What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds

October 27, 2014 by Christina

Fiction — print. Sourcebooks Landmark, 2011. 228 pgs. Library copy. Rather than immediately retiring from Elizabeth Bennet’s company as decorum would demand, Darcy remains at the Lambton Inn to offer Elizabeth comfort after she reads Jane’s letter containing the dreadful news of Lydia’s elopement with Wickham. His kind words of understanding become a conversation about Elizabeth’s changed feelings towards him and, finally, a kiss right as the Gardiners return from their walk. Rather than allow society to force Elizabeth into […]

Categories: 2014 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds

May 19, 2014 by Christina

Fiction — eBook. Sourcebooks Landmark, 2010. 348 pgs. Library copy. What if Mr. Darcy was unable to purpose to Elizabeth Bennet at Rosings? The sudden death of Mr. Bennet changes the course of all their lives as Jane marries an older merchant to help secure her family after Mr. Collins inherits Longbourne, Elizabeth moves to London, and Kitty never meets Wickham again. Dependent upon the Gardners’ charity, Elizabeth helps with their young children taking the brood for walks and serving […]

Categories: 2014 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

Without Reserve by Abigail Reynolds

July 30, 2012 by Christina

Fiction — print. Intertidal Press, 2007. 204 pgs. Received from PaperBackSwap. Reynolds is one of my go-to authors for variations and sequels to Austen’s beloved classic. This variations asks what would have happened if Fritzwilliam Darcy faced a true rival for Elizabeth Bennet’s affections. Austen gives us Wickham and Colonel Fritzwillaim; Reynolds gives us Mr. Covington, a neighbor who offers Elizabeth a comfortable home with an agreeable man. Elizabeth agrees to the engagement after her return from Kent, after her […]

Categories: 2012 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

By Force of Instinct by Abigail Reynolds

July 1, 2009 by Christina

What would have happened had Darcy not fled from Rosings after his disastrous proposal? Reynolds attempts to answer that question in By Force of Instinct. This “what if?” novel is packed with misunderstandings, more pride, and more prejudice. While I would consider this one Abigail Reynolds best Pride and Prejudice variations, I really did not like her portrayal of Georgiana or Mr. Bennet. Thankfully, Mr. Bennet isn’t in the story enough to really detract, but Georgiana is a major player […]

Categories: 2009 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

Pemberley by the Sea by Abigail Reynolds

May 28, 2009 by Christina

Marine biologist Cassie Boulton considers Pride and Prejudice to be her favorite book, but Cassie has no patience when a modern-day Mr. Darcy appears in her lab. Calder Westing III doesn’t seem to offer anything more than famous family name,  but he can’t get enough of Cassie Boulton. Frustrated by Cassie’s evasions, Calder tells her about his feelings the only way she’ll let him-by rewriting her favorite book, with the two of them in the roles of Mr. Darcy and […]

Categories: 2009 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

Impulse & Initiative by Abigail Reynolds

April 5, 2009 by Christina

In Impulse & Initiative, instead of avoiding Elizabeth after his ill-fated marriage proposal, Mr. Darcy follows her back to her him in Hertfordshire, planning 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 despised becoming irresistible. I immensely enjoyed Impulse & Initiative — probably more than I should have; although I don’t consider myself an Austen purist. Though Austen’s Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett would […]

Categories: 2009 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, Reread, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds

The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds

January 5, 2009 by Christina

Fiction — print. Intertidal, 2006. 182 pgs. Received from PaperBackSwap. I was first introduced to The Last Man in the World when a friend of mine found it online, printed the entire story, and gave it to me as a present. She knew how much I loved Pride and Prejudice, and her gift quickly fueled my thirst for more pride, more prejudice. Somewhere in between moving bedrooms two times, pages out of my printed copy were lost. When I went […]

Categories: 2009 Reads, Austen Inspired, Europe, Fiction, United Kingdom • Tags: Abigail Reynolds