I loved this book. Oh, it does not add kidnapping, or new schemes by Wickham or Caroline or go off on some new and interesting tangent. But...laugh...cry...unable to put it down - yes!!!

I love how this author was so well able to expand upon the relationships between so many dear characters. Yes, she did give Bingley as bit more of a backbone and Jane...I don't want to spoil the pleasure I am sure other readers will receive in reading on their own...but Jane has a bit more complexity to her character. She is not the all sweet forever forbearing Jane in canon. AND then to read of how Mr. Bennet and his object lesson with the barn cats sets Jane aright in her handling of Bingley's return was so amusing...right up to the time during the honeymoon!

There is some very serious matchmaking going on. And it is not just the four people you might think of.

First, Bingley does an about face all on his own after realizing that he seems to be "seeing" Jane Bennet every time he turns around in London. And this thought about Darcy, "When did Darcy ever engage in an extended conversation with Miss Bennet?" sets him to become his own man.

Elizabeth and then her father work to make things happen for Jane but even eavesdropping by the two only gives them some dismay as to Jane's words and actions.

Having his friendship with Bingley broken causes Darcy to do some meditating and some back peddling on his own and when he searches out Jane at the Gardiner's house he finds Jane gone BUT meets an old childhood antagonist. What a surprise for both characters and for the reader. Unfortunately Darcy's attempts at correcting his missteps are not related to Elizabeth.

When Darcy and Elizabeth meet in Kent Elizabeth is forthright with the Colonel in her reactions to his informing her about Darcy's "saving" a friend from an unfortunate marriage. BUT Darcy ignores his cousin's warnings and is off to seek her out. Love how the author here has basically the same results but with her own words and actions. Had to laugh at Darcy's warning to Elizabeth after she attempts to slap him a second time!!!

Subsequently when the author slips a lost love in for our dear colonel, I am lost…in tears and cannot read the text until I recover myself! I am so enraptured by the exchange of words in this lovely story and reading of the thoughts, even those of going further when one has gained a first kiss...especially during the ball honoring Jane at Netherfield!

Yes, this books is MA but it is one of those that does it well. Do you know of Aristotle's Masterpiece? I was so laughing out loud after looking it up on the Internet. And to read of how it was put into Bingley's and Darcy's hands!

This was pure pleasure to read. Well done.20 s Debbie1,566 51

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

There's so much I loved about this until well into the story, and then it took a turn I couldn't really accept, as I will explain. The title is perfect, as Jane and Mr. Bingley get equal time with Elizabeth and Darcy, and the development of the two romances are interlinked. A third romance crops up almost incidentally, as it is not integral to the primary plot, but it does add some interesting scenes.

The book's beginning is wonderful and highly original. After being in London for a while, Mr. Bingley misses his Miss Bennet with his whole being. Humorously, he believes he's imagining that he's seeing Jane from afar in London all the time. (It turns out his eyesight isn't sharp enough to recognize that it IS really her!)

His heartache gets him to do some soul searching. He determines that he must take charge of his own life instead of relying on the advice of his good friend Darcy or allowing his pushy sisters to boss him around. He loves Jane and, dadgumit, he's going to pursue her and find out for himself what she truly feels about him.

Consequently, Bingley heads back to Longbourn and learns from Elizabeth that his lady is in London. He also hears about Caroline's letter suggesting that he wished to marry Georgiana Darcy. Jane had visited his sisters in London, he discovers, but they never informed him of her visit and only returned the courtesy in such a way to make it obvious that they had no intention of continuing the relationship.

The usually mild-mannered Bingley becomes spitting mad and sends Darcy a scathing letter severing their friendship. (Wow!) In turn, this makes Darcy spitting mad at Caroline Bingley, and he goes to call on her, resulting in another whopping good scene. (Double wow!) Bingley's stance also sets Darcy on his own self-reflective journey. Among other realizations, he recognizes that he owes Jane Bennet an abject apology and goes to the Gardiners' Cheapside residence to do so in person. (Triple wow!)

Meanwhile, Jane has gotten letters from home advising her that Bingley is back, with her mother demanding her immediate return in order to secure him. Jane does the unexpected and absolutely refuses. (WOWZA!) Her first encounter with Bingley after she does come back to Hertfordshire is at a Valentine's Day assembly, and what happens there just launched my "Wow"s! off the charts.

