Sandy M’s review of Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Historical Romance published by Sourcebooks 1 Mar 09

I have to admit upfront that I have never read Jane Austen. Well, I cheated once and listened to an audio of Emma, but that’s it as far as my Austen experience goes. Ms. Lathan is a huge Austen fan, enamored of Pride and Prejudice, and began wondering what life would have been like for these two lovers after PaP. She started writing her version of that idea as fanfic, and the next thing she knows she has a trilogy about one of those most beloved historical couples being published for all the world to see. I think Ms. Austen would be proud.

Now, I’m not sure the fact I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice is a good thing or a bad thing at this point.I didn’t get the full impact of the misunderstanding between Darcy and Elizabeth, how it was resolved and the resulting re-proposal and upcoming nuptials. I think I did get the flavor of it all, though, in this book that eventually gives rise to the love and romance between these two characters. At first I thought their spoken endearments of love were a little effusive, but then it goes hand in hand with their initial innocence at loving and then their steadily growing passion for one another. It actually worked beautifully.

This first book in the series takes place over an approximate six-month span, starting with the wedding day that both Darcy and Elizabeth thought they’d never see. I like the fact that both are completely innocent when it comes to the wedding night, and that particular scene is one of my favorites in the book. I also like that Darcy is a romantic at heart. He not only tells Lizzy he loves her every chance he gets, he also shows her in deed, including in the bedroom and anywhere else the mood strikes him. They also have a very teasing and fun relationship due to Lizzy’s wit and sense of humor, something that works its way into her new husband over time.

You can see the change Elizabeth and her love has wrought in Darcy through his family’s and friends’ eyes, noticing he now smiles more, laughs more, jokes more, and is at peace, something they know he’s never possessed.  He’s a man who can do without society and has done so for years, only being seen out and about when necessary. But now with his beautiful wife on his arm, he finds he enjoys the trappings of society once in a while. Elizabeth has the usual worries about Darcy’s family and staff liking her, getting used to his money and estate and what it can do for them, and the unwanted attention of a rogue.

This part of the book came not a moment too soon for me.  More than halfway through the book the honeymoon is still in full swing, good things abound for this couple, and I kept thinking when will something happen to slow down the bliss and the ardor. I mean, it has to eventually. Life may be charmed for some folks, but it can’t always be hearts and flowers. Ms. Lathan delivers right on time, the rogue she throws into the mix gives life and love a new dimension for both Darcy and Elizabeth.

And I know it’s because of what we’re now used to in our romance novels in this day and age, but I really enjoyed that those two can’t keep their hands off one another, loving their way through this book at every opportunity, going crazy when separated from each other even for a minuscule amount of time. Also, their pact to be honest with one another, keep no secrets from the other, say what they mean and mean what they say is an added plus. They went through the big misunderstanding once, the reader doesn’t need another one. They have spats now instead, which is more true to life, especially during the newly wed stage.

The author has a very nice, lovely voice for this genre. Since I’ve not read Austen before, I can’t say how close she is to that legend’s voice, but for this reader it works quite well. I look forward to the next two books in the trilogy, which will, when complete, cover the first year of the Darcys’ marriage. I believe I got a good feel for them and their life even without Ms. Austen’s story.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Beginning on their wedding day, Darcy and Elizabeth are two people who are deeply in love with one another and are excited to begin their marriage.

Their courtship was tempestuous; misunderstandings and misgivings nearly tore them apart. But now that they’ve seen each other without prejudice, their trust, attraction, and delight in each other grows with every passing day. Both are inexperienced and innocent, sharing moments of shyness and boldness as they discover the kinds of intimacies that a newlywed couple shares.

As their love story unfolds, they reveal their innermost secrets and feelings, embracing each other in a marriage filled with romance, passion, humor, and drama that will keep you spellbound.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: