Mr. Darcy's Pledge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (Mr. Darcy Seeks a Wife) Paperback – April 26, 2014

Well, I've done it again. Bought a book that is only the first part of a series with the rest of the series (how many more??) to be published at an unknown date. Not a good process for me. In addition, it seems that when this happens the various volumes are shorter but no less expensive. The book is short but still drags a bit....too much insignificant conversation. I found myself skipping pages to get through some of that. At the end, we have only gotten to the runaway of Wickham and Lydia, not the resolution. The relationship between Darcy and Georgiana is emphasized and is unrealistic for those of us who have read many of these variations where Georgiana stays true to her basic personality. There are some writing/proofreading errors (she/he mixups, Bennett/Bingley, etc.) but they didn't really bother me.....only presented a need to read the sentence twice. Overall, it was somewhat enjoyable, but I doubt I will purchase additional volumes. When authors decide to write a multi-volume series, I believe it should be made clear up front how many volumes will be published and the dates to expect them. (In my mind, I believe all the volumes have already been written and will be released periodically in order to gain additional profit for the author/publisher/whoever.)

I’m really enjoying the fact that this is written from Darcy and Georgiana’s point of view. I also like that Darcy is comically human and caring his age for a change. 28 is not too old not to still be ruled by impulses and Darcy’s are hilarious. I also like how Caroline is portrayed - not as a grasping intolerable person, but as a women who genuinely believes herself in love. All the characters are very well written. I was not expecting a cliffhanger, but I’m very excited to see what happens next to our hero as he goes on his quest to prove his love…

Normally I like Ms Fairview’s novels, but this one misses the mark by far. Not only does the reader have to suffer through Darcy’s indecisions and foolishness for more than half of this first volume, then when he finally decides to try and win Elizabeth’s hand, we only have reached the point of Lydia’s elopement with Wickham. Only Georgiana and the Bingleys seem to have good mature sense. There are errors in the book that should have been caught. The surname Bingley for Bennet is one example. And most grievous — after we are told twice that Darcy never gave Elizabeth his letter at Rosings after his bungled proposal, there’s reference to Georgiana’s narrow escape from Wickham which Elizabeth would not have known about without the letter. I for one will not bother to read volume 2 as I don’t want to read such a repetitious book.

Loved Monica's variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. More time is given in this book to the tortured mind and soul after his ill faded marriage proposal at Hunsford. As he plays it over and over in his mind, he begins to pull out statements, words, thoughts that should not have been included in a proposal. Gnawing at him, he decides that he must write a list a characteristics this wife must have. His list starts with ideals that as he rereads, he crosses out, because these really don't matter crumbles up his paper and starts again. As he begins again, he realizes all important ideals fit Lizzy. He also needs a wife to help with Georgiana's coming out Season. Driving around the Lambton area, Darcy remembers his mother's friend Lady Renwick. Lady Renwick seems to be excited to help because her niece, Miss Elinor Marshall, is coming out, and she could help them both. After Georgiana meets Miss Marshall, she is not impressed at all and begins to worry that her brother is thinking of marriage after such a short notice.

I was excited about reading this book, due to the summary. As I stated it started off well, in terms of explaining how Darcy must have felt about Lizzy's rejection. He decides to try to find another choice, but is torn between his love for Lizzy and family expectations. I love the fact that Georgiana is a main character in this story. We get to see why she and Darcy have a strong relationship. Then book takes a weird turn, as Lizzy ends up at Pemberley, due to carriage accident while traveling with her aunt and uncle. Completely deviating from the novel and even the book. He rescues them and they stay for a while for Lizzy's uncle to recover. This reaffirms for Darcy is love for her and decides to try to win her love. Another tidbit, he has not given he the professed letter about what happened with Wickham or about Bingley. All in all, if you don't mind a deviation from the original story or even the movie it was an interesting read.

There were some things I liked about this book, but others I disliked equally. Most importantly Darcy goes from an arrogant snob into a man obsessed with Elizabeth Bennet. Love is one thing, but the tone of this personality re-write was way over the top. He can't even make a single intelligent conversation without falling into a daydream about Lizzy.I liked the rearrangement of scenes - the story is based on the idea that Darcy writes, but never gives The Letter to Lizzy. But overall it didn't quite work for me, with more unpleasant Fitzwilliam relatives and new characters that weren't much beyond tropes. Georgina has a bigger role in this story arc, but she's still not a very interesting character on her own.

