Unleashing Mr. Darcy

This is the saddest attempt at writing I have experienced in years. I suppose if you like sappy romance novels with extremely pathetic dialog, this will be acceptable to you. It felt like something a 14 year old would write. No, I don't want to insult 14 year olds... The lead character was inexplicably hostile (mental disorder) In a Disneyland-like setting. I love Austen, so I really wanted to like this, and didn't expect it to be at the level of a real Austen novel, but hoped it would be several notches above this.

I like creative re-tellings of classics, and I really liked the idea of putting Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in the dog show arena; plus Cavalier King Charles spaniels? Sounds like fun. Count me in.

Unfortunately, Teri Wilson's writing skills were not up to the challenge. Yes, she had this Elizabeth and Darcy say some of Jane Austin's immortal lines. Yes, she had Mr. Darcy take a plunge in the pool when frustrated (this bit was not, of course, in Jane Austin's original, but it's certainly a memorable scene from the Colin Firth TV version.) But those were the best bits. Take those out (all derivative) and you have a very bland, pedestrian romance, which had me shaking my head as to what these two had other than physical attraction and a love of the same dog breed. There was the normal soul searching by both of them as they mused over this very problem, but this is where Ms. Wilson's lack of writing skills lets the reader down. She couldn't write characters with enough depth to make their romance interesting. They're really just cardboard cookie-cutter stock romance-novel characters who happen to have the names Elizabeth and Darcy in order to increase sales.

Adding the physical element (a bit of sex and violence) may update the story to the modern day, but just shows why Jane Austin was a great writer and Ms. Wilson is not even in the also-ran category. Austin did not need to have either element to create a story that has been popular for centuries.

Fail.

In many ways, this is one of my favourite romances I have read this year. I was actually quite surprised by how much enjoyment I got out of this book. What the characters were based on put aside, I loved the originality of the cast. When you read a lot of romances, they all tend to blend together after a while, so it was nice to see some characters that really made me want to root for their success.

I really loved Elizabeth's character. She was intelligent, emotional and just all around the kind of character that you want to learn more about. I understood why she felt the way she did and respected her for being different than the average female character who meets the rich, handsome bachelor.

Donovan was well written and the dialogue he brought to the story was better than the average romance lead character drama. I laughed out loud in multiple places at his observations of the other characters and the situations he found himself in.

The dog shows were well described and I loved that Elizabeth had such a soft spot in her heart for Bliss and for Sue's companions.

Romance-wise, this story was paced well and the characters didn't fall in love and end up in bed together within the first chapter. The author allowed them time to build a relationship before she embarked on much intimacy and this made me feel closer to them. I liked that we got to know more about them as individuals before they became a single unit. The sex scene itself was also tasteful and more romantic than gross for those of you who don't like really explicit descriptions.

I will say, that as much as it made me giggle at times, if you are English, the MANY references to what English people and English men in general are like will either make you laugh or drive you mad. In some places the cliches were so abundant it nearly reminded me of one of those "what American's think we do" memes you find on the internet.

There is a bit of imagination stretching to get around things like passports, visas and the ability to simply decide to stay in a country other than your own, but the story warranted a bit of belief suspension and that was okay. I thought the characters were worthy of it.

That and the repeated use of the phrase "Storm clouds gathered in his eyes" were the reason I gave this four stars rather than five. Still, this was a really fun way to pass the hours and I got a lot of enjoyment out of it, more so even than I had expected.

If you are a fan of the lighter romance with a good back story and lots of reasons to smile, this book will be just your thing.

This review is based on a digital ARC from the publisher and provided through Netgalley.

Because of an unpleasant encounter that has forced her into a “temporary administrative leave,” Elizabeth Scott is wary of all men…especially men with money. Because men with money have power – and oftentimes will use their money and power in unethical and self-serving ways. When Elizabeth crosses paths with Donovan Darcy, an incredibly gorgeous dog show breeder judge, she immediately decides that he is arrogant, rude, entitled, and definitely someone she would do best to avoid. However, Elizabeth keeps encountering the sexy, brooding Mr. Darcy…and as fate would have it, she finds herself temporarily living in the same neighborhood as him. So much for avoiding the man…

Underneath their contentious first encounter and mistaken assumptions, there are sparks and a copious amount of super-charged tension between Elizabeth and Donovan. While they might be constantly crossing verbal swords, Donovan cannot help but feel attracted to Elizabeth and marvel at the fact that she doesn’t seem to be pursuing him for his money. And even though she feels the chasm between them to great to cross, Elizabeth finds herself falling for Donovan’s caring nature and knack for knowing how to make her happy. What happens when the media learns of Mr. Darcy’s new love interest? Will Elizabeth be able to let go of her preconceived notions and mistrust of all wealthy men?

This story is like a modern-day Austenesque fairy tale! Our heroine is a courageous woman of integrity and morals, who gets to travel to London and reside in posh town-home, all while she is pursued by a devastatingly handsome, sought-after cavalierkingcharlesspanielsf2bachelor! As you might guess it isn’t a point-by-point retelling of Pride and Prejudice; our beloved characters are integrated into the competing world of dog-shows. Elizabeth has a charming Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Bliss and travels to London to be assist and care for four adorable Border terriers during their dog show circuit. And in 001addition to judging dog shows, Don0van has established a very select and distinguished dog breeding kennel, Chadwicke Kennels. I loved hearing about these furry friends and seeing how devoted their humans were to their care and happiness. Elizabeth’s and Bliss’s relationship was very sweet to witness.

Other parts of the story I took pleasure in were the engaging supporting cast, the many ‘meet cutes’ between our main characters, their sizzling chemistry, and the vivid depictions of London’s fabulous sights and sounds. I loved being taken back to Harrods, Hyde Park, and Kensington Palace. I thought the Barrows were the sweetest couple, Henry (Charles) was appropriately carefree and happy, Jenna (Jane) awesome and supportive, and Helena (Caroline) so easy to despise! The dates and romantic exchanges between Elizabeth and Donovan were creative, memorable, and oh-so enviable! Elizabeth doesn’t realize how lucky she is!

If I were to quibble about anything, it would be that sometimes Donovan seemed most attracted to and focused on Elizabeth’s looks. A lot of his thoughts run along the lusty side, and while this isn’t necessarily undesirable…I would have liked to see Darcy dwell more on Elizabeth’s character and personality, than her physical features. In addition, even though Elizabeth was very likable, I sometimes felt she was a little stubborn holding onto her prejudices and mistaken assumptions for so long. However, both of these circumstances did not interrupt my pleasure in this fun and fantastic tale.

The judging results are in! Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a splendid specimen and exhibits all the exemplary qualities of the Austenesque breed in its finest form. With an impressive stack (premise), friendly temperament (tone), satisfyingly balanced gait (pacing), and attractive top coat (cover) Unleashing Mr. Darcy is definitely a champion in my book! I am sooooo looking forward to seeing the upcoming movie on the Hallmark Channel!

Note: There is one brief intimate scene towards the end of this novel and for that reason I’d recommend it for Mature Audiences Only.

Austenesque Reviews

What can I say? Cute cover, modern-day retelling of Pride & Prejudice, Darcy and Lizzy as show dog aficionados? Cuteness and curiosity won out so I grab this one up looking for a light, entertaining romantic read. And it was that. If Elizabeth was a bit more prejudiced and some of the parallel scenes and dialogue to the original story felt forced, it was not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story. I would go bail that for someone who hasn't read Pride & Prejudice; some of the dialogue that is nearly a direct quote will read as an oddity in this modern story version because no matter how formal people are; they do not talk that way now. I chuckled each time it happened and enjoyed it in turn because though it was odd I loved seeing those very familiar quotes.

So about the story...
Elizabeth Scott is spending her thirtieth birthday away from home and family celebration to take her beloved dog to her first dog show. She is joined by her sweet older sister, Jenna, who has no interest in dogs, but doesn't want Lizzy to be alone on her birthday. They meet a very nice British couple who are there to show their dogs, but then she bumps into a not so nice Brit, Donovan Darcy, who just so happens to be the guest judge and also one of those rich snobs she hates.

Elizabeth has been put on leave because as a teacher in an exclusive private school for the privileged she dared give the star lacrosse player a failing grade only to have his dad first try to bribe her and then come on to her to change her mind. Not only did the school quietly not back her up because of who holds their purse strings, she was now under investigation for trying to blackmail the dad into the money. Yeah, rich people aren't high on her list right now and the austere and brooding Donovan Darcy with the too young beautiful girl on his arm gets the full blast of it.

Donovan can't believe the nerve of the sassy female who challenges him while he's judging at a show that he really didn't want to be at anyway. She looks on him with near disgust so why does he want to know her better? His little sister wanted a fun trip to go shopping in NYC so here they are and all he can think about is Elizabeth Scott the woman he has run into a few times and each time she bristles up and treats him like a diseased pariah. But he could at least pity her after getting a front row seat at the restaurant when her family descended on her to celebrate her birthday. Embarrassing didn't even cover their loud behavior.

With her job up in the air, Lizzy accepts Sue Barrow's offer to return to London with them and help her get her terriers ready for several shows that will last through the month. It's a lovely opportunity and she jumps at it bringing her own sweet King Charles along and the promise of Jenna joining her later. Too bad she didn't know that the Barrows were across the street neighbors with none other than Donovan Darcy. She starts to realize that he has other sides to his character than that at which first appeared and she did totally misjudge the situation about his sister so she loosens up a little to spend some time around him just like Jenna is spending time with his best friend. They get caught in pictures for the tabloids a couple of times when they give in to the physical attraction they share and Darcy has a deluded and determined female out to land him for a husband. Lizzy won't forget for a moment that he's one of those rich people who are impervious to the stuff that affect the rest of the people like what was happening to her through her job.

Donovan is both enchanted and terrified of what is developing between him and Lizzy Scott, but he can't help pursuing her. It's not until the moment he recognizes his full feelings that Lizzy's secret and her fears rise up to destroy his chances with her.

The dog show backdrop to this one had me interested not because I'm a particular fan of dog breeding and showing (I've only ever owned mutts from the shelter or strays), but because it was something different. I did find the dogs cute and loved the way all the owners interacted with them.

I enjoyed meeting and getting to know all the characters in the story. I found Donovan Darcy swoonworthy even though he had his moments when I just wanted to pop him in the back of the head. He really didn't get how his silences and frowns would be misinterpreted. There was a sensitivity in him that allowed him to see others though. He might not get why Lizzy was angry with him, but he did see the anger and tried to assuage it. He was pretty patient with her all things considered and saw potential where most people would have just seen Too. Much. Bother.

Lizzy was a mixed bag for me. I liked and was proud of her for having the guts to stand up to the pressure at the school where she taught and do the right thing. I enjoyed her feistiness in the first scene with Donovan when she gives him some snark for his grumpiness. Her adventuresome spirit that led her to accept Sue Barrow's invitation met with my approval, but...
The whole 'I hate you and your nothing because you are rich and you all treat non-rich people like peons' attitude toward Donovan just didn't settle with me. If anyone was ashamed by her origins, it was Lizzy. Donovan didn't care that her family was from New Jersey and ran a bridal shop business. An otherwise intelligent and warm woman who gets accosted by a true slimeball is a bad thing in my books and I get her dislike of that man and men like him, but the thing is- he's a slimeball because of his character not his money. Normal people get that. Lizzy didn't. Donovan was cranky with her when they first meet, but then that all changed and she even saw the changes and many other wonderful things about him, but every little thing he did and said was now being filtered through a truly skewed lens so that she attributed really out there interpretations on everything. Her sister and her friend tried to tell her she had it wrong, but she swept their words aside. She was rude and obnoxious making her extremely unattractive to me so I couldn't buy the love angle. The man gets down on his knee in the mud and tells her he loves her and she declares that he doesn't when there's nothing in it for him to lie. Yeesh! Denial, much?
Sorry, had to vent! It's very possible that I had a stronger reaction to her than others will.

In the end, no matter how annoyed I was with Madame Obtuseness, I thought this story very delightful. It was good stuff and I look forward to more like it from this author. If you enjoy the idea of a slightly spicy retelling of a classic romance in a contemporary setting or are a dog lover who loves the world of dog breeding and shows, then you'll not want to pass this one up.

My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for my honest review thoughts.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is pure, unadulterated fun. Teri Wilson’s retelling of Pride and Prejudice both honors the source material and puts a fresh spin on the classic tale. I’m wary of Austen-inspired stories, but Ms. Wilson has made a fan out of me.

Elizabeth Scott is an intelligent, modern woman whose experience with the rich and entitled has left her wary and slightly prejudiced against the wealthy. When she meets proud Englishman Donovan Darcy at a dog show, sparks fly even though they don’t quite like one another. What follows is a charming loves story flavored with Jane Austen and home to a host of adorable dogs. In fact, between the Cavalier King Charles spaniels and the Border terriers in the story, adorable dogs threaten to steal the show from the humans. That being said, Elizabeth is an endearing heroine and Donovan flat-out made me melt. Unlike the original, readers get to peel back the layers of Darcy’s character before Elizabeth does, and meet the thoughtful, irresistible man beneath. As a couple, Elizabeth and Donovan had great chemistry and the banter between them kept Unleashing Mr. Darcy moving at a quick clip. Add in a sweet secondary romance between Donovan’s best friend, Henry, and Elizabeth’s sister, Jenna, and it’s no wonder Unleashing Mr. Darcy left me smiling.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is bright, fun, and utterly addictive. Pride and Prejudice fans should be charmed by this contemporary retelling, and I recommend Ms. Wilson’s book to Austenites, romance fans, and, of course, dog lovers.

Kimberly
Review courtesy of Wit and Sin

What an utterly charming book! So often I worry that with retellings of classics the author will either stick too closely to the original or stray too far, but Teri Wilson managed to strike just the right note with this retelling of Pride and Prejudice.

Pretty much whenever I hear dog shows mentioned I think of one of my all-time favorite movies: Best in Show. While this book, which revolves around the romance between Elizabeth Scott, recently suspended teacher and part-time dog show participant, and Donovan Darcy, super rich English dog breeder, didn't feature any crazy dog show scenes, it did have it's moments of coloring a dog's nose with a Sharpie and putting a wig on a poodle.

When the book begins Elizabeth has been recently suspended from her job. We know it's because of something some rich guy did, but we don't really know what and that irked me until we found out. I wish we would have just known up front or wouldn't have been teased about it. Secrets like that drive me crazy. After Elizabeth gets suspended she can't afford to pay rent on her NYC apartment (thank god other people live paycheck to paycheck) so rather than moving back in with her parents at 30 years old she accepts a job as a dog nanny for a wealthy British couple she met at the same dog show in NJ where she met Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's first meeting was just as fiery as you would expect from a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. She think he's a rich, humorless snob and he think she is rather uncouth. But there's an immediate attraction and the story, which is told from Elizabeth and Darcy's alternating perspectives, makes sure we know that even though they act like they hate each other it could be because they really love each other. Once Elizabeth temporarily moves to England she begins to run into Mr. Darcy more and more and they forge their own special kind of tempestuous friendship.

I didn't love the large number of misunderstandings and overreactions between the two, but I do think it was inline with the original story and it was never too extreme or unbelievable. I did however love Elizabeth's family in this one. Rather than trying to keep exactly to the original Wilson gave Elizabeth a trusted older sister, Jenna (the modern version of the name Jane?), and then younger sisters and a wacky mother we thankfully saw only briefly. Her family owns an upscale bridal shop in New jersey and has no financial issues or problems with a younger daughter running off with an unsavory guy. I thought focusing just on the Elizabeth part of the story was the perfect decision on Wilson's part.

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed this one. Teri Wilson was able to write a modern, fun book that perfectly borrowed personality traits and themes from Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice. It's a delightful romance and I certainly recommend it.

I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!). All opinions are my own.

I loved Unleashing Mr. Darcy! This modern Pride and Prejudice retelling is cute, humorous and well done!

Life wasn’t going well for Elizabeth Scott. She was turning 30, still single, and losing her teaching job. Accused of attempting to extort money from a wealthy parent of one of her students in return for a passing grade. Now, she would probably have to move back home with her parents. But this weekend all she wanted to do was go away, escape the realities of life, and enjoy herself. She was going to spend her birthday weekend at a dog show where she had entered her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Bliss. It’s at this dog show that she meets tall, dark and intense Donovan Darcy, a guest judge from England. So handsome he takes her breath away, but it’s not long before his rude manner breaks the spell. Meeting another arrogant wealthy man is the last thing Elizabeth has in mind and more than she can bear as she snaps back with some biting remarks!

On this same weekend, Elizabeth also meets Sue and Allan Barrows. After learning that Elizabeth is temporary out of work, Sue offers Elizabeth a job, as a dog nanny. Her duties would include grooming and caring for Sue's four dogs and helping to show them at dog shows. At the same time, she would be able to show Bliss. Soon she's in England and crossing paths with Darcy more than she could have imagined!

Told from both Elizabeth and Darcy’s point of view, the story does a great job covering most of the major plot points and tweaking them to fit nicely into the present day. Elizabeth is smart, cute and witty. Darcy’s dark stares and brooding ways cause Elizabeth to misunderstand him. Most of the major players are here. Elizabeth’s sister, Jenna is sweet like Jane. Henry (Charles) and his horrible sister, Helena (Caroline). I always have fun in these modern day retellings picking out all the characters!

