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Leaving Mr Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
505 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
About the author
Harriet Knowles
56 books49 followersHarriet Knowles is a mature Englishwoman who loves reading everything Pride and Prejudice related.
She loves nothing better than exploring the wild countryside and coast that Jane Austen’s characters loved, and lives in Kent, close to Ramsgate, so familiar to readers of the book.
Please enjoy reading the books that she had so much fun writing.
She loves nothing better than exploring the wild countryside and coast that Jane Austen’s characters loved, and lives in Kent, close to Ramsgate, so familiar to readers of the book.
Please enjoy reading the books that she had so much fun writing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 30, 2026
A tour group for Sweden
SPOILER: Everyone in this story has Stockholm Syndrome.
This Darcy is so irredeemably cruel that I could never root for him, despite his chivalrous treatment of Elizabeth at the end.
Of course, I don’t much care for rooting for her, either. His emotional and mental abuse of her is abhorrent, enough to eventually prompt her to write him a letter and leave. He burned her mail, for Pete’s sake! Yet by the end of the mail, half a page after tell Darcy to remember the past only as it gives him pleasure, she excoriates herself for how she treated him!!! “But he was siiiiicckkkkk!” Yes, and he wouldn’t give you money for winter clothes or let you read any of his books.
The rest of the characters enable him. At one point he reruns letters for Elizabeth from her father and the Gardiners, sending them by express in a wad labeled “desist.” This act of war doesn’t compel Mr Bennet, the Gardiners, or Bingley to go to Pemberley to chew the man out. No, they had no legal sway over him, but they certainly showed their lack of regard for Lizzy.
They don’t even particularly chew him out when he tells them in person that Elizabeth left. Their behavior is galling.
I don’t picture myself rereading this.
SPOILER: Everyone in this story has Stockholm Syndrome.
This Darcy is so irredeemably cruel that I could never root for him, despite his chivalrous treatment of Elizabeth at the end.
Of course, I don’t much care for rooting for her, either. His emotional and mental abuse of her is abhorrent, enough to eventually prompt her to write him a letter and leave. He burned her mail, for Pete’s sake! Yet by the end of the mail, half a page after tell Darcy to remember the past only as it gives him pleasure, she excoriates herself for how she treated him!!! “But he was siiiiicckkkkk!” Yes, and he wouldn’t give you money for winter clothes or let you read any of his books.
The rest of the characters enable him. At one point he reruns letters for Elizabeth from her father and the Gardiners, sending them by express in a wad labeled “desist.” This act of war doesn’t compel Mr Bennet, the Gardiners, or Bingley to go to Pemberley to chew the man out. No, they had no legal sway over him, but they certainly showed their lack of regard for Lizzy.
They don’t even particularly chew him out when he tells them in person that Elizabeth left. Their behavior is galling.
I don’t picture myself rereading this.
July 14, 2026
Scandal, Separation, and Second Chances
I’m very surprised to see that Leaving Mr Darcy has nearly sixty ratings but only a single written review. Having now finished it, I think it deserves some attention.
The story begins with a letter from Elizabeth to Darcy as she leaves him after a few months of an unhappy marriage. It is one of those openings that makes you forget whatever you might have been planning to do next because you simply have to know what happens next.
From there, Harriet Knowles briefly returns to the Netherfield Ball, where the events from canon twist in a different way. Elizabeth comes to Darcy’s rescue after he is attacked outside the ball. When they are discovered together, scandal and rumours leave them with little choice but to marry. I won’t reveal the culprit and just say it’s not a big surprise.
Darcy’s injuries leave him changed, both physically and emotionally. He is suffering from severe head trauma—a broken nose and badly bruised ribs certainly don’t help either. He is never physically cruel, but his temper becomes rude and controlling; he’s withdrawn, and unable to see what his behaviour is doing to Elizabeth. Knowles doesn’t excuse him because of his injury, nor does she expect Elizabeth to simply forgive and forget. Both characters have a long journey ahead of them, and by the end I felt their happy ending was truly hard earned. There is no epilogue, but the final chapter is very satisfying.
I found the writing very engaging. It has a natural flow that kept me turning the pages. Nothing feels forced or overdone. There are no long, flowery passages, yet the emotion comes through just the same.
My only small quibble was that Darcy’s fears and paranoia about how Elizabeth saw him became a little repetitive at times. It didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book, but I did notice it.
I loved the story, and if you did too, go back and help the author out. A good rating is nice, but a positive review is even better.
Highly recommend.
I’m very surprised to see that Leaving Mr Darcy has nearly sixty ratings but only a single written review. Having now finished it, I think it deserves some attention.
The story begins with a letter from Elizabeth to Darcy as she leaves him after a few months of an unhappy marriage. It is one of those openings that makes you forget whatever you might have been planning to do next because you simply have to know what happens next.
From there, Harriet Knowles briefly returns to the Netherfield Ball, where the events from canon twist in a different way. Elizabeth comes to Darcy’s rescue after he is attacked outside the ball. When they are discovered together, scandal and rumours leave them with little choice but to marry. I won’t reveal the culprit and just say it’s not a big surprise.
Darcy’s injuries leave him changed, both physically and emotionally. He is suffering from severe head trauma—a broken nose and badly bruised ribs certainly don’t help either. He is never physically cruel, but his temper becomes rude and controlling; he’s withdrawn, and unable to see what his behaviour is doing to Elizabeth. Knowles doesn’t excuse him because of his injury, nor does she expect Elizabeth to simply forgive and forget. Both characters have a long journey ahead of them, and by the end I felt their happy ending was truly hard earned. There is no epilogue, but the final chapter is very satisfying.
I found the writing very engaging. It has a natural flow that kept me turning the pages. Nothing feels forced or overdone. There are no long, flowery passages, yet the emotion comes through just the same.
My only small quibble was that Darcy’s fears and paranoia about how Elizabeth saw him became a little repetitive at times. It didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the book, but I did notice it.
I loved the story, and if you did too, go back and help the author out. A good rating is nice, but a positive review is even better.
Highly recommend.
July 6, 2026
The Plain Wedding Ring
I loved this story! It is unrealistic of course because Elizabeth has left Darcy but very conveniently she finds shelter almost immediately. This is a story of lessons in life, mistakes, and regrets thru an episode that was not their fault.
I loved this story! It is unrealistic of course because Elizabeth has left Darcy but very conveniently she finds shelter almost immediately. This is a story of lessons in life, mistakes, and regrets thru an episode that was not their fault.
August 17, 2026
Emotional
A captivating story, so well written it makes you feel the emotions of the characters in a way that makes them understandable. A most recommended read!
A captivating story, so well written it makes you feel the emotions of the characters in a way that makes them understandable. A most recommended read!
September 1, 2026
power of choice
This were very interesting variation. Considering the unique situation that brought Darcy and Elizabeth together, I was completely pulled into the struggles of their very disjointed relationship. So much miscommunication and angst! Expectations, propriety and the perceived restrictions imposed by marriage within this time period allowed for so many directions the plot could go. In the end it was satisfying to see how things finally were revealed, addressed and resolved.
This were very interesting variation. Considering the unique situation that brought Darcy and Elizabeth together, I was completely pulled into the struggles of their very disjointed relationship. So much miscommunication and angst! Expectations, propriety and the perceived restrictions imposed by marriage within this time period allowed for so many directions the plot could go. In the end it was satisfying to see how things finally were revealed, addressed and resolved.
August 16, 2026
Wow! With tears still in my eyes, Wow!
I wish I understood how people can write music or in this case put words to paper to stir such emotions in people. This book had everything. Terrible sadness and then true joy. Thank you Harriet Knowles for this wonderful book. It will always be one of my favorites!
I wish I understood how people can write music or in this case put words to paper to stir such emotions in people. This book had everything. Terrible sadness and then true joy. Thank you Harriet Knowles for this wonderful book. It will always be one of my favorites!
August 20, 2026
WOW
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was long but it held my interest. The characters were well defined and there was so much angst in the development of the storyline. It was nice to see how closed head trauma was detailed and how the love between our favorite characters grew.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was long but it held my interest. The characters were well defined and there was so much angst in the development of the storyline. It was nice to see how closed head trauma was detailed and how the love between our favorite characters grew.
September 24, 2026
This is an emotional and highly creative JAFF. In many ways, it has the poignancy of Jane Eyre. Elizabeth is terrific, and Darcy is both much worse and as good a character as we usually see. Really well done.
July 20, 2026
Its been a while since I read a full novel from this author.
Very glad I did this is very good.
Quite an interesting plot.
Very glad I did this is very good.
Quite an interesting plot.
