From awkward and unlovable to handsome and loved.Large, awkward, unlovable, and destined to fail — that is who William Collins has always been told he was, and while he might have accepted the first three monikers, he’s worked hard to ensure the last one does not become true.Kitty Bennet has never lacked for attention from gentlemen, but while she’s proficient at flirting, she has never had her … has never had her heart touched by any of the potential suitors who have sat in Longbourn’s sitting room.
That is her heart was never touched until now when the awkwardly endearing heir to Longbourn takes up residence in her home. But how does one encourage a gentleman to love her when he’s seemingly unaffected by fluttering lashes and demure looks?
And how can someone as inept, as Collins thinks he is, ever win the heart of a lady as charming as Kitty Bennet?
It will take determination and a little help as well as the realization that sometimes the battle for the heart is played out in the mind.
Master of Lonbourn is part of Leenie Brown’s Dash of Darcy and Companions collection of Pride and Prejudice inspired novellas. If you like well-written sweet romance featuring an unlikely hero who must blossom from ugly duckling to majestic swan, then you will love this story about Collins overcoming the edicts of his father to become what he wishes to be while claiming the lady who is the desire of his heart.
So, put the kettle on, grab your copy of Master of Lonbourn, and slip into a world of sweet and endearing romantic indulgence today.
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This book was a really fun sequel to Mr. Darcy’s Comfort (Dash of Darcy and Companions Collection, #9) and I really liked this Mr. Collins. I enjoyed seeing this side of him and how his character developed in this book as well as seeing him interact with Bingley and Darcy and the friendship that developed between the three of them. It was fun to watch them help Mr. Collins try to get Kitty’s attention. The relationship between Kitty and Mr. Collins was also fun to watch unfold. There is also an epilogue at the end that takes place on Kitty’s nineteenth birthday that is really sweet.
“The most important influence in my childhood was my father” –DeForest Kelley
This short, clean novella is part of the Dash of Darcy and Companions Story Collection. They are P&P inspired stories that take a different path. This story follows Mr. Darcy’s Comfort. It is not recommended that you bypass the other book. There is too much information in that story that will help with the understanding of this new version of Mr. Collins. When an author ventures off the canon trail… you need to have that background information in order to proceed.
This story opens immediately in the middle of a tense atmosphere at Longbourn. In the last book, we were introduced to a very different Mr. Collins than what we usually see in JAFF or even what was presented in canon. The cover is absolutely perfect in depicting this new Collins. I love the cover. That is him. This guy is so nice; I love him. His relationship with the seriously ill Mr. Bennet will simply touch your heart. As he compared this Bennet father figure to his own father… it just made me want to cry.
Mr. Collins: “When one has not had a good father, one must create one.” –Friedrich Nietzsche
We were given firsthand information, via Mr. Collins’ POV, thoughts and reflections, regarding his relationship with the elder Collins. Note: this person does not deserve the designation ‘father.’ My heart was crushed and my emotions enraged at the influence this ignorant, selfish, clod, had on an impressionable young Collins. This story will break your heart. As I write this… tomorrow is Father’s Day and it is appropriate that this book will launch in June… the month in which we celebrate and acknowledge fathers.
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” –Sigmund Freud
The interactions between Darcy, Bingley, and Collins was completely different than what we usually see in JAFF. They so wanted to help this poor man as he came into his own. They understood and could sympathize with his feelings as they too had lost their fathers. Mr. Collins was so naïve and innocent and yet so wise in other ways. He also had his eye on one of the daughters of the house and that was a different pairing than we usually see.
Although they were not the main focus, Bingley and Jane, Darcy and Elizabeth were present as they enjoyed their betrothals and interacted throughout the story. I never thought I’d read a book where Collins was front and center as well as him being a nice guy. I simply adored him. Leenie Brown made me a believer.
This gentle story touched me on many levels with its stressed importance on a father’s influence in the lives of their children. For me, it was very emotional with the approach of Father’s Day… I lost my own father just last month and the wound is still fresh.
I had followed excerpts of this story for months on the author’s news feed and looked forward to it being released. I volunteered to read an ARC [advance reader copy] and this is my honest review. Expected publication date June 28, 2018.
Leave it to Leenie Brown, to redeem the Austen characters that you usually love to hate…
She will even make you like them. Not that she transform them into something they were not but she somehow makes their essential character more palatable which is not easy to accomplish.
This is a companion story to “Mr Darcy’s Comfort” and it is an advantage to have read that before reading this novella.
Enters with Mr Collins ruminations on his appearance which made me feel compassion and a bit of pity for the large and awkward man. Aid came from a surprising but stellar set of gentlemen as Mr Collins sets out to win his ladylove.
He has to fend off matchmaking mama’s and some daunting competition but he also had some staunch supporters.
He does lack filters on what comes out of his mouth though… Which can sometimes be a blessing in disguise.
A sweet and romantic story that ended in a lovely epilogue.
Heartily recommend this book!
Remember when we loved to hate JR (Ewing on Dallas?) well, I’ve been loving to hate Mr. Collins. Loved it when he was called an odious toad. In other books he was deliciously mean and stupid. You’re going to just love Mr. Collins in this new book by Leenie Brown. He is just delicious. (Spoiler coming up). Darcy and Bingley help him fix his clothes and hair in order to attract Kitty. Mr. Collins doesn’t have his own man yet. Of course, true love doesn’t happen right away. Another suitor gets in the way. But Kitty steps up and well, you’ll have to read it to see what she does. Mr. Collins is just amazingly kind and generous, but he thinks he deserves nothing. Buy it. Read it. Love it. I did. I do. I’ll read it again.