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Mr. Darcy's Obsession
The more he tries to stay away from her, the more his obsession grows...
What if ... Elizabeth Bennet was more unsuitable for Mr. Darcy than ever.
Mr. Darcy is determined to find a more suitable bride. But then he learns that Elizabeth is living in London in reduced circumstances after her father's death robs her of her family home.
What if ... Mr. Darcy can't stop himself from seeking her out.
He just wants to make sure she's alright. But once he's seen her, he feels compelled to talk to her, and from there he's unable to fight the overwhelming desire to be near her, or the ever-growing mutual attraction that is between them.
What if ... Elizabeth Bennet was more unsuitable for Mr. Darcy than ever.
Mr. Darcy is determined to find a more suitable bride. But then he learns that Elizabeth is living in London in reduced circumstances after her father's death robs her of her family home.
What if ... Mr. Darcy can't stop himself from seeking her out.
He just wants to make sure she's alright. But once he's seen her, he feels compelled to talk to her, and from there he's unable to fight the overwhelming desire to be near her, or the ever-growing mutual attraction that is between them.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
101 people are currently reading
2966 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Reynolds
69 books783 followersAbigail Reynolds may be a nationally bestselling author and a physician, but she can’t follow a straight line with a ruler. Originally from upstate New York, she studied Russian and theater at Bryn Mawr College and marine biology at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. After a stint in performing arts administration, she decided to attend medical school, and took up writing as a way to retain her sanity during her years as a physician in private practice.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
A life-long lover of Jane Austen’s novels, Abigail began writing variations on Pride & Prejudice in 2001, then expanded her repertoire to include a series of novels set on her beloved Cape Cod.Her most recent releases are A Matter of Honor, Mr. Darcy's Enchantment, and Conceit & Concealment. Her books have been translated into six languages. A lifetime member of JASNA, she lives on Cape Cod with her husband, her son and a menagerie of animals. Her hobbies do not include sleeping or cleaning her house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
December 21, 2022
Mostly my life life with Avon, who ended up totally obsessed, messaging me 40 times a day, phoning me, sending presents and eventually stalking me. Very freaky.
Update 5 He kisses me sometimes, good morning, goodnight, goodbye. Just a touch of his lips on mine and I am revolted. What in another man might be soft and full, are spongy and fleshy in him. He is a nice man, he says I would fulfill him, I know he will give me everything I want But, there is not just no chemistry from my side, there is negative chemistry. I am quite literally nauseated at his touch. We hardly even hold hands.
What I want to know is how Andrea Werhun, a sex worker who loves her work, has the mindset where she is fine with any man touching her body and having sex with her? I'm reading her book Modern Whore right now, and I just don't understand. It's not like I'm generally not very interested in sex and need everything to be perfect, far from it: passion rules me which is why I am forever with the wrong guys and then we both mistake lust for love until it wears off one of us.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." And so it is for Mr Darcy but for Jane, it's not the money... It's never about the money. I wonder if that's why I attract so many rich men, that I just don't care about it?
__________
Update 4 Devastating discovery. So we had quite a nice day out, looking at the beaches with no one on, it's not season yet, lunch in an rum distillery from 1748, dinner in a wooden house dating to 1920, but fine dining now. And then he said he had dessert in his room in the hotel. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey. While he was setting them on the balcony, I went to the bathroom. And there it was. A vial of valacyclovir tablets.
I didn't know what Valacyclovir was but 'cyclovir' is an anti-retroviral, against HIV and Herpes. He denied he had either. He said he had exzcema. I have stress-related exczema. I use Sudocrem. I Googled it. Ezczema herpeticum associated with the HPV2 virus. Right. Talk and melty icecream follow. I am SO relieved, he is SO upset. I tell him phone his doctor, he says he has an appointment Nov 8, I say phone tomorrow. I don't, thankfully, have to kiss him goodnight.
In about an hour we are getting a ferry to another island. So more later, but he has declared his love for me and that all will be sorted out but no pressure to have sex this visit. YAY. DOUBLE YAY.
I'm wicked aren't I?
__________
Update 3 We go nice places and have fun but I don't want to sleep with him. His personality is ok, but he's not who he said he is and that is not his fault. He is everything he ever told me, his profile is honest, but words are open to interpretation and I did not interpret them correctly.
I don't know why but some people you have chemistry with and some you have the opposite. He's kissed me twice, he enjoyed kissing me, I would rather have kissed a frog.
__________
Update 2 Oh dear. No chemistry. He's here for five days and expects me to stay with him at least from tonight, the second day, and I just don't know what to do. It was all so fantastic texting, and quite good on the phone, and the reality of it has changed for him, but for me.... If we'd been on a date in Miami I wouldn't have kissed him goodbye and I wouldn't have gone on a second date. He's a really nice man but .... I just can't. He's spent thousands flying here and getting a hotel and I don't know what to do.
After dinner last night we went to sit by the water's edge with drinks all alone, everyone else had gone. And he said this is the dream. To be on a Caribbean beach at night with the honey you want to be with most in the world. Yes, it's true. But not for me.
__________
Update A rock in the road! Last night we had our third phonecall, it's been mostly text. Avon said he was looking forward to meeting me on Thursday but then said he thought we were very different and he could see there might be some 'insurmountable blocks'? WHAT, you just asked me to marry you, sight unseen. I live too far, I have my own business and I'm possibly too adventurous. He's never met anyone who has sailed an ocean, lived up the Amazon reads science and history for pleasure and doesn't care about clothes hardly at all. Apparently I am too far out of his wheelhouse.
Well, that was disappointing. I was thinking that if we got on, I might get to live in the US instead of this phenomenally boring paradisical island. But this morning, he is saying. 'We've got to get to Us'. And said that his lease on his car is up next month, if we are an 'us' what would I like, so I said Ferrari, Audi S5 and a Mustang. So he asked me the colours I liked and I got all excited, a silver Ferrari... be still my heart that affair is over . So then he says he will try out a Mustang next week. The cheapest. I'm ok with the car, but choosing the cheapest?
He tells me the story of his late partner who died in July of a drug overdose. He said that when he met Cate 26 years ago in a nightclub, she was going through a vicious divorce. It ended up with her keeping her daughter, her son going to live with his father in New York, no alimony but half the house. Her daughter was 15 and beginning to rebel. She brought a soda bottle full of vodka into her school's canteen... expelled from all schools in Broward County.
Reminds me of lunchtimes with my friends, we would get a small bottle of Captain Morgan's rum and mix it in with strawberry yoghurt. It made the afternoon a bit of a pleasant fuzz. I did get caught but the prefect whom I generally got on well with, didn't tell the teachers. Instead she made me stay behind and write out Hannibal coming over the mountains stuff in Latin, which being rebellious I did in assorted colour wax crayons. On the way out I slopped a pink rabbit-shaped blancmange over her feet. "Sorry," I said, "It was an accident." She let it go.
So she is sent to a very expensive special school, the only one she can get into, but is even more rebellious, and hates everyone and wants to go back to NY to live with her father and brother. So she does and the mother sells up, and moves in with Avon. At this time she is on mild prescription painkillers for some old back injury and Avon says they were blissfully happy for 16 years, travelling all the time.
But then came the time when her moods altered, she was always running out of money and crashed her car in the space of 60' from their garage, passed out and rammed a neighbour's car. So he took her keys away. Things deteriorated. There was an incident where he bought her a brand new iphone and then a few days later she'd lost it. Spent the money on drugs. She'd gone from prescription to 'topping up' with illegal ones. He put her in rehab, more than once. It never worked. It didn't work for my ex-boyfriend's son either. Richie's youngest son found his eldest brother dead in his bedroom from an overdose of heroin laced with fentanyl. And so Avon found Cate dead in the same way too.
It's only three months. I said to him you want to be in love, you want to be with someone, it could be anyone, I wonder if it's really got anything to do with me? We will see. It's Tuesday. He will be here Thursday night.
__________
Jane Austen said, 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' And so it is. It's a bit worrying. In my variation of this book, the title is Mr. Richfield's Obsession. I'm the obsession. He very much wants me to be his wife. We haven't met yet.
We met online the day I was leaving Miami, mid Oct 2022, after having spent a couple of months living in Fort Lauderdale with Bernie who after five months finished with me by ghosting me. Can you believe a grown man would do that? Anyway more on that later, maybe. This is about my issue with Mr. Richfield's Obsession.
Mr. Richfield and his sister never married and had children, they have millions instead, each of them having built up businesses from scratch. The sister never had children because she has extreme IBS and is more or less housebound, though she doesn't want to be. Avon never married because he was too busy with business and ... I'm not sure why. Brother, sister and widowed mother are all very close and live comfortable but not ostentatious lives - Avon has a leased Toyota Camray, says his days of Porsches and Ferraris are in the past. We'll see about that. A Mustang at the very least...
Why is Avon Richfield obsessed with me? Is it because he had a 26 year long relationship with a woman who died in July and is desperate to be in love again and since I don't have citizenship, marrying me would be the best answer? When he asked I said, like Married at First Sight, and he said yes, he'd be willing to take a chance. I wouldn't though.
So this partner, what was she like? Could I replace her? Why would I want to? She was beautiful and slim. Well my face is still ok, but I'm 20lb overweight (and he is not, but I like thin men). But she had a secret which he didn't tell me for a while. She had been on drugs the entire time he knew her.
It's all right going on about the Sacklers who were demonised because they were an easy target. But no one goes on about the drug dealers themselves, the doctors. They are as evil as any street drug dealer in meth but are untouchable in the American scheme of medicine-as-big-business. If they and their pain clinics hadn't written so many prescriptions, over-prescribed to the max to get the promised monetary rewards that the Sacklers bribed them with, there would be no fentanyl addicts until the Chinese flooded the market with it, and the Sacklers would have been out of business.
But these addicts, they only come to people's notice when they get illegal drugs and suffer disease from the lack of purity, or they lose their jobs, run out of money and become a burden on their families and sometimes street people, or criminals or something society needs to worry about. Avon's partner was not like this. She had money, she could always get her prescriptions. These rich people can have addictions and live with them happily, very happily for years. 26 years of potentially lethal legal highs. Did she die of an overdose? Toxicology grinds slow. Reports expected this month.
I do have hopes for him though. He has a ponytail which on older guys looks ridiculous but at least means he's not conventional and in real life might like me. He travels a lot not just says so like Bernie, whose profile said 'spontaneous' and 'loves to travel'. He went on a planned holiday to Greece for two weeks last year. Last week Avon went on a road trip with a friend to see Civil War sites and eat a lot of food in New Orleans along the way. He is not opposed to vaping weed which I prefer to drinking, except wine, I like red wine but am hopeless at choosing good wines.
When I took over a restaurant that looked like it might go as it had in the past, and was big enough with seven staff to do some proper food, one of the Tiffany's of New York was living on the island. He came to me and said that at last we are going to have a place with fine wines and he had come to teach me.
Every day for three days he came for a lonnnng lunch with a lot of bottles of wine and we tasted and he discussed qualities and pairings. On the third day, after a couple of hours he stood up and said to me, with a look of disgust, "You've got no palate." I never saw him again. But it is true. I only like wine if I'm with someone who has a palate and can pick really good ones, not ones that are gut rot or have more than a passing acquaintance with vinegar. Otherwise, it's weed for me.
Mr. Richfield said to me that he had never been with a woman his intellectual equal, that he had always put looks and sex first and that I was a smart woman. Ha! I'd better not introduce him to Goodreads then, this place is full of really smart women writing interesting reviews.
He's still dating which is a good sign, since he is putting a lot of pressure on me to be 'the one'. He was at the Hard Rock to see Pitbull a couple of nights ago and was texting me throughout. Avon said she was a Boca Babe. These are the older women who live in Boca Raton, mostly Italians or Jewish from New York, but some from Florida. They are thin, have fake boobs, face lifts, tummy tucks, hair extensions and very expensive handbags. They go to Max's Grill on Fridays to see who is there and what guy is now single. They've all had 'good divorces' and are not looking for marriage (they would lose their alimony), but a good time, free meals and an escort to their endless charity functions.
