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Pride and Prejudice Untold #2
What He Would Not Do: Mr. Darcy's Tale Continues
Having overcome the many seeming obstacles to marrying Miss Elizabeth Bennet, his former employee and the woman of his dreams, Fitzwilliam Darcy must now reaffirm his promise to be a man truly worthy of her affections.
Confronted, out of the blue, with the intimate knowledge of her husband’s rakish past, Elizabeth too is obliged to reconsider long held tenets that otherwise threaten to tear them apart.
If you enjoyed "To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too)", you will take pleasure in reading of what happens after the honeymoon is over.
Confronted, out of the blue, with the intimate knowledge of her husband’s rakish past, Elizabeth too is obliged to reconsider long held tenets that otherwise threaten to tear them apart.
If you enjoyed "To Have His Cake (and Eat It Too)", you will take pleasure in reading of what happens after the honeymoon is over.
308 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2011
35 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
P.O. Dixon
87 books167 followersP. O. Dixon has authored several Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations, all written with one overriding purpose in mind—falling in love with Darcy and Elizabeth. Sometimes provocative, but always entertaining, her stories have been read, commented on, and thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of readers worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2021
And I ended up liking this one even less than the first book. I have come to realize that the characters are just NOT likable. No of them not one.
ODC are not so bad, although E had her moments (D had his in the first book), but Jane - puh-leeze girl! You know she knew her friendship with Col F was improper, even if nothing happened. Don't even get me started on the col and the girl he ends up with. They so deserve each other, two peas in a pod-blech! Would E actually become friends with such a woman? I don't think so.
Whatever, writing this review makes me think I should give it only 1 star, but the writing was ok.
ODC are not so bad, although E had her moments (D had his in the first book), but Jane - puh-leeze girl! You know she knew her friendship with Col F was improper, even if nothing happened. Don't even get me started on the col and the girl he ends up with. They so deserve each other, two peas in a pod-blech! Would E actually become friends with such a woman? I don't think so.
Whatever, writing this review makes me think I should give it only 1 star, but the writing was ok.
May 11, 2018
There were things I liked about this book and things I did not. The length was nice, giving me time to enjoy the couples. Let me tell you I started with this book and still it did not take away from my story. The author does recap some of the troubles from the first book and this one begins with our couple wed and adapting to life as a married couple. This is the way I enjoy my couple most. There are minimal errors and although there are love scenes they are vague.
Darcy is very close to Colonel Fitzwilliam in this story. They are best friends with a lot of past history. I found I did not enjoy that as much as I have in other books. Primarily because I never like it if my H/h choose someone over the other. Lizzy did not trust the colonel and tried to use her influence over Darcy to rid them of him. You see Richard has always come and gone to Pemberley as he liked but now it is not Just Fitzwilliam. This causes strain in their marriage because Darcy dismisses his wife's concerns siding with his cousin. That already makes me not as big a fan of this Darcy. The house becomes filled with family over the holiday season with Jane staying for an extended visit. Richard and Jane begin to spend an enormous amount of time together and this begins to bother Lizzy.
I could see Darcy's POV where his cousin was concerned but at the same time it strips the intimate bond between our favorite couple. It created a gap between D&E. My feelings changed seeing them withdraw from the other instead of talking things out. The separation does not last long before the next problem arises. Lizzy became immature in ways and sought out advice from her aunt where Darcy looked for his from his BFF. Some would say such behavior as normal but I want to feel the close bond first and I did not. Maybe had I read book 1 this would have been established more but by just reading this one I did not feel it.
Richard is meant to love poking fun with Lizzy as a joke but came across as a troublemaker with me it was not until Lady Harriette comes about to give him a taste of his own medicine that truly made me like him better. Lastly, I think the author hurt her story with the tale of Annabelle. She is written as Darcy's past mistress, if you will. The odd feeling I got from her was because she resembled Lizzy so much as to make even Lizzy stop and take notice. It made me feel like his choice in Lizzy was because of his fixation on Annabel from his past. Again, I believe from book 1 it is a more detailed plot and may have soothed my concerns. He was never with her when he was with Lizzy, which he makes clear. It is explained in this book that he was cold with Annabel and does not say much during his occasional visits to her. She BTW (by the way) is set up in a brothel.
The trouble I had, however, is due to the fact that with Richard and Darcy's bond I did not feel Darcy was a whole lot different with Lizzy. The idea that Richard was a a known scoundrel it stripped Darcy of the feeling that he was above and from any average man. There are parts when instead of talking with her he wants to just make love making him average. I think I would have just liked to see the author take away some of the troubles and spent more time creating a closer bond for her readers. He is not as warm and understanding as I love to see him.
The 3rd book involves Richard and Harriette but also involves Annabel who now lives in Derbyshire and is thrown out of her home when her husband learns the man that kept her is none other but Mr. Darcy. Darcy concludes to Lizzy at one point that she was not a kept woman but IMO ( in my opinion) that is exactly what she was. I will not continue on after this book even though there are parts and characters I am curious about because I just did not feel the close love bond between D&E that I like to feel. Enjoy!
Darcy is very close to Colonel Fitzwilliam in this story. They are best friends with a lot of past history. I found I did not enjoy that as much as I have in other books. Primarily because I never like it if my H/h choose someone over the other. Lizzy did not trust the colonel and tried to use her influence over Darcy to rid them of him. You see Richard has always come and gone to Pemberley as he liked but now it is not Just Fitzwilliam. This causes strain in their marriage because Darcy dismisses his wife's concerns siding with his cousin. That already makes me not as big a fan of this Darcy. The house becomes filled with family over the holiday season with Jane staying for an extended visit. Richard and Jane begin to spend an enormous amount of time together and this begins to bother Lizzy.
I could see Darcy's POV where his cousin was concerned but at the same time it strips the intimate bond between our favorite couple. It created a gap between D&E. My feelings changed seeing them withdraw from the other instead of talking things out. The separation does not last long before the next problem arises. Lizzy became immature in ways and sought out advice from her aunt where Darcy looked for his from his BFF. Some would say such behavior as normal but I want to feel the close bond first and I did not. Maybe had I read book 1 this would have been established more but by just reading this one I did not feel it.
Richard is meant to love poking fun with Lizzy as a joke but came across as a troublemaker with me it was not until Lady Harriette comes about to give him a taste of his own medicine that truly made me like him better. Lastly, I think the author hurt her story with the tale of Annabelle. She is written as Darcy's past mistress, if you will. The odd feeling I got from her was because she resembled Lizzy so much as to make even Lizzy stop and take notice. It made me feel like his choice in Lizzy was because of his fixation on Annabel from his past. Again, I believe from book 1 it is a more detailed plot and may have soothed my concerns. He was never with her when he was with Lizzy, which he makes clear. It is explained in this book that he was cold with Annabel and does not say much during his occasional visits to her. She BTW (by the way) is set up in a brothel.
The trouble I had, however, is due to the fact that with Richard and Darcy's bond I did not feel Darcy was a whole lot different with Lizzy. The idea that Richard was a a known scoundrel it stripped Darcy of the feeling that he was above and from any average man. There are parts when instead of talking with her he wants to just make love making him average. I think I would have just liked to see the author take away some of the troubles and spent more time creating a closer bond for her readers. He is not as warm and understanding as I love to see him.
The 3rd book involves Richard and Harriette but also involves Annabel who now lives in Derbyshire and is thrown out of her home when her husband learns the man that kept her is none other but Mr. Darcy. Darcy concludes to Lizzy at one point that she was not a kept woman but IMO ( in my opinion) that is exactly what she was. I will not continue on after this book even though there are parts and characters I am curious about because I just did not feel the close love bond between D&E that I like to feel. Enjoy!
July 3, 2021
Originally read in 2011, reread in 2017.
September 12, 2023
Meh. I agree with Elizabeth’s review.
May 19, 2024
I enjoyed the first book, “To Have His Cake and Eat it Too.” The sequel fell short. I listened to the audiobook and found myself bored. The scenes of intimacy became repetitive. The author would try to convince us the coupling was better than the last, and it became a cycle of that. Darcy was complacent, when he should have been more accommodating to his wife, specifically defending her against Lady Catherine D.
