One white lie at an investor reception leaves Elizabeth Bennet posing as Charles Bingley's plus-one—and stuck in weeks of punishing proximity to his arrogant best friend and primary backer, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When George Wickham reappears at precisely the wrong moment and Darcy draws the worst possible conclusion, Elizabeth must expose the charade before he destroys the love that neither of them realised they wanted.
In this modern Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth agrees to pose as Bingley’s girlfriend at a corporate event when her sister Jane, his real girlfriend, is unable to attend. But what should have been a single evening’s pretense continues far longer than expected, leaving Elizabeth in an awkward position as she finds herself working alongside Darcy, Bingley’s best friend, and the guy who steals her heart with every encounter.
Although I initially needed a little time to accept the reason of the deception, and how long it continued, I soon became absorbed in the story and Stuck turned out to be one of the best books I’ve read this year! There were too many aspects that I loved in it, so let’s go one by one:
Watching Them Fall in Love: One of my favorite things about Stuck was how much time Darcy and Elizabeth spend together on page. I loved the depth and intensity of their conversations, but also how their daily interactions allowed them to see each other’s behavior in different situations. Through both, they really get to know one another, and we get to witness them falling in love. They don’t simply fall in love because that is what is expected, and we are not just told that they love each other, Jessie Lewis took the effort to actually create the moments that allow them to see why they are so perfect for each other and to fall in love.
A Darcy to Fall For: Darcy was undoubtedly one of the highlights for me. He is romantic, charming, sexy and just irresistible! What I particularly loved was how clearly his actions show that he really pays attention to Elizabeth. He is there to protect and support her in difficult situations, and he notices the small things, like what is her favorite sandwich, what she fears, the small objects that were important to her, etc. By the end, his efforts to make amends demonstrate how well he has come to know her, and Elizabeth’s response made those scenes even better, showing that she loves him just as deeply. I also loved his reactions to both her parents, the non-judgmental way with which he deals with Mr. Bennet, and how he charmed and calmed down Mrs. Bennet. His care for Elizabeth goes beyond romantic gestures, it shows what true love looks like. This is the type of man every woman dreams of having in her life :)
Their Backgrounds: I absolutely loved how Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s backgrounds help us understand their personalities while adding depth to the story. The financial difficulties Elizabeth faced growing up, the sadness of her family’s situation and how hard she and her sisters had to work to achieve something in their lives make her a likeable character we want to be happy. Her relationship with her father and her dedication to him were particularly interesting to me, especially because his situation gives the novel depth, as does Darcy’s trauma surrounding his own father’s fate. I loved how naturally these histories were woven into the romance, helping not only to explain their personalities, but also to move the narrative forward and allow Darcy and Elizabeth to recognize each other’s weaknesses and strengths, deepening therefore their mutual respect.
Just the Right Pace: Their feelings have time to grow without the story ever becoming dull or predictable. Each scene has enough space to be explored without lingering longer than necessary, and even the main misunderstanding is resolved without unnecessary drama and without it being prolonged more than it should. Its resolution gives us some of the most romantic moments in the book and brings out the very best in Darcy. Having loved his character throughout the book, this was the cherry on top of the cake for me!
Well-Balanced Secondary Characters: Jessie Lewis finds exactly the right balance with the secondary characters in this book, they appear as much or as little as necessary, without anyone being brought in simply because we expect to see them in a P&P variation. Their presence matters to the story but leaves plenty of room for Darcy and Elizabeth. I also think that all the Bennet’s were particularly well handled, and Wickham was an interesting presence but without needing an extensive storyline of his own or without being a huge villain.
A Contemporary Setting That Works: I particularly liked the office setting. Not only it gave Elizabeth the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how intelligent she is, but it also created opportunities for Darcy and Elizabeth to spend time together and realize they have similar interests. But I also loved how naturally text messages and emails are woven into the narrative without seeming excessive. These details made the story feel thoroughly contemporary and I loved it!
A Happy Ending Without Fixing Everything: I loved the ending, including how perfectly it fits the title. Darcy and Elizabeth get their happy ending without every difficulty being miraculously resolved for everyone or the story extending into the usual and predictable epilogue mentioning how many children they have, and what happened to every secondary character, etc. Their happiness feels convincing within the lives the book has shown us, and I was glad that being together didn’t mean every other problem had to disappear on its own.
In conclusion, Stuck was one of my favorite reads this year because it gave me so much of what I love in a romance: time to see the relationship develop, characters whose lives matter beyond their love story, and a Darcy I couldn’t resist! Jessie Lewis made me believe in their love through their conversations, their understanding of each other and the little things they notice and do. I absolutely loved it! This book is refreshing and I highly recommend it 😊
Yes, the fake fiancée storyline is an overused trope, but boy, does Ms. Lewis sell it convincingly! Even more impressive, this book is a well-done modern spin on Pride and Prejudice which, in itself, is not easy to pull off. She hits all the important plot points in satisfying fashion.
Elizabeth Bennet reluctantly agrees to pose as Charles Bingley's betrothed because her sister, Jane (his REAL betrothed), has come down with food poisoning, and Elizabeth is to blame. A major potential investor in Bingley’s fledgling company is big on family values and has heard unflattering rumors about him thanks to his nasty ex-girlfriend. Showing up at the social function they’ve invited him to without the fiancée he's told them about could ruin his chances at landing the deal. Elizabeth does not have a suitable dress for the event, so she borrows a dress from Jane that just doesn’t fit her all that well.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is Bingley’s close friend and the primary investor in his company, but he's been traveling and not expected to attend this drinks reception. When he unexpectedly shows up, he's startled to learn that Bingley has a fiancée; Bingley, embarrassed at his prior messy love life, hadn't told him about Jane yet. Elizabeth takes Darcy’s plainly disapproving reaction very personally, especially when she overhears him insulting her appearance. Knowing that Darcy would have a fit if he learned Elizabeth isn’t really his fiancée and he is lying to other potential investors, Bingley begs her to keep up the charade… at least until he closes the deal. Against her better judgement, she agrees.
And then the workweek starts, and Elizabeth realizes Darcy is the CEO of the large agricultural corporation for which she is a currently doing contract work. What she doesn’t realize is that Darcy is fighting his immediate attraction to her that gets stronger every time they run across each other.
The plot is engaging and provides surprising depth, especially regarding the respective family histories of the Bennets and Darcys. The writing itself is high quality – which is standard for Ms. Lewis. The narrative’s first person point of view alternates between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Content is steamy but not graphic.
I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review
Jessie Lewis brings her considerable writing talent to a modern setting in Stuck without losing the flavour of Pride and Prejudice. I love a good contemporary variation, and this one definitely works. Darcy owns Pemberley Group, an agricultural conglomerate, and Elizabeth is an intelligent agricultural engineer.
The fake relationship premise between Elizabeth and Bingley is farcical, but what you won’t do for your favourite sister, right? The author makes sure there’s a touch of angst now and then as you wait for the other shoe to drop. Both Darcy and Elizabeth remain very likeable throughout, even when misunderstandings inevitably get in the way—and the major one in this story is a doozy. Thankfully, the resolution doesn’t take too long.
There were some great smaller moments too. I absolutely loved the nail polish scene with Darcy and Mrs Bennet, and Darcy’s little acts of long-distance grovelling were sweet. Mr Bennet’s situation was a bit sad, but also real for a modern story. Somehow, against all expectations, I didn’t even hate Wickham in this one.
I definitely recommend this for readers who enjoy seeing Darcy and Elizabeth transplanted into a contemporary setting while still remaining very much in character. For those who always hold back from leaving the Regency world, this book might just be the one to draw you in.
I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. I also purchased the published version for my Kindle library.
Note: None of my reviews are generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
I always know I can expect a good variation from Jessie Lewis but this is the first time I have read a modern variation from her. She should definitely write more - she clearly has a talent for them.
It is not trivial to write a book which is accurately 21st century whilst remaining sympathetic to the original beloved characters without including scenarios which are 19th century in attitudes. The characters of Darcy and Elizabeth are very well rounded here with views and behaviours fully consistent with the setting. The modernisation of the immaturity of Bingley was superbly done. Mary was a hoot-and-a-half too!
The authentic British setting is another pleasure for me and a further reason to commend this book.
After Elizabeth’s cooking attempts Jane Bennet is too sick to go to her boyfriend Bingley’s investor reception as planned. As it is important for Bingley to go there as an attached man, he comes up with a plan: Elizabeth should go there in her sister’s stead and pretend to be his girlfriend. This little lie should cause no one harm - until Bingley’s old friend and primary backer, Fitzwilliam Darcy, also unexpectedly attends the event. Bingley is mortified and therefore asks Elizabeth to keep up appearances just a little bit longer. But days turn to weeks and Elizabeth unexpectedly encounters Darcy again and again at work, leaving her feelings about Darcy unsettled and her annoyance with Bingley increasing. She can not fall in love with Darcy while she is supposed to be Bingley’s girlfriend. Darcy is intrigued by Elizabeth from the very first moment and falls more and more for her. There is only one problem - she is the girlfriend of his best friend. Darcy tries to avoid Elizabeth but naturally encounters her again and again. And these encounters do nothing to cool his feelings for her. Then Wickham is unexpectedly back in town and when Darcy sees him with Elizabeth he draws his own conclusions. What will happen when Bingley finally reveals that Elizabeth isn’t his girlfriend? Will this and Elizabeth’s friendship with Wickham ultimately change Darcy’s opinion of Elizabeth to the worse? And what about Elizabeth’s feelings for Darcy?
The story was very well written by the author Jessie Lewis. I always enjoy her stories and am looking forward to every new book. I was therefore anticipating this release very much, especially as it is one of the rare modern variations and Jessie Lewis first one. And she has done a really great job with creating it. I think this book will be one of my favourite 10, probably three, variations this year. Jessie Lewis has transferred the characters of pride and prejudice in a perfect way in the modern world. I loved that Darcy, Elizabeth and all the others were, in essentials, true to character but that they were also people of their (modern) time. I really enjoyed the setting of Darcy and Elizabeth working in the same company. This creates a setting of forced proximity and due to their commitment to work they have no chance to escape. They must endure that and thereby they get to know and appreciate each other very well.
I really loved the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth and the development of their relationship. They are attracted to one another from their very first meeting and both anticipate and, in equal measures dread, their encounters and enjoy knowing more of one another. I like that their relationship is developing rather slowly because there is, at the beginning due to Bingley’s lie, no future for them. But that does not hinder them from spending time together when they unexpectedly meet.
I loved Darcy in this variation. I love that we, alongside Elizabeth, get to know him, see his soft side and his vulnerabilities. And we get to appreciate his strengths and protectiveness for those he loves. I loved to get to know this guy and my heart broke every time he was reminded that Elizabeth is not for him because she is Bingley’s (supposed) girlfriend.
Elizabeth is also very true to character. She is intelligent and witty and knows her mind. I like that she, due to the modern setting, has her own career and that she is successful in what she is doing. I very much appreciated that she wanted to end Bingley’s lie nearly all the time because she understands that it is wrong and that this lie will probably hurt Darcy very much and that it will do Bingley more harm than good. I really felt for her because she likes Darcy from the beginning and is attracted to him, but she can’t act on it because acting on it would uncover Bingley’s ruse.
There are no real villains in the story, the real problem that keeps Darcy and Elizabeth apart is Bingley’s ruse to pretend that Elizabeth is his girlfriend. I was a bit angry at Bingley because he let so many chances slip to explain everything, but, fortunately, everything is uncovered at the end and Darcy and Elizabeth get their chance for a relationship.
If you would like to know how Darcy and Elizabeth find their way to one another when Elizabeth, as a favour to Bingley, pretends to be his girlfriend, you should read this excellent variation.
This is definitely a modern version of Pride & Prejudice with some twists. Yes Elizabeth accidentally gave food poisoning to her sister Jane. But they pull Elizabeth in to pretend to be Jane. That lasts for a good length of time, much longer than just one night. And she has to pretend in-front of Darcy the billionaire and primary backer, as well as the potential. Part of the modern version is about Mary having a girl friend, but this is more believable than the show with Mary as the other Bennet. Sad about the Bennets parents, especially their dad. Wickham does make several appearances, but he really isn't so bad at least at the time (my opinion) although Darcy still has reason to not like him from his past. And he still throws up on the lift. lol. We do get our hea!
Unsurprisingly, Jessie Lewis rocks the modern variation. She has retained the class differences, the misunderstandings, and the fight against mutual attraction while setting ODC in modern-day London, with a bit of Pemberley thrown in for good measure. Fittingly, Elizabeth has a master's in engineering, and is an incredible coworker, sister, daughter, and friend. Darcy has his issues, but the eventual HEA is perfect!