Avon said that his date was having a good time - all her friends were jealous. Would she be having a good time if her friends weren't so impressed? He said he wasn't sure! The year I had 74 dates in 79 days, 2020, despite Covid, there were more than a few guys who really wanted a Boca Babe, but me in my Anthony Wang's instead of stilettos, wasn't it.
So Avon has declared he thinks he loves me, he wants to marry me, he wants us to spend four months in Barcelona next year and then go to Dubai (with a stop off for me in Egypt as I want to see the Sphinx at Giza) then New Zealand. He says he will even get a Mustang... He is lonely for companionship, for sex, for the feeling of being in love, the centre of his beloved's universe, and she the centre of his.
But I'm a kind of cool gal. I might not seem it writing about Kenneth, the billionaire racing car driver I fell madly for, or Richie the sex maniac fun guy I'm only just over, but these men never know it. I'm really cool around them. I might be passionate but I don't overdo the emotion, I will never let them know they have the upper hand, that they could do anything, I want to be with them so much. I think maybe this might be an Einstein thing, doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result. Maybe I should emoticon hearts all over them and be the adoring, looking-up-to-my-man type for a change?
So where we're at is he's flying to the island on Thursday until next Tuesday. He's coming AA but says that Spirit (which on the island we call Ghetto, as in 'you flying Ghetto?') is so cheap he could come every weekend. I've booked the hotel in the marina a mile and a half from me. I'll probably have to hire a car, mine is so ropey, or in local parlance rack-a-tang-tang. .
He has asked me to book the most romantic restaurant on the island for dinner Friday night, with a table with a great view and maybe somewhere with music afterwards. I hope he doesn't do the down on the knee thing. My friends own the restaurant and I will die die die of embarrassment if he does. He has already asked me my favourite stone... it's aquamarine but I had that for my engagement ring, also Tanzanite - a liquid, watery purple and the purest green emeralds. I've told him to lighten up, to chill, to not expect any more than a first date but...
So I wrote this out as a catharsis really. I don't expect anyone to read it, it must be boring reading about someone else's love life, expecially when it's all virtual. But that's what you get when you live on a tiny island, in the remains of a rainforest overlooking the sparkling Caribbean sea and no one available to share it with.
ps I really do own this book. I have it in the bookshop for the longest while. I am going to read it tonight.
Update 5 He kisses me sometimes, good morning, goodnight, goodbye. Just a touch of his lips on mine and I am revolted. What in another man might be soft and full, are spongy and fleshy in him. He is a nice man, he says I would fulfill him, I know he will give me everything I want But, there is not just no chemistry from my side, there is negative chemistry. I am quite literally nauseated at his touch. We hardly even hold hands.
What I want to know is how Andrea Werhun, a sex worker who loves her work, has the mindset where she is fine with any man touching her body and having sex with her? I'm reading her book Modern Whore right now, and I just don't understand. It's not like I'm generally not very interested in sex and need everything to be perfect, far from it: passion rules me which is why I am forever with the wrong guys and then we both mistake lust for love until it wears off one of us.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." And so it is for Mr Darcy but for Jane, it's not the money... It's never about the money. I wonder if that's why I attract so many rich men, that I just don't care about it?
__________
Update 4 Devastating discovery. So we had quite a nice day out, looking at the beaches with no one on, it's not season yet, lunch in an rum distillery from 1748, dinner in a wooden house dating to 1920, but fine dining now. And then he said he had dessert in his room in the hotel. Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey. While he was setting them on the balcony, I went to the bathroom. And there it was. A vial of valacyclovir tablets.
I didn't know what Valacyclovir was but 'cyclovir' is an anti-retroviral, against HIV and Herpes. He denied he had either. He said he had exzcema. I have stress-related exczema. I use Sudocrem. I Googled it. Ezczema herpeticum associated with the HPV2 virus. Right. Talk and melty icecream follow. I am SO relieved, he is SO upset. I tell him phone his doctor, he says he has an appointment Nov 8, I say phone tomorrow. I don't, thankfully, have to kiss him goodnight.
In about an hour we are getting a ferry to another island. So more later, but he has declared his love for me and that all will be sorted out but no pressure to have sex this visit. YAY. DOUBLE YAY.
I'm wicked aren't I?
__________
Update 3 We go nice places and have fun but I don't want to sleep with him. His personality is ok, but he's not who he said he is and that is not his fault. He is everything he ever told me, his profile is honest, but words are open to interpretation and I did not interpret them correctly.
I don't know why but some people you have chemistry with and some you have the opposite. He's kissed me twice, he enjoyed kissing me, I would rather have kissed a frog.
__________
Update 2 Oh dear. No chemistry. He's here for five days and expects me to stay with him at least from tonight, the second day, and I just don't know what to do. It was all so fantastic texting, and quite good on the phone, and the reality of it has changed for him, but for me.... If we'd been on a date in Miami I wouldn't have kissed him goodbye and I wouldn't have gone on a second date. He's a really nice man but .... I just can't. He's spent thousands flying here and getting a hotel and I don't know what to do.
After dinner last night we went to sit by the water's edge with drinks all alone, everyone else had gone. And he said this is the dream. To be on a Caribbean beach at night with the honey you want to be with most in the world. Yes, it's true. But not for me.
__________
Update A rock in the road! Last night we had our third phonecall, it's been mostly text. Avon said he was looking forward to meeting me on Thursday but then said he thought we were very different and he could see there might be some 'insurmountable blocks'? WHAT, you just asked me to marry you, sight unseen. I live too far, I have my own business and I'm possibly too adventurous. He's never met anyone who has sailed an ocean, lived up the Amazon reads science and history for pleasure and doesn't care about clothes hardly at all. Apparently I am too far out of his wheelhouse.
Well, that was disappointing. I was thinking that if we got on, I might get to live in the US instead of this phenomenally boring paradisical island. But this morning, he is saying. 'We've got to get to Us'. And said that his lease on his car is up next month, if we are an 'us' what would I like, so I said Ferrari, Audi S5 and a Mustang. So he asked me the colours I liked and I got all excited, a silver Ferrari... be still my heart that affair is over . So then he says he will try out a Mustang next week. The cheapest. I'm ok with the car, but choosing the cheapest?
He tells me the story of his late partner who died in July of a drug overdose. He said that when he met Cate 26 years ago in a nightclub, she was going through a vicious divorce. It ended up with her keeping her daughter, her son going to live with his father in New York, no alimony but half the house. Her daughter was 15 and beginning to rebel. She brought a soda bottle full of vodka into her school's canteen... expelled from all schools in Broward County.
Reminds me of lunchtimes with my friends, we would get a small bottle of Captain Morgan's rum and mix it in with strawberry yoghurt. It made the afternoon a bit of a pleasant fuzz. I did get caught but the prefect whom I generally got on well with, didn't tell the teachers. Instead she made me stay behind and write out Hannibal coming over the mountains stuff in Latin, which being rebellious I did in assorted colour wax crayons. On the way out I slopped a pink rabbit-shaped blancmange over her feet. "Sorry," I said, "It was an accident." She let it go.
So she is sent to a very expensive special school, the only one she can get into, but is even more rebellious, and hates everyone and wants to go back to NY to live with her father and brother. So she does and the mother sells up, and moves in with Avon. At this time she is on mild prescription painkillers for some old back injury and Avon says they were blissfully happy for 16 years, travelling all the time.
But then came the time when her moods altered, she was always running out of money and crashed her car in the space of 60' from their garage, passed out and rammed a neighbour's car. So he took her keys away. Things deteriorated. There was an incident where he bought her a brand new iphone and then a few days later she'd lost it. Spent the money on drugs. She'd gone from prescription to 'topping up' with illegal ones. He put her in rehab, more than once. It never worked. It didn't work for my ex-boyfriend's son either. Richie's youngest son found his eldest brother dead in his bedroom from an overdose of heroin laced with fentanyl. And so Avon found Cate dead in the same way too.
It's only three months. I said to him you want to be in love, you want to be with someone, it could be anyone, I wonder if it's really got anything to do with me? We will see. It's Tuesday. He will be here Thursday night.
__________
Jane Austen said, 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' And so it is. It's a bit worrying. In my variation of this book, the title is Mr. Richfield's Obsession. I'm the obsession. He very much wants me to be his wife. We haven't met yet.
We met online the day I was leaving Miami, mid Oct 2022, after having spent a couple of months living in Fort Lauderdale with Bernie who after five months finished with me by ghosting me. Can you believe a grown man would do that? Anyway more on that later, maybe. This is about my issue with Mr. Richfield's Obsession.
Mr. Richfield and his sister never married and had children, they have millions instead, each of them having built up businesses from scratch. The sister never had children because she has extreme IBS and is more or less housebound, though she doesn't want to be. Avon never married because he was too busy with business and ... I'm not sure why. Brother, sister and widowed mother are all very close and live comfortable but not ostentatious lives - Avon has a leased Toyota Camray, says his days of Porsches and Ferraris are in the past. We'll see about that. A Mustang at the very least...
Why is Avon Richfield obsessed with me? Is it because he had a 26 year long relationship with a woman who died in July and is desperate to be in love again and since I don't have citizenship, marrying me would be the best answer? When he asked I said, like Married at First Sight, and he said yes, he'd be willing to take a chance. I wouldn't though.
So this partner, what was she like? Could I replace her? Why would I want to? She was beautiful and slim. Well my face is still ok, but I'm 20lb overweight (and he is not, but I like thin men). But she had a secret which he didn't tell me for a while. She had been on drugs the entire time he knew her.
It's all right going on about the Sacklers who were demonised because they were an easy target. But no one goes on about the drug dealers themselves, the doctors. They are as evil as any street drug dealer in meth but are untouchable in the American scheme of medicine-as-big-business. If they and their pain clinics hadn't written so many prescriptions, over-prescribed to the max to get the promised monetary rewards that the Sacklers bribed them with, there would be no fentanyl addicts until the Chinese flooded the market with it, and the Sacklers would have been out of business.
But these addicts, they only come to people's notice when they get illegal drugs and suffer disease from the lack of purity, or they lose their jobs, run out of money and become a burden on their families and sometimes street people, or criminals or something society needs to worry about. Avon's partner was not like this. She had money, she could always get her prescriptions. These rich people can have addictions and live with them happily, very happily for years. 26 years of potentially lethal legal highs. Did she die of an overdose? Toxicology grinds slow. Reports expected this month.
I do have hopes for him though. He has a ponytail which on older guys looks ridiculous but at least means he's not conventional and in real life might like me. He travels a lot not just says so like Bernie, whose profile said 'spontaneous' and 'loves to travel'. He went on a planned holiday to Greece for two weeks last year. Last week Avon went on a road trip with a friend to see Civil War sites and eat a lot of food in New Orleans along the way. He is not opposed to vaping weed which I prefer to drinking, except wine, I like red wine but am hopeless at choosing good wines.
When I took over a restaurant that looked like it might go as it had in the past, and was big enough with seven staff to do some proper food, one of the Tiffany's of New York was living on the island. He came to me and said that at last we are going to have a place with fine wines and he had come to teach me.
Every day for three days he came for a lonnnng lunch with a lot of bottles of wine and we tasted and he discussed qualities and pairings. On the third day, after a couple of hours he stood up and said to me, with a look of disgust, "You've got no palate." I never saw him again. But it is true. I only like wine if I'm with someone who has a palate and can pick really good ones, not ones that are gut rot or have more than a passing acquaintance with vinegar. Otherwise, it's weed for me.
Mr. Richfield said to me that he had never been with a woman his intellectual equal, that he had always put looks and sex first and that I was a smart woman. Ha! I'd better not introduce him to Goodreads then, this place is full of really smart women writing interesting reviews.
He's still dating which is a good sign, since he is putting a lot of pressure on me to be 'the one'. He was at the Hard Rock to see Pitbull a couple of nights ago and was texting me throughout. Avon said she was a Boca Babe. These are the older women who live in Boca Raton, mostly Italians or Jewish from New York, but some from Florida. They are thin, have fake boobs, face lifts, tummy tucks, hair extensions and very expensive handbags. They go to Max's Grill on Fridays to see who is there and what guy is now single. They've all had 'good divorces' and are not looking for marriage (they would lose their alimony), but a good time, free meals and an escort to their endless charity functions.
Avon said that his date was having a good time - all her friends were jealous. Would she be having a good time if her friends weren't so impressed? He said he wasn't sure! The year I had 74 dates in 79 days, 2020, despite Covid, there were more than a few guys who really wanted a Boca Babe, but me in my Anthony Wang's instead of stilettos, wasn't it.
So Avon has declared he thinks he loves me, he wants to marry me, he wants us to spend four months in Barcelona next year and then go to Dubai (with a stop off for me in Egypt as I want to see the Sphinx at Giza) then New Zealand. He says he will even get a Mustang... He is lonely for companionship, for sex, for the feeling of being in love, the centre of his beloved's universe, and she the centre of his.
But I'm a kind of cool gal. I might not seem it writing about Kenneth, the billionaire racing car driver I fell madly for, or Richie the sex maniac fun guy I'm only just over, but these men never know it. I'm really cool around them. I might be passionate but I don't overdo the emotion, I will never let them know they have the upper hand, that they could do anything, I want to be with them so much. I think maybe this might be an Einstein thing, doing the same thing over and over and getting the same result. Maybe I should emoticon hearts all over them and be the adoring, looking-up-to-my-man type for a change?
So where we're at is he's flying to the island on Thursday until next Tuesday. He's coming AA but says that Spirit (which on the island we call Ghetto, as in 'you flying Ghetto?') is so cheap he could come every weekend. I've booked the hotel in the marina a mile and a half from me. I'll probably have to hire a car, mine is so ropey, or in local parlance rack-a-tang-tang. .
He has asked me to book the most romantic restaurant on the island for dinner Friday night, with a table with a great view and maybe somewhere with music afterwards. I hope he doesn't do the down on the knee thing. My friends own the restaurant and I will die die die of embarrassment if he does. He has already asked me my favourite stone... it's aquamarine but I had that for my engagement ring, also Tanzanite - a liquid, watery purple and the purest green emeralds. I've told him to lighten up, to chill, to not expect any more than a first date but...
So I wrote this out as a catharsis really. I don't expect anyone to read it, it must be boring reading about someone else's love life, expecially when it's all virtual. But that's what you get when you live on a tiny island, in the remains of a rainforest overlooking the sparkling Caribbean sea and no one available to share it with.
ps I really do own this book. I have it in the bookshop for the longest while. I am going to read it tonight.
December 19, 2017
I have read this book several times in the paperback version. I have all Abigail's books and have read every one of them more than once in whole or part. She is my favorite JAFF author to date. I read all the other reviews before now posting my own. I am doing this at such a late date due to having no time while working but now having time in my retired life.
I will not go over the story line in detail. The other reviewers did a good job of that. I will say that what I saw as the premise was Darcy, two years after Hunsford and Rosings and a missed chance to propose, looking at "the ton" and all their moral decay and pettiness vs the life situation of his true love and her family. Elizabeth's status is lowered not once but twice in this story...below what it was in our original P&P. First, her father dies, the family loses Longbourn, she becomes a Nanny/governess, etc., etc. Then Lydia becomes pregnant and moves in with the Gardiners to try to hide her disgrace from the Meryton denizens. So we have economical humbling and then moral standing disgrace. The ton is shown through Bingley's statements, through Darcy's uncle's and cousin's actions, through what he sees in Charlie and the use of the Mews, with Georgina and Aunt Augusta, etc., etc. And Abigail Reynolds lets us see Darcy's thought processes in sorting all of this out. It is not just Elizabeth telling him he is not a gentleman and that his disdain of others formed her opinion to not to want to marry him even if he were the last man in the world but these other observations, which make him think about whether he can actually marry her. Do Society's opinions matter? What will make him happy?
As an aside: I loved the angst and, as mentioned by others, the scenes of sexual tension as with him drawing the glove slowly, oh so slowly, off each finger and kissing her hand, etc.
This book has enough material to expand into several sequences, i.e., Georgina's story, Mary's story, the Colonel's story,etc.
I have read parts many times but now in February of 2016 I again read it through in its entirety.
I will not go over the story line in detail. The other reviewers did a good job of that. I will say that what I saw as the premise was Darcy, two years after Hunsford and Rosings and a missed chance to propose, looking at "the ton" and all their moral decay and pettiness vs the life situation of his true love and her family. Elizabeth's status is lowered not once but twice in this story...below what it was in our original P&P. First, her father dies, the family loses Longbourn, she becomes a Nanny/governess, etc., etc. Then Lydia becomes pregnant and moves in with the Gardiners to try to hide her disgrace from the Meryton denizens. So we have economical humbling and then moral standing disgrace. The ton is shown through Bingley's statements, through Darcy's uncle's and cousin's actions, through what he sees in Charlie and the use of the Mews, with Georgina and Aunt Augusta, etc., etc. And Abigail Reynolds lets us see Darcy's thought processes in sorting all of this out. It is not just Elizabeth telling him he is not a gentleman and that his disdain of others formed her opinion to not to want to marry him even if he were the last man in the world but these other observations, which make him think about whether he can actually marry her. Do Society's opinions matter? What will make him happy?
As an aside: I loved the angst and, as mentioned by others, the scenes of sexual tension as with him drawing the glove slowly, oh so slowly, off each finger and kissing her hand, etc.
This book has enough material to expand into several sequences, i.e., Georgina's story, Mary's story, the Colonel's story,etc.
I have read parts many times but now in February of 2016 I again read it through in its entirety.
September 30, 2010
What if Mr. Darcy, even though he was completely enamored and entranced with Elizabeth Bennet, hesitated to declare his love? What if Elizabeth left Hunsford without receiving Mr. Darcy's proposal? What if Mr. Bennet passed away and Elizabeth's place in society became even more inferior to Mr. Darcy's?
Fast-forward two years from Elizabeth's visit to Hunsford Parsonage, we encounter the Bennet women destitute and homeless. Jane, being the dutiful daughter she is, marries a local shopkeeper to help support her family; Elizabeth goes to London to assist with rearing her Aunt Gardiner's children; and Mrs. Bennet and the youngest Bennet girls reside with their Aunt Phillips in Meryton. When Mr. Darcy discovers that Elizabeth is living in London he is tempted to seek her out to determine if she safe and happy. Yet, after ascertaining Elizabeth's comfortable albeit dependent living situation, Darcy finds he cannot resist the temptation of renewing their acquaintance.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
Fast-forward two years from Elizabeth's visit to Hunsford Parsonage, we encounter the Bennet women destitute and homeless. Jane, being the dutiful daughter she is, marries a local shopkeeper to help support her family; Elizabeth goes to London to assist with rearing her Aunt Gardiner's children; and Mrs. Bennet and the youngest Bennet girls reside with their Aunt Phillips in Meryton. When Mr. Darcy discovers that Elizabeth is living in London he is tempted to seek her out to determine if she safe and happy. Yet, after ascertaining Elizabeth's comfortable albeit dependent living situation, Darcy finds he cannot resist the temptation of renewing their acquaintance.
To continue reading, go to: http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
October 21, 2013
This was one of the more serious and at times distressing Pride and Prejudice variations I have read. This is due to the story line and the dramatically reduced circumstances the Bennet's find themselves in after the death of their father.
The social divide between Darcy and Lizzy now seems so unsurpassable and yet Darcy still cannot imagine his life without Lizzy. I enjoyed seeing this side to Darcy. He was very sweet and caring towards Lizzy and all her family and in the second half the book he was truly the knight in shinning armour! Seeing the struggles the couple face and the misunderstandings and problems they must overcome before they can be together is heart-wrenching. There are times when it seems it really will be impossible to end with the happy ending we all know, expect and love (it does of course, don't fret!)
Bingley had an interesting role and turn of character in this story. The situation and emotional state he ends up in because of Jane's marriage to another is very sad to see in the normally happy, cheerful and upbeat Mr Bingley. His journey through the story is an interesting one. Georgiana too faces many problems to overcome after the incident with Wickham (to which there is an extra aspect in this tale) before she can mature into the young woman she truly is.
There is a major theme through this book linked to what the supposed 'gentleman' of society and the 'ton' really get up to. I found all the talk of mistresses through this book and incidents revolving around the issue quite distressing (the main distress coming from Colonel Fitzwilliam's horrid father and brother) although it was an interesting and brave topic to expand on. I understand, however, how very relevant and true the issue of mistresses and maltreatment of servants is and it is clear the authoress has put a considerable amount of time into researching it properly for historical accuracy, to which she is to be commended.
Although as I said at times I found the book distressing this is not a bad thing. I believe it actually made the book more compelling as I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen and how it would resolve all the issues. I am very pleased to say that all the problems and difficulties faced for so many of the characters all sort themselves out eventually, resulting in some very happy (and some very surprising (VERY surprising!)) endings. And also, although I talk of a more serious atmosphere to this variation, there are still many, many moments throughout which had me laughing, a lot!
If you are interesting in a variation which strays dramatically from the original plot as well as a wonderful romantic tension between Darcy and Lizzy, some intruding new characters and a more serious spin on the classic then this is the book to read.
The social divide between Darcy and Lizzy now seems so unsurpassable and yet Darcy still cannot imagine his life without Lizzy. I enjoyed seeing this side to Darcy. He was very sweet and caring towards Lizzy and all her family and in the second half the book he was truly the knight in shinning armour! Seeing the struggles the couple face and the misunderstandings and problems they must overcome before they can be together is heart-wrenching. There are times when it seems it really will be impossible to end with the happy ending we all know, expect and love (it does of course, don't fret!)
Bingley had an interesting role and turn of character in this story. The situation and emotional state he ends up in because of Jane's marriage to another is very sad to see in the normally happy, cheerful and upbeat Mr Bingley. His journey through the story is an interesting one. Georgiana too faces many problems to overcome after the incident with Wickham (to which there is an extra aspect in this tale) before she can mature into the young woman she truly is.
There is a major theme through this book linked to what the supposed 'gentleman' of society and the 'ton' really get up to. I found all the talk of mistresses through this book and incidents revolving around the issue quite distressing (the main distress coming from Colonel Fitzwilliam's horrid father and brother) although it was an interesting and brave topic to expand on. I understand, however, how very relevant and true the issue of mistresses and maltreatment of servants is and it is clear the authoress has put a considerable amount of time into researching it properly for historical accuracy, to which she is to be commended.
Although as I said at times I found the book distressing this is not a bad thing. I believe it actually made the book more compelling as I wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen and how it would resolve all the issues. I am very pleased to say that all the problems and difficulties faced for so many of the characters all sort themselves out eventually, resulting in some very happy (and some very surprising (VERY surprising!)) endings. And also, although I talk of a more serious atmosphere to this variation, there are still many, many moments throughout which had me laughing, a lot!
If you are interesting in a variation which strays dramatically from the original plot as well as a wonderful romantic tension between Darcy and Lizzy, some intruding new characters and a more serious spin on the classic then this is the book to read.
December 9, 2023
Wonderful story!
I've read one book by Abigail Reynolds before this one, "The Last Man in the World". It was many years ago, and I didn't like it so much (but I believed it was because I was too young for it; I read it in high school), so I was always reticent to start a new book from this author.
This one was always on my to-read list, and I had a feeling it would be good because I started it Saturday night and couldn't stop reading it. Every chapter is ending in such a manner that you want to find out what's happening next, and you cannot rest until you find out!
This story starts after the death of Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth returned sooner from Hunsford, being summoned home because her father was sick, so Mr. Darcy didn't propose to her. He decided at Rosings that she was the right woman for him, but fate took it from him, and he resisted his urges to propose to her. He finds later, from Bingley, that the Bennets are destitute. Jane has married Mr. Browning, a milliner who has a shop and who is old like her deceased father. Elizabeth lives in London with relatives in reduced circumstances and takes care of the Gardiner's children. Mary is tending to a sick cousin in another county. Lydia and Kitty are living with their mother in her sisters Phillips crowded rooms. From now on, Darcy is restless. He could live without Elizabeth, knowing that she was at home, at Longbourn, away from the cruel world, and preferably unmarried.