The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth is delightful! I really enjoyed Darcy’s comments during one of the dog shows as he quotes breed standards that are full of sexual innuendos. It had me laughing out loud!

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a delightful and entertaining read! I would highly recommend it to not only Austen fans but to anyone who enjoys a cute romance!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a playful take off Pride and Prejudice, which I’ll admit I’ve never read. Elizabeth Scott is for the most part happy raising and showimg her Cavalier King Spaniel, Bliss, in dog shows. Everything in her life is moving along, with a few bumps in the road, until she meets the mysterious, Mr. Donovan Darcy.

There were plenty of things I enjoyed about Unleashing Mr. Darcy, however, I do have a few issues. I would have liked to see the ending a little tighter. I felt that it was left hanging. Yes, it was finished. Yes, there was an ending. I’m not denying any of that. It simply felt the ending was rushed, as if Ms. Wilson needed to end the book and took the easiest, most obvious way out. Also, while she used to dog shows repeatedly in the book she never really explained what was going on. So keeping up with the dog shows part of the book was a little difficult.

While I have my issues with the novel, there were also things I enjoyed. I loved the witty banter between Donovan and Elizabeth. The things he would do try and win her trust. I enjoyed the twist by using the dog shows, even if I didn’t understand everything that went on during the shows. I was completely sucked in by the story line. I couldn’t put it down once I started because even though it was predictable, I couldn’t wait to read what would happen next.

Although Unleashing Mr. Darcy was somewhat predictable and had it’s issues, overall, I really enjoyed reading it, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a laid back, feel good book. Something that can be read in a few days with little drama and no suspense involved.

Just finished this masterpiece after two sleepless nights up reading! Loved the book more than my sanity- apparently, but happy to reveal to those concerned about the dark circles under my eyes, that sleep deprivation was cause by the best Darcy adaptation I've read in years.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy stars what you'd expect--a middle-class Lizzy and an aristocratic Darcy. But although there are some similarities in this retelling, I was happy the author really built a different sort of tale around our two favorite leads.

Elizabeth Scott is a middle-class school teacher, caught up in a high-society scandal at a NYC boarding school. As they give her a leave of absence to "investigate", which she knows is code for "make her disappear quickly", she takes a friend up on a job offer in London. As an amateur dog trainer, Elizabeth becomes involved in the British dog show circuit and meets judge, Donovan Darcy. Donovan is everything we Janites love to see in a Darcy. Handsome, well-built, dressed impeccably, with just one flaw. He falls head over heals for Lizzy at first sight despite his family, high-social standing, and even his own better judgement.

True, the author borrowed some of our favorite lines like, "Allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." But her story line is truly unique in that she changed many of the main plot twists. I loved seeing Darcy's point of view as he struggled to keep himself under control. I was glad Elizabeth stood up for herself and was a strong sort of woman of today that didn't at once cower to his attentions.

The bad guy/gal were evil enough, but not so irritatingly harsh that it depressed me. The sub-characters were fun and surprisingly entertaining - especially Sue barrows, who I am sure was Lizzy's fairy god-mother in disguise.

I really enjoyed the intimate scenes between Darcy and Lizzy - something missing from the original text. The way the author was able to make even a brush of fingertips mean something, gripped me. I felt I was more invested in the love affair working than the characters, if that's possible.

The funny thing about all of this praise is that I am not an animal lover. I don't care much for dogs and would never watch a dog show on TV, much less attend one in person, and yet, I loved this book. A very enthusiastic five stars from me. I'd love to see her tackle Emma or Sense & Sensibility.

*I received a free ARC of Unleashing Mr. Darcy from Harlequin HQN via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a sweet and humorous tale about the dashing über-British Donovan Darcy, dog-show judge extraordinaire and all-American beauty Elizabeth Scott. From New York to London, they try as hard as they can not to fall in love with each other. From different sides of the track (and the ocean) they don’t really seem to have much in common. Well, apart from the fact that they both love dogs, that is.

Elizabeth has just lost her job as a teacher in a posh private school when Unleashing Mr. Darcy starts, and at her first dog-show with her Cavalier puppy Bliss, Donovan Darcy is the judge. She finds him arrogant and quite the snob, but she can’t exactly keep herself from watching him anyway. Tall, dark, handsome with a smirk in place he is the epitome of British style. Somehow, Donovan feels the same way about this feisty beauty, even if she seems quite prickly and far too honest for his taste.

By chance, Elizabeth ends up in London after she loses her job, helping an elderly lady with her own dogs for the shows, and Donovan lives just across the street. Humorous with that dry, British wit I love so much, Unleashing Mr. Darcy kept me entertained from start to finish. Showing up kissing in the society section of the Daily Mail is not at all what Elizabeth anticipated when she moved to London, and with a jealous socialite on her heels, things may very well get pretty ugly for her.

The characters are delightful! I loved both Lizzy and Donovan. Among the cast of characters, the readers also get to know Lizzy’s sister Jenna and Donovan’s best friend Henry quite well, and of course Sue who is Lizzy’s boss in London. The friendships and romantic dalliances are masterfully done, and I was swept off my feet for the duration of Unleashing Mr. Darcy.

UNLEASHING DARCY is an amusing modern day ‘Pride and Prejudice’ retelling set in the world of dog shows. As dog showing is a world I am familiar with and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is a book that has been a long-time favourite of mine I could NOT miss out on reading it.

New Yorker, Elizabeth Scott, is not planning on walking down the aisle anytime soon despite the universal truth, in fact she’s not even looking as she is over men at the moment. Elizabeth teaches at an exclusive school and failed a student who deserved to fail. The student’s father first tries to reason with her, then to bribe her, then makes a pass at her and when Elizabeth refuses to comply he puts in a formal complaint about her saying she is trying to extort money out of him in exchange for a pass mark. She is stood down from her position as teacher while the matter is investigated. To cheer herself up Elizabeth takes her puppy to a dog show to get some pretty ribbons and ends up meeting a lovely English couple who ask her to fly over to London to care for, and show their dogs. She also meets Donovan Darcy a very snobbish Dog judge. Sparks fly between the two, and the misunderstandings start at almost the same time as the attraction. Darcy flies back to England and is stunned when he finds out that Elizabeth is now staying next door to him.

There are lots of parallels to Pride and Prejudice – the scene where Elizabeth and her sister see Donovan get out of the swimming pool – well *** fanning self *+* Colin Firth’s lake scene anyone? Elizabeth and Darcy are both Cavalier King Spaniel dog owners and passionate about the breed. Darcy breeds his own dogs and has a reputation for being one of the best breeders in England; while all Elizabeth wants is to win more pretty ribbons. It is soon clear that Darcy is infatuated with Elizabeth, but sadly this Elizabeth is harder to win over than Austin’s version. Her prejudice is reverse snobbery and refusal to listen to reason. I did get a bit cross with her for being so silly but luckily for her Donavon Darcy is so in love that all he wants to do is make Elizabeth happy, even if she continues to reject him. All the major ‘Pride and Prejudice’ characters are here, albeit with different names, but their roles and sub stories are pretty much similar to the 1813 version. Elizabeth’s sister Jenna (aka Jane), her romance with Henry (aka Charles Bingley) even the detestable Helena (Caroline Bingley) was there to help add to the big showdown in the Ballroom; and what a wonderful scene that was. The dog shows were a special moment of amusement for me – The witty repartee between Elizabeth as a competitor and Darcy as the judge were a joy to read, and it was a laugh out loud moment when Darcy started to quote the breed standard of the dog he was examining and made each of them sound like a sexual innuendo – wonderful piece of writing by someone who knows what breed standards are.

UNLEASHING DARCY is a romance so there is a Happy Ever After and a delightful one it is too. Overall it is a fun read, and even if you have never read Pride and Prejudice you would enjoy this sweet little story.

It is a modern homage to Pride and Prejudice, albeit with a sense of fun and smidgen of modern-day relationship problems.

I enjoyed the lighthearted banter and the attempt to recreate the essence of the story without filling the it with too many predictable sub-plots. In that sense the whole dog competition angle was perhaps completely unexpected, but also exactly the right way to make it fresh and modern.

Donovan is a typical wealthy bachelor and part of the upper crust of British society.When Elizabeth first meets him he comes across as snooty and elitist, despite the fact he is as cute as a button. Okay, make that handsome and debonair.

One thing that didn't quite gel right for me was the fact that the upper class British do not go around calling each other mate nor do they use the term love in the way it is used in this book. In certain areas the terms pet , love and mate are informal ways of addressing people, there does not have to be a prior relationship between the people using them. It made the dialogue between the upper members of society seem unrealistic, especially when the whole difference of level of class was part of the plot.

Overall it was a fun read and respectful easy-going adaptation of a classic,
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK and Mira UK.

This was an extremely fun and enjoyable romance, cram packed with humour. As the title and cover art suggests, it was based upon Jane Austen’s, ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and set against the backdrop of the world of dog shows. This classic love story was given a makeover, updated, and transported to the 21st Century.

I loved the two main character, Elizabeth Scott, from the US and Donovan Darcy, from the UK. It is always nice to read a story that understands that love knows no bounds and that distance can be overcome. These characters were very well developed and reminiscent of the original Elizabeth and Darcy. There was plenty of back story provided to allow us to understand the motivation and meaning behind how they acted, especially towards one another.

I liked how the two main characters showed some restraint and didn’t fall into bed, or the back of a car in a pub car park, at the earliest opportunity. It was nice to see that some respect and reserve still exists. This is not the case in far too many romances these days.

The descriptions of locations and places in England were very well crafted, and the plot moved swiftly enough to keep me always curious and eager to see what came next.

I know that some people are not fans of the reworking of classic literature, but I really enjoyed this, and was very impressed with how it was accomplished. I like the fact that I had an idea of the plot in my head, and that famous lines from Jane Austen’s novel were used.

This made it all the more interesting, and surprising, when something happened that I wasn’t expecting. I think that enough of the original was used, but it was not a merely a simple retelling. Certain subplots of the original were treated differently, or indeed, not used at all. This kept me interested. Some of the original characters played different roles, or were almost non-existent.

I thought that the misconceptions that Elizabeth had regarding Darcy and, first Zara, then Helena, worked well, and sprang naturally from her character. I also found Elizabeth’s preconceptions and prejudices regarding the moneyed and noble fascinating.

My one complaint was the overuse of clichés about how the English behave and the way that we are. Whilst it is true that many of us are suave and debonair, putting James Bond to shame, as we drive our Aston Martins up to the doors of our Stately homes or castles, this is certainly not the norm. I felt that this overuse made some passages seem very tongue-in-cheek, and ultimately lose some of their impact.

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes revamped classics, interpreted in a modern way, and also those that like fun, easy to read romances. An extremely enjoyable book.

This review is based on a complimentary copy.

"Unleashing Mr. Darcy" is a delightfully entertaining contemporary romance from the pen of Teri Wilson. It begins when Elizabeth Scott enters her dog Bliss in a New Jersey dog show. On the verge of turning thirty and still single, as well as having been unjustly suspended from her job pending an investigation Elizabeth is certainly not ready for a confrontation with the acting judge, English billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. Taken completely by surprised by their powerful attraction she never expects to be given the opportunity to explore their fiery chemistry until an unexpected invitation has her flying to London.

Cleverly adapting the plot of "Pride and Prejudice" into modern day England passion explodes between the inimitable Donovan Darcy and Elizabeth Scott. Set in the competitive world of dog shows Elizabeth struggles with emotions of disdain and mistrust because of Donovan's wealth and privilege; a power another man used as a weapon to destroy her career. Similarly handsome, detached Donovan Darcy fights against the allure of a feisty woman who could break his heart. The narrative is written with humor, wit and clever dialogue that keeps the reader laughing as the two desperately try to overcome their passionate feelings. Into a storyline that captures priceless moments from the Jane Austen classic, Teri Wilson has combined elements of heartbreak and vindictiveness with loyalty, friendship, passion and love.

The characters are well-developed, complex and unforgettable with all their flaws, faults and strengths. Attractive and witty Elizabeth Scott seems vulnerable, insecure, and mistrustful; fearing her attraction to the imposing billionaire. The rich, confidently masculine Donovan Darcy masks his thoughtful, winsome nature under moodiness as the intoxicating woman threatens his composure and over-confidence. Helena Robson is the condescending, catty viper out to trap Donovan. She starkly contrasts with her brother Henry, the good-natured barrister with a brilliant legal mind who's open and trusting; so much like Elizabeth's sister Jenna Scott in temperament. All the characters add drama, energy and passion to this wonderful contemporary remake of a timeless story.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Unleashing Mr. Darcy" and highly recommend it to those that love a charming contemporary romance tale that sparkles with wit and humour

"It is a truth universally acknowledged" that Teri Wilson has done it again with her modern take on yet another classic and well known piece of literature.

The first novel of Teri Wilson's that I read and enjoyed was "Unmasking Juliet," with its modern take/twist on Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. I enjoyed Wilson's mature star-crossed lovers(Leo and Juliet), their warring chocolatier families(the Mezzanottes and Arabellas), and the various mouthwatering descriptions of chocolate.

In "Unleashing Mr. Darcy," Teri creates a story centered around the world of competitive dog shows, and places well known characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in that world. Donovan(our Mr. Darcy)is a professional dog show judge, who happens to be an aristocrat, and Elizabeth Scott is an American school teacher, who enjoys as a hobby entering her dog Bliss in these shows. The two meet and butt heads when Donovan is a visiting judge(from the UK)at a local competition held in Elizabeth's home state(New Jersey). I liked the prickly, sexual attraction/chemistry Wilson was able to create between Darcy and Elizabeth. It created the perfect tension coupled with the constant misunderstandings between the characters.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is an unusual, modern take on the familiar love story in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. A few names have been changed here and there (I really hated that the author changed Darcy's first name to Donovan), some parts of the plot have been altered to bring it up to date and make it fit the setting, and a fairy godmother of sorts and dogs have been added. The banter between Darcy and Elizabeth is often very clever although sometimes her reactions to him puzzled me. They seemed out of character for Elizabeth. When he proposes after punching a guy out to defend her honor, she turns him down and tells him he doesn't really love her when all evidence indicates that he does. What the heck does it take to convince her?
The scandal that arises has to do with something in Elizabeth's past, not her sister Lydia's as in the original. Away from the setting of the school (from which she was fired), no one who knew her would believe she would do something like what she was accused of. It just didn't fit anything else about her.
I did enjoy the character of Helena (Caroline Bingley) who caused all sorts of trouble for Elizabeth. Helena was totally obnoxious and got what she deserved and then some in the end. All-in-all, it was a fun retelling of the familiar story which has a lot to recommend it.

When a scandal ruins her teaching career in New York, Elizabeth Scott crosses the pond to England with her darling dog to accept a temporary position on the dog show circuit helping a family prepare for their tour. But her escape has a distraction in the form of one billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. He's arrogant and sexy and disarming. Maybe Elizabeth will take home more than a blue ribbon when her trip is through.

It's hit or miss on these Pride and Prejudice based books. This one was a hit. In my opinion, Wilson took aspects of Austen without knocking it off, making for a cute, clever and cozy read. The setting was fabulous as was the array of secondary characters I fell in love with. My only contention was I felt the antics at the dog shows over the top and highly unlikely. Nonetheless, a must read!

While Unleashing MD is obviously written with Jane Austen's classic in mind, it only follows the plot lightly, so there is nothing copycatted. Wilson has done an excellent job of writing her own plot and adding nuances to characters that flesh them out well. Elizabeth is not an easy woman, and she has a lot of expectations and makes many assumptions, which match Mr. Darcy's hot and cold behavior very well. The romance rises and falls around these character flaws.

Some parts of the plot were a tad unrealistic, but with a Harlequin romance and only have two main characters, Wilson did a fantastic job at keeping the tension going. Teri Wilson is not your average writer, and she plumps up the plot with humor, delicacy in places where other writers tend to give too many details, and unfolding characters. There is no "dump info and run" in this gem, and it's a book that you'll want to keep reading until it's finished.

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all time, and I absolutely love the BBC mini-series starring Colin Firth. I read modern romances anyway, so one based on a classic like this can hardly go wrong. Well, it can, but this one didn't. The premise of Elizabeth showing dogs was a good enough start. Once the story traveled to England, it only got better. I liked that the author even included the P&P side characters Jane and Bingley in the form of Elizabeth's sister Jenna and Donavan's best friend Henry. As far as modern romance novels go, the love scene was tasteful, not like the 50 Shades stuff I'm used to, but still satisfying and sweet. I'd recommend this to any ladies who like sweet romances, but especially ones who can appreciate it more because they know the story of Pride & Prejudice.

An exciting romantic read. Mr. Darcy and the fascination women have with him was known to me from the bookworms chatter and Pride & Prejudice films. This lip biting, romantic Unleashing of Mr. Darcy had me hooked. I now understand the fascination we have with him. The story had me smiling, giggling, swooning and everything a romance involving Mr. Darcy should. For a change the villains were put in their place, the chemistry was hot and really really likable.

I would happily re read this title whenever I can.

Although I am often skeptical how a retold story will turn out, in general I like reading the classics retold. There is something reassuring in the familiarity of the plot, in the idea of knowing how a story will end and that the hero and heroine will find their happy ending. I am skeptical because I wonder, “what if the retelling is so bad that it will spoil my love for the original classic in question?”. Fortunately, Unleashing Mr. Darcy was a fantastic read and Ms. Wilson has done a great job.

The story has some similarities with the original classic tale, foremost are the characters. There is Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth’s sister and Darcy’s friend, the grim aunt, and of course, villains. Elizabeth and Darcy are still full of pride and prejudice. Ms. Wilson also chose to put some memorable scenes in the story but with a twist. More or less, that is where the similarities stop and the difference begins. Elisabeth became American, some new characters are introduced, some well known characters’ roles are diminished and some characters’ names are changed. The author also decided to add a lot of steamy kisses, one lovemaking scene and a lot of sweet dogs in the story. These additions spiced it up and made it more unpredictable, which I liked a lot. What I especially loved about Unleashing Mr. Darcy is that the story provides the reader insight in both Elizabeth and Darcy’s standpoint and I was so happy that I could finally see what is on Darcy’s mind.

Reading Unleashing Mr. Darcy created a multitude of different emotions in me. I laughed (during charming Elizabeth and Darcy’s conversations), I cried (when love was not returned),and I wanted to punch some characters (when injustice was done). All in all I really enjoyed it, and when I read the last sentence I was truly sad because it ended.

As a true fan of Austin’s Pride and Prejudice, it is pretty obvious that I was not disappointed with this particular retelling of the story. I am so happy that I read it and that it made me want to re-read and to watch all the TV and film adaptations of the original one more time.

Originally posted at Long and Short Reviews

I really enjoyed this romance. I sometimes find contemporary romance a little slow, but I stayed interested in this one. It tells the story of Elizabeth, an unfairly fired teacher from NYC, and Donovan Darcy, a formal but charming Englishman. The chemistry between them is a very apparent and a lot of fun. There is enough fun tension to keep you wanting to read more. It has some nice secondary characters. It's a very easy read and a nice distraction from the everyday world. Dog-loves will get a kick out of this one because the characters are both dog lovers and work in showing dogs. Definitely one of the better contemporaries I've read.

NOTE: I received this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

My first thoughts after I finished Unleashing Mr. Darcy went something along the lines Oh my! I believe I just fell in love again! And this time it's for the right Mr. Darcy!

With that said, I am adamant that Unleashing Mr. Darcy is even better than the original Austen Pride and Prejudice. So judge me! Or not. I don't care!

Usually I dread reading a favorite classic's retelling. Why? Because I end up hating them more often than not. It's sad, I know, but it's the truth. In fact, I've already read one Pride and Prejudice retelling this year and I was abysmally disappointed.

So you see, I was very tentative when requesting Unleashing Mr. Darcy. I was even more so when I started reading it, but I just couldn't pass up the chance because you know - it might just turn out to be a jewel.

Good heavens! I'm elated to say that my worries were completely in vain. Nothing about this novel was the mirror image of P&P and I just so loved that! Sure, the story line followed the original, but it had it's own quirks too. Also, all the little things that annoyed me in P&P were gone here. Like Wickam's marriage to Lidia - completely out of the story. Or his pursuit of Darcy's sister. Phew! Gone too! Or Darcy's coldness. Gosh that needed to be gone - I mean no man can be a statue, right?

I can proudly say that I was more affected by Elizabeth Scott and Donovan Darcy than Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Why?

Well, for starters, Donovan's character was a lot more down to earth and he had his own POV chapters! That right there is a huge bonus that I just can't ignore. I mean, I don't know about you, but I've always wanted an in on Mr. Darcy's thoughts! And let me tell you, Donovan did NOT disappoint! *I can only giggle!* It was easier to know where he was coming from, why he was behaving the way he was, what drove him etc. Which is why I found him not only charming, but also completely irresistible! He was lovely, passionate, incredibly careful and considerate. I really wanted to just snatch him off the pages and keep him for myself.

Elizabeth's character was the more conceited one here. Her prejudice - as Donovan pointed out - bordered on snobbery. There were moments when I was ready to strangle her for only seeing the negativity of her situation. That facade she had going on was - to say the least - annoying. I don't know how often I was urging her to just let bygones be bygones. I mean, the past cannot be changed, but that doesn't mean you should turn your back to the future too, right? Other than that, Elizabeth was strong. She followed her heart to the best of her abilities, and even managed to make friends far away from home.

If you're a Jane Austen fan, I suggest you don't pass up this opportunity. I'm sure you'll love Unleashing Mr. Darcy as much as I did!

Absolutely deliriously delightful. The best part of this book was the dialogue verbatim from the original Pride and Prejudice. It made me happy. There was enough of a plot on its own without being strictly a retelling, but the best elements are there.

Warning, contains a sex scene.

Elizabeth is a dog lover and meets Mr. Darcy who is judging her dogs. It's a delightful premise that allowed the story to unfold with some charming elements not at odds with the original. It was exactly the story I wanted to read. I love when that happens.

This book was amazing! Great book for the weekend or just to unwind with in the evening. I can't tell you how much I laughed reading this. The characters were very real & relatable. I loved that it switched POVs between Darcy & Elizabeth to see what they were thinking & feeling.

As a dog lover, I loved the dogs & the shows.

I really like that she took some of the lines from the original Pride & Prejudice.

There wasn't any bad language except a** used a few times. The sex scene is PG-13 not much described.

Both Donovan Darcy and Elizabeth had pride and prejudice. but she saw him and the more that she misjudged him the more that she realize that sometime the person we don't plan on falling for. Donovan had a reputation and Elizabeth thought if she fell for him that she might lose her self. I am like Elizabeth afraid of losing myself to fall for the love of my life.

Teri Wilson’s Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a clever novel that bears a few similarities to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Fans of the original work will enjoy this updated version but this cute story will appeal to anyone who enjoys light-hearted contemporary romances.

After being forced to take a leave of absence from her teaching position at a prestigious private school, Elizabeth Scott eagerly accepts a job offer as a dog nanny in England. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, her new boss lives across the street from dog breeder and show judge, Donovan Darcy, the man who annoys her to no end. Underlying Elizabeth’s annoyance with Donovan is an undeniable passion that she finds almost impossible to resist.

Elizabeth and Donovan are wonderful protagonists and I really enjoyed watching them fall in love. Elizabeth is very cynical about marriage due to her years working in the family bridal business. Her brushes with the wealthy have also left her with a few self-esteem issues that come to the surface during her tempestuous courtship. Their mutual love of dogs brings them together but the vast difference in their socioeconomic backgrounds is a major stumbling block for Elizabeth. It was nice seeing her change some of her long held opinions and finally give their relationship a chance.

Donovan is a quintessential British aristocrat who is surprised by the strong emotion and desire he feels for Elizabeth. In a refreshing change of pace, he is quicker to embrace his evolving feelings than Elizabeth. He intuitively picks the right gestures that cheer Elizabeth up when she needs it most.

The banter between Donovan and Elizabeth is quite witty and spirited. Their relationship is on again/off again for much of the novel and the final resolution of their romance seems drawn out a little too long. The backdrop of the dog show world is unique but a little too much emphasis is placed on the inner workings of the shows. The story is a slow moving with very little action and there is a lot of introspection by both Donovan and Elizabeth. While the overall storyline is a little predictable, Ms. Wilson throws in a few unexpected plot twists.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is an angst free romance with charming characters and adorable dogs. Teri Wilson’s writing style is quite engaging and her retelling of a favorite classic is fresh and innovative. All in all, a sweet, romantic read that I recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary novels.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

I'll read anything closely related to Jane Austen so this book went to the top of my list. I'm not into dog shows but thought it was an original idea as the backdrop of the story. Which made the title of the book very clever, I thought. I enjoyed reading from Darcy's point of view and liked the characters. I liked that the author took the story in her own direction and not completely rewriting Austen in present time. Even without the Austen connection, it was still cute book and fun read!

Having seen a plethora of Jane Austen based re-creations, I was a bit hesitant about this one. I have read this author before in the Love Inspired lines and loved her voice. So, I took a chance and bought this book. And I am thrilled that I did. The author's voice is so charming and delightful throughout the novel that I could barely put it down. The story revolves around the beautiful and somewhat goofy Elizabeth Scott, who is a teacher by trade. When a scandal at school has her sidelined as a teacher, she is in a funk. While showing her beloved dog Bliss at a dog competition she meets the gorgeous, but slightly snarky dog show judge, Mr. Darcy, who is visiting from England. Although they get off on the wrong foot, both are aware of each other. When Elizabeth accepts a post in England taking care of a wealthy family's dogs, she is shocked to once again come face to face with the gorgeous Darcy. Sparks fly as Elizabeth and Darcy give in to their attraction. To say anymore would be to ruin a delectable read. This book is like a gooey truffle after being on a diet. It is well worth the indulgence. And might I say, I'm hoping she writes more books like this one.

An updated Elizabeth and Darcy with . . . dogs? I always enjoy seeing how modern authors update Austen and this is a cute and very inventive re-imagining of Pride and Prejudice. It’s almost impossible for any writer (other than Jane) to capture the original Elizabeth’s lively intelligent wit and while this book does not manage that feat it’s still a fun, light read.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a great modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice and I really enjoyed it. The author presents Elizabeth Scott and Donovan Darcy as complete opposites in every way, except for their mutual love of dogs and dog shows. As Elizabeth and Darcy are continually thrown together they learn that maybe opposites truly do attract.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy was a very enjoyable, witty, and entertaining read. I loved how the Teri Wilson tied pieces from the original Pride and Prejudice into this modern, dog loving version of it all while maintaining a wonderful flow!! A great fast and fun read!

In Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Teri Wilson, depicts a contemporary Pride & Prejudice seamlessly and accurately. She vividly describes their attraction, love and disdain for each other. In the end, it is obvious that the middle class and rich can be proud and prejudiced snobs. It was a delightful read for romantics and Jane Austen fans.

Two thing first off; I usually read mostly sci-fi/fantasy and action novels, but when Teri Wilson writes a Romance novel, I'm there. Having read her previous novels I was looking forward to reading "Unleashing Mr. Darcy". I've never read "Pride and Prejudice", so I just enjoyed the story for what it was for me, a wonderfully crafted love story with dogs and dog shows woven into the plot. Being inside both Elizabeth and Donovan's head made the reading all the more enjoyable. Great book! Great read! Looking forward to "Unmasking Juliet". Way to go Teri!

This could be called a "fetching enough yarn", but I doubt very much that those not into Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice in particular will be that much into this. Of course, there will be Austen fans who won't like this pastiche, but it certainly is worth a try.

There are cute dog scenes also, but dogs don't occupy as much of the novel as one might hope for.

This isn't great. For that, you need to re-read Jane Austen herself. But it is thoroughly enjoyable.

This book is so fluffy it could have been written by a teenager using mostly Emoji's. While it wasn't the worst book I've ever read, it was far from good. By the end, I didn't even want the protagonist to end up with the man. Pass this up for a better story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Pride and Prejudice, cleverly set in the dog show world. Although my ultimate Mr. Darcy will forever be Colin Firth in the A&E mini-series, Donovan Darcy is a very nice 2nd runner up. The story moves along nicely, and I had a couple of late nights because I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more from this author!

I get it, this is fluffy, pleasant fantasy read for a rainy afternoon. But when does two obviously Oxbridge types act or sound like this? I've never heard an Englishman of any stripe refer to autumn as "fall'. I don't think I will be reading any more of Ms. Wilson fantasy books in the future.

What a lovely book! My favorite part of reading a book is when I actually feel like I'm the character! Ms. Wilson did a wonderful job with taking my heart on a journey in this modern adaptation of a classic. I certainly couldn't put it down and was sad that the story had to end! Highly recommend this book!