The Other Mr. Darcy

by Monica Fairview

Did you know that Mr. Darcy had an American cousin?!

In this highly original Pride and Prejudice sequel by British author Monica Fairview, Caroline Bingley is our heroine. Caroline is sincerely broken-hearted when Mr. Darcy marries Lizzy Bennet-- that is, until she meets his charming and sympathetic American cousin...

Mr. Robert Darcy is as charming as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is proud, and he is stunned to find the beautiful Caroline weeping at his cousin's wedding. Such depth of love, he thinks, is rare and precious. For him, it's nearly love at first sight. But these British can be so haughty and off-putting. How can he let the young lady, who was understandably mortified to be discovered in such a vulnerable moment, know how much he feels for and sympathizes with her?

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Regency, Historical, Historical Romance, Retellings

351 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Monica Fairview writes Jane Austen variations and sequels as well as Fantasy P&P variations. After graduating from the University of Illinois, she worked as a literature professor and then as an acupuncturist in Boston before moving to London.

Monica enjoys reading Jane Austen, historical , fantasy and post-apocalyptic novels , but avoids zombies like the plague. She loves to laugh, drink lots of tea, and visit Regency houses, and she is convinced that her two cats can understand everything she says.

If you'd like to be notified of her latest release, please press the FOLLOW button on Monica Fairview's Amazon page.

If you'd like to find out more about Monica, you can find her at
http://www.darcyregencynovels.com/
http://austenvariations.com
http://monicafairview.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Lydia Presley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have known better. Honestly, I don't know what came over me when I requested this book. If you are anything like me though, Mr. Darcy and anything connected with him holds this fascination grip over you and it's impossible to resist.

So I didn't resist. Now, don't get me wrong - Monica Fairview did a decent job of writing and preserved most of the spirit of the characters in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Eliza was a sassy as always, Lydia as silly as always and Mary as pious. Mr. Darcy came off as harsh, unforgiving to others and completely indulgent toward his wife. The character I had the most issue with was one of the main ones, Caroline Bingley.

I thoroughly detested Caroline in P&P so I was curious as to how I would react to seeing a more softer side of her. What I got was a character full of contradictions. At one moment she seemed to be Austen's Caroline and at the next Monica's. And the two didn't mesh well and it made for much confusion and an unclear picture of who this character really is supposed to be.

As for the rest of the story, it was predictable. A typical romance, mysteries that were easily seen through and nothing that really reached through and touched me - but again, this isn't Austen here.. it's a knock-off using the same characters and I couldn't expect more from it.

Honestly, I was a bit bored and really struggled with lack of desire to pick up the book and continue reading, even though it was easy to read. But for a book like it's supposed to be, it's good. Just not my cup of tea.

[Jaylia3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Pride and Prejudice sequels

In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Caroline Bingley is a character you love to hate. She’s the unmarried, snobby high society sister of the affable Mr. Bingley, and she’s been not so subtly pursuing Mr. Darcy for years with awkward flattery and clueless put downs of heroine Elizabeth Bennet. By the end of P and P Elizabeth and Darcy are getting married, of course, so what comes next for Caroline Bingley who is must be bitterly disappointed and broken hearted?

Author Monica Fairview performs the miracle of creating a believable and likeable Caroline Bingley. She even finds the perfect man for Caroline, who is now doing some soul searching about her life. In a P and P role reversal it is Caroline, the female, who is reserved, concerned with propriety and maybe a little over proud while the male, Mr. Darcy’s charming American cousin, is open, iconoclastic, funny and totally unconcerned with the finer points of etiquette. They have a lot to learn from each other.

If you enjoy Monica Fairview’s story telling skills you can find a wonderful short story sequel to Jane Austen’s Emma by her in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It.

[Kaity ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline Bingley is getting her happy ending too! ❤️ I really enjoyed this book as it was my first P&P continuation in Caroline’s perspective. While she has never been a character I cared for too much, this book made me really like her spirit and a better understanding of her. I loved the set up in this story and certain moments of it really made me love her character, and Robert Darcy’s too! I did feel like I was yo-yo’d back and forth with their constant “we are friends now” to “now we’re fighting” to “we hold romantic affections for each other” back to “we’re fighting again”, so that was a smidge draining, but the ending really made up for all those slow burn moments!! It was so incredibly sweet, but also a smidge rushed? I love declaration of love and wedding scenes so I wanted more from that! But overall, I give this 4 geese crossing the road / 5 geese crossing the road! ❤️

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can have a great story line, a great new idea and even a new concept that is well written…but, you cannot tamper with Jane Austen’s characters.

I liked the idea of Darcy having a cousin; I even liked this Cousin Darcy. I was OK with his liking Caroline Bingley. I was not so small a person that I resented her finding someone. I just could not bear to see her elevated in such a way that came across as stupid. She could not have change her stripes so quickly just because she met another Darcy. I wanted to see him tame her…now that would have been a story.

I resented her making all the decisions, usurping Jane in her own house. Why would Bingley allow Jane to defer to Caroline? How dare someone usurp Jane? You cannot reward Caroline’s previous bad behavior with her becoming the sweet heroine everyone looked to. Jane came across as weak and incapable of handling her own decisions. Let’s not even discuss Mrs. Hurst…what an insipid grievous woman. She was even worse that in P&P. I wanted to shake her.

WHY would anyone need to make decisions at Pemberley? Did something happen to Mrs. Reynolds? Darcy said so many times that Pemberley could run itself.

I love variations and different takes on situations from P&P; however, you don’t mess with Jane.

[Lyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, and I learned to like Caroline. This may sound stupid, but both this book and the last Mr Darcy books I have read have HORRIBLE covers, they make these people that in my head are pretty and handsome into ugly, fat creatures (the women at least) and that is not the way the book describes them at all. My biggest complaint about this book is Elizabeth Bennett Darcy is either called Elizabeth or Lizzy in Jane Austens books. This book calls her Eliza. I know, silly, but it grated on my nerves. I liked the authors writing style and found out she has more books with these beloved characters, so I will probably read them. They just are not on my gotta read now list.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my favorite P&P spin off. I didn't love the way it was written. I just couldn't get myself to like Caroline. I hated that the author made my favorite character, Lizzy, seem weak and frail.

[willaful]

Could not get into it; the character was so far removed from the original the entire exercise seemed pointless.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

We all love Austen's timeless characters. Does this mean we should write new stories for them? No. Absolutely not. It wasn't that this was poorly written, but it was unbelievable that this was Caroline Bingley's journey. I wish the author had felt more confident in her idea and just made everyone new and fresh. Remove the Austen tag along and it would have been a much better book.

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever became of Caroline Bingley? After her dreams of being Mistress of Pemberley were dashed, how did she recover? Did she rebound quickly after her disappointment of losing Mr. Darcy or was her heart deeply broken?

At the end of “Pride and Prejudice” the future looks a little bleak and uncertain for Caroline Bingley. She has just lost the man she spent years pursuing to an unsophisticated and unconnected country maiden, she has the unfashionable Bennet family as in-laws, and to top it all off, she is approaching an age where she will soon be labeled a “spinster.” Does this arouse any sympathy or compassion in you for “bad girl” Caroline Bingley? If not, then reading Monica Fairfiew's new novel, “The Other Mr. Darcy,” will surely do the trick!

Can there be another Mr. Darcy??? No, definitely not, but Fitzwilliam Darcy does have an American cousin who shares the same last name. However, beyond the same name and some attractive physical attributes, Robert Darcy shares little in common with his English cousin. In contrast with the reserved and proud Fitzwilliam Darcy, Robert is more open, charming, and amiable. He does not concern himself with social proprieties and gentlemanly etiquette. In addition, he is delightfully flirtatious and provoking!

On the day of the Darcy's and the Bingley's wedding, Robert unintentionally witnessed Caroline Bingley's humiliating and unladylike display of emotion. When Caroline discovers she was observed, she chastises him for invading her privacy and takes small comfort in the fact that she may never see him again. However, Robert Darcy appears in her life ten months later, informing the Bingleys that Elizabeth Darcy is unwell and entreating them to travel to Pemberley. Jane and Charles depart immediately for Pemberley, leaving Robert behind to convey Caroline and Louisa Hurst in a couple of days. Caroline soon finds herself in numerous complications and moments of perturbation because of this disagreeable and ungoverned man...

Ms. Fairview has brilliantly and plausibly transformed Caroline Bingley before our very eyes. It turns out that Caroline is not the detestable snob we thought she was. Ms. Fairview creatively provides an explanation for Caroline's behavior and character. Furthermore, she capably answers questions such as: Why did Caroline fawn and flatter Mr. Darcy? What was it about Mr. Darcy that attracted Caroline the most? Who instilled the importance of being a proper lady in her?

I simply loved how one of my favorite has antagonists has become a likable and admirable protagonist! I took great pleasure in delving deeper into Caroline's psyche and I loved witnessing her moments of introspection and realization. In addition, I enjoyed the sparks and tension created between Caroline and Robert, it seems the course of true love will never run smooth for the Darcy men!

In short, “The Other Mr. Darcy” by Monica Fairview was simply fantastic! Ms. Fairview wrote an endearing and beautiful tale that will banish your dislike of Caroline Bingley. I only hope that Ms. Fairview continues to write more stories in this vein and spotlight other minor characters as cleverly and gracefully as she did Caroline Bingley.

[Jennifer Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Fairview's book, "The Other Mr Darcy" made me ask myself if Caroline Bingley was actually one of the most misjudged people in literary history. When I first began the book, I was skeptical. After all, she is most often portrayed as a bit of a snob, to say the least. But to ascribe real, explainable emotions to her? Unthinkable! Yet, that is exactly what Ms. Fairview does---and quite admirably, I might add.

At the start of the story, we discover that there is in fact, a second Mr. Darcy. No, he doesn't have a secret twin (nothing so sinister for our Darcy); it is an American-born cousin on Darcy's father's side. Mr. Robert Darcy has returned to England on business for his family and unwittingly witnesses a moment of real human emotion from Miss Bingley when he encounters her weeping from her broken heart after Mr. Darcy's wedding. She is horrified and chagrined, to say the least, at being caught by him, even though she has no idea who he is (I daresay it would have made her mortification that much worse if she'd immediately known).

Nearly a year later, he arrives at Netherfield to summon Jane to Elizabeth's side. Of course, Jane and Charles (who has boasted in the past of being able to quit a place within five minutes if he so desired) depart immediately for Pemberley, leaving Miss Bingley and a recently widowed Louisa to travel to Pemberly a few days later in company with Mr. Robert Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who travels from London to join the party at Bingley's request. Their journey to Pemberley is beset with obstacles, which force them to spend a few days in the country home of a friend of the Colonel's. While there, when a rumor threatens to ruin Miss Bingley's reputation, Mr. Darcy comes to her rescue--by announcing their engagement, albeit a phony one.

Once the party finally arrives at Pemberley and their "engagement" is known, there are those present who would come between them. Throughout a vast assortment of zany story plots (a bit too many, in my opinion), it is obvious to most anyone else how the couple feels about each other. But will they each realize how the other feels in time?

During the story, we were presented with some explanations of why Caroline Bingley is the way that she is. And although I did not think it possible at the start of the story, by the end, I have come to realize that yes, she really could be a most misunderstood heroine. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to read (or watch) my favorite book quite the same way ever again.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fitzwilliam Darcy's cousin (also named Mr.Darcy) visits England and, through machinations that make no logical or emotional sense, is "forced" into a pretend betrothal with Caroline Bingley. Presumably they end up falling in love and marrying for real, but I only got 132 pages into this before I gave up out of sheer boredom. None of the characters fit with those from Pride and Prejudice, from a soppy and foolish Jane to an even soppier Elizabeth. Most changed of all is Caroline; the author leaves her a minor amount of pride and sarcasm, but she is otherwise transformed into a model heroine. Kind to others, bffs with Jane, only prideful because her mother emotionally abused her into it, constantly at a loss in social situations so her Mr Darcy can save her, calm and collected in a crisis, the shoulder for everyone to lean on...it's just unbelievable. If Fairview hadn't tried to connect this to Austen, it would have been a mediocre but bland Regency romance. Or, if Fairview had let Caroline remain a rather unpleasant person who nevertheless finds someone who understands and appreciates her, this could have been a very interesting Austen spin off. As it is, the book flounders and fails.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I almost gave it 5 stars but couldn't get myself to rate it as highly as the original story. Monica Fairview did a wonderful job capturing the essence of the Pride and Prejudice characters, while introducing new and interesting ones. I especially like the other Mr. Darcy, Robert, who is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy's cousin from America. The friendly banter between he and Caroline Bingley was the highlight of the book. My only objection is that I couldn't quite picture Miss Bingley in her new role. But, I did not let that ruin the story for me. I can't wait to read more from Monica Fairview.