I was very pleased when I was asked if I would review Mr Darcy's Pledge (Volume I) for the lovely Monica Fairview. (I was provided with a review copy but this is my honest, unbiased opinion.) And I was not disappointed as I really, really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the second volume to be published so I can see how this story is going to resolve! How I hate cliff hangers!First off, this was another very well written variation. The writing style was excellent; it was easy reading, flowed very well and the language was very good. Another thing which I loved about her writing was her talent for description and painting the picture of the surroundings and the scene, creating a really strong image of what's going on - it is perfect for readers who see the story play out like a film in their head as they read, like I do! So for me it was so much fun to read, for with the brilliant descriptions it made the images even stronger! (She also made Pemberley sound even more idyllic than it already was to me, if that is possible!)As you can probably guess from the blurb, this story is going to have some angst and will most likely annoy you at times! It did me - Darcy can't give up on Elizabeth and go after ANOTHER WOMAN?! But although frustrating at times, it was a fun story.Elizabeth's blunt rejection of Darcy has hit him hard. Really hard. As he comments himself, "he had been unlucky enough to fall in love with one of the least practical woman in England." As a result, Darcy reverts back to head over heart attitude, not allowing his actions to be ruled by passion. He realises he needs a wife, and he will find one, and go about finding one in the most business-like manner he can - he even starts writing lists of what he requires in a wife! He WILL be organised and make a rational choice, for being controlled by his romantic impulses in the past didn't go well...Seeing Darcy in this state and truly seeing into his thoughts after the rejection was heart breaking! I felt so sorry for him and I wanted to jump into the book and hug him! (There were also times when, because of his decision to try and forget Elizabeth, I wanted to jump into the book to either shake him or slap him round the face!) I am finding that the more and more variations I read, the more we see into his thoughts, and I pity him and love him more and more! But this was particularly true with this book, as the description of his inner turmoil was so powerfully written! He is so sweet and so very confused as he struggles with the battle of his head vs. his heart!I really, really fell for Darcy all over again in this variation. As well as seeing him in his dejected state and watching his bumbled attempts to move on and his search for a suitable, appropriate wife, we also get some sweet glimpses into his past and I loved hearing of Darcy's childhood antics! (He also has a great valet, Briggs, who is a forward, but funny and cheeky, servant and has a good relationship with his master, even if Darcy has to throw a cushion at him to keep him in check sometimes! I always love what I call Darcy 'behind the scenes' moments, when he abandons his master of Pemberley mask.)We are also privy to the journey he experiences after the painful rejection as Elizabeth's words really start to sink in and the humbling and realisation begins. This is also sad to read as he reviews his past behaviour and replays Lizzy's harsh comments in his head over and over and starts to see that she was right.Another reason why I fell for Darcy in this book was thanks to Georgiana. This book is written completely from the Darcys point of views, and it switches between both Darcy and Georgiana throughout which I really, really enjoyed. It meant we got to know both Darcy and Georgiana really well, as well as see plenty of them together, and I always love to see more of their strong brother and sister relationship which we see glimpses of in the original.Before I talk more about the siblings together, let me start with Georgiana. She has always been one of my favourite secondary characters so it was very nice to read the sections where we see her thoughts and feelings. We really get to know her well and she goes on her own journey in this story, as she grows more confident (and even teasing, especially of her brother!) and it's fantastic to see. She really made me smile through the story, and there were many times when I was willing her on as she battled certain unwanted visitors - but I won't ruin it for you!Back to Darcy and Georgiana. I think their relationship was my favourite thing about this book. We really get to see just how close these two are and it was delightful, and really touching. They are just how I imagine them to be; Georgiana running to the window when she hears what she hopes is her brothers carriage, Darcy giving her a real brotherly welcome and swinging her around (picture the scene in the 2005 film!). Their bond is just brilliant. There are many instances throughout with sweet scenes between the pair, as Darcy begins to involve his sister in his search for a wife. It really was fantastic.Unsurprisingly, as this is only the first part of the story, Elizabeth doesn't come back into it until after half way through. But I didn't find this a problem as I thought I might (as I love to see Darcy and Lizzy together) because Georgiana and Darcy were just brilliant together and could really hold the story and my interest in it without the need for Elizabeth. But, she does come back into things and it is sweet when she does, for then comes the charming and gallant Darcy! There are some fun, cute - and slightly awkward! - scenes (including a wet shirt scene!) which take place during Elizabeth's time at Pemberley (why she ends up having to stay there I will not reveal!) and I cannot wait to see them more in company in the next volume. Georgiana and Elizabeth also get on very well, as would be expected, and I look forward to seeing their relationship develop too.A few other interesting relationships to read about, as it is from Darcy or Georgiana's point of view, was that between the Darcys and the Bingleys.Caroline shows up, of course, her sights still set on Darcy, but as I said earlier, Miss Marshall makes her seem the better option and I even felt sorry for Caroline at one point - unheard of I know!There are some tense moments between Darcy and Bingley as the issue of the separation of him and Jane has to be sorted, but also some funny scenes and a nice insight into their relationship as good friends, as well as heartbroken, disappointed lovers!All I can say is, when is the next instalment coming out!? I really cannot wait to read the next volume to see how it will all resolve, for of course the story leaves you with a few cliff hangers and unanswered questions! The ending was brilliant though, as you learn just why the book is called Mr Darcy's Pledge!I am completely drawn into this wonderful story and will be reading volume II as soon as it comes out!

I really rather liked this story. It is well written, flowed easily, and I found myself engrossed and didn't want to put it down. Darcy has taken it upon himself to be proactive and practical; if he can't have Elizabeth, then he will simply have to find someone else. Enter into the fray the niece of one of Darcy's neighbours - rich, well connected, the perfect wife that society would accept as mistress of Pemberley, and everything that Elizabeth is not. Cold, somewhat artful, unappreciative of Darcy helping out his tenants during the haymaking.I was highly amused at him listing all the qualities he wanted in a wife, and even considering asking Caroline for assistance in finding a decent lady to marry, and enjoyed Georgiana having a greater role in the story. She begins to stand up for herself more and more, even when Lady Matlock takes it upon herself to try to arrange a marriage for her.My only real niggle is that there are a few mistakes that editing didn't catch, but I liked the story well enough that I could overlook them,Just bought part two in the series, and looking forward to seeing how the story continues.

Very well written and believable characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author has developed the story and included different twists and turns. Downside? Only that the character of Caroline has been softened too much, although introducing another plying to be mistress of Pemberley was a good addition. Have already purchased the sequel.

I thought it passed the time well enough, but I couldn't really detect the real Mr Darcy in its pages. As it drew to a close the story seemed rushed and more and more unlikely. I doubt if I'll be reading the next installment.

Loved it and was fully absorbed in the plot but as always it signed off with a cliff hanger and now you have to wait for the sequel. Still would recommend.