As Only Mr. Darcy Can: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Romp

by Laura Hile

Mr. Darcy’s departure has solved nothing. He loves Elizabeth Bennet as much as ever—and he has left her vulnerable to Wickham’s lies. Why not send her a warning? Anonymously, of course. He must conquer his obsession, yet he must also do something to protect her. But when Darcy is dunned for a bill of Wickham’s—an old trick—he sends the magistrate’s men with a warrant. Wickham, however, is nowhere to be found. At the same time, a titled lady appears in Hunsford. Why does she look so familiar? What of her pointed interest in Darcy’s sister? Is there anyone who will believe what Darcy suspects? Elizabeth has her hands full when she comes to Hunsford. Her army-mad youngest sister causes trouble everywhere! What is more, those cryptic Valentines keep arriving. And then there is Mr. Darcy, a man she is determined to dislike. Why must his suspicions about the unknown lady match hers? Sparks fly as she joins forces with him to discover a truth that is both laughable and treacherous. As for being at odds with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth’s heart has other ideas. Will a nonsensical demand ruin what has grown up between them? As Only Mr. Darcy Can is a feel-good Regency Romp, featuring all your friends from Pride and Prejudice . Intrigue, sweet romance, and laughter are waiting for you.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Historical Romance, Clean Romance

313 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Faith, Hope, Laughter ... and Happily Ever After

Readers are loving Laura Hile's joyous Austenesque Regency novels. Her signature style---intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor---keep them coming back for more.

The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There's never a dull moment with teen students!

All of Laura's books are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

NEW! Laura is currently having novels and novellas produced as audiobooks.

These are available at most audio distribution outlets, including public libraries. Laura Hile Audiobooks, her channel at YouTube, offers her audiobooks for your enjoyment, FREE.

Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and sons. Her fiction is for everyone, even teens.

Awards:

SO THIS IS LOVE:
From Pemberley to Milton: Favorite Reads of 2020

A VERY AUSTEN ROMANCE:
Austenprose: Best Austenesque & Historical Books of 2020 (Short Story Anthology)

A VERY AUSTEN VALENTINE:
More Agreeably Engaged: Favorite Anthology 2018

CIR STRONG AWARD September, 2018:
For outstanding service to independent authors

DARCY BY ANY OTHER NAME:
* Babblings of a Bookworm My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017
* Just Jane 1813 Reviewer's Favorite, 2016, Darcy By Any Other Name
* 2016 Favorites, Austenesque Reviews
* Top Ten Favorites, 2016, From Pemberley to Milton
* Best Books I Read in 2016, The Book Dragon
* Favorite Books 2016, More Agreeably Engaged

MERCY'S EMBRACE novels:
* Austenprose.com's 2012 Debut Author Award
* Mercy's Embrace as a series, AustenesqueReviews.com's Top Ten (Minor Character)

Reviews

[wosedwew · Rating 5 out of 5]

We dressed up Chamberlayne in woman’s clothes on purpose to pass for a lady, only think what fun! — Jane Austen

“As Only Mr. Darcy Can”: The book that finally addresses the shocking lack of lace on cross-dressing soldiers!

I have read several stories featuring Elizabeth Bennet going on the trip to Brighton to keep an eye (or two) on Lydia but this is the first I recall where Lydia is required to stay at Hunsford during Elizabeth’s visit to Charlotte Collins.

Lydia’s trip to Hunsford is enlivened by a new acquaintance that seems somehow familiar to several inhabitants at the Parsonage and Rosings Park.

The book shows Laura Hile’s sense of humor. I loved this story. I loved the Valentines, too.

[Ｓｈｉｆｒａ ♕ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that's not the case here.
Not offensively bad, but by no means interesting or fun. This romp falls flat.
Synopsis:

Darcy is aware that Lizzy holds him in no high regard but he still wants to warn her of Wickham.

The best way to do this, in his infinite wisdom, is to send vague riddles with no explicit names or facts. #DarcyLogic

You are much too good, my lady fair,
To be gulled by a scoundrel, unaware Of hearts
he has broken and lies he has told.
Not all that gleams yellow is genuine gold.  
His mistress is wealth; you sense this is true.
He hasn’t a heart. Best to bid him adieu.