He is saying to himself that he wants only to see her once, to see that she is fine. But he can't resist her and starts to encounter her "accidentally" every day. He starts the fight to make Elizabeth his wife. As the book progresses, Elizabeth becomes more inferior to him.
Darcy's relatives are more dangerous than we'd like them to be. Lord Derby, Darcy's uncle, is a monster. He treats servants abominably. It is suggested that he is sexually violent; he buys girls from their destitute families to train for his pleasures. His heir, Henry, is the same. Richard and Darcy pretend they are like them when in the same room. Darcy starts to see that traders and shopkeepers are more genteel compared to his family.
Every character is surrounded by heartbreak. Georgiana, who has a different story than in the canon. Bingley, who renounces the England society and goes back to trade. Jane, who cannot be with the man she loves. Lydia, who is her stupid self, goes into trouble with both feet, and so on.
I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the new characters. They are very well portrayed. I recommend the story.
I've read one book by Abigail Reynolds before this one, "The Last Man in the World". It was many years ago, and I didn't like it so much (but I believed it was because I was too young for it; I read it in high school), so I was always reticent to start a new book from this author.
This one was always on my to-read list, and I had a feeling it would be good because I started it Saturday night and couldn't stop reading it. Every chapter is ending in such a manner that you want to find out what's happening next, and you cannot rest until you find out!
This story starts after the death of Mr. Bennet. Elizabeth returned sooner from Hunsford, being summoned home because her father was sick, so Mr. Darcy didn't propose to her. He decided at Rosings that she was the right woman for him, but fate took it from him, and he resisted his urges to propose to her. He finds later, from Bingley, that the Bennets are destitute. Jane has married Mr. Browning, a milliner who has a shop and who is old like her deceased father. Elizabeth lives in London with relatives in reduced circumstances and takes care of the Gardiner's children. Mary is tending to a sick cousin in another county. Lydia and Kitty are living with their mother in her sisters Phillips crowded rooms. From now on, Darcy is restless. He could live without Elizabeth, knowing that she was at home, at Longbourn, away from the cruel world, and preferably unmarried.
He is saying to himself that he wants only to see her once, to see that she is fine. But he can't resist her and starts to encounter her "accidentally" every day. He starts the fight to make Elizabeth his wife. As the book progresses, Elizabeth becomes more inferior to him.
Darcy's relatives are more dangerous than we'd like them to be. Lord Derby, Darcy's uncle, is a monster. He treats servants abominably. It is suggested that he is sexually violent; he buys girls from their destitute families to train for his pleasures. His heir, Henry, is the same. Richard and Darcy pretend they are like them when in the same room. Darcy starts to see that traders and shopkeepers are more genteel compared to his family.
Every character is surrounded by heartbreak. Georgiana, who has a different story than in the canon. Bingley, who renounces the England society and goes back to trade. Jane, who cannot be with the man she loves. Lydia, who is her stupid self, goes into trouble with both feet, and so on.
I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the new characters. They are very well portrayed. I recommend the story.
October 7, 2010
Mr. Darcy's Obsession, the latest of Abigail Reynolds's Pride and Prejudice Variations, is a stunning tale of love lost and refound.
Two years have passed since Darcy last saw Elizabeth. Having convinced both himself and a reluctant Bingley of the Bennet sisters' unsuitability for marriage, Darcy encounters Elizabeth in London. Her father's death has cast her family into dire financial straits and Elizabeth labors as an unpaid nanny for her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner's children.
Even as he tries to stay away, Darcy rediscovers how much he enjoys Elizabeth's conversation and wit. Against his better judgment, he asks her to marry him in his trademark bungled proposal. An enraged Elizabeth refuses, and Darcy must convince her to agree.
Already disillusioned with his world of privileged excess that often mistreats the less fortunate, Darcy regrets the grave errors he made in losing Elizabeth--twice. A distraught Bingley, furious that he accepted Darcy's advice to spurn Jane, lashes out at him when he discovers Jane has married to survive.
This novel brings to the forefront what many romances gloss over--the importance of money. Elizabeth's uncle and aunt, hard-pressed to support her, urge her to accept the marriage proposal of her uncle's head clerk. Jane wed a kind shopkeeper old enough to be her father because he helps support her mother and sisters.
Ms. Reynolds paints vivid portraits of real people struggling with harsh economic reality to survive and find happiness. Jane and Bingley's story is especially heartbreaking. That we wonder how all will fare, even as we know the ending, is a testament to Ms. Reynolds's fine storytelling.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
Two years have passed since Darcy last saw Elizabeth. Having convinced both himself and a reluctant Bingley of the Bennet sisters' unsuitability for marriage, Darcy encounters Elizabeth in London. Her father's death has cast her family into dire financial straits and Elizabeth labors as an unpaid nanny for her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner's children.
Even as he tries to stay away, Darcy rediscovers how much he enjoys Elizabeth's conversation and wit. Against his better judgment, he asks her to marry him in his trademark bungled proposal. An enraged Elizabeth refuses, and Darcy must convince her to agree.
Already disillusioned with his world of privileged excess that often mistreats the less fortunate, Darcy regrets the grave errors he made in losing Elizabeth--twice. A distraught Bingley, furious that he accepted Darcy's advice to spurn Jane, lashes out at him when he discovers Jane has married to survive.
This novel brings to the forefront what many romances gloss over--the importance of money. Elizabeth's uncle and aunt, hard-pressed to support her, urge her to accept the marriage proposal of her uncle's head clerk. Jane wed a kind shopkeeper old enough to be her father because he helps support her mother and sisters.
Ms. Reynolds paints vivid portraits of real people struggling with harsh economic reality to survive and find happiness. Jane and Bingley's story is especially heartbreaking. That we wonder how all will fare, even as we know the ending, is a testament to Ms. Reynolds's fine storytelling.
ARC provided by Sourcebooks
February 26, 2015
I picked this up at the library for a laugh and instead grew increasingly horrified as I realized I was reading something that wouldn't be out of place on fanfiction.net. I'm an Austen fan, so it's not like I'm saying I wouldn't read some P&P fanfiction if the fancy took me, but it wasn't what I was expecting out of a book that actually got published.
First 50 Shades of Grey, now this-- when did publishing full novel-length fanfiction for profit become a thing??
Anyways, I'm unsure if Ms. Reynolds even read Pride and Prejudice in the first place, because the characterization of everyone (but Elizabeth and Darcy in particular) was awful and often took a total 180 turn from their Austen personality, the historical details were thoroughly un-researched, and the writing itself was sub-par at best. Trying to imitate Austen's style is all very well and good, but do you know what she didn't do? USE EXACTLY THE SAME DESCRIPTORS EVERY OTHER PAGE. I started counting the number of times the phrases "fine eyes" and "my lovely, dearest Elizabeth" appeared about halfway through the book and got over thirty with each. Read this book if you're the kind of person that appreciates slow-motion train wrecks.
1 out of 5 fine eyes (because hey, at least she got it published. Props to her for that.)
First 50 Shades of Grey, now this-- when did publishing full novel-length fanfiction for profit become a thing??
Anyways, I'm unsure if Ms. Reynolds even read Pride and Prejudice in the first place, because the characterization of everyone (but Elizabeth and Darcy in particular) was awful and often took a total 180 turn from their Austen personality, the historical details were thoroughly un-researched, and the writing itself was sub-par at best. Trying to imitate Austen's style is all very well and good, but do you know what she didn't do? USE EXACTLY THE SAME DESCRIPTORS EVERY OTHER PAGE. I started counting the number of times the phrases "fine eyes" and "my lovely, dearest Elizabeth" appeared about halfway through the book and got over thirty with each. Read this book if you're the kind of person that appreciates slow-motion train wrecks.
1 out of 5 fine eyes (because hey, at least she got it published. Props to her for that.)
January 15, 2024
I found this a good read. There are some poignant moments, such as when Darcy expresses himself in London, and then later near a graveyard in Meryton. The latter touched my heart. I enjoyed the character of Darcy’s Aunt Augusta. I always enjoy this author. Recommend
Kisses only
December 28, 2020 Audiobook
Completed
January 14, 2023 - Audiobook re-listen
Without spoilers, separate from his usual abandonment of Jane backstory, Bingley does one act of naughtiness in this story, but his motives are not bad. In fact, his and Jane’s part of the book made me tear up a couple of times. This is one of those books where I find I enjoy it even more with the audiobook version. Elizabeth Klett is an excellent narrator. I never have to listen to a sample of her before I purchase, as I know I will be happy with her performance.
Kisses only
December 28, 2020 Audiobook
Completed
January 14, 2023 - Audiobook re-listen
Without spoilers, separate from his usual abandonment of Jane backstory, Bingley does one act of naughtiness in this story, but his motives are not bad. In fact, his and Jane’s part of the book made me tear up a couple of times. This is one of those books where I find I enjoy it even more with the audiobook version. Elizabeth Klett is an excellent narrator. I never have to listen to a sample of her before I purchase, as I know I will be happy with her performance.
April 8, 2012
Before I begin this review let me state that I am not a romance reader in general and a lot of what I disliked in this story might be standard romance tropes, that are just not my cup of tea.
In Short: I was severely disappointed by Mr. Darcy's Obsession. I liked the idea of a divergence in the plot of Pride and Prejudice and it interested me a lot what could come of that, but it didn't measure up to what I expected.
In Detail:
THE MAIN CHARACTERS just did not feel like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but similar characters with (up to a point) the same backstory as the originals. What I read in this book just did not fit what I think of how these characters would behave. Especially Darcy seemed too lovesick for my liking, somehow the way his infatuation was portrayed did not fit with what Pride and Prejudice made me believe his character was supposed to be like. After a certain point there was definitely too much going on between the couple that felt as if they were in a much more modern setting than they should be.
THE STORY was quite nice, but progressed too quickly for my liking. Everything happened rather fast and I felt that this scene should have gone on a while longer or this issue needed much more contemplation by the characters. While other issues dragged on for too long.
THE CHARACTERS other than Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were... quite interesting, but seemed to serve a purpose rather than being actual characters. Especially Jane felt as if she had been put in her situation sorely to make Elizabeth loathe Mr. Darcy and as the story progressed just to provide an "interesting" subplot with Bingley. The same goes for Mary and the whole Fitzwilliam family line. And while I dearly enjoyed the concept of Charlie's character, it all seemed to fall in to place too neatly and too fast and the minor characters were missing substance.
THE WORLD was not fleshed out a lot, but I this is not that much of a problem since probably being readers of the original novel the readers of Mr. Darcy's Obsession should be well acquainted with the universe of Pride and Prejudice.
THE STORY TWISTS did not take me by surprise, but if they had been done in a more interesting fashion and the problems and some scenes had been fleshed out more this would only be a minor complaint. Since this was not done it only added to my personal disappointment with this book.
OVERALL I did not enjoy Mr. Darcy's Obsession much, but a lot of my disappointment might truly stem from the fact that I simply do not enjoy romance novels much. The interactions of Elizabeth and Darcy might have been appropriate for other characters than themselves. If they had not been based on (and were supposed to be) these characters, I might not have been disappointed but then again I probably would not have picked up this book in the first place.
In Short: I was severely disappointed by Mr. Darcy's Obsession. I liked the idea of a divergence in the plot of Pride and Prejudice and it interested me a lot what could come of that, but it didn't measure up to what I expected.
In Detail:
THE MAIN CHARACTERS just did not feel like Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but similar characters with (up to a point) the same backstory as the originals. What I read in this book just did not fit what I think of how these characters would behave. Especially Darcy seemed too lovesick for my liking, somehow the way his infatuation was portrayed did not fit with what Pride and Prejudice made me believe his character was supposed to be like. After a certain point there was definitely too much going on between the couple that felt as if they were in a much more modern setting than they should be.
THE STORY was quite nice, but progressed too quickly for my liking. Everything happened rather fast and I felt that this scene should have gone on a while longer or this issue needed much more contemplation by the characters. While other issues dragged on for too long.