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story, but I think it would have greatly benefited from having dual povs from both Caroline and Robert Darcy. As it is he mostly just comes off as a jackass for the majority of the story. They definitely have chemistry, but a lot of his sarcasm and dry humor doesn't play as well as the author probably intended it to. At times it almost felt like the author was attempting to shoe-horn these two characters into the roles that Darcy and Elizabeth played in Pride and Prejudice, and not always to the benefit of anyone. Mostly I think the author could have tried less to ape the romance of Pride and Prejudice, and instead focused more on a more unique characters she had here. I didn't need the romance of Darcy & Elizabeth Part II, I wanted the romance of Caroline and Robert Darcy.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Mr. Darcys

Yummy!!
But to Caroline's surprise the American version isn't up to standard. Or, is he?
An interesting tale where we find out a more likable Caroline and very interesting developments.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for Post P&P books... This one did not disappoint.

[Kelsey Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, easy read

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Other Mr. Darcy is a new Pride and Prejudice sequel with a unique premise. Spotlight Caroline Bingley, a minor character who we all loved to hate in the original novel, and somehow make her into a likeable heroine. Impossible you say! And so it would seem. Add into the mix Robert Darcy, the unconventional American cousin of Mr. Darcy, and you have an intriguing concept that could challenge the most accomplished writer. Let’s hope author Monica Fairview’s fairy godmother mojo is stronger than Caroline’s predilection to snark.

After attending the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet, the distraught Caroline Bingley uncharacteristically breaks down. Unbeknownst to her, she has a witness to her emotional outburst, Robert Darcy, Mr. Darcy’s American cousin. Shocked and embarrassed to be seen in such a state, their first meeting gets off to a very bad start. When they meet again a year later, Caroline is horrified to see him. Will he keep her secret, or use it against her? As they travel together from Hertfordshire to Derbyshire, complications delay their journey in Nottingham and their party takes refuge at a local estate. While there, Caroline will receive two surprising marriage proposals. One from Colonel Fitzwilliam who she suspects is motivated by her dowry, and the second by the last man in world she would be prevailed upon to marry, Robert Darcy. To save her honor, he has gallantly stepped forward offering a fake proposal to quell rumors of her engagement to the wealthy and distinguished Sir Cecil Rynes, the one man she truly aspires to marry. Dumbfounded and numb with shock, the proper Caroline has no choice but to temporarily play along with the scheme to save her own reputation. Also included in the ensemble are many familiar characters from the original novel:tThe Bennet’s, the Bingley’s, Louisa Hurst, Lydia Wickham, and of course Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, all ready to offer help or hindrance to the couple.

Cleverly crafted and humorously engaging, The Other Mr. Darcy will delight Austen fans as they travel with Caroline Bingley on a journey of self discovery to Pemberley and her heart. Monica Fairview is a skilled storyteller, creatively continuing Jane Austen’s characters, presenting a captivating but un-haughty version of the iconic Mr. Darcy in his American cousin Robert Darcy, and a Caroline Bingley who clings to her structured propriety sparking brisk repartee between them. Surprisingly, this Caroline has evolved beyond that snobby and gossipy “mean girl” that we remember in the original. I did not object to her change in attitude, but I think it would have been a tad more interesting if Caroline was that “mean girl” at the beginning, and grew away from it with new experiences. Despite this small quibble, I commend Monica Fairview for waving her magic wand and cleverly transforming Caroline Bingley into a human being worth knowing!

Laurel Ann, Austenprose

[Dan Curnutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a Pride and Prejudice sequel this one is very well thought out and well written. The main character's of the story will be Caroline Bingley and Mr. Robert Darcy, the cousin of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The story starts with Caroline having an emotional breakdown at the celebration of the Lizzy and Darcy's wedding. She goes to the library to console herself by having a good cry. What she doesn't know is that Mr. Robert Darcy is in the Library, in the shadows, looking for a book and having a drink. He is witness to Caroline's meltdown.

As the story develops we will watch as Caroline Bingley has to deal with learning to let herself go emotionally and that it will not mean that she gives up being a Lady. For Robert Darcy he must contend with Caroline's feelings that he is not gentlemanly enough. It seems like Pride and Prejudice all over again, but with different characters.