August 23, 2023
I love Dixon’s writing but this ‘sequel’ was not her best. Instead of ‘tying up loose ends’ this book created more. I do not know if I will read the third instalment to see if things are better. I cannot stand Lady Harriette and I’ll be happy not to see this version of Jane again.
November 23, 2020
Again brilliant.
Another can't put down book from this outstanding Author. Looking forward to the next one with great . What a gift readers this authors is.
Another can't put down book from this outstanding Author. Looking forward to the next one with great . What a gift readers this authors is.
March 29, 2021
Intriguing read
There was a lot going on in this book that kept me reading longer than I should have 😉 Always enjoy these variations and PO Dixon never disappoints.
There was a lot going on in this book that kept me reading longer than I should have 😉 Always enjoy these variations and PO Dixon never disappoints.
November 15, 2023
Liked the first one, hated this one.
March 6, 2015
What He Would Not Do: Mr. Darcy's Tale Continues (Pride and Prejudice Untold)
Marriage is going well for the Darcys. The only time they really have agreed to disagree is when Lizzy feels that her husband has problems and starts overstepping bounds and not consulting Lizzy. The Ton has been as they both expected; most men want to know her, and most women, mothers and daughters, are jealous. At one dance, one particular gentlemen is out to destroy Darcy's marriage. He was also set down, by Lizzy, when Lizzy was Georgiana's companion so he's mad about that also. He tells her about her husband's not so respectable proclivities along with his cousin, Richard and the game they played with the young ladies of the Ton as well as the who're he kept that looks like her. Until he comes clean, Lizzy is upset, and problems start. Jane has also been with the Darcys since before Christmas and is having a season in town. After her husband leaves to take his children to their maternal grandparents, he remains in Hertfordshire, leaving Jane alone, and Richard way to cozy. When getting to town for the Season, this development, plus the proliferation story causes so much friction that Jane, gentle Jane, goes off on Lizzy stating that she always been prejudice and her way is the only way. She sees what Jane has said, agreeing, changes her ways. After Jane's husband comes to take her home, they argue over what the Darcys have purchased for her for her time in the Ton. After she breaks down and cries, he feels horrible and realizes he has treated her as step- mother to his two daughters and not as a wife. After this realization, they returned to Hertfordshire, and they both build new bonds of love. The family reunion at Pemberley, brings not only Lady Harriet who wants Darcy, but Lady Catherine and Anne. Lady Ellen Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh have never gotten along. When Lady Catherine continues to berate Elizabeth about their family's aristocratic connects and the importance of marriage within the sphere, Lizzy has had enough. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have talked about Lady Harriette's continued designs for her husband so when Lady Harriette gives Darcy a note that says Fitzwilliam, he hands it to Richard. That night she finds Richard Fitzwilliam instead of Fitzwilliam Darcy in her bedroom. Richard tells her to leave Darcy alone that it will never be because he loves his wife more than anything in the world, challenges her by telling her that he will win her love and be the one that she marries. Even though her family has been close friends with the Fitzwilliams, her father and mother were not happy. She being the only daughter and youngest of the two siblings, realize there's nothing to change her mind. Her brother, Lord Harry, is married to Georgiana so her parents abide her wishes, and she and Richard marry within in the month. At Christmas Darcy gives Elizabeth a puppy and when Lizzy puts his hand on her stomach, it takes him awhile to realize there will be a heir to Pemberley. Their son is born and Lizzy decides she will take care of his needs on her own. Darcy becomes jealous because she's not spending time with him and falls asleep as soon as hitting the bed. The rift ends when for the first time Darcy picks up his fussy son and stares at him closely. His heart opens and for the first time realizes what Elizabeth has been telling him. When Lizzy awakens, she knows she has overslept and rushes to the cradle. Not finding her son, she panics until she sees Darcy on the couch with their son on his chest both sleeping quietly. When he awakes, she asks if there is room on his lap for his wife, and he says "always." Well written and a great story.
