Laura HileBesprekingen

During the evening of the Netherfield Ball, Darcy and Collins are next to a folly when lightning strikes and they swap bodies and are now trapped. But Collins (Darcy) is at Longbourn house with Elizabeth. Can he repent of his past behaviour, can Elizabeth fall in love with him, and what of Darcy (Collins) subjected to Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine de Bough. What can he learn.
Would have liked more of Collins as Darcy, and the minor characters.

In this Persuasion sequel Elizabeth Elliot is the last of the sisters to be unmarried. Is it her time now. But who will she chose. Her cousin Elliot, and Rushworth are eager. A well-written, easy to read story.
I like this Elizabeth, which is a surprise. Now I will have to read the rest of this trilogy.

Some very enjoyable well-written stories. Two were straight Darcy Elizabeth stories. A nice mix of characters from three of Jane Austen books in The Christmas Matchmaker, and a Mansfield Park short story which is a very rare treat.

In this Persuasion sequel (Book 2) Elizabeth Elliot's problems continue. Having fallen for poor Patrick Gill can she give up Mr. Rushworth and his fortune even if he is getting a divorce. With Sir Walter's debt mounting what can be done. And what are Lady Russell's plans
A very enjoyable well-written story, I like this Elizabeth in the first Book and I continue to do so. Sir Walter and Mary Musgrove are as annoying as ever.

This Persuasion sequel and Elizabeth Elliot's story continues and concludes. So will she have a happy ending, and who will she marry, if anyone. And what about Lady Russell and her solution to Sir Walter's debts.
Thoroughly enjoyable well-written story. I didn't think anyone could portray Elizabeth as a likeable character, and to feel sorry for her, but it happened. Though I defer anybody to make Mary Musgrove appealing.

Those who are fans of Jane Austen will love this book as we get to go along with different Austen characters as their lives progress.
I highly recommend this book!

This is the first book I’ve read by Laura Hile. It won’t be the last. The way she describes each character and the situations in which they find themselves is wonderful. You can imagine in your mind’s eye exactly what’s happening. You find yourself experiencing the same emotions as the characters.

I reluctantly must confess I did not really start reading books by Jane Austen until the Homeschool Drama group in our town in Texas did a play based on one of her novels. Since then, I have found myself not reading the actual books, but reading modern day retellings of these stories. I found myself intrigued by the plot of this book. So I had no experience with Charlotte Lucas, but I love a heroine getting the happily ever after she deserves.

Jack Blount provides the perfect match for Charlotte. I love how the two come together, even if they did not mean to do so. The story kept my attention and I could not wait to find out how it would end.

Speaking of the end, I appreciate a “real” ending to a book and this one definitely provides that feature. So if you love regency books with humble heroes and heroines who willingly speak their mind, check out this regency book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

I’m giving a big cheer to the author for giving Charlotte a story that her fans will adore. I just cringed when the dastardly Mr. Collins insults Charlotte with his fierce words. How dare he say she is not attractive and will never find a husband. What does he know anyway? I’m glad Charlotte had enough determination to run as fast as she could away from that man.

This story highlights Charlotte with her intelligence, beauty inside and out and a catch for any man. Being rescued by the dashing Captain Jack Blunt would be dreamy for any young woman. It’s not everyday that Charlotte finds a man who can see the beauty she possesses within. I loved how the author lets us get to know Charlotte better and understand her doubts of acceptance. Why must people feel the need to criticize others?

I cheered for Jack as he teaches Mr. Collins in how to treat women. Did Mr. Collins really think he could get away with the physical attack on Charlotte? Now I must say it will take some time for Charlotte to trust a man but maybe Jack can penetrate the wall she has built around her heart. It is fun to read about their interactions and at times I could feel Charlotte slowly let her guard down. Love is a funny thing. It can hurt, make you feel lonely and left out. But when you find that one true love, oh my how your heart goes pitter patter. Don’t miss this wonderful story of love conquers all.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

So This is Love by Laura Hile introduced me to the world of Pride & Prejudice inspired books. I liked this portrayal of Charlotte Lucas. Though she is practical as always, Charlotte is also witty, speaks the truth with grace, and rises up bravely when necessary.

The idea of Charlotte having a happily-ever-after drew me to So This is Love. Most unexpectedly for Charlotte, she is caught in a deep romance with Captain Jack Blount, a swoon-worthy hero. He is brave, confident, and protective of Charlotte. The plot trots at a steady place with plenty of interactions between Jack and Charlotte. Add in some romantic sizzle and it is quite a whirlwind romance that ensues.