For me I grew to dislike Caroline and Louisa Bingley in the original book. I did not like their high brow ways and the constant banter about the Bennett's and country society. So, I needed to have some real tenacity to keep reading. But Monica Fairview drew me in and had me watching Caroline blossom into a Lady that was someone you could actually like and cheer for, hoping that God would bless her life with a man to love. The only question being is Mr. Robert Darcy that man.

I really did love the book and thought it a great sequel to the original work by Jane Austen. I think if you are an Austen fan you will enjoy reading about how Caroline can change, how she can grow, how she can come to discover that marriage is about love and not about society and upbringing and what you will gain financially.

Now the only question is, will Louisa Bingley Hurst ever change?

Enjoy!

[Summer Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Bingley, a character we all love to hate from P&P, is the protagonist of this wonderful novel. Her new love interest? Mr. Robert Darcy, Fitzwilliam Darcy's American cousin.

Let me start by saying that the Caroline Bingley in this novel, is not believable as the Caroline Bingley we are familiar with in Pride and Prejudice. From the beginning, she is nowhere near as severe as I think she ought to be. In spite of this, I give the novel five stars because it is an incredible romance and well written novel.

We see a cool, proper Caroline make a transformation into someone likeable, and honestly, you are hoping for her to have a truly happy ending from the very beginning.

The friendship that blossoms into love between her and Robert Darcy is completely believable and incredibly tender. Even after I finished I kept picking the book up and re-reading favorite passages again and again for the goosebumps they gave me each time.

Another things to add is that this novel is clean. There is nothing sexually explicit or graphic in this novel. I have picked up too many highly recommended P&P sequels only to have to put them immediately down because of the smut they contain. Thank you Ms. Fairview for writing something true to Austen's form. Also, the language, while making you feel as though you really are in the same time period Austen wrote of, is perfectly comfortable and easy to understand.

Also provided by the author are lots of laughs. Our old favorites, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are back. And Robert himself provides great comic relief throughout.

I LOVE this novel! It's the perfect blend of comedy and romance.

[Kylara Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was prepared to dislike this book, but actually, I kind of liked it. However, it kind of felt like an original romance novel, rather than a Jane Austen Spinoff.

This book is about Caroline Bingley: a Caroline Bingley who was horribly infatuated with Mr. Darcy. That's why she was jealous of Elizabeth in P&P and treated her so badly. She is portrayed as a cautious and guarded person, not snobby and pretentious. It is interesting to see Caroline turning into a nice person who is just misunderstood. I really like her in this book, but I don't know if she is believable from the first book. She's not redeemed from her bad behaviour, she just wasn't as she was portrayed in P&P.

Anyway, the main guy is Mr. Darcy's American cousin who is funny and honest and charming. He doesn't like how stiff and unfeeling the British are. He's like a more approachable Darcy. I actually liked Mr. Robert Darcy very much :)

One thing I didn't like about this book was the unfortunate characterizations of Colonel Fitzwilliam. I quite like the Colonel and think he should get together with Georgianna, but he is kind of grumpy and stiff in this book and always interested in all the other ladies.

Also, the plot of this book is just kind of everywhere. It's ostensibly a character study romance, but tons of things happen. Some of them come out of nowhere and you are like what the heck just happened.And we learn a little about what happens next for all the Bennets.

Is this a good book? Yeah it was fun and I enjoyed reading it. Do I recommend it for other people? Not necessarily unless you absolutely love reading Jane Austen spinoffs. Then this is definitely one of the better ones.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

For everyone who has ever found the original Mr. Darcy a bit too much to take, here is his American cousin. Charming, open hearted, good natured and free spoken, Mr. Robert Darcy is the polar opposite of his English relative. Ms. Fairview has created a charming character, one free from the snobbishness and hauteur of Ms. Austen’s invention and one that this reader found thoroughly engaging. He is not without his faults but even those can be forgiven as we root for him to find his way into the heart of one very proper Caroline Bingley, the woman who strove so mightily for the English master of Pemberley only to lose him to her outspoken rival, Elizabeth Bennet.

The story has its share of heartbreak, loss, tension and adventure as it is steeped in social customs, manners, fashion and history. At this time, the clash between England and the United States of America was very real. It’s a little puzzling why so many people were willing to accept this man into English society without seeing his American roots as a deterrent. But apparently Robert Darcy’s English connections, a considerable fortune and his own genuine good nature were enough to smooth over any such social difficulties.

This is a darling romance, told in the true Austen style, with just enough sexual tension to give it a delicate frisson. There is wit and humor (although nothing modern audiences might find laugh-out-loud funny) and the slow genuine building of a romance is just as winning as that between Elizabeth and her Fitzwilliam.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Other Mr. Darcy is a novel about Darcy's American cousin, and heir. He stumbles upon Caroline Bingley at Darcy's wedding, while she's crying her eyes out. The mortification at her discovery is only compounded when she sees him again several months later, and is forced to keep company with him.

I was presently surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. As a non-American, I was wary of a hefty dose of American patriotism in this Austenesque story, but while there was a bit of it, it wasn't overwhelming. The characterizations were enjoyable. This Caroline is much "softer" than the Caroline that we see through Elizabeth's eyes in P&P, which makes her far more sympathetic and relatable. The secondary characters were excellent, and I loved seeing more than one side to them, such as Mrs. Bennet in the sick room. I did tire a bit of the large number of OC characters in the story. I didn't feel like keeping track of all the newbie!

As always, Monica Fairview does an excellent job telling a story. I am quite happy I read this!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I can't handle a heavy book. I don't want serious. I don't want non-fiction. Biographies, informational diatribes, tips to help you be better/more effective at __________________ eventually make my brain hurt and I need a break. I don't want to read smoky scenes of intimacy. I don't want to read lame lines that make me want to shake the author. I want a fun, light, interesting read that will occupy my mind and give me a break from my stresses and only cost me a trip to the library.

This book fit the bill.

It was the perfect recommendation for my reading needs at the moment. Is it stupendous literature? No, I've read better. Is the plot full of twists and turns with unexpected delights? Sometimes.

I laughed out loud several times, rolled my eyes at least three times, and read it all in one day while still paying attention to my children and my home.

Where do I get more like this?

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title says it all...Mr Darcy has an American cousin! He is hot too and has money.

Do I like Caroline? Not so much. Did I like her in the end? Not so much, BUT she had improved greatly and we could have been friends. If I only did not hold a grudge ;) I mean come on, she is a hard woman to like in PP. Here she does learn to be kinder, and people even comment upon it. Because she was a bitch ;)

Anyway, enough with my grudge. Caroline and Mr Darcy meets and do not particularity like each other. But they keep ending up together, and in the same room. Damn that fate! Time moves along, and they become somewhat friendly.

The drama around them is Lizzy being ill :/ A houseparty with new friends. Lydia showing up (sigh Lydia). Mrs Bennet trying to marry her 2 daughters off and Caroline being nice!

Fun, even if I still do not like Caroline, ha.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked it out from the Flagstaff library on a whim. I've been reading serious non-fiction almost constantly, so this was a breath of fresh air. I love Jane Austin, so, i figured, why not.

Book in hand at the kitchen table, I told my roommate - "I feel like I'm reading a Victorian version of Three's Company." And, it was just what I needed.

I read the book in two sittings, turning pages well into the night. I could not put the book down. Perhaps this book appeals to me because of my own recent romantic rough patches - I empathized with the heroine Caroline Bingley a little too well. And, of course, I found myself hoping for her and for myself, that everything would turn out as it should.

[Ernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this continuation of stories about/or continuations of P&P. Caroline Bingley, the haughty, snobbish hyper-critical woman meets the brash American ( with out proper manners) cousin of The Mr. Darcy, one Robert Darcy. This is a tale of opposites attract done with lots of wit and humor. It would seem impossible for them to even have more than one conversation much less form any sort of friendship.

The story is witty humorous and well written. A great read.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started off well. However, I felt that the writer, for all her storytelling skills, simply did not know enough about England during the Regency era. It has been pointed out by a number of experts that, in reality, the Bennett sisters probably could not have gotten married for a number of reasons. The idea that Georgiana Darcy would have been allowed to (or would have even wanted to) pal around with Lydia Wickham is laughable - especially under the circumstances the writer describes!

[Donna Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Best part about this book was the title. Ok, it had a few bits that could have gone somewhere, but I'm bored of Austen referencing books.

[Kaitlyn Bancroft · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea why or how I read this entire book. I can usually find something to appreciate about whatever I’m reading, but this was just so exceptionally bad.

Where to start? First off, the premise was ridiculous. An American cousin of Mr. Darcy’s? And a Caroline Bingley who actually loved Mr. Darcy, never mind that it’s so crystal clear from the source material that Caroline was only ever in love with his wealth and estate? I’m not against spin-offs that try to redeem unlikable characters, but this author didn’t sell me on Caroline for a minute. The protagonist wasn’t Caroline Bingley, it was some other character that stole Caroline Bingley’s name.

I might have been able to look past the eye-roll-inducing premise if the romance had actually been worthwhile. Despite the back of the book promising “love at first sight” when Mr. Robert Darcy meets Caroline, Robert in fact tells her fairly early on why they would never be a good match and that she can never expect serious intentions from him. (Seriously, did whoever wrote the blurb even read the book?) Most of the story then passes without any real attraction or romantic attachment developing between them, making for a rather scattered, choppy plot that repeatedly left me wondering where everything was going. At times it felt like the author was trying to put Caroline in the Fitzwilliam Darcy role and Robert in the Elizabeth role, and it just didn’t work. But then, towards the end, Robert is suddenly in love with Caroline! He isn’t particularly clear about that with her, though — he just gets pouty and leaves like he’s mad she can’t read his mind. And then Caroline is suddenly in love with him too because REASONS and is prepared to take drastic measures to get him back, and where on earth did all this come from? It was like the author was just writing along and then thought, “Oh yeah, the romance! I need to throw that in there!”

Perhaps my biggest issue was how the author took lively, spunky, intelligent Elizabeth and turned her into a sickly invalid who could barely join the dinner table most nights. How dare this author presume to toy with the happily ever after of ODC??? And yes, yes, it all worked out by the end, but I was enormously peeved by how incredibly out-of-character Elizabeth was. (Oh, and a story world in which Caroline and Elizabeth actually become friends? Now THAT’S funny.)

Look, I’m shamelessly obsessed with “Pride and Prejudice,” and I’ll read just about any (non-smutty) variation or spin-off I can get my hands on. I’ll overlook a lot of tropes and contrivances and poor writing just to enjoy the cotton candy fluff that is Jane Austen fan fiction. But this book went too far past believability for even my low P&P fanfic standards, and I’m left feeling it wasn’t worth the mere 20¢ I paid for it at a local thrift store. What a waste of paper, ink, and time.

[Carol Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other Mr. Darcy: Did you know Mr. Darcy had an American cousin?

