Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:
Synopsis for Mr Darcy’s Kiss (from Goodreads):
Rich.
British.
Hot as hell.Elizabeth Bennett has never appreciated any of these traits in a man. So when Mr. Darcy, billionaire British playboy and GQ’s Bachelor of the Year, meets her at a function, she’s surprised at how attracted she is to him.
That is until he puts his foot in his big, arrogant mouth.
The slap that she gave him got her thrown out of the biggest fundraiser of the year, but the mark she left on Mr. Darcy won’t leave his mind.
The second time that they meet “on accident”, he turns up the arrogance even more.
The third time, he tries flowers.
By the fourth time, he’s wearing a cup to protect himself.
Mr. Darcy is the last man in the world that Elizabeth could ever be with. However, love makes fools of us all, and the one man that she can’t stand is the one man she can’t resist.
Can Mr. Darcy’s kiss win over the heart of Elizabeth Bennett?
Join New York Times bestselling author Krista Lakes in this modern retelling of Jane Austen’s beloved “Pride and Prejudice”
Author: Krista Lakes
Genre: Adult, Retelling, Contemporary, Romance, Drama
Heat Rating: really warm
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: December 26, 2017
Source & Format: Hidden Gem ARCs–eARC
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’m a sucker for anything remotely related to Pride and Prejudice. Retellings, adaptions, inspired by, if it lists Pride and Prejudice somewhere in the synopsis, you bet I’m reading it!
I’ve read one other Krista Lakes novel and enjoyed it well enough. The love at first sight bothered me a touch but I enjoyed her writing style so I was eager to see how she would tackle this!
The Concept:
Mr. Darcy’s Kiss is the first modern full-blown retelling I’ve read (I read a lot more that are “inspired” by). It follows the original work pretty spot on in terms of events and notable scenes. There are some great modern twists along the way–ones that I thought were pretty creative and very reflective of how society works today compared to Austen’s time. Basically everything you love (and perhaps hate) about Austen’s original masterpiece is here in one way or another.
I think it goes to show the timeless nature of Austen’s work that it can be transformed nearly 200 years later and still provide fantastic entertainment.
The Plot:
Even knowing the plot and the direction the story was going, I still found myself captivated to see what would happen next. Krista Lakes does a good job of spinning the story to work as a modern retelling.
The Characters:
All the characters have the charm and charisma you expect and love (or possibly hate depending who the character is). It was just great to get lost in their lives and all the shenanigans that ensue!
The Romance:
I swooned the entire time I was reading this. When Charles and Jane first meet? Swoon! When Darcy can’t keep his eyes off of Elizabeth? Swoon. This book just made me happy the entire time I was reading it.
My Rating: 5/5
It takes a lot of guts to retell one of the most classic and admired love stories and I think Krista Lakes succeeded in bringing a modern Elizabeth and Darcy to life for readers to once again enjoy!
Read if You Like: Pride and Prejudice, Modern Retellings
Avoid if You: want erotica, dislike retellings
- Dirty English by Ilsa Madden-Mills (English Series #1)
- Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven (Starcrossed Series #1)
