What do you think?
Rate this book
Darcy's Christmas Wish: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Curl up with Darcy and Elizabeth this holiday season!
Fitzwilliam Darcy never forgot the little girl, with the beautiful dark eyes, who saved his life fifteen years ago... though he never expected to meet her again. But when he comes to Rosings Park to spend the Advent season with his aunt and encounters the enchanting, spirited Miss Elizabeth Bennet again, he discovers that at Christmastime, wishes can come true...
DARCY'S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet, clean standalone Pride and Prejudice variation - a holiday romance inspired by Jane Austen's classic novel!
* Includes an excerpt of "Darcy Unmasked" by Jane Grix at the end
Fitzwilliam Darcy never forgot the little girl, with the beautiful dark eyes, who saved his life fifteen years ago... though he never expected to meet her again. But when he comes to Rosings Park to spend the Advent season with his aunt and encounters the enchanting, spirited Miss Elizabeth Bennet again, he discovers that at Christmastime, wishes can come true...
DARCY'S CHRISTMAS WISH is a sweet, clean standalone Pride and Prejudice variation - a holiday romance inspired by Jane Austen's classic novel!
* Includes an excerpt of "Darcy Unmasked" by Jane Grix at the end
216 pages, ebook
First published November 8, 2015
83 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 19, 2016
Cute but you can’t live on hero moments alone
The start of our story is 15 years earlier in the life of Darcy and Elizabeth. He is nearly twelve and is visiting Rosings during the Christmas holidays with his parents and baby sister. He disobeys Lady Catherine’s instructions…orders to stay away from the north side of the estate that is near the frozen pond. Of course that is the best hill and Darcy precedes to take his sled and attempts to navigate the hill only to be thrown onto the pond which cracks and he falls into the icy water.
With no one around, young Darcy, unable to get out of the water by himself, thinks he is going to die. When he cries out for help, a very young Elizabeth [visiting a neighbor with the Gardiners] hears him and manages to pull him from the water. She covers him with pine boughs, to keep him warm, and goes for help. When she returns he is gone, apparently he was found by the Rosings servants that had been looking for him. Darcy couldn’t get anyone to believe him when he said that a little girl had helped him. His Christmas wish, over the plum pudding, was that he would someday meet the little brown eyed girl.
Fifteen years later, Elizabeth is visiting Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, and Darcy along with Colonel Fitzwilliam and his son are visiting Lady Catherine. From here on the story falls apart for me. I know we want the hero moments and the author provided them numerous times; however, it is the space between those hero moments that doesn’t work for me.
Problems…perhaps if this had been written in a different era or time period it might have worked better. Elizabeth was too outspoken even for her…far more than canon. Her sensibilities were way too modern and so was her speech and actions. Not only did she address and challenge men to their face, she also chided and challenged a peer…called him a liar to his face and in public. She went against everyone around her in order to come to the rescue of a disgraced maid and could have lost the Collins the living at Huntsford. Her behavior was stubborn, and she repeatedly encouraged Charlotte to go against Mr. Collins [her husband and lord] and Lady Catherine [their benefactress]. They could have lost their home with no references.
Mr. Collins was not best pleased with his cousin nor was Lady Catherine that this visiting upstart would dare insult a neighbor and a peer in her home. To our modern sensibilities and notions of welfare and economic - social reforms, her actions would have been lauded. However, in the Regency era…her actions went against the norm and society. Lady Catherine was the law in her province and whatever she said… was followed no questions asked. Elizabeth was a stranger and yet took on the whole village in addition to Lady Catherine. It was too risky on all levels.
I don’t want to be the bad guy. I know the author wanted Elizabeth to be the hero in defense of the disgraced maid. The author was attempting to shine a light on the abuses the aristocracy often inflicted on servants, especially young maids. But this was not the best way to do it. Elizabeth had caused any amount of trouble between a husband and wife and their employer. During that time period…a husband had absolute control and authority over his wife and what she could and could not do. This was dangerous.
I liked the story. I liked the idea of the story. And, there were bits and pieces of it that were cute and enjoyable. However, there was this discordant note that kept sounding out of tune and felt not quite right.
The Darcy and Elizabeth moments were cute however, propriety, comportment, etiquette, and proper conduct was thrown out the window. Some things you just didn’t do and they did them with abandon.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a weak version of his canon self. I felt for him; however, I do not think he would have allowed things to progress the way they did. I believe he could have handled the situation differently. Being accustomed to raw recruits and recalcitrant soldiers, I think he could have creatively maneuvered around his small child. Three stars: I’m sorry.
The start of our story is 15 years earlier in the life of Darcy and Elizabeth. He is nearly twelve and is visiting Rosings during the Christmas holidays with his parents and baby sister. He disobeys Lady Catherine’s instructions…orders to stay away from the north side of the estate that is near the frozen pond. Of course that is the best hill and Darcy precedes to take his sled and attempts to navigate the hill only to be thrown onto the pond which cracks and he falls into the icy water.
With no one around, young Darcy, unable to get out of the water by himself, thinks he is going to die. When he cries out for help, a very young Elizabeth [visiting a neighbor with the Gardiners] hears him and manages to pull him from the water. She covers him with pine boughs, to keep him warm, and goes for help. When she returns he is gone, apparently he was found by the Rosings servants that had been looking for him. Darcy couldn’t get anyone to believe him when he said that a little girl had helped him. His Christmas wish, over the plum pudding, was that he would someday meet the little brown eyed girl.
Fifteen years later, Elizabeth is visiting Charlotte Collins, nee Lucas, and Darcy along with Colonel Fitzwilliam and his son are visiting Lady Catherine. From here on the story falls apart for me. I know we want the hero moments and the author provided them numerous times; however, it is the space between those hero moments that doesn’t work for me.
Problems…perhaps if this had been written in a different era or time period it might have worked better. Elizabeth was too outspoken even for her…far more than canon. Her sensibilities were way too modern and so was her speech and actions. Not only did she address and challenge men to their face, she also chided and challenged a peer…called him a liar to his face and in public. She went against everyone around her in order to come to the rescue of a disgraced maid and could have lost the Collins the living at Huntsford. Her behavior was stubborn, and she repeatedly encouraged Charlotte to go against Mr. Collins [her husband and lord] and Lady Catherine [their benefactress]. They could have lost their home with no references.
Mr. Collins was not best pleased with his cousin nor was Lady Catherine that this visiting upstart would dare insult a neighbor and a peer in her home. To our modern sensibilities and notions of welfare and economic - social reforms, her actions would have been lauded. However, in the Regency era…her actions went against the norm and society. Lady Catherine was the law in her province and whatever she said… was followed no questions asked. Elizabeth was a stranger and yet took on the whole village in addition to Lady Catherine. It was too risky on all levels.
I don’t want to be the bad guy. I know the author wanted Elizabeth to be the hero in defense of the disgraced maid. The author was attempting to shine a light on the abuses the aristocracy often inflicted on servants, especially young maids. But this was not the best way to do it. Elizabeth had caused any amount of trouble between a husband and wife and their employer. During that time period…a husband had absolute control and authority over his wife and what she could and could not do. This was dangerous.
I liked the story. I liked the idea of the story. And, there were bits and pieces of it that were cute and enjoyable. However, there was this discordant note that kept sounding out of tune and felt not quite right.
The Darcy and Elizabeth moments were cute however, propriety, comportment, etiquette, and proper conduct was thrown out the window. Some things you just didn’t do and they did them with abandon.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was a weak version of his canon self. I felt for him; however, I do not think he would have allowed things to progress the way they did. I believe he could have handled the situation differently. Being accustomed to raw recruits and recalcitrant soldiers, I think he could have creatively maneuvered around his small child. Three stars: I’m sorry.
Read
November 3, 2017Quick summary: Darcy’s Christmas Wish is a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Penelope Swan in which Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet cross paths during the holidays, as he is staying with Lady Catherine at Rosings and she is staying with the Collinses at the parsonage. Elizabeth and Darcy grow closer as she takes a stand against his aunt’s treatment of a young maid, and when his cousin Richard’s son is in danger, Darcy revisits his memories from 15 years before and the young woman who saved his life.
Why I wanted to read it: Who can resist a holiday-themed Pride and Prejudice tale? Not me!
What I liked: Darcy’s Christmas Wish is one of those books you read in one sitting. After meeting a young and fearless Fitzwilliam, there was no way I could put the book down. I also enjoyed Swan’s original characters, especially Colonel Fitzwilliam’s son, George, and Pirate the puppy. Swan changes up the timeline of Pride and Prejudice, with Jane and Bingley already married and on their honeymoon and Darcy and Elizabeth meeting at Rosings at Christmas, but she stays true to Austen’s beloved characters. Watching Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship evolve from misunderstandings to a partnership of sorts was delightful and perfect for a holiday tale.
What I disliked: Nothing!
Final thoughts: Darcy’s Christmas Wish is a sweet, heartwarming story that emphasizes the true meaning of the Christmas season: love, family and friends, and compassion for those in need. The novel opens in the past with a Christmas wish and comes full circle beautifully. If you are an Austen fan looking for a charming Christmas story, I highly recommend this one!
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
Why I wanted to read it: Who can resist a holiday-themed Pride and Prejudice tale? Not me!
What I liked: Darcy’s Christmas Wish is one of those books you read in one sitting. After meeting a young and fearless Fitzwilliam, there was no way I could put the book down. I also enjoyed Swan’s original characters, especially Colonel Fitzwilliam’s son, George, and Pirate the puppy. Swan changes up the timeline of Pride and Prejudice, with Jane and Bingley already married and on their honeymoon and Darcy and Elizabeth meeting at Rosings at Christmas, but she stays true to Austen’s beloved characters. Watching Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship evolve from misunderstandings to a partnership of sorts was delightful and perfect for a holiday tale.
What I disliked: Nothing!
Final thoughts: Darcy’s Christmas Wish is a sweet, heartwarming story that emphasizes the true meaning of the Christmas season: love, family and friends, and compassion for those in need. The novel opens in the past with a Christmas wish and comes full circle beautifully. If you are an Austen fan looking for a charming Christmas story, I highly recommend this one!
Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric
I received a free copy of this book for review.
December 27, 2015
*sigh* A very lovely story:)
July 8, 2022
My first occasion to pick up a Penelope Swan story (aka HY Hanna) and the anticipating of a bit of heartwarming Christmas romancing for Jane Austen's famous couple was what drew me in and I was not disappointed.
There is a prologue when Darcy is a twelve year old boy visiting his aunt's Rosings estate for the holidays with his family. Nearly dying in a wintry accident and rescued by a mysterious young girl with brown eyes has him giving the Christmas pudding a stir and making a wish.
Years later, but again at Rosings for the holidays, Darcy encounters the delightful Miss Elizabeth who he first met in Hertfordshire. He is taken with her, but she is less than taken with him. But, Christmas has a way of bringing about second chances. Between Elizabeth's charitable and giving spirit toward a maid accused of thievery and let go, a winter storm keeping travelers snowbound, a young boy happy in his rollicking puppy, and Darcy learning to not judge people on their class alone, his Christmas wish stands a good chance of being fulfilled.
Darcy's Christmas Wish is a quick, light read, but possessing of some deeper truths that address some people showing giving spirits and one horrid person taking advantage of women servants because he has status and wealth. I loved that Colonel Fitzwilliam has a fun-loving little boy with a frolicking puppy. It was fun seeing Darcy and Lizzy come to a better understanding while helping a desperate made. And, I did love seeing a person realize they were wrong and seek to change. All set against a Regency country house Christmas. This was sweet and heartwarming. I would definitely pick up more from the author.
There is a prologue when Darcy is a twelve year old boy visiting his aunt's Rosings estate for the holidays with his family. Nearly dying in a wintry accident and rescued by a mysterious young girl with brown eyes has him giving the Christmas pudding a stir and making a wish.
Years later, but again at Rosings for the holidays, Darcy encounters the delightful Miss Elizabeth who he first met in Hertfordshire. He is taken with her, but she is less than taken with him. But, Christmas has a way of bringing about second chances. Between Elizabeth's charitable and giving spirit toward a maid accused of thievery and let go, a winter storm keeping travelers snowbound, a young boy happy in his rollicking puppy, and Darcy learning to not judge people on their class alone, his Christmas wish stands a good chance of being fulfilled.
Darcy's Christmas Wish is a quick, light read, but possessing of some deeper truths that address some people showing giving spirits and one horrid person taking advantage of women servants because he has status and wealth. I loved that Colonel Fitzwilliam has a fun-loving little boy with a frolicking puppy. It was fun seeing Darcy and Lizzy come to a better understanding while helping a desperate made. And, I did love seeing a person realize they were wrong and seek to change. All set against a Regency country house Christmas. This was sweet and heartwarming. I would definitely pick up more from the author.
December 8, 2015
I read a review of this book on the Just Jane 1813 blog. And with my sister giving me an Amazon gift card I treated myself to this book with its Christmas connection.
I found many aspects of this tale delightful: during a Christmas holiday 15 years ago, we have a young lad and a younger girl meeting because of a near death event. But they do not know each other nor can she be located or identified after he is found and taken back to the house and attended to by the people on his aunt's estate. Plus he isn't there when she brings help due to his condition and her physical inability to carry him to warmth and safety. He is told that no girl would dare step onto his aunt’s property as all in the area know of its exclusiveness, how Lady Catherine de Bourgh would react to any intrusion, how her estate is only for those of a certain level in society.
Years pass: Jane is married, Charlotte also, and rather than visit in London with her family Elizabeth accepts Charlotte’s invite to Hunsford near Christmas time. Thus our dear couple meets at Rosings but there are other things going on and it is on these rather than a possible romantic connection that the story focuses. Our dear Elizabeth's concern for others (think of how she nursed dear Jane) comes to the fore when she observes and later makes contact with a servant girl who is cast out, literally, into the cold (due to a “gentleman’s” accusations). Lady Catwitch has ordered that all ostracize this young woman. And, reader, know that great estates have far reaching tentacles as people rely on any income from Lady C’s employment or her purchase of goods, etc.
Elizabeth lets her conscience be her guide but finds obstacles along the way. Read here how she persuades those who care for her, i.e., Charlotte, Darcy, to bend the rules and even when they find they have to step back or even don’t buy into her interpretation of the girl’s circumstances, once again Elizabeth stands true to her nature. A servant girl, a lost pet, a young boy searching for his puppy in a winter storm all benefit from Elizabeth’s solace.
The feelings between our protagonists are not delved into with much detail in this story. Rather we read of long silent walks and love growing but the descriptions are not full of sexual tension or the electricity generated, per se. Rather I got a sense of a retelling about prejudices: against the servant class and against any animal not of pure breeding and, yes, some thoughts along that line by Darcy as he feels love stirring but also as he remembers the girl with the fine, brown eyes of years ago.
This was a short, sweet read. The title comes from a Christmas tradition concerning the stirring of the batter for plum pudding for the holiday meal. I did think that more could have been done with the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth but, despite that, I can recommend this as an enjoyable read.
I found many aspects of this tale delightful: during a Christmas holiday 15 years ago, we have a young lad and a younger girl meeting because of a near death event. But they do not know each other nor can she be located or identified after he is found and taken back to the house and attended to by the people on his aunt's estate. Plus he isn't there when she brings help due to his condition and her physical inability to carry him to warmth and safety. He is told that no girl would dare step onto his aunt’s property as all in the area know of its exclusiveness, how Lady Catherine de Bourgh would react to any intrusion, how her estate is only for those of a certain level in society.
Years pass: Jane is married, Charlotte also, and rather than visit in London with her family Elizabeth accepts Charlotte’s invite to Hunsford near Christmas time. Thus our dear couple meets at Rosings but there are other things going on and it is on these rather than a possible romantic connection that the story focuses. Our dear Elizabeth's concern for others (think of how she nursed dear Jane) comes to the fore when she observes and later makes contact with a servant girl who is cast out, literally, into the cold (due to a “gentleman’s” accusations). Lady Catwitch has ordered that all ostracize this young woman. And, reader, know that great estates have far reaching tentacles as people rely on any income from Lady C’s employment or her purchase of goods, etc.
Elizabeth lets her conscience be her guide but finds obstacles along the way. Read here how she persuades those who care for her, i.e., Charlotte, Darcy, to bend the rules and even when they find they have to step back or even don’t buy into her interpretation of the girl’s circumstances, once again Elizabeth stands true to her nature. A servant girl, a lost pet, a young boy searching for his puppy in a winter storm all benefit from Elizabeth’s solace.
The feelings between our protagonists are not delved into with much detail in this story. Rather we read of long silent walks and love growing but the descriptions are not full of sexual tension or the electricity generated, per se. Rather I got a sense of a retelling about prejudices: against the servant class and against any animal not of pure breeding and, yes, some thoughts along that line by Darcy as he feels love stirring but also as he remembers the girl with the fine, brown eyes of years ago.
This was a short, sweet read. The title comes from a Christmas tradition concerning the stirring of the batter for plum pudding for the holiday meal. I did think that more could have been done with the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth but, despite that, I can recommend this as an enjoyable read.
January 23, 2016
As a twelve year old boy, Fitzwilliam Darcy falls into a frozen pond while at Rosings for the Christmas season. No one is in sight as he desperately tries to reach shore, but he is tired and soaking wet and feels himself greatly in danger of drowning. From nowhere comes a very young, but strong girl to help pull him from the water. She covers him with pine branches for some protection and runs for help. But, he is discovered by servants before she returns. In his feverish state his family almost convinces him she was just his imagination. But, he remembers her eyes. His Christmas Wish that year is to someday meet the little girl that saved his life. Years later, as an adult, Darcy is again at Rosings for Christmas, and wonders about the lovely Elizabeth Bennet whose eyes immediately caught his attention when they met in Meryton.
My initial thought in reading Darcy's Christmas Wish was that it was a story that could have been written about anyone, but the characters were given names from Pride and Prejudice. However, as time goes on, you begin to see how P&P takes hold in the characters personalities and actions. This is a tale of P&P with all personalities true to Jane Austen's characters.
The only serious variations are in time of year and Colonel Fitzwilliam being a widowed father of a young boy named George. However, a potentially tragic incident involving George and his puppy, tied to the weather in winter, plays a very important role in unifying all of our usual characters during the Christmas season.
Darcy's Christmas Wish is a very sweet tale played around the tendency of the upper circles to judge too harshly and too quickly based on class and the importance of good breeding. Elizabeth is the character who helps to demonstrate how honesty and love are universal, and trust in appropriate blood lines is not always well placed.
As in P&P, we see Darcy change for the better due to Elizabeth's actions and harsh words. But, Darcy is not the only one at Rosings to undergo these changes. All are bettered due to Elizabeth's influence. And, the result is seen just as Christmas morning arrives.
This is a very satisfying P&P variation. Of course, our dear couple have their happily ever after, but the story has a lovely message for the Christmas season regarding love and kindness and the role they can have in overcoming pride and prejudice. I am not sure if I have read other Penelope Swan JAFF but I will certainly check them out.
My initial thought in reading Darcy's Christmas Wish was that it was a story that could have been written about anyone, but the characters were given names from Pride and Prejudice. However, as time goes on, you begin to see how P&P takes hold in the characters personalities and actions. This is a tale of P&P with all personalities true to Jane Austen's characters.
The only serious variations are in time of year and Colonel Fitzwilliam being a widowed father of a young boy named George. However, a potentially tragic incident involving George and his puppy, tied to the weather in winter, plays a very important role in unifying all of our usual characters during the Christmas season.
Darcy's Christmas Wish is a very sweet tale played around the tendency of the upper circles to judge too harshly and too quickly based on class and the importance of good breeding. Elizabeth is the character who helps to demonstrate how honesty and love are universal, and trust in appropriate blood lines is not always well placed.
As in P&P, we see Darcy change for the better due to Elizabeth's actions and harsh words. But, Darcy is not the only one at Rosings to undergo these changes. All are bettered due to Elizabeth's influence. And, the result is seen just as Christmas morning arrives.
This is a very satisfying P&P variation. Of course, our dear couple have their happily ever after, but the story has a lovely message for the Christmas season regarding love and kindness and the role they can have in overcoming pride and prejudice. I am not sure if I have read other Penelope Swan JAFF but I will certainly check them out.
December 10, 2018
A sweet and romantic, Christmas themed, fast read.
A very young Elizabeth saved Darcy's life and he wished upon a plum pudding that he would meet her again to thank her...
Situated at Rosings, we meet the delightful Colonel who was widowed with a charming son. The matriarch had her moments and so did her daughter.
A delightful read, recommend!
A very young Elizabeth saved Darcy's life and he wished upon a plum pudding that he would meet her again to thank her...
Situated at Rosings, we meet the delightful Colonel who was widowed with a charming son. The matriarch had her moments and so did her daughter.
A delightful read, recommend!
December 24, 2018
Darcy and Elizabeth meet as children when she saved him from drowning in the pond at Rosings. They meet again when Elizabeth visits Charlotte at the parsonage. A falsely accused maid throws everything into the air.
December 22, 2016
I found this to be an entertaining Christmas variation of how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth connect, and it all started 15 years earlier. Even as a young child, Elizabeth is curious, independent and adventurous. In saving the life of a young Darcy, her eyes are all he remembers. His Christmas wish is to meet her one day to thank her. He just didn't expect it to take 15 years! This was an enjoyable 'what if' with a touch of mystery and the formidable Lady Catherine.
August 20, 2017
This was a fun read for the holiday season. Yes, it's early but I found this on the freebie list some time ago and just found it again. My kindle is quite cluttered. This book starts out with a young Fitzwilliam determined to enjoy his new sled and gets himself in a pickle with some broken ice. He is rescued by a young girl with fine eyes. Unfortunately, as she runs for help he is saved by servants from Rosings and he never learns the identity of his angel.
Years pass Jane is married and Elizabeth is visiting Charlotte Collins in Kent. Darcy and Elizabeth have a different relationship and Lizzy has admiration for Darcy. The struggle is a falsely accused maid and how it is easier to believe the falsehoods of a servant than a man of wealth. I loved Darcy desire to claim Lizzys good opinion of his character.
I also loved that Colonel Fitzwilliam is a father in this one. His son George is 6-7 and he just adores his son. Its sad that he's a widower but I always enjoy kids in a book. There really aren't too many moments we enjoy just our couple earning the others regard but there are a few. They were delightful but I wanted more. This is also a clean read filled with a mean spirited lady Catherine who actually becomes humbled for the holidays. Lots to enjoy just needed more D&E time. Enjoy!
Years pass Jane is married and Elizabeth is visiting Charlotte Collins in Kent. Darcy and Elizabeth have a different relationship and Lizzy has admiration for Darcy. The struggle is a falsely accused maid and how it is easier to believe the falsehoods of a servant than a man of wealth. I loved Darcy desire to claim Lizzys good opinion of his character.
I also loved that Colonel Fitzwilliam is a father in this one. His son George is 6-7 and he just adores his son. Its sad that he's a widower but I always enjoy kids in a book. There really aren't too many moments we enjoy just our couple earning the others regard but there are a few. They were delightful but I wanted more. This is also a clean read filled with a mean spirited lady Catherine who actually becomes humbled for the holidays. Lots to enjoy just needed more D&E time. Enjoy!
December 30, 2017
I'm new to the world of classic variations/retellings and I'm really enjoying them so far. It's really nice to re-visit our beloved characters and this was a charming story for Christmas.
November 13, 2015
Darcy's Christmas Wish: A Pride and Prejudice Variation: A Sweet Christmas Recency Romance
Enjoyable story filled with much happiness especially between Darcy and Elizabeth. Jane has been married to Charles even before Elizabeth comes to Hunsford. No Wickham, no Caroline, oh what a joy. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a widower with a young son. The story starts out when Darcy was twelve and is saved by Elizabeth. Darcy is sure that Elizabeth is the girl that saved him from dying after she pulled him from the frozen pond. When she locates Darcy's nephew, George, she does the same thing as she did with Darcy. Darcy realizes that she is his Christmas Wish from fifteen years ago. During this time, she also stands up for the maid Lady Catherine let go, because Lord Hargreaves, because of the maid refusing his advances, told Lady Catherine that he caught her stealing his watch and ring. When Elizabeth tries to gain Darcy's help, he is stuck being a guest at Aunt Catherine's house so cannot get involved. When he catches Lord Hargreaves in the act with another maid, he tells his Aunt that Elizabeth was correct in refuting the Lord for his deception. Christmas Day, Darcy asks Elizabeth to be his wife. This time, she accepts wholeheartedly with a " yes!" Enjoyable Christmas story.
Enjoyable story filled with much happiness especially between Darcy and Elizabeth. Jane has been married to Charles even before Elizabeth comes to Hunsford. No Wickham, no Caroline, oh what a joy. Colonel Fitzwilliam is a widower with a young son. The story starts out when Darcy was twelve and is saved by Elizabeth. Darcy is sure that Elizabeth is the girl that saved him from dying after she pulled him from the frozen pond. When she locates Darcy's nephew, George, she does the same thing as she did with Darcy. Darcy realizes that she is his Christmas Wish from fifteen years ago. During this time, she also stands up for the maid Lady Catherine let go, because Lord Hargreaves, because of the maid refusing his advances, told Lady Catherine that he caught her stealing his watch and ring. When Elizabeth tries to gain Darcy's help, he is stuck being a guest at Aunt Catherine's house so cannot get involved. When he catches Lord Hargreaves in the act with another maid, he tells his Aunt that Elizabeth was correct in refuting the Lord for his deception. Christmas Day, Darcy asks Elizabeth to be his wife. This time, she accepts wholeheartedly with a " yes!" Enjoyable Christmas story.
January 3, 2017
This is short P&P what if that starts when Darcy is a lad of 12 and visiting Rosings with his parents. A sledding accident leads to him being rescued by a slip of a girl (the author makes her 7 and not the 5 she should be) He makes a Christmas pudding stir up wish that he will meet the girl again.
We then fast forward to a P&P alternate universe. Charlotte is married to Collins, Jane is married to Bingley and Lizzy is visiting Hunsford at Christmas rather than crowding the Gardiners with the rest of her family.She has met Darcy in Meryton and now he and his widower cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam have joined their aunt for Advent. Snow strands Lizzy at Hunsford for Christmas.
This is a rather angsty little story that is filled with drama. While all's well that ends well there is much to deal with. It isn't a lighthearted Christmas tale
We then fast forward to a P&P alternate universe. Charlotte is married to Collins, Jane is married to Bingley and Lizzy is visiting Hunsford at Christmas rather than crowding the Gardiners with the rest of her family.She has met Darcy in Meryton and now he and his widower cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam have joined their aunt for Advent. Snow strands Lizzy at Hunsford for Christmas.
This is a rather angsty little story that is filled with drama. While all's well that ends well there is much to deal with. It isn't a lighthearted Christmas tale
April 29, 2017
Elizabeth comes to visit Charlotte Collins at the Hunsford Parsonage as the Christmas period begins. Can the past fading memories of rescue by a girl resurface in Darcy's mind. Can events lead to that happy ending.
An enjoyable story.
An enjoyable story.
February 3, 2021
Very cute short story. Darcy finally realized wishes can come true!
November 25, 2015
Review to come next week.
October 10, 2017
From time to time, I enjoy variations of favorite stories. This one is a variation of the time period within
Pride and Prejudice
. For example, it begins about 15 years before our favorite story by Jane Austin. Elizabeth was visiting with her aunt and uncle Gardiner because Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia had all succumbed to a nasty case of the whooping cough. It was winter and cold in London on the day we are re-introduced to a young Darcy and a 7-year-old Elizabeth.
The Gardiners were visiting Mr. Waverley and having tea while Elizabeth frolicked outside in the snow. She had wandered quite far when she discovered a young boy who had fallen into a small lake while sledding. She helped pull him out and covered him up with pine boughs before running for help. Darcy never forgot that; he remembered her eyes even though he didn't know her name, and made a wish that Christmas that he would someday find her again to thank her for saving his life.
Decades passed and once again many of Darcy's family were visiting with Lady Catherine and Anne, including Lord Hargreaves, Colonel Fitzwilliam and his young son George. They were celebrating Christmas with friends: Mr. Collins, his wife Charlotte and Elizabeth who was visiting with her friend. Darcy and Elizabeth had met long before this. When young George slipped outside into the deep snowy night in search of his new puppy, it seemed as if history was repeating itself.
This is a fun short story, specifically created for the Christmas season. I thought it was a perfect addition to add to my collection of seasonal shorts, a way to remember a favorite story, while none of the added details detracted from the original. The author writes several variations of this type. I enjoyed this one very much and I recommend it to you.
The Gardiners were visiting Mr. Waverley and having tea while Elizabeth frolicked outside in the snow. She had wandered quite far when she discovered a young boy who had fallen into a small lake while sledding. She helped pull him out and covered him up with pine boughs before running for help. Darcy never forgot that; he remembered her eyes even though he didn't know her name, and made a wish that Christmas that he would someday find her again to thank her for saving his life.
Decades passed and once again many of Darcy's family were visiting with Lady Catherine and Anne, including Lord Hargreaves, Colonel Fitzwilliam and his young son George. They were celebrating Christmas with friends: Mr. Collins, his wife Charlotte and Elizabeth who was visiting with her friend. Darcy and Elizabeth had met long before this. When young George slipped outside into the deep snowy night in search of his new puppy, it seemed as if history was repeating itself.
This is a fun short story, specifically created for the Christmas season. I thought it was a perfect addition to add to my collection of seasonal shorts, a way to remember a favorite story, while none of the added details detracted from the original. The author writes several variations of this type. I enjoyed this one very much and I recommend it to you.
September 6, 2017
All right, I will admit that I prefer my books with a bit more bite than this one. It was simply "too sweet" for me. I enjoyed the majority of the story, but the ending felt rushed and unnatural with so many characters changing their former opinions. That being said, I would have given it a 4 instead of a three (actually I would say 3.5, but Goodreads does not allow such rankings), except for the fact that it required closer editing. There were problems with pronoun antecedents—for example, "Her governess placed a shawl around her shoulders." Around whose shoulders? The governess or Anne de Bourgh? Then there were some misspellings (or should I say typos), especially "then" and "than." Split infinitives such as "to often be." Need for possessive pronoun before a gerund as in "of him shirking his duties," should be "of his shirking..." Although the word "honeymoon" has been around since the 1600s, it felt too modern when I read the passage, jarring me from the story line. In the original "Pride and Prejudice," Darcy says he is eight and twenty, but in this story he is 26. Mr. Rankin is later referred to as Lord Ranking. Chapter 18 was just too contrived for me.
January 4, 2017
Christmas wish
Excellent P&P variation. It starts out 15 years prior, when Darcy is 12. He's with his parents at Rosings for Christmas. He has a mishap where he's sledding and has an accident where he ends up in the pond. He just about gives up when a young girl comes to his aid and assists him out of the pond. When she leaves to get help he is rescued by a worker at Rosings. He is intrigued and wants to know who the girl is to thank her. No one believes him about the girl. He ends up in the kitchens with the cook when he assists her in stirring the Christmas pudding and learns that he should make a wish. Than the story begins in 1812 and we are again at Rosings for Christmas and Lizzy is visiting the Collins.
This variation was diverting and there really is no angst but a lot of bumps in the road to the HEA.
Excellent P&P variation. It starts out 15 years prior, when Darcy is 12. He's with his parents at Rosings for Christmas. He has a mishap where he's sledding and has an accident where he ends up in the pond. He just about gives up when a young girl comes to his aid and assists him out of the pond. When she leaves to get help he is rescued by a worker at Rosings. He is intrigued and wants to know who the girl is to thank her. No one believes him about the girl. He ends up in the kitchens with the cook when he assists her in stirring the Christmas pudding and learns that he should make a wish. Than the story begins in 1812 and we are again at Rosings for Christmas and Lizzy is visiting the Collins.
This variation was diverting and there really is no angst but a lot of bumps in the road to the HEA.
December 26, 2017
A very Enjoyable variation if only for the absence of Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Wickham plus wonder of wonders, the story is set at Rosings Park right smack into Lady Katherine de Burgh's lair and being forced to listen to her endless "arrogant monologues" not to mention being subjected to Pompous Collins' nauseating sycophancy. Amid such annoying posturings is the budding romance between Darcy and Elizabeth which started 15 years ago by a daring rescue from an icy watery grave in a pond at Rosings Park by a 6/7 year old Lizzy, and a boy's wish (while mixing the 13 ingredients of a plum pudding) that he will someday see his gallant rescuer again to thank her. Fate stepped in to fulfill the Magic of Serendipity since the passage of time dulls the memories and both children did not really know each other except for that dramatic rescue Moment.
January 2, 2018
Alternative-Austen-novels or what-happens-next-to-Darcy-novels seem to be a genre all of its own. And if this was not so firmly set in the Austen universe, I would have enjoyed it a lot more. There are some beautiful characters in the book and the plot is well laid out. My only gripe, the characters react far too modern, this is the Regency period and Austen's Miss Bennett's are lovely young ladies that understands only too well well how the world works (and in the case of the two elders) how precarious their own situation is. This Miss Bennett is a blue stocking and frankly feminist that would have caused outrage in her time.
February 1, 2018
Beautiful sweet Regency read
This book was one I didn't want to put down. Darcy remembered being rescued from sledding accident when he was a young boy, but no one knew anything of the girl he was sure had been his savior. A Christmas pudding wish that he might someday meet and thank her was finally granted fifteen years later. The twists and turns in this book, as well as the delightful sounds and smells of Christmas celebrated in Recency England as described, make me want to be a time traveler and experience it in person. What a wonderful read! Thank you, Ms Swan, for a fantastic peek into the English countryside at Christmas!
This book was one I didn't want to put down. Darcy remembered being rescued from sledding accident when he was a young boy, but no one knew anything of the girl he was sure had been his savior. A Christmas pudding wish that he might someday meet and thank her was finally granted fifteen years later. The twists and turns in this book, as well as the delightful sounds and smells of Christmas celebrated in Recency England as described, make me want to be a time traveler and experience it in person. What a wonderful read! Thank you, Ms Swan, for a fantastic peek into the English countryside at Christmas!
March 25, 2018
Superb Christmas story
I love the changes in P&P canon which made the story possible. The Colonel is a widower with a young son. A very touching story with many Christmas moments.
A huge snow storm, a lost puppy, even worse, a lost most beloved son. Will either or both be found?
A surprising 15 years ago wish is finally granted in a most memorable way.
Read during the holiday season and feel the warmth of the story touch your heart. Might be a great story to give someone from ages 10 - 14 to introduce P&P to them.
I love the changes in P&P canon which made the story possible. The Colonel is a widower with a young son. A very touching story with many Christmas moments.
A huge snow storm, a lost puppy, even worse, a lost most beloved son. Will either or both be found?
A surprising 15 years ago wish is finally granted in a most memorable way.
Read during the holiday season and feel the warmth of the story touch your heart. Might be a great story to give someone from ages 10 - 14 to introduce P&P to them.
February 15, 2018
An enjoyable read, one of the classics given a new breath of life. Were they not too expensive, I would have purchased the entire series. Other authors have attempted. to rewrite these with less success in holding the readers attention.
Just finished reading, and appreciate all of the story and the background details. Character development, and the close attention given to bringing the reader in and letting them become a part of the observers.
Just finished reading, and appreciate all of the story and the background details. Character development, and the close attention given to bringing the reader in and letting them become a part of the observers.
January 8, 2018
this was a rather interesting story. the characters were all differently put together. I loved how it began with the young boy and ending with him being a man. The characters each had their own demons to deal with and they did deal with them very well. I had never read this author before and now i will look forward to more of her work.
January 7, 2018
Very cleverly done. Immediately we learn that Charlotte & Mary are already married. Only Elizabeth is still single. Simple but very enjoyable plot set on the estate of Darcy’s imposing Aunt Catherine. The Christmas theme is used effectively. I enjoy reading Christmas novels during the holiday season, but the majority of them don’t involve Christmas in the plot. This one does.
January 1, 2018
My review for Darcy’s Christmas Wish
I loved it! A wonderful story about my favourite characters. I especially like this one because Lady Catherine de Bourgh is shown to have a heart, I commend the author for doing so. This a must read. Thank you Penelope Swan for a wonderful book.
I loved it! A wonderful story about my favourite characters. I especially like this one because Lady Catherine de Bourgh is shown to have a heart, I commend the author for doing so. This a must read. Thank you Penelope Swan for a wonderful book.
January 28, 2018
Tracy's Christmas Wish: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
A story about times in the past where certain customs are followed depending on your social rank. At times you wondered whether things would ever turn out right.
A story about times in the past where certain customs are followed depending on your social rank. At times you wondered whether things would ever turn out right.
April 17, 2023
sweet
I am quite sure this is second time I read this. although I found the unexpected changes character circumstances/ histories a little confusing, I did enjoy this simple tale. A nice warm pick me up. Just what I needed.
I am quite sure this is second time I read this. although I found the unexpected changes character circumstances/ histories a little confusing, I did enjoy this simple tale. A nice warm pick me up. Just what I needed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews