What do you think?
Rate this book
Darcy's Secret Marriage: A Pride & Prejudice Novel Variation
Brought together by love, separated by jealousy. Will they get a second chance at a future?
When Fitzwilliam Darcy sees Elizabeth Bennet across a ballroom, he cannot believe his eyes or his good fortune. After four years of searching, he has finally found her, and he is determined that nothing is going to keep them apart this time.
However, their reunion does not go completely as planned. The same person who tore them apart years ago is still not pleased to allow them to be together.
Secretly, Darcy and Elizabeth pledge themselves to one another, but will a marriage formed in secrecy be enough to help keep them together or will their nemesis succeed in separating them forever?
When Fitzwilliam Darcy sees Elizabeth Bennet across a ballroom, he cannot believe his eyes or his good fortune. After four years of searching, he has finally found her, and he is determined that nothing is going to keep them apart this time.
However, their reunion does not go completely as planned. The same person who tore them apart years ago is still not pleased to allow them to be together.
Secretly, Darcy and Elizabeth pledge themselves to one another, but will a marriage formed in secrecy be enough to help keep them together or will their nemesis succeed in separating them forever?
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2019
75 people are currently reading
49 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
gave-up
June 3, 2022FML I purchased this book
Okay maybe it's me maybe I am extra grumpy or something but by all that is holy this is unreadable
I have read books where the characters have amnesia but I don't think I have ever read one where it appears the author did.
Within the first few chapters there is so much contradiction that my mind wobbled and I wanted to fling my Kindle.
I will give the author props for having an unusual approach to ODC but there are so many minuses I can't even begin to list them
The premise is that the Bennets have a aunt who owns an estate that abuts Pemberley and when 16 year old Lizzy Bennet and 20 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy meet and fall in love Darcy's Mum (Lady Anne not dead) forces them apart in order to encourage Darcy to marry Anne deBourgh
This plot line strains credulity since women; even daughters and sisters of Earls were pretty freaking powerless in the Georgian/ Regency era and Mr. Darcy sr is still alive and approves of Lizzy and disdains Miss deBough
Now I guess it's possible that Darcy Sr is thinking with his little head but seriously pack the bitch up and off to the Continent or the Colonies and let your son have a good wife
Four years passes before ODC are reunited in Scotland and Lizzy has heard not hide nor hair from Darcy. And this is fing ridiculous he's an adult; he knows where she lives; he's met her father; he could write her father; he could have gotten his dad to write her father, he know where her Aunt lives (next door); he could have asked her aunt to write her father. He know where she lives !! He could have ridden to Longbourn
NERF KINDLE?????
The dialog when ODC are reunited is stupefying because the author conveniently forgets all the things I listed above in some parts Darcy didn't know where she was and searched for her in London and it others he knew where she was (see my notes)
And then (and screw spoilers this book is garbage) 20 year old Lizzy and 24 year old Darcy decide to elope and have a secret marriage because other wise Mrs Darcy sr my prevent him from seeing Georgiana
And I am done
Okay maybe it's me maybe I am extra grumpy or something but by all that is holy this is unreadable
I have read books where the characters have amnesia but I don't think I have ever read one where it appears the author did.
Within the first few chapters there is so much contradiction that my mind wobbled and I wanted to fling my Kindle.
I will give the author props for having an unusual approach to ODC but there are so many minuses I can't even begin to list them
The premise is that the Bennets have a aunt who owns an estate that abuts Pemberley and when 16 year old Lizzy Bennet and 20 year old Fitzwilliam Darcy meet and fall in love Darcy's Mum (Lady Anne not dead) forces them apart in order to encourage Darcy to marry Anne deBourgh
This plot line strains credulity since women; even daughters and sisters of Earls were pretty freaking powerless in the Georgian/ Regency era and Mr. Darcy sr is still alive and approves of Lizzy and disdains Miss deBough
Now I guess it's possible that Darcy Sr is thinking with his little head but seriously pack the bitch up and off to the Continent or the Colonies and let your son have a good wife
Four years passes before ODC are reunited in Scotland and Lizzy has heard not hide nor hair from Darcy. And this is fing ridiculous he's an adult; he knows where she lives; he's met her father; he could write her father; he could have gotten his dad to write her father, he know where her Aunt lives (next door); he could have asked her aunt to write her father. He know where she lives !! He could have ridden to Longbourn
NERF KINDLE?????
The dialog when ODC are reunited is stupefying because the author conveniently forgets all the things I listed above in some parts Darcy didn't know where she was and searched for her in London and it others he knew where she was (see my notes)
And then (and screw spoilers this book is garbage) 20 year old Lizzy and 24 year old Darcy decide to elope and have a secret marriage because other wise Mrs Darcy sr my prevent him from seeing Georgiana
And I am done
November 10, 2020
I first found this on AHA but then notices of new postings were not e-mailed to me. When it was published I went looking and found the story again.
I love angst in my stories. This one does have a bit of that. The author does have both Elizabeth and Darcy about 4 years younger than in canon in the beginning. They meet and fall in love but are separated without warning. He goes off on his Grand Tour while Elizabeth doesn't know what to make of his sudden disappearance.
Father Darcy has promised that Darcy can marry the woman of his choice after the tour. But then that man meets with a tragic accident. So he is not there to support Fitzwilliam.
Both search for the other's face in every crowd, parlor and ballroom. Finally 4 years later they find each other again when Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner visit one of his associates near the border to Scotland.
Knowing that the person responsible for their separation will try again they decide to marry in secret and try to persuade their nemesis afterward. But before that campaign to gain that person's approval begins, a journal is found which reveals the depth of evil they could not imagine. Even with safeguards put in place evil finds a way to come close to making a separation permanent.
I enjoyed this story. We do expect a happy ending but there are some missteps getting there. I recommend this story.
November 9, 2020: I reread this in it's unpublished form:
https://forum.darcyandlizzy.com/index...
I love angst in my stories. This one does have a bit of that. The author does have both Elizabeth and Darcy about 4 years younger than in canon in the beginning. They meet and fall in love but are separated without warning. He goes off on his Grand Tour while Elizabeth doesn't know what to make of his sudden disappearance.
Father Darcy has promised that Darcy can marry the woman of his choice after the tour. But then that man meets with a tragic accident. So he is not there to support Fitzwilliam.
Both search for the other's face in every crowd, parlor and ballroom. Finally 4 years later they find each other again when Elizabeth and her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner visit one of his associates near the border to Scotland.
Knowing that the person responsible for their separation will try again they decide to marry in secret and try to persuade their nemesis afterward. But before that campaign to gain that person's approval begins, a journal is found which reveals the depth of evil they could not imagine. Even with safeguards put in place evil finds a way to come close to making a separation permanent.
I enjoyed this story. We do expect a happy ending but there are some missteps getting there. I recommend this story.
November 9, 2020: I reread this in it's unpublished form:
https://forum.darcyandlizzy.com/index...
April 21, 2019
Pride and Prejudice reimagined.
Unputdownable!
My favourite trope, where Darcy and Elizabeth reached an early understanding and the threat came from an outside force. Sweet, romantic and thrilling story. Rated: all
Elizabeth and Darcy are introduced pre canon but are separated for years. Reunited, a swift wedding ensued. They kept the marriage a secret but oh my does that backfire...
The villain in this story was a big surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Heartily recommend this book!
Unputdownable!
My favourite trope, where Darcy and Elizabeth reached an early understanding and the threat came from an outside force. Sweet, romantic and thrilling story. Rated: all
Elizabeth and Darcy are introduced pre canon but are separated for years. Reunited, a swift wedding ensued. They kept the marriage a secret but oh my does that backfire...
The villain in this story was a big surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Heartily recommend this book!
June 2, 2019
Short and simple
Well crafted short story. Interesting premise. Expensive for its length. I enjoyed the read but I felt like I was reading a young adult book, except for its plot.
I recommend this book.
Well crafted short story. Interesting premise. Expensive for its length. I enjoyed the read but I felt like I was reading a young adult book, except for its plot.
I recommend this book.
March 22, 2024
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet fall in love but their marriage does not match his mother's plan. She uses her resources to separate them. Four years later, they meet again by chance and decide to elope and not take any chances of being separated again.
There is no pride, no prejudice, just two people who love each other trying to avoid the craziness that is Darcy's mother with the help of beloved relatives and retainers.
There is no pride, no prejudice, just two people who love each other trying to avoid the craziness that is Darcy's mother with the help of beloved relatives and retainers.
March 1, 2023
Great Book
Well I like a book with no Caroline or Wickham. Mrs Anne Darcy was off the hook. Loved Lord Matlock, and the Gardner's. Would have liked an epilogue but it was a good book.
Well I like a book with no Caroline or Wickham. Mrs Anne Darcy was off the hook. Loved Lord Matlock, and the Gardner's. Would have liked an epilogue but it was a good book.
June 26, 2019
Surprising tale
This was a different take on P&P with Mrs Darcy still alive. Though this Mrs Darcy was not a nice one, but a very bad one. I adored the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved that it was love immediately with them, and that the issues were with others. This was an easy and fast read, one that sucks you in until the end. I’d recommend it to all JAFFers.
This was a different take on P&P with Mrs Darcy still alive. Though this Mrs Darcy was not a nice one, but a very bad one. I adored the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth. I loved that it was love immediately with them, and that the issues were with others. This was an easy and fast read, one that sucks you in until the end. I’d recommend it to all JAFFers.
May 2, 2022
Interesting
Romantic and entertaining, this is an enjoyable short read with the unusual fact of having Lady Anne Darcy still alive.
Romantic and entertaining, this is an enjoyable short read with the unusual fact of having Lady Anne Darcy still alive.
May 24, 2022
The classic story takes a dark turn, changing what we know of the main characters. Did I like it? I'm not sure. But it does make an interesting read.
April 26, 2019
In this P&P variation, four years previously Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet were separated by the deeds of Lady Anne Darcy. But now they have finally met again, and refusing to be parted secretly marry hoping to persuade Lady Anne to accept Elizabeth.
A different villain then usual and so an enjoyable story
A different villain then usual and so an enjoyable story
May 6, 2019
Outrageous, Yes! But Involving
When you read the first page you are already engrossed. Who'd have thought Lady Anne Darcy could be so evil? But she was sister to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, no one would be surprised at such behavior from that one.
This variation has none of the regular angst. Darcy and Elizabeth fall in love quite readily but are separated by said lady. When they find each other again they refuse to be parted again. They decide to marry secretly. Then come the trials to pretend to be courting and not give their secret away until the right time.
Very exciting! I enjoyed it very much!
When you read the first page you are already engrossed. Who'd have thought Lady Anne Darcy could be so evil? But she was sister to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, no one would be surprised at such behavior from that one.
This variation has none of the regular angst. Darcy and Elizabeth fall in love quite readily but are separated by said lady. When they find each other again they refuse to be parted again. They decide to marry secretly. Then come the trials to pretend to be courting and not give their secret away until the right time.
Very exciting! I enjoyed it very much!
July 6, 2019
Bad Lady Anne
Wow. To have Darcy and Elizabeth meet and fall in love so young was a nice change. Mr. Darcy’s acceptance of his sons love was wonderful. I’ve always wondered what would happen if Darcy’s parents had met Elizabeth. Lady Anne Darcy was portrayed as a spoiled woman who looked down at everyone and especially Elizabeth. I guess someone had to be the antagonist in the story. After several years absent Darcy finds Elizabeth and still loves her and they marry in secret. The story takes you on a roller coaster ride. The ending is surprising and I won’t ruin it but it seemed fitting. Read this twice.
Wow. To have Darcy and Elizabeth meet and fall in love so young was a nice change. Mr. Darcy’s acceptance of his sons love was wonderful. I’ve always wondered what would happen if Darcy’s parents had met Elizabeth. Lady Anne Darcy was portrayed as a spoiled woman who looked down at everyone and especially Elizabeth. I guess someone had to be the antagonist in the story. After several years absent Darcy finds Elizabeth and still loves her and they marry in secret. The story takes you on a roller coaster ride. The ending is surprising and I won’t ruin it but it seemed fitting. Read this twice.
September 18, 2025
Why do they keep their marriage a secret?
This story has Darcy and Elizabeth meeting and falling in love several years prior to canon. One specific individual will do anything to keep them apart. When they are finally reunited, the location where they’re at, gives them an opportunity to have a secret wedding.
In this story, you don’t spend any time with Elizabeth’s family other than her aunt and uncle. We do get to spend some time with some of Darcy’s s family, but no Georgiana or Wickham on page. The angst is primarily dealing with one villain and how to deal with them.
Overall, it’s a sweet story with lots of Elizabeth and Darcy time together.
This story has Darcy and Elizabeth meeting and falling in love several years prior to canon. One specific individual will do anything to keep them apart. When they are finally reunited, the location where they’re at, gives them an opportunity to have a secret wedding.
In this story, you don’t spend any time with Elizabeth’s family other than her aunt and uncle. We do get to spend some time with some of Darcy’s s family, but no Georgiana or Wickham on page. The angst is primarily dealing with one villain and how to deal with them.
Overall, it’s a sweet story with lots of Elizabeth and Darcy time together.
October 9, 2019
This is a very cute, clean story of my favorites, Darcy and Elizabeth. They meet and fall in love, are departed by Darcy's parents, and then find each other again four years later. We they meet again, the mutual attraction is still there. But, Darcy's mother and aunt have a different idea
Great quick read!
Great quick read!
January 7, 2024
Not bad is all I can say
It was refreshing to read an almost entirely and imaginative take on P&P in the wide universe of variations. That said, there was quite a lot of well-worn filler (‘kissed her senseless’—what exactly does that mean, anyway?).
It was refreshing to read an almost entirely and imaginative take on P&P in the wide universe of variations. That said, there was quite a lot of well-worn filler (‘kissed her senseless’—what exactly does that mean, anyway?).
January 7, 2020
Good Variation
Much of this book is simplistic and a tad obvious. The twist of having Anne Darcy as a villain is interesting but it would have been written with a lot more depth.
Much of this book is simplistic and a tad obvious. The twist of having Anne Darcy as a villain is interesting but it would have been written with a lot more depth.
November 4, 2023
I got the book based off a recommendation - bad Mrs Darcy sounded interesting. It was just okay. The ending was very abrupt.
June 28, 2022
Our Dear Couple met and fell in love when they were quite young, but his parents separated them. Years of major pining follow, but this is skipped over and the story begins when Elizabeth and Darcy meet again. They marry secretly because his mother won't accept her.
This is competently written but a bit frustrating to me because Darcy has good reason to think that Elizabeth's life may be on danger and that someone he knows may be a murderee, but instead of hiding her away under armed bodyguards he lets her travel to somewhere the threatening person could easily find her and leaves her vulnerable. He is slow to do anything to restrain the perp's homicidal opportunities either.
This is competently written but a bit frustrating to me because Darcy has good reason to think that Elizabeth's life may be on danger and that someone he knows may be a murderee, but instead of hiding her away under armed bodyguards he lets her travel to somewhere the threatening person could easily find her and leaves her vulnerable. He is slow to do anything to restrain the perp's homicidal opportunities either.
March 13, 2020
Darcy and Elizabeth's love endured even though they were separated through the years. Lady Anne was scary in this one (good plotting). Loved how they found each other and got married. Lord Matlock, Uncle and Aunt Gardiner all were friendly. Interesting storyline and well written.
November 2, 2019
Lovely
Another interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Zoe Burton. A wonderful read as always
Another interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Zoe Burton. A wonderful read as always
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews