What Would Mr. Darcy Do?

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds is another variation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. In this version, Elizabeth and Darcy have an opportunity to express their feelings following her surprise tour of the Pemberley grounds at Lambton just before the news of Lydia’s elopement reaches Elizabeth. The story begins months after her refusal of Darcy’s proposal at Hunsford, and the plot follows along much of the original story, with stolen kisses and embraces, as well as secret letters.

“Dear Miss Bennet,

It is always a pleasure to hear from you, but I must admit the arrival of your letters is becoming quite a source of entertainment in itself. My brother thinks I do not notice how he watches for the post now, but how could I miss the way he hovers in an agony of suspense over me when I read your letters until I finally take pity on him and allow him to read for himself, and then he spends no less than half an hour admiring your letter, for it cannot possibly take him so long to read it!” (page 46 of ARC)

No new characters are introduced, but Reynolds does provide us with a version of Georgiana Darcy that is not seen in the original novel. She opens up to Lizzy and becomes less reserved once she’s around girls her own age. However, will the changes in Georgiana be welcome to Darcy or run contrary to his expectations? And how will this new Georgiana impact Lizzy and Darcy’s relationship?

Unlike the Lizzy in Austen’s novel, Reynold’s Lizzy is more cautious in her assessments of Darcy and his behavior as she realizes her prejudices and misjudgments nearly cost her a love she never knew she had. Darcy also is more cautious in his dealings with Lizzy. Readers, however, will be happy to know that each is still impetuous when it comes to one another and their passion. This is where the novel deviates into a more modern sensibility as Lizzy and Darcy share a few intimate moments — some of which get them into trouble and others that leave them breathless.

Beyond the intimacies of Darcy and Elizabeth and their budding relationship, readers also get a glimpse into Lizzy’s character, particularly how her wit helps her keep an adequate distance from friends and acquaintances and enables her to disengage quickly from distasteful relationships and situations. Overall, What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds is a delightful escape into Austen’s world with her beloved characters.


I fangirl Abigail Reynolds’ books. I do. They are some of the best Jane Austen Adaptations out there. I’ve very rarely had even the slightest quibble with them and they always bring the characters I loved in Pride and Prejudice to life in new and amazing ways.

I have been waiting for the Jane Austen adaptation where Darcy does not scuttle away to do the Big Damn Hero thing after Lizzy tells him about Lydia and Wickham at the Lampton Inn. What would have happened if Darcy had stayed and comforted Lizzy for 5 maybe 10 more minutes? Yep—-kissing. I do have to say that the UST in this book was more sensual than any graphic sex scene I have seen in even the most porny of pornish Jane Austen adaptations out there. The correspondence between Lizzy and Georgiana was also a nice touch. We all know it’s very important to Darcy that Lizzy and Georgiana become friends and to see that happen was very nice. I also loved that Mr. Bennet gave Darcy a hard time when Darcy asked for Lizzy’s hand. It was one of the funniest conversations and it was nice to see Darcy squirm like a salted slug.

As with all Abigail Reynolds’ adaptations, it only takes the slightest of alterations to Pride and Prejudice to make the biggest changes. The extra minutes Darcy spends with Lizzy after she tells him about Lydia and Wickham change everything. Reynolds is so skilled at making that subtle change completely believable. And it continuously amazes me how believable she makes it. The changes she makes also made me love Darcy and Lizzy so much more because she kept them completely in character but added some more spice and passion to the characters we already love. And the chemistry between these two characters popped off the page in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice but it jumps of the page and does the samba in this one. I don’t think I can recommend this highly enough.



It’s no secret that I love Pride & Prejudice variations and after reading Abigail Reynolds Impulse and Initiative (also published as To Conquer Mr Darcy and From Lambton to Longbourn) I consider myself a fan. This is a small book so can easily be read one lazy afternoon. Although it’s small, it will not fail to sweep you away into the wonderful world of Darcy and Elizabeth.

This book begins with Mr Darcy finding Elizabeth alone at the inn in Lambton. She has just received the news of Wickham and Lydia and is distraught. This gives Darcy an unexpected opportunity to show Elizabeth how he feels which leads to a compromising situation. The rapport between Darcy and Elizabeth is pure magic, as it is in the original book. Reynolds once again captures the essence of Austen’s famous characters and gives them a modern feel that readers today will enjoy and relate to.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read the original Pride and Prejudice I urge you to try this variation. I’ve read many Pride & Prejudice variations and Abigail Reynolds is one of my favourite authors. You can purchase What Would Mr Darcy Do at Amazon or Book Depository. Also, visit Abigail Reynold’s website for information about all of her books. Check back tomorrow for an interview and giveaway with Abigail Reynolds.



