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From Chapter One

Elizabeth Bennet walked into the parlour at her Aunt Madlyn and Uncle Edmund Gardiner’s empty home in London. She and her father had spent the day travelling from their home in Hertfordshire and were now spending the night at the Gardiners’ home in Cheapside, where they would both depart early the next morning for the harbour on the River Thames. Elizabeth would board a sailing ship, which would take her from her England homeland to America. Her aunt and uncle were already in America, where they had been these past three months, so this evening they had the house to themselves.

Mr. Gardiner’s business had taken on additional work that spanned the two countries separated by the Atlantic Ocean. Elizabeth understood only that it involved some importing and exporting details that needed to be worked out on the American side. The Gardiners had expected to remain there between six to nine months. Elizabeth planned to visit them for the remainder of their stay. The Gardiners and their four children had all made the crossing together, taking advantage of this opportunity to see some of the sights in the New World.

With her uncle’s work taking him to New York, Elizabeth understood that she and her aunt would have sufficient time to tour the area together. When her uncle’s work was completed, they would all travel back together to England.

Elizabeth’s only regret was that her sister, Jane, was not able to join her. She had also been invited, but due to Jane’s tendency for severe motion sickness, she declined. She knew from a past experience on a boat in the English Channel that four to five weeks on a ship out on the ocean would be exceedingly difficult for her. Consequently, Elizabeth was setting off by herself, much to her father’s consternation.

When the letter from her aunt had arrived, the discussion between herself, her mother, and father had been typical of the conversations that took place in the Bennet home. Elizabeth tried to remain calm as she gave her reasons for desiring to go. Her father was adamant against it and her mother wavered back and forth, giving her nerves full rein as one moment she saw no reason why her daughter could not go, and the next, changed her mind.

It was Elizabeth’s steady, calm, and rational argument that finally persuaded her mother. She knew it would take more to convince her father to allow her to travel unaccompanied, but she knew she could appeal to their mutual love of history, geography, and books. To pass up an opportunity such as this to see America would be something she would always regret if she did not do it now. She appealed to his trust in her character, her wisdom, and her maturity, and in due course, he gave in.

Elizabeth sat down on one of the chairs that occupied the Gardiners’ sitting room. She thought nostalgically of all of the times she had come here to visit her aunt and uncle over the years. She was extremely fond of them and considered them practically a second mother and father. She closely identified with her aunt, and as a young girl scrutinized her closely and tried to imitate her ways. She had never understood her own mother’s ways and knew at a very young age that she did not wish to grow up to be like her.

The Gardiners’ home in London, although neither exceptionally fashionable nor elegant, was very warm. Elizabeth always found it to be a respite from her own home. The Bennet home in the village Longbourn was, by society’s standards, neither modest nor extravagant. Situated in the country on a good parcel of land, it did give Elizabeth a chance to enjoy her favourite pastime, which was to walk. Their own home was a good distance from their nearest neighbour, while her aunt and uncle’s was located on a busy street in Cheapside. Yet she felt the Gardiners’ home was more tranquil because of their easy nature and that of their children. It was far too often that the Bennet household resonated with the nervous ranting of her mother and the uncontrolled outbursts from her youngest sisters. She enjoyed every visit she ever made here. Now, she was looking forward to seeing them again, this time in America. She pulled out the letter that her aunt had written to her and her sister and read it again. From the moment she first read the missive, she knew she had to go.

“Well, my Lizzy, are you still determined to do this?”

Elizabeth looked up. “Yes, Papa. I am so looking forward to it.” She stood up and walked over to him, taking his hand in hers. “Do not worry. All shall be well with me.”

_____ _____ _____

The next morning, Elizabeth pulled her wrap tightly around her as the carriage carrying her and her father drew them closer to the harbour in London. She shivered, not so much because of the cool, foggy mist enveloping them, but because of her realization that the day had finally come. She could admit to herself, but not to her father, that she was indeed nervous about all that was in store for her.

The only way Mr. Bennet had agreed to allow Elizabeth to travel alone was for him to take her onto the ship himself and put her under the protection of the ship’s captain until she reached the foreign shore. But even then, he felt very troubled. The journey would take from four to five weeks, depending on the weather, the winds, and a multitude of conditions. He had heard too many tales of ships that never made it across, sickness spreading throughout the passengers and crew, and other adversities that could befall them. But he also feared for his daughter arriving in this new world and the type of people she might encounter there. He absently shook his head.

“What is it, Papa?” asked Elizabeth.

He turned to her with a sad look in his eyes. “You know what it is, my dearest Lizzy. I would give anything to talk you out of this right now and turn this carriage back around to the safety and security of Longbourn.”

“But Papa, this is an opportunity that I may never get again! Think of it! All of those places I have only read about. Aunt and Uncle Gardiner certainly would not have asked us to come if they did not think it was safe. Do not worry about me. I shall be well.” Elizabeth smiled to reassure him. The only betrayal to her words and her smiling face was her rapidly beating heart.

They soon saw the tall masts of the ships docked along the harbour on the River Thames. One of these very ships would transport Elizabeth out to the eastern coast of England and down around the English Channel. From there it would sail out into the open seas of the Atlantic Ocean, farther from any source of land than either dared comprehend.

“Elizabeth, if anything were to happen to you…”

Elizabeth quickly put her hand over her father’s. “Nothing will happen to me, Papa. Please try not to worry.”

The smile he returned to her was weak. Elizabeth noticed, but did not comment on, the tears that welled up in his eyes. He quickly turned his head to look out the window of the carriage. She knew this was difficult for him, and she wanted to do all she could to set his mind at rest. She could think of nothing else to say. She knew he would not rest easy until she was back here in his sight, in a few months.

In a very soft, sad voice he suddenly said, “We are almost to the port. Are you sure, Lizzy, that I cannot talk you out of this?”

“This is something I have to do.” Elizabeth looked out the window. She saw the masts of the ships, some with sails completely unfurled and already sailing, and others with the sails still furled tightly about their masts. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat as she suddenly felt a wave of excitement pour through her. Yes, this will be a life-changing adventure. I will not be the same when I come back!

Janeites: Rejoice! Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy come alive again in this imaginative retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Kara Louise revisits the star-crossed romance of Elizabeth and Darcy, but with a chance first meeting where no names are exchanged, and followed two years later by a second meeting on a cross-Atlantic voyage. Romance blooms onboard without the interfering prejudices of Darcy’s family and the embarrassing presence of Elizabeth’s silly mother. However, a misunderstanding separates them in America, and Darcy devotes much of his time to finding Elizabeth in the new world and back home in England.

Familiar characters return as well. Charles Bingley falls in love with Elizabeth’s kind sister, Jane, but Bingley’s sister, Caroline, returns as even more conniving and vicious in her attempt to win the hand of Darcy and turn his attention away from Elizabeth. The bounder Wickham this time pursues Elizabeth’s youngest sister (with Darcy taking a decidedly physical resolution to his scheme), and Elizabeth’s family overall remains as embarrassing as ever, but Darcy is more steadfast in his love for Elizabeth in this distinct rendition. Kara Louise captures the style and language of Regency England with a few slip-ups (would Elizabeth really refer to “ethnic neighborhoods” in New York?). Probably not, but it’s a very creative and witty read for those who can’t get enough Elizabeth and Darcy.


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!

Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise is an ingenious and original retelling of Pride and Prejudice with Darcy and Elizabeth meeting on a ship bound for America.

Ah, a sea voyage—crisp, fresh salty breezes, a time far away from the cares of everyday life, and the ship’s best private cabin, which provides desired solitude.

Ah, a sea voyage—stale steerage air, cramped quarters much worse than those at home, giving up your narrow cot to a sick child and sleeping on the floor.

Such are the opposite experiences of Darcy and Elizabeth as they embark on Pemberley’s Promise. Darcy, crossing the ocean to escort his sister Georgiana home, is the owner of the ship, and occupies the best cabin. Elizabeth, on her way to visit her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner in New York, insisted her father secure the cheapest berth and sleeps in steerage.

As fate would have it, they meet on early morning walks on the upper decks. There attraction is instant, but something niggles at their memories. Did they meet two years ago on a short carriage ride neither forgot? And where neither asked the other’s name?

Elizabeth thinks the reserved Darcy is proud, and Darcy thinks he should have nothing to do with a lady so far beneath his social level. But when Elizabeth falls ill, Darcy comes to her aid. By the time they disembark, they are madly in love. But neither has told the other and so they separate, causing themselves no end of avoidable trouble.

I like a book that sweeps me along wondering what the ending will be, even when I know the ending. Ms. Louise has succeeded in writing just such a story, proving yet again Pride and Prejudice’s enduring appeal.

For the Regency purists out there, there are errors. Forget them and enjoy this delightful retelling of reluctant love triumphing.


Darcy’s Voyage, originally published as Pemberley’s Promise in 2007, is a phenomenal Pride and Prejudice variation in which Mr. Darcy’s and Elizabeth Bennet’s first meeting is altered. Instead of meeting in the Meryton Assembly room, Darcy becomes acquainted with Elizabeth on a ship bound for America. Elizabeth is traveling to America to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner who are in New York on business. Darcy’s sole purpose for journeying to America is to accompany his sister Georgiana home from her visit with Mrs. Annesley’s family. On a boat full of strangers Darcy is even more reserved and aloof than his natural wont. In addition, he criticizes his fellow female passengers as looking “meagerly tolerable” and deems them not “handsome enough to tempt” him. Elizabeth, on the other hand, while sleeping in the stifling and overcrowded steerage, enjoys befriending her fellow passengers and charitably spends her time tending to those who are unwell.

Even though Darcy claims to find no interest in the ladies on board, a vivacious young woman does catch his eye. This young woman, named Elizabeth Bennet, does not pay him undue flattery like all the other single women aboard the ship. This peculiarity and the fact that she enjoys early morning walks piques Darcy’s interest in her. Elizabeth is bewildered by Mr. Darcy’s attention and company, yet at the same time, finds her esteem and regard for him rising daily. As you can imagine, with no Caroline Bingley or George Wickham on board and with a lesser amount of pride and prejudice, Darcy and Elizabeth are able to fall in love without much impediment. However, because they misconstrue one another’s feelings and harbor some insecurities they both hesitate in revealing their true feelings for one another...

This clever and unique version of Pride and Prejudice is one of the best Pride and Prejudice variations I have had the pleasure of reading. I read it three years ago as Pemberley Promise’s and after rereading it again as Darcy’s Voyage, it still remains one of my beloved favorites! I love the fact that my favorite characters are well-drawn and bear strong resemblance Jane Austen’s originals. In addition, I take great pleasure in Ms. Louise’s remarkable story-telling capabilities and attention to details. Her subtle nuances and nods to Pride and Prejudice are diverting to discover!

What really impressed me was how Ms. Louise entwined her story with Jane Austen’s so harmoniously. Even though she took the plot of Pride and Prejudice off course, by having Darcy and Elizabeth meet on board a ship, Ms. Louise dexterously weaves in various events and conversations from Pride and Prejudice. It was interesting to see conversations such as Darcy’s confession that his “good opinion once lost is lost forever” or Elizabeth’s visit to Pemberley occur out of sequence yet fit in seamlessly. Moreover, I delighted in seeing how Ms. Louise rewrote Lydia running off with Wickham and Lady Catherine’s visit to Elizabeth to correspond with her retelling. There are so many excellent scenes to choose from it is hard to find a favorite! I loved the tender romance between Darcy and Elizabeth, felt deep despair at their separation and uncertainty, and laughed out loud when Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam gave Lady Catherine her due!