While So This is Love by Laura Hile entertained, it did not grip me to the point of being hard to put down. Still, I liked the story and will read it again in the future. I recommend this book to fans of historical romance who enjoy a bit of Pride & Prejudice thrown in. The story does contain a Christian faith element though it does not play a major part in the storyline.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

For reasons I won't get into here, I used to steer clear of all literary retellings and fan fiction based on iconic classics that were done so well. Even so, I jumped in to read Her Christmas Gift by author Robin Helm, a romantic holiday tale based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

You certainly should be familiar with the original novel before trying this novella, as the retelling wouldn't hold much significance or make the best sense on its own. I found myself visualizing most of the characters here as the actors who played the corresponding roles in thee best onscreen adaptation of the novel, the 1995 BBC miniseries.

Now, even with its short length, I felt that this read could have been shaved down and sharpened for pertinence and pacing. Also, the chunks of Elizabeth's italicized thoughts often seem more like careful, extended lines of narration than just a person's natural thoughts, and both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy seem somewhat softer in this story than I picture their original characters.

Nevertheless, the novella does have its shining moments, some interesting further development of a character or two, and the warmth and festivity of Christmas. Worth checking out for fans of P&P retellings.

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What do you get when you mix Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park for the lead-up to Christmastide? You get The Christmas Matchmaker by author Laura Hile.

Wow! I wasn't expecting to like this Austen World mash-up so much, but I found the novella to be a refreshingly clever reimagining of paths for classic characters I know. (And, yes, you do have to know Austen's original characters already to truly appreciate what this read means.)

It all started out nicely enough, and I expected mild entertainment, but once a certain mysterious relative and the touch of the fantastical came into play... And, my, I even had some real laughs here and there, and then a little conspiracy began to heat up, and...

Well! Suffice it to say I was in for some surprises. I've not tried many, but so far, this is the most I've ever enjoyed a tale based on Austen's work.

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More than the two novellas preceding it, No Better Gift by Wendi Sotis felt to me like the middle of a story rather than a story on its own. That's fine, since I jumped in knowing what had come before already in Pride and Prejudice.

I appreciate the strength and wit to Elizabeth's character here. But where the romance comes into play, the sentimentality is overdone on Elizabeth's side as well as on Mr. Darcy's, Elizabeth's virtual 180 concerning her thoughts about Mr. Darcy is too fast, and the rush to bended knee and the mutual declaration of major feelings is indeed a huge rush.

The possibility of Elizabeth Bennet being a competent mistress of an estate, though? Quite easy to see in this story.

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Mistletoe at Thornton Lacey by Barbara Cornthwaite is a quick conclusion to this Austen-inspired collection.

This short story has a few letter case errors, and the plot won't give you a whole lot to go on if you haven't already been into the characters before and you aren't familiar with their situation already. But my previous experience with Mansfield Park made this simple read a fun little one for me.

Looking at this book as I began to read was very overwhelming at first. The book has over six hundred pages which I thought was going to be a very long story with unnecessary parts that could have been left out. I learned a lesson after a few pages. We all know the saying, "Never judge a book by its cover, " which is what I had already done without opening the book.

I am happy to say I was wrong in my judgment and quickly turned page after page because the story is very well written. The characters become alive as the author breathes importance into each character with gifted words. I began to forget everything around me and was transported to a time where ballrooms where used to find a companion to dance with and perhaps get noticed by the well to do. The music played as the couples swayed with the beat.

Welcome to a story that is not what it seems. Two characters change bodies and off we go into a world where laughter, love and shenanigans abound. Have you ever said you wished you were more like so and so? In this story two characters will have the opportunity to see how the other is treated and what people think of them. It is a wonderful play on a Jane Austen book with characters that experience the ups and downs of the wealthy .

There are quite a few funny moments that are highlights in the book. The frustration of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins is an Oscar winning performance. The author delivers a tale where the unexpected is at every turn. Along the way the two men learn valuable lessons which change their outlook on life. Wealth plays a part in the story as the author shows the characters looking at life in a different way.

Love is in the air in this funny take on a classic novel. Who will end up with whom? Will Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins return to their own bodies? Get ready for an adventure that explores the transformation of two men as they realize what is really important in life. Oh how I loved the devotion Darcy had for Elizabeth. But does Elizabeth like Darcy or Mr. Collins? The twists are a treat and the author delivers a powerful story of what ifs. I enjoyed the story and needless to say, the book never felt long like my first reaction was. It does move at a good pace and you quickly immerse yourself in hoping for happiness as love is sprinkled among the characters.

I received a copy of this book by Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

What a fabulously fun book! Darcy by Any Other Name by Laura Hile is a unique reimagining of Pride And Prejudice. This twist on the classic combines all of the Austen-goodness with a Freaky Friday vibe. The premise is that through a freak act of nature, or more likely the workings of God, the handsome, aloof and arrogant Mr. Darcy trades bodies with odious Mr. Collins. For fans of P&P, the action begins at the end of the Netherfield ball. There is quite an adjustment for both men as they navigate the other’s world. More focus is placed on Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett’s relationship. Will a happily-ever-after occur for them? You will just have to read it. The book is faithful to the original in its setting and characterization. Everyone shows up — Caroline and Charles Bingley, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Wickham, Lady Catherine, Georgiana, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Yet there are plenty of twists and turns to make this novel a fresh read. I found the book charming and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Hile injects a faith message that is spot on. Darcy is forced to view his former attitudes in the light of his current circumstances. Humility and care for others takes precedence over social status and Regency manners. At one point Darcy realizes that “when God did a thing . . . He was frighteningly thorough”.

I am a big Austen fan and enjoy the variations that have been written featuring all of her novels. Darcy by Any Other Name is now at the top of my favorite re-tellings.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to the author and Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

What I think you should know:
Darcy By Any Other Name is an imaginative retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Laura Hile, the author has created a story in which a freak accident causes Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins to switch bodies. Even though the author took creative liberties she stayed true to many parts from the original story.

What I enjoyed about this book:
While I admit that it has been several years since I read the original I the gist of the story sticks with you. I was intrigued to see what changes the author would make to the story, Who would Elizabeth love in this story, would the men stay switched, and how in the world would it end. I must say I was happily surprised with the story and the twists that the author made. I would not recommend this to an Austen purist, but if you are ok with artistic changes this would be a fun read for you.

I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting story. This starts with a lightening strike. And 2 men getting hurt. I won’t say what happens next so I don’t ruin the story. It is enjoyable. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

3.5 stars

Pride and Prejudice meets Freaky Friday in Laura Hile’s Darcy by Any Other Name. This book starts out with Darcy’s perspective of the Netherfield ball and delineates from Austen’s beloved story from there.

This book gives readers more time with many of Austen’s characters—mostly Darcy and Mr. Collins but also the Bennet family, Lady Catherine de Burgh, her daughter Anne, and Hill. The body swap element allows Darcy to get an insider’s look at Elizabeth’s family life.

The Darcy/Collins dilemma is hilarious at times and frustrating (for the reader as well as Darcy as Collins) at others. Hile uses Darcy and Collins interchangeably when Darcy is in Collins’s body which gets a little crazy here and there.

Yet Darcy still realizes his shortcomings as a man and grows from those lessons, and Elizabeth is able to see beyond physical appearance to the heart of Darcy. It would have been nice to get more interactions between Elizabeth and Darcy as Darcy near the end, but overall, this book is entertaining.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Having heard the saying, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” made me interested in reading this book. Plus, I have read other books by this author and have enjoyed them. So as I began reading this book, I had an idea of what to expect. Mr. Darcy was about to become someone else. The idea of Mr. Darcy changing into Reverend Collins and vice-versa I was sure would prove to be an interesting story.

I appreciated how Mr. Darcy trapped in Reverend Collins’ body found himself in Elizabeth’s home, but how he would capture her heart and how the two men would find themselves back in their own bodies, I was sure would be quite the tale.

As with the other books by this author, I found myself unable to put the book down. So if you like historical fiction with a twist, check out this book for yourself. It is definitely worth reading.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.

I thought this book was excellent. Well-written, creative, and just a wonderful page-turner. It was better than five stars for me and easily one of my favorite reads of 2019. What a story. Bravo, Laura Hile! Well done!

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy and Collins are both struck by lightning and exchange bodies much as the movie Freaky Friday. The story is told mostly by Darcy in his Collins guise though Collins contributes also. Elizabeth decides that this new side of Collins (really Darcy) is first intriguing, then lovable.
I enjoy Austen variations and have read quite a few. This is a long book and well-written, but I didn't find it as true to the original in the characters personalities. While the circumstances are bizarre, I would have expected Darcy to be more haughty at first. Collins was all over the place, panicked, lustful, silly, and prideful, but never the obvious buffoon in speech that you find in the original. Lizzie (she's never called that in this book) falls in love with Collins/Darcy in a way that playful Lizzie, who loved to tease Collins, would never do. Her father never falls for the new Collins; Mr. Bennet is one of the few who stay true to their characters. I also thought the scene with Fitz where Collins/Darcy tries to tell him what happened makes Fitz look bad in a way that he never did in Austen.
I did enjoy the deeper views of many secondary characters, Mrs. Hill especially. It was easier and more enjoyable for me to read about them as their characters are not as set as the main protagonists. This book has a lot of good reviews and I did enjoy it, but I had to force myself to ignore most of the character changes and view this as just a book that took place in the Regency time period, rather than a P&P variation.

Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/12/foodfic-please-welcome-laura-hile.html

Disappointing. A random recommendation prompted me to take a chance - I have never come across Laura Hile's continuations of Persuasion before, but the reviews were very encouraging. Unfortunately, Hile's style is more Heyer than Austen - she even sneaks in the curious 'gurgle' of laughter and 'dimpling' of cheeks that Heyer uses - and the dialogue strays back and forth across the Atlantic.

Character wise, I liked Elizabeth Elliot, Anne's beautiful but self-involved older sister from Austen's novel, and found her lively and funny - 'Upon my word, Elise! Penelope would never run off with a man. It isn't as if she's pretty. Who would have her?' - but the story, and Hile's mission to make Miss Elliot safe and likeable, soon drained the heroine of any spirit. Yes, Elizabeth is desperate to marry - especially after good but dull Anne becomes Mrs Wentworth - but would she really fall for the 'wealthy suitor masquerading as worthy servant' trick? The supporting cast are also reduced to caricatures - Mr Rushworth from Mansfield Park makes an appearance as a potential husband, whereas Caroline Bingley from Pride and Prejudice has become a novel-reading, vulgar ninny - and the whole thing regularly descends into farce. Perhaps I was expecting too much from a light and frothy Austen spin-off, but I like characters I can believe in and comedy grounded in a little historical accuracy - Hile might have been inspired by Heyer's playful characters, but she has sadly omitted her careful research of the Regency period. Needless to say, I won't be reading the rest of the series.

Have I mentioned how much I have enjoyed this series? This is third book in Laura Hiles's Mercy's Embrace Trilogy. In case you missed the first two books, they are: Book One: So Rough A Course and Book Two: So Lively A Chase . I liked the way this novel is presented in three parts. It reminiscent of how some books were printed in the regency era. This book, The Lady Must Decide, picks up where book two left off, in Patrick McGillvary's office. I was very anxious about this moment. It's true! I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what Elizabeth's reaction was going to be. Don't worry, I am not going to spoil it for you. I want you to enjoy it as much as I did. Elizabeth has been given many unpleasant and unflattering offers and must decide the best course of action to take. So many of Elizabeth's decisions are influenced by what society dictates. She want a comfortable home so she has to marry and marry well. She can't make a living for herself and does not wish to be a burden on her family. I have to say I am glad to be living in a time where I can make my own choices. I also liked the side stories that are going on with the other characters. They are as entertaining as Elizabeth's story and these books would not be complete without them. Laura Hile has given a wonderful voice to Elizabeth Elliot. I really think Jane Austen would be pleased with this series. I am so glad that I read these books. I no longer dislike Elizabeth Elliot thanks to Laura Hile.

This is the second part of a three part novel. Incase you missed my review of Book One So Rough A Course check it out here. I really enjoyed the second book. The story keeps getting better and better. Elizabeth has grown on me. Her character is growing and changing into a likeable heroine despite her world falling apart around her. Patrick Gill reminds me of a cross between Mr. Darcy and George Wickham or Col. Brandon and Willoughby. He’s the perfect mix of gentleman with a hint of wickedness to him. I really like the chemistry Elizabeth and Mr. Gill share. I can’t express enough what a wonderful job Laura Hile did with this story. If you like Jane Austen inspired stories I recommend you give this a try. You will not be disappointed.

If you have read any of my past reviews you know that I love Jane Austen. I am also a fan of sequels, what if , and variation stories that her fans have written. My favorite book by Jane Austen is Persuasion.
I gush every time I read the letter Captain Wentworth writes to Anne. Mercy's Embrace is a sequel to Persuasion. However this book is not about Anne but her older sister Elizabeth. I have to admit in Persuasion, Elizabeth was not one of my favorite characters. She is vain, rude, obnoxious and snarky. So why did I read this story you ask? I read it because I remembered the saying "Everyone has a story". I wanted to find out about Elizabeth Elliot's story.
Laura Hile picks up the story right after Captain Wentworth and Anne's engagement. She brings back all the beloved characters and introduces us to some new ones. Laura sticks to the characters original personalities. I think Jane Austen would be proud. The story line is good. Elizabeth is forced to make sacrifices due to her financial situation. She has the Elliot pride and is on the look out for a wealthy husband. Elizabeth finds a suitor but does not like him, much less love him. She forms an unlikely friendship with the charming Mr. Gill who is not at all wealthy or so she believes. Elizabeth starts to learn lessons in humility, prudence, patience and love. In this story you can start to see the evolution of Elizabeth's character. There are also some delightful surprises along the way. Elizabeth is friends with none other than Caroline Bingley. I have to say I was tickled to see the crossover. Laura Hile has done a wonderful job in this sequel to Persuasion. It has made me like and understand Elizabeth Elliot a little more.

Mercy's Embrace is a three part book series: So Rough A Course, So Lively A Chase and The Lady Must Decide. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks when I review the next two in the series.

*My thanks to Laura Hile, Pamela Mogen and Wytherngate Press for providing me a copy of the Mercy's Embrace Trilogy to review. This in no way influenced my review.