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The Happily Ever Collection #1
Mr. Darcy, the Beast: a Pride and Prejudice variation
With gentlemen scarce at the Meryton assembly, Elizabeth Bennet means to scold the man in the shadows who refuses to dance. But when he comes into the light, she sees his horribly scarred face and his limp. Fitzwilliam Darcy survived a tragic carriage accident that claimed the life of his sister, and by all accounts of those who knew him, he is much changed. Now, he is a beast of a man, often in a bad temper, owing the pain he still suffers from the injuries he incurred. Elizabeth pities the man until he kisses her in the middle of the dance floor at the Netherfield Ball with everyone looking on. He’s trapped her in a marriage that is not of her choosing, and now she must travel with him to the isolated estate of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy knows what he’s done is monstrous. But there are monstrous things within him now. He doesn’t know what has possessed him to trespass against this beauty that will now be his wife. He knows he is beyond any hope. And yet… she stirs things within him. He will not let her go. This first book in the Happily Ever Collection unites Beauty and the Beast and Pride and Prejudice. Though each story in the collection takes its cue from a fairy tale, there are neither magic nor otherworldly elements in the stories.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 8, 2021
As other reviews state the language herein is somewhat modern. And this Darcy is not at all the Darcy we know from canon and most JAFF stories. Then there is the fact that the author renames the Pemberley housekeeper Mrs. Peters. Don't believe I've read any other story in which Mrs. Reynolds' name was changed. Plus, Mrs. Peters, too, seems to not understand Wickham's true nature and sides with him at times.
Yes, Elizabeth tries to draw Darcy out of the shadows when she first meets him at the Assembly but it is at the Netherfield Ball that he compromises her by kissing her in view of all the guests.
This Darcy is not easy to love. He is even mean to a dog simply because the dog used to belong to "Georgie"...George Wickham. Elizabeth puts up with a lot of offensive behavior and language and yet somehow she is drawn to him. Then, just as you think they have finally come together and will grow in their relationship, he insists that he is letting her go...for her own good. This Elizabeth allows him to push her away even as she has those feelings. Back home at Longbourn Jane (who is to marry Bingley) becomes Elizabeth's counselor.
Rumors had Darcy killing Wickham (although he denies it to Elizabeth). Then that man shows up and reeks further havoc. I did like his fate. We learned early in this story that Georgiana did not escape Wickham's seduction. Plus she then meets her end in a carriage accident...the same accident which crippled and scarred Darcy. So the man has physical and emotional scars and reasons for both.
This was an interesting story which kept my attention. It does have some angst plus there are some MA scenes...not too graphic but some might want to skip those.
Yes, Elizabeth tries to draw Darcy out of the shadows when she first meets him at the Assembly but it is at the Netherfield Ball that he compromises her by kissing her in view of all the guests.
This Darcy is not easy to love. He is even mean to a dog simply because the dog used to belong to "Georgie"...George Wickham. Elizabeth puts up with a lot of offensive behavior and language and yet somehow she is drawn to him. Then, just as you think they have finally come together and will grow in their relationship, he insists that he is letting her go...for her own good. This Elizabeth allows him to push her away even as she has those feelings. Back home at Longbourn Jane (who is to marry Bingley) becomes Elizabeth's counselor.
Rumors had Darcy killing Wickham (although he denies it to Elizabeth). Then that man shows up and reeks further havoc. I did like his fate. We learned early in this story that Georgiana did not escape Wickham's seduction. Plus she then meets her end in a carriage accident...the same accident which crippled and scarred Darcy. So the man has physical and emotional scars and reasons for both.
This was an interesting story which kept my attention. It does have some angst plus there are some MA scenes...not too graphic but some might want to skip those.
April 6, 2020
Pride and Prejudice/Beauty and the Beast
I do love this particular combination of classics and the story was quite compelling but I was not overly fond of the execution.
To some, Mr Darcy is the most important charcter, to me it is Elizabeth. While I can very well stomach this badass, portrait of Darcy, I didn't like this portrait of Elizabeth. She was brazenly forward and lacked her famous wit and eloquence. Her conduct was more in terms of what I would have expected from Lydia...