Fitzwilliam Darcy's American cousin, Robert Darcy is the polar opposite of him. Robert Darcy is more charismatic, fun, and doesn't analyze situations completely. Our Austen's Pride and Prejudice hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy is stoic, difficult, and analyzing almost everything to a fault. This book is mainly about Caroline Bingley, and she is nothing like Austen's Caroline. The Caroline, after crying and sobbing in one of the rooms on Elizabeth and Darcy's wedding day celebration at Netherfield, just sounds hopeless. She is not aware she has company to hear her remarks and sobbing. Eventually making himself known, Caroline is mortified that he's heard her ranting. When he introduces himself, Caroline' s, shock makes her speechless for a time. When introduces himself, she cannot believe the resemblance between the two gentlemen. Months after the wedding, Robert Darcy shows up at Netherfield. Fitzwilliam Darcy has requested that the family, especially Jane, come to Pemberley to help run the house and try to lift Elizabeth's morale. She's had a miscarriage and is really depressed. Family would really mean a lot to both Darcys if they came. Jane and Bingley leave as soon as they are packed. Robert, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Louisa Hurst, now a widow, and Caroline follow when they can get packed and wait for the Colonel. Robert and Caroline are at heads, because she doesn't have faith in him to successfully plan stops along the way. Fitzwilliam tells him to take the Northern Road to Pemberley. Richard agrees, and they set out. Along the way, they hit traffic going to the Fair. They get stopped by a herd of geese moving slowly along by drivers herding them along the road. There are thousands, and they cannot be moved to the grass or they wouldn't be moving, but eating. Richard has a friend in the area that hopefully will put them up for the night. The Loughs have invited them to stay at Emelton Hall. They are having a house party, but they have room. That night at the ball, Robert Darcy asks her to dance. She pitched the dance "The Reel," and he was an excellent dancer. Throughout the night, he was in demand by all the ladies. That night Colonel Fitzwilliam tumbles through a proposal to Caroline. Taken by surprise, she tells him she'll think about it. Well, by the next morning everyone is wishing her happiness for her betrothal to Sir Cecil Rynes. Thinking Robert told everyone, she is really mad at him. In the game room, Mr. and Mrs. Olmstead wish her happiness. She explains that she not engaged to Sir Cecil, and if she doesn't stop the rumor, he'll be mad thinking she started the rumor. Mr. Olmstead come up with a plan to stop the rumor. Robert Darcy announces to the gathering that he and Miss Bingley are betrothed (fake betrothal). This makes Colonel Fitzwilliam mad at her, so now she has potentially two men angry and one man that she doesn't want to be engaged to. She's is being so good that all this bad stuff keeps happening seems unreal. Colonel Fitzwilliam doesn't resume the trip to Pemberley so the three leave on the fourth day. When they get to Pemberley, Caroline rushes to see what she can do to help Lizzy. Lydia shows up, uninvited and unannounced. Wickham has run off with a married woman, and he tells her he's not coming back for her. She wants Lizzy, but when told she was ill, she goes to Jane. Instead of coming baby regular coach, two strangers, Mrs Miles and Mr Trewson, give her a lift because they just happened to be going in that direction. These newcomers are brother and sister and are well spoken and well mannered. Caroline has doubts about the couple so writes her friend from Newcastle. When Robert announces his and Caroline's betrothal, everyone, but Darcy is happy. Later, he summons her and really lets her have it. She's not good enough, because her family was in trade. Mercenary and tenacious because of how rich Robert is, and she couldn't get him so she'll settle for the heir to Pemberley. Stunned she was. Later when she tells Robert what happened and that they should end the fake engagement, Robert tells her the sad secret that has Lizzy so depressed. When she miscarried, the doctor told them that she'd never have any children. Really upset for Lizzy, anything and everything she did to help so Lizzy could rest. They also took charge of the small ball. Between Caroline, Jane, and Mrs. Reynolds, the dance went on without a hitch. It is soon discovered that precious antiques, jewelry, and money are missing. A list is compiled so the the magistrate can identify the property when the thieves are caught. Mrs Miles and Mr Trewson leave early that morning. Later, Caroline receives her letter and when she reads it to everyone, Lydia is upset because she brought them to Pemberley.
They now know that this team have been going from one estate home to another to rob the owners. Not only are they dealing with the aftermath of the robbery, but Darcy receives a special delivery letter stating that Wickham has been shout in a duel and may not survive. Darcy and Robert are off to London immediately, others to follow. Mrs. Bennet, Jane, and Caroline do not want Lizzy to travel. Well, we know what the result of that battle was! The Bennets, Darcys, and Bingleys arrive in London, some staying at Darcy House, some at the Bingley's townhouse, and some at the Gardiners where Wickham is in a sick room. Trying to avert a scandal, the story is that he was wounded in battle. Doesn't look good for Wickham. He's totally out of it, feverish, and has taken an infection. Wickham dies. Lydia's upset because she has to wear black for a year, when Wickham left her. It was like she was not really married. Robert gets word that he needs to head home. He doesn't take his leave from everyone, so Caroline is upset that they broke the engagement. She wants to follow him to Boston, but for the time being stays. Darcy then tells her how good she'd be for Robert and that he'll be back since he's his heir. Later while she was out shopping and returns home, the butler at the Bingley townhouse, tells her that Mr. Darcy called. Wondering what he wanted, because it hasn't been long enough to travel to America, and she's worried. Darcy and Elizabeth are heading out and tells her they'll be back in a little while. They stress that more than once. Darcy tells her to wait in the drawing room. They're out the door and as she turns to go into the drawing room it hits her that Robert has died at sea. The room being dark plus the fact that she can't see through her fogged brain and crying eyes, she trips over something and falls. When as deep voice finally pulls her back to reality, Robert is there. The ship hit bad winds and crashed off the coast of France. He found a way home and now they needed to talk. Neither want the fake betrothal dissolved. They marry and when at Pemberley, Darcy and Elizabeth tell them they have a good thing to tell them and a bad thing. The good thing is his business is booming back in Boston, and his brother has built it up. Wants to buy the business so he's sent all the paperwork to be signed. Now Robert can stay in England. When they ask what the bad is, Darcy in his straight Darcy face showing no feeling, tells he will not be his heir, Lizzy is expanding. What was the doctor's knowledge back then? Obviously not correct. Robert and Caroline go to his estate where she can make it theirs. Good story.