Abigail Reynolds is a bestselling author whose Pride and Prejudice variations have hit it big with romance fans everywhere. Now, this fantastic author brings a new book to the world; What Would Darcy Do? is a retelling of Lizzy and Darcy’s story from the surprise visit at Lampton all the way to the wedding night. Full of burgeoning romance in Austen’s regency era, this classic remake changes a few things but keeps the story that won our hearts intact.
Regency England is brought to life in Abigail Reynolds work, the bad thing about reading a novella, is that you don’t get a grip for the imagery so much as you ought. Being a talented author of detail, Abigail Reynolds seems sort of forced to color inside the lines by writing a short story variation of Pride and Prejudice. Though the work is still expertly written, a lengthier novel would have done wonders for the story.
Though the little novella is quite good in its own way, What Would Mr. Darcy Do? drives home the point of events happening faster since the characters open themselves up more. What if they hadn’t held their emotions in check? What if Lizzy had told Darcy she loved him in Lampton? If Lizzy was to reveal her feelings about Darcy, long before the infamous Lady Catherine De Bourgh episode, things would certainly have happened differently. Abigail Reynolds puts that change of plot into play and moves the story along in a new way. The outcome is still the same of course, but the intricacies of the story are different.
One of the greatest similarities to Jane Austen’s original Pride and Prejudice is the language. Abigail Reynolds took sentences and sayings from the classic and placed them in this novella in a remarkable way. Readers will easily remember the original characters and their vexations and prejudices that caused them to remark in so many fascinating ways.
One of the biggest differences in this novel is the passion. In regency era England, breaking any of the proprietary rules was forbidden and the cause of many rushed marriages. Darcy and Lizzy were not the sort of characters you could imagine being improper to that sort of extent, but, they are in What Would Darcy Do? In this novella, the characters can’t keep their hands off each other and are caught in all sorts of compromising positions, by many different people.
Back again are the classic characters we all know and love, however they are not quite the same in this novella. Lizzy and Darcy hold the greatest change from the way they were created in Jane Austen’s work, mainly because of their more passionate natures. Though I don’t recall them being mentioned as boring or un-passionate characters, they were certainly not the deeply in love, almost wanton creatures Abigail Reynolds makes them out to be. Don’t get me wrong though, I quite like them this way.
Georgiana is another vastly different character in this short story. Having met Kitty and Mary Bennet, Georgiana becomes slightly more like the outspoken Bennets, rather than the quiet, shy girl we knew -her to be. The Gardiners, Lizzy’s aunt and uncle, though unchanged for the most part, are given a- larger role in this story and certainly play a more significant part in the lives of Lizzy and Darcy.
This variation is a story you have to ignore Jane Austen’s classic to enjoy. Without comparing the two in any way, and simply enjoying the book as a marvel on its own, you will come away pleased with Abigail Reynold’s work. What Would Mr. Darcy Do? comes highly recommended for any romance fiction fan, and anyone wanting to dabble in romance but not quite ready to take the full leap required for novels. As it is a short story, it is a great book for summer vacations and won’t take too much time away from family and sightseeing.


What Would Mr. Darcy Do? by Abigail Reynolds is a fast-reading sensual and emotional tale of love conquering all despite supposedly insurmountable odds.

In this latest of Ms. Reynolds’s Pemberley Variations, Darcy, instead of concealing his feelings at Lambton, proposes to Elizabeth after she tells him Lydia has run away with Wickham. Despite his proposal, Elizabeth convinces herself the disgrace to her family is too high for his love to overcome. She requests time to consider, while ultimately planning to refuse. With reluctance, he accepts her delay, and then hurries to London where he deals with Wickham.

When he returns, he presses her for her answer. Misunderstandings continue until both Darcy and Elizabeth each explain the behavior which has so confused and angered the other. Love so long suppressed comes to the rescue.

This relatively short (227 pages) account of Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s tortuous journey to understanding, love and passion is a delight to read. Both have suffered for their pride and prejudice, but the self-knowledge gained and the explanations given for misconstrued conduct make their love the sweeter. I especially enjoyed their negotiations in setting and resetting their wedding day. Elizabeth wants the wedding a week after Jane’s and Bingley’s. Darcy wants it sooner. Both are so eager, they finally fix on the day immediately after the other wedding.

