Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation Paperback – April 14, 2015

I confess. The only reason I read P&P variations is for the extra juice of Lizzy and Mr. Darcy getting to know each other in new and delightful situations. My FAVORITES of these are the ones that involve a "compromising situation" of some sort, whether it be because of bandits, highwaymen, jealous aunts, weather or anything else. Of all the variations I've read (and it's quite a few now) this one handles their developing relationship the very best. In addition to this, my personal test of the variation's quality is how real the characters are to their original nature. This story rocks on both accounts.Mr. Darcy is hot and realistic. Lizzy feels a bit different to me than her original character, but in an endearing, almost childlike way. She's not too fluffy, stupid, strident or dimwitted like in so many variations that depend on a weak misunderstanding for plot development. Darcy isn't a simpering drama king. They're endearing, real, hot and very much in line with their original characters.Okay there *are* a few unfortunate plot twists. But truth be told, I have yet to read a variation that didn't have at least one weak plot point. That might be a necessity by the very fact that it's a variation. A few reviewers have mentioned Mr. Bennett. Yes, that's an unfortunate plot twist. Sadly, though, the book would not have much of a plot at all without this. Some device was necessary and in this case it's Mr. Bennett. This worked better for me than most variations which rely on total idiocy from the main characters. Next, subplots about Darcy's family. I didn't mind these too much. They added some flavor.And now for the worst subplot and hottest topic, the gang rape. I wonder if I was less shocked by it because I'd read the comments on it already. I suppose that was fortunate or I might have deleted the book from my kindle without finishing it. But in reality, I know a lot of women who have been raped--and that's here and now, not 200 years ago. In one group I was part of, 8 out of 10 women had been raped or molested--and always by family members. It's super unfortunate. But life does seem to go on, and almost all of these women have found a way to happiness. Actually, I was super surprised in every case when I learned about their history, because they don't come across as sad or lacking in any way. And look at the me too movement. Part of it is just acknowledging it and getting things out into the open.Which brings me to another point related to the pleasures of reading variations. Jane Austen was definitely NOT a prude. She wrote about kissing, marriage and adultery, among other things. BUT she wrote about it in a 200 year old context. Variations are fun because they give us the juicy (or gory) details behind the veil. When Jane Austen says in P&P that "there wasn't a tradesman's daughter that hasn't been meddled with" by Wickham, that likely means he raped many women in Meryton--which means he was a blackguard of the first order. An interpretation of Miss Darcy's near-elopement with Wickham essentially makes Mrs. Yonge her pimp. What I'm saying is that issues of these sorts DID and still DO happen. And, Jane Austen wrote about them--in a 200 year old context. Perhaps it would have been unusual for a gentleman's daughter to be "meddled with" but it *could* have happened. The possibility exists. As to why Mr. Darcy didn't step in, we can look at it as either pragmatism or cowardice. Of course, if he had rushed in as a hero, the plot would have had to be entirely different. He might have died in a duel or a brawl. Or perhaps he has to choose between loyalty to Lizzy, who he wants to protect by hiding his presence in Meryton, and Maria, who he doesn't know. His cover would have been thoroughly blown if he marched in.Now let's look at a passage from one of the last chapters in P&P." Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety for his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change since the period to which he alluded as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this reply produced was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but though she could not look she could listen; and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable."What do you suppose Jane meant by "he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do"??? OBVIOUSLY he hissed her! They mashed! And then hugged. The next part confirms it. You just have to read between the lines:"Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eyes, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but though she could not look she could listen; and he told her of feelings which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable."She couldn't look because first they were kissing (who kisses with their eyes open!?) and second, he was holding her close, so her face was in his chest while he spoke. We already know he is a tall man.What I'm saying is, people who think Jane Austen didn't deal with juicy or gory subjects have it all wrong. The content is there. You just have to know how to translate a 200 year old style into the modern day.

Writing: 4 StarsCharacters: 4 StarsPlot: 3 StarsEntertaining: 3.5 StarsRead Again? Not likely.What I love about Reynolds' books is that she takes the beloved characters of Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" and throws them into a "What if...?" variation of the story. However, with this book I feel she has blackened Mr. Bennet outside of his character -- making him mean-spirited, dishonest, and dishonorable. I feel that such a character could never have raised a woman as lovely as Elizabeth. I cannot forgive her the alteration. I also feel there were too many subplots: Mariah, Georgianna, Richard, Anne... Then there was no resolution regarding Jane and Mr. Bingley!I feel the book began well, but that the subplots have taken it off course. As a result, instead of a natural conclusion, I feel the end was patched and rushed. The subplots were also not explored to the fullest. Instead there was a lot of "telling"and not "showing".I think this book would have been better if Reynolds had one or two meaningful subplots that complemented the story.

I like reading P & P variations but this one is near the top of my list. I don’t hate Elizabeth or Mr. Darcy at any point during the book which is a bonus for me. I don’t like it when one of them is made to be so unlovable for part of the book & then I’m suppose to love them & be happy they got together. It’s a fun, intriguing storyline. I like that they are drawn to each other early on in the book. Overall enjoyable, easy, happy read.

