Kara Louise

4.5/5
I really, really enjoyed this book. When I read books that change something within the original Pride and Prejudice timeline, I often find myself disappointed, thrown out of the story, or exclaiming, "That would never happen!". This book, with the introduction of a handsome, dastardly new character, as well as the lost letter, does a very good job at keeping tone with Austen's work while whisking the reader down a new path of adventures with Mr. Darcy and Miss Bennett. I love that I show more always know how the novels will end, yet there are always surprises. This novel also did a great job at keeping me questioning how the story would resolve instead of just meandering down the path of least resistance. show less

DARCY’S VOYAGE
by Kara Louise
Sourcebooks Landmark
9781402241024
Historical Fiction
September 2010
$14.99/$17.99/£7.99 UK
505 pages

Summary
Elizabeth Bennet is off to America to visit her aunt and uncle. Her father, is loathe for her to go, but after placing her in the care of the competent captain, he acquiesces and waves goodbye from the docks. Elizabeth is sailing in steerage on Pemberley’s Promise, and soon discovers that the dark and close quarters are undesirable. She walks on deck in the show more early morning to breathe the clean air. She gives up her bed to a woman with sick children, leaving her only place left to sleep on the floor. The handsome and aloof Mr. Darcy, sailing in one of the most elegant cabins, has taken notice of the unconventional and attractive Elizabeth. In true Pride and Prejudice style the characters of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet banter back and forth as they stroll the boards of the ship. They met once before several years ago in a carriage ride. It was clear then as now their social circles were completely opposite, yet drawn to each other. This is the story of the marriage, between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy that occurred while on board the ship. A marriage on paper only, for propriety’s sake, as they both agree to a future annulment upon Darcy’s return to London.

Review
With the countless retells of Pride and Prejudice on the shelves these days, I was not sure I wanted to sit down for another version. With welcomed delight, this one is full of life, honors the memory of the original and offers a scenario of happenstance that works. I did notice that this Elizabeth is a little more agreeable, with a little less of an edge to her colorful conversations. Her personality is softer in the beginning, than the original Elizabeth, but perhaps she is characterized this way on purpose. Traveling alone without the security of family surrounding her, she is more vulnerable. I fell in love with Mr. Darcy all over again and it is painful to read his despair upon losing Elizabeth in America. In fact their separation caused me frequent anxiety reading the story, hastening my pace to find out how it all works out. The love between the two is prideful and the prejudice still remains. As they once again appear to be star-crossed, these memorable lovers from historical literature are presented by Kara Louise with endearment. Darcy’s Voyage takes you beyond the continent and back, and with her responsible portrayal, you still feel the depth of their passion, their desire and their need for one another. Loved it! show less

A year has passed since Darcy and Elizabeth have crossed paths, and for once he is looking forward to his annual sojourn to Rosings Park to visit his aunt. What he doesn’t know is that Elizabeth’s life has been turned topsy-turvy. Mrs. Bennet’s fears from the original story have come to pass: Mr. Bennet has indeed passed away and therefore Mr. Collins has taken control of her beloved Longbourne putting the Bennet women out. Lizzie now works in London as a governess.

In London, Lizzie show more ponders the proposal she received from Darcy with sadness, softening towards him as she re-reads the letter he wrote her after her rejection, but still believes she made the right choice in refusing him. Soon Lizzie is thrown back into the world of Darcy when the Willstones (the family she works for) throw a party and among the guests are Mr. Bingley and Georgiana Darcy. Upon discovering Lizzie’s acquaintance with the Darcy family, Rosalyn (Mrs. Willstone’s sister) spills her secrets to Lizzie about how she has been terribly in love with Fitzwilliam ever since she met him. Fearing her job, Lizzie remains quiet about her previous dealings with Darcy and her jealousy at Rosalyn’s divulgence.

As one can assume, Lizzie soon finds herself thrust into Darcy’s social circle and eventually with an invitation to Pemberley. The more Lizzie is around Darcy, the harder it is to deny to herself that she has feelings for him, but will Mrs. Willstone place Rosalyn between them and remind Elizabeth of her place?

Originally self-published in 2008 as Something Like Regret, Only Mr. Darcy Will Do is one of six Pride and Prejudice continuations written by Kara Louise. Kara’s writing is captivating, her characterizations remain true to Austen’s original and I found the plot to be a creative concept which left me decidedly entertained. I’m really looking forward to checking out Darcy’s Voyage now that I’ve gotten my hands on a copy as well. 4/5.

http://www.read-all-over.net/fiction/historical/book-review-only-mr-darcy-will-d... show less

Check out that cover y'all. I think it is really pretty. I read the ebook version, but if I ever come across a used copy I'll have to grab it to add to my shelves.

Okay, I am super wary of P&P sequels/variations. Most of them are just a sorry excuse to write sex scenes between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Seriously - I can't stand those. Luckily, this is not one of them. This book asks the question: what if Mr. Bennet had died after Darcy's first proposal, before Elizabeth's trip with her aunt show more and uncle...before Lydia had a chance to run away with Mr. Wickham? How would things have been different?

Well, lots of things are different. Many, many changes occur in this book from the original Pride and Prejudice plot. Luckily, I loved the changes! There is a ton of character development that I found incredibly insightful. I also thought it to be very respectful of the original characters. Mr. Darcy's stiff behavior is explained through a series of stories about his childhood, we get a lot more face time with his sister, and the Bennet women are put into situations where we see sides of them not available in the original work.

Elizabeth is a governess for a family that initially seems to accept her as an extension of the family. She loves her charge (thank goodness there isn't any convoluted bratty child side story)...and through a series of events comes to be a visitor of the Pemberley estate with the family. There are a lot of absolutely brilliantly written scenes between her and Mr. Darcy. The tension between them was so high that it was all I could do not to skip ahead to read the final scenes. Their chemistry was absolutely dead on.

I opened this book, slightly nervous, unsure of what I would find. Fast-forward a few hours (and a few ignored phone calls and a skipped meal) and I'm closing the book wishing there was a sequel! If you're a Pride and Prejudice fan unafraid to try something different than the original, absolutely pick this up. You'll love it! show less