Two weddings in a row and twice the marital bliss. Another wonderful Pemberley Variation from Abigail Reynolds.



Abigail Reynolds writes Pemberley Variations. For the uninitiated this means that she takes the classic story of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and plays a what-if scenario. For instance in From Lambton to Longbourn the what-if is what if Darcy and Elizabeth disclosed their feelings before parting ways after Lydia’s fall from grace? The characters in this what-if scenario all bear the same names, and read fairly familiar, but ultimately are recreated and reintroduced. Attraction is played up and scenes Jane Austen would never write appear involving kissing – great kissing, but a staunch Austen fan will probably feel that even this small break in propriety is too much.

Elizabeth finds out to her dismay how deeply in love with Mr. Darcy she is when the news of Lydia’s foolishness breaks. How could she in all good consciousness expose his sister to her family? She worries a lot about Darcy’s good opinion of her and how the current affairs will certainly provide him with enough ammunition to dislike her from hereafter. To her surprise, Darcy is not at all inclined to think ill of her. He wants her to keep correspondence with his sister, Georgiana, as it his only way to communicate with her. He would marry her tomorrow, no today, if only he could be certain of her regard.

Some provocation on both their parts leads to them sharing their first kiss, part comfort, part passion. One kiss melds into the next and then the worst happens – Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle discover them! Elizabeth does not want to trick Darcy into a connection with her family and he is once again unsure of himself in her affections. This happens a lot actually throughout the novel as they go along their tangent journey toward love and ultimate happiness.

Their insecurities are a little over the top, but ultimately are not distracting from the tale. Reynolds has a way with words and I look forward to reading another Pemberley Variation soon.



Abigail Reynolds is one of my favorite Austen authors. What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is a Pride and Prejudice Variation. This novel starts at the inn in Lambton when Elizabeth receives the bad news about Lydia and Wickham. It varies here from the original classic as instead of leaving, Mr. Darcy stays, expresses his feelings for Elizabeth, and is caught in a compromising position with her by Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.

There are still misunderstandings aplenty between the couple, but through the events of the novel, there is an understanding of love and passion between the two. The pages of the book almost start on fire with the underlying passion between the two during several scenes. Abigail Reynolds writes wonderful romantic scenes that involve no sex, but plenty of desire.

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? gives more background and behind the scenes in the original novel. I thought was a great companion book, and very enjoyable for all lovers of Pride and Prejudice. The language of the novel seemed to flow like an additional Austen novel.



What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (originally self-published as From Lambton to Longbourn in 2008) is another enthralling Pride and Prejudice variation by Abigail Reynolds. In this variation, Ms. Reynolds takes up her pen and asks: What if Mr. Darcy doesn’t leave the inn at Lambton when Lizzy receives Jane’s missive about Lydia and Wickham? What if Lizzy, realizing she had grossly misjudged him, extends an olive branch to Darcy by thanking him for his hospitality and courteousness towards her and her relatives? What if, in their parting adieus, Darcy and Elizabeth reveal a little more of their true feelings for one another?


How I love these novels! I take great pleasure in reading the novels by Abigail Reynolds for many reasons, one being her excellent recreation of Darcy and Elizabeth. While being true to the originals, Ms. Reynolds’s infuses a bit more emotional development and angst into these characters giving readers a deeper look into their hearts, minds, and souls. What Would Mr. Darcy Do? (From Lambton to Longbourn) is perhaps one of Ms. Reynolds most introspective and emotionally-charged novels. Instead of dealing with outside obstacles and external impediments, Darcy and Elizabeth battle their own insecurities, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties.


However, while I enjoyed the focus on Darcy and Elizabeth’s internal conflicts in this variation, I did feel like there was a scene or two missing. In this variation Lydia and Wickham do not call on Longbourn, and more regrettably neither does Lady Catherine. I think it would have been interesting to see how Elizabeth and Darcy would handle Lady Catherine’s abusive insults and tirades now that the situation between them is a little altered. How would Darcy have handled his aunt if she came to call while he was at Longbourn? What would Lady Catherine do if faced with an unintimidated and deeply in love couple?


Captivating, heartrending, and tender. What Would Mr. Darcy Do is a beautiful retelling of Darcy and Elizabeth falling in love. Abigail Reynolds is one of my favorite Austenesque authors and I adore her series of Pride and Prejudice variations! I highly recommend this variation to readers interested in seeing Pride and Prejudice take another path!