Marriage is going well for the Darcys. The only time they really have agreed to disagree is when Lizzy feels that her husband has problems and starts overstepping bounds and not consulting Lizzy. The Ton has been as they both expected; most men want to know her, and most women, mothers and daughters, are jealous. At one dance, one particular gentlemen is out to destroy Darcy's marriage. He was also set down, by Lizzy, when Lizzy was Georgiana's companion so he's mad about that also. He tells her about her husband's not so respectable proclivities along with his cousin, Richard and the game they played with the young ladies of the Ton as well as the who're he kept that looks like her. Until he comes clean, Lizzy is upset, and problems start. Jane has also been with the Darcys since before Christmas and is having a season in town. After her husband leaves to take his children to their maternal grandparents, he remains in Hertfordshire, leaving Jane alone, and Richard way to cozy. When getting to town for the Season, this development, plus the proliferation story causes so much friction that Jane, gentle Jane, goes off on Lizzy stating that she always been prejudice and her way is the only way. She sees what Jane has said, agreeing, changes her ways. After Jane's husband comes to take her home, they argue over what the Darcys have purchased for her for her time in the Ton. After she breaks down and cries, he feels horrible and realizes he has treated her as step- mother to his two daughters and not as a wife. After this realization, they returned to Hertfordshire, and they both build new bonds of love. The family reunion at Pemberley, brings not only Lady Harriet who wants Darcy, but Lady Catherine and Anne. Lady Ellen Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh have never gotten along. When Lady Catherine continues to berate Elizabeth about their family's aristocratic connects and the importance of marriage within the sphere, Lizzy has had enough. Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have talked about Lady Harriette's continued designs for her husband so when Lady Harriette gives Darcy a note that says Fitzwilliam, he hands it to Richard. That night she finds Richard Fitzwilliam instead of Fitzwilliam Darcy in her bedroom. Richard tells her to leave Darcy alone that it will never be because he loves his wife more than anything in the world, challenges her by telling her that he will win her love and be the one that she marries. Even though her family has been close friends with the Fitzwilliams, her father and mother were not happy. She being the only daughter and youngest of the two siblings, realize there's nothing to change her mind. Her brother, Lord Harry, is married to Georgiana so her parents abide her wishes, and she and Richard marry within in the month. At Christmas Darcy gives Elizabeth a puppy and when Lizzy puts his hand on her stomach, it takes him awhile to realize there will be a heir to Pemberley. Their son is born and Lizzy decides she will take care of his needs on her own. Darcy becomes jealous because she's not spending time with him and falls asleep as soon as hitting the bed. The rift ends when for the first time Darcy picks up his fussy son and stares at him closely. His heart opens and for the first time realizes what Elizabeth has been telling him. When Lizzy awakens, she knows she has overslept and rushes to the cradle. Not finding her son, she panics until she sees Darcy on the couch with their son on his chest both sleeping quietly. When he awakes, she asks if there is room on his lap for his wife, and he says "always." Well written and a great story.
June 24, 2020
Interesting impressive and intriguing
This story was incredibly written and highly interesting. This is the story of the first year of marriage along with what happens to Darcy, Elizabeth, family, and friends. Highly love how Richard gets taken in, but love the emotional aspect of this. Hardship was family, this tore at my heart. Friendship blooms while other friendships dimmed. Truly a remarkable read. Once again, Highly recommended to a more mature audience.
This story was incredibly written and highly interesting. This is the story of the first year of marriage along with what happens to Darcy, Elizabeth, family, and friends. Highly love how Richard gets taken in, but love the emotional aspect of this. Hardship was family, this tore at my heart. Friendship blooms while other friendships dimmed. Truly a remarkable read. Once again, Highly recommended to a more mature audience.
July 10, 2012
this book was entertaining but i didn't like it that much, the fact that Lizzy was possessive and terribly insecure didn't sit well with me. Jane's pain at her somewhat loveless marriage (as it was in the start) also made me feel uncomfortable, the colenel his character is where most of the entertainment lies but it wasn't enough i feel
July 25, 2013
a different twist on a classic
March 8, 2015
Not fond of animosity from Lizzy to the Colonel or Darcy being a rake but still a good story.
June 18, 2015
I don't know what possessed me to read the sequel. Maybe a hope that it would be better written? I just wanted to finish it so it would be over. Ugh
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews