Stealing Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Jane Grix, Cass Grix

Librarian Note: Alternate/new cover edition for ASIN: B01IU1R2A6.

Armed with gypsy magic, Caroline Bingley plots to take Fitzwilliam Darcy away from Elizabeth Bennet. Caroline takes Elizabeth’s place – through a body swap – and Darcy must determine which woman is his true love.

Stealing Darcy is a paranormal variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice set in the Regency Era. It was published previously with Jane Grix as the author.

Genres: Regency, Jane Austen

306 pages, ebook

Published July 20, 2016

About the author

I've been half in love with Mr. Darcy since I was twelve, although I'll admit, the first time I read Pride and Prejudice, I was totally taken in by Wickham. I was stunned when Mr. Darcy proposed (I guess I was reading too quickly to catch all the hints), and even more stunned when Wickham turned out to be a jerk. But by the end of the book I was completely smitten by Darcy. I am still smitten.

The best part about writing Jane Austen Variations is that I can relive those moments of discovery and watch Elizabeth fall in love with Darcy one more time.

All my books and short stories are standalone stories, each with a slightly different Darcy and Elizabeth.

Reviews

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t judge a book by its cover and, by the way, I simply loved this cover...most excellent.

What a delightful book. How creative; how absolutely delicious. This was hilarious. I could not put it down. I read it in one setting. The secret at the beginning was so shocking that I was simply struck speechless. When I finally got my breath, all I could say was OMG!!! I just kept saying OMG!!! I have NEVER seen it before in JAFF. Wow! How absolutely creative. Well done Jane Grix!!!!

There are many excellent reviews out there and I shall not compete with them. I will only say that I loved this story.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

That nasty Caroline Bingley! She recognizes Darcy's interest in Elizabeth and, no matter how hard she tries, she can't get him to pay any attention to her. An opportunity arises when a gypsy fortuneteller shows up at Netherfield while the Bennet sisters are in residence. (Shades of Jane Eyre!) Caroline acquires the means to grant a wish, and her wish is to BE Elizabeth Bennet. When the two awake the next morning, their souls are each in the other's body.

Elizabeth is horrified, of course, and immediately tries to tell Jane and Mr. Bingley, but neither of them believe her. In fact, Mr. Bingley immediately forces her to drink some laudenum, as apparently the real Caroline has been known to have fits in the past and this has been his way of dealing with it. He also lets her know that he will send her to Bedlam if she continues to be unreasonable. So, Elizabeth has to do her best to adapt to being Caroline.

Mr. Darcy, of course, has already been fighting his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet and, to Caroline's great frustration, this doesn't change once SHE becomes Elizabeth. On the other hand, Miss Bingley shows herself to have more subtlety and depth than Darcy has observed previously, and he starts paying more attention to her.

It is very clever the way Ms. Grix uses this mix-up to affect the development of the plot. Caroline handles Mr. Collins' proposal quite differently than Elizabeth did in the original story, and Elizabeth is in a position to be able to influence Mr. Bingley in favor of Jane Bennet. Now that Caroline is in Elizabeth's body, she also wants her brother to pursue Jane so that, as Jane's "sister," she'll have more opportunity to be with Darcy. Darcy's first marriage proposal is still refused, although the reasons for the refusal are a far cry from canon.

I enjoyed the writing and really loved the way the story develops. You can't help but empathize with Elizabeth and wonder how on earth things will get back to normal, especially when the gypsy charm doesn't seem to work even when Caroline wants to go back to being herself. I had problems with the resolution, however, which is why I can't give this 5 stars. (More specifics in the spoiler below) Also, it may just have been my mood as I was reading, but I felt like the romance was lacking. There were several sweet scenes where I should have been touched but I felt curiously detached.

In the pivotal scene where Bingley is certain that his sister has come unhinged completely, Jane whispers something to him and he calms. What does she say? Does Jane now believe what "Caroline" first told her about really being Elizabeth? If so, why? None of this is explained and leaves a huge hole in the plot. Very unsatisfying.

I really hate that Caroline has a happy ending. The reader learns that she's guilty of something even more horrible and is actually living someone else's life, but she's never exposed or punished.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huh, for some reason, goodreads has given me a new review to write instead of letting me edit my review. Not cool, Goodreads!

I bumped this up to 5 stars because I enjoyed it much more the second time. How much more? I have no idea since I can't access my old review. I hope this is not the new norm.

Reread: Loved this book so much. It was terrific.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I liked most about this novel is the suspense in which we the readers were kept. Yes, we are usually sure of a happily ever after but I was really not thinking it was guaranteed as I was reading of the predicament Elizabeth found herself in at the hands of the conniving Caroline Bingley. Having read “Darcy by Any Other Name” a body swap between the main characters was not a new idea BUT in that story the swap is caused by natural events not by a gypsy enchanted necklace.

Caroline realizes where Darcy’s romance interests are leading so when a gypsy visits Netherfield she knows that there are resources available to help solve that “error on his part”. So she is not surprised to awaken in Elizabeth body and at Longbourn but Elizabeth is totally taken unaware and aghast. However in trying to tell Bingley (now her “brother) about this she sees him react as if she has lost her mind and he treats her thusly. [There is more than just the incredibility of her statement about being Elizabeth’s soul in Caroline’s body at work here: Bingley has another reason for his actions.]

Darcy is subsequently confused by the actions of both women and comes to the conclusion that he has misjudged both Caroline and Elizabeth. And here Caroline thought the physical appearance was all he was attracted to…but can she pull off an act of being Elizabeth. She has seen Elizabeth disagreeing with his opinions, discussing books with him and oops – didn’t know she played billiards with him. Darcy is witness to some changes in “Caroline” also in that she is not all oozing sweetness in her cloying behavior towards Georgiana. But this “Caroline” has never sought his good opinion. So what does she do when his opinion and relationship with “Caroline” seems to warm towards the previously man-hunting lady?

Then there is a change of attitude on the part of “Caroline inside Elizabeth’s body”. If she wants to win Darcy as Elizabeth pushing Jane and Charles together is now a goal. Funny – now we have Elizabeth and Caroline working towards that common goal. Does anyone notice a change of attitude here? Louisa? Darcy? Even Charles?

Who can the real Elizabeth turn to? Not wanting to be locked up in Bedlam, must she just settle into this new role? And what guarantee is there that this is indeed a permanent body transfer? Elizabeth pulling books about magic off the shelves, searching for magic amulets, balancing her place at Netherfield with “do no harm” to the Bennets, with whom “Caroline” previously avoided all contact much less conversation. And in Elizabeth-in-Caroline’s conversation with the Viscount about good works with the poor was a connection formed and an attraction created? Darcy feels the beginnings of jealousy – how is this possible?

I did so love how relationships gradually were reevaluated and positions take on new meanings. And I do enjoy a story with lots of angst. This one had me on the edge of my seat and I can usually figure out where a mystery is headed – not this time. I recommend this story for its well played out suspense and how all angles came to be covered to get us to the climax. I have read other books by this author and IMO this is the best of the ones which I have read so far.

[Hazel Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a quick read with a very clever plot, I do like these sorts of books and films. I actually quite liked Caroline at times in Elizabeth's body! I did wish the conclusion had come about in a different way, it just didn't sit quite right for me. I still rather enjoyed the book but this was enough to drop a couple of stars for me.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this very much and the premise for it. The author did not take the easy route of sidelining one of the characters by means of accident or illness. They had to face each other straight off. I wish it was longer with more of a "us" against an enemy while growing closer vibe. It was there but I wanted more. I look forward to reading it again.

[abmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

If any of us wonder if Darcy fell for Elizabeth's pretty eyes or her cheeky personality, this story will answer it for you. Even in Caroline's body (I have to suppress a shudder at the imagination), Elizabeth could make Darcy fall in love with her is the best testimony than anything. By the way, what in the world happened to the original (Caroline) Bingley child?

[MaryR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Smile on my Face from Beginning to End

This is a wonderful AU version of Pride and Prejudice. All the original characters are here although it is primarily about the Darcys, Bennet's and Bingleys. Colonel Fitzwilliam's older brother is a new and welcome character addition.

A body swap between Caroline and Elizabeth, think a female version of "Darcy by Any Other Name", and to underscore the theme that truth will win out, Darcy's attraction is almost immediately switched from Miss Bennet to Miss Bingley leaving him confused at what is happening and why.

The writing is crisp, character identification is clear (it can get quite muddled if not done right), and I smiled from beginning to end.

Highly recommended. I would and DEFINITELY WILL read this again. Well worth the purchase price. I can't wait to read "Frankenstein Darcy."

[Ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good with a disappointing end

There was a lot I really enjoyed in this book but the climax was poorly done and felt truncated. Did Jane actually believe Lizzy? When did that belief change? Why didn't she ever discuss it with Lizzy (in Caroline's body) when she lived with her?

I also did not care for how Caroline's story ended. It doesn't seem like the viscount would like her even if she started a school given her personality.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story that was fun if you don’t take it too seriously. I’m not sure if it was meant to be a farcical tale, but I looked at it that way & enjoyed it. It wasn’t perfect, there are some things that I would have liked to see a better or more complete resolution, but I appreciated it being short & sweet. This story may not be of the highest quality out there in this genre, but it was entertaining & kept my attention.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the idea of Darcy falling for E regardless of her looks. And I thought Bingley’s reaction was well done for the time even though it was horrible. However the end fell a bit flat - it was too quick and easy for what should have been a more complicated situation, particularly legally. I was also a bit confused by the hint of “you were more angry last time” which gives the idea C did this before with someone else (not including original) but we never hear any more about it.

[Alena (Ally) Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

Interesting variation with the "what if" and some gypsy magic. Caroline made an interesting villain. I thought perhaps her character development would perhaps bring her around a bit more, but I guess you can only do so much to reform the villain. I enjoyed this one.

[aseriesofpages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was fun and sweet and I enjoyed it. I didn't really know what to expect but this was brilliant. Especially the twist with Caroline....unique and fun to read about. 100% would recommend.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very original! I like it a lot but it was disappointing Caroline had such a good ending after all her mischief… she wasn’t totally horrible though

[Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was something about Stealing Darcy that piqued my interest from the moment I saw the cover of this new JAFF paranormal story? Was it the unusual way Caroline Bingley is depicted on the cover? Was it the catchy title? Perhaps it was the early reviews that got me excited to read another JAFF body swap book between two intriguing characters; Caroline Bingley and Elizabeth Bennet.

How can an author pull off a premise like this without it coming across as too much of a hoax? Cass Grix figured that solution out by having her Caroline Bingley character intrigued by the “dark arts” and taken in by the promises offered one night when a gypsy fortuneteller shows up at Netherfield, offering the opportunity to purchase a trinket that will grant her a wish. Abracadabra and poof, Caroline swaps bodies with the one woman who has unknowingly caught the attention of Fitzwilliam Darcy; the lively and witty Elizabeth Bennet, who is currently a guest at Netherfield Park, while her sister Jane recovers from her trifling cold.

Now that she’s Elizabeth, capturing Darcy in her matrimonial web should be just a matter of time. After all, how hard can it be to remain an object of Darcy’s desire? Well, that’s actually where this story begins to get really interesting, because as soon as a horrified Elizabeth realizes her situation as the “new” Caroline Bingley, Darcy begins to notice that Caroline’s character now demonstrates a depth to her character that he comes to believe he may have previously overlooked.

As the events of the story unfold, and Elizabeth and Caroline become more and more desperate in their situations, the story became even more enjoyable! Just imagine Caroline living at Longbourn as the object of Mr. Collins’ “affections,” while also living amongst the silliest of the Bennet sisters. Meanwhile, Elizabeth is horrified and immediately tries to find an ally amongst her family to help her resolve her dilemma. But what if the only person willing to help her is the one person who’s been watching her so closely that he can’t help but notice the subtle changes between the two ladies in question?

I enjoyed many of the clever maneuvers Ms. Grix made within her story and found myself enjoying the story even more than I anticipated! Watching Caroline struggle in her role as Elizabeth Bennet was just pure fun! I really felt like I connected with the themes that were explored in this book and I thought that the way that Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship was gradually developed throughout the story made me appreciate their HEA even more. I did feel there were a few places where the plot could have been further developed to add even more depth of feeling to the story and I believe that if the characters would have been even more developed some through more introspection, this story would have been closer to a five-star read for me.

I found Stealing Darcy to be a delightful surprise that led me to explore more of Ms. Grix’s JAFF stories. Not only was the plot able to draw me in from the very first pages, but her tight and engaging writing style kept me turning pages at a brisk pace until the very end of this story! Finding a new JAFF author to enjoy is always a pleasure, and for me, Cass Grix is now one I have added to my list of authors to keep exploring in the JAFF community.

[Lynette ~ Talia's Tomes ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out my full review HERE: https://escapingrealitybookreviews.wo...

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book is a beautiful blend of romance, suspense, and magic. I was laughing out loud, I was internally screaming at the characters, and at times I was nearly brought to tears. If you're looking for a refreshingly quirky romance, this is the book for you.I am head over heels in love with this book!

I'm 19, and I highly recommend this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative what-if. I enjoyed her exploration of how much/little our bodies contribute to our identity and how there's more than just what is seen.