If you are interested in reading a tale where the romance between Darcy and Elizabeth traverses an alternate course, Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise is a novel you will not want to miss. While some may find parts of Darcy’s Voyage a little extraordinary, “my mind was more agreeably engaged” on the beautiful, poignant, and wonderfully well-written love story between my two favorite characters of all time!


Elizabeth and Darcy first meet in a post carriage ride. Both are smitten with each other and have a witty exchange about books and other things. Neither manages to get the name of the other and they go their separate ways. Two years later, Elizabeth is taking a voyage to America to visit with her beloved Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Uncle and Aunt Gardiner are in America for a business trip. Unfortunately Jane gets seasick, so Elizabeth is forced to make the journey alone. Darcy’s sister Georgiana has traveled to America with her companion, Mrs. Annesley, to visit Mrs. Annesley’s family. Mrs. Annesley has fallen ill and is going to stay with her family; therefore Darcy is making the trip to America to escort Georgiana home. Darcy and Elizabeth meet again on the ship and sparks fly, although at first they have mutual misunderstandings about one another.

The voyage to America becomes a very romantic voyage for Darcy and Elizabeth. I don’t want to reveal the plot of the novel, but suffice it to say that it changes the course of the original novel. After they lose touch with each other in America, they meet back up in England and the course of the original Pride and Prejudice novel is forever changed by their prior connections. Through misunderstandings and pride, the two are apart at first, but eventually true love triumphs overall.

I enjoyed this novel and especially loved the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy throughout the novel. The book was very romantic. Mr. Darcy was enough to make any woman swoon over. It was also interesting to see how the course of the original novel could be changed by a far different meeting between the two characters.

The only problem I had with the novel was that I thought it was very highly improbable that Elizabeth would be either in the carriage or on the ship unchaperoned. Daughters of gentleman did not go out in public unchaperoned at that time and I just can’t imagine Mr. Bennet letting Elizabeth out alone. I also thought it was a little strange that Elizabeth traveled in steerage on the way to America.

Overall, Darcy’s Voyage was a delight to read and imagine a “what if” scenario where Darcy and Elizabeth have a wonderful romance on the sea. Darcy’s Voyage will be released by Sourcebooks on September 7th.


In Darcy’s Voyage, Kara Louise retells the timeless classic Pride & Prejudice in her own manner, begging the questions of what if fate and time were added to the relationship of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. While Darcy and Elizabeth meet in England, they do not truly become acquainted until they ride the same ship bound for New York. Darcy is headed to New York to escort his sister Georgiana back to England while Elizabeth is off to stay with relatives for a holiday. Louise keeps the characters relatively true to form, but alters the settings so very much that she does indeed rewrite Pride & Prejudice in an entirely new setting. True it begins and ends in England, however a vast amount of pride and indeed prejudices occur on the journey to New York. While I am not usually enthusiastic towards remakes of any novel, Darcy’s Voyage makes for an extremely delightful day of reading. I would recommend Darcy’s Voyage to anyone who enjoys remakes of Pride & Prejudice or who enjoys period novels.



Darcy’s Voyage proved to me that I’m still not growing weary of the numerous sequels and re-tellings of Jane Austen’s novels. In this re-imagined Pride and Prejudice, Kara Louise takes readers on a completely different journey while staying true to Austen’s beloved characters and arriving at the same conclusion.

Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet in a carriage, and after enjoying a lively discussion, they part ways. Two years later, Elizabeth convinces her father to let her travel alone to America to visit her Uncle and Aunt Gardiner. After boarding Pemberley’s Promise, she runs into Mr. Darcy, and they strike up a friendship, not realizing he is the man from the carriage and the owner of the ship. Elizabeth is booked in steerage, and she willingly gives up her bed to a pregnant woman whose daughter falls ill. And when Elizabeth also becomes sick and injures her ankle, Mr. Darcy devises a plan that will allow her to sleep in the extra bed in his cabin — and joins the two of them together permanently.

Of course, misunderstandings separate them once they reach New York, but after returning to England, they are reunited at Netherfield, and readers are reunited with the rest of the cast of Pride and Prejudice. In addition to the complicated situation carrying over from the voyage, Darcy and Elizabeth still must deal with George Wickham’s evil ways, Caroline Bingley’s arrogance, and Lady Catherine’s rage. Louise handles these things (and more) much differently than Austen, breathing fresh air into a story I know inside and out.

Although I found it hard to believe that Mr. Bennet, being a gentleman, would allow Elizabeth to travel solo and that Elizabeth and Darcy didn’t recognize one another on the ship after being so smitten for months after the carriage ride two years prior, I really enjoyed Darcy’s Voyage. Because they meet in a far different manner, there isn’t the prejudice that Austen created, though pride is glimpsed here and there. Darcy’s Voyage is more about keeping love intact at all costs than about overcoming pride and prejudice. Louise puts a unique spin on events, with enough tension to carry the story until the end, where some things play out differently than in Austen’s novel. Darcy’s Voyage is among the most creative Austen re-tellings I’ve read in awhile.


Kara Louise has written a beautifully retold Pride and Prejudice beginning with Darcy and Elizabeth meeting when she was returning home to Longbourn by Post and Darcy, whose coach had a mechanical problem, was forced to take the Post to the first stop and there change to another carriage that was being sent from Pemberly. Darcy of course immediately made a less than desirable impression when he nearly knocked her down as he raced to the carriage door. He apologized and actually tried to make conversation — surprisingly they found literature a topic on which to converse and challenge each other and the two hour ride passed pleasantly. They never learned each other’s name but remembered fondly the other person long after the event.

Fast forward two years and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner and their children have traveled to America for Mr. Gardiner’s business. They write and invite Elizabeth to join them in New York City to help with the children and enjoy the sights. Elizabeth is excited to have the opportunity to travel and looks forward to the trip. Mr. Darcy on the other hand doesn’t look forward to his trip to America where he’ll join Georgianna in New York City and bring her home from where she’s been visiting with Mrs. Annesley’s and her family. Naturally, they are sailing on the same ship, Pemberly’s Promise (and I’m sure clever readers will realize just who owns the ship based solely on its name).

While Darcy tries desperately to remain aloof, the single women on the ship are speaking to him without introduction – all except Elizabeth Bennet. He notices that she walks the deck early every morning and soon joins her. Eventually, they begin to converse and find that they both look forward to their daily conversations. It’s from Elizabeth that Darcy learns about the illness among the steerage passengers. Her walks are the only breaks she takes from caring for her fellow passengers.

Elizabeth becomes seriously ill and Darcy knows he has the only empty bed on board. The only solution is to be married by Captain Wendell and then annul the marriage when he returns to England. It’s the only way to ensure her reputation remains intact. He gives his pledge that it will be a purely platonic relationship. Elizabeth reluctantly agrees, as does the captain. However, sometime during the voyage they fall in love, only they don’t realize it. Separated on docking in New York and not knowing where Elizabeth lives, Darcy has no way to find her until he returns to England.

With this alternative beginning, Louise manages to maintain the emotional appeal and tone of the original Pride and Prejudice. There are a few events from the original story line that take place earlier but once Bingley leases Netherfield, the original story is on track, except for a few key elements, and the story unfolds much as it did originally.

In other variations, the variation causes such divergence from the original storyline that the author ends up having existing characters doing very uncharacteristic things in order to force events to unfold as expected. Louise, on the other hand, manages to seamlessly weave this new relationship into the original story line by not forcing things to play out exactly as they did in Pride and Prejudice but as they would if this variation had occurred.

You’ll find some of our favorite scenes and dialogue included, but some of the dialogue may be uttered in similar, but different, circumstances and by other characters. I found it amusing to hear the same lines from someone else’s mouth but it didn’t take away from the story or my enjoyment.

This variation was a pleasure to read. Louise honors the characters and the story of Pride and Prejudice and yet makes it new, exciting, and just as endearing. I highly recommend Darcy’s Voyage if you enjoy variations of the theme of Pride and Prejudice. I’d also mention that this book is appropriate for all ages.


This is only the second Jane Austen variation I’ve read and I’m really enjoying them. It’s interesting to see other people’s take on what could have happened or what should have happened. I am especially intrigued by variations of Pride & Prejudice, my favorite Jane Austen novel. In Darcy’s Voyage, Kara Louise allows Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy to meet under different circumstances which doesn’t change the outcome of the story, but the setting and events leading up to the conclusion. I found the addition of a sea voyage very interesting and I loved the way author made you feel as if you could almost feel the spray of the sea on your face as you read the novel.

Louise uses a writing style that is very descriptive and allows the reader to really see what is taking place in their mind’s eye. The characters remain true to Jane Austen’s original work. They are still the same Elizabeth and Darcy we have come to know. Elizabeth, head strong and unconventional, while Darcy remains steadfast and quite handsome. We see again, Darcy’s honorable qualities as he tries to make Elizabeth comfortable during her illness on board the Pemberley’s Promise. Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves once again unable to resist the things they love about each other.

Kara Louise uses her research to guide her in making the sea voyage realistic and believable. I think the author has done a remarkable job of staying true to Jane Austen’s vision for Darcy and Elizabeth but she has infused it with new life and adventure in this variation. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Jane Austen and also to readers who have never tried a variation of her work. I think you will be surprised at how satisfying it is to find new ideas of how things could have been...


I found this interpretation of Pride and Prejudice to be solidly written and well researched. Written with imagination, orginiality, and skill, author, Kara Louise, proves she knows her "Austen." Highly recommended to Austen fans.


Kara Louise does a grand job in storytelling that will make you feel as if you are either a fly on the wall, Elizabeth, Darcy, or even BOTH! Throughout Darcy’s Voyage Louise alternates between what Darcy is thinking and what Elizabeth is thinking. It helps you get a better understanding of how they’re feeling of all around them and of each other. I enjoyed this "what if" story of Jane Austen’s famous Pride & Prejudice. So far it’s my favorite of the one’s I’ve read and one I’d like in hardback for my shelves. Bravo Kara Louise for your entertaining story!

In Darcy’s Voyage, Kara Louise retells the timeless classic Pride & Prejudice in her own manner, begging the questions of what if fate and time were added to the relationship of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. While Darcy and Elizabeth meet in England, they do not truly become acquainted until they ride the same ship bound for New York. Darcy is headed to New York to escort his sister Georgiana back to England while Elizabeth is off to stay with relatives for a holiday. Louise keeps the characters relatively true to form, but alters the settings so very much that she does indeed rewrite Pride & Prejudice in an entirely new setting. True it begins and ends in England, however a vast amount of pride and indeed prejudices occur on the journey to New York. While I am not usually enthusiastic towards remakes of any novel, Darcy’s Voyage makes for an extremely delightful day of reading. I would recommend Darcy’s Voyage to anyone who enjoys remakes of Pride & Prejudice or who enjoys period novels.

Kara Louise’s Darcy’s Voyage is a re-imagining of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen that places Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet on Pemberley’s Promise on their way to America. Louise knows these iconic characters and retains their personalities easily through dialogue and internal monologue, and the novel uses shifts in point of view to provide readers with more than one side of the story.

Lizzy is going to America to visit her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner who have expanded his business to the New World, while Darcy is headed to America to fetch his sister Georgiana after she visits her companion’s family in America and her companion falls ill. Traveling by sea in those days could be rough and some passengers never made it to their destinations. With a backdrop of adventure and possible disaster, Lizzy and Darcy strike up a rapport that defies convention.

“‘This is something I have to do.’ Elizabeth looked out the window. She saw the masts of the ships, some with sails completely unfurled and already sailing, and others with sails still furled tightly about their masts. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat as she suddenly felt a wave of excitement pour through her. Yes, this will be a life-changing adventure. I will not be the same when I come back!” (page 15 of ARC)

Louise’s rendition of the story is imaginative, and the shifts in POV — while numerous and sometimes from paragraph to paragraph — are not jarring enough to push readers out of the story. Readers will enjoy how Darcy and Lizzy interact with one another on board the ship and how the expectations of society are always on their minds. Louise has captured the essence of these characters and added her own flare to the story. Darcy’s Voyage is well worth the read.


Over the past 15 years, the market for Jane Austen-themed novels has just exploded. Aside from the truly strange ones (e.g., ones with vampires and the like), I’m game to read just about any of this genre that comes across my path. And while I don’t consider myself an expert in this area, I’ve read enough to discern the well-written and what I prefer to read.

Kara Louise’s Darcy’s Voyage took me a bit by surprise. The idea of relocating the setting of Pride and Prejudice on a sailing vessel was unique, and I looked forward to see how this concept would play out. What surprised me was the level at which I began to enjoy this story. Many of us know the P&P story inside and out, so what could possibly be new about these characters to make the story compelling once again?

Darcy’s Voyage accomplished this and more. I would have enjoyed this tale if it had been about two characters completely unrelated to P&P. The dance that is their relationship at sea was tantalizing, with the perfect romantic tension being held at all times. Occasionally some of the tension would be released, providing satisfaction for the reader, but immediately another moment of tension would arrive, propelling the narrative forward.

I don’t believe it would be “spoiler material” to say that Darcy & Elizabeth return to England and find themselves in many scenes that are found in the source material. The events on the ship have changed things a bit, but the characters continue in the same manner Miss Austen wrote them. Again, Ms. Louise has the perfect balance of tension and payoff, keeping the now very-familiar story lines fresh and compelling.

Like the quote states on the cover of this edition, I couldn’t put it down. I read it whenever I could, asking my husband to drive my Mommy Minivan so that I could have time to read. I read it while standing in line at the Post Office. I told friends about the book. Every chapter was wonderful, and I didn’t want it to end.

As I came to the final two chapters, I saved them to read in the evening, after the children were in bed and my husband was away at work. It had been a rough day for a number of reasons, and I looked forward to finishing it on a lovely note. I got in a stress-reducing workout, put the kids to bed, grabbed a scoop of ice cream (low fat, of course) and settled in for my last moments with the Nautical Darcy. I hoped the ending would be as the rest of the book (and my ice cream), scrumptious and satisfying.

It was my pleasure to find the conclusion of the story to be absolutely perfect! I can’t tell you how many books I’ve enjoyed up until the end….and they fall flat, leaving a bad taste in my literary mouth. Darcy’s Voyage was the rare case wherein each page down to the closing one was enchanting. I didn’t want it to end, but as it must, I’m glad the conclusion was crafted in the way that it was.

In addition to enjoying Ms. Louise’s storytelling, I also appreciated her choice to keep any romantic interludes decidedly PG-rated. Lately I’ve become weary of novelists (Austen-related or otherwise) who devalue sex by offering an overabundance of details, and placing these intimate moments outside the safe harbor of a marital relationship. Louise’s romance was delectable, being neither puritanical nor salacious.

Originally published as Pemberley’s Promise, Darcy’s Voyage was a journey well worth the crossing. It was surprising, refreshing and filled my heart with joy. Kara Louise has given us a wonderful gift, and I look forward to sharing this delightful diversion with others.



Kara Louise brings Pride and Prejudice to life again in Darcy’s Voyage. This new "what if" book brings Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy together in a new setting aboard a ship. Both characters are reunited about this ship after a chance meeting a few years earlier and this story brings them from a familiar feeling to falling in love.

I like this book and the writing is very good. I always seem to think how could there possibly be more stories about the characters from Pride and Prejudice, but this one is fresh and convincing. The ideas of class and love are easily transformed from the original into this selection and it transported me back to remembering my first time reading Pride and Prejudice and I was once again swept up into the lives of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

I am an Austen snob and as addicted as I am to Austen sequels and inspired books, I can be very demanding with them. Taking on established and very beloved characters is a risky business for an author - - readers will inevitably ask "Would Jane Austen have allowed Lizzy to do that? Would Mr. Darcy have said such a thing?"

Kara Louise’s Darcy’s Voyage (previously published as Pemberley’s Promise) is nothing short of a virtual love letter to not only Jane Austen but Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I absolutely loved each and every page and was enthralled with the story and with how Ms. Louise painted Elizabeth and Darcy.

I found the concept itself of Elizabeth and Darcy meeting on a carriage and then on board a ship headed to America rather than at a town dance fascinating and novel (no pun intended). While changing their initial meeting caused other aspects of the original story to be slightly altered, there were other features that remained true to Austen’s original masterpiece and I had fun picking up on them. I enjoyed the variations that Darcy’s Voyage set forth and believe them to be an inspired alternative to Pride and Prejudice.

Ms. Louise’s writing style was engaging and yet still remained true to the Regency period. She was faithful to the characteristics Austen firstly penned for Elizabeth and Darcy while giving new insight into their actions and behaviors. So closely did she mirror Austen’s vision that Darcy’s Voyage could have been a colloboration between the two.

Original Pride and Prejudice characters, including the Bennet family, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, Georgiana Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Wickham, provide solid support in Darcy’s Voyage.

I would not hesitate to highly recommend Darcy’s Voyage to any devoted reader of Jane Austen and historical fiction and romance readers. Out of the many Austen sequels and Austen inspired novels I have read, Darcy’s Voyage easily ranks in the top few, based on writing style, story and interpretation. This was my first novel by Kara Louise but I am so in love with Darcy’s Voyage that I will eagerly snap up her five other Pride and Prejudice inspired variations.


Normally I add a summery of the book. Although this time I am not going to do that, this is one of those books that if I start writing about it or talking about it I will never stop and then I will end up giving away spoilers. This is what we at Royal Reviews would call a Royal Read.

A Royal Read usually begins its life with the a variation of the following conversation:

Crazy Reader: ’You HAVE to read this book!’
Unsuspecting Victim: ’But I’m already reading ’________’ at the moment and my TBR pile is huge!’
Crazy Reader: Don’t care. Promise me that you will read this book next. It’s brilliant!’
Unsuspecting Victim: Oooookay. What’s it about?

Unsuspecting Victim is then effectively nagged into reading said novel just so that Crazy Reader will have someone to discuss the book with. In most cases, Unsuspecting Victim is then converted and will begin recruiting for the next Crazy Reader.


I enjoyed this Darcy’s Voyage immensely, while the characters are true to those created by Jane Austen, they have a fresh feel to them. I found that in some ways I liked them better than the original, and I know that I will probably get a few comments that disagree with the statement that I just made, but I feel as though they have a new depth to them which enhances the story. I also enjoyed that fact that we see more of who Darcy is in this book, Jane Austen stated that she never wrote a scene in which the men are left alone because she simply did not know what men spoke about while alone, so in some ways that left her novels one-sided, whereas Darcy’s Voyage offers a broader perspective.

If I were ask what book I would recommend for a reader looking for a Jane Austen spin-off this would be that book. Not only is it creative and original, it is time-less yet fresh, and beautifully put together. This is the prefect book for those who loved Pride & Prejudice yet yearn for more.


Another fantastic Pride and Prejudice retold.
Jane would be proud!
Left me longing for more.
Two Thumbs Up:-)