Review: Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly

I wish I had a schedule where I could have hopped on Mr. Darcy Forever sooner.  Thank goodness for a nice Spring Break that gave me a chance to sit down and read it in one sitting.  In my world, that's a bit of a luxury, and I loved it!  This was a prefect book for my break.

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "Estranged sisters Sarah and Mia Castle have spent a lifetime fighting over the men in their lives. They finally begin to make amends at the annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England. During the festival, the sisters realize that they can't bear to be apart. They discover that their sisterhood forms a bond stronger than their mutual connection as Jane Austen addicts. And in true Jane Austen fashion, they each begin to lose their hearts to dashing gentlemen."

Review:  Having read an earlier novel of Connelly's, I knew I was in for a nice, modernized treat with this newest book.  Let me just start off by explaining that Pride and Prejudice doesn't really play a role in the novel.  The title, in my own opinion, is a tie to the perfect Austen character, as the rest of the book is more geared toward Sense and Sensibility.  

In the beginning of Mr. Darcy Forever, I had a difficult time tracking the present and the past as it jumped from the present estrangement between the sisters, Sarah and Mia, to the past events that split them up.  I can tell you right now that we don't learn of the conflict until well into the book.  Usually that would irritate me, since I like to understand the characters so that I can attach myself to their actions and reactions.  In this case, it worked out really well and had me realizing how quickly I jump to conclusions--maybe like these two sisters did to begin with.

As mentioned, it takes a long time to understand what came between these two sisters.  Sarah, who has OCD and needs to control everything, appears to be the nuisance or villain.  Although we might feel for her and her idiosyncrasies, it seems like she might have driven the two apart by her actions.  However, Mia increasingly comes across as immature and possibly as responding too emotionally to her situation.  Come on.  Can't Mia see after these years of being apart how silly and immature she used to behave?  This is what I thought in the beginning.  Readers of Jane Austen's novels will quickly start to draw connections to Sense and Sensibility in the story.  This is in no way exactly like the classic story, but there are some definite similarities to the Dashwood sisters, with some interesting and surprising twists to the story.

Mr. Darcy Forever was a delightfully emotional read.  Austen fans will readily recognize aspects of Austen's classic, while getting a modern look at Bath and our characters' complex, modern lives.  I really enjoyed the novel and its characters and appreciated the way the story unfolded so as to not feel predictable or overworked.  Overall, a good clean Austen modernization.  

*FTC Disclosure:  This review was based on a review copy provided by the publisher.

Review: Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "For anyone obsessed with Pride & Prejudice, it's Darcy and Elizabeth like you've never seen them before.

This modern take introduces us to the wealthy philanthropist Fitzwilliam Darcy, a handsome and brooding bachelor who yearns for love but doubts any woman could handle his obsessive tendencies. Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth Bennet has her own intimacy issues that ensure her terrible luck with men.

When the two meet up in the emergency room after Darcy's best friend, Charles Bingley, gets into an accident, Elizabeth thinks the two men are a couple. As Darcy and Elizabeth unravel their misconceptions about each other, they have to decide just how far they're willing to go to accept each other's quirky ways..."

Review:   This retelling and modernization of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is definitely a unique and different twist on the original story.  While the characters and outline of the plot are there, rife with misunderstandings and romance, this storyline is much different.  For one, it starts off in Vietnam where Elizabeth is a doctor and Darcy has arrived with his friend Charles to help their friends adopt a baby at an orphanage that Jane helps run.  The two sisters immediately assume that Charles and Darcy are a gay couple who have come to adopt, but who wish it to remain quiet.  Elizabeth can't then come to grips with her attraction for Darcy, nor his apparent attraction to her?  The two do eventually work out the truth, as in the original tale--minus this new little twist.  Their time together then becomes a roller-coaster ride of romantic misunderstandings and outside interferences.

I did find this retelling interesting and new.  Some of the issues in their romantic relationship seemed a bit silly at times, such as Elizabeth's "virginity" issue.  I've always felt that some sexual tension or scenes played out in the pages of these retellinngs aren't necessarily out of place, as they are a more modern look at a normal adult relationship, but sometimes I have to giggle a bit at how they are included in the story.  I'm not convinced that with all else that was going on in the story that it needed to be such a focal point.  I definitely loved the tension that was created through these characters' misunderstandings and think that Benneton created an interesting tale to surround our favorite P&P characters.

Overall, I would say that if you're a fan of Austen retellings and modernizations, then definitely give Benneton's book a read.  It is unique and full of action that will keep you flipping pages to see how they work them all out.  All around, a thoroughly entertaining read.

*FTC Disclosure:  This review was based on an advanced review copy provided by the publisher, Sourcebooks.

Review: Jane Austen Made Me Do It by Laurel Ann Nattress

Post crazy migraine that has been haunting me since last night, I'm sneaking online to share my review of Jane Austen Made Me Do It.  This great compilation of short stories center on the nearly infallible Ms. Austen and her wonderful novels.  What more need I say?

Whether you are a fair weather fan  of Jane Austen, or a die hard Janeite, Jane Austen Made Me Do It has a wonderful variety of original short stories to catch any reader's attention.  Some of the stories are retellings, based on the characters in Austen's famous novels.  Other stories are modernizations, featuring Austen characters or themes.  Honestly, there is a little something for everyone. 

Longtime Austen fans will quickly recognize the authors featured in this compilation.  Authors like Lauren Willig, Laurie Viera Rigler, and Beth Pattillo (to name a few) have short stories in the book, alongside a few newbies like Brenna Aubrey, who was the winner of the Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest that was held at The Republic of Pemberley (as mentioned in Laurel's guest post on Sunday).  Regardless of the author, the stories are filled with great character sketches, romantic longing, and Austen-like whimsy.  For readers who are hesitant to try out a retelling or modernization, this is a great way to try out the stories available on the market, as many of these authors have also published longer Austen-expired novels. 

Without going into too much information about each of the stories, let me just share a few that I really enjoyed.  One of my favorites was "When Only a Darcy Will Do," by Beth Pattillo, in which Mr. Darcy steps into a modern tale and sweeps the heroine and reader off their feet--yet again.  Although I honestly enjoyed each story, a few others that stood out to me were those based on Persuasion, which I keep hoping some of these authors will take on and write more about (hint, hint, nudge, nudge).  "Waiting: A Story Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion" by Jane Odiwe was a delightful peek inside Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot's long awaited for reunion, and had me loving this sweet story even more.  I also got a real chuckle out of "Intolerable Stupidity," by Lauren Willig, which is a literary courtroom drama that puts the authors of these retellings and modernizations on trial.  The playful mix of Austen characters, stories, and tongue in cheek poke at authors such as those who wrote stories for the book, was too smart for words!  And to top it off, I 100% agree with the winner of the short story contest, "The Love Letter" by Brenna Aubrey; its modern equivalent for Persuasion had me cheering on love that can endure.

I swore I wouldn't pick out individual stories, but I hope that the few I highlighted--out of a book filled with delightful treasures--will better show the nice range included in the book.  There are homages to Northanger Abbey's Gothic ghost story, episodes with the newly wed Darcys, and even Emma.  Whether you are a true-blue Janeite, fair-weather Austen fan, or formerly-nervous Austen purist, this book has a great selection of stories for every reader.

*FTC Disclosure:  This review was based on an advanced copy provided by the publisher & Netgalley.

Don't forget to stop by the "Guest Blog & Giveaway" post to hear more from Laurel Ann Nattress about this fun compilation, and also to enter to win a copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It.  The giveaway ends this Sunday, November 13th, so stop by today!

Review: Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "When Elizabeth Bennet refuses his hand, Darcy is devastated and makes it his mission to change. By every civility in his power, Darcy slowly tries to win her affections, but Elizabeth is not easily swayed. Darcy vows to unlock the secrets that will make her his. He curses himself for his social awkwardness and appearance of pride, and sets out to right the wrongs he's done her family.  Elizabeth's family and friends misunderstand his intentions, and being in Elizabeth's presence proves to be both excruciating for the shy Darcy-and a dream come true. For the first time in his life, he must please a woman worth having, and the transformation leads him to a depth of understanding and love that he never could have imagined."

Review:  Overall, Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman was a fun departure from the original story, asking the reader to consider "what if" Darcy decided to change from that first tongue lashing by Elizabeth?  Could he have changed and won her over by showing her who he really was?  These questions fuel this new story line as Darcy works to show Elizabeth that he isn't the pompous rich guy she has come to believe him.  He ends up showing back up at her home to interact with her family and to try to be more social.  

With these twists, some other story lines drop out from the original.  I won't give away which ones those might be, but you can imagine who might or might not show up in the story if Darcy stuck around.  One interesting change is in Mrs. Bennet, who soon recognizes that Darcy might be a better match for her Jane than she originally thought.  He quite wins her over with his charm and pocket change!  Not only does he win her over, but he also fuels the gossip mongers who all think he has eyes for Jane.  That, of course, makes Elizabeth slightly jealous and confused.  Her intrigue leads her to consider this man she wrote off, to wonder if she made a big mistake in jilting him.

Romance is all over in this retelling of Pride and Prejudice.  For the most part it is all good, clean romance, with some later interludes that make for a dramatic departure from the story we all know and love!  I wouldn't say it's salacious in any way, but might be shocking.  At times I'll admit to being annoyed by the miscommunication and constant fact checking Darcy and Elizabeth demonstrated; they just seemed so unsure of what the other meant, that they were constantly self conscious of everything they said or did.  Eventually, the "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant..." felt overdone at times.  I do get that this added extra tension and work to Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship forced them to draw together more.  I guess I just didn't want them to have to always feel so insecure.

The "what if" story between Darcy and Elizabeth is a relaxing continuation of sorts, for anyone who enjoys Pride and Prejudice and likes to read other retellings.  The story is romantic and filled with human missteps that keep the story moving in a new direction, and although the outcome isn't surprising, the journey is different and new.  

*FTC Disclosure:  Review is based on an advanced copy provided by the publisher.

Review: Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell

Gone With the Wind? Love.  Westerns.  Love (for the most part).  All things Pride and Prejudice.  REALLY love.  Somehow, Jack Caldwell's novel Pemberley Ranch managed to capture all three of these elements in the pages of one book for a great, fun read!

Synopsis:  From Goodreads, "In the aftermath of the Civil War, the Bennet family has just moved from Ohio to the town of Rosings, Texas, set on creating a fresh start. But their daughter Beth still prefers the familiarity of Ohio to the plains of Texas-that is, until she encounters Will Darcy, the reclusive owner of Pemberley Ranch. Will and Beth are instantly smitten, but pride, prejudice, and a gang of villains determined to take over Rosings threaten to keep them apart. This fresh idea in the world of Jane Austen retellings brings together the world of Pride and Prejudice with the struggles of the antebellum South."

Review:  Can I just say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and call it good?  There are books that you just have too much fun reading, and that's it!  Honestly though, I think I wasn't expecting to be charmed by a western sort of retelling of Pride and Prejudice, regardless of how much I love the book.  Funny thing was, I really was charmed.  Elizabeth, as Beth Bennet, was saucy and able to stand up for herself.  Mr. Darcy, or Will in this case, found Beth's sauciness unabashedly charming.  Other minor characters from P&P are also present in the novel, along with a few from Austen's other novels.  In fact, I laughed whenever the author threw in these alternate characters from novels such as Emma, because you wouldn't notice if you weren't a true fan of Austen's works. Captain Wentworth actually seemed more dastardly than he did in P&P, as he had been a cruel taskmaster during the Civil War who had abused Rebel soldiers that were imprisoned.  He also had his thumb on every double-crossing land deal around in our Rosings, Texas.  In short, had he grown a little waxy moustache that he could have twisted the ends of while he spoke, I wouldn't have been surprised!

The story was fun to follow and just different enough to keep you on your toes.  Had it been more exact in the way it kept to the original tale, it might have been boring, but I didn't think this was boring at all.    There are a couple of "swimming hole" scenes that would leave a reader from Austen's day scandalized and blushing, but they seem a little funny under these hot Texas, western conditions.  Yes, the novel still showed restraint, but threw in a lot more western-brand scandal and language.  I thoroughly enjoyed Pemberley Ranch, and was so thankful to Jack Caldwell for entertaining me enough to drag me away from the stacks of essays I was laboring through at the time!  I'm just sad now that I didn't take Sourcebooks up on this great offer to read this one sooner, since it turned out to be a great time.