Second Mrs. Darcy

I have read all of the "Darcy" novels, and this being the best so far. I think the farther away from Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam we get the more believable the characters are.I had a hard time in the earlier books accepting that Elizabeth Darcy would leave her daughters at such a critical time as thier coming out, to someone elses oversite esp. in respect to facing complete ruin due to her own sisters behavior at that age. I also would think that Elizabeth would have more insight into her own daughters temperments and would have been a better correspondent...suspending that, the earlier books were pleasant, but not nearly as good as the "Second Mrs Darcy". Even if you have not read any of the sequels, this book is completely enjoyable.

I have read all four of Elizabeth Aston's novels, starting with Mr. Darcy's Daughters. I have enjoyed them all very much. She basically uses the same formula for all of these books. The heroine is above-average but not outstanding in beauty. She may or may not be wealthy, but she is almost always outspoken to the point that others in late Regency London think her to have "too much of an opinion on matters for her own good". She lives by a strong code of moral conduct, although she is not judgmental of others, and is rather open-minded for the period. She has sisters or other relatives that make life less than pleasant for her. These relatives are predictable, and rude, and selfish. She is not desperate for a husband, but not adverse to the idea in general. She strives to be independent, and, in short, is appealing to 21st century women. It's how we would like to think we would have been if we had lived in the 1830's in London. The hero is also very similar throughout the books. He is handsome, rich, independent, and has had some sort of hardship in his past. He has very good moral character in general, although may have had a mistress or two along the way. He doesn't think much of the heroine when he first meets her, as she is so different from typical young ladies of the time. However, he comes to appreciate the strength of character the heroine shows when she is unfairly accused or accosted by some rogue (often Caroline Bingley's dastardly son). And they live happily ever after. So why do I like these so much if they are all rather the same? The answer is that the formula, with Mrs. Aston's pleasant writing style, works very well. I like the characters and I want to find out what happens to them. I like how the author often includes details of dress, fabrics, furniture, houses, landscapes, etc. Not to the point of distraction, but enough to make it very enjoyable to read. She sprinkles in some interesting characters, and brings them back in several of the novels. With the exception of minor appearances by the ever mean-spirited Caroline Bingley and the buffoon clergyman Mr. Collins, Mrs. Aston does not attempt to use Jane Austen's characters in her novels, but rather created her own set of characters. The effect is fresh, and fun. This is a great kind of escape novel, when you would like something to ease your mind, and take you away to a romantic setting. There is nothing disturbing or vile in them at all, something you could feel comfortable giving to your 80 year old grandmother to read. Try them out, starting with Mr. Darcy's Daughter, the first in the series. If you are an Austen fan, you will probably like these.

Last night I just finished reading The Second Mrs. Darcy. It being the fourth book in a row I have read by the author. All were delightful and well worth the time and money. I have read and cherished all of Jane Austen's novels and feel she would have appreciated the manner in which Ms. Aston continued the story. I can only hope there will be more from her.

This is the fourth Aston sequel to Pride and Prejudice that I have read, and it is by far the best. The story is believable, engaging, and the ending is totally satisfying. It may help you to understand some of the references if you read at least the first sequel (Mr. Darcy's Daughters), but skip the other two and go directly to this one. Loved it!

From page one to the climactic ending of The Second Mrs. Darcy, I felt as is I were on a train, gradually building steam, piecing stories and characters together while taking me on an amusing trip... until I realized I had but some 15 pages left-- and that I didn't want it to end with so much still unsettled. I found I was holding my breath with anticipation of how this story would work itself out! The end comes fast. A bit too quickly maybe for my liking, as I truly loved the heroes. (Possibly a epilogue could have made it a bit more satisfying... but then it really isn't necessary to anyone except for those of us that enjoy sugar in our champagne!) Ashton's excellent ability to tell a story and captivate her audience coupled with the name-dropping of some of our best beloved Pride and Prejudice characters throughout, make this an ideal read for any fan of Jane Austen "sequels." This is the best in her Mr. Darcy's Daughters series yet. I loved it!