Impulse & Initiative: What if Mr. Darcy had Set Out to Win Elizabeth's Heart?

I debated just putting this book down and not finishing it many times while reading this. Why didn't I? Probably because nothing truly eye rolling popped up to make me say effe it. But it was close. And it all started around page 28 when I encountered this:

She fiercely renewed her attention to her needlework, with the unsurprising result that her needle promptly found its way into her finger. With a muffled exclamation of pain and embarrassment, she raised the injured finger to her lips, completely unaware of the effect that this simple gesture would have on Darcy.

My eyes roll each time I read this. Anyway, I chose to ignore the idiocy and continue reading though perhaps I should not have because this eventually devolved into a bodice show more ripper. (Seriously, he rips her dress of at one point. No joke.)

Honestly, I like the idea of the book and the writing style was nice and decently Austen-y. But I would have greatly preferred that this keep with the tone of the original P&P and everything stay G-rated. Not because I am a prude but, in my world, I read Jane Austen when I am in the mood for sweet and innocent love stories. Because not everything needs (lots of) sex to be enjoyable. I have other books when I'm in the mood for that. show less

I've said a number of times that I love Abigail Reynolds stories, but I have a confession to make: it wasn't always so. Now, hear me out - I spent half a dozen+ years obsessively reading and rereading Austen's books before I knew there was such a thing as an adaptation or retelling. I stumbled upon them completely by accident when I was looking for more authors similar to Austen via a book recommender. To learn that people had actually taken Austen's worlds and characters and written new stories... well, needless to say, I was equal parts excited and dubious (and a little unsure of whether that was even legal? Haha).  Of course, like any desperate Austenite, I checked out a stack of about 20 of these books from my local library, and show more decided I was going to have a "Summer of Jane"... This was 2008, pre-blog, and I needed a project. So I sat outside every day in the glorious weather and just read and read and read...and the more I read, the more disheartened I became. This wasn't my Austen. This wasn't my Darcy, my Lizzie. It wasn't the world and the manners I'd come to know... What was this? Every book I read made me more convinced that Austenesque fanfiction wasn't for me, and if I hated one, I hated them all. (It was too fresh, you see. I couldn't allow for such mucking about in my beloved stories.) One good traditional retelling and one good playful modern story would change that, and teach me to let go and have some fun with it (and, um... you've seen the result of that), but before those 2 stories convinced me to give it a chance, I couldn't seem to like the adaptations I'd read. And unfortunately, Impulse & Initiative was one of them.

Flash forward to 5 years later, when I have decidedly embraced the whooooooole genre - and still devote my summers to it - and I found myself kinda in love with these stories, these "Pemberely Variations," that Abigail Reynolds writes.  And I was on the hunt for more, so while browsing on Better World Books, I came across one with a familiar title: Impulse & Initiative. I'd blocked out most of what I read That Summer, but Goodreads informed me that I'd read this one (or thought I had), and hadn't been too impressed. Figuring that it'd come at the height of my denial phase, when I wasn't willing to accept any sexytimes in my P&P, I thought I'd better buy it and give it another chance. And I'm certainly glad I did.  (I probably need to track down all of the books I read that summer and give them another, less prejudiced* chance.)

Impulse & Initiative, which has since been republished as To Conquer Mr Darcy - and I have no idea if the story was changed at all for the repackaging - is a story that takes a more controversial (to my Regency sensibilities) variation, in that Darcy and Lizzie can't keep their flipping hands off each other before they're married. It's smexy. And though I like a fair dose of smexy on occasion now, it was too akin to a bodice-ripper then, and I was a book snob. I'll admit it. It probably is too much sexytimes for some readers, especially those who still hold Darcy and Lizzie - and the pace of Regency courtship - sacred, so reader, know thyself, and know that going in. But though it does take away some of the sweetness of the romance, and though it does replace it with a liberal smattering of lusty kisses and, you know, bodice ripping, it's really neat to see Reynolds attack the same story from yet another angle.

This time around, I appreciated the idea of Darcy not taking no for an answer - not in an aggressive, pushy Lord of the Manor way, but in an "I'm not going to let myself eff this up" way. I liked seeing him pursue Lizzie and actively try to win her over, and come out of his shell a bit. It's an interesting - and not entirely unbelievable - way to approach the story, and it's nice because it's active; we don't have to be told that Darcy goes away and changes offstage, we get to see the efforts and the fruits of those efforts, right there as they happen. It's fun to see Lizzie, too, won over despite herself. It's nice to see them both come a little undone, and frankly, there are times when it's hot as hell.

The key to enjoyment of Reynolds' Variations - the key to any retelling, really - is to allow yourself to go with it. I love exploring the "what-ifs" in any story, all the branching paths and possibilities and might-have-beens. And though sometimes those might-have-beens are probably best left as should-nots, in Reynolds' hands, there's always enough understanding of the characters and love of their stories and who they are, combined with a willingness to push that a bit and test those boundaries, that makes for really interesting, fresh, dependably enjoyable variations. And if you find things too far-fetched on occasion, too sexy or too straying-from-"reality," the fact is, Reynolds' writing is compulsively readable. She moves the reader along at a break-neck pace, making it near impossible not to devour her books in one sitting. And even if she changes things, and even if you can't be quite happy with every change that's made, she creates worlds and characters that, if you're anything like me, you can't help but love and find yourself craving rereads of.

So, all I can say is: Misty-of-5-years-ago, and Janeites out there who feel as she felt - lighten up. Let go, explore the possibilities, and if you can't bear to see your Darcy and your Lizzie do things you don't think they'd do, then pretend they're someone else. Because you're missing out on some good stories and some scenes that would set your Regency heart a-flutter. You're invited to the party, so come. You're missing all the fun.

*Told you I was a Lizzie... ;) show less

Impulse and Initiative picks up after the disastrous Hunsford proposal and has as its plot-line: what if Darcy set out to actively (instead of accidentally as in the original story) pursue Elizabeth? What if, indeed and why not? The result is a story of the strengths and weaknesses of both Darcy and Elizabeth. One of my favorite lines from this sequel is when Darcy says Elizabeth’s failing is to tell no one of anything of importance. I’ve often thought that when reading the original. We know that she confides in Jane about the proposal, but we also know that she never told Jane of Darcy’s interference with her relationship with Bingley. Because of the silliness and total disregard for reality both of her parents indulged in, show more I’ve often wondered if she didn’t just internalize her struggles. Austen clearly painted Elizabeth as having a sharp mind and keen wit; it is highly unlikely that Elizabeth didn’t clearly see the conditions of her household and wish for better (not necessarily richer, just making her home life more ideal).

My library put this put in the Young Adult section, and I will be submitting a note with this to the cataloger when I return it; most assuredly it is NOT for young adults. Part of the development of the story is that lust does and can move some relationships along. It’s an interesting position for a Regency piece. They anticipate their wedding vows and have to deal with the ramifications of that. That’s really my only critique of this story: they get away with it all too easily. I would have liked to see some consequences given the time period.

It is a well-written book. No plot lines are introduced and later forgotten only to leave the reader confused and unfulfilled. I don’t give this book the enthusiasm that I have for her others simply because I have a harder time buying into the story line. The anticipation I can actually believe, but without there being more that follows it seems to lose a little purpose. Pride and Prejudice sequel addicts, who are of age, will likely enjoy it. It won’t be their favorite, but they will be able to feel like they were inside Pemberley and sitting with Darcy and Elizabeth a bit. show less

I gotta say that of all the P&P riffs I've been reading lately, Abigail Reynolds is turning into a favorite. Her writing style is Austen-esque without the big, flashy, neon sign that says "Look at me! I write like Jane Austen!" I also like that each of her books characterizes Darcy and Elizabeth in slightly different ways, though the difference is much more pronounced with Darcy.

In this P&P variation, after sulking for a few months after the Hunsford scene, Col. Fitzwilliam convinces Darcy to fight for Elizabeth and thus begins a wooing like no other.

It has to be said from the outset that Impulse & Initiative is not an Austen sequel. Rather, it is an Austen variation. Allow me to explain the difference: an Austen sequel continues beyond Austen's end to a novel; a variation re-tells the novel, playing the "what if?" game.

Impulse & Initiative is a retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice. This time, though, what if Mr Darcy had not retreated after Elizabeth Bennet refused his first proposal of marriage and instead followed her to Longbourn to pursue her affections? I mean really pursue. And what if Elizabeth capitualated in a most 2008 manner? Yowza.

Now I'll admit that I haven't read a true romance-genre novel since I was a teenager and the forbiddeness of it led show more me to purchase about 50 of them from a local used bookstore and read them in the family treehouse. (Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series notwithstanding, but I classify that as historical fiction to retain my dignity.) I'll just say this: Abigail Reynolds sure knows how to steam up a page! Think Jane Austen writes a bodice-ripper.

The result? Surprisingly fun and a tad eye-popping racy. I say surprisingly because one of the endearing traits of Ms. Austen's stories is the return to a time when morals and values defined your place in society. I was prepared to dislike any storyline that messed with that basic principle. In reality, and perhaps indicative of the times we live in today, I couldn't put the book down. The style and wit of Ms. Austen are compellingly replicated and the dichotomy of the early 19th-century eloquence with 21st-century romance is spellbinding. Kudos to Ms. Reynolds! show less

It was very fun to read, and I do recommend it to rabid P&P fans who need more more more of Darcy and Elizabeth. That said, the author is very easy on her characters, almost too easy. Most problems are resolved within a few paragraphs though frank conversation and mutual understanding. In a way, this is refreshing, compared to many of the authors I read who torture me though putting their characters through absolute hell, sometimes with no resolution, or not the resolution I wanted. Still, when things are too easy, my brain seems to think something is missing.
I do like Reynold's idea of Pride and Prejudice "variations" (she calls her series the "Pemberley variations"), What if Lizzie and Darcy and spoken just a little longer in Lambton show more (From Lambton to Lonbourne), what if Darcy jumped right back in and openly wooed Elizabeth? There are three others so far in this series, and I will read them all. I don't think the characters' behavior is necessarily realistic or typical of the period, although I admit I'm no historical expert, but doggone it, it's fun to speculate, and the steamy scenes between Elizabeth and Darcy are a pleasure to read.Darcy and Lizzie fans, indulge! show less

To Conquer Mr. Darcy (Pemberley Variations Series) by Abigail Reynolds

(For review from Sourcebooks)

Synopsis:

What if...

Instead of disappearing from Elizabeth Bennet's life after she refused his offer of marriage, Mr. Darcy had stayed and tried to change her mind?

What if...

Lizzy, as she gets to know Darcy, finds him undeniably attractive and her impulses win out over her sense of propriety?

What if...

Madly in love and mutually on fire, their passion anticipates their wedding?

In To Conquer Mr. Darcy, instead of avoiding Elizabeth after his ill-fated marriage proposal, Mr. Darcy follows her back to Hertfordshire to prove to her he is a changed man and worthy of her love. And little by little, Elizabeth begins to find the man she thought she show more despised, irresistible...

"Shows a different side of Darcy, a bold side unafraid of going after what he wants."
-Hollywood Today

"Sure to appeal to fans of lusty historical romance."
-Library Journal

"Abigail Reynolds sure knows how to steam up a page!"
-A Readers Respite

"If you always longed for Mr. Darcy to sweep Elizabeth off her feet, then this is your book!"
-I Just Finished Reviews

Thoughts:

For anyone who loves, Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, this book is a must have. The Pemberley Variations series, takes up the question of What if? If we could change the circumstances just a little, we could see what might have happened if... In To Conquer Mr. Darcy, Abigail Reynolds answers the question What if, Mr. Darcy didn't leave after his failed proposal to Elizabeth? What if he decided to win her heart instead of his pride being injured?

This book is full of romance and love with all of our favorite characters. The head strong and vibrant, Elizabeth Bennett and the honorable, loyal Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth's character is much like she was in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, but in this book we see how things may have been different if she just let go of all of her idea's of propriety and let herself love Mr. Darcy unconditionally. We see Elizabeth as a woman with deep passions which are stirred to life by an irresistible force, in Mr. Darcy. Reynolds makes Elizabeth less proper and easier to identify with. She is still the same headstrong girl but she is helpless against the power of love.

Mr. Darcy is still the same stoic, honorable man, but he is less hampered by his idea's of the aristocracy. He finds himself in love and unable to just idly cast it aside. His love for Elizabeth is so strong that he has to throw out his normal way of doing things and pursue her with great ardor. As in the Pride and Prejudice, he loves Elizabeth but Reynolds allows his to show that love in deeper and more meaningful way. To Conquer Mr. Darcy takes these two characters to a new level of love and passion that will make a true romance fan, swoon!

To Conquer Mr. Darcy is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I am giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag! show less