September 21, 2026
Enjoyed it until the end where Elizabeth suddenly decides she’s fully at fault for Darcy’s past shitty behavior
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
Absolute nonsense!
It was destined DNF from the very beginning. Nothing could make me enjoy it.
It was destined DNF from the very beginning. Nothing could make me enjoy it.
July 11, 2026
3rd reread-truly enjoy ODC difficult journey
Clean. Suitable preteen+, non regency syntax. POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: angst-y, darker plot than canon/JAFF, brutal act of physical violence by Lt Wickham vs Darcy, family betrayal, forced marriage. PLOT: Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Bennet, vibrant but impoverished genteel young lady forced into marriage by social pressure due to scurrilous rumors (Mrs Bennet is a vile gossip vs her own daughter) when Lizzy physically intervenes & saves Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life during Netherfield Ball. Darcy suffers an incapacitating TBI & severe physical injuries; his ensuing behavior including unpredictable, angry, hateful outbursts makes life brutally miserable for newly married Lizzy as they return to Pemberly for Darcy’s long term recovery. He’s angry, uncertain, embarrassed, resentful & despises being forced to marry someone he wouldn’t have socially chosen..& as is Lizzy, but she’s willing to do her best despite his harsh treatment of her. Only someone who has lived w/a TBI patient can understand volatility & emotional trauma in a home when living with someone recovering from a severe brain injury—TBI impact on an entire family let alone a newlywed couple is unfathomable & Lizzy manages it so very well…until …. No spoilers! but can say FD is a huge bonehead for a while during recovery (nicer than saying 🍑 🎩) & his overt cruelty made me wanna push him down the stairs (he wasn’t legit tryna be a jerk to everyone but still even Col Fitzwilliam urges him to get a grip!)—his familial pride & social prejudice + TBI intensified the worst of his character coupled with Lizzy doing her best to avoid his anger by using her internal pride to sustain her —makes for a combustible comeuppance which I can say leads to hard won personal growth & redemption for several characters. Truly Lizzy Bennet is a female ahead of her time in wanting independence (as was our beloved Jane Austen) & while I admire her absolute determination to live her life true to herself, her choices makes her life’s journey difficult (id prolly do same) but warning readers takes approx 2/3rds of the book before we get glimpses of potential genuine happiness for ODC. Their struggles are sometimes hard to read but they are believable & the ending makes all the tough stuff worth it. It’s on my TBRA list obviously & I do recommend.
Clean. Suitable preteen+, non regency syntax. POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: angst-y, darker plot than canon/JAFF, brutal act of physical violence by Lt Wickham vs Darcy, family betrayal, forced marriage. PLOT: Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Bennet, vibrant but impoverished genteel young lady forced into marriage by social pressure due to scurrilous rumors (Mrs Bennet is a vile gossip vs her own daughter) when Lizzy physically intervenes & saves Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life during Netherfield Ball. Darcy suffers an incapacitating TBI & severe physical injuries; his ensuing behavior including unpredictable, angry, hateful outbursts makes life brutally miserable for newly married Lizzy as they return to Pemberly for Darcy’s long term recovery. He’s angry, uncertain, embarrassed, resentful & despises being forced to marry someone he wouldn’t have socially chosen..& as is Lizzy, but she’s willing to do her best despite his harsh treatment of her. Only someone who has lived w/a TBI patient can understand volatility & emotional trauma in a home when living with someone recovering from a severe brain injury—TBI impact on an entire family let alone a newlywed couple is unfathomable & Lizzy manages it so very well…until …. No spoilers! but can say FD is a huge bonehead for a while during recovery (nicer than saying 🍑 🎩) & his overt cruelty made me wanna push him down the stairs (he wasn’t legit tryna be a jerk to everyone but still even Col Fitzwilliam urges him to get a grip!)—his familial pride & social prejudice + TBI intensified the worst of his character coupled with Lizzy doing her best to avoid his anger by using her internal pride to sustain her —makes for a combustible comeuppance which I can say leads to hard won personal growth & redemption for several characters. Truly Lizzy Bennet is a female ahead of her time in wanting independence (as was our beloved Jane Austen) & while I admire her absolute determination to live her life true to herself, her choices makes her life’s journey difficult (id prolly do same) but warning readers takes approx 2/3rds of the book before we get glimpses of potential genuine happiness for ODC. Their struggles are sometimes hard to read but they are believable & the ending makes all the tough stuff worth it. It’s on my TBRA list obviously & I do recommend.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews