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Going Home to Pemberley
‘Going Home to Pemberley’ continues the story of what happened next to the beloved characters of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. This story follows on from ‘Engaged to Mr Darcy’, though it is possible to read the second story without having read the first.
The story picks up from the day after their wedding day and follows the twists and turns of their lives, through the early months of their marriage. It is the story of how two people who love each other very much can sometimes still misunderstand one another – and can inadvertently hurt one another.
The story follows the couple as they both adjust to one another – and as Elizabeth becomes accustomed to the intimacies of married life. And as the reader might expect from two personalities with such strong wills, there are also misunderstandings and conflicts between them as they gradually become more familiar with one another.
‘His comment made Elizabeth wonder if William only wished to share a bed with her when he could be intimate with her – and some of her mother’s unhelpful words on the subject of marital relations crowded her mind. The thought made her flick her eyes across to William, but she hastily looked away again when she realised that his gaze was fixed upon her face. She remembered her mother had said that a husband would only come to his wife’s bed to engage in marital relations, and she wondered with dismay if that was all William wanted when he was so tender with her. She had enjoyed the closeness that they had shared on their wedding night, feeling that their discovery of one another had been more than an exploration of one another’s bodies, but also a growing understanding of one another and a union of their souls.’
This version sees a return of the dastardly Mr Wickham, as he once again plots against his nemesis and plans an awful revenge upon Darcy – by means of Elizabeth. This continuation also tells the story of what became of Lydia following her hasty marriage to Wickham. There is more insight into Georgiana’s timid personality, as well as some alarming disclosures concerning her heartbreak in the aftermath of her near-elopement with Wickham.
There are also appearances by many of the other characters from ‘Pride and Prejudice’, including Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lord and Lady Matlock, Caroline Bingley, and others too.
Please note: this story contains description of a sexual nature as well as some violent scenes. The story is approximately 158,000 words long.
The story picks up from the day after their wedding day and follows the twists and turns of their lives, through the early months of their marriage. It is the story of how two people who love each other very much can sometimes still misunderstand one another – and can inadvertently hurt one another.
The story follows the couple as they both adjust to one another – and as Elizabeth becomes accustomed to the intimacies of married life. And as the reader might expect from two personalities with such strong wills, there are also misunderstandings and conflicts between them as they gradually become more familiar with one another.
‘His comment made Elizabeth wonder if William only wished to share a bed with her when he could be intimate with her – and some of her mother’s unhelpful words on the subject of marital relations crowded her mind. The thought made her flick her eyes across to William, but she hastily looked away again when she realised that his gaze was fixed upon her face. She remembered her mother had said that a husband would only come to his wife’s bed to engage in marital relations, and she wondered with dismay if that was all William wanted when he was so tender with her. She had enjoyed the closeness that they had shared on their wedding night, feeling that their discovery of one another had been more than an exploration of one another’s bodies, but also a growing understanding of one another and a union of their souls.’
This version sees a return of the dastardly Mr Wickham, as he once again plots against his nemesis and plans an awful revenge upon Darcy – by means of Elizabeth. This continuation also tells the story of what became of Lydia following her hasty marriage to Wickham. There is more insight into Georgiana’s timid personality, as well as some alarming disclosures concerning her heartbreak in the aftermath of her near-elopement with Wickham.
There are also appearances by many of the other characters from ‘Pride and Prejudice’, including Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lord and Lady Matlock, Caroline Bingley, and others too.
Please note: this story contains description of a sexual nature as well as some violent scenes. The story is approximately 158,000 words long.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2016
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March 21, 2017
I really, really enjoyed this a lot more than I probably should have. Darcy is pretty unlikable at the end of the book (though he does come to his senses). I do believe that the author sets it up believably, though, with the progression of the relationship Darcy develops with his new wife.
He obviously adores Elizabeth and demonstrates it frequently as the story opens. This is a very emotional man inside who, over the years, has perfected the art of hiding his emotions from the world. Elizabeth is the catalyst that releases them. He starts wearing his heart on his sleeve, surprising those who have known him for years although not his best friend, Richard Fitzwilliam, who has always known what a passionate man Darcy is underneath his controlled exterior.
Elizabeth transforms Pemberley from a quiet, sedate place to a home filled with joy and laughter and passionate sex. Darcy and Elizabeth have their squabbles-- very believable but heated ones-- as the two gradually adapt to married life.
Along with the love, all of Darcy's most protective, most possessive feelings are now at the fore, as well as his feelings of insecurity and the sense that this is too good to last. Remember, he had close relationships with his mother and father, who died relatively young (especially his mother). And Wickham, one of his closest childhood friends, has repeatedly betrayed him.
When situations arise that suggest perhaps Elizabeth has not been faithful to him, Darcy just goes off the deep end. Once again, Elizabeth is the catalyst that releases Darcy's inner feelings. These feelings are just as passionate, but they're seriously unbalanced. He has carried this sense of disbelief, or unreality, that he was actually able to win over this perfect woman, and now his worst fears seem to have been realized.
My first criticism (and, unfortunately, there are many) is that Elizabeth IS too perfect. She's beautiful, intelligent and charming and I didn't notice a single flaw. Perhaps her playfulness with other men seems to her husband to be flirtatious, but it's that same quality that attracted him to her.
The author is undeniably a gifted writer, and I felt the story flowed beautifully... most of the time. There are strange places where she repeats virtually the identical sentence, giving no additional information or insight. It could be repeated immediately after the first sentence, sometimes in the same paragraph or the next paragraph or on the same page, but senseless repetition often can be found very close by.
There's also unnecessary repetition where the same event is described from one character's point of view, then presented again from the viewpoint of a different character. There are better ways to show clashing character interpretations of the same incident.
I also found much repetition in the characters' introspection. There's a lot of it that IS necessary, but too many pages are devoted to what Darcy and Elizabeth are thinking that don't tell the reader anything new.
Another curious idiosyncrasy is the author's gradually increasing use of italics. This was rarely used at the beginning of the book, but by the end they were popping up constantly. Instead of highlighting an important point, they became very distracting.
And yet...
Despite my criticisms above, the writing honestly is excellent through most of the pages. I was engrossed, invested in the characters, and not sure what was going to happen next.
We learn about the marriage between Lydia and Wickham. Wickham once again demonstrates his deep hatred for Darcy, setting up another plot to torment his nemesis. The relationship between Darcy and his cousin Richard is another major plot element, and this also changes throughout the book.
It was fun to read as Darcy and Elizabeth speak about events from the original Pride and Prejudice and reveal what they had been thinking... especially when Darcy relates (and then acts out) his erotic fantasy with Elizabeth on the grounds of Rosings during their visit to his Aunt Catherine, addressing her as "Miss Bennet" and demanding that she accept his marriage proposal. That scene, along with many bedroom scenes, are steamy and definitely not for children's eyes.
Other reviewers couldn't accept Darcy being so distrustful of Elizabeth, but I did accept his motivation and subsequent behavior even though I didn't particularly like it. He's a seriously flawed hero but, like Elizabeth, I still love him!
He obviously adores Elizabeth and demonstrates it frequently as the story opens. This is a very emotional man inside who, over the years, has perfected the art of hiding his emotions from the world. Elizabeth is the catalyst that releases them. He starts wearing his heart on his sleeve, surprising those who have known him for years although not his best friend, Richard Fitzwilliam, who has always known what a passionate man Darcy is underneath his controlled exterior.
Elizabeth transforms Pemberley from a quiet, sedate place to a home filled with joy and laughter and passionate sex. Darcy and Elizabeth have their squabbles-- very believable but heated ones-- as the two gradually adapt to married life.
Along with the love, all of Darcy's most protective, most possessive feelings are now at the fore, as well as his feelings of insecurity and the sense that this is too good to last. Remember, he had close relationships with his mother and father, who died relatively young (especially his mother). And Wickham, one of his closest childhood friends, has repeatedly betrayed him.
When situations arise that suggest perhaps Elizabeth has not been faithful to him, Darcy just goes off the deep end. Once again, Elizabeth is the catalyst that releases Darcy's inner feelings. These feelings are just as passionate, but they're seriously unbalanced. He has carried this sense of disbelief, or unreality, that he was actually able to win over this perfect woman, and now his worst fears seem to have been realized.
My first criticism (and, unfortunately, there are many) is that Elizabeth IS too perfect. She's beautiful, intelligent and charming and I didn't notice a single flaw. Perhaps her playfulness with other men seems to her husband to be flirtatious, but it's that same quality that attracted him to her.
The author is undeniably a gifted writer, and I felt the story flowed beautifully... most of the time. There are strange places where she repeats virtually the identical sentence, giving no additional information or insight. It could be repeated immediately after the first sentence, sometimes in the same paragraph or the next paragraph or on the same page, but senseless repetition often can be found very close by.
There's also unnecessary repetition where the same event is described from one character's point of view, then presented again from the viewpoint of a different character. There are better ways to show clashing character interpretations of the same incident.
I also found much repetition in the characters' introspection. There's a lot of it that IS necessary, but too many pages are devoted to what Darcy and Elizabeth are thinking that don't tell the reader anything new.
Another curious idiosyncrasy is the author's gradually increasing use of italics. This was rarely used at the beginning of the book, but by the end they were popping up constantly. Instead of highlighting an important point, they became very distracting.
And yet...
Despite my criticisms above, the writing honestly is excellent through most of the pages. I was engrossed, invested in the characters, and not sure what was going to happen next.
We learn about the marriage between Lydia and Wickham. Wickham once again demonstrates his deep hatred for Darcy, setting up another plot to torment his nemesis. The relationship between Darcy and his cousin Richard is another major plot element, and this also changes throughout the book.
It was fun to read as Darcy and Elizabeth speak about events from the original Pride and Prejudice and reveal what they had been thinking... especially when Darcy relates (and then acts out) his erotic fantasy with Elizabeth on the grounds of Rosings during their visit to his Aunt Catherine, addressing her as "Miss Bennet" and demanding that she accept his marriage proposal. That scene, along with many bedroom scenes, are steamy and definitely not for children's eyes.
Other reviewers couldn't accept Darcy being so distrustful of Elizabeth, but I did accept his motivation and subsequent behavior even though I didn't particularly like it. He's a seriously flawed hero but, like Elizabeth, I still love him!
November 24, 2016
Going Home to Pemberley is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice rather than a variation. This story has what I look for in a sequel - lots of passion and adjustments as Darcy and Elizabeth start their life together. In addition, we see insights into other characters and their lives after P&P - Lydia and Wickham, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine and Ann, etal. Please note there are many adult scenes between Darcy and Elizabeth.
As the honeymoon begins, Elizabeth and Darcy are both very passionate and are unable to keep their hands off each other. This is light-hearted at the beginning, but we begin to see that Darcy's passionate personality can sometimes cause him to lose perspective, and we quickly see him apologizing for being a little too passionate on his wedding night. As the couple start their life at Pemberley, and Elizabeth happily becomes involved in her new role as the Mistress of Pemberley, we see Darcy over-reacting to some of her actions and having to back-pedal as he rethinks his rash assumptions or over the top anger. This sets the scene for upcoming issues when the two are faced with more serious problems.
Other characters are dealing with their own issues, and this pulls in our couple, as well as continues to set the stage for the major set of conflicts in the story. Georgiana has not recovered from her Ramsgate affair with Wickham, and no one has ever allowed her to talk about it and resolve her outstanding issues. She is severely frightened about going into society and needing to face those who might befriend her for her money, as well as those like Caroline Bingley and her cousin's wife, Lade Penelope, who are quick to judge and make disparaging comments, similar to those she witnesses toward Elizabeth. This leads to a night in which Elizabeth stays with Georgiana throughout the night to help her face her fears and provide support. But, this night plays an important role in future events.
In the meantime, Lydia has found life with Wickham is not anything like she anticipated. She is now miserable and pregnant, fearing her husband, and needing to cook and clean while barely scraping by financially. Wickham insists on a trip to Longbourn when Lydia is only about 1 1/2 months from delivery, but Lydia is too beaten down to refuse or object. Wickham has something in mind, but Lydia cannot fight him.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is by Darcy's side as they confront a threat to their family. But, Richard has his own secrets, which threaten the bond between the two cousins who are almost like brothers.
Thus we have a story with all the pieces in place to bring us to heartbreak for Darcy and Elizabeth. Passion, deceit, doubt and misunderstandings embroil all in a serious set of conflicts that leave all questioning loyalty and love. But, of course, all is resolved with a HEA, despite the roller-coaster ride.
So many times authors are not creative enough to set the stage for the conflicts between Darcy and Elizabeth in writing their fan fiction. We see blow ups between the couple that seem to come out of left field. But, Bradshaw is able to bring us bit by bit to the point where we can understand how passion can sometimes defeat love, or at least temporarily bring it to its knees. The climax of this story seems to occur naturally, with a perfect storm, and imperfect people. And, the resolution where love does overcome heated anger and unforgivable words, is also not unexpected or surprising. We aren't always sure it will get there, but it feels right and logical when it occurs. This takes a gifted author to bring about.
In Going Home to Pemberley, we see the same passionate, loving, yet flawed characters Austen wrote of in canon. We see how circumstances and personality traits (read stubborness, insecurity and stupidity) bring them to the brink of disaster, and how strength and love, plus family support, bring them back. I found Going Home to Pemberley to be a very satisfying JAFF, and highly recommend it to JAFF lovers.
As the honeymoon begins, Elizabeth and Darcy are both very passionate and are unable to keep their hands off each other. This is light-hearted at the beginning, but we begin to see that Darcy's passionate personality can sometimes cause him to lose perspective, and we quickly see him apologizing for being a little too passionate on his wedding night. As the couple start their life at Pemberley, and Elizabeth happily becomes involved in her new role as the Mistress of Pemberley, we see Darcy over-reacting to some of her actions and having to back-pedal as he rethinks his rash assumptions or over the top anger. This sets the scene for upcoming issues when the two are faced with more serious problems.
Other characters are dealing with their own issues, and this pulls in our couple, as well as continues to set the stage for the major set of conflicts in the story. Georgiana has not recovered from her Ramsgate affair with Wickham, and no one has ever allowed her to talk about it and resolve her outstanding issues. She is severely frightened about going into society and needing to face those who might befriend her for her money, as well as those like Caroline Bingley and her cousin's wife, Lade Penelope, who are quick to judge and make disparaging comments, similar to those she witnesses toward Elizabeth. This leads to a night in which Elizabeth stays with Georgiana throughout the night to help her face her fears and provide support. But, this night plays an important role in future events.
In the meantime, Lydia has found life with Wickham is not anything like she anticipated. She is now miserable and pregnant, fearing her husband, and needing to cook and clean while barely scraping by financially. Wickham insists on a trip to Longbourn when Lydia is only about 1 1/2 months from delivery, but Lydia is too beaten down to refuse or object. Wickham has something in mind, but Lydia cannot fight him.
Colonel Fitzwilliam is by Darcy's side as they confront a threat to their family. But, Richard has his own secrets, which threaten the bond between the two cousins who are almost like brothers.
Thus we have a story with all the pieces in place to bring us to heartbreak for Darcy and Elizabeth. Passion, deceit, doubt and misunderstandings embroil all in a serious set of conflicts that leave all questioning loyalty and love. But, of course, all is resolved with a HEA, despite the roller-coaster ride.
So many times authors are not creative enough to set the stage for the conflicts between Darcy and Elizabeth in writing their fan fiction. We see blow ups between the couple that seem to come out of left field. But, Bradshaw is able to bring us bit by bit to the point where we can understand how passion can sometimes defeat love, or at least temporarily bring it to its knees. The climax of this story seems to occur naturally, with a perfect storm, and imperfect people. And, the resolution where love does overcome heated anger and unforgivable words, is also not unexpected or surprising. We aren't always sure it will get there, but it feels right and logical when it occurs. This takes a gifted author to bring about.
In Going Home to Pemberley, we see the same passionate, loving, yet flawed characters Austen wrote of in canon. We see how circumstances and personality traits (read stubborness, insecurity and stupidity) bring them to the brink of disaster, and how strength and love, plus family support, bring them back. I found Going Home to Pemberley to be a very satisfying JAFF, and highly recommend it to JAFF lovers.
November 26, 2016
This is a tricky book to review. The first 55% is a fairly pleasant tale of newly weds that turns into a dramatic, painful, tragedy.
The story begins with the newly, happily married Mr. & Mrs Darcy arriving in London for the night before proceeding to Pemberley. We are shown in a 30,000 foot view their wedding night. We learn that Mr. Darcy is very amorous, and that Lizzy gets her courses on the first day of their trip to Pemberley. They are a mostly happy couple having a few bumps and bothers that are quickly resolved. Christmas brings the Bingleys and Gardiners and mostly familial but Caroline, who wasn't invited, creates tension and ends up feeling the pain of the loss of Pemberley. Then they are off to Matlock where the Viscount and and his Countess are busy making sure Lizzy knows that she isn't our kind dear; not realizing how the attacks are upsetting Georgiana. When they return to Pemberley Lizzy learns that her sister Lydia in increasing and needy. When Lizzy assists her Darcy flips out. This will be excellent foreshadowing. Soon they are off to Rosings so Lizzy can visit Mrs. Collins and make peace with Lady Catherine. Here she tells Darcy that she too is to have a baby. He is oddly affected. Following their visit to Rosings they are off to Longbourn where Wickham will create the havoc with will drive Darcy to the brink of madness and threaten Lizzy's marriage and her life. Darcy turns into a jealous, brutal, silent monster. I hated this Darcy and were I Lizzy I would have been unable to forgive him.
I commented to a friend the other day that I liked stories with angst & drama but this was hard to read.
The story begins with the newly, happily married Mr. & Mrs Darcy arriving in London for the night before proceeding to Pemberley. We are shown in a 30,000 foot view their wedding night. We learn that Mr. Darcy is very amorous, and that Lizzy gets her courses on the first day of their trip to Pemberley. They are a mostly happy couple having a few bumps and bothers that are quickly resolved. Christmas brings the Bingleys and Gardiners and mostly familial but Caroline, who wasn't invited, creates tension and ends up feeling the pain of the loss of Pemberley. Then they are off to Matlock where the Viscount and and his Countess are busy making sure Lizzy knows that she isn't our kind dear; not realizing how the attacks are upsetting Georgiana. When they return to Pemberley Lizzy learns that her sister Lydia in increasing and needy. When Lizzy assists her Darcy flips out. This will be excellent foreshadowing. Soon they are off to Rosings so Lizzy can visit Mrs. Collins and make peace with Lady Catherine. Here she tells Darcy that she too is to have a baby. He is oddly affected. Following their visit to Rosings they are off to Longbourn where Wickham will create the havoc with will drive Darcy to the brink of madness and threaten Lizzy's marriage and her life. Darcy turns into a jealous, brutal, silent monster. I hated this Darcy and were I Lizzy I would have been unable to forgive him.
I commented to a friend the other day that I liked stories with angst & drama but this was hard to read.
December 15, 2016
There are several long reviews which give good hints at the various events tying into the main premise in this novel. This book, first of all, does contain scenes of a sexual nature...you get gobsmacked right off the bat with details of five encounters of the close kind on the wedding night and morning after! Then that next day Lizzy's courses appear when they stop at an inn on their way home to Pemberley. I was a little put off; not so much due to the MA content but as it was so immediate. Barbara, in her review, states something to the effect that the author is showing how passion can get out of hand and Darcy is nothing if not passionate.
There are all the characters with which we are familiar but some have a bit of a different role. The Colonel is there but he, too, has some hidden feelings which are exposed and cause a great deal of problems in the second half of the book. His older brother, the viscount, and his sister-in-law have all the disdain of the ton and spew it on Elizabeth when the Darcys visit the Matlocks. But the one who is suffering is Georgiana as she is relating their attitudes to what she will have to deal with when she comes out. And she deals with her pain in a way we have only learned about in more modern days.
The first half of the book was very slow and on the sweet side with Elizabeth finding her way very well in earning the respect of family and servants at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds gives her some advice about keeping some news secret and that has a way of backfiring. Events add up in Darcy's mind that there are secrets and betrayals dealt by those he holds dearest and he goes over the edge!
Lydia has her eyes opened as the consequences of her marriage come to a bitter reality. I was not at all surprised to learn that W. is abusive on top of all his other traits but when he plots in the worst way possible to injure Darcy through his actions towards Elizabeth I was ready to put the book down. There are some crimes I don't want to read happening in JAFF...fortunately it did not quite reach the depths to have me throw the book out...but it was still heart wrenching.
The earl, Lord Matlock, and his wife have roles which warm the cockles of one's heart. He loves his home and the history and he loves his family. Sometimes he is just a little too direct with advice and that is where his lady must step in. She helps Elizabeth heals the wounds with Lady C. Lizzy is determined to do that because of Anne.
The ending, while giving ODC their HEA didn't quite come together well IMHO. There are some words which, frankly, I found out of character for Darcy thrown at Elizabeth and at Richard. Hurtful, deeply wounding and hard to even consider forgiving related here. This is one time I had a hard time loving the man. I like angst but I also have a need for respect and trust between my favorite couple. I do believe that this ending may cause some strong feeling in the readers also.
As I said the first half was not grabbing my undivided attention but by the second half I was caught in the thralls of wondering if the Darcy marriage was going to survive.
There are all the characters with which we are familiar but some have a bit of a different role. The Colonel is there but he, too, has some hidden feelings which are exposed and cause a great deal of problems in the second half of the book. His older brother, the viscount, and his sister-in-law have all the disdain of the ton and spew it on Elizabeth when the Darcys visit the Matlocks. But the one who is suffering is Georgiana as she is relating their attitudes to what she will have to deal with when she comes out. And she deals with her pain in a way we have only learned about in more modern days.
The first half of the book was very slow and on the sweet side with Elizabeth finding her way very well in earning the respect of family and servants at Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds gives her some advice about keeping some news secret and that has a way of backfiring. Events add up in Darcy's mind that there are secrets and betrayals dealt by those he holds dearest and he goes over the edge!
Lydia has her eyes opened as the consequences of her marriage come to a bitter reality. I was not at all surprised to learn that W. is abusive on top of all his other traits but when he plots in the worst way possible to injure Darcy through his actions towards Elizabeth I was ready to put the book down. There are some crimes I don't want to read happening in JAFF...fortunately it did not quite reach the depths to have me throw the book out...but it was still heart wrenching.
The earl, Lord Matlock, and his wife have roles which warm the cockles of one's heart. He loves his home and the history and he loves his family. Sometimes he is just a little too direct with advice and that is where his lady must step in. She helps Elizabeth heals the wounds with Lady C. Lizzy is determined to do that because of Anne.
The ending, while giving ODC their HEA didn't quite come together well IMHO. There are some words which, frankly, I found out of character for Darcy thrown at Elizabeth and at Richard. Hurtful, deeply wounding and hard to even consider forgiving related here. This is one time I had a hard time loving the man. I like angst but I also have a need for respect and trust between my favorite couple. I do believe that this ending may cause some strong feeling in the readers also.
As I said the first half was not grabbing my undivided attention but by the second half I was caught in the thralls of wondering if the Darcy marriage was going to survive.
March 10, 2022
Oh dear
Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2019
This is the continuation of “Engaged to Mr. Darcy”, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In that book, my reservation in the story was Darcy’s temper. This book had me almost hating him. It’s well written, but I just don’t like the portrayal of Darcy at all.
Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2019
This is the continuation of “Engaged to Mr. Darcy”, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In that book, my reservation in the story was Darcy’s temper. This book had me almost hating him. It’s well written, but I just don’t like the portrayal of Darcy at all.
January 16, 2023
Good bokk
I liked the story but wished the villans had died. Liked the epilogue but it could have covered a longer length of time.
I
I liked the story but wished the villans had died. Liked the epilogue but it could have covered a longer length of time.
I
June 11, 2024
Hate-read the last 40%
Mary Sue/Mary Poppins Lizzy. Yecchhh.
The blurb indicated that this variation dealt with darker themes, themes which don’t typically feature in JAFF. Did Georgiana have ISSUES? Yes, for all of two chapters. Lizzy spends a few hours comforting her, and boom! Mental issues solved.
What doesn’t go away is Darcy, who begins as a controlling (I ordered you, I say what you can do) creep that Lizzy never would have shackled herself to. All too quickly Darcy becomes an immature, jealous, verbally abusive man with rape fantasies. He took Mrs Darcy to the grove where he had, a year prior, given her his letter, and told her he had wanted to push her against the tree and force her to have to say yes.
It somehow gets worse. He accuses her in the vilelest manner of having an affair with Wickham and later of an affair with his cousin. S£~t shaming abounds. She eventually walks out, and “William wanted to grab hold of her and shake her in order to wipe away the cool indifference with which she treated him. He wanted to provoke some kind of response from her that told him that she still felt something for him – even if it were only anger. He itched to seize hold of her and forcibly keep her at home with him; but he did none of these things.”
She, of course, takes him back in under a week. Not only does she normalize his behavior, but her relatives do, too.
To compound the misery, Ms Bradshaw can’t write. She can make sentences that are mostly grammatically correct, but she makes all too many sentences. For example, “It disturbed Elizabeth that William would not disclose his concerns to her; however, she obediently turned towards her room to go and pack her things (though she suspected that William would already have instructed her maid to ready her things, for such was his haste). She could not help but feel disappointed to be leaving her family again so soon, and her step was slow as she turned to walk up the stairs. However, at that moment, Richard stepped out of her father’s study and exchanged some quiet words with William. Elizabeth could not fail to notice their hurried conversation as she glanced backwards towards them; and she realised that whatever it was that apparently necessitated their immediate removal from Longbourn was known also to Richard. Elizabeth was half way up the staircase when William called her back; she turned in response to his voice and was in time to witness a significant look pass between the two gentlemen. Whatever the matter was that had caused her husband such agitation, it was now clear to Elizabeth that Richard was also privy to the information. How could it be, Elizabeth wondered with no little irritation to herself, that her husband would disclose the issue to his cousin, and yet not to her? She knew that William and Richard were best friends, and that William trusted his cousin above all other men, though it could not help but sting her a little to realise that her husband would not trust her with the very same information.”
Needless to say, the book is horribly paced. Not only do the Darcys host two extended house parties between December and Easter, but the house parties would have overlapped. Then, Bradshaw spends no less than three chapters explaining how loathsome Richard’s cousin and wife are. Said couple share one dinner with the Darcys and then vanish into the ether, the lucky ducks.
I am so angry with the author for having the nerve to write this book. She has made most of the characters loathsome. The few decent characters deserved better. The reader deserves better. Had she been able to tell such a lamentable story cogently, she’d have gotten two stars. Because she rattled on for an extra 300 pages, she gets one.
Shame. On. You.
Mary Sue/Mary Poppins Lizzy. Yecchhh.
The blurb indicated that this variation dealt with darker themes, themes which don’t typically feature in JAFF. Did Georgiana have ISSUES? Yes, for all of two chapters. Lizzy spends a few hours comforting her, and boom! Mental issues solved.
What doesn’t go away is Darcy, who begins as a controlling (I ordered you, I say what you can do) creep that Lizzy never would have shackled herself to. All too quickly Darcy becomes an immature, jealous, verbally abusive man with rape fantasies. He took Mrs Darcy to the grove where he had, a year prior, given her his letter, and told her he had wanted to push her against the tree and force her to have to say yes.
It somehow gets worse. He accuses her in the vilelest manner of having an affair with Wickham and later of an affair with his cousin. S£~t shaming abounds. She eventually walks out, and “William wanted to grab hold of her and shake her in order to wipe away the cool indifference with which she treated him. He wanted to provoke some kind of response from her that told him that she still felt something for him – even if it were only anger. He itched to seize hold of her and forcibly keep her at home with him; but he did none of these things.”
She, of course, takes him back in under a week. Not only does she normalize his behavior, but her relatives do, too.
To compound the misery, Ms Bradshaw can’t write. She can make sentences that are mostly grammatically correct, but she makes all too many sentences. For example, “It disturbed Elizabeth that William would not disclose his concerns to her; however, she obediently turned towards her room to go and pack her things (though she suspected that William would already have instructed her maid to ready her things, for such was his haste). She could not help but feel disappointed to be leaving her family again so soon, and her step was slow as she turned to walk up the stairs. However, at that moment, Richard stepped out of her father’s study and exchanged some quiet words with William. Elizabeth could not fail to notice their hurried conversation as she glanced backwards towards them; and she realised that whatever it was that apparently necessitated their immediate removal from Longbourn was known also to Richard. Elizabeth was half way up the staircase when William called her back; she turned in response to his voice and was in time to witness a significant look pass between the two gentlemen. Whatever the matter was that had caused her husband such agitation, it was now clear to Elizabeth that Richard was also privy to the information. How could it be, Elizabeth wondered with no little irritation to herself, that her husband would disclose the issue to his cousin, and yet not to her? She knew that William and Richard were best friends, and that William trusted his cousin above all other men, though it could not help but sting her a little to realise that her husband would not trust her with the very same information.”
Needless to say, the book is horribly paced. Not only do the Darcys host two extended house parties between December and Easter, but the house parties would have overlapped. Then, Bradshaw spends no less than three chapters explaining how loathsome Richard’s cousin and wife are. Said couple share one dinner with the Darcys and then vanish into the ether, the lucky ducks.
I am so angry with the author for having the nerve to write this book. She has made most of the characters loathsome. The few decent characters deserved better. The reader deserves better. Had she been able to tell such a lamentable story cogently, she’d have gotten two stars. Because she rattled on for an extra 300 pages, she gets one.
Shame. On. You.
January 2, 2017
I'm so torn as to how I should rate this story. I was ready to give it 5 stars up until the second half even though there were scenes a little too mature rated for my tastes. It was so sweet seeing Elizabeth and Darcy in their early days of marriage. It reminded me of my own early days of marriage and learning how to deal with my own Mr. Darcy. I absolutely loved the relationship between Mr. Bennett and Mr. Darcy. While other reviewers didn't get pulled in at the beginning, I certainly did.
Maybe it's just a stressful time for me right now and I need sweet, low angst JAFF which is why I really enjoyed the first half. When the second half of the book introduced evil Wickham and Ogre Darcy I was livid. This wonderful P&P sequel turned into a harlequin romance, no actually that's unfair to Harlequin romances. I don't believe they have rape scenes. luckily it didn't go that far but it was extremely uncomfortable and unnecessary. There's such a thing as too much angst and this story bordered on way too much angst that was wrapped up with a very rushed HEA bow.
In my opinion this was two very different stories but I loved parts of it so much, I'm willing to recommend it and give it 4 stars. Evil Wickham gets his due and Mr. Darcy has a Snickers eating transformation back to the dreamy hero we all love.
Maybe it's just a stressful time for me right now and I need sweet, low angst JAFF which is why I really enjoyed the first half. When the second half of the book introduced evil Wickham and Ogre Darcy I was livid. This wonderful P&P sequel turned into a harlequin romance, no actually that's unfair to Harlequin romances. I don't believe they have rape scenes. luckily it didn't go that far but it was extremely uncomfortable and unnecessary. There's such a thing as too much angst and this story bordered on way too much angst that was wrapped up with a very rushed HEA bow.
In my opinion this was two very different stories but I loved parts of it so much, I'm willing to recommend it and give it 4 stars. Evil Wickham gets his due and Mr. Darcy has a Snickers eating transformation back to the dreamy hero we all love.
January 12, 2020
Not on with this Mr. Darcy
Me. Darcy totally goes off the rails in this follow up book. Goes on a jealous rampage over Lizzy and the Colonel. ODC's relationship is fiery, but not healthy. Left me not too convinced of their HEA.
Me. Darcy totally goes off the rails in this follow up book. Goes on a jealous rampage over Lizzy and the Colonel. ODC's relationship is fiery, but not healthy. Left me not too convinced of their HEA.
April 17, 2019
Hard
Another sequel inspired by Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed some of it but certain events really upset me. Trigger warning for abuse and assault
Another sequel inspired by Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. I enjoyed some of it but certain events really upset me. Trigger warning for abuse and assault
February 22, 2021
This one made me cry.
Excellent book! The warning for readers who have difficulty with the inclusion of sexual abuse is very appropriate. It was not a problem for me, nor was it what made me cry. It was the effects that the situation had on Darcy, Elizabeth, and several other characters that touched me enough to bring tears. Other readers may not be as affected, and I have to admit that my husband calls me a romantic softy because I have been known to cry over certain books and movies.
There were some editing errors that I found distracting. In a number of places two verbs were used (e.g. had have or have had). That could have been a specific use of a little used verb tense, but it felt wrong to me. There were a couple of times where a word that was clearly not intended appeared. I believe those were cases where word completion in a software program inserted the wrong word, and the error was not caught during editing.
Highly recommended to everyone to whom the warning from the book’s description does not apply. I hope there is a book that continues the story.
Excellent book! The warning for readers who have difficulty with the inclusion of sexual abuse is very appropriate. It was not a problem for me, nor was it what made me cry. It was the effects that the situation had on Darcy, Elizabeth, and several other characters that touched me enough to bring tears. Other readers may not be as affected, and I have to admit that my husband calls me a romantic softy because I have been known to cry over certain books and movies.
There were some editing errors that I found distracting. In a number of places two verbs were used (e.g. had have or have had). That could have been a specific use of a little used verb tense, but it felt wrong to me. There were a couple of times where a word that was clearly not intended appeared. I believe those were cases where word completion in a software program inserted the wrong word, and the error was not caught during editing.
Highly recommended to everyone to whom the warning from the book’s description does not apply. I hope there is a book that continues the story.
February 18, 2023
The jealous abusive Darcy from the last book (Engaged to Mr. Darcy) flowered into a complete psychopath, centering his suspicious delusions on Col. Fitzwilliam. And Elizabeth, the doormat, went back to him. With a thoroughly unpleasant Wickham intent on rape, just to increase the angst. (Oh, and Darcy thought she was getting it on with him, too.)
But it's okay, apparently, because Darcy's really sorry.
A great romance for anyone who really enjoys abusive relationships. As for me, it squicked me thoroughly. I'm only sorry I finished it.
But it's okay, apparently, because Darcy's really sorry.
A great romance for anyone who really enjoys abusive relationships. As for me, it squicked me thoroughly. I'm only sorry I finished it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
Great story but..
This could have been a 5 star, but I did not like the end. I feel like the author dragged out this Richard situation. I would have liked to see more of how society accepted Mrs Darcy. It's like she was setting us up for the book "After". Darcy was an a** for hours he handled the situation, but where was the reprimand for Richard? Its like we went from a passionate loving relationship for ODC to this focus on Richard and a bland ending for ODC. And what happened with the modiste? Were there rumors?
This could have been a 5 star, but I did not like the end. I feel like the author dragged out this Richard situation. I would have liked to see more of how society accepted Mrs Darcy. It's like she was setting us up for the book "After". Darcy was an a** for hours he handled the situation, but where was the reprimand for Richard? Its like we went from a passionate loving relationship for ODC to this focus on Richard and a bland ending for ODC. And what happened with the modiste? Were there rumors?
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November 24, 2019I started this book with some trepidation because I didn't particularly care for the previous one. This one was so bad to me that I gave up at 27%. Lizzy and Darcy both seem out of character, there is way too much passionate sex early on, when Jane Austen would not have written it this way and nothing much happens early. Got annoyed with it enough and skipped ahead to the unrealistic and disappointing end. This will be the last book I read from this author.
September 26, 2022
Interesting plotting
Lots of ups and downs in our dear couple's relationship in the first year of their marriage. Elizabeth is sometimes smart and sometimes stupid and Darcy is also. Wickham is an absolute a___hole and plots heavily. I found Darcy to be extremely self-centered in the last half of the book, as he only seemed to view situations as to how they affected HIM and thought little of the concerns of his wife, family, and friends.
Lots of ups and downs in our dear couple's relationship in the first year of their marriage. Elizabeth is sometimes smart and sometimes stupid and Darcy is also. Wickham is an absolute a___hole and plots heavily. I found Darcy to be extremely self-centered in the last half of the book, as he only seemed to view situations as to how they affected HIM and thought little of the concerns of his wife, family, and friends.
May 12, 2019
Debbie writes a great review of this story.
The story begins with the wedding and honeymoon. They are learning how to talk with other and deal with the ton. Towards the end of the book There is some angst that took me by surprise and Darcy became an unlikable character. Can they work though this trouble and become happier ever after?
The story begins with the wedding and honeymoon. They are learning how to talk with other and deal with the ton. Towards the end of the book There is some angst that took me by surprise and Darcy became an unlikable character. Can they work though this trouble and become happier ever after?
May 18, 2017
Good story, but...
The story line was mostly good, but there was no excitement or angst until the last quarter of the book. So for me it was a bit boring and really a struggle to continue.
The story line was mostly good, but there was no excitement or angst until the last quarter of the book. So for me it was a bit boring and really a struggle to continue.
November 18, 2022
I don't think the author likes Mr. Darcy much. The direction she took his character is very out of character for Austen's Darcy, and his jealous rages ruined the book for me. I guess I want the canon version of Darcy, even in a retelling/sequel.
July 11, 2024
Not a favorite
What begins as a very pleasant continuation veers too far from depicting both Darcy and the Colonel we know and love. It's simply too much of a stretch to portray this mean spirited violent Darcy as the future version of the Darcy Jane Austen gifted to us.
What begins as a very pleasant continuation veers too far from depicting both Darcy and the Colonel we know and love. It's simply too much of a stretch to portray this mean spirited violent Darcy as the future version of the Darcy Jane Austen gifted to us.
April 2, 2020
Made me cry
Well written. Men can be so infuriating, which is demonstrated in this book. Made me cry, lizzy should have made him suffer more.
Well written. Men can be so infuriating, which is demonstrated in this book. Made me cry, lizzy should have made him suffer more.
January 27, 2021
Mr darcy meets mr grey
Dark mysterious darcy,with erotica scenes the mr grey of the 19th century,good read but darcy is portrayed as a different kind of character
Dark mysterious darcy,with erotica scenes the mr grey of the 19th century,good read but darcy is portrayed as a different kind of character
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November 14, 2022P&P sequel high on angst.
November 21, 2023
It was great until Darcy accused Lizzy of adultery wtf
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2020
Home
I really enjoyed the different turns that your story told. Kept me not wanting to put book down. Ready for more good stories from you
I really enjoyed the different turns that your story told. Kept me not wanting to put book down. Ready for more good stories from you
June 14, 2016
Good story until the last 1/4
I liked the authors ideas but the last part of the story is too rushed. Within a few weeks Lizzy (pregnant, mind you) is nearly raped, emotionally abused by her once adoring husband, suffers a serious head injury, and then recovers enough to be presented at court AND forgives her husband??? Completely unrealistic both emotionally and physically.
I liked the authors ideas but the last part of the story is too rushed. Within a few weeks Lizzy (pregnant, mind you) is nearly raped, emotionally abused by her once adoring husband, suffers a serious head injury, and then recovers enough to be presented at court AND forgives her husband??? Completely unrealistic both emotionally and physically.
April 5, 2016
Excellent
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is quite a long story and actually took me ten hours to read, but I could hardly put it down. I hate reviews that are full of spoilers, so I will just say I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read it again.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is quite a long story and actually took me ten hours to read, but I could hardly put it down. I hate reviews that are full of spoilers, so I will just say I really enjoyed reading it and will probably read it again.
May 4, 2016
Very, very good!
This is a wonderful book. It has all that is needed for a great P&P experience. When I finished I wanted more. I hope there is another book in the works to continue this story! There is so much to built on!
This is a wonderful book. It has all that is needed for a great P&P experience. When I finished I wanted more. I hope there is another book in the works to continue this story! There is so much to built on!
July 18, 2016
Oh my! First this book needs a mature rating. I can also say that I wanted to smack Mr Darcy for his jealousy. The only other plot was a short bit related to Wickham. It was a long book and seemed to go on and on about the same thing.
August 29, 2021
This is the second part of a two part series although it could be read on its own. It is extremely well constructed, exploring the dark places jealousy can take someone.
I would heartily recommend this book
I would heartily recommend this book
April 17, 2016
The story was decent thought it got a little long and tedious at some points. I did have some issues with the writing as well. Used a lot of extra words in sentences that weren't necessary.
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