He's got one chance to claim his heart's desire, and he's holding nothing back.
What's a gentleman to do when he has laid his heart before a lady only to have it crushed beneath her dainty slippers? If you're Fitzwilliam Darcy, there is only one thing to do -- unravel your tightly wound pride, mend your ways, and convince the lady of your worth.
And what's a lady to do when she has spoken harshly and knows she has done so unfairly? If you're Elizabeth Bennet, you take a deep breath, swallow your dignity, give him a second chance, and perhaps along the way, discover a gentleman you didn't know existed.
And what's a couple to do when they have difficult family members? If you're Darcy and Elizabeth, you expect a few bumps in the road and prepare yourself for some absurdity along the path to happily ever after.
Unravelling Mr. Darcy is part of Leenie Brown's Dash of Darcy collection of Pride and Prejudice inspired novellas. If you like well-written, fast-paced, sweet romance with a touch of humor, then you will love this story about Darcy claiming a second chance and pursuing it without reserve.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of Unravelling Mr. Darcy, and slip into a world of light-hearted sweet romantic indulgence today.
Leenie Brown has always been a girl with an active imagination, which, while growing up, was both an asset, providing many hours of fun as she played out stories, and a liability, when her older sister and aunt would tell her frightening tales. At one time, they had her convinced Dracula lived in the trunk at the end of the bed she slept in when visiting her grandparents!
Although it has been years since she cowered in her bed in her grandparents’ basement, she still has an imagination which occasionally runs away with her, and she feeds it now as she did then ─ by reading!
Her heroes, when growing up, were authors, and the worlds they painted with words were (and still are) her favourite playgrounds! Now, as an adult, she spends much of her time in the Regency world, playing with the characters from her favourite Jane Austen novels and those of her own creation.
When she is not traipsing down a trail in an attempt to keep up with her imagination, Leenie resides in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia with her two sons and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley, and Edmund with a healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tilney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).
“I believe anything has to be possible. You have to be able to face any problem that comes along and unravel it into a solution.” Jon Oringer
This was a clean, quick read that left the romantic heart sighing with delight. Since it was a novella, it moved quickly, although it didn’t feel rushed. I love a good Darcy and this young man was no different. Brown has a unique approach to the P&P Universe. She takes the basic pieces of Austen’s classic, reconfigured them into another story completely and yet, still kept them true to the original.
The Hunsford Parsonage, along with it horrific proposal, will forever be the haunting moment of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life. How had he been so mistaken regarding Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s opinion of him? How did he get it so wrong? Everything he had ever thought, regarding Miss Elizabeth and her pert opinions, was wrong… so horribly wrong. Oh, how would he ever recover from such a blow?
“Human curiosity, the urge to know, is a powerful force and is perhaps the best secret weapon of all in the struggle to unravel the workings of the natural world.” Aaron Klug
For whatever reason… curiosity perhaps… Elizabeth called out to Mr. Darcy and asked him to not leave. This was a new twist in our canon story-line. I loved how Elizabeth, though ill, was able to approach and discuss with Darcy their differences. This started them on a new and different tack and I loved the excitement of wondering what was going to happen next.
We also had the introduction of a new character in the grandmother, Lady Margaret. Now that lady was a pistol and no one in the family crossed her. She was made of sterner stuff and especially favored a younger version of herself in Elizabeth Bennet. Perhaps that is why she was particularly receptive of Elizabeth in Darcy’s life.
Georgiana was a delight and of course we always love our dear Colonel. Even Anne de Bourgh had a secret that I found interesting. There was something about Bingley that was a bit more… just more. I can’t say without giving a spoiler, but I think Jane is in for a surprise. And… perhaps Caroline as well if she crosses Bingley again.
Our antagonists didn’t have page time, but were discussed [Caroline and Wickham]. I was grateful we didn’t have to deal with them. Our story easily set up the next book dealing with Anne’s story. ‘Becoming Entangled,’ due out late Fall 2017. I am really curious as to what happens with her. I liked her in this story and she gave us a hint as to what she wanted. Enough said on that.
"How had she ever thought it possible on short acquaintance to unravel the complexity of such a man was beyond her comprehension now." (quote from the book)
This is a sweet novella that takes Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy along a gentler path than canon after his disastrous proposal at Hunsford. It is also one that shows some very swoon-worthy moments. There are some delightful surprises within its pages. I especially enjoyed Anne de Bourgh's request of Elizabeth! But I must say, I was smiling and chuckling throughout this story. Mr. Bingley gets his time to shine and Mrs. Bennet has a whole new perspective regarding him. Despite her silliness, she too has some wise words to dispense.
So curl up in your favourite chair and enjoy the latest creation from Ms. Brown.
I liked this fast paced story a lot. Elizabeth calls Darcy back at Hunsford and they decide to start over with better understanding. Upgrading to five stars because it lasted a reread.
What if after the disaster that is the Hunsford prosposal Elizabeth calls Darcy back as he goes to leave. Can there be a quicker understanding or are Darcy's hopes raised too soon. An enjoyable tale about the relationship of this couple.
A wonderful "what if". When Elizabeth calls Darcy back after rejecting his proposal, she just wants to apologize. But it turns out he shows her he's nothing like she thinks he is.
A highly recommended story for when you don't have a lot of time for reading.
This is a sweet novella that's perhaps just a bit TOO sweet. Not much in the way of obstacles for ODC to overcome. But it is well put together and starts with an interesting premise and adds the marvelous Lady Margaret, the Dowager Countess of Matlock, grandmother of Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. The dialogue is excellent, too, with lots of Darcy-and-Elizabeth togetherness.
It all begins with Darcy's infamous Hunsford proposal. Along with Elizabeth's objections to him, she truly feels too ill to attend at Rosings, and she's feeling a bit cranky besides. (You know what I'm talking about, ladies!) After thoroughly lambasting him, she observes his dejected mien as he takes his leave, and her conscience kicks in. She immediately calls him back, apologizing for her intemperate response, and this leads to a more civil exchange between the two. The next morning Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam leave Rosings. After their departure, Elizabeth has a revealing chat with Anne de Bourgh, who has much more personality than she exhibits in front of her mother.
The story eventually proceeds to London, where Elizabeth encounters Georgiana, Lady Matlock, and Lady Margaret. There's a bit of anxiety when Mrs. Bennet shows up, and the book ends shortly after Lady Catherine arrives, with the next book in this series set to feature Anne.
In general, this is a totally angst-free read. Without serious misunderstandings, obstacles or villains to overcome, it's pleasant but a bit bland.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet novel. I liked Elizabeth Bennet's journey of getting to know Mr. Darcy. I also thought Bingkey was written in an amusing way as Mrs. Bennet watched him warily due to his fighting ways. A lovely book.
Very nice story but it stops abruptly and forces one to buy the next book to see the Darcy and Lizzie HEA.
Small fun changes in the characters. Darcy is not quite the prideful jerk. Lizzie is not quite likely to lose her temper. Bingley is not quite the puppy. And a new character is added, Darcy’s maternal grandmother.
Fun story but as mentioned, only part one of the story.
I barely recommend this book because of its abrupt ending.
This was a very quick read. creative on some things and canon on most. well written! I like the descriptions of the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth.
A lovely, sweet and romantic fast read. Angst free but with a bit of anguish in the beginning.
Entering at the end of the Hunsford proposal. Darcy is about to leave when Elizabeth calls him back. Seeing another side of him makes her agree to see him in London and allow him to court her. Darcy does not waste his second chance...
A perfect autumn read to snuggle up, with a cup of tea and a blanket.
This is a simple story: Darcy is refused by Elizabeth and he is crushed. But Elizabeth calls him back just as he’s leaving Mr. Collins’ cottage and apologizes for being so abrasive. Bizarrely, she blames her period on her bad mood. Yup, you read correctly; she tells Darcy that having a sister he must know that once a month women have their cycles, which she is having at the moment. Darcy is not only familiar with it, he has experience from being there for his sister when she’s having her cycle. He immediately gets the servant to bring her a hot brick to put up against her back. Uhhh…okay. She agrees to let him show her that he’s not the person she thinks he is. So that’s basically the whole story, ending in the inevitable wedding. I was on the fence about how many stars to give it, I eventually landed on 4 stars rather than 3.
As Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite classics, I didn't know what to expect. Would this book do Jane Austen's justice. I can only say that I really was pleasantly surprised and really did enjoy it. Leenie Brown managed to capture the essence of all the beloved characters whilst adding some new, enjoyable ones. I'm glad I took the plunge and read it.