The Abominable Mr. Darcy

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: J. Dawn King

Narrated by: Stevie Zimmerman

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mr. Darcy was an enigma, until he spoke. Then, he was the enemy. Miss Elizabeth Bennet's eyes are instantly drawn towards a handsome, mysterious guest who arrives at the Meryton Assembly with the Bingley party. The gentleman destroys her illusions by delivering an insult that turns him from Mr. Divinely Attractive to the Abominable Mr. Darcy. While Elizabeth sets in motion her strategy for retaliation, Darcy plans to win the campaign being waged in the genteel drawing rooms of Hertfordshire. As more players from Jane Austen's beloved cast of characters enter the fray, complications arise - some with irreversible consequences. Can a truce be called before their hearts become casualties as well? How many times can two people go from enemies to friends and back again before it's too late? A Regency romance from best-selling author, J. Dawn King, inspired by Pride and Prejudice.

©2016 Joy Dawn King (P)2016 Quiet Mountain Press

A Great Variation!

What a great Pride & Prejudice variation this is! One little change altered the events of the original to be almost unrecognizable. Even with a whole new set of events, the story was still believable and the characters familiar as our dear Darcy and Lizzy.

Elizabeth Bennett is attending the Meryton assembly when Mr. Darcy, Mr. and Miss Bingley, the Hursts, and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrive. She is immediately attracted to the tall handsome Mr. Darcy, and is happy to see Jane's eyes directed to Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Bennett gathers her chicks together to be introduced to Bingley and Darcy, but omits Elizabeth in the confusion. As a result, when Darcy meets Elizabeth's eyes across the room, he doesn't know that the lively beauty he admires is a daughter of the vulgar woman he just met. When Bingley asks Darcy to dance with a Bennett daughter, he doesn't know that the scathing comments he makes are about the woman he can't take his eyes from.

Elizabeth and the others near her overhear Darcy's comments and Elizabeth is humiliated and offended. Recognizing Bingley as one who might be easily led by Darcy, she formulates a plan to throw Jane and Bingley together while giving Mr. Darcy just what he deserves. Meanwhile, Col Fitzwilliam, a few years older than Darcy and one of the few people not intimidated by him, gives him a stern set down about his behavior at the assembly. Darcy recognizes that his behavior was ungentlemanlike and vows to apologize to Elizabeth and behave better in the future.

The early introduction of Col Fitzwilliam, a very mature and sensible version, completely changes the events of the story. He brings sense and shows Darcy just how he appears in public. Darcy doesn't need a botched proposal to humble him, although he and Elizabeth still have plenty of misunderstandings in this version without it!

The narration was well done, it didn't pull me out of the story and fit with the tone very well. I will be adding this author and narrator to my to read list!

Disapointed - it's only okay

I struggled to finish this book. It was only okay - not good. I thought the story was a bit disjointed and the characters were no where as near appealing as the ones in the Pride and Prejudice book. I am returning this book and will try for a better one.

Parts of this book were pretty good, but then it became disjointed again and ruined the good parts. The narration by Stevie Zimmerman was good.

Excellent variation

J Dawn King always writes wonderful P&P variations and this one is narrated by one of the top two readers (IMO) ... Pearl Hewitt and Stevie Zimmerman. You can't go wrong with this combo.

Not well written

This book left too much to desire.
SPOILER
Richard told Darcy that he doesn't care for the feelings of others by telling him he has never settled things with Ann or his aunt and by never letting Miss Bingley there is no hope. Well you would like to actually hear the set down due to caroline's awful behavior but you are only told he told her she would never be mistress of Pemberly. I believe it was said he wrote a letter telling her this. That would never happen. An unmarried woman and an unmarried man, Caroline could have said she was compromised....lol.
There isn't time together with ODC to see why they start loving each other.
The way the book went along is like someone abridged the book and you felt there was lots missing...I really don't understand the many 5 stars or even 4 stars.
I wished someone would write a variation that shows ODC being together and working to be together while others try to AND fail in keeping them apart. Let them show they know each other well not to allow their feeling to move like a roller coaster

Great!

Enjoyed it! Another brilliant day of romance and fun as always! Just cannot get enough!

Very Enjoyable

Well written, entertaining dialogue. Didn’t want it to end. I loved the Colonel and Charlotte’s part in this story. I giggled often. Excellent narration.

Okay, not as good as Compromised

The narrator is awesome as always. I stumbled across this author and have devoured three of her books in just a few days. My gripe with this one is that for me there is not enough drama.

Yes there is bits here and there but there is not enough between the two main characters other than the normal misunderstandings that permeate any Jane and Darcy book. There was more tension and angst between Charlotte and the Colonel then either Bennett sister.

If you are new to this author, I would highly recommend listening to “Compromised” first. Same author and narrator and a much better plot. It will help make this one more tolerable.

Added to my Favorites

This story stayed very close to the original with a few twists and changes in just the right places to give it a fresh new spin. J. Dawn King and Stevie Zimmerman are a Dynamic Duo for a great story with a perfect narrator to bring the characters to life!

Stevie Zimmerman and J Dawn King nail it!

Love this story! Honestly cannot find fault in Stevie Zimmerman 's narrating. High key recommend this book for all who just can't get enough of Darcy's POV. Stevie Zimmerman does an excellent Darcy that makes this book worth it for me. I just love listening Darcy and Elizabeth call in love in her another variation.

The Abominable Mr darcy

I spent a lovely afternoon with this book! The characters and story was interesting. The narrator did a great job.

wonderful experience

I loved the energy in this audiobook and the 'he loves me - he loves me not; she loves me - she loves me not' feeling. Certain characters like the Colonel and Lizzie's friend Charlotte are very interesting too.

Wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Gorgeous from start to finish.

Excellent as always

Yet another thoroughly good story from Ms King. Excellent performance from Ms Zimmerman. Can't wait to start the next one.