Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Review: Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly

From the Publisher:
Sisters are forever...
Sarah and Mia Castle are closer than best friends and share just about everything, including a deep and abiding love for all things relating to Jane Austen. Their annual trip to the Jane Austen Festival in Bath is a highlight of their lives—until the year they discover that no matter how close two sisters may be, it's impossible to share one man between them. Even ifhe does seem like their own perfect Mr. Darcy, if one wins him, won' t both of them lose?

Planning a staycation this summer? Whether you are a Janeite, travel enthusiast, or romantic, Victoria Connelly offers a stress-free, cost-free, delightful getaway. Through her trilogy, Connelly takes readers to Hampshire in A Weekend with Mr. Darcy, Lyme Regis in Dreaming of Mr. Darcy and Bath in Mr. Darcy Forever.  Jane Austen Addicts Trilogy is the perfect summer read, allowing readers to escape reality and voyage to the beautiful sights of England and experience flirty romance first hand.
In the pages of Connelly’s novel, you will visit the Royal Crescent, Pump Room, Pultney Bridge, the Circus, and spend a week in Devon at Barton Cottage. It was here I could see the myriad of colors the scenery offered: pink and red campions, bluebells and lush green fields. I watched women in Regency dresses, adorned with bonnets and reticules, and men in tight breeches promenade through the Royal Crescent. It was as if I was a passerby, observing the elegantly dressed people and seeing firsthand the beautiful stonework and history of Bath. It’s these breathtaking sights that make each book memorable.
Similar to the other two books in the trilogy, in Mr. Darcy Forever, we are given two romances for the price of one! Sisters, Sara and Mia Castle, normally attend the Jane Austen Festival in Bath together each year. However, after a falling out, the two have not spoken nor attended the festival for three years. Throughout the story, the reader is taken back in time to Sara and Mia’s holiday at Barton Cottage and slowly given the sordid details behind their row. The transitions between present day Bath and the Barton Cottage flashbacks flow smoothly. I could not put down the book because I had to know what kind of guy could come between these best friends.
Coming face to face with their pain, each sister finds the healing power in talking about the past three years. Having opened up about their private struggles, there is an immediate bond formed between each sister and her new beau. Could these guys be the Mr. Darcys Sarah and Mia have been searching for? While their relationships do move rather fast, it did not bother me because they connected on such an emotional level already. And hey, any guy willing to enter a Mr. Darcy wet t-shirt competition must be a keeper, right?
I loved how many characters from A Weekend with Mr. Darcy and Dreaming of Mr. Darcy make cameos. It was like bumping into old friends. This was such fun trilogy; I cannot believe it is over. I really enjoyed my sojourns to Hampshire, Lyme Regis and Bath.
Those who find yourselves as sad as I am that the trilogy is over, put away your hankies, for Ms. Connelly is planning a novella sequel for Kindle called Christmas with Mr. Darcy, which will unite the main characters from each trilogy as they attend a special conference at Purley Hall in Hampshire.

*Stop by Thursday to watch my vlog for Mr. Darcy Forever!*

Mr. Darcy Forever
Available on Amazon
Available on Barnes and Noble
Available on Sourcebooks

Victoria Connelly's website: http://victoriaconnelly.com/
Twitter: @VictoriaDarcy
Facebook: Victoria Connelly

13 comments:

  1. I don't read that many modern variations. I may have to put these on the list. Good job, Jakki!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Angie! The first, "A Weekend with Mr. Darcy" & the last, "Mr. Darcy Forever" were my favorites in this trilogy.

      Delete
    2. Sounds interesting. I'm a fan of moderns.

      Delete
    3. I like them both. It just depends on my mood as to which I want to read at the moment.

      Delete
  2. I haven't made it around to reading these yet but I intend to. While I generally prefer regencies to moderns, these sound really good and with this last one, it seems you get the best of both worlds at the JA Festival! I always love when an author brings characters from one of his/her books into another. Looking forward to your vlog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Monica! I also love it when an author brings characters from one of his/her other works into another. I love it when Mary Simonsen brings Antony Fitzwilliam into her books! (right, Angie) ;) It's like having a reunion with old friends.

      Delete
    2. I loves me some Lord Fitzwilliam! He's the kind of rake that part of you wants to reform, bc you know he'd be "good" with the right woman, but part of you wants to just enjoy him the way he is! I love when he flirts with Aunt Gardiner!

      Delete
    3. Oh, Yes! I do just love him to pieces! And you have me laughing right now when I think of his smooth lines to Aunt G.! And let's not forget the way he describes "Evil Elinor!"

      Delete
  3. Hi Jakki! I haven't read any of these either! Hopefully, this summer I can spend a lot of time reading and I will put these on my TBR list! I like the sound of this one. Do you recommend reading them in order or can they stand alone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Candy! While this is a trilogy, each book can also be a standalone novel. So, you could read them out of order, as it will not interfere with the book's understanding, yet, if you want to catch the little references made to the other books, then you really should read them in order. I hope you find time this summer to squeeze in this trilogy! :)

      Delete
  4. Lovely review, Jakki! I love how you pointed out how the sisters started their healing process with talking to other people about their relationship. I am so happy to hear that there is a novella in the works for Christmas! Woot! Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So excited about the upcoming novella! I wasn't ready to let all these characters go.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Meredith & Anna, I know! When Victoria told me she was planning on a Christmas novella, I was so excited! Like you gals, I do not want to let them go either. Can't wait for this reunion! ;)

    ReplyDelete