“Did you forget, the regiment will move away to Brighton soon enough, and all we will be left with are the Miss Whom-ever’s you think unworthy of your time now?”
Lydia waved her down. “I shall have a husband by then, and I am sure I will not care.”
“How do you mean to get a husband when you chase all the men in town away?” Kitty snorted.
(from The Future Mrs. Darcy, page 44)
The Future Mrs. Darcy is Volume 2 in the Given Good Principles series by Maria Grace, a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In the first book, Darcy’s Decision, Grace introduces readers to a young Fitzwilliam Darcy struggling to come to terms with his responsibilities as the new master of Pemberley. This time around, Grace follows the Bennet sisters as they struggle to keep the youngest, Lydia, under control.
Mrs. Bennet hopes her eldest, Jane, will marry Mr. Carver of Netherfield, but when Lydia, Kitty, and Maria Lucas do a bit too much flirting with the officers during an evening at Lucas Lodge, Mr. Carver decides they are a bad influence on his sisters and quits Netherfield. All eyes are on the Bennets as a result, and some families no longer wish to associate with them. Mrs. Bennet is confined to bed because of her nerves, just as Mr. Bennet must leave on estate business.
Elizabeth is put in charge of the household books, and she realizes she underestimated her mother. She also realizes she’s been neglecting her sisters, and she begins taking the time to listen to and really get to know Jane, Mary, and Kitty. Not only do they have to divide and conquer all the household tasks, but they need to keep an eye on Lydia as tongues begin wagging about some officers planning to elope with some local girls.
The Future Mrs. Darcy follows the Bennets, particularly Elizabeth, before Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Wickham enter the picture. It’s short, well written, and a good way to spend an afternoon. Lydia was even more annoying than in the original novel, and readers will wish they could reach into the book and throttle her, especially during the hastily planned dinner party she helps Mrs. Forster throw. Grace introduces some interesting original characters as well, from the creepy Major Sloane to Mr. Pierce, the local curate whom Mary likes.
I think Grace was wise to introduce Elizabeth and Darcy in separate books so readers can see how they really do come from different worlds. It should be exciting to watch them navigate the path to happily ever after in future volumes. I can’t wait to see where she goes with this series, and I highly recommend it for readers like me for whom these Austenesque novels are a guilty pleasure.
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Future Mrs. Darcy from the author for review. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
How fun does this book seem to be. I’ll have to borrow your copy if I don’t win!
Sure, you can borrow the first book, too.
I bet my mom would enjoy this book!
Sounds like your mother and I would really get along!
It was so funny to read how you wanted to reach into the book to throttle Lydia! LOL
My husband thinks it’s funny that fictional characters get me all worked up.
Glad you enjoyed this one.
I can’t wait for Vol. 3!
This sounds like such an interesting peek
into the lives of the family Bennet!
Yes, though Mr. & Mrs. Bennet are in the background for most of the book.
Sounds good
I hope she manages to keep an eye on Lydia
You’ll just have to read it to find out.
This sounds like a terrific book to spend an afternoon with (but really, I could spend a year just on Darcy books). Thanks for hosting this great giveaway! I’ll post it in my blog’s sidebar, Anna.
You should see the stack I have set aside for my mental health vacation next week!
This is screaming..read me!!!
It does have your name written all over it.
Wonderful to find Maria’s book reviewed here w/ giveaway opp! TY! I’ve been following this one for a while and hoping for good things
Thx for sharing your thoughts that have increased my an.ti.ci.paaaa.tion 
!!
Hope you get a chance to read it!
Gorgeous cover!
I love it, too, and it looks like she re-did the cover for the first book since I read it and it complements this one quite well.
This just sounds like fun reading!
Yes, yes, yes!
I like your review, thanks! I read the first volume so I’m very eager to see how Elizabeth and her family evolve before the Netherfield party arrive on the scene.
If you liked the first book, I’m pretty confident you’ll enjoy this one, too.
This sounds like an interesting take on the characters from Pride and Prejudice. I look forward to giving the series a try.
I hope you enjoy it. So far, each volume has been pretty slim, so they are very quick reads.
[...] Diary of an Eccentric Bookworm [...]
I can’t wait to read this, Maria! Your work is always a joy to read.
Hope you enjoy Maria Grace’s work as much as I do!
I love the idea of all the Bennet girls working together on Longbourn tasks and especially that they join to keep Lydia under control. The creepy Major Sloane and curate Mr. Pierce sound interesting too. Thanks for reviewing, Anna!
Thank you for stopping by! It was enjoyable to see the Bennet sisters unite!
I am a Austenite fan, and love most of these guilty pleasure books.
Glad to find another reader who finds these books to be guilty pleasures.
Can’t wait to read this one!!
Hope you get a chance to cross it off your list soon!
[...] Diary of an Eccentric Bookworm [...]
I just discovered your blog, after reading your post on the Austenesque Extravaganza – really enjoyed it! And I love the review for this book
Thanks so much, Valerie! Hope you’ll stop by again soon!
You’re very welcome! And have the blog on my list of Fav’s!
Thank you so much. That makes my day!
[...] of Suko’s Notebook, who won the paperback, and Oksana, who won the e-book of The Future Mrs. Darcy by Maria Grace, as well as Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, who won the paperback and book cover [...]
[...] The Future Mrs. Darcy [...]