THE CHARACTERS other than Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were... quite interesting, but seemed to serve a purpose rather than being actual characters. Especially Jane felt as if she had been put in her situation sorely to make Elizabeth loathe Mr. Darcy and as the story progressed just to provide an "interesting" subplot with Bingley. The same goes for Mary and the whole Fitzwilliam family line. And while I dearly enjoyed the concept of Charlie's character, it all seemed to fall in to place too neatly and too fast and the minor characters were missing substance.
THE WORLD was not fleshed out a lot, but I this is not that much of a problem since probably being readers of the original novel the readers of Mr. Darcy's Obsession should be well acquainted with the universe of Pride and Prejudice.
THE STORY TWISTS did not take me by surprise, but if they had been done in a more interesting fashion and the problems and some scenes had been fleshed out more this would only be a minor complaint. Since this was not done it only added to my personal disappointment with this book.
OVERALL I did not enjoy Mr. Darcy's Obsession much, but a lot of my disappointment might truly stem from the fact that I simply do not enjoy romance novels much. The interactions of Elizabeth and Darcy might have been appropriate for other characters than themselves. If they had not been based on (and were supposed to be) these characters, I might not have been disappointed but then again I probably would not have picked up this book in the first place.
April 21, 2025
I like these Pride & prejudice variations, but I adore the classic.
February 12, 2012
I enjoy alternate history, but I didn't realize there was a such thing as alternate fiction. In general, I have no objection to authors taking a well-loved work and adding to the story--prequels, sequels, alternate character viewpoints (and I'm not counting zombies here, which are obviously intended as farce). Though they never seem to be executed as well as the original, they also don't change the established story. But this book goes beyond that--I expected to just get P&P from Darcy's viewpoint, but it's literally a "what if?" novel. What if Darcy had not proposed while at Rosings and Mr. Bennett died soon after? I am by no means an Austen fanatic or purist, but the concept of taking another author's work and just deciding you want to give it a different ending felt wrong. And considering that it all ended the same way--Eliza and Darcy together, Jane and Bingley together, Lydia married in disgrace--I just kept thinking "What's the point?"
If you go into it knowing what you're getting (or if the characters had been original), it's a decent enough piece of historical romance fluff. The extended segments on topics of which Miss Austen would have frowned--the plight of pretty young commoners at the hands of degenerate upper class males, the private arrangements made for upper class "indiscretions" that do not result in marriage--felt incongruously modern, at some points overly crude, and unnecessary to the overall story (again, from a P&P perspective...if it had been an original story I probably would have given most of it a pass.)
If you go into it knowing what you're getting (or if the characters had been original), it's a decent enough piece of historical romance fluff. The extended segments on topics of which Miss Austen would have frowned--the plight of pretty young commoners at the hands of degenerate upper class males, the private arrangements made for upper class "indiscretions" that do not result in marriage--felt incongruously modern, at some points overly crude, and unnecessary to the overall story (again, from a P&P perspective...if it had been an original story I probably would have given most of it a pass.)
January 25, 2013
I rarely get far with Austen fanfic, but with this book I saw the appeal. Though slow-paced, it was an easy read, more like watching a fairly respectful movie version of Austen than reading one of her novels. So you get a little kissing, even Darcy in a soaked shirt, but nothing too out there. (Which I, for one, appreciate.)
The fancy of this book is that Elizabeth's father died just before Darcy was about to propose to her, and so he never did. The family is now in uncomfortable straits and Jane has married a shopkeeper, making Elizabeth even farther out of Darcy's sphere -- yet he still can't seem to forget her. The story includes a theory which has been suggested before, that Mr. Darcy has Aspergers Syndrome, strengthening the case by casting his cousin Anne De Bourgh as someone with more classic autism symptoms. (This isn't particularly supported by the original text, but isn't strongly contradicted, either.) That was rather interesting, and I was sorry it was just a minor thread that wasn't developed very far.
Reynolds does a decent job of writing a witty Elizabeth and a lovesick Mr. Darcy, but she doesn't have Austen's gift for fascinating characterizations, and the many extraneous threads involving new characters were dull. But if you're a fan of the Austen movies and have a yen to see some more of the characters, you might enjoy this.
The fancy of this book is that Elizabeth's father died just before Darcy was about to propose to her, and so he never did. The family is now in uncomfortable straits and Jane has married a shopkeeper, making Elizabeth even farther out of Darcy's sphere -- yet he still can't seem to forget her. The story includes a theory which has been suggested before, that Mr. Darcy has Aspergers Syndrome, strengthening the case by casting his cousin Anne De Bourgh as someone with more classic autism symptoms. (This isn't particularly supported by the original text, but isn't strongly contradicted, either.) That was rather interesting, and I was sorry it was just a minor thread that wasn't developed very far.
Reynolds does a decent job of writing a witty Elizabeth and a lovesick Mr. Darcy, but she doesn't have Austen's gift for fascinating characterizations, and the many extraneous threads involving new characters were dull. But if you're a fan of the Austen movies and have a yen to see some more of the characters, you might enjoy this.
April 29, 2019
Very fun, light and easy, retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It was sweet and a bit cheesy, but in a very good way. I was impressed by how the voices were so consistent with the original. The writing style is different making it more of a quick and easy read but without feeling modern.
This is my first retelling and it won't be my last.
This is my first retelling and it won't be my last.
December 29, 2016
Love conquers all!
I really enjoyed the way this story took our beloved characters through the changes they needed to make to reach their and and to a new understanding of themselves and society.
Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed the way this story took our beloved characters through the changes they needed to make to reach their and and to a new understanding of themselves and society.
Highly recommended!
April 17, 2025
This book is an emotional roller-coaster that deals with the social order found in society of that time period. Unlike the authors of that day…who exposed the underbelly of society…Jane Austen dealt with social issues but not the dark-darker-darkest side of society.
Reynolds, on the other hand, is blatant as she presents us with the difficulties of the social structures / hierarchies / social classes / rank and status of society from the lowest servant to the titled aristocracy. Through this treatise, Darcy finds himself caught in the middle. He is neither fish nor fowl. He doesn’t fit in either camp and yet has to deal with both sides of society. We watch his growth as a person and as a man as he deals with societal levels from his titled aristocratic relatives, his servants [upstairs, downstairs, stables], all the way to the street urchins hiding in his mews.
In this what if… Darcy never made his proposal to Elizabeth. She left Huntsford unexpectedly due to the sudden illness of her father, thus saving Darcy from an imprudent marriage proposal. It is now two years later and the Bennet family is in dire circumstances: Mr. Bennet died, Mr. and Mrs. Collins took possession of Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia live in Meryton with Mrs. Phillips, Mary Bennet is with a cousin at Oxford, Jane is married to Mr. Browning a local shopkeeper, and Miss Elizabeth lives in London’s Cheapside helping the Gardiners with their children.
When Darcy visits the Bingley townhouse, Bingley informs him he is swearing off London society and is going back to industry in Scarborough. He resigned his membership at White’s [unheard of] and is disgusted with the immoral behavior of the ton. He no longer wants to be a gentleman [something his father wanted] due to the degenerate behavior of fashionable society, and he regrets ever listening to the advice that Darcy and his sisters gave that caused him to walk away from Jane Bennet, the only woman he ever loved.
We take an emotional journey through the characters, many new, as they deal with situations in their lives. Darcy attempts to meet Elizabeth and reestablish a relationship with her. It is one misunderstanding after another as they reexamine their feelings for each other. Months pass before they are able to work out that they love each other. But not before Mr. Gardiner goes to Darcy and demands to know his intentions toward Elizabeth.
The Gardiner’s nerves and resources are stretched thin as they struggle to help their relations. We see their personalities change as they try to manage the circumstances they are forced to handle: sending money to Mrs. Bennet, with room only for one, they take in Elizabeth to relieve the crowded conditions at the Phillips’, providing room/ board / clothing expenses for her as she helps with their children, and attempt to arrange a suitable marriage for her.
They then are forced to take in Lydia when she brings scandal to her family, her behavior and attitudes even more outrageous than canon. She leaves Meryton in disgrace when her seducer, Lieutenant Ralston, forsakes and abandons her forcing Elizabeth to go back to Meryton and help Jane in the shop during her confinement. Money changing hands is needed to bring about the proper inducements for a hasty marriage. It was handled quickly and almost as an afterthought.
Many canon characters are barely mentioned and some by name only. We are introduced to several new characters: the street urchin Charlie is a delight, we sympathize with the servant Mary, and Darcy’s father’s sister, his aunt Lady Augusta Seaton, is a force to be reckoned with. We are given more information regarding the seduction of Georgiana by Wickham and her reluctance to enter society as she faces the upcoming Season.
Darcy’s relations are displayed as the degenerate, immoral scar on society that Bingley referred to. His uncle the Earl, Lord Matlock is the worst, with his firstborn son and heir Henry, Viscount Langley not much better. The second son is Richard, our beloved Colonel Fitzwilliam and the only relation Darcy can tolerate.
No spoiler***as the story builds to a crescendo, you are hit with surprise after surprise with an even greater reveal that will blow your mind. I did not see it coming and it simply jumps out at you.
Shock, surprise and big reveal will leave you in suspense
Reynolds, on the other hand, is blatant as she presents us with the difficulties of the social structures / hierarchies / social classes / rank and status of society from the lowest servant to the titled aristocracy. Through this treatise, Darcy finds himself caught in the middle. He is neither fish nor fowl. He doesn’t fit in either camp and yet has to deal with both sides of society. We watch his growth as a person and as a man as he deals with societal levels from his titled aristocratic relatives, his servants [upstairs, downstairs, stables], all the way to the street urchins hiding in his mews.
In this what if… Darcy never made his proposal to Elizabeth. She left Huntsford unexpectedly due to the sudden illness of her father, thus saving Darcy from an imprudent marriage proposal. It is now two years later and the Bennet family is in dire circumstances: Mr. Bennet died, Mr. and Mrs. Collins took possession of Longbourn, Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia live in Meryton with Mrs. Phillips, Mary Bennet is with a cousin at Oxford, Jane is married to Mr. Browning a local shopkeeper, and Miss Elizabeth lives in London’s Cheapside helping the Gardiners with their children.
When Darcy visits the Bingley townhouse, Bingley informs him he is swearing off London society and is going back to industry in Scarborough. He resigned his membership at White’s [unheard of] and is disgusted with the immoral behavior of the ton. He no longer wants to be a gentleman [something his father wanted] due to the degenerate behavior of fashionable society, and he regrets ever listening to the advice that Darcy and his sisters gave that caused him to walk away from Jane Bennet, the only woman he ever loved.
We take an emotional journey through the characters, many new, as they deal with situations in their lives. Darcy attempts to meet Elizabeth and reestablish a relationship with her. It is one misunderstanding after another as they reexamine their feelings for each other. Months pass before they are able to work out that they love each other. But not before Mr. Gardiner goes to Darcy and demands to know his intentions toward Elizabeth.
The Gardiner’s nerves and resources are stretched thin as they struggle to help their relations. We see their personalities change as they try to manage the circumstances they are forced to handle: sending money to Mrs. Bennet, with room only for one, they take in Elizabeth to relieve the crowded conditions at the Phillips’, providing room/ board / clothing expenses for her as she helps with their children, and attempt to arrange a suitable marriage for her.
They then are forced to take in Lydia when she brings scandal to her family, her behavior and attitudes even more outrageous than canon. She leaves Meryton in disgrace when her seducer, Lieutenant Ralston, forsakes and abandons her forcing Elizabeth to go back to Meryton and help Jane in the shop during her confinement. Money changing hands is needed to bring about the proper inducements for a hasty marriage. It was handled quickly and almost as an afterthought.
Many canon characters are barely mentioned and some by name only. We are introduced to several new characters: the street urchin Charlie is a delight, we sympathize with the servant Mary, and Darcy’s father’s sister, his aunt Lady Augusta Seaton, is a force to be reckoned with. We are given more information regarding the seduction of Georgiana by Wickham and her reluctance to enter society as she faces the upcoming Season.
