is a must. Highly, highly recommended!
June 26, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
I like reading books where Darcy falls for Lizzy and actually fights for her from the start. Memories by Linda Wells is one of my favourite P&P variation of all time and seeing Darcy and Elizabeth so in love and communicating with each other is what makes it so. We have a Darcy who meets Lizzy earlier than canon and moves behind the shadows to arrange matters so that he helps and looks after her over the years before he is able to reveal his feelings for her. The premise is that Darcy is wickedly intelligent and smart and moves people and things around to make this possible like pieces on a chess board. I liked seeing the interactions between Darcy and Lizzy and even between Darcy and Mary. My gripe is that we don't get enough of Darcy doing the behind the scenes moves. We learn of them after the fact and we do not get more of it. The conflict comes very late in the book and is only a chapter long and that is taken care of partly on page and majorly off page. I was just a little disappointed with the book. There was potential that just did not land for me. But it was still an enjoyable read and that counts for a lot for me.
I like reading books where Darcy falls for Lizzy and actually fights for her from the start. Memories by Linda Wells is one of my favourite P&P variation of all time and seeing Darcy and Elizabeth so in love and communicating with each other is what makes it so. We have a Darcy who meets Lizzy earlier than canon and moves behind the shadows to arrange matters so that he helps and looks after her over the years before he is able to reveal his feelings for her. The premise is that Darcy is wickedly intelligent and smart and moves people and things around to make this possible like pieces on a chess board. I liked seeing the interactions between Darcy and Lizzy and even between Darcy and Mary. My gripe is that we don't get enough of Darcy doing the behind the scenes moves. We learn of them after the fact and we do not get more of it. The conflict comes very late in the book and is only a chapter long and that is taken care of partly on page and majorly off page. I was just a little disappointed with the book. There was potential that just did not land for me. But it was still an enjoyable read and that counts for a lot for me.
August 5, 2026
A romantic fairy tale
Elizabeth meets Darcy and Georgiana when she is fifteen, vacationing in Ramsgate with the Gardiners. They only encounter one another briefly, but Darcy, at age twenty-two, sees enough to know that Elizabeth is special and unique, and that he's willing to plan ahead for the time when she'll be old enough to court. Elizabeth, meanwhile, never forgets the handsome Darcy, and is surprised when they're reunited at the Meryton assembly five years later. She later learns that their reunion, and many other strange coincidences, are the result of careful planning on his part.
The premise is rather fanciful, but it's also extremely romantic. Darcy's early and impulsive decision to plan his life around a future with Elizabeth is very OOC, but I have to admit that it's lovely. This is a "super Darcy" who seeks out anything Elizabeth wishes, or anything that troubles her, and he secretly deals with it. It's almost a little creepy at times, but you just have to roll with it. This isn't great literature, but it's written well enough. I recommend it for a wonderfully romantic story.
Elizabeth meets Darcy and Georgiana when she is fifteen, vacationing in Ramsgate with the Gardiners. They only encounter one another briefly, but Darcy, at age twenty-two, sees enough to know that Elizabeth is special and unique, and that he's willing to plan ahead for the time when she'll be old enough to court. Elizabeth, meanwhile, never forgets the handsome Darcy, and is surprised when they're reunited at the Meryton assembly five years later. She later learns that their reunion, and many other strange coincidences, are the result of careful planning on his part.
The premise is rather fanciful, but it's also extremely romantic. Darcy's early and impulsive decision to plan his life around a future with Elizabeth is very OOC, but I have to admit that it's lovely. This is a "super Darcy" who seeks out anything Elizabeth wishes, or anything that troubles her, and he secretly deals with it. It's almost a little creepy at times, but you just have to roll with it. This isn't great literature, but it's written well enough. I recommend it for a wonderfully romantic story.
June 23, 2026
A Pleasing Courtship
Normally we have a lot of tension between our couple; Elizabeth and Darcy. This is not that. They enjoy a very loving and heartfelt courtship that is surprisingly a satisfying read. There is some angst here and there but not between the couple. Even without that ... the story is interesting from start to finish with a good pace (not too slow). I enjoyed it.
Normally we have a lot of tension between our couple; Elizabeth and Darcy. This is not that. They enjoy a very loving and heartfelt courtship that is surprisingly a satisfying read. There is some angst here and there but not between the couple. Even without that ... the story is interesting from start to finish with a good pace (not too slow). I enjoyed it.
July 10, 2026
A different, enjoyable P&P
A different Darcy, a different Elizabeth equals an entirely new path to HEA for ODC. I very much enjoyed this Darcy who is patient and methodical. Elizabeth is much the same but full of more questions. The main characters are all present so it's definitely P&P and worth the enjoyable read.
A different Darcy, a different Elizabeth equals an entirely new path to HEA for ODC. I very much enjoyed this Darcy who is patient and methodical. Elizabeth is much the same but full of more questions. The main characters are all present so it's definitely P&P and worth the enjoyable read.
July 11, 2026
Regfreshing
Loved this fun story, no repeat word for word of the original. Well written, dialogs well done and interesting. Would have liked a little more of Caroline being bested but happy with Bingleys character. Would have liked Mary to have had a romance her character was refreshing all in all a light using tale.
Loved this fun story, no repeat word for word of the original. Well written, dialogs well done and interesting. Would have liked a little more of Caroline being bested but happy with Bingleys character. Would have liked Mary to have had a romance her character was refreshing all in all a light using tale.
July 20, 2026
lots of maneuvering
Ah yes, I certainly could imagine Darcy as an ultimate planner… I enjoyed this variation considering a long time acquaintance evolving into more situation. Considering Darcy’s manoeuvres over the years, it was a bit surprising that Lizzy just took this in stride. I guess sometime you “just know” the rightness of something and accept it.
Ah yes, I certainly could imagine Darcy as an ultimate planner… I enjoyed this variation considering a long time acquaintance evolving into more situation. Considering Darcy’s manoeuvres over the years, it was a bit surprising that Lizzy just took this in stride. I guess sometime you “just know” the rightness of something and accept it.
August 1, 2026
Bride and groom
I enjoyed the low angst style story but I am a little creeped out. Possible spoilers ahead skewed by my opinion: it seems like Darcy groomed Elizabeth to be his wife. That is the darkest interpretation. It was done from afar and he did no more than provide opportunities she could take advantage of. But I just cannot get this impression of grooming out of my head.
I enjoyed the low angst style story but I am a little creeped out. Possible spoilers ahead skewed by my opinion: it seems like Darcy groomed Elizabeth to be his wife. That is the darkest interpretation. It was done from afar and he did no more than provide opportunities she could take advantage of. But I just cannot get this impression of grooming out of my head.
June 24, 2026
Watching Her Grow
I absolutely Loved this book! Loved Darcy’s personality and how the author described Darcy’s childhood and his change to adulthood. Falling in love with Elizabeth when she was so young. Excellent story line!!!
I absolutely Loved this book! Loved Darcy’s personality and how the author described Darcy’s childhood and his change to adulthood. Falling in love with Elizabeth when she was so young. Excellent story line!!!
July 2, 2026
Cute story of timing, resilience, preparation and happiness
Darcy was instantly smitten, dealt with issues rather than delaying response and sparing many. His research, if you ca. call it that, allowed him to understand Elizabeth well. I’m glad the Meryton ladies were provided opportunities that they could choose whether or not to participate. HEA.
Darcy was instantly smitten, dealt with issues rather than delaying response and sparing many. His research, if you ca. call it that, allowed him to understand Elizabeth well. I’m glad the Meryton ladies were provided opportunities that they could choose whether or not to participate. HEA.
June 29, 2026
Started off great but took a turn towards creepy and stalkerish.
July 23, 2026
Interesting
Sorry. To clever by half The beginning is fine but middle begins to bore and the ending is awful. Mr Darcy celibate for 15 plus years? Sorry.
Sorry. To clever by half The beginning is fine but middle begins to bore and the ending is awful. Mr Darcy celibate for 15 plus years? Sorry.
July 27, 2026
so good!
Darcy is the master of the long game in this story. A sweet angst free romance that takes 5 years to begin in truth. Swoon or they on every page.
Darcy is the master of the long game in this story. A sweet angst free romance that takes 5 years to begin in truth. Swoon or they on every page.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews