Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy

By: Georgina Young-Ellis

Narrated by: Jannie Meisberger

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

The wind ruffled Darcy’s hair. “You’re beautiful.”

Happiness surged through Elizabeth's body like electricity. This moment was as close to perfection as she had ever known.

1943. World War II has torn the continent since 1939 and tested families, the Bennets included. Elizabeth and Jane nurse wounded soldiers and civilians in a London hospital. The other sisters volunteer as best suits their inclinations. Mr. Bennet rattles about Longbourn. Wickham sniffs about the edges of the estate—and the Bennet daughters.

Even the ever-present threat of death from the skies cannot prepare Jane and Lizzy for the most devastating news. The words one never wishes to hear are delivered by two officers, each scarred by years on the front lines. In the dark days that follow, devotion is tested, and affection blooms.

Kiss Me Good Night, Major Darcy drops Jane Austen’s timeless characters into the midst of the most horrific conflict in human history. Their trail twists and encounters those who would turn sacrifice to their profit. Follow the women of Longbourn as they navigate the rocks and shoals of wartime Great Britain to endure misunderstandings and discover lasting love.

©2022 Georgina Young-Ellis (P)2022 Georgina Young-Ellis

Good WWII P&P Variation

The narration by Jannie Meisberger is very good, and I like this narrator. Her various character voices are well performed, but in this book, I felt like her cadence or intonation at the end of sentences fell and sounded flat very often. Otherwise very good.

Book review:
All the elements for a good Pride and Prejudice variation are here in this WWII romance. Jane and Elizabeth are nurses, Mary works the farms with the Women’s Land Army, and Kitty and Lydia are hospital volunteers. Major Darcy and Captain Bingley are in the army. Mr. Bennet is a widower. Wickham is a scoundrel and a coward, as per usual, and the other minor characters are all included.

As the story begins, Jane is engaged to someone other than Charles Bingley. Her fiancé’s letters will make you weep. This early part of the book really drew me in emotionally. The rest of the book takes place over an 18-month period as they all make their way through wartime struggles.

I enjoyed the book very much, but for me the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy lacked passion. I don’t mean steam level as this is a clean and sweet romance, but I would have liked to see more bonding between them. I thought the book ended too quickly with just their engagement. I needed more time with them as a happy couple.

I did enjoy it and recommend.

I've fallen in love with Darcy & Elizabeth again!

I did not think I would like a war time Darcy and Lizzy. The war has bad memories for my family. However, I couldn't stop listening to this tale of love in the midst of horror!

Kudos Georgina you tell is 🌹🌹 you made me fall in love with Darcy and Elizabeth all over again!!

Good story

Great story and narration. A very good description of the war effort of the whole country and how it affected individuals. Good romance and hot Darcy. Highly recommended.

WWII romance

Second time with audio just as lovely. Darcy in a uniform ... sigh. Actually picturing him in his high waisted pleated slacks with a beater and two toned oxfords ..... HUGE SIGH. Elizabeth as a nurse working in London. Our couple aren't as argumentative but the attraction simmers under the surface. Sadly, Colonel Fitzwilliam is mentioned but we don't see him in this story.

Jane is also a nurse. She's engaged to the eldest son and heir of Netherfield. The fiance is killed in action and his buddies in arms, Darcy and Bingley, arrive at the hospital to share the devastating information with Jane. Our two couples first introduction and instant attraction however no declarations are made for about year and a half.

Bombs, injuries, character death (not main) and of course some Wickham and Lady Catherine. Oh and of course Miss Bingley tries to secure Darcy with no success.

I did have to speed up the narrative a tad. Was dragging and way too slow.

Somehow didn't come up to my expectations....

A DISCLAIMER first: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Unusually for me, I'll start with the narration - as always, it's great:) Ms Meisberger is a wonderful narrator who can make an even bad book a nice listen... Her voice adds warmth to every story, makes it flow in your ears and relaxes you allowing you to immerse yourself in the book. And such it was this time as well, so 5 stars for the narration:)

As for the book itself... I really wanted to like it more. I finished it almost two weeks ago, but I needed time to think over what I want and can say about it to give it justice, and I still have my doubts. On the one hand, it's a decent variation of Elizabeth and Darcy's story, with the background of the second world war seemingly allowing for great turns in the plot we know so well. On the other, I think this is where the book has lost me - the possibilities that haven't been put to good use. I know it's the WWII because I am told so and I see the Bennet sisters working in a hospital. I know it's WWII because I am told Darcy and Bingley are officers recovering from their battle wounds. There even is a close-to-home bombing which serves as an excuse for some plot revelations - and yet all that sounds so distant and unemotional somehow...
I don't know if that's the author's fault or if it's me, reading and listening to too many Pride and Prejudice variations, but somehow in this case I just couldn't make myself get involved with Elizabeth and Darcy. I still don't know how and why he fell in love with her and what really made her change her mind about him. I mean, I can guess which scenes in the plot are the poignant ones, but I know it on a logical, not emotional level, if you follow me...:) And in a romance I want emotions, not logic, I want passion and sparks, not cold psychoanalysis on my part...

But, not to be so harsh, the book has a few really nicely written emotional scenes, some of the other characters do catch your eye and have their moments, and overall the book really IS a nice listen, so you should give it a chance. Maybe in my case it was just the wrong book at the wrong time... It happens sometimes, you know...:)