Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley (Pride & Prejudice Continues) [Paperback]

Sharon Lathan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The second in Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga (Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy) fails on two levels. Readers new to Darcy and Elizabeth will be bored reading page after page about two paragons—he is a gracious and expert billiards player, she is an excellent manager of the household—while they go about their life, with the occasional dustup with Lady Catherine, all while awaiting the birth of their first child. Meanwhile, Austen lovers may well be insulted to read un-Austenesque conversations, scenes and goings-on. Either way, the brilliance of Austen is notably absent. Too often the day-in-the-life focus seems small, as do the couple's PG-13–level lusty thoughts and behaviors. Yes, it's romantic that in a break of Regency tradition they sleep in the same bed and make love often, but it's a lot of nothing after their 15th bout, as is suffering through Darcy hiding his erections from a jovial, knowing father-in-law-to-be. Austen's characters deserve far better than this. (Sept.)
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Review

In true Jane Austen style, this story is filled with period details and witty dialogue... a very pleasant read! (Kay James Romance Reader at Heart 20090828)

A refreshing and romantic continuation of a beloved novel! (Jennifer Whittenberg Awaiting Diana 20090828)

The attention to details will leave readers with a firm memory of Sharon Lathan's talented writing, the characters -new and old- will leave you wanting more, and the everlasting love between Darcy and Lizzy will leave more than one reader swooning. (Bella McGuire A Bibliophile's Bookshelf 20090831)

This is one of the most romantic take off on Pride and Prejudice that I have read. (Shoshana Ashley This Book For Free 20090831)

If you are like me and love Pride and Prejudice sequels then this series should be on the top of your list - trust me! (Alaine Bucknall Royal Reviews 20090902)

I really fell in love with Lathan's continuation of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's story. (Becky Rhodehouse One Literature Nut 20090902)

Whether it's happiness, sadness or even at times a bit of anger, the emotions are vivid and pop off the page to affect the reader. This really helped to draw me in and hook me. (Cinnamon Brown A Journey of Books 20090911)

Sharon really knows how to make Regency come alive. Her descriptions of people, places, and things suck you in and refuse to let you go. (Keira Gillet Love Romance Passion 20090911)

It's actually quite nice to read this type of romance, hero and heroine together, having fun, taking care of hearth and home and anything else required of them – together. (Sandy Marlow The Good, the Bad the Unread 20090914)

The way Ms. Lathan allows the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth to evolve is wonderful and will surely induce a contented sigh from all romantics. (Marlene Once Upon a Romance 20090915)

Sharon Lathan has done a wonderful job of giving Darcy and Elizabeth a very loving and intimate relationship. (Wendi Barker Wendi's Book Corner 20091008)

Reading Sharon's continuing saga of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth is enough to make my [Pride and Prejudice] fan-girl heart beat just a little bit faster. (Bridget Locke Good and Bad Books 20091013)

Loving Mr. Darcy gives a deeper picture of Fitzwilliam Darcy in love - which Pride and Prejudice fans are sure to enjoy. (Gaby Lupus Starting Fresh )

A fantastic read... I highly recommend it and the others in Lathans' series. (Joanne Mosher The Book Zombie )

You'll enjoy Loving Mr. Darcy as long as you don't mind a little steamy romance! (Sabrina Cheeky Reads )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402217412
• ISBN-13: 978-1402217418
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,959 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Lathan is a native Californian currently residing amid corn, cotton, and cows in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. She divides her time between being a homemaker, nurturing her own Mr. Darcy and two children, and working as a registered nurse in a Neonatal ICU. To learn more about Sharon and her series of romantic historical fiction novels, come to her website at: www.sharonlathan.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars So close, yet..., November 24, 2009

By 

M. Caron (Bucks Co., PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley (Pride & Prejudice Continues) (Paperback)

I was given this silly but readable P & P sequel by a friend who knows I'm an Austen addict. It's enjoyable, but... a bit insipid. I haven't read the book that precedes this, but Ms Lathan appears to have paid attention to her critics. There is more of Darcy and Elizabeth's families, more connection to the wider world, of Elizabeth's experience at becoming Mrs. Darcy among the Ton. However, too often the dialog seems straight out of a bad bodice ripper novel. There's incessant lovemaking, coupled (pun intended) with drippy dialog that is simultaneously coy and explicit. IE: "She looked into his shining eyes, hers misty...(Darcy)'Save the words my lover. Rather, free your mind and devise stimulating bedroom actions that will convey the depth of your gratitude.'(p.109)
Ugh! It actually takes away from the story, which I found enjoyable - Caroline Bingley is believably developed, as are Mary and Kitty. However, Lydia and Wickham are noticeably absent, as are Charlotte or Mr Collins.

I'm indeed an Austen fan, but not a purist where language and setting are concerned. Really getting Austen right is beyond many modern authors, especially romantic authors. Austen wasn't about romance, after all, but about romance as a vehicle for examining character, society and even religion. Some authors are better at using 19th c Regency language and imagery; others do not even try. Ms Lathan is is somewhere between. However, like too many Austen sequels, this one seems to embrace explicit sexual as a substitute for strong dialog, an intriguing story, and fully engaging characters. This isn't a bad sequel - It is just that Ms Lathan is capable of more than just another Harlequin romance masquerading as an Austen sequel.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Loving Mr. Darcy... over... and over... and over... again., January 21, 2011

By 

Great Dane "vwp11" (Michigan- United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley (Pride & Prejudice Continues) (Paperback)

I bought three of the books in this series, starting with this one, eager to read them as I'd enjoyed some of the other P&P sequels out there. I was looking for escape, some transport to a time of grace and manners. I read 1/3 of this book and promptly returned all three for a full refund. They are a chore to read. They have none of the charm, intelligence, and chaste, yet terribly sweet and romantic feel of the real Jane Austen. The back flap has the audacity to say that Jane would probably have approved of this. Oh my, I beg to differ.

The genius of Jane Austen was her ability to make character, scenes, and plots come to life in a way that timelessly transcends the era of the reader. P&P is the single best romance novel ever written (just my opinion)and she did it at a time when women weren't encouraged in such pursuits and she did it without one sex scene or deep, hungering kiss. I didn't have to read the passion and love. I felt it. It made me want to keep reading and that kept me dreaming and imagining.

Ms. Lathan's series, however, has no plot. No scene set that we couldn't just picture from one of the movies. The only characters that mildly develop are Georgianna, Mary, and Miss Bingley. And Elizabeth and Darcy? They are the dullest, most self-absorbed sex addicts ever to grace a Regency novel from any time. They fawn and coo over each other all day and not 3 pages passes without them getting naked and going at it, almost perturbed that the others in their lives prevent them from non-stop bedsport. It's impossible to read if you have any respect at all for the original. I don't mind a little added "heat" but this drivel is just painful and ridiculous.

Boom boom. Oh my beloved lover, I love you and want to show you with a new position I've dreamed of. Oh, William, the pleasure you give me, I can't wait to devise more ways to show you the ardent depth of my deep love. Boom boom. 3 pages. A dance. A meal. Boom boom. A mention of family or friends. Boom. Shopping. Repeat.

Save your money.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a sequel..fun fantasy..., September 13, 2009

By 

AMH "LibCat" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley (Pride & Prejudice Continues) (Paperback)

When I first found Ms. Lathan and her Sourcebook novels, I had no illusions about what I was buying or about to read--for me, it is engaging escapism. I love all of Jane Austen's literature as well as both the 2005 movie and 1995 miniseries adaptations. For anyone looking for a true sequel to Austen's Pride & Prejudice, it is not here. This series is, as others have noted, an "interpretation," a fantasy of what happens. Lathan has created new characters based upon her response to the Joe Wright film, which by the way, had very little to do with Austen's text.
Overall, I like how this author has managed to keep me interested in her characters throughout three books and I want to see how this Lizzy and Darcy go on. Although I do see where this edition could have benefited from better editing by the publishers, I don't believe it will keep me from enjoying Ms. Lathan's books.