I'll be honest, this book was not Ms. Reynolds' best. I really liked the first half, up until Mr Darcy and Elizabeth parted ways after being trapped together. And I mean that quite literally. They walked away from each other and the story went downhill from there. The most disturbing was the rape-aftermath scene (the rape itself happened off-screen, so to speak, for which I am grateful). It was shocking that it happened, shocking in who participated, and shocking in how it was dealt with. Although I respect the accuracy of historical attitudes towards rape and rape-victims, this was one time where a little modern way of thinking would be entirely appropriate.Anyway, after the parting of ways, the story took a decided up-and-down, wild and wacky, almost melodramatic, ride, packing in too many rapid-fire conflicts and not enough exposition and resolution. I could tell the author struggled with this portion. And I sympathize with that, too. It particularly sucks when a story won't flow right. Consequently, I thought several issues were resolved only half-heartedly, i.e., Mr Bennet's shenanigans, Anne's spectacularly awful selfishness, and Colonel Fitzwilliams' PTSD.But, there were still some extremely satisfying aspects to this story. Wrapping up Lady Catherine and her interfering ways was just...impressive. With a strong dose of just desserts. And the beach walk was pretty nice, as was the wedding. Even some of the misunderstandings were particularly well-told. And I'm not a fan of misunderstandings in general. And I loved the greater insight into Charlotte Collins' character.So, while this is not Abigail Reynolds' best work, I think the true success of this novel is the emotional reaction it evokes in its readers. Because love it or hate it, any author who can make you feel a strong response to their writing knows what they're doing. And in that way, Ms. Reynolds most definitely delivers, as always.

I just love books by Abigail Reynolds! This is another lovely story, relatively low angst, really likeable characters (for the most part!) and written beautifully!The premise of the story is similar to a few others I've read... Darcy and Elizabeth end up alone in a cabin after being trapped in a snow storm. He wants to marry her, she doesn't want an unequal marriage. They separate but soon after scandal starts and what follows is a lovely tale as Darcy tries to find Elizabeth... although there are misunderstandings on both sides and some very unkind meddling by Mr Bennet!!!In this story we see a different personality to Colonel Fitzwilliam which I actually really liked, despite initially being taken aback. Also the part of the story relating to Lady Catherine and Anne were brilliant! It offered the opportunity to see a different side to them, and to Darcy in how he responds!The Darcy in this book is brilliant... he is more self assured but retains many of the characteristics that make him emotionally vulnerable. Elizabeth starts of quite sure of herself but when the misunderstanding happens she becomes less self assured and it's quite nice to see a vulnerable Lizzy!I would have liked to see how Colonel Fitzwilliam story concluded... but that is the only point for improvement for me. I really loved this book and would highly recommend it!!

excellent read. would read more than once.

I'm not a big fan of Pride & Prejudice variations. I've read some, liked a few and none ever came even close to the original despite all the steamy love scenes, contemporary elements or even the zombies (though the zombies were so. very. good). Still, I can honestly say this book was nice, proper nice - romantic, yet very true to the period; structured, yet angsty; AU (alternative universe), yet felt plausible.It tells the same story, yet so differently. You will see Elizabeth despise Darcy, then find him hard to understand, then start to like him, and later... well, Regency novels are not supposed to speak of matters of the flesh. Around them, all of the usual suspects are present: Charlotte being clever and grounded; the Colonel - perfectly amiable as always; Wickham - adored wherever he goes, despised whenever he leaves. The only characters I really missed were Bingley and Jane - they somehow lost their important for the story and I was disappointed by that. It made Elizabeth seem that much more self-centered and one-dimentional.On the whole the book was lovely. It managed to keep my interest, ruined my real-life schedule and even made me chuckle more than once. I would say it was worth the 5 euro I paid for it after a night of agony, despising myself for being so weak that I cannot let the story go after the first (free) chapters.The book also discussed some rather important aspects of the original that I have always wondered about, including:- Why is Anne always so sickly?- Why did Mr Bennet marry a woman so far beneath him in both intelligence and position in life?- Why was Darcy so restless whenever he was alone with Elizabeth?If you are wondering what went on in Darcy's head when Elizabeth refused him, or how Lady Catherine De Bourgh solved the Anne/Darcy problem, this book is for you. Definitely an enjoyable read for a Sunday afternoon.

Another perfect pride and prejudice variation! My favourite author has written another satisfying and sweet story. Elizabeth and Darcy are perfect and I allllllways love a stranded together story. I have nothing to critique - loved every part of it. Fantastic writer and original storylines. Keep them coming!!!

Clearly I was in need of some Darcy and Elizabeth, because I read this book in two days. Abigail Reynolds never disappoint her readers and this Pride and Prejudice variations is as enjoyable as the others and a great page turner. This time Darcy and Elizabeth have to deal with obstacles that comes from someone they would never imagine capable of something like that.The missing star is due to the lack of Jane and Bingley in this story...