In addition, I thought the language and phrasing too modern.
The mystery surrounding the carriage accident and Georgiana's death held my attention and kept me turning the pages.
Worthwhile.
Rated: Mature
I do love this particular combination of classics and the story was quite compelling but I was not overly fond of the execution.
To some, Mr Darcy is the most important charcter, to me it is Elizabeth. While I can very well stomach this badass, portrait of Darcy, I didn't like this portrait of Elizabeth. She was brazenly forward and lacked her famous wit and eloquence. Her conduct was more in terms of what I would have expected from Lydia...
In addition, I thought the language and phrasing too modern.
The mystery surrounding the carriage accident and Georgiana's death held my attention and kept me turning the pages.
Worthwhile.
Rated: Mature
September 3, 2021
Rating: MA: Mature reader suggested: Not to be ignored. Scenes of brutality, descriptions not suitable for younger readers. Violence to women, lewd, and vulgar language, and insane cruelty. This was brutal at the end. OMG! Angst Level: Medium-to-high: Source KU 8-17-21: Trope: Fairy-Tale-Inspired:
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** spoilers ***
“Scars are but evidence of life,” Coquette said. “Evidence of choices to be learned from… evidence of wounds… wounds inflicted of mistakes… wounds we choose to allow the healing of. We likewise choose to see them, that we may not make the same mistakes again.” –Marcia Lynn McClure, The Whispered Kiss
This was a changed Darcy. The reader should not expect to find Austen’s Darcy within these pages. No, he no longer existed since that fateful day of the accident that took the life of his sister and damaged him forever both in body and soul.
One minute Elizabeth Bennet was dancing with Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield Ball contemplating how she could avoid a marriage proposal from her odious cousin Mr. Collins. The next minute she was being kissed senseless by said Mr. Darcy. It looked like the decision as to whom she would marry was now moot.
Life at Pemberley was strange, eerie, dark, cold, and a bit frightening. Who the heck was this housekeeper and what happened to Mrs. Reynolds? I suppose the author chose to use a different name. I’m glad because this indecisive and inept woman was a disgrace and Mrs. Reynolds would never have tolerated such behavior at Pemberley for a second. I didn’t like her one bit.
Villain: “He was a… beast. He was a rabid dog, and he’d gotten loose, and he needed to be put down, nothing else.” Quote from the book
OMG! The innate cruelty of this person was horrid as he inflicted such violence and he seemed to enjoy it. Nothing was sacred. He wanted what he wanted and was willing to lie, steal, and worm his way into any situation that worked to his advantage. Violence was nothing to him. He’d as soon strike a woman as look at her. In fact, that was his preference.
The Happily Ever Collection: Note from the author: ‘Though each story in the collection takes its cue from a fairy tale, there are neither magic nor otherworldly elements in the stories.”
Book 1: Mr. Darcy, the Beast
Book 2: Mr. Darcy and the Lost Slipper
Book 3: In the Tower with Mr. Darcy
SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** spoilers ***
“Scars are but evidence of life,” Coquette said. “Evidence of choices to be learned from… evidence of wounds… wounds inflicted of mistakes… wounds we choose to allow the healing of. We likewise choose to see them, that we may not make the same mistakes again.” –Marcia Lynn McClure, The Whispered Kiss
This was a changed Darcy. The reader should not expect to find Austen’s Darcy within these pages. No, he no longer existed since that fateful day of the accident that took the life of his sister and damaged him forever both in body and soul.
One minute Elizabeth Bennet was dancing with Mr. Darcy at the Netherfield Ball contemplating how she could avoid a marriage proposal from her odious cousin Mr. Collins. The next minute she was being kissed senseless by said Mr. Darcy. It looked like the decision as to whom she would marry was now moot.
Life at Pemberley was strange, eerie, dark, cold, and a bit frightening. Who the heck was this housekeeper and what happened to Mrs. Reynolds? I suppose the author chose to use a different name. I’m glad because this indecisive and inept woman was a disgrace and Mrs. Reynolds would never have tolerated such behavior at Pemberley for a second. I didn’t like her one bit.
Villain: “He was a… beast. He was a rabid dog, and he’d gotten loose, and he needed to be put down, nothing else.” Quote from the book
OMG! The innate cruelty of this person was horrid as he inflicted such violence and he seemed to enjoy it. Nothing was sacred. He wanted what he wanted and was willing to lie, steal, and worm his way into any situation that worked to his advantage. Violence was nothing to him. He’d as soon strike a woman as look at her. In fact, that was his preference.
The Happily Ever Collection: Note from the author: ‘Though each story in the collection takes its cue from a fairy tale, there are neither magic nor otherworldly elements in the stories.”
Book 1: Mr. Darcy, the Beast
Book 2: Mr. Darcy and the Lost Slipper
Book 3: In the Tower with Mr. Darcy
September 4, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this one. The writing was good, even if the speech sounded a bit modern in some places. Darcy was very OOC, not reserved in his speech or his actions. He didn’t seem to have any impulse control when he was in physical and mental pain. Seriously, it was like he had Tourette’s - no filter on the terrible things that came out of his mouth.
I also had a hard time believing that Elizabeth was in love with him. I think that realization came too soon; she should’ve had a few more Hallmark moments with him to plumb his depths first. I was very pleased with the Wickham resolution. Why can’t this happen more often in JAFF? I will say that W was especially lewd in his words and deeds. He enjoyed inflicting pain and was probably a sociopath.
***Content: There was one mild sex scene and a little bit of description of a nude dude who was aroused that was slightly funny. I thought that the crass sexual things Wickham mentioned were actually the most offensive. No F-bombs were dropped.
I also had a hard time believing that Elizabeth was in love with him. I think that realization came too soon; she should’ve had a few more Hallmark moments with him to plumb his depths first. I was very pleased with the Wickham resolution. Why can’t this happen more often in JAFF? I will say that W was especially lewd in his words and deeds. He enjoyed inflicting pain and was probably a sociopath.
***Content: There was one mild sex scene and a little bit of description of a nude dude who was aroused that was slightly funny. I thought that the crass sexual things Wickham mentioned were actually the most offensive. No F-bombs were dropped.
January 1, 2020
Story begun with the Bingley's group attending the Meryton dance. FD lurking in the shadows, hiding his face until EB approached him with CB.Then Jane becoming ill and EB staying in Netherfield, then the ball when FD kissed EB. Then it deviated from canon.
I rated it a 4. Loved the story though it was starting to get annoying when (Spoiler) FD kept pushing EB away. EB either stayed or came back. Other things that bothered me: how the housekeeper disobeyed the Master of the house repetitively (I don't think in any generation that really happens) and the events with Wickham close to the end of the story.
On the positive side, I like the way the author gave FD a different personality.His behavior (irritable, indecisive and unrestrained) can be explained from the head trauma he sustained aside from the pain and grief/guilt he harbors. Like in beauty and the beast , EB kept loving someone who is unpleasant (appearance and behavior). Great depiction of love and how it can conquer all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I rated it a 4. Loved the story though it was starting to get annoying when (Spoiler) FD kept pushing EB away. EB either stayed or came back. Other things that bothered me: how the housekeeper disobeyed the Master of the house repetitively (I don't think in any generation that really happens) and the events with Wickham close to the end of the story.
On the positive side, I like the way the author gave FD a different personality.His behavior (irritable, indecisive and unrestrained) can be explained from the head trauma he sustained aside from the pain and grief/guilt he harbors. Like in beauty and the beast , EB kept loving someone who is unpleasant (appearance and behavior). Great depiction of love and how it can conquer all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 9, 2023
Excellent. Quite dramatic and a bit gothic. Elizabeth seems a bit younger than usual. Exceptionally evil Wickham, but of course ODC save the day.
June 25, 2023
Dark
A very dark and emotional variation inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Valerie Lennox. I liked it.
A very dark and emotional variation inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Valerie Lennox. I liked it.
July 7, 2021
I honestly don't know how I feel about this one. There were parts I didn't like, but also parts I loved. There should have been more Bingley, he made the book better.
3 --confused at my own emotions-- stars
3 --confused at my own emotions-- stars
December 31, 2019
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for writing an honest review. I have endeavored to do that as well as I could.
I did not care for this book at all. I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and have enjoyed many of the variations on her stories that I have read. This is by far the very worst variation on Pride and Prejudice that I have ever read.
The writing was choppy, the characters are shallow and childish. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy continually say or do things to one another and then apologize...over and over and over. Neither character is respectful to the other, in manner, in behavior, in speech. Occasionally words are left out, so the reader must figure out the meaning of the sentence. If I had not promised to submit a fair review, I would have stopped reading it early on, but I continued reading so my review was as fair as possible.
I was expecting a clean romance - there were no indicators in the description that it contained sexually-explicit material. I did not look up other books by this author before I started reading this one, so it is my fault that I agreed to review a book with material I find offensive. The development of the story leaves a lot to be desired, even if you do not consider the sex to be a negative.
For several chapters there were no sex scenes, but the language and descriptions skirted so very close to it that I really wanted to stop reading. Vulgar descriptions of the act of intimacy. Bold descriptions of Mr. Darcy with no clothing on. But I pushed on through until I reached a full-blown sex scene. I just couldn't continue reading, so my review stops right at the beginning of that scene.
If you want a clean, sweet, romance with strong characters and an engaging story line, this is not the book for you.
I will not read another book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I did not care for this book at all. I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and have enjoyed many of the variations on her stories that I have read. This is by far the very worst variation on Pride and Prejudice that I have ever read.
The writing was choppy, the characters are shallow and childish. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy continually say or do things to one another and then apologize...over and over and over. Neither character is respectful to the other, in manner, in behavior, in speech. Occasionally words are left out, so the reader must figure out the meaning of the sentence. If I had not promised to submit a fair review, I would have stopped reading it early on, but I continued reading so my review was as fair as possible.
I was expecting a clean romance - there were no indicators in the description that it contained sexually-explicit material. I did not look up other books by this author before I started reading this one, so it is my fault that I agreed to review a book with material I find offensive. The development of the story leaves a lot to be desired, even if you do not consider the sex to be a negative.
For several chapters there were no sex scenes, but the language and descriptions skirted so very close to it that I really wanted to stop reading. Vulgar descriptions of the act of intimacy. Bold descriptions of Mr. Darcy with no clothing on. But I pushed on through until I reached a full-blown sex scene. I just couldn't continue reading, so my review stops right at the beginning of that scene.
If you want a clean, sweet, romance with strong characters and an engaging story line, this is not the book for you.
I will not read another book by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2021
Dropped my rating from 2 to 1 star because the more I think about it the more I realise I did not like this book and it made me really uncomfortable.
Everything about the premise of this book I absolutely adore but the execution of it totally missed. I'm actually really torn because some parts of this book were great and exactly what I wanted from it. I wish this had been revised or at least edited once more though. The start of the book often read like a basic summary of P&P. There were so many typos, grammatical errors and just generally stretches of boring prose that kept me out of the story and just spoiled what good there was - and many of these mistakes could be so easily rectified!
This book was also very dark and I don't feel like it was indicated anywhere that this wasn't a sweet, clean retelling. The Wickham/Georgiana plotline is really gritty and I do feel it could be potentially triggering.
Everything about the premise of this book I absolutely adore but the execution of it totally missed. I'm actually really torn because some parts of this book were great and exactly what I wanted from it. I wish this had been revised or at least edited once more though. The start of the book often read like a basic summary of P&P. There were so many typos, grammatical errors and just generally stretches of boring prose that kept me out of the story and just spoiled what good there was - and many of these mistakes could be so easily rectified!
This book was also very dark and I don't feel like it was indicated anywhere that this wasn't a sweet, clean retelling. The Wickham/Georgiana plotline is really gritty and I do feel it could be potentially triggering.
February 23, 2020
First, let me say that I purchased this book, so no review has been solicited from me. I have read other books from this author and did not find them to be so sexually graphic as to be offensive. Nor, did I find this book offensive, although it may need a warning for content for some readers. I did find some errors, but I was completely able to decipher the meaning. All that said, I did find that I enjoyed the book, although not as much as I have some others works by this author. My main reason for that is that I found Darcy to be nothing more than a bully and spoiled brat for about two thirds of the book. I didn't like him, but that was how this author characterized him. But in Beauty and the Beast, the Beast is no real nice guy either. There could have been more plot development, but not a truly awful tale. I hate to seen an author slammed based on one book, so hopefully those who thought so poorly of her writing can try another of her books.
January 2, 2020
Beauty and the beast is not really a strong fav with me but I like Ms Lennox stories so gave it a go.
This is a very plausible story and given the outcome totally understandalbe and justifiable. Darcy is the beast and Lizzy the beauty some funny bits thrown in with some heavy concepts too. I really enjoyed this story.
This is a very plausible story and given the outcome totally understandalbe and justifiable. Darcy is the beast and Lizzy the beauty some funny bits thrown in with some heavy concepts too. I really enjoyed this story.
June 27, 2023
I got this book as part of a forced marriage box set and this story was my favourite out of all four. I am usually not so keen on Beauty and the Beast variations because there are not so many ways to keep a damsel imprisoned in the castle that don't make the hero look like a jerk, but this one worked for me. I like the author's writing and I guess my extensive previous acquaintance with Darcy makes me give him the benefit of the doubt.
Georgiana died in a carriage accident and afterward, Mr. Darcy is scarred, crippled, in pain, and even less sociable than his canon counterpart. Mr. Bingley is trying to draw him out with little success, as he skulks in the shadows in Meryton. When he gets drawn into social interactions he has no filter and says exactly what he thinks. People think he owes apologies for these things but I thought it was very entertaining. It wasn't polite, but it was the truth, and for once somebody told Mrs. Bennet exactly what I always want to tell her! Mad props, Mr. Darcy, you've got at least one fan. He even managed to offend Caroline Bingley out of her fawning; maybe he should try that more often.
Mr. Collins is sniffing around Elizabeth, and Darcy figures that Elizabeth may be destined to an unhappy marriage with her cousin. He wonders if she'd be unhappier married to Collins or himself, and gets an impulsive urge to kiss her on the dance floor. Cue marriage. Pemberley is more gothic and uninviting than Lyme Park, and Mr. Darcy is a bit of a beast. He is not physically abusive to Elizabeth but he is grumpy and growly, and when he flies into a rage it is pretty frightening. He does not want to take laudanum for the pain but he drinks alcohol to dull his pain which is not much better. There's a dog that used to belong to Wickham and he hates that dog passionately and unfairly. He has some conscience so he feels guilty about manipulating Elizabeth into the marriage with the kiss. Unsent letters to Jane are the outlet for her feelings, which are quite conflicted. Elizabeth is annoyed with him because he constantly says and does things he later apologizes for but doesn't change his behaviour. But she also sees the potential for a better relationship and when he starts talking annulment she doesn't want to get away from him. She thinks his unresolved guilt and anger about Georgiana and Wickham makes him punish himself by clinging to his pain and misery.
Steam level: Some sexual content but I wouldn't call it steam, exactly.
TL;DR: What do bears and Mr. Darcy have in common? They're both growly and scary when wounded.
Georgiana died in a carriage accident and afterward, Mr. Darcy is scarred, crippled, in pain, and even less sociable than his canon counterpart. Mr. Bingley is trying to draw him out with little success, as he skulks in the shadows in Meryton. When he gets drawn into social interactions he has no filter and says exactly what he thinks. People think he owes apologies for these things but I thought it was very entertaining. It wasn't polite, but it was the truth, and for once somebody told Mrs. Bennet exactly what I always want to tell her! Mad props, Mr. Darcy, you've got at least one fan. He even managed to offend Caroline Bingley out of her fawning; maybe he should try that more often.
Mr. Collins is sniffing around Elizabeth, and Darcy figures that Elizabeth may be destined to an unhappy marriage with her cousin. He wonders if she'd be unhappier married to Collins or himself, and gets an impulsive urge to kiss her on the dance floor. Cue marriage. Pemberley is more gothic and uninviting than Lyme Park, and Mr. Darcy is a bit of a beast. He is not physically abusive to Elizabeth but he is grumpy and growly, and when he flies into a rage it is pretty frightening. He does not want to take laudanum for the pain but he drinks alcohol to dull his pain which is not much better. There's a dog that used to belong to Wickham and he hates that dog passionately and unfairly. He has some conscience so he feels guilty about manipulating Elizabeth into the marriage with the kiss. Unsent letters to Jane are the outlet for her feelings, which are quite conflicted. Elizabeth is annoyed with him because he constantly says and does things he later apologizes for but doesn't change his behaviour. But she also sees the potential for a better relationship and when he starts talking annulment she doesn't want to get away from him. She thinks his unresolved guilt and anger about Georgiana and Wickham makes him punish himself by clinging to his pain and misery.
Steam level: Some sexual content but I wouldn't call it steam, exactly.
TL;DR: What do bears and Mr. Darcy have in common? They're both growly and scary when wounded.
January 4, 2025
I loved it!
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This The Happily Ever Collection is a 3 book series that embodies our beloved characters but takes the cues from a fairy tale, there are neither magic nor otherworldly elements in the stories. This is book 1 and the fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. With gentlemen scarce at the Meryton assembly, Elizabeth Bennet means to scold the man in the shadows who refuses to dance, but when he comes into the light, she sees his horribly scarred face and his limp. Fitzwilliam Darcy survived a tragic carriage accident that claimed the life of his sister, and by all accounts of those who knew him, he is much changed. Now, he is a beast of a man, often in a bad temper, owing the pain he still suffers from the injuries he incurred. Elizabeth pities the man until he kisses her in the middle of the dance floor at the Netherfield Ball with everyone looking on. He’s trapped her in a marriage that is not of her choosing, and now she must travel with him to the isolated estate of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy knows what he’s done is monstrous, but there are monstrous things within him now. He doesn’t know what has possessed him to trespass against this beauty that will now be his wife. He knows he is beyond any hope, and yet, she stirs things within him, and he will not let her go. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This The Happily Ever Collection is a 3 book series that embodies our beloved characters but takes the cues from a fairy tale, there are neither magic nor otherworldly elements in the stories. This is book 1 and the fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. With gentlemen scarce at the Meryton assembly, Elizabeth Bennet means to scold the man in the shadows who refuses to dance, but when he comes into the light, she sees his horribly scarred face and his limp. Fitzwilliam Darcy survived a tragic carriage accident that claimed the life of his sister, and by all accounts of those who knew him, he is much changed. Now, he is a beast of a man, often in a bad temper, owing the pain he still suffers from the injuries he incurred. Elizabeth pities the man until he kisses her in the middle of the dance floor at the Netherfield Ball with everyone looking on. He’s trapped her in a marriage that is not of her choosing, and now she must travel with him to the isolated estate of Pemberley. Mr. Darcy knows what he’s done is monstrous, but there are monstrous things within him now. He doesn’t know what has possessed him to trespass against this beauty that will now be his wife. He knows he is beyond any hope, and yet, she stirs things within him, and he will not let her go. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
January 3, 2020
Darcy never fails...
I love Jane Austen and in-particular Pride and Prejudice and this version did not disappoint. Darcy is just as uptight and unyielding but with the added physical manifestation of his anger and pride. Jane is of course sharp, quick witted, and compassionate with her family and willing to forgive those that fail to see all of that. What I know is that true love succeeds and allows Elizabeth to see past Darcy's walls into his heart, soul, and true being. It also allows Darcy to overcome his heartbreak and self loathing (for failing Georgiana) and his abhorrence of his physical state following a tragic accident. This is my first novel by Valerie Lennox and I look forward to reading more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love Jane Austen and in-particular Pride and Prejudice and this version did not disappoint. Darcy is just as uptight and unyielding but with the added physical manifestation of his anger and pride. Jane is of course sharp, quick witted, and compassionate with her family and willing to forgive those that fail to see all of that. What I know is that true love succeeds and allows Elizabeth to see past Darcy's walls into his heart, soul, and true being. It also allows Darcy to overcome his heartbreak and self loathing (for failing Georgiana) and his abhorrence of his physical state following a tragic accident. This is my first novel by Valerie Lennox and I look forward to reading more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2020
I love to read Pride and Prejudice variations, and so I was attracted to this book just from the title itself. It was a little different than ones I have read before, but still very entertaining. Darcy and Lizzie's characters were portrayed well and at times there was even a little humor mixed in which made it all the more enjoyable. I was expecting a clean romance, so was a little disappointed in that aspect. But other than that, it was an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2021
Delightful fairy tale with beloved characters!
I very much enjoyed this P&P/Fairy tale mash-up. I didn’t feel that the characters deviated too greatly from the ones we know and love, but were lovingly combined with the tropes of the characters in Beauty and the Beast. The only issue with this book were the typos throughout - could be a little distracting - but the story was so enjoyable, it was easy to overlook. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I very much enjoyed this P&P/Fairy tale mash-up. I didn’t feel that the characters deviated too greatly from the ones we know and love, but were lovingly combined with the tropes of the characters in Beauty and the Beast. The only issue with this book were the typos throughout - could be a little distracting - but the story was so enjoyable, it was easy to overlook. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 1, 2020
Book one in the The Happily Ever Collection series a Pride and Prejudice variation that is very different from others that I have read. Once I started I was not putting it down until I finished reading. I will be looking for more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2021
Great book.
Definitely a different plot. It is interesting, never boring and the pace moves along at a good clip. I believe most, if not all, readers will encounter some jaw-dropping surprises. Let me add, I saw no errors, no misspellings and no grammar mistakess. I would not buy a book based on this point, but t then again I might. It is getting pretty rough out there.
Definitely a different plot. It is interesting, never boring and the pace moves along at a good clip. I believe most, if not all, readers will encounter some jaw-dropping surprises. Let me add, I saw no errors, no misspellings and no grammar mistakess. I would not buy a book based on this point, but t then again I might. It is getting pretty rough out there.
December 9, 2021
Finished the book in an evening. Very good read, modern language but enjoyable enough. Do love the last few lines of the book but I feel like Elizabeth could have held into her fiery self more but still brings back all the feels for this love story !
July 9, 2022
3.5 rounded to 4
I liked the premise and everything but (spoiler below)
.
.
.
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.
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.
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Even though Darcy began to be more kind towards Wickham dog I draw the line of being abusive to an animal. Especially me Darcy!. Made me sick to my stomach
I liked the premise and everything but (spoiler below)
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Even though Darcy began to be more kind towards Wickham dog I draw the line of being abusive to an animal. Especially me Darcy!. Made me sick to my stomach
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2024
A very nice Beauty and the Beast rendition
A very nice Beauty and the Beast rendition.
Love how outspoken Darcy was to Caroline... Ha ha.
Horrible horrible Wickham.
So sad how this came about but nice recovery.
A very nice Beauty and the Beast rendition.
Love how outspoken Darcy was to Caroline... Ha ha.
Horrible horrible Wickham.
So sad how this came about but nice recovery.
December 29, 2025
Interesting Variation-Dark Darcy
I enjoy a forced marriage trope. In this variation I felt Darcy was really dark due to the reasons of the death of his sister. It was hard seeing Darcy this low. In the end there was HEA. The writing style was ok.
I enjoy a forced marriage trope. In this variation I felt Darcy was really dark due to the reasons of the death of his sister. It was hard seeing Darcy this low. In the end there was HEA. The writing style was ok.
January 11, 2020
Enjoyed the beast
An interesting variation of the story line. I very much enjoyed the different plot line and the interaction between the characters.
An interesting variation of the story line. I very much enjoyed the different plot line and the interaction between the characters.
June 19, 2020
beauty and the beast meets pride and prejudice...it was good except that darcy protested just a bit too much it got a bit aggravating but still a great escape
January 22, 2021
I loved the book . However I still don’t know what happened to FD..
February 14, 2021
I enjoyed this take on Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Darcy had more anguish and sadness and I enjoyed the language when he was the beast and speaking without civilities.
November 4, 2022
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just get rid of the dog. Also fuck Mrs Peters. Sorry.
Apart from that it was alright
Apart from that it was alright
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2020
EME-2020 SOBWR
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