Mr. Darcy was an enigma… until he spoke. Then, he was the enemy.Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s eyes are instantly drawn towards a handsome, mysterious guest who arrives at the Meryton Assembly with the Bingley party. The gentleman destroys her illusions by delivering an insult that turns him from Mr. Divinely Attractive to the Abominable Mr. Darcy.While Elizabeth sets in motion her strategy for … strategy for retaliation, Darcy plans to win the campaign being waged in the genteel drawing rooms of Hertfordshire. As more players from Jane Austen’s beloved cast of characters enter the fray, complications arise–some with irreversible consequences. Can a truce be called before their hearts become casualties as well? How many times can two people go from enemies to friends and back again before it’s too late?
A Regency romance from best-selling author, J. Dawn King, inspired by Pride and Prejudice.
BONUS: Read the first chapter of Elizabeth Ann West’s full-length novel, “To Capture Mr. Darcy”. It is now available.
more
Reviewed: May 1, 2017
This was a fun and delightfully entertaining variation on Pride and Prejudice that had many references to military strategy including a quote from “The Art of War” stated by Miss Elizabeth Bennet! Brilliant!
“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.”
As the book description states, all eyes are on the Netherfield party as they enter the Assembly in Meryton. Sir William Lucas struts forth to introduce his family and Mrs. Bennet, with the precision of military strategist, gets four of her daughters introduced as well. Elizabeth not being one of them, watches from a distance as the ‘Overtly Gorgeous’ and ‘Practically Perfect’ interacts, until he spoke…then he becomes ‘Blatantly Offensive’. With her pride offended from his remarks, she compared Mr. Darcy to a peacock!
“At any moment, he might start shaking his tail feathers and squawk!”
There is so much to love in this story. Colonel Fitzwilliam has a major role in this tale, and he soon finds a friend in Charlotte Lucas, as they try to figure out how Darcy and Elizabeth really feel about each other. The Colonel also calls Darcy on the carpet for his attitude and lack of action in dealing with Anne de Bourgh and Miss Bingley.
Due to Mr. Bennet’s indolent ways, Elizabeth feels she must protect her family and views herself as a warrior. She took her father’s words to heart and set a battle plan in motion…nothing was going to get between Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley’s budding romance! She had the makings of a General but along the way, she realized she was her mother’s daughter!
Georgiana soon arrives and we get to see a lovely relationship build between her and Elizabeth. Miss Bingley is bound and determined to win Mr. Darcy and no one will stand in her way. But then disaster strikes, and all gains are swept away in the tumult.
I highly recommend this novel for it’s originality and the emotions that it stirred in me. Oh how my heart swelled!
An okay read.
Chess references, king, queen, pawn
I loved this story. There were times I laughed out loud or giggled like a little girl. J. Dawn King was sneaky with her humor. She created humorous scenes that caught you completely off guard. I nearly snorted my morning coffee through my nose. It was totally unexpected.
The first chapter was a delight as Elizabeth watched the new arrivals at the assembly. She assigned all manner of fabulous adjectives in lieu of names for the tall dark and handsome gentleman from London: Mr. Divinely Attractive, Mr. Heavenly Visage, Mr. Stately Sculpted…etc. How creative and amusing… until he opened his mouth and said his snarky “tolerable” remark that not only Elizabeth heard but her neighbors and friends as well. This set up days of gossipy remarks from her neighbors as his disdain and refusal to stand up with her grew with each retelling.
Mrs. Bennet: she finally saw that she could relax her nerves and manage things better without the disruptive behavior of the two younger girls. She could focus on her two older girls and their chances for a good marriage. And then they could help with securing matches for the younger girls.
Mr. Bennet continued to stay in his book room unless motivated to step out.
Colonel Fitzwilliam traveled with Darcy on this trip and took notice of a young lady in the area. This budding friendship was a surprise and yet very agreeable. He was really smart in watching ODC. He used chess references several times as he watched their maneuvers. Darcy was King, Elizabeth Queen and Caroline was a pawn. Yeah, he was really cute.
Caroline outdid herself in this version. She was determined to show Darcy and everyone else that she was the best candidate for Mistress of Pemberley. She was awful and would not listen even when Bingley and her sister Mrs. Hurst tried to tell her Darcy was not interested. She wanted to demonstrate her prowess as a hostess and got her wish big time. The reveal is a shocker and I’ve not seen it used before. Her dinner will be remembered forever.
This story really deals with motivations: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet wanting to secure Longbourn and marriages for their daughters. Sir William Lucas and wife wanting a marriage for Charlotte that will elevate them with society and St. James. They feel Mr. Collins has connections with Lady Catherine and her brother is the Earl of Matlock. Mr. Collins only wants to serve and do whatever Lady Catherine says.
ODC had a terrible time holding a civil conversation without completely misunderstanding each other. It was so much fun watching them come to terms with their relationship. I loved it. I don’t want to spoil anything by giving it away. It did slow down their progress several times and I groaned with despair of their ever finding their HEA. But then laughed hysterically at the next scene. You have to read it to believe what happened. Knocked Darcy for a loop.
Wickham arrived with the militia and was dealt with rather quickly.
Lady Catherine…you will not believe her actions and consequences.
The relationship between Georgiana and Elizabeth was so sweet. I liked how Elizabeth helped her deal with emotions and feelings that a brother just couldn’t understand.
Love me some Mr Darcy. This is a good, quick, clean read.
I liked this variation. Then I went on to read a few more of her stories. I started to wonder, “Why not just write a new regency romance instead of imagining the same characters making different decision or having varied motivations?” Fun reading, great prices.
I loved the original, but this was a nice read- familiar characters and feel. It turns out in a nice happily ever after manner. It is a modern, feel good version. I like it very much. I always felt Charlotte deserved better!