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ladyhippolyta's review
5.0
This novel was amazing. Long, intense and fully character-focused. I loved this version of Elizabeth - positive and kind, even in the most difficult of circumstances and dignified in the face of horrible, self-satisfied members of the Darcy/Fitzwilliam family. And once he is made aware of Elizabeth's feelings, I loved Darcy too and his efforts to be worthy of her.
Would definitely recommend and would read again.
Would definitely recommend and would read again.
octavietullier's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sophiarose1816's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A forced marriage scenario, bitter recriminations, and a deeply emotional slow burn romance made for a momentous first encounter with the author’s respectful nod to Jane Austen’s most famous classic. Lucy Marin is a nearly new to me author whom I’ve been wanting to read one of her full-length stories for a while and, when I spotted Harry Frost was voicing the story, I had not a doubt in the world that I was not going to be disappointed.
Being Mrs. Darcy asks a few fundamental ‘what if’ questions in this P&P variation that takes an off scene dramatic encounter that occurred chronologically before the events of Austen’s original story that effects the whole rest of the story. First, what if Georgiana Darcy’s interrupted Ramsgate elopement had been interrupted not by Darcy, but Elizabeth? Second, what if the situation that ensued threatened to damage their reputations rather than Georgiana’s so they are forced to marry? Third, and of the greatest significance is now that their marriage takes place before his Pride has been properly humbled and he doesn’t realize the jewel of a woman he married until it is too late.
Being Mrs. Darcy separates Elizabeth, a comfortable small estate owner’s daughter, from her relatively humble origins and pitches her into the world of wealth, high society, and entitled people- literally titled, actually. Her husband is disgusted and her new sister in law hates her. Her father inexplicably sent her into exile breaking her connection with her family. And, now she is undergoing a grueling and humiliating experience with Darcy’s paternal and maternal relations while she learns what it means to be Mrs. Darcy. Isolated and lonely, she takes the good advice of her aunt and does her best, but her best will never be enough for these people.
However, slowly, Darcy is on a personal journey of the heart and Elizabeth has no idea she’s the teacher. He has all the voices from family and his own bitterness telling him he’s being punished with such a wife. Only, slowly, he realizes that she’s bright, intelligent, lovely, and his household, tenants, friends, and neighbors including his resentful sister and judgmental relations are all in Elizabeth’s good, capable hands. It takes a betrayal from one close to him and Elizabeth’s good will finally being all used up before the stunning truths all coalesce for him. Is it too late?
Being Mrs. Darcy was emotionally exhausting, but captivating to listen to. Darcy dug a deep hole and Elizabeth, well, she was pretty much a candidate for sainthood early on. The author didn’t make a forced marriage between two strangers from different social classes easy and she didn’t make it easy once everything was out in the open. Elizabeth was in agony for the first half – trust me, it got ugly with characters like a mean, uppity Georgiana with a bitter, resentful Darcy- and Darcy had to work hard for much of the second half- felt like good balance to what he put her through early on. Totally worth it to see them through it all in this strong character-driven plot which lagged at times, but steadily made it to a fabulous finish.
Harry Frost vocalized this large cast of characters masterfully and he got the emotional depth of the story so well that I went through the feels right along with the characters. His work accentuated an already fab story making it even better.
All in all, whether familiar with Austen’s work or new to it, this is an excellent choice for sweet historical romance fans who like a hard-fought forced marriage situation.
Being Mrs. Darcy asks a few fundamental ‘what if’ questions in this P&P variation that takes an off scene dramatic encounter that occurred chronologically before the events of Austen’s original story that effects the whole rest of the story. First, what if Georgiana Darcy’s interrupted Ramsgate elopement had been interrupted not by Darcy, but Elizabeth? Second, what if the situation that ensued threatened to damage their reputations rather than Georgiana’s so they are forced to marry? Third, and of the greatest significance is now that their marriage takes place before his Pride has been properly humbled and he doesn’t realize the jewel of a woman he married until it is too late.
Being Mrs. Darcy separates Elizabeth, a comfortable small estate owner’s daughter, from her relatively humble origins and pitches her into the world of wealth, high society, and entitled people- literally titled, actually. Her husband is disgusted and her new sister in law hates her. Her father inexplicably sent her into exile breaking her connection with her family. And, now she is undergoing a grueling and humiliating experience with Darcy’s paternal and maternal relations while she learns what it means to be Mrs. Darcy. Isolated and lonely, she takes the good advice of her aunt and does her best, but her best will never be enough for these people.
However, slowly, Darcy is on a personal journey of the heart and Elizabeth has no idea she’s the teacher. He has all the voices from family and his own bitterness telling him he’s being punished with such a wife. Only, slowly, he realizes that she’s bright, intelligent, lovely, and his household, tenants, friends, and neighbors including his resentful sister and judgmental relations are all in Elizabeth’s good, capable hands. It takes a betrayal from one close to him and Elizabeth’s good will finally being all used up before the stunning truths all coalesce for him. Is it too late?
Being Mrs. Darcy was emotionally exhausting, but captivating to listen to. Darcy dug a deep hole and Elizabeth, well, she was pretty much a candidate for sainthood early on. The author didn’t make a forced marriage between two strangers from different social classes easy and she didn’t make it easy once everything was out in the open. Elizabeth was in agony for the first half – trust me, it got ugly with characters like a mean, uppity Georgiana with a bitter, resentful Darcy- and Darcy had to work hard for much of the second half- felt like good balance to what he put her through early on. Totally worth it to see them through it all in this strong character-driven plot which lagged at times, but steadily made it to a fabulous finish.
Harry Frost vocalized this large cast of characters masterfully and he got the emotional depth of the story so well that I went through the feels right along with the characters. His work accentuated an already fab story making it even better.
All in all, whether familiar with Austen’s work or new to it, this is an excellent choice for sweet historical romance fans who like a hard-fought forced marriage situation.
stuffandwhatnot's review against another edition
4.5
Another JAFF. This one is a twist on the 'Elizabeth was at Ramsgate and protected Georgiana from Wickham' trope, in that Georgiana is most decidedly not pleased about it all. Somehow (I'm not entirely certain how the events lead to this precisely) Elizabeth and Darcy must marry to prevent ruin and gossip. You know, the usual. Darcy's family are all oh, she's the daughter of a minor country gentleman? She must have the manners of a feral wolf! Whatever shall we do?
Cue chapters and chapters of Elizabeth trying to make the best of things with grace, and Darcy (and his family) watching her like a hawk, all while Georgiana acts like a spoiled, snobby teenage girl put out by not getting her way and not having 100% of her brother's attention anymore.
Things come to a head around the 40% mark with a 'Hunsford rejection' moment and the delicious Darcy soul-searching/amends-making commences. There are a couple of chapters of just Darcy reflecting on things and going from "How dare she say such rude things to me" to "Oh my god I've behaved like an oaf she will never forgive me" That's the stuff I love.
Cue chapters and chapters of Elizabeth trying to make the best of things with grace, and Darcy (and his family) watching her like a hawk, all while Georgiana acts like a spoiled, snobby teenage girl put out by not getting her way and not having 100% of her brother's attention anymore.
Things come to a head around the 40% mark with a 'Hunsford rejection' moment and the delicious Darcy soul-searching/amends-making commences. There are a couple of chapters of just Darcy reflecting on things and going from "How dare she say such rude things to me" to "Oh my god I've behaved like an oaf she will never forgive me" That's the stuff I love.
defiantfalcon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maria_pulver's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
The part where Elizabeth and Darcy have to go through the difficulties of an unexpected marriage are really good written and some of it would probably apply to the original E&D as well.
The last third of the book is, however, less interesting and feels like forced happy end
The part where Elizabeth and Darcy have to go through the difficulties of an unexpected marriage are really good written and some of it would probably apply to the original E&D as well.
The last third of the book is, however, less interesting and feels like forced happy end
katelennon05's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
samhend101's review against another edition
5.0
2022- This author writes very compelling stories. Her Darcys are complex and NOT likeable! It takes time till he gets his schooling and processes how awful he is.
2021 - Reread, or rather a listen to Harry Frost's rendition on audiobook.
He did a wonderful job bringing LM's story to life.
Listening to Elizabeth go through the early months of her marriage, was even more excruciating than reading it. After the big fight, when Darcy took his time blaming Elizabeth for everything, before turning things around, I scoffed SO many times.
Loved it!
2020- Oh wow, such a well written book, don't even think there were any editing/grammar issues (refreshing!)
I had a hard time with the first third of the book. Lizzy was very un-Lizzyish. Which I guess makes sense under the circumstances and it is kind of a set up for the rest of the book. But even towards the end she isn't as Lizzyish as one might expect. It doesn't not, however, take away from the story.
It is possible the difficulty I had with the first third was - it was difficult! Our heroin is very uncomfortable emotionally and as a reader you get swept up with that.
Regarding the physical aspect of the relationship (quite well done, not too OTT at all!) I would have liked to have had even more of Elizabeth's emotional/mental/physical process through it all. She was a maiden, did not love the man, and wasn't even highly thought of by him. There could have been much more delving in to that aspect of the book, even keeping it tastefully done- Good job LM!
2021 - Reread, or rather a listen to Harry Frost's rendition on audiobook.
He did a wonderful job bringing LM's story to life.
Listening to Elizabeth go through the early months of her marriage, was even more excruciating than reading it. After the big fight, when Darcy took his time blaming Elizabeth for everything, before turning things around, I scoffed SO many times.
Loved it!
2020- Oh wow, such a well written book, don't even think there were any editing/grammar issues (refreshing!)
I had a hard time with the first third of the book. Lizzy was very un-Lizzyish. Which I guess makes sense under the circumstances and it is kind of a set up for the rest of the book. But even towards the end she isn't as Lizzyish as one might expect. It doesn't not, however, take away from the story.
It is possible the difficulty I had with the first third was - it was difficult! Our heroin is very uncomfortable emotionally and as a reader you get swept up with that.
Regarding the physical aspect of the relationship (quite well done, not too OTT at all!) I would have liked to have had even more of Elizabeth's emotional/mental/physical process through it all. She was a maiden, did not love the man, and wasn't even highly thought of by him. There could have been much more delving in to that aspect of the book, even keeping it tastefully done- Good job LM!
brinastewart's review
3.0
This one was harder for me to rate than I would have liked. I am glad to have read it but it was drawn out, especially the loneliness and hurt part. I get it helped for the build up but I would have at least liked it to have evened out with equal happiness and love, which felt a bit rushed at the end. The situation with Georgiana was left more open than I hoped for and there were a few other things I had hoped had more closure or building upon.
momopeach's review
5.0
A rather quick read filled with the bEsT plot device of all... not speaking to one another. I immensely enjoyed how Marin wove together this new perspective of P&P and how it would have been for Darcy and Elizabeth to become the happy couple that we so enjoy if they were thrown together in the very beginning.