Basically, the shy and proper Miss Bennet has been mortified to be the subject of such hurtful comments from her mother and the gossip among her neighbors when Mr. Bingley left Netherfield without a word and broke her heart. She will not allow herself to be at his beck and call, and she will not have her private life played out in front of the whole neighborhood. (Bravo, Jane!)

Elizabeth, of course, stands firmly by her sister, who is surprising her at every turn with the cool reception she (Jane) is giving Bingley. Between Mr. Wickham's lies and Mr. Darcy's participation separating Jane and Bingley, Elizabeth is spitting mad with Darcy.

Okay, so Bingley has backbone, Jane has the spirit to stand up for herself, and Darcy learns early that he needs to get over himself and stop judging people harshly just because they aren't from his social sphere. All of this is really, really excellent, and appropriate motivation is provided for these actions and reactions.

But Jane's continues to hold Bingley at arm's length way longer than I felt was credible for her character. The longer it persisted, the more OOC (out of character) I felt this behavior was. Other characters whose opinion she respects-- Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner-- call her on it and let her know it is past time for her to stand down if she still has feelings for Bingley (and the entire time, she DOES state that she loves him). Yeah, I get that Bingley hurt her and she wants to give him a bit of his own medicine before she accepts him back. But she turns into a nasty sadist, enjoying her power over him way more than sweet, kind-hearted Jane ever should. It shows a mean-spirited side to her that I would've told Bingley to run far away from if he'd asked me. This is NOT Jane Bennet!

I also couldn't accept the way Jane inaction messes with Elizabeth's attitude toward Darcy. Jane receives a letter from her Aunt Gardiner conveying Darcy's heartfelt apology and describing the growing relationship between him and the Gardiner family. Jane intentionally withholds that information from Elizabeth. Instead, she allows her sister to continue being ticked off at Darcy on her behalf. Again, it seems just flat wrong that she wants to punish Darcy (and, in consequence, her own beloved sister) when it was obvious from her aunt's letter that the man was sincere, though misguided, in his original intentions and in his apology. What's with THAT?

The author indicates in the book's preface that she wished to delve into these characters but keep them true to Austen's creations. Unfortunately, I do not think that she succeeded with Jane. Once Miss Bennet made her point with Bingley, it was time for this gentle soul to forgive him and let their relationship move forward. That interpretation of Jane Bennet I could have accepted but not this mean-spirited b**ch. Even more bizarrely, late in the book in some conversation Elizabeth has, she refers to Jane being such a sweet and forgiving creature. Huh?? Not from what I read, that's for sure.

Mr. Bennet's use of the cat is clever and effective the first time. I must be dense, because I just did not comprehend the metaphor the second time it was employed, although Jane apparently did. And how on earth did Mr. Bennet know to present it to her at that particular time? If someone would to explain it to me, I'd appreciate it.

Lady Catherine's confrontation with Elizabeth occurs on the streets of Meryton, and Darcy's proposal to Elizabeth (the one she accepts) is one of the best I've ever read. It may not rank highest in the romance category, but it is thoroughly entertaining. I had to add an additional star to my rating for that scene alone, and I admit that it was worth suffering through the b**chy Jane section of the book to get to it.

The book has an overly-long HEA, which includes several scenes that are graphically sexual. If you want to enjoy the entire basic story (rising action, climax, resolution) but wish to avoid the more MA scenes, you can do so by reading thru Chapter 21, or 75% of the book. You will miss some satisfying conversation between the lovers where they reflect on the past, and there is also the resolution for the third romantic couple (which is easily predicted in the first 75% of the book), but the primary plot has reached its conclusion.jaff kindle-unlimited15 s Les2,911 2

This P&P what if imagines that Bingley grows a bit of a spine and returns to Meryton to pursue Jane while she is in London, unbeknownst to him, and is heartily encouraged by Lizzy. However this Jane isn't the compliant, complacent, smiling sweetie of Austen's work. This Jane has decided to have her revenge. Now mean for Jane is mild for most of us so she isn't terribly cruel nor heartless she just wants to punish Mr. Bingley a little for abandoning her on a whim and the pain his sister caused. But with great power comes great responsibility and eventually she needs a set down from her daddy to explain that she has carried it too far and is at risk of driving Mr. Bingley away or to Bedlam.

Lizzy on the other hand really, really, really, hates Darcy. So when the inevitable proposal at Rosings happens she gives him quite a set down. Then the next day learns she was "wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong and is deeply humiliated. Darcy had begun his improvement program prior to Rosings; already meeting and dining with the Gardiners. We learn that he and Mrs. Gardiner have a prior acquaintance, albeit at well under the age of maturity. Lizzy and Jane are introduced to Georgiana in London and Caroline gets some comeuppance.

Everyone returns to Meryton for Jane's wedding, Lady Catherine has her scene in public which leads to Darcy's public proposal and Lizzy's acceptance.

And this is where the book jumps the shark for me. Bingley throws a ball, Darcy & Lizzy get frisky, the Bennet sisters will share a wedding day. The weather intervenes and Darcy and Lizzy spend their wedding night at Netherfield. Where we will learn all the awful details and that Jane and Bingley don't have a glorious wedding night.And then ... and then ... and then ... this was becoming the neverending story. From about 82% I was just bored out of my skull. Now this is a personal preference but I don't need to know the details of Darcy's sexual skills, nor Lizzy questioning Jane over breakfast. austenesque austenesque2017 ku12 s Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)960 323

Insert Backbone [HERE]!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Variation

TIME FRAME: Begins in February, while Darcy, Bingley, and Jane are all in London

SYNOPSIS: A miserable and broken-hearted Mr. Bingley comes to the realization that perhaps he shouldn’t solely trust his friend’s and sisters’ assessments of Miss Bennet’s heart. After all, “when did Darcy ever engage in an extended conversation with Miss Bennet?” Deciding and acting for himself, Mr. Bingley makes a plan to renew his courtship of Jane Bennet. But the only problem is that Jane, after being rejected and publicly humiliated, is not so quick to forgive and forget his treatment of her. With such a poor beginning, can Mr. Bingley succeed and win Jane’s heart? Has Mr. Darcy’s interference in Mr. Bingley’s life caused an irreparable breach between the two friends? How does this all impact Elizabeth’s opinion of Mr. Darcy?

WHAT I LOVED:

- In Defense of the Bingleys: In the Author’s Preface, Linda Beutler discloses that part of her inspiration for this variation was a wish to go against the tide of Austenesque/JAFF literature that portrays Mr. Bingley and Jane as weak, helpless, or clueless and instead have them become stronger-willed and determined characters. I love when authors find inventive and clever ways to tweak the personalities of Jane Austen’s characters! Especially when they find good cause to do so. I really love Mr. Bingley’s realization about Mr. Darcy’s lack of intercourse with Jane.

- The Gardiners: I absolutely love the part the Gardiners play in this variation – their relationship with Mr. and Miss Darcy, and the realized past connections between Mrs. Gardiner’s family and Mr. Darcy’s! There were so delightful surprises there! Mrs. Gardiner is always one of my favorite maternal figures in Jane Austen’s novels, and I loved seeing the many ways she supports and assists her nieces, as well as reprimands them when they rightly deserve it!

- With a Little Help From Their Friends: Whether talking up their relations, setting schemes to bring two people together, lending a sympathetic ear, or creating a brilliant analogy to show someone the error of their ways there was plenty of matchmaking in this variation! I love seeing how many characters contributed to bring others together. I was especially surprised to see Mr. Bennet join in as well! Loved this portrayal of him.

- Letters: There were lots of letters exchanged in this story and I loved seeing how the letter-writing revealed some bits about each letter-writer. The letters crafted in this story were perceptive, clever, and entertaining. I loved learning more about the actions and thoughts of each character through these letters.

- Marvelous Set-Downs: If you seeing a good comeuppance, then you will love the ones that take place in this variation! Well done, Ms. Beutler, I can so tell you had fun with those! Oh boy! I think Caroline Bingley definitely needs some aloe for all those burns!!!

WHAT I WASN’T TOO FOND OF:

- A Little Disbelief: While I was fully onboard with a stronger Bingley and Jane, I did find myself a little less fond of Jane’s continued obstinacy. I definitely don’t mind if there is a deeper reason hindering Jane’s feelings for Mr. Bingley, but the fact that she ignored both Mrs. Gardiner’s and Elizabeth’s cautions made it feel she was intentionally being aloof and challenging. In addition, there was a lot of open candor between characters in this variation. Perhaps a good deal more forthright and public than readers should expect to see in Jane Austen’s time. And it did cause me to suspend my belief occasionally.

CONCLUSION:

My Mr. Darcy and Your Mr. Bingley is an enthralling and captivating variation that delivers a diverting new twist to explore! This Mr. Bingley does a lot to earn our admiration and I cannot help but be endeared to Mr. Darcy and his new struggles to win back his best friend in addition to the woman who owns his heart! There are so many subtle inclusions and creative touches to enjoy in Linda Beutler’s writing, I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

NOTE: The last 20-25 pages of the book do include several intimate romantic scenes and earlier in the book there were some allusions to amorous activities. Recommended for Mature Audiences.

Austenesque Reviewspride-and-prejudice9 s Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813182 9 Read

Today is my stop on the Meryton Press tour for Linda Beutler's latest book. Visit Just Jane 1813 for my review and giveaways.

https://justjane1813.com/2017/04/13/m...9 s wosedwew1,243 115

“None so blind as those that will not see.” Matthew Henry (1662-1714)

We begin here with Bingley in London, unconsciously searching each time he sees a young blonde woman, imagining her to be Jane Bennet. He develops a partial backbone, slipping away to Meryton on his own; still unable to confront his sisters or Darcy. In Meryton, he learns that Jane has been in London and often takes her young cousins to the park.

Immediately he orders a pair of glasses, knowing that at least one time, he had actually spotted Jane in the distance!


“None so bitterly disappointed as those who have got what they wanted.” -- Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler (1860-1929)

Darcy -- wealthy, powerful, handsome and intelligent – goes to Hunsford to discover some things will not be his.

Elizabeth -- witty, charming, educated and beautiful – goes to Hunsford to discover some things are not what they seemed.

“None so empty as those who are full of themselves.” -- Benjamin Whichcote (1609–1683)

My Favorite Scene:
Darcy confronts Caroline Bingley in front of her fellow gossipy shrews: Margaret Snuphworth and Millicent Haberdashson-Cuttley (love the names).

“Miss Bingley, you stated to Miss Bennet a hope for an attachment between my sister and your brother and that I was forwarding the match … I cannot let such rumours about my sister float abroad …”
Darcy disputes Miss Bingley’s claim of friendship with Georgiana: “She keeps to family parties and does not accept calls from single ladies MUCH OLDER than herself.”
And the best line of all:
“The bonds of friendship I hold with your brother are the only bonds between the Darcy and Bingley families.”

And he leaves her to make excuses with the gossips.

I also loved Darcy’s befriending the Gardiners and especially 10-year-old Cecelia Gardiner – such an adorable child.

Colonel Fitzwilliam is granted HEA here when he re-discovers a teenage sweetheart.

This is a very enjoyable story that I would recommend to all JAFF readers.2017 book-10 s Anna473 33 Read

Review originally post on Diary of an Eccentric

Linda Beutler’s latest novel, My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley, a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, is full of surprises from the start. The novel opens with Mr. Bingley realizing his sister, Caroline, and best friend, Mr. Darcy, have done him wrong by scheming to separate him from Jane Bennet following the Netherfield Ball. He becomes his own man and returns to Meryton with nary a word to them, with the intent of winning Jane’s hand in marriage. However, Beutler’s version of Jane is not all smiles and everything that is good; she is understandably angry at Mr. Bingley and will not simply accept his apology. In fact, this Jane is so un the original that even Mr. Bennet can understand Mrs. Bennet’s nerves!

Meanwhile, learning of Darcy’s role in her sister’s unhappiness means Elizabeth Bennet’s poor opinion of him has only worsened. Darcy acknowledges the need to make amends with Bingley and Jane, but he is not wanted or needed at Netherfield and instead must present himself to the the sisters’ relations in Cheapside. When Darcy and Elizabeth meet again in Kent, Elizabeth knows nothing of Darcy’s new friendship with the Gardiners; she is more exasperated at her sister’s actions than anything. Although Darcy is warned by his cousin, Colonel Alex Fitzwilliam, to check his pride and tread carefully where Elizabeth is concerned, Darcy plows onward, and confusion, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings abound.

I loved how Beutler twisted the story so Jane and Bingley were more complex characters, even if I couldn’t imagine Austen’s Jane acting Jane does here — and not just in her dealings with Mr. Bingley. I also enjoyed the passionate arguments between Darcy and Elizabeth, their interactions with Caroline, and the chaos in Meryton involving Lady Catherine. There were many times that I laughed out loud, and I didn’t mind having to suspend disbelief here and there. Colonel Fitzwilliam’s involvement in the chaos and his own story were fun to read, and I must admit I fell in love with him over the course of the novel.

My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley was an overall delightful read, with plenty of changes in the plot and characters to keep me curious about what would happen next. There was the right balance of angst, romance, and humor, and plenty of steaminess toward the end. Beutler’s take on Pride and Prejudice is different and exciting, and it definitely makes you think about how drastically changing the personalities of a couple of characters can turn things upside down.

I received a free copy of this book for review.austenesque9 s Kasia Burlakoff166 12

I enjoyed the beginning of this book very much. Darcy got deserved set downs from Bingley and Mrs. Gardiner. I admire Bingley with a back bone. The childhood memories of Darcy and Maggie Shaw were very funny and unusual. I loved the relationship between the Gardiners and the Darcys.

I wasn't crazy about Jane's behavior towards Bingley, I always believed that she had taken him back too easily (at least they needed to have a conversation). But it this story it went a bit too far, it was too much OOC for me. Still, the scene with a cat was brilliant. Luckily Jane learned a lesson as well.

I d Colonel Fitzwilliam speaking the truth to Darcy and helping him realize the depth of his feelings for Lizzy. And a HEA for him was great as well.

4.5 stars for me.march-20176 s Dung442

3.5?? I enjoyed seeing a bolder Bingley and how he didn't forgive Darcy right away. I ?? Mrs. Gardiner's connection to Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

I wasn't to fond of a darker Jane. There were also many spelling and grammar issues. austen-inspried books-owned-kindle-ibook4 s Rita Deodato221 10

Review initially posted on:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...

In Pride & Prejudice Elizabeth Bennet blames Mr. Darcy for the unhappiness of her most beloved sister, but I always believed it to be Mr. Bingley’s fault, he was the one who left her with a shattered heart after all! And he was the one who was not strong enough to fight for the woman he loved, even if he was led to believe she was indifferent to him, why couldn’t he at least try to win her heart? Why should he just give up?

In My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley Linda Beutler presents us a more determined Mr. Bingley, master of his own life and willing to fight for his happiness, a more worthy Mr. Bingley in my opinion :)

In this story, and knowing he will displease his friend and family, he returns to Hertfordshire to try to conquer Miss Bennet. But there is one small problem…She is actually in London, and the lady he had seen in the park and considered very similar to his angel, was truly Miss Jane Bennet. One would think that upon the knowledge that Mr. Bingley had returned, she would fly to Longbourn to be once more in the vicinities of the most agreeable man of her acquaintance right? Well…not this Jane Bennet! You see, she is also a more determined character in this book and is not willing to run into the arms of the man who left her with a broken heart a few months ago. Jane Bennet’s character is also more firm in this book, and rightly so in my opinion. Why should she forgive him so easily? Jane’s unexpected behaviour will put Longbourn in an uproar and give Mr. Bennet the opportunity to put under good regulation the behaviour of his most angelic daughter by showing her how a real cat and mouse game really his. I confess this was one of my favourite parts of the book and I’m sure Jane will never see mouses the same way ever again.

Also, it turns out she can’t resist a man with spectacles so all is well when it ends well (I’m sure you all knew there would be HEA, so I’m not considering this a major spoiler), but what about Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth? They will face trials of their own as everyone seems to know Mr. Darcy’s real character but Elizabeth. She will eventually learn how to read this intriguing man and receive a most unique marriage proposal. I did not see that scene coming, and it became one of my favourite scenes in the entire book
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