Darcy’s relations are displayed as the degenerate, immoral scar on society that Bingley referred to. His uncle the Earl, Lord Matlock is the worst, with his firstborn son and heir Henry, Viscount Langley not much better. The second son is Richard, our beloved Colonel Fitzwilliam and the only relation Darcy can tolerate.
No spoiler***as the story builds to a crescendo, you are hit with surprise after surprise with an even greater reveal that will blow your mind. I did not see it coming and it simply jumps out at you.
Shock, surprise and big reveal will leave you in suspense
January 28, 2016
For Jane Austen fans who enjoy a different perspective or a new thread in the Pride and Prejudice that does not include zombies, Abigail Reynold’s novel Mr. Darcy’s Obssession is perfection. In this insightful and creative variation, new scenerios allow for a fresh new plot with familiar characters and new ones.
What if Mr. Bennett dies and the entailed estate goes to Mr. Collins? What if Mr. Bingley is convinced not to marry Jane? What if Darcy follows the dictates of his family obligation while fighting his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet, the only ray of light in his stiff, formal and proud existence? All of this is addressed in a lively and emotional fashion. Darcy mulls over his duty yet he cannot stay away from Elizabeth once he learns she is living in London with the Gardiners. Despite the hardship of her circumstances, she is unbroken, her “fine eyes” sucking him in, her candid wit and lust for life is continues to captivate. Although her life is diminished her spirit is not. Now he is faced with which path to take in terms of his honor, family and happiness. Darcy must also face the truth of his actions and the disillusion of Bingley who learns of his sisters’ deception.
Elizabeth explores her own feelings yet is a realist. She is grateful for becoming reacquainted with Darcy, yet knows nothing can come of it. At times she questions his presence and intentions, while always being aware of her lower station in comparison to his own. It is a dilemma that her heart chooses to ignore when she starts to have true feelings for Darcy after becoming better acquainted.
New characters are brought into plot from Darcy’s immediate family, while other characters are mentioned but never brought into the story line, such as Wickham and Lady Catherine. There’s a few interesting surprising, as well as subtle observations and comments on the hypocrisy and mores of the upper classes. The narrative and dialogue recall Austen’s literary style without being stale, yet is accessible to those who prefer a more modern flavoring overall.
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession was a very enjoyable read, and was on my To-Read shelf for quite some time. I’m pleased to say that I finally got around to it this year. If I had to say there were any cons about this book, it would be there were times when I hoped for more details and interaction with Darcy and Elizabeth. My desire for more interaction would not be in keeping with the manners and expectations of Regency England’s upper classes, so I think the author knew what she was about despite my yearnings. She still conveyed the spirit of literary romance in every glance, word and touch between the lovers, without explicit congress, so if you’re looking for something R-rated or higher, you will be disappointed, it was a PG-13 book, and that was due to the subject matter in some areas. My hope is to read more works by Ms. Reynolds and other variations of one of my favorite works.
What if Mr. Bennett dies and the entailed estate goes to Mr. Collins? What if Mr. Bingley is convinced not to marry Jane? What if Darcy follows the dictates of his family obligation while fighting his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet, the only ray of light in his stiff, formal and proud existence? All of this is addressed in a lively and emotional fashion. Darcy mulls over his duty yet he cannot stay away from Elizabeth once he learns she is living in London with the Gardiners. Despite the hardship of her circumstances, she is unbroken, her “fine eyes” sucking him in, her candid wit and lust for life is continues to captivate. Although her life is diminished her spirit is not. Now he is faced with which path to take in terms of his honor, family and happiness. Darcy must also face the truth of his actions and the disillusion of Bingley who learns of his sisters’ deception.
Elizabeth explores her own feelings yet is a realist. She is grateful for becoming reacquainted with Darcy, yet knows nothing can come of it. At times she questions his presence and intentions, while always being aware of her lower station in comparison to his own. It is a dilemma that her heart chooses to ignore when she starts to have true feelings for Darcy after becoming better acquainted.
New characters are brought into plot from Darcy’s immediate family, while other characters are mentioned but never brought into the story line, such as Wickham and Lady Catherine. There’s a few interesting surprising, as well as subtle observations and comments on the hypocrisy and mores of the upper classes. The narrative and dialogue recall Austen’s literary style without being stale, yet is accessible to those who prefer a more modern flavoring overall.
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession was a very enjoyable read, and was on my To-Read shelf for quite some time. I’m pleased to say that I finally got around to it this year. If I had to say there were any cons about this book, it would be there were times when I hoped for more details and interaction with Darcy and Elizabeth. My desire for more interaction would not be in keeping with the manners and expectations of Regency England’s upper classes, so I think the author knew what she was about despite my yearnings. She still conveyed the spirit of literary romance in every glance, word and touch between the lovers, without explicit congress, so if you’re looking for something R-rated or higher, you will be disappointed, it was a PG-13 book, and that was due to the subject matter in some areas. My hope is to read more works by Ms. Reynolds and other variations of one of my favorite works.
October 9, 2025
The book title does no favours to the actual content of the book
also, this is NOT a mistress story (although the topic gets brought up and discussed)
This is a variation of "While in Hunsford, Elizabeth finds out Mr Bennet is sick" trope. Usually that is followed by a Marriage-of-Convenience, but it's not the case here. Elizabeth receives no proposal, she didn't even have time to talk to Colonel Fitzwilliam (so she doesn't hear of Darcy's advice to Bingley regarding Jane). Darcy is relieved he never made his proposal, and moves on with his life.
Although it's a P&P continuation from a certain plotpoint, there's 1 big detail up to that point that is changed.
This is an interesting Pride&Prejudice variation. It has multiple subplots (some big, some small) that get brought up all around.
Bennet family is in the hedgerows. There's not even 5k left that Mrs Bennet ownedthat was not realistic, but whatever. Angelic Jane married a shopkeeper to take care of the family. Mrs Bennet, Kitty & Lydia stayed in Meryton with the Phillipses, Mary moved away to be useful somewhere else, Elizabeth moved in with Gardiners. And they're poor and even forced to occasionally soil their hands and oh, the horror! do work that was before relegated to their servants.
Most of Darcy's peered family is absolutely awful - and there're multiple subplots connected to them. Darcy comes to realize that the fashionable society is in large part awful and immoral. He struggles with that realization, but both him and Georgiana lose all taste for the ton and he starts appreciating the authenticity and seeks to rekindle relationship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who's in a much worse position than she had been 2 years prior when they met in Hertfordshire and Kent.
Besides Darcy's family, we do not see any members of fashionable society, but there's a strong understanding that the social ramifications of him marrying where he pleases would be most serious. This isn't an Elizabeth Darcy takes-on-the-ton story, this is a prince who is willing to become a country recluse for his cinderella.
The last few variations I've read completely lacked any passion or emotion. This one was a breath of fresh air. AlthoughElizabeth falls for Darcy off-the-page as the reader is told that they've been taking many walks in the park, it still feels genuine and natural. Mr Darcy improves on further acquaintance. The feelings of both Elizabeth and Darcy are written delicately, not too much or to little passion. It was engaging to read them caring for each other.
Although there're a few lines that absolutely cringed me out. There's also a miscommunication that happened between them, it was cleared within 10%, but it had long-lasting consequence of delaying the wedding between Darcy&Elizabeth and letting the subplots carry the story until the happy event occurred*.
*the final conflict was unexpected. It was a rather enjoyable (albeit over-the-top and untimely) culmination of subplots, however it felt unrealistic that Mrs Bennet didn't insert herself into it. I don't blame the author for not wanting to deal with her heightened emotions, but I thought it could've added the conflict some good ol' second-hand embarrassment and comedic value.
The relationship was definitely one of the strongest parts of the story. Not only between Darcy & Elizabeth, but also between Darcy & Bingley, and between Darcy & members of his family. The Bennets relationships existed only in background. There's one tender moment Elizabeth&Jane share, but we barely see Mrs Bennet, she did not have any effect on MY nerves.
The novel also touches upon the reality of the poor people in regency society. Austen's characters are all members of the genteel class, even in reduced circumstances they were expected to have servants and/or patrons who'd take care of them.
Here the novel talks of street urchins who're willing do be useful to gentlemen to earn money and perhaps some patronage, and there's a farmer willing to sell his 15yo daughter to a gentleman, never expecting to see her again nor caring what would happen to her.
Important to note there's no violence in the text. There's mention of poverty and threats/expectation of SA, but it happens off the page. There're no sexual acts. Early on the "gentlemen" talk crudely about women.
The novel is actually inconsistent in the language used, there's a decent number crudeness in the first 30% and then vulgar language doesn't appear again. Even when Darcy thinks of wanting to have Elizabeth as his wife, I don't remember it crossing the bounds of propriety (maybe it did early on). The worst thing Darcy does is try to kiss her during his proposal - but there's also a lot of talk about appearances and what would and wouldn't be proper.
The street urchin Charlie was an interesting character, but he was basically "the saviour" of any situation, which I thought was lazy. Without being told, he knows exactly what needs to be done, what to expect, what to look out for. He was street savvy and could find out any information (including in other counties) like he was Sherlock Holmes. He had emotional intelligence of a 40yo woman who dedicated her life to being useful to others: Charlie knew how having certain people sit next to each other would make them feel, what kind of danger that would create, how to avoid that danger occurring in the smartest possible fashion.
He started full-time employment closer to the end of the novel, and he was useful beyond his age.
It's unclear how old he was. He should've been 10yo at most, an older boy would be able to find a more consistent employment without being a beggar. The work he's done was most suitable for someone 14+, but why would he be a street urchin at 14? And even a 14-18yo lad CANNOT be that smart, that connected, and that emotionally intelligent.
There's also a character who shared the name with one of the Bennet sisters, and I wished the author would've chosen another name.
Kitty's ending was brilliant. It was quite a subversion of Austen's plans for her I always wish she was more of a character in those variations, but unfortunately here she's but a background character, never mentioned until the end.
One of the best parts was Mr Bingley's character arc. He started very strong, and every unexpected appearance was welcome, until he left a sour taste in my mouth because of what he did around 75% Although, not gonna lie, there was one thing that would've made all this more enjoyable, and I half-expected it to happen but it didn't. Hear my wish, if you please: That would certainly add drama to the story, and it fit the theme with other subplots.
In vast majority of variations, there're plenty of things the authors get wrong when it comes to historical accuracy, and this one is no exception. I do not even expect authors to know how soon a wedding could occur as it's a very common error. The one thing that really exasperated me was the constant usage of "dress" instead of a "gown". I swear, I was trying to look past it, I accepted it with a sigh, and yet the crime appeared over and over again until I could not help but put it in this review.
The language isn't glaringly modern, but it's nowhere close to Austen's overly polite prose. The dialogues are direct and short, taking few words when a more period-accurate piece would've been harder to decipher.
The story made me laugh a few times. Not all of the laughs were good - like those few cringe romantic thoughts about 'breathing the same air as his love". But I particularly like the sort of quotes that sound like they could've definitely been written by Jane Austen herself, if Austen delved just a bit more into the rancid subjects in her novels.
3.5 stars? 4?
It was a very enjoyable experience, but the start-middle was slow, and events in the last third were over the top.
also, this is NOT a mistress story (although the topic gets brought up and discussed)
This is a variation of "While in Hunsford, Elizabeth finds out Mr Bennet is sick" trope. Usually that is followed by a Marriage-of-Convenience, but it's not the case here. Elizabeth receives no proposal, she didn't even have time to talk to Colonel Fitzwilliam (so she doesn't hear of Darcy's advice to Bingley regarding Jane). Darcy is relieved he never made his proposal, and moves on with his life.
Although it's a P&P continuation from a certain plotpoint, there's 1 big detail up to that point that is changed.
This is an interesting Pride&Prejudice variation. It has multiple subplots (some big, some small) that get brought up all around.
