Chloe, a divorced 39-year-old-mother from Chicago, decides to join an Austen-inspired reality show to win money (needed to boost her failing letterpress business and help with her legal expenses). She's always loved the era, but isn't prepared for the difficulties of living within its rules and doesn't expect to be on a dating reality TV show. The prize (the handsome Mr. Wrightman and a hundred thousand dollars) goes to the woman who wins his heart.

My thoughts: I read this looking for a light romantic "Austen misadventure", as it claimed to be, and I was not disappointed. It was a little slow at the beginning for me (I often debate whether to continue romances and only finish some novels I start), but picked up quickly. Chloe did indeed have a number of misadventures (but not as many as Bridget Jones), some due to real error, some due to tricks played on her, and some just human or rainy nature). I appreciated the challenges of staying within the time period (and yet having cameramen and ATVs around), the nasty feuds between women, the jabs at and challenges of reality TV, and references to Austen without trying to be an Austen imitation.

I think this book succeeds where many Austen imitators fail partly because Doornebos' characters are so clearly 21st- century people; there's no attempt to write like Austen. Doornebos uses the charm of Regency era and English manors, mixes it with people who don't belong there, and throws in the awkwardness of reality TV to create quite an entertaining story. (Hint: There are also some interesting male characters.) ( )

Chloe Parker, a divorced thirty-nine year old mother from Chicago signs up for a ‘immersion documentary’ that is in fact just a reality dating show…. Her Regency Biopic has turned into “How to Date Mr. Darcy”. How did this happen?

Chloe arrived hoping to win the $100,000 prize by spending three weeks in 1812 England and testing her Jane Austen knowledge, a prize that could save her failing business. It is too late to turn back so she decides to go all in and attempt to win the heart and hand of Sebastian Wrightman, the eldest son set to inherit Dartworth Hall. No 21st century allowed!! This includes: cell phones, deodorant, daily showers, toilets, hanky panky, etc. Can Chloe survive the ‘game’ or is it too much for her to handle? Are the friends she made in the game really her friends?

Overall a fun read! A different take on an Austenland idea… figured out a bit of the plot early on and waited to see how it unfolded. As a huge JA fan I found it entertaining even though the end was not my favorite (no spoilers!) ( )

Two and a half stars, really--and that's really just based on the very beginning and end. All throughout the middle this one was a solid two...which is sad, really, because I was so looking forward to reading this one. The blurb sounded great. The reviews were pretty decent. My favorite t-shirt is my "It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen kicks ass" one. All the signs were good. This book should have been a four or five star one for me--but it wasn't. Mostly it was Chloe--I just couldn't stand her most of the time, and really didn't care all that much what happened to her whiny self. For the last third of the book, she was amazed at least once per chapter that--oh, my gosh!--she was falling for Sebastian! No, for Henry! No, for both of them! That was not supposed to happen! My goodness! I kept reading mostly because I had waited for it from the library for so long (thank goodness I didn't buy it!) and because I really hate to give up on a book. It did get marginally better at the end--I have to admit, though I did have the feeling that something wasn't right, I didn't know what exactly it was until it was revealed--but honestly, the best part of the ending was that now I could read something else without the guilt of leaving a book unfinished. ( )

Chloe Parker, of Chicago, loves all things Jane Austen so is thrilled to be accepted to participate in a Jane Austen inspired documentary in England. However, upon her arrival in England, she discovers that the show is actually a reality TV dating show - taking place in 1812. Chloe quickly discovers that life in a Jane Austen world is not all what she thought it was and she will take the "modern" world, thank you very much. A funny, charming read.

Definitely Not Mr Darcy by Karen Doornebos is a fun book to read. It's a cross between The Bachelor and a Jane Austen novel. I absolutely adored this novel from beginning to end. It's enchanting, humorous, delightful book that I couldn't get enough of.

Chloe Parker is a single mom who thinks she's going to be a part of a documentary but instead ends up on a reality show set in regency times. The producers of the show want it to be as authentic as possible so the contestants can't bring any modern day convenience. It's so authentic that the contestants have to use chamber pots instead of a toilet. Chloe, although apprehensive, agrees to be on the show. She needs the money to help her antique letterpress business from going under. The contestants are competing for $100,000 and the heart of Mr. Wrightman.

I really liked Chloe's character. She had real motivation to stay in this competition. I laughed out loud at her reactions to some of the situations she was put into. The characters had to win challenges such as trimming a bonnet and making ink to spend time with 'the bachelor'. Chloe finds herself drawn to Mr. Wrightman's brother, Henry. Henry is the younger brother, a doctor, and is helping Sebastian choose his future wife. This book has a plethora of interesting and stereotypical characters that worked perfectly.

The story line in this book is great. It's a bit predictable but a joy to read. It has some really great moments and a few spicy scenes (you know, for regency times). I would never want to compete in a regency dating show but I would definitely watch it if it was on television. This is a wonderful book to read and I would undoubtedly recommend this to all my Austen loving friends. ( )