*Note: I read this novel three years ago as From Lambton and Longbourn, and can verify that besides grammatical changes, the only difference between the self-published version and this one is an opening scene that gives a short history of what occurred before the scene at the Lambton Inn (a great benefit to those unfamiliar with Pride and Prejudice).


Hard on the heels of Kara Louise’s Only Mr. Darcy Will Do and Mary Simonsen’s The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy, comes another Pride and Prejudice “what if” from P&P variations pioneer, Abigail Reynolds. What Would Mr. Darcy Do is her latest re-imagining to be re-issued by Sourcebooks. Part of her Pemberley Variations series, it was first self-published in 2007 as From Lambton to Longbourne, and explores roads not taken in Jane Austen’s, Pride & Prejudice.

In Austen’s masterpiece, Fitzwilliam Darcy comes upon a distraught Miss Elizabeth Bennet just moments after she has received news of her youngest sister Lydia’s supposed elopement with Darcy’s nemesis George Wickham – and by that, the ruining of her family and all of the daughters chances for good marriages. After she shares as much to Darcy, he leaves. “…she saw him go with regret; and in this early example of what Lydia’s infamy must produce, found an additional anguish as she reflected on that wretched business.” Pride & Prejudice, Chapt. XLVI. However, Abigail Reynolds takes that tragic moment at the Lambton Inn and gives desperate resolve to both Elizabeth and Darcy allowing them to speak their hearts. Elizabeth declares, “…despite this unfortunate ending, these days in Lambton are ones I will always remember with pleasure.” p.7.

Darcy, equal in his courage asks that she continue her friendship with his sister, “offering her a way to continue their contact by proxy.”” p.8. They share a comforting embrace, but it is at that exact moment that her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner return and discover such intimacy! After Darcy explains to Mr. Gardiner that he has asked for Elizabeth’s hand months prior– and been refused– both agree to not force Elizabeth into marriage, but allow Darcy time to properly woo her. And so begins this clever twist.

In an endearing exchange of letters between Elizabeth and Darcy’s demure younger sister Georgiana, we begin to see Reynolds’ creative use of humor as light-hearted Elizabeth encourages some rather saucy teasing of Mr. Darcy.

“If your brother is again watching you as you read this, be sure to give an occasional gasp, and to say ‘Oh, no” from time to time, or perhaps ‘she couldn’t possibly!’ Then, when he asks you what is the matter, explain that you could not possibly tell him, since the letter is full of secrets that I begged you to hold in confidence. Then, if he keeps asking, you may tell him that he may perhaps read the last few sentences, but only if he promises not to look at the rest.” p.48.

Later, when Georgiana is invited to Longbourne, this reserved, quiet girl continues to bloom into a young, playful lady under the attentions of Elizabeth’s silly sisters, Kitty and Mary. In turn, they benefit from the new friendship becoming more confident and mature young women of refined breeding.

In Austen’s original, critics are quick to point out that Miss Elizabeth’s change of heart of Mr. Darcy from repulsion to attraction is rather hurried. However, in Reynolds’ novella, she carefully fleshes out Elizabeth’s struggle within revealing her inner thought process. Personally, I couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s her problem?” Rich, handsome man who adores her, and who, she discovers, is the preserver of her sister and family from disgrace and is desperate to marry her! I was inclined to prescribe to her Aunt Gardiner’s way of thinking.

“I have had an ongoing concern that you seem to underestimate the strength of his attachment to you. I am, in fact, rather glad to see you are suffering just a bit in the name of love, since it tells me that your attachment to him may be becoming the equal of his for you.” p.161.

Although Darcy is portrayed as painfully vulnerable to Elizabeth’s love for much of the novella, I will yield him this one flaw. But, only because of his disastrous first proposal at Hunsford and having previously misinterpreted her so many times. Besides, aren’t we all rather exposed when violently in-love? “I want to bind you to me in every way I know, because I am terrified that you are going to tell me you want nothing further to do with me.” p.155.

This re-issue also includes the addition of four pages at the beginning of the novel fleshing out the backstory that occurred up to this point in Austen’s original novel, and, allowing Darcy to moon incessantly over Elizabeth’s smile. What? I had thought he was bewitched by her fine eyes! Regardless of which part of her anatomy he is gushing over, of all Reynolds’ Pemberley Variations, What Would Mr. Darcy Do? may be my least favorite. In offering a caveat to my disappointment, it is a relative statement and must be understood in its proper context. I own all Reynolds’ self-published as well as Sourcebooks published books – and I adore her “what ifs.” This one pales in comparison To Conquer Mr. Darcy (a.k.a. Impulse & Initiative), or Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World. Not only is it not as epigrammatic as her previous offerings, but Darcy’s continued insecurity, at first sweet, became syrupy, and more importantly, Elizabeth’s perpetual willingness to accept Darcy’s passionate kisses yet reluctance to accept his hand grated against her character.