Bennet family is in the hedgerows. There's not even 5k left that Mrs Bennet owned
Most of Darcy's peered family is absolutely awful - and there're multiple subplots connected to them. Darcy comes to realize that the fashionable society is in large part awful and immoral. He struggles with that realization, but both him and Georgiana lose all taste for the ton and he starts appreciating the authenticity and seeks to rekindle relationship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who's in a much worse position than she had been 2 years prior when they met in Hertfordshire and Kent.
Besides Darcy's family, we do not see any members of fashionable society, but there's a strong understanding that the social ramifications of him marrying where he pleases would be most serious. This isn't an Elizabeth Darcy takes-on-the-ton story, this is a prince who is willing to become a country recluse for his cinderella.
The last few variations I've read completely lacked any passion or emotion. This one was a breath of fresh air. AlthoughElizabeth falls for Darcy off-the-page as the reader is told that they've been taking many walks in the park, it still feels genuine and natural. Mr Darcy improves on further acquaintance. The feelings of both Elizabeth and Darcy are written delicately, not too much or to little passion. It was engaging to read them caring for each other.
*the final conflict was unexpected. It was a rather enjoyable (albeit over-the-top and untimely) culmination of subplots, however it felt unrealistic that Mrs Bennet didn't insert herself into it. I don't blame the author for not wanting to deal with her heightened emotions, but I thought it could've added the conflict some good ol' second-hand embarrassment and comedic value.
The relationship was definitely one of the strongest parts of the story. Not only between Darcy & Elizabeth, but also between Darcy & Bingley, and between Darcy & members of his family. The Bennets relationships existed only in background. There's one tender moment Elizabeth&Jane share, but we barely see Mrs Bennet, she did not have any effect on MY nerves.
The novel also touches upon the reality of the poor people in regency society. Austen's characters are all members of the genteel class, even in reduced circumstances they were expected to have servants and/or patrons who'd take care of them.
Here the novel talks of street urchins who're willing do be useful to gentlemen to earn money and perhaps some patronage, and there's a farmer willing to sell his 15yo daughter to a gentleman, never expecting to see her again nor caring what would happen to her.
Important to note there's no violence in the text. There's mention of poverty and threats/expectation of SA, but it happens off the page. There're no sexual acts. Early on the "gentlemen" talk crudely about women.
The novel is actually inconsistent in the language used, there's a decent number crudeness in the first 30% and then vulgar language doesn't appear again. Even when Darcy thinks of wanting to have Elizabeth as his wife, I don't remember it crossing the bounds of propriety (maybe it did early on). The worst thing Darcy does is try to kiss her during his proposal - but there's also a lot of talk about appearances and what would and wouldn't be proper.
The street urchin Charlie was an interesting character, but he was basically "the saviour" of any situation, which I thought was lazy. Without being told, he knows exactly what needs to be done, what to expect, what to look out for. He was street savvy and could find out any information (including in other counties) like he was Sherlock Holmes. He had emotional intelligence of a 40yo woman who dedicated her life to being useful to others: Charlie knew how having certain people sit next to each other would make them feel, what kind of danger that would create, how to avoid that danger occurring in the smartest possible fashion.
He started full-time employment closer to the end of the novel, and he was useful beyond his age.
It's unclear how old he was. He should've been 10yo at most, an older boy would be able to find a more consistent employment without being a beggar. The work he's done was most suitable for someone 14+, but why would he be a street urchin at 14? And even a 14-18yo lad CANNOT be that smart, that connected, and that emotionally intelligent.
There's also a character who shared the name with one of the Bennet sisters, and I wished the author would've chosen another name.
Kitty's ending was brilliant. It was quite a subversion of Austen's plans for her I always wish she was more of a character in those variations, but unfortunately here she's but a background character, never mentioned until the end.
One of the best parts was Mr Bingley's character arc. He started very strong, and every unexpected appearance was welcome, until he left a sour taste in my mouth because of what he did around 75% Although, not gonna lie, there was one thing that would've made all this more enjoyable, and I half-expected it to happen but it didn't. Hear my wish, if you please: That would certainly add drama to the story, and it fit the theme with other subplots.
In vast majority of variations, there're plenty of things the authors get wrong when it comes to historical accuracy, and this one is no exception. I do not even expect authors to know how soon a wedding could occur as it's a very common error. The one thing that really exasperated me was the constant usage of "dress" instead of a "gown". I swear, I was trying to look past it, I accepted it with a sigh, and yet the crime appeared over and over again until I could not help but put it in this review.
The language isn't glaringly modern, but it's nowhere close to Austen's overly polite prose. The dialogues are direct and short, taking few words when a more period-accurate piece would've been harder to decipher.
The story made me laugh a few times. Not all of the laughs were good - like those few cringe romantic thoughts about 'breathing the same air as his love". But I particularly like the sort of quotes that sound like they could've definitely been written by Jane Austen herself, if Austen delved just a bit more into the rancid subjects in her novels.
In later years they were known to note that life had become much simpler for fathers of attractive young girls, since all the young men of Kympton were firmly convinced that carnal knowledge of a woman without benefit of marriage would lead directly to loss of their limbs.Brilliant.
3.5 stars? 4?
It was a very enjoyable experience, but the start-middle was slow, and events in the last third were over the top.
March 28, 2017
Reread June 30, 2016
Last week I read A Pemberley Medley a collection of SS by Ms. Reynolds and there was a scene with Lizzy and Darcy chasing chickens in Hunsford and I thought it reminded me of a scene of Lizzy & Darcy chasing chickens in Meryton in this book (which doesn't occur it must be another one ) and when I searched up the most recent book with Obsession in its title I found this and decided MUST RE-read!!!
This book's overall theme is dark. It is an Alternative timeline version. Here Lizzy leaves Rosings to care for her ailing father before Darcy can propose and be refused and deliver the letter so she is ignorant of his feelings or Wickham's propensities. And Lizzy never goes to Pemberley.
More than a year passes and Bingley is shooting at Pemberley when he reveals to Darcy that he ran into Miss Elizabeth Bennet in London, where she resides. He further reveals that Mr. Bennet has died and Jane has married.
Darcy struggles to overcome his feeling for Elizabeth, further exacerbated by her plummeting social standing; but he cannot and he hunts her down and joins her on a walk. He endeavors to forget her but is drawn back. Luckily it is time for his annual visit at Rosings and he can avoid her. At Rosings much of the Fitzwilliam family joins him and we discover that the Earl and Viscount are both terrible men; who use and abuse the servants. Darcy rescues a young girl sent to his room by his uncle for entertainment and returns to London.
He also returns to his obsession over Elizabeth but she has stopped walking. Darcy again uses a local urchin to communicate with her and they meet for a walk. There he proposes in a way that makes her think he is asking her to be his Mistress and she slaps him and flees. Her Uncle confronts him and the miscommunication is cleared up and Darcy again begins his attempt to gain her good opinion. Before he can she is called back to Meryton, Jane is close to her lying in and Lydia has fallen pregnant by a man who denies knowledge of her.
This is when Darcy turns into SuperHero Darcy. He pours capital into Jane's husband's business, arranges for a apprentice and determines who Lydia's baby daddy is and forces a marriage. All to make Elizabeth's life easier.
The book is loaded with angst and heartbreak. There are real twists and turns and some truly bad people. There are also fun new characters like Darcy's paternal aunt Augusta. Baddies get their comeuppance and every one gets their HEA.
Original review
Last week I read A Pemberley Medley a collection of SS by Ms. Reynolds and there was a scene with Lizzy and Darcy chasing chickens in Hunsford and I thought it reminded me of a scene of Lizzy & Darcy chasing chickens in Meryton in this book (which doesn't occur it must be another one ) and when I searched up the most recent book with Obsession in its title I found this and decided MUST RE-read!!!
This book's overall theme is dark. It is an Alternative timeline version. Here Lizzy leaves Rosings to care for her ailing father before Darcy can propose and be refused and deliver the letter so she is ignorant of his feelings or Wickham's propensities. And Lizzy never goes to Pemberley.
More than a year passes and Bingley is shooting at Pemberley when he reveals to Darcy that he ran into Miss Elizabeth Bennet in London, where she resides. He further reveals that Mr. Bennet has died and Jane has married.
Darcy struggles to overcome his feeling for Elizabeth, further exacerbated by her plummeting social standing; but he cannot and he hunts her down and joins her on a walk. He endeavors to forget her but is drawn back. Luckily it is time for his annual visit at Rosings and he can avoid her. At Rosings much of the Fitzwilliam family joins him and we discover that the Earl and Viscount are both terrible men; who use and abuse the servants. Darcy rescues a young girl sent to his room by his uncle for entertainment and returns to London.
He also returns to his obsession over Elizabeth but she has stopped walking. Darcy again uses a local urchin to communicate with her and they meet for a walk. There he proposes in a way that makes her think he is asking her to be his Mistress and she slaps him and flees. Her Uncle confronts him and the miscommunication is cleared up and Darcy again begins his attempt to gain her good opinion. Before he can she is called back to Meryton, Jane is close to her lying in and Lydia has fallen pregnant by a man who denies knowledge of her.
This is when Darcy turns into SuperHero Darcy. He pours capital into Jane's husband's business, arranges for a apprentice and determines who Lydia's baby daddy is and forces a marriage. All to make Elizabeth's life easier.
The book is loaded with angst and heartbreak. There are real twists and turns and some truly bad people. There are also fun new characters like Darcy's paternal aunt Augusta. Baddies get their comeuppance and every one gets their HEA.
Original review
December 31, 2014
There was a little bit too much ick in this story for me. Not with D&E but definitely in Darcy's extended family! I would just get into the romance of D&E's story and then something else ick would be introduced. It kind of ruined it for me.
November 21, 2012
I picked up this novel at the library since I have recently become obsessed with Abigail Reynolds' alternate endings to Pride and Prejudice. When I grabbed it I was just hoping to fill a few spare minutes, but after starting it I couldn't put it down.
To date this is my favorite Abigail Reynolds' Darcy and Elizabeth book. Certainly, the events in this story diverge quite a bit more than in other novels by this author that I have read so far. Elizabeth and her family are in dire straits after her father's death, especially since Mr. Collins kicks them out of their home as soon as he can. Elizabeth ends up living with her aunt and uncle in London. Through Bingley, Elizabeth is once again put in Darcy's notice and from there the romance never stops.
I love this version of Darcy. Abigail Reynolds has fleshed Darcy out in her novels to be a man that so many would love. In this edition he becomes an Egalitarian because of Elizabeth's influence, and he helps so many even those that he would have thought beneath him. Seeing things through her new reduced circumstances he realizes that even those in the lower class have feelings as well. It is a wonderful story and I couldn't put it down. Had I not had to go work the next day, I could have finished it in one sitting. It had me from the first chapter.
New characters round out the story nicely, especially Charlie, Mary and a new aunt of Darcy, Aunt Augusta. Even some of the previously mentioned characters are fleshed out in new and interesting ways, and it makes me love the original novel even more. So many times I found myself saying, "that is why that happened" as certain aspects of the original novel were left to conjecture and our imagination. I think what Ms. Reynolds does best is take the original books, and create plausible explanations of why certain characters acted as they did. I know this won't be my last alternate ending.
If you have never read one of these books, you are missing out on a rare treat. Just remember not to take them too seriously. We all the love the original book, and especially Lizzie and Darcy or we wouldn't be searching for more. If you love the romance between them you will really enjoy these new stories.
To date this is my favorite Abigail Reynolds' Darcy and Elizabeth book. Certainly, the events in this story diverge quite a bit more than in other novels by this author that I have read so far. Elizabeth and her family are in dire straits after her father's death, especially since Mr. Collins kicks them out of their home as soon as he can. Elizabeth ends up living with her aunt and uncle in London. Through Bingley, Elizabeth is once again put in Darcy's notice and from there the romance never stops.
I love this version of Darcy. Abigail Reynolds has fleshed Darcy out in her novels to be a man that so many would love. In this edition he becomes an Egalitarian because of Elizabeth's influence, and he helps so many even those that he would have thought beneath him. Seeing things through her new reduced circumstances he realizes that even those in the lower class have feelings as well. It is a wonderful story and I couldn't put it down. Had I not had to go work the next day, I could have finished it in one sitting. It had me from the first chapter.
New characters round out the story nicely, especially Charlie, Mary and a new aunt of Darcy, Aunt Augusta. Even some of the previously mentioned characters are fleshed out in new and interesting ways, and it makes me love the original novel even more. So many times I found myself saying, "that is why that happened" as certain aspects of the original novel were left to conjecture and our imagination. I think what Ms. Reynolds does best is take the original books, and create plausible explanations of why certain characters acted as they did. I know this won't be my last alternate ending.
If you have never read one of these books, you are missing out on a rare treat. Just remember not to take them too seriously. We all the love the original book, and especially Lizzie and Darcy or we wouldn't be searching for more. If you love the romance between them you will really enjoy these new stories.
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November 4, 2017Review originally posted on Diary of an Eccentric
In Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, Abigail Reynolds really shakes up Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In Reynold’s retelling, Mr. Darcy doesn’t propose to Elizabeth Bennet at Rosings, as she is called back to Longbourn when her father falls ill. When Mr. Darcy’s Obsession opens, Mr. Bennet has died, Elizabeth is living with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London, and Jane is married to an old milliner. Mr. Bingley is upset because Jane is out of his reach, and Darcy can’t stop thinking about Elizabeth even though she is even less suitable a match for him than she was before her father’s death. Still, Darcy can’t let Elizabeth go.
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession is pretty predictable when it comes to Darcy and Elizabeth and Jane and Bingley, but that doesn’t matter. Reynolds livens things up by changing Lydia Bennet’s and Georgiana Darcy’s stories, but Lydia is still foolish and Georgiana still charming. She also adds a host of new and entertaining characters, from the street urchin, Charlie, and the innocent maid, Mary, to Darcy’s eccentric Aunt Augusta and horrible uncle, Lord Derby. The way women are treated in the book — which isn’t a far cry from reality back then, I’m sure — will turn your stomach, but thankfully Mr. Darcy is a true gentleman.
Reynolds has another winner with Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, drawing me in from the start with a unique take on Pride and Prejudice. Unlike her previous novels, there is passion but no sex, but of course there are misunderstandings and obstacles that threaten to keep Darcy and Elizabeth apart. Reynolds’ new characters are just as entertaining as the characters we know and love. I knew how things should turn out for Elizabeth and Jane, but I had no idea what would happen to Charlie, Mary, Aunt Augusta, or Darcy’s cousin, Henry, which added a layer of excitement and anticipation. Reynolds’ love for Pride and Prejudice is obvious in the care she takes to stay true to Austen’s characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes them next.
In Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, Abigail Reynolds really shakes up Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In Reynold’s retelling, Mr. Darcy doesn’t propose to Elizabeth Bennet at Rosings, as she is called back to Longbourn when her father falls ill. When Mr. Darcy’s Obsession opens, Mr. Bennet has died, Elizabeth is living with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London, and Jane is married to an old milliner. Mr. Bingley is upset because Jane is out of his reach, and Darcy can’t stop thinking about Elizabeth even though she is even less suitable a match for him than she was before her father’s death. Still, Darcy can’t let Elizabeth go.
Mr. Darcy’s Obsession is pretty predictable when it comes to Darcy and Elizabeth and Jane and Bingley, but that doesn’t matter. Reynolds livens things up by changing Lydia Bennet’s and Georgiana Darcy’s stories, but Lydia is still foolish and Georgiana still charming. She also adds a host of new and entertaining characters, from the street urchin, Charlie, and the innocent maid, Mary, to Darcy’s eccentric Aunt Augusta and horrible uncle, Lord Derby. The way women are treated in the book — which isn’t a far cry from reality back then, I’m sure — will turn your stomach, but thankfully Mr. Darcy is a true gentleman.
Reynolds has another winner with Mr. Darcy’s Obsession, drawing me in from the start with a unique take on Pride and Prejudice. Unlike her previous novels, there is passion but no sex, but of course there are misunderstandings and obstacles that threaten to keep Darcy and Elizabeth apart. Reynolds’ new characters are just as entertaining as the characters we know and love. I knew how things should turn out for Elizabeth and Jane, but I had no idea what would happen to Charlie, Mary, Aunt Augusta, or Darcy’s cousin, Henry, which added a layer of excitement and anticipation. Reynolds’ love for Pride and Prejudice is obvious in the care she takes to stay true to Austen’s characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing where she takes them next.
October 6, 2010
I think it might be I who is obsessed with Mr Darcy, all these different variations are just pure escapism.
In this one Mr Bennet died, the Collins' moved into the house, Jane married a shopkeeper to help out her family, and Elizabeth went to London to help with the Gardiner kids. Mr Darcy never proposed because Elizabeth left before he had time too. But Mr Darcy just can't her her out of his head. He sneaks around a bit and manages to meet her by "accident" one day, and they start talking. Some women you just can't let go.
Oh this book sure held a few surprises here and there, concerning secondary characters. I loved it because I never saw them coming. Reynolds takes artistic freedom and changes things that happened and make this story hers. While keeping to the Austen vibe. Without saying to much the surprises include Lydia, Georgiana, and a new character you will meet. She manages well there.
There are also new people, Charlie, a kid living on the street, and here Darcy does show his heart later on. Aunt Augusta who says what she wants, and Lord Derby, Darcy's uncle and a jackass. And of course there is Bingley, the Gardiners, and Jane.
I liked how Darcy sneaked around in this one and wanted to see Elizabeth and making it seem like total accidents. He just couldn't let go, and he was also a gentleman. She does fall, but of course there is that big Wickham hurdle to overcome. There is romance, aww, and a lot of drama with certain characters. I am sure you can guess who will cause the biggest scandal.
What I liked the most were the surprises, I just could not guess certain things. In some variations it's pretty easy and you know who will marry who, even with all those I have read. But this one brings something new. And as a Variation obsessed woman I enjoyed this book.
Final thoughts: I always loved that he never gives up and wants her even though society frowns upon it.
In this one Mr Bennet died, the Collins' moved into the house, Jane married a shopkeeper to help out her family, and Elizabeth went to London to help with the Gardiner kids. Mr Darcy never proposed because Elizabeth left before he had time too. But Mr Darcy just can't her her out of his head. He sneaks around a bit and manages to meet her by "accident" one day, and they start talking. Some women you just can't let go.
Oh this book sure held a few surprises here and there, concerning secondary characters. I loved it because I never saw them coming. Reynolds takes artistic freedom and changes things that happened and make this story hers. While keeping to the Austen vibe. Without saying to much the surprises include Lydia, Georgiana, and a new character you will meet. She manages well there.
There are also new people, Charlie, a kid living on the street, and here Darcy does show his heart later on. Aunt Augusta who says what she wants, and Lord Derby, Darcy's uncle and a jackass. And of course there is Bingley, the Gardiners, and Jane.
I liked how Darcy sneaked around in this one and wanted to see Elizabeth and making it seem like total accidents. He just couldn't let go, and he was also a gentleman. She does fall, but of course there is that big Wickham hurdle to overcome. There is romance, aww, and a lot of drama with certain characters. I am sure you can guess who will cause the biggest scandal.
What I liked the most were the surprises, I just could not guess certain things. In some variations it's pretty easy and you know who will marry who, even with all those I have read. But this one brings something new. And as a Variation obsessed woman I enjoyed this book.
Final thoughts: I always loved that he never gives up and wants her even though society frowns upon it.
August 18, 2012
What if Elizabeth Bennet was called away from Rosings before Mr. Darcy could propose? What if the reason she was called away was that her father was deathly ill? What if her path and Darcy's didn't cross again for two years?
Mr. Darcy is surprised when, two years after Elizabeth's visit to Rosings, his good friend Charles Bingley mentions having seen her. He learns that Mr. Bennet is dead, Jane is married to a much older shopkeeper, and Elizabeth is living with her aunt and uncle and is taking care of their children. One time, Darcy tells himself, he would go to see Elizabeth one time, just to reassure himself of her well-being and happiness. But once he does, he finds himself unable to stay away.
This book is all about Mr. Darcy. If you were not in love with him before reading this book, you will be long before you finish it. He has some absolutely wonderful romantic speeches. The romance in this book is beautiful. They have some dreadful misunderstandings, but it is so sweet when they make up. Jane and Bingley's relationship has even more obstacles, to the point where you begin to wonder if they will ever end up together. In addition to the traditional personages, there are some wonderful new characters. I especially enjoyed meeting Darcy's urchin spy and the highly eccentric Aunt Augusta. I also liked the way Darcy came to realize that his family was just as objectionable as Elizabeth's, albeit in different ways.
It took me one sitting of approximately three hours (very early in the morning) to read this novel after my copy arrived from Amazon. When I started it, I meant to only read a couple of chapters before turning the lights out, but then I could not help but read it all the way through.
http://liedermadchen.blogspot.com/201...
Mr. Darcy is surprised when, two years after Elizabeth's visit to Rosings, his good friend Charles Bingley mentions having seen her. He learns that Mr. Bennet is dead, Jane is married to a much older shopkeeper, and Elizabeth is living with her aunt and uncle and is taking care of their children. One time, Darcy tells himself, he would go to see Elizabeth one time, just to reassure himself of her well-being and happiness. But once he does, he finds himself unable to stay away.
This book is all about Mr. Darcy. If you were not in love with him before reading this book, you will be long before you finish it. He has some absolutely wonderful romantic speeches. The romance in this book is beautiful. They have some dreadful misunderstandings, but it is so sweet when they make up. Jane and Bingley's relationship has even more obstacles, to the point where you begin to wonder if they will ever end up together. In addition to the traditional personages, there are some wonderful new characters. I especially enjoyed meeting Darcy's urchin spy and the highly eccentric Aunt Augusta. I also liked the way Darcy came to realize that his family was just as objectionable as Elizabeth's, albeit in different ways.
It took me one sitting of approximately three hours (very early in the morning) to read this novel after my copy arrived from Amazon. When I started it, I meant to only read a couple of chapters before turning the lights out, but then I could not help but read it all the way through.
http://liedermadchen.blogspot.com/201...
February 17, 2019
Lacking something to her usual works. I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t ever caught up in it either.
I really liked Charlie & also Aunt Augusta. The Henry storyline was intriguing and I would actually read that from his POV (completely separately to my P&P interest - he’s an OC).
It was hard to believe Darcy’s strength of obsession when he has quelled it for over 2 years. Also Elizabeth was too quick to fall in love - explanation was given, but it didn’t *feel* right. Darcy’s changes came almost independent of Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn’t seem herself, really. In combination this meant the strength of feeling and connection usually there in AR’s work was missing.
I really liked Charlie & also Aunt Augusta. The Henry storyline was intriguing and I would actually read that from his POV (completely separately to my P&P interest - he’s an OC).
It was hard to believe Darcy’s strength of obsession when he has quelled it for over 2 years. Also Elizabeth was too quick to fall in love - explanation was given, but it didn’t *feel* right. Darcy’s changes came almost independent of Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn’t seem herself, really. In combination this meant the strength of feeling and connection usually there in AR’s work was missing.
October 16, 2018
Just realized I forgot to mark this as read back in September or October, or whatever. Not my favorite of her variations, but they're always interesting, that's for sure. And she explored some paths that I haven't seen others explore.
And that's really all I remember. Think I'll have to reread this one closer to AIA so I can review it.
And that's really all I remember. Think I'll have to reread this one closer to AIA so I can review it.
August 28, 2013
What a great twist on an old classic. This story is probably the truest to the style of Jane Austen of all the ones this author has written. Bingley finally showed some strength of character, and Jane was shown more realistically. Very emotionally satisfying.
July 26, 2019
Excellent story
New characters...Aunt Augusta and Charley. Both of them fine additions.
Georgiana, her story is pretty different.
Jane, her story is very different.
A petty good book. Recommended.
New characters...Aunt Augusta and Charley. Both of them fine additions.
Georgiana, her story is pretty different.
Jane, her story is very different.
A petty good book. Recommended.
August 13, 2014
Really enjoying Abigail Reynolds and her Pride & Prejudice variations. First read in 2011 and read it again today, just for fun.
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