Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart

Is it even possible, in the eyes of a Jane Austen fan, to think that Mr. Darcy is capable of breaking the heroine's heart? Obviously the answer is yes, but in that case, how could the story possibly end well? Rest assured that it does. Author Beth Pattillo has found a way to ruffle the feathers of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE fans and then restore their confidence in love --- and in gentlemen. The story's heroine is Claire Prescott, a single woman attending her first Jane Austen seminar at Oxford. Claire is there to sit in for her pregnant sister, who needs the hours for her teacher's accreditation. She is a bit frazzled, having just been laid off from her office job. Facing an uncertain future without any higher education, she's not at all sure what she's going to do with her life. During the conference (with Austen's input), Claire gains the guidance she needs to help her figure it all out. The seminar attendees are mostly women obsessed with Mr. Darcy. There are also a few men who fall into categories of literary experts and "the doubters." Claire is at first a doubter herself, being new to Austen's books. But she doesn't mind romantic cynicism because it's coming from a very appealing source. James Beaufort is in the publishing industry but isn't a big fan of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. He's intimidating and gorgeous, and there's just something about him that draws Claire in against her will. The two have unmistakable chemistry, which fills Claire with longing and guilt. Her long-term boyfriend, Neil, wouldn't at all appreciate her eyeing another man. The facts are that Claire isn't so sure about Neil lately. He doesn't seem very dedicated and is constantly taking her for granted. They're not serious enough as a couple for her to completely write off other men, though they're just serious enough that Neil expects her not to be looking. Feeling guilty and insecure, Claire finds herself lying to James. The two get know one another and begin seeing each other over the heated weeks of the conference. Especially after reading PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, it's unmistakable to Claire that James makes her feel as no man ever has. But she's also lying to him, and even through the overwhelming moments, she knows it will eventually catch up to her. During her stay, Claire befriends Harriet, a nearby resident. Stopping for tea at Harriet's cottage, she discovers the old woman's treasure: the sole surviving copy of the first draft of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, a manuscript that tells a very different story from the one that was finally published. Reading this alternate draft of Austen's legendary story allows Claire to gain more perspective than she had from the original alone. This ultimately helps her develop an ideal about men, and she does end up finding "the real Mr. Darcy." To be given the chance to become a bystander to a sizzling romance is reason enough to read Beth Pattillo's book. But the most compelling part of the novel is the alternate storyline for PRIDE AND PREJUD

Claire Prescott found herself at a crossroads. Ever since the death of her parents, she had been taking care of her little sister. Long after her sister finished her education, got married, and had children, Claire continued to give without thinking about her own life. Somewhere along the line, Claire had forgotten to live. Now out of work, no college education, and a relationship that was stuck, Claire didn't really know what to do. Doing yet another favor for her sister, Claire agrees to travel to England to present a paper on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Here she meets a man of means and looks and becomes smitten. She also meets a woman who claims to have a copy of First Impressions, Austen's original version of Pride and Prejudice. This copy was a bit different than the one we've all read. In this story, the heroine has to choose between two good men- not unlike Claire's situation. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart is the author's second novel that touches on the work of Jane Austen. The first was titled Jane Austen Ruined my Life. In both books, the main character finds her own self while finding out the many secrets of Jane Austen. Both are brilliantly written with just the right touch of humor and realism. These books will be loved by fans of Jane Austen and true romance fans alike.

Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Patillo is a fascinating look at an old treasure. Claire Prescott has never been enthralled with Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy the way her sister is, but when the sister is too ill to attend an important seminar about Pride and Prejudice at Oxford University, Claire fills in. She could use some romance in her life, especially after the loss of her job and her boyfriend's minimal acknowledging of her leaving the country. A handsome classmate fits the bill perfectly and soon sweeps her off her feet, but then she is caught up in a confusing whirlwind of Austen's lost papers, conspiracy, and deception. Patillo takes the Pride and Prejudice and turns it on its ear through the various papers presented throughout as studies of the famous novel, as well as her own remarkably well done version of Austen's writing. This story is a completely unexpected surprise in that the narrative never goes where the reader anticipates, making it an enjoyable ride. The author does a superb job of making Austen's work come alive through the eyes of Claire as she closely examines the work in relation to her own life, causing deep introspection. I was thoroughly entertained and hope that Patillo writes more in this vein.

I have read a few Austenesque books in my day. Am I jaded? Hope not. I usually know by the end of the third chapter if it has wings: a fresh concept skillfully rendered, Austen allusions or her characters reverently portrayed and humor in the form of wit and irony, please. I know. It's a tall order. I'm fastidious. But occasionally, and more frequently as of late, "every feature works." MR. DARCY BROKE MY HEART was a welcome surprise. It charmed me right down to my be-ribboned dancing slippers. Let me extol upon its charms. Pragmatic heroine Claire Prescott is not nearly as keen on Jane Austen as her romantic young sister Missy who has earned a grant to attend a week-long Jane Austen seminar at Oxford University in England. Even though she has read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, she can not understand her sister's passion for Mr. Darcy, that romantic icon that has fluttered thousands of hearts for the last two centuries. When pregnancy complications prevent her sister from attending, Claire steps in to present Missy's paper despite her immediate need to hunt for a new job and attend her negligent sports crazed boyfriend Neil. The dreaming spires of Oxford are captivating, but James Beaufort, a fellow attendee is most certainly not. Even though his noble mien just might rival Mr. Darcy in the rich, handsome, and haughty department, he is not Claire's type and personalities clash. Meanwhile, a chance meeting with Harriet Dalrymple, an eccentric elderly woman who casually presents her with what could be the Holy Grail of Austenalia, the manuscript of FIRST IMPRESSIONS, the lost first draft of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is not what she expected. Surprisingly, this manuscript's plot is different from Austen's published novel and Claire is wary of its authenticity and Harriet's claim to be one of the `Formidables', a secret sect of Janeites safekeeping Austen manuscripts and letters thought to have been destroyed years ago. When James Beaufort's attentions change their tact, her room is ransacked, others interested in the manuscript begin to threaten her and Neil's unannounced arrival in Oxford complicates her confusing relationship with James, Claire, like Austen's heroine Elizabeth Bennet must reevaluate her first impressions. Sparkling, engaging and subtly humorous, brava, brava, brava to Beth Pattillo for knowing her Austen lore and cleverly weaving it into a contemporary romance that will enchant Austen fans and romance readers alike. What true Janeite could not be enthralled reading the long lost FIRST IMPRESSIONS manuscript, having a romance with a Mr. Darcy doppelganger and spending a holiday among the dreaming spires of Oxford University? *swoon* It was such a heady rush that this Anglophile was reading until the wee hours. Pattillo has succeeded in surpassing the charm and creativity of her last novel Jane Austen Ruined My Life and supplied us with a much more satisfying ending. My one trifling quibble, which I deign to mention, is that Miss Austen spel

I really really really enjoyed reading this book. As a huge fan of not only Jane Austen in general but of the author's previous book, Jane Austen Ruined My Life, I had been eagerly awaiting this book. I felt like I was really a part of the story. The descriptions of Oxford made me feel like I was really there. I would have LOVED to be a part of the class that Claire took on Jane Austen. The discussions on the impact and image of Darcy were incredibly interesting. I was geeked that there were even discussions about who played the right Darcy and excited that no one bashed my personal favorite Matthew McFayden (don't worry, I still love Colin Firth). Seriously Jane Austen fans will swoon over all the Austen trivia and discussions sprinkled throughout the book. I felt that with Claire's character as well, both the hardcore Jane Austen fan and the one that's barely dipped their toe in the Austen pool will enjoy the book. As I have said with the first book, I would have loved for the Formidables to actually exist. The thought of all these works actually existing would blow the mind of any Jane Austen reader or historian. Claire, as a casual fan, acted differently than most fans would which was a nice change. A rabid fan would have devoured those papers faster than you could name your favorite Lizzy Bennett. Claire's back story is interesting although I felt that it was overshadowed by the Jane Austen papers. It definitely did not turn out the way I expected so there is no predictability there. The only qualm I had with this book was how Claire's sister treats her during the story. I understand where Missy was coming from and why she did what she did but the way she it was very harsh. It was almost as if she had completely disregarded everything that Claire had done for her in the past and wasn't thankful but annoyed at her for doing it. This issue does not get resolved by the end of the book, other than it opening Claire's eyes to how she's been acting. I mean she got angry at Claire for calling her just to tell her about the place. I just felt that Missy was very ungrateful and Claire just lets her walk over her by the end of the book. Other than this, I really adored this book. I couldn't put it down after I started reading it. I was totally swept into the story, both in present day Oxford and then in the imagined manuscript. I'm not normally a big fan of fan fiction but Pattillo's version of an imagined version of the first manuscript of Pride and Prejudice was wonderful. I would actually want to read a whole bound book of this, if Beth was to write it out completely. This is probably the best book that I have read so far in 2010 and I'm thinking it's going to make my top ten list for the entire year. VERY HIGHLY recommended.