Reviews

Haunting Mr. Darcy by KaraLynne Mackrory

jbayze's review

2.0

Nope.

mdabernig's review

5.0

I have three real types of kryptonite when it comes to my reading habits - I'm a sucker for a tragic hero, I'm a weepy, sappy mess for past life to present day romances and, as can be seen by my reading list, I am a sucker for Austeny books, in particular, Pride and Prejudice re-tellings. It doesn't matter if Darcy is a present day business man or an 18th century gentleman, I don't care if it's funny, tragic, a future take, a past take, a fanfic retelling or whatever, the odds are that I will read it, and I will love it.

I say this as I am fully, 100% aware that I am extremely biased about books like these, and I know I should be objective and all that, but I just don't care. Still, don't take my word on it if you are considering reading it - it's my kryptonite.

With that in mind, needless to say I loved this. It starts with Elizabeth having an accident on New Year's, after making a wish that Darcy would have to long for something he couldn't have in the coming year. Her accident knocks her unconscious and when she awakes, she finds herself hovering in an unfamiliar library, only to soon encounter a bedraggled Mr Darcy who has been determined to put Elizabeth out of his mind. Elizabeth believes she's dreaming, Darcy believes he is going mad and thus begins the story.

All the important parts of the book are covered in this but in a new way, and I appreciated that, although it was a little strange to see other characters say lines from someone else. It worked though, and you get caught up in and of course you buy into the romance. It's Darcy and Elizabeth, OF COURSE you buy into the romance.

There was a lot of humour and I just really enjoyed it. I will definitely need to read the other books by the author.

So yeah, completely biased as I am, I enjoyed it and I would recommend it, if retellings are your thing.

vesper1931's review

4.0

A Pride and Prejudice variation set after the Bingleys and Darcy have left for London, After leaving a Meryton Assembly the carriage containing Elizabeth and Jane Bennet is involved in an accident seriously hurting Elizabeth. Whereupon her 'spirit' finds itself in the Library of Darcy House with Darcy at home.
Can they learn to love, can Elizabeth re-enter her body, can they love again?

readundancies's review

hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Words cannot express how poor of a life choice I made when I decided to start this book this morning because I had two exams today and it really was not advisable for me to pick up such delightful read - but here we are. 

And I can’t come to regret the decision. 

If you’re into Pride and Prejudice reimaginings/retellings then you are in for a bloody TREAT because this might be one of my favourites by far. The plot is a bit slow, and Darcy’s tendency to make problems larger than they truly are can be a bit trying at times, but other than the fact that I didn’t squeal aloud while reading at any point, this tale is pretty darn close to flawless.

I never wanted to put it down (even when I should have), the characterization was brilliant and the paranormal twist being the main plot line was executed in a way that was, simply put, to die for. 

I adored this story, and if you’ve got a hunkering for the three R’s (romance, Regency, and a dash of ridiculousness) then this book won’t steer you wrong.

loveforwords's review

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Four stars because it's an entertaining read. Honestly, I have no idea what to say about it except that the hilarity of the concept makes up for the weirdness.

Is it a perfect book? I wouldn't say so: the writing's wordy and repetitive at some points, the characters are a bit diverted from the originals, and the pacing is quite slow.

But boy was is nice to read bits of the original dialogue woven into the new storyline. It's a crazy novel that made me laugh out loud at some points. And anything Pride and Prejudice owns a part of my heart before I've even taken a good look at it, so...

rlaurene's review

emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

kiora's review

5.0

I think this has been one of most favorite pride and prejudice spin offs ever. The paranormal aspect lets them throw caution to the wind with their interaction. It's funny and different; I could not put it down last night.

elizabaum's review

3.0

This book was cute and fluffy. Sometimes a little too fluffy, but that's probably a matter of preference. The concept was interesting and fun. I would have liked for Elizabeth to have taken a little longer to come around to her love for Darcy, but the circumstances of the story didn't really allow for it. The conflict was fairly low, and even the Wickham storyline got almost entirely brushed over, so I admit I was doing a quasi-skim at times to get to the next major events. Enjoyable for a few hours entertainment, but not something I imagine myself ever rereading.

isalavinia's review

4.0

This was such a fun-filled Pride and Prejudice re-telling!

Elizabeth has a carriage accident and is left in a coma. To her absolute consternation her spirit wanders off to Mr Darcy's townhouse, where he'd escaped to attempt to purge himself of his admiration of Elizabeth's fine eyes.

Elizabeth, finding herself in Mr Darcy's library faced with the man himself in dishabille, assumes she's dreaming (or having a nightmare, more likely) the whole thing.
Mr Darcy assumes he's finally headed to Bedlam for his obsession with Elizabeth has him hallucinating the lady in his own house.
Given this situation both of them are more relaxed about everything, since they believe it's all happening in their heads.

Darcy tries to go about his days refusing to acknowledge Elizabeth's presence in hopes of making his madness disappear.
Elizabeth, who is now bound to Mr Darcy like a dog on a leash, amuses herself by provoking him so most of his relations start to think he's actually gone mad.

The progression of their relationship was so much FUN!
Instead of purple-prosed declarations of undying love, Darcy just says whatever is on his mind, which is invariably telling Elizabeth she's pretty and that he loves her wit.
Elizabeth is always a bit uncomfortable with this because she'd assumed Mr Darcy disliked her, but as time goes by they get to know each other and it's so... sweet, without being nauseating and absurd!

In spite of the plot being ripe for that sort of thing, even in spirit and though Darcy is more open when it comes to saying things he'd otherwise never say to a lady, they keep proprieties in place.
I'm not a prude at all, and don't object to sex - if well written - in the books I read. But I always find it so unlikely in Regency England, what with the way they were raised, to have the main couple just jump into bed together...

Anyway, if you like a slow moving getting-to-know-each-other relationship, with humour thrown into the mix, and characters acting like normal and sensible people, then this is the book for you!

ravenmoon's review

5.0

This book is just as great a read the second time around. I don't believe the author added anything to this re-release.