Astute Janeites will note the omission of Lady Catherine’s pivotal (and highly amusing) confrontation with Miss Elizabeth in the prettyish kind of a little wilderness in Austen’s original and sigh with regret at the missed opportunity for a great sparing of two mighty forces. Nevertheless, there is still plenty of raw emotion, humorous exchanges and romantic interludes to move the story forward and bring Darcy and Elizabeth to their final happy understanding. What Would Mr. Darcy Do is a diverting amusement in the crowded field of Mr. Darcy what ifs, and worthy of your consideration and enjoyment.



Reynolds immediately situates us between the two Darcy proposals and in Darcy’s point of view. Then, quickly, we have Elizabeth telling Darcy about Lydia that fateful day in Lambton. It feels like Austen (maybe Austen on super-speed), so now we’re in Elizabeth’s perspective. By the end of chapter 1, I was a little confused about Reynolds’ goal here.

But then, I got it. This is a part of a “Variation” series in which Reynolds retells the story with similar lines but changes details about how everything gets resolved. In this particular scene, those changes include Elizabeth thanking her gracious host for “the courtesy and hospitality” he has shown her family, Darcy waiting with her and holding her hand (not quite the embrace he, and we, want him to give, but still good!) until the Gardiners arrive, the discussion of the second proposal and the effect of Elizabeth’s earlier “reproof” (in Austen) happening much earlier, and then . . . well, you’ll want to read this (7,14).

Obviously the details I’m leaving out are some of my favorite (you should get to enjoy them, too), but I’ll add that Darcy’s forced humbling of himself to Mr. Gardiner afterwards (he admits he proposed and was rejected earlier, so if Mr. Gardiner wants them to marry, he’ll need to address Elizabeth with that concern) was also a delight (19). In an ironic twist, Mrs. Gardiner forces things too quickly, and Elizabeth, flushed with passion as she is, says she wants “this [to] take its own course” (22).

The short text is filled with little surprises. When we assume Mr. Collins has arrived to gloat (because the BBC handles it that way; Austen, of course, has him gloat epistolarily), we (and Jane) are delighted to find Mr. Bingley on the Bennets’ doorstep. In this version, Elizabeth shares with Jane what she did with Mr. Darcy (Jane’s reaction is so funny). Georgiana and Elizabeth become correspondents; in a romantic gesture that has unforeseen consequences when a Bennet servant discovers the missive, Darcy slips a little note of his own in there, encouraging Elizabeth to continue teaching Georgiana how to tease him. The build-up of physical tension is more overt than in the original (though we all know it’s there) (49). We see much more of the Gardiners in this variation, and Mrs. Gardiner has a laugh out loud line: At one point, Elizabeth is feeling a little jealous that Darcy is confiding in her aunt just as she is. After a passionate fight, she is talking with her aunt but not revealing what happened. Mrs. G says: “I confess that it simplifies my life as an interfering aunt, my dear; if you refuse to tell me what is bothering you tonight, I can always ask him tomorrow” (156).

Georgiana is also developed delightfully. When she brings her brother Elizabeth’s letter, and he claims that suddenly, business is calling him away, it takes only a “moment” before her concern becomes amusement. “Please do say hello to your business for me when you see her,” she comments (59). Georgiana also has positive effects not only after the wedding on Kitty, as is implied in the original, but also before the wedding, on both Mary and Kitty. The latter tries to copy some of Georgiana’s “graceful ways,” and the latter adds novels and a few “small, but flattering changes” to her repertoire (104).

I’m always especially sensitive to how Mr. Bennet, one of my all-time favorite characters, is portrayed in such texts. At first, I was concerned; he, after all, doesn’t seem to trust Elizabeth when the “FD” letter and handkerchief are found in her possessions, but he does, at least, seem “amused by her evasions” (85). Once Kitty’s misleading information to him is cleared up, both the reader and the characters feel relief: Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet must be in sync for this story to have the effect it always does. The usual acerbic wit comes forth to delightful advantage when Darcy requests an audience with Mr. Bennet after having had a passionate encounter with Elizabeth just outside Longbourne House. Mr. Bennet observes drily, “I understand you have already taken a tour of the gardens” (120).

