Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Darcy's Struggle by Kelly Dean Jolley Published by Meryton Press on June 15, 2024
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 312
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon
Brilliant, sensitive, and private, Fitzwilliam Darcy finds himself at the Meryton Assembly, consciously troubled by recent events in Ramsgate and unconsciously troubled by himself. He insults Elizabeth Bennet, at whom he has only glanced.
It is not until she appears at Netherfield—full of life, skirted in mud, and eager to attend to her sick sister—that Darcy truly looks at her. When he does, he knows she is the woman he has been searching for, the elusive her of his heart. He falls for her completely…despite her apparent unsuitability to be the Mistress of Pemberley and his half-hearted efforts to convince himself he can live without her.
Shortly before Elizabeth leaves Netherfield, Darcy apologizes for what he said at the Assembly. Will that apology and the depth of his sudden but durable feelings give him hope with Elizabeth? Might George Wickham’s arrival frustrate his hopes, especially after Darcy blunders into a marriage proposal to Elizabeth?
When Darcy encounters ‘The One’ – the only woman for him, this should have been a moment of triumph, but instead, starts a thought-provoking emotional journey of the heart to win a woman’s love. I’ve read two enjoyable mystery romps from Kelly Dean Jolley and I was aware that he wrote a few Jane Austen-related tales under a pseudo-name which made me very curious to pick up Darcy’s Struggles, a P&P variation story from Fitzwilliam Darcy’s point of view.
The variation ‘what if’ happens when Darcy realizes his rude, thoughtless words said to his friend at the local Assembly were overheard and hurt the very woman who wins his early interest. There’s nothing for it, but to render her a sincere apology and address his rude behavior to those at the Assembly by behaving with better manners even when others make it difficult. Shortly after, his worst enemy gains her interest with well-crafted lies at Darcy’s expense. Was his early effort to change his ways enough to keep her for falling for the honeyed words of a practiced charmer and seducer?
Darcy’s Struggles is very philosophical in tone. Darcy is the sole narrator and his classical knowledge, his high-brow thinking, and broodiness are very much on point with how Jane Austen rendered her original hero, Fitzwilliam Darcy, while at the same time, this Darcy is original and interesting. I got a kick out of that Netherfield drawing room discussion between Darcy and Lizzy of Mr. Johnson’s works since I’ve read in a scholarly discussion on one of the Jane Austen society sites about how influenced Austen was by Johnson’s books.
The pace is gentle and there is a great deal of monologue inside Darcy’s head and time for a slow build. This is interesting because Darcy’s side of the romance is love at first sight and he’s ready to plunge head over heels, but at the same time, he’s a thinking man and analytical so he’s also one to take his time over a decision- love got him all discombobulated. However, the real struggle happens when the woman he settles on is pert, brilliant, and not in the least ready to hand over her trust and her heart so swiftly. Something about him captivates Elizabeth Bennet, but she makes him slow his roll and work for what he wants starting with his manners to the locals and her own often gauche family.
Darcy’s Struggles was not a fast read and plunged deeply into what goes into love and relationships. I was well satisfied and want to read more from Kelly Dean Jolley’s pen. Those who want a sweet historical romance between two deep thinkers, slow and thoughtful development of relationships including friends and family, and attention to the historical backdrop of the story should definitely consider Darcy’s Struggles.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Darcy struggled indeed! At least he apologised to Elizabeth before she left Netherfield and he determines to deal with the dreadful Wickham. I love stories from Darcy’s PoV so I really enjoyed this book.
Yes, I loved seeing him come forward with that early apology which helped Elizabeth have a better perspective when Wickham came along.
I like an inner monologue so we can see what the characters are thinking.
Yes, especially when their actions would be confusing or not as obvious otherwise. 🙂
With so much of the story an internal monologue by Darcy, I’m not surprised it had a slower pace. Interesting take on P&P!
Yeah, probably about 20%, but it was good to know what he was thinking.
This sounds really interesting and I love the humanizing of Darcy. I will have to give this a try.
Yes, Darcy is original and a deep thinker in this one. Hope you like it, Katherine!
Ooooooooh Darcy. LOL
You said it, Carole! 🙂