Darcy by Any Other Name by Laura Hile: Book Review with Celebrate Lit.

About the Book

Book: Darcy by Any Other Name

Author: Laura Hile

Genre:  Historical Christian Romance, Regency

Release Date: May 13, 2016

Discover the Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance that has readers laughing in surprise and delight.

For most, this is a glorious evening of music and dancing. But out in the garden two men are arguing, while a ferocious rainstorm swirls round. And then the unthinkable happens: a lightning bolt from heaven strikes. In that instant everything changes.

Jane Austen’s heartthrob hero becomes the bumbling Reverend Collins. Shorn of his fortune, his social standing, and his good looks, Mr. Darcy is trapped in Mr. Collins’ body. And Mr. Collins wakes up to discover that he is master of Pemberley.

Could there be anything worse?

But the inner man is still Darcy. He is in love with Elizabeth Bennet. And now he is living in her house.

If you enjoy a smart, sparkling Regency romp in the classic “Heyeresque” style, then you will love Laura Hile’s Darcy By Any Other Name.

Click here to get your copy.

Book Review:

Having still not read Pride and Prejudice, I get to review this novel with a clean mind. Still planning on reading P&P, but in the meantime, it’s body swapping for me.

What do you get when you combine two men arguing with one lightning strike? A romantic tale where beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Elizabeth has no romantic notions toward neither Collins nor Darcy. She sees Collins as a buffoon and Darcy as a pompous stick in the mud. Darcy, however, is in love with the witty Elizabeth. When the lightning strike puts him in Collins’s body, Darcy finds himself living in his beloved’s household.

I did expect more consternation/behavior issues from Darcy as Collins. Instead of fighting against the transition, Darcy seems perfectly happy to stay where he is. He has Elizabeth, after all, and might even succeed in winning her love as the odious Collins. Compared to fame and fortune, Darcy sees himself as blessed to have Elizabeth’s affections. (Say it with me… AWWWWW)

I will say, take your time when reading. Enjoy the prose and fluidity of Laura Hile’s writing. Let the story transport you to another place and time as it is meant to do. You might even feel as though you’ve swapped bodies, as well.

I found myself anxiously awaiting the conclusion. Would the two men switch back? Would Elizabeth figure things out before it’s too late? I’m surprised I have any fingernails left after all that angst. Regency fans, this is one you don’t want to miss.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

My journey as a writer began with the Internet.  And with Jane Austen.

How is that for an unlikely combination?

I have always loved classic Regency romances. You know the kind – with a dashing, honorable hero and a lovely, intelligent heroine. Delicious banter, unexpected plot twists, humor, and a happy ending. If faith is woven into the story, so much the better.

When I discovered an online forum for Jane Austen-related fiction, I was hooked. With Jane’s characters for inspiration, I began writing and posting serialized Regency stories. To keep readers coming back for more, I developed my signature style: intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor.

The comedy I come by in my job as a middle school teacher—there’s never a dull moment with teens!

I live in Beaverton, Oregon with my husband.

More from Laura

I see that double-take you just did.  Darcy By Any Other Name is a what? A Pride and Prejudice body-swap romance? Seriously?

Indeed yes. And it’s a really fun read. I blame my sense of humor. And the fact that I think too much.

Here’s the thing: we women are captivated by Jane Austen’s Mr. Darcy—we are! Handsome, aloof, and wealthy, he embodies the perfect male. By comparison, the ordinary guy has no chance. (And heaven help the fellow who is plain!)

Yet we know that attraction involves more than good looks and a fat wallet.

I began to play with this thought. Because Mr. Darcy is also honorable, intelligent, kind, and funny—qualities that transform an ugly man and capture a woman’s interest. The shared smile, the twinkle in the eyes, the finishing of her sentences. These are endearing! These are why we women fall in love!

Once the body swap idea showed up, I knew I had struck story gold. Will Darcy-as-Collins capture Elizabeth Bennet’s heart?

No, wait! She cannot fall for him because he’s the wrong man—no, the right man! But he’s in that podgy body! She cannot love Mr. Darcy when he’s—ugly! Can she?

Ah, but of course she can. Now what?

Think of Darcy By Any Other Name as a happy roller coaster ride. And you know what they say about those: “Get in, sit down, and hold on.”

Do leave a comment and enter the giveaway. I think you will enjoy this fun, romantic book.