Darcy, like Elizabeth, learns to add proper grace and reflection to his mettle, and that is what ultimately persuades her father that this young man can “handle” his Lizzy (123). The process here differs from the original but is fun to watch unfold.



Ahhhhh...what bliss this book was! I loved the little twists that Reynolds put to her Pride & Prejudice variation. It made for an interesting read and she changed the story up just enough to keep my attention. This was certainly a fun way to spend a few hours!! I absolutely loved ’To Conquer Mr. Darcy’ that I read last year and one of my favorite aspects of that book was the way the author added some steaminess to Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship. Well, she didn’t let me down with this one either!! I really like how she portrays Darcy as a man who worships the woman that he loves...makes my heart swoon a bit!! Now if I could just convince my husband to wear that Mr. Darcy shirt maybe we could re-enact some of those steamy scenes!!!!

Recommend? Absolutely! This one was just fun and original. It took me about two hours to read it and not once did my attention waver. This is one P&P variation that you should add to your list!!




“Miss Bennet, I urge you to take care,” he said intently, teasing put aside. “The only thing that separates me from this” — here he touched her letters — “is that self-control you mock. There is otherwise no difference between Mr. Wickham and me.”

“Do not,” she cried,” do not ever let me hear you comparing yourself in any way to that … that scoundrel! There is a world of difference between you!”

He smiled slightly. “Perhaps I should learn to criticize myself more often, for the pleasure of hearing you defend me.” (from What Would Mr. Darcy Do?, pages 14-15 in the ARC)

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is a re-release of one of Abigail Reynolds’ Pemberley Variations, From Lambton to Longbourn. It retells Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice from the moment that Elizabeth Bennet receives the letter from her sister, Jane, informing her that their flirty and flighty sister, Lydia, has run away with George Wickham. Wickham is the womanizing, gambling scoundrel son of Mr. Darcy’s father’s steward, who tried running off with his sister, Georgiana, and whose lies caused a lot of the misunderstandings between Elizabeth and him. Four months have passed since Elizabeth first rejected Darcy, and the two recently were reunited when Elizabeth toured the grounds of Pemberley with her aunt and uncle. Unlike Austen’s original novel, Reynolds has Elizabeth and Darcy recognizing the changes in one another earlier on, and the pair are caught in a heated embrace when Darcy attempts to comfort Elizabeth upon hearing the news that her family may be ruined.

Rather than force the pair to marry, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner recognize Darcy’s fierce love for Elizabeth and have a feeling that Elizabeth will come around soon enough. Thus begins a sweet novel of Darcy and Elizabeth’s short courtship, complete with her worries about whether Darcy would be willing to marry her now that she’s related to Wickham and Darcy’s realization that he doesn’t express himself clearly all the time. Reynolds creates many amusing scenes of the couple crossing the boundaries of propriety time and again, with Jane and Mr. Bingley serving as unsuccessful chaperones and Mrs. Bennet finding a love letter in Elizabeth’s room from a mysterious “FD.” Although passionate kisses and embraces abound, the novel is innocent and charming.

Reynolds does a wonderful job with the dialogue, from the teasing banter of Elizabeth and Darcy to the hilarious comments by Mr. Bennet, one of my favorite Austen characters. Here’s a passage from a scene in which he gives Mr. Darcy a hard time:

“I understand from my friend Bingley that he found asking your permission to marry Miss Bennet a simple and straightforward procedure. This seems rather different from my experience. Perhaps you might explain this to me.”

“You are not reticent, sir! Very well, if you wish to know, when Jane brings home a puppy dog, I pat its head. When Lizzy brings me a full-grown wolf, I handle it differently.” (pages 125-126)

What Would Mr. Darcy Do? is another fun variation of Pride and Prejudice, and lovers of Austen fan fiction will love seeing a more demonstrative side to Mr. Darcy, along with a different side of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam. A few of the more outrageous characters are absent from the novel, but I was so caught up in the romance that I didn’t even notice until I’d finished. I read this slim novel in a single day and was sad when I reached the end. There’s just something about Austen’s characters, even in the hands of another author, that is so comforting. I can’t wait to read the rest of the Pemberley Variations.

Format: Paperback

Dimensions
Length: 7 in
Width: 5 in
Weight: 8.00 oz
Page Count: 240 pages