Lizzy gets these letters and she, wishful thinking, suspects Wickham to be her admirer and Darcy the scoundrel.


Darcy as an extra measure decides to call in Wickham's debt and get the scoundrel off the streets

Mr Bennet is a real pillock. He teases Lizzy for bringing to his attention her silly sisters being flirts. Then when the magistrate warns him in particular of Wickham, since the Bennet house is known as a hotbed of officers coming in and out as their wont, Bennet is shamed but what does he do?

He takes no blame and instead punishes his poor parenting on Lydia by relegating her to accompany Lizzy to Hunsford.
Mr Bennet really p'me off, he lays the blame on his daughters who need parenting, and makes it Lizzy's and by extension the Collins problem to babysit his daughter.

Wickham is tipped off that the law is coming for him and thus has to flee to London however, due to a 'switcheroo' mishap with luggage at a traveling inn, his own clothes are not an option and a trunk full of lady's clothes is at his disposal when he needs to travel incognito.


The gambit works! Now you'd think Wickham would thank his lucky stars he made the easy escape and move on?
Well not here, in this romp Wickham decides to push his luck and try his charms as Lady Lavinia with the people who know and hate him best!

“We suspect that she, or rather he, is planning to make off with Georgiana.”
“I’d like to see him try. If he’s so keen to be a woman, I can facilitate that.”

What Tickled my Fancy:
-I like the premise of Darcy sending love letters to Lizzy anonymously, and the rhymes were neat but I didn't feel any heart in it. Too rom-comish the little notes were and Darcy seemed not invested at that point, almost as if trifling with her.

-How Darcy accidentally blew his cover was cute

-The riddles were clever;

“He is too much a coward to march off to war,
A companion of drunkards, a friend to the—  

Darcy gave a shout of laughter. Best not to use that particular rhyme! Even if it was abundantly true of Wickham.”

That made me guffaw

-Colonel Fitz, the few lines he had were gold, like this charming slight to Miss Bingley and her trade origins;

“Perhaps not. She works industriously at being a proper lady.” Fitz grinned.
“Touché, old fellow, well done. Yes, if she is a Bingley, she is certainly industrious. Whereas a real lady does not care.”

What Rendered Me Cross:

The dialogue didn't feel authentic

A lot of characters seemed off to me, specifically Mr Collins whose usual verbal mannerisms were absent, he even threatens to burn Lizzy’s correspondence when he thinks its from her aunt..?? Collins overall comes off more smart, calculating and devious. It was weird.
Lizzy I found to be rather dull and not witty or charming in the slightest. They just didn’t sound like themselves. i.e.

‘Never did Elizabeth think to marry for love!’

She never..? Pardon?! It’s an off hand thought, but Lizzy explicitly states in P&P that she would marry only for affection, just vexed!


The whole story lacks feeling, passion, and inner thoughts. Which I guess can be somewhat excused in the name of a comedic romp, but it wasn't very entertaining on it's own and if the characters personalities don't stand out, which is why one reads JAFF, it makes it a tedious affair.


I didn't like Darcy or Lizzy, and their relationship was severely underdeveloped.
Darcy and Lizzy start chatting like old acquaintances in Lady C’s drawing room the minute they are reunited in Kent, utterly bizarre.

Darcy and Lizzy confiding in each other and their subsequent easy understanding felt contrived and pulseless. If one doesn't recognize ODC then one is not invested in what happens to the characters, for who are they to us?


Surprisingly even with extended crossdressing and secret love letters what I found the most farfetched is that Collins would permit Lydia to come visit knowing she can't behave in company and would surely offend Lady Catherine.
Collins knows Lydia is a harpy, he would surely understand that to introduce Lydia to her ladyship would be folly and earn him no points with her.


In the end this wasn't even an issue. Lydia was brought to Rosings and I thought she would raise some hell, but she spent it sick in bed, so why was she even brought? For a few inane quips?

Seems a waste of Lydia, and I never thought I'd say that!

The long leash they indulge Wickham with to enact his ruse. Considering that they have Georgie as bait, is preposterous !
I don’t think Darcy would ever risk Georgiana, his ward and baby sister, like that!

It really did prove to be risky conidering,

“Wickham fairly snarled with rage. Darcy released his hold.
“The gun,” he said, breathing hard. “Where’s his gun?”
“I have it,” said Georgiana. She rose to her feet and leveled the pistol at Wickham. “Here now, dearest. Give it to me.”
“No.” Georgiana faced Wickham.”

PARDON? Georgiana reached for the gun? Georgiana really is barely featured in the story, this was thrown in to elicit the semblance of excitement and shock factor.

Verdict:
I kept putting it down and dreading picking it back up, usually I push through and then it gets to smoother fields but it kept boring me to tears.

I read and finished two other books while trudging through this 'romp'.

In my opinion it suffered from lack of emotive thought to make the characters tangible and recognizable to merit their names and copious descriptions of immaterial things like clothes and action.

Oddly enough I found my suspension of disbelief more tested here than in Darcy By Any Other Name where the premise is freaky Friday body swap! That work of Ms Hile I enjoyed.

Relieved I made it to the other side, it was touch and go for a while! Not my cup of tea to put it mildly.


Ms Hile to me, probably:


P.S. The cover is beautiful! Why do the prettiest covers in JAFF tend to house the dullest tales? Ain't that just how the cookie crumbles?

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Laura Hile book is always a must-read for me, and this one did not disappoint, even with my high expectations. It's definitely a "Romp," so the title is well earned!

The plot develops around two major storylines.

The first is that Mr. Darcy, having left Hertfordshire, still can't forget Elizabeth Bennet. He gives in to his impulse and sends several anonymous Valentines to her throughout the course of the story, usually with self-composed poems and signed only as "An Admirer." He adds little whimsical pictures to each one. She's completely stumped about the "Admirer's" identity- the first poem was intended as a warning against Mr. Wickham, but the only scoundrel she can think of is Mr. Darcy himself.

Speaking of Wickham, that's the other storyline. Darcy worries about having left him in Meryton unchecked, so he takes action against the villain early. Having been warned that the magistrate is set to arrest him if he doesn't pay off his debts, Wickham goes on the run. When it looks like he's cornered at an inn, he's disguises himself thanks to his trunk having been switched with one belonging to another guest. Eluding his pursuers, he finds himself in Hunsford at the same time as Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy. Wickham sees this as an opportunity to succeed where he failed at Ramsgate.

There are various humorous twists throughout the book. My favorite is that the exposure of Wickham's wickedness in Hertfordshire leads Mr. Bennet to separate Lydia from all the Meryton militia men by sending her to Hunsford with Elizabeth. Lydia is NOT happy - until she gets a good look at Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr. Collins certainly finds his hands full with two of the Bennet sisters under his roof.

The storylines converge and build. Many other outlandish developments emerge, stoking the reader's anticipation for the deliciously silly climactic scene.

This is a fun-filled, virtually angst-free romance. Darcy is quite the charmer here. He and Elizabeth get plenty of page time together, which is always enjoyable. Ms. Hile's writing, as usual, is excellent, hitting the perfect tone to match the light subject matter. Content is clean.

Highly recommend for those in the mood to chuckle your way through a Pride and Prejudice variation.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fine. It is a P&P what if that has Mr. Darcy sending anonymous valentine's to Miss Elizabeth. And a bunch of other silly stuff happens that ends with a police chase.

Really it's fine it just doesn't hold a candle to the previous P&P book I read.
And while I would like to pretend I read in a vacuum I don't

So sorry book.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read 7 of this author's stories now and they have all been 5 star ratings from me.

Darcy has left Meryton but cannot get Elizabeth out of his mind. He decides that since Elizabeth knows nothing about Wickham and appeared to be charmed by him he must do something to warn her. So he decides to send valentines signed "an admirer" in which he will give her some hints about the dangers. Ironically, Elizabeth translates the warnings as being about Darcy, but still cannot figure out who sent them.

Lydia's behavior has finally reached a point at which her father decides to do something and so it is that when Charlotte Collins invites Elizabeth to Hunsford, Mr. Bennet decides to send Lydia also. Lydia comes down with a cough and is made to stay at the parsonage whenever the family is invited to tea or dinner at Rosings. When she does get out she finds the Colonel very attractive.

Meanwhile...in London Darcy has learned that Wickham used his name with the tailor and expected the bills to be paid by Darcy. An arrest warrant is issued and sent to Meryton. Wickham flees. (Laughing here.) His trunk is switched with a lady's. He pries it open, finding clothing, jewels, some money, etc. and decides he now knows the perfect way to escape the warrant. Ironically in his haste to flee the only choice for a quick getaway is a passage which will land him in Kent.

The author's descriptions of how Wickham dresses, his voice, his need to hide his hair, etc. is comical. Wickham has also recruited his old ally...yes, Mrs. Younge, who helps to groom him and also buys some male clothing to replace what was lost.

Darcy and his cousin as well as Georgiana also decide to visit Aunt Catherine together. What a setup! You'll have to read this and be prepared for some amusing and unique happenings. Elizabeth cannot figure out just what it is that strikes her as odd about the Lady who also visits Lady Catherine.

Then there is Collins who sticks his foot in it...with his patroness. Rustling in the hedgerows, indeed.

I highly recommend this delightful romp. Darcy is such a romantic and Elizabeth finds herself in the middle of "it" before she realizes she had begun.

[Suzan Lauder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Hile must be a magician or a mathematician or something like that who is used to dealing with complex situations and keeping track of them all at once, because that's what was needed in this book. I know I use spreadsheets for my novels. I wonder what her secret is? There were lots of threads to untangle, balls in the air, so to speak, to get the various twists and turns of this book to work out, and she did a fabulous job, keeping the reader well entertained from start to finish. I won't give a synopsis of the book since lots of other reviewers have spoiled you with that.

The main twist is a new one that I haven't seen in JAFF. Of course, it would take the humorous imagination of Laura Hile to attempt this and pull it off. Excellent and very different and the attention to detail was amazing. I'd give an extra star just for the costuming of Lady Lavinia. Her "reveal" is priceless as well. It doesn't seem contrived or inappropriate to me. I went along with the fun and loved it, especially Lydia's reaction in the end. I also enjoyed the way D&E fell in love earlier, how that was set up, and the twists applied to that pairing. Brilliant writing.

Laura's background shows in this well-edited book. This novel had relatively few non-Regency words or phrases that I detected easily: dratted, bore, French windows/doors. A modern phrase, "who made died and made you..." sneaked in, though, as did the modern idea of turning down the house lights at the theatre. My British beta wouldn't let me turn them down--I'm told it was bright throughout the show in the Regency, part of how all the theatrics within the audience could take place. One peeve I have in Regency novels is the use of contractions where Jane Austen would not have used them. This book contained 12 words Jane Austen never used in any of her books out of 17 contractions, which with use made up 34 uses of contractions. P&P had only 15, used by silly characters only. Austen's most common contraction in P&P was also Hile's most common: don't.

The cover for this book is sweet and different given the poses of the characters, though it still uses the blow-dried couples look that's too ubiquitous these days. It merely stands it on its head to make the cover eye-catching. And that's what we want to differentiate the book out of those other 60 a month of published JAFF. I don't like the bob-ish look of the Elizabeth character's hair, since it's not really Regency. The cover artist could have easily fixed that with some graphic art magic--my cover artist has done similar. A note to authors--insist on erasing and blurring to make your Regency look the best you can get. Even ringlets can be added. I assume the castle is Rosings; it's ostentatious enough. All that said, I do like this cover a lot.

As in the subtitle, this is a romp. It's even eschewed the subtitle of Variation, a daring move considering Amazon's search criteria, to share this important information with the readers. If you like reading a book that is action-packed and lovable, this novel is a strong consideration for your reading pleasure. It certainly was fun for me.

Disclaimer: I am a JAFF author and some might claim that in writing this review, I have committed a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I aim them to readers and authors alike. I am friends with Laura Hile.

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun variation! Just wished for more Lizzy/Darcy and less of Lydia and Wickham.

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light-hearted read
If one is to use Wickham as a main character, after hundreds of variations of the same old story, it’s best to give him an unusual and different story. Laura Hile did exactly that and gave the story a humorous bent. She did this all the while keeping in mind Darcy and Elizabeth’s love story. In this sweet, clean, and funny tale, Darcy is quite the romantic via his use of Valentines and poetry. Very entertaining read, and another great book by this author.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: >PG13 due to adult themes but clean otherwise. Nothing graphic, just suggestive. Angst Level: low-to-medium depending on the reader and their tolerance for foolishness and plausibility. Source: Borrowed KU 7-26-21: SPOILER ALERT: *** This review may contain spoilers ***

“Love is not found, it is expressed.” –Wayne Chirisa

Mr. Darcy and his valentines to Elizabeth were the best part of the story. Talk about your swoon-worthy moments. They were so cute. His little drawings were so endearing and Elizabeth was not unaffected. Well done on that part.

I’ll be honest, this was not my favorite by this author. I actually put it down once and read something else. Once I felt like I could finish it, I picked it back up. I actually enjoyed the ending. This was a farfetched P&P story and you really have to buy into the plausibility of Wickham’s actions in order to enjoy it. If anyone has ever watched the Emmy Award-winning TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race, you know a man can be either a very beautiful or a very ugly-looking woman.

“Pride goeth before…” Yeah, that one. This guy was set for a fall.

Wickham, the SBRB [scum-bag-rat-bastard] had the opportunity to skip town with a small fortune. His luggage had gotten mixed up with a Lady of some means. The trunk and its contents were not cheap. He needed a disguise so dressed in her garb to leave on the stage. Circumstances put him in Kent and encountering Mr. Collins. When he discovered Darcy was staying in Kent at his aunt’s he should have left the area. But No. The low-life wanted to do a little revenge on Darcy and that little snot-nosed sister of his. So, he disguised himself and proceeded to flaunt his presence right under their noses and those of the visitors at the Parsonage. What an arrogant self-centered psycho. This guy was just sure he had fooled everyone and he was spending the ill-gotten goods like water running through his fingers. Mrs. Younge tried to tell him.

The other quote that applies here is “The best-laid plans…” I should say poor Wickham at this point. However, I can’t seem to dig up any sympathy for him. He had set in motion an elaborate scheme to kidnap Georgiana and hold her long enough to ruin her reputation and force a marriage. His ultimate goal was of course her dowry. Were these the plans of the truly insane or the really stupid? I’d say the reader would have to decide. Let’s just say the Lady was not pleased her personal items had been pawned.

[Barbara K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth reading finished February 10, 2025. I guess this is becoming a Valentine's tradition for me.
Third reading finished February 8, 2024. A great Valentine's Day read.

December 11, 2022:

It's been almost exactly two years since I first read this incredibly fun variation on Pride and Prejudice, and this time I liked it even better. I was reminded of it when I reviewed Laura Hile's Darcy By Any Other Name and liked it so much I glanced at her other titles, saw I'd read a couple of them, and then glanced at this review, and thought, "Oh, the one with the valentines!" I immediately wanted to read it again, and this time I'm increasing my star rating from 4 to 5.

It's a wonderfully lighthearted story, with lots of little fun details, lines I reread just for a giggle, or the romantic context. Highly recommended.

***

December 9, 2020:

Staid Mr. Darcy has left Meryton behind, and thinks that nothing is likely to take him back there again. But he happens to glimpse some colorful valentines in a shop, and on an impulse he purchases them. Later he asks himself why. But then he realizes that he has left the Bennet family without any information warning them away from George Wickham. He decides to send hints in a poem, by way of an anonymous valentine, to Elizabeth Bennet.

Sometime later, Wickham, on the run from the magistrate's men, gets his trunk mixed up with a noblewoman's trunk at a coaching inn, and finds he has nothing to change into from his gravy-stained breeches but women's clothing. Then he has an idea ...

All these characters, and even Miss Darcy, wind up at Hunsford and Rosings Park, and then even more interesting things start happening.

This is a fun romp of a story, and not to be missed by JAFF lovers.

[Tandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. 2.5 stars. I’ll round up because Mr Wickham cross dressed. The author could’ve had a lot more fun with that. Darcy and Elizabeth are all kissy poo; there is no pride or prejudice. This just wasn’t very satisfying.

[Sarah Ingerson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is described as a regency romp, but there is very little to enjoy about it. The characters all feel like misdrawn caricatures of those in the original novel. We see little of Elizabeth's wit, Georgiana's shy charm, or Darcy's intelligence. The characters repeatedly make strange choices that result in a meandering plot that feels more like an episodic theme park ride rather than a cohesive journey from beginning to end. Speaking of, the ending was just downright absurd. It was not only out of character for every single person, but it was also out of the realm of plausibility.

I have not read Laura Hile's other books so I cannot speak to the quality of her work in general, but this book was a clear miss.

[lori huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

What fun, and such a charming tale! The story takes place after Darcy and Bingley have abandoned Netherfield and Hertfordshire, broken Jane's heart, and when Elizabeth is preparing to travel to Hunsford to visit Charlotte. In an interesting twist to the original version, Mr Bennett decides that Lydia must accompany Elizabeth on her visit as the result of some misbehavior. Meanwhile, in London, Mr Darcy, in a moment of madness, purchases 10 Valentine cards, and begins an anonymous campaign to warn Elizabeth, first about Wickham, then about other things, by writing poetry and drawing cute, little animals on the cards, and sending them to her. Of course Elizabeth, not liking Darcy at all, never suspects that the cards are from him.

Wickham is featured prominently in this story, and in a most unusual and hilarious way. Darcy and Elizabeth meet at Rosings, and find themselves joined in the investigation of some strange events that strike them both as being suspect. While Darcy initially makes half hearted attempts to fight his attraction to Elizabeth, he quickly abandons the effort and is most charming and attentive to her. This is a swoon worthy Darcy, and Elizabeth doesn't stand a chance.

The words "Regency romp" in the title are telling, and indeed, this tale is light, breezy, funny, sweet, romantic, and not at all serious. I was smiling most of the way through, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The book is well written and well edited. It's the kind of light hearted and heartwarming story we particularly need right now, and I recommend it highly.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever, original, well-written, grammatically correct, witty. There's a gentleness to Ms Hile's characterizations. Colonel Fitzwilliam is endearing. Mary finds love, although that isn't an important part of the story. But most of all, both Darcy and Elizabeth are lovable. Some JAFF variations leave me wondering what Darcy sees in Elizabeth, and vice-versa. There is no such question in this book. Both of them are appealing.

There are many implausible coincidences and situations in JAFF, but the one in this book outdoes them all. In spite of that, and in spite of Lady Lavinia's disguise, which stretches credibility to a snapping point, they are admirably handled. And funny. Very funny.

Laura Hile likes to use enigmatic chapter titles. Trying to understand their application to the chapter is both entertaining and frustrating. I'm only successful with a few, but I enjoy trying to unravel the mystery.

[Trudy Cordle]

I really enjoyed this book!! It took some unexpected twists and turns, and in some places was extremely laughable! I enjoyed Darcy's "notes" to Elizabeth, would like to have smacked Mr. Collins!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[R.j. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

This was such fun! Wickham gets his due, and in the most hilarious way possible! I did enjoy this one!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a joy to read. It's well written and has just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. This is a feel good story that you don't want to miss. I received a complimentary copy and wasn't required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Talia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner. I am loving these charming Darcys.

[RivkaBelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this Pride & Prejudice "what if" (it had me giggling out loud whilst driving!), but the narrator did not do it for me.
The story itself is a fun caper - Darcy sends Elizabeth anonymous Valentines (how seasonally appropriate!); Wickham escapes Meryton/a warrant being served and ends up disguising as a woman of nobility; of course there's plenty of excellent Collins + Lady Catherine sniping ... it's just all around an enjoyable "what if" that has me wanting to return to my Austenia roots.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rewrite of P&P would seem dull, but with certain changes, it was not as dull as you would think. What if similar things happen, but in different ways?
A fun light read for a winter day!

[Sandra C. McGreevy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

A light fun read. Dressed as a woman! Can't believe they didn't recognize him, but still funny. I loved the Valentine's cards

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a good start but didn't do it for me overall.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful story

I am so glad I discovered this fine author by reading As Only Mr. Darcy Can. The story was intriguing, tender, frustrating and hilarious.

Elizabeth was true to character, Darcy was increasingly endearing, Lydia was totally annoying, Wickham was typically devious. I always hate to give away the plot, for then why would anyone want to read it if they already know what it's about. This, however, is a charming tale I will remember for a long time.

8

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Oh, he's guileless as a red, red rose that's newly sprung in June.
But his guilt is like a melody played in a minor tune.
The truth is harsh, my bonnie lass, for deep in debt is he.
Faith, he must snare a wealthy wife or after France he'll flee
'Till all the seas g'ang dry around here and friends run out of funds.
Oh, he will lie his head off dear, 'till out of town he's run."

As Only Mr. Darcy Can (2020, Independently Published) by Laura Hile, is a standalone lighthearted Regency romp. After recently enjoying Sir Walter Takes a Wife , I thought I'd try another by the same author.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars

Is it clean/chaste? Yes
Other content issues: moments of peril
Christian elements: not that I remember

Note: As Only Mr. Darcy Can is an alternate path for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, so it's best to be familiar with the original before giving this story a try.

The hero: Mr. Darcy has left Hertfordshire, loves Elizabeth Bennet, and feels burdened to warn her against Wickham. He settles on an anonymous warning by way of a ….. Valentine's Day card signed, "An Admirer." Darcy also alerts a magistrate of one of Wickham's debts. In response, Wickham dodges arrest by….. well……..

The heroine: As in canon, Elizabeth and Lydia Bennet go to Hunsford to visit Elizabeth's friend Charlotte. She continues to get anonymous Valentines and hasn't any idea who is sending them. Ironically, she initially believes that Darcy is the man she's being warned against!

What I liked:

*The scenes with Wickham - apart from the protagonists - were interesting. I typically don't enjoy spending time with a book villain, but this story was an exception.

What I didn’t like:

*The woman on the cover art looks too modern.
*The narrator is a bit difficult for me to understand - probably the fault of my Deaf ears

Audiobook: The full audiobook is available on YouTube, narrated by Benjamin Fife. I was a bit surprised to have this book narrated by a man, since most Regencies I've listened to are narrated by women. However, I realized partway through the story that a male narrator was definitely a better fit for this story. I did feel like the narrator's voice was just a bit melodramatic, but this could just be me. Otherwise, very good narration.

The bottom line: This was a fun tongue-in-cheek alternate path to Jane Austen's most beloved novel, and a fun story for anyone who doesn't get frustrated with a modern-day author taking liberties with the story. My teenage daughter and I both enjoyed it.

I look forward to reading more by Laura Hile.

For another humorous regency, consider trying: Mademoiselle at Arms by Elizabeth Bailey

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Warning: Contains scenes that would scandalize the ton. Readers of a delicate constitution are advised to keep their fans and vinaigrettes close at hand.

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 is a feel-good Regency Romp, featuring all your friends from Pride and Prejudice. In this story, intrigue, sweet romance, and laughter are waiting for you.

Elizabeth and Darcy and Wickham, oh my. Mr. Darcy’s departure has solved nothing. He loves Elizabeth Bennet as much as ever, and he has left her vulnerable to Wickham’s lies. Why not send her a warning? Anonymously, of course, for he must conquer his obsession, yet he must also do something to protect her, but when Darcy is dunned for a bill of Wickham’s, an old trick, he sends the magistrate’s men with a warrant; Wickham, however, is nowhere to be found, and at the same time, a titled lady appears in Hunsford. Why does she look so familiar? What of her pointed interest in Darcy’s sister? Is there anyone who will believe what Darcy suspects?

Elizabeth has her hands full when she comes to Hunsford. Her army-mad youngest sister causes trouble everywhere. What is more, those cryptic Valentines keep arriving, and then there is Mr. Darcy, a man she is determined to dislike. Why must his suspicions about the unknown lady match hers? Sparks fly as she joins forces with him to discover a truth that is both laughable and treacherous. As for being at odds with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth’s heart has other ideas. Will a nonsensical demand ruin what has grown up between them? 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.

[readundancies · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I don’t normally count this is as a win when it comes to Pride and Prejudice variations, but this one genuinely contains one of the most annoying renditions of Lydia I have had the pleasure of coming across. And that’s a compliment.

This was such fun! The Valentines, the mystery, the crossdressing while on the lam - truly, I was having a splendid time.

And oh my word, this was funny. Mr. Collins alone was so blunt and excitable and it was a fantastic rendition of him.

I swear the writing was just so well done. It was charming and amusing and was paced well and I’m pretty much in love with it. The Lydia-Collins feud was hilarious and I was here for it.

I will say that there was A LOT of Wickham POV, which I didn’t particularly care for.

The ending tied up all of the loose knots and plot threads but it didn’t feel as fulfilling as the rest of the novel. Perhaps because the plot lost a bit of its cohesion with the rest of the novel in that it seems to rush by at the end.

It was lighthearted and though a touch too frivolous was also a lot of fun, although I would’ve preferred it to go a little more deeper in terms of characterization.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this story and really enjoyed it! I will admit that there are some considerable lapses in logic, but I read it as a romp and loved it as such, so I wasn't looking for logic. It wasn't laugh out loud funny until the end, but silly enough to make me smile as it went along.

I did wonder, as others did, why a certain person was given so long of a leash, but I think it was because the good guys wanted to make sure there would be sufficient charges to put the person away permanently.

I did enjoy the romance as well. The Valentines seemed a little unnecessary to this story, but they did lead to some interesting scenes, so ultimately they did have a purpose. The romance comes on fairly quickly, but I think it makes some degree of sense once Elizabeth starts to doubt what Wickham told her.

It's not a book you want to read when you want something that hangs perfectly together, but if you just want to indulge in a bit of silly fun, this is a great book for it.

[Albert Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. I've seen well-intentioned attempts to write Pride and Prejudice novels that were horrid and destroyed the very characters we love. A "Regency Romp" sounded warning bells--would it be packed with inappropriate scenes?

How happy I am that I took a chance. This novel is, in a word, delightful! The playful attitude of the characters, the fun yet not bizarre events they encounter and the snippets of the original are mixed together perfectly. And it's clean and wholesome too boot!

Are the characters perfectly like their authentic Austen counter-parts. No, not exactly. But their spirits are surely there even if details get tweaked a bit.

A great (if too quick) read. I highly recommend!

[Lizette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully sweet and funny!!!

Smile. Big smile. Laugh. SMILE. SIGH... with satisfaction. Laugh, big smile, laugh. You'll be flying from happiness watching our beloved characters enjoy each other, share smiles, and PLOT an unmaking together. Delightful!

It doesn't get better than this. We hear Darcy call her "my adorable Elizabeth" in his thoughts as he writes her notes from "An Admirer." Darcy's concern for Georgiana and other young women inspies a plot to spy on Wickham in Meryton. Elizabeth sees through Wickham's charm and instead wonders who her admirer is. The plots thicken and multiply to the glorious conclusion. Enjoy!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I would like this one but I did enjoy it. I believe I will read it again at some point. I thought it was cute how Darcy sent the notes and Elizabeth memorized them. I also like the way they worked together. I was nervous that the character of this mysterious lady would throw things awry for ODC in a miserable way, but it did not and I really like the plot with the lady. It was funny and entertaining. Mr. Collins was a bit out of character for me pertaining to one aspect of the story but it wasn't one of those changes that put me off but added to my entertainment.