Mr. Darcy Forever by Victoria Connelly

I love Victoria Connelly’s trilogy about Jane Austen addicts.  As a Jane Austen addict myself, it is truly wonderful to read a novel about women that share my addiction.  The jokes and references to Austen’s original novels and the many spin-offs, movies, and TV adaptations always gives me a good chuckle and a nod of appreciation.  My husband probably thinks I’m crazy at this point!

Mr. Darcy Forever is the third novel in this trilogy, but you could read it on its own merits without having read the other two (although why would you want to skip them when they are so good?).  Sarah and Mia Castle are sister and best friends.  Older responsible Sarah raised Mia in her teenage years after their mother abandoned them.  One perfect summer, Sarah surprises Mia with a vacation to the Barton Cottage of the 1995 movie Sense and Sensibility.  While there, Mia has a slight accident and meets the very handsome Alec Burrows.  This vacation causes a rift between the sisters, but the mystery is what exactly caused the rift?  The novel passes back and forth between the present when each sister is separately making their annual trip to the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, and the past trip to Barton Cottage. 

I was intrigued by this novel and I read it very quickly.  I really wanted to know what had happened between the two sisters, and I must admit - I was surprised.  I always love a good plot that keeps me guessing.  What I love even more is the very unique characters in Mr. Darcy Forever.  Sarah and Mia were two flawed, but loveable sisters, and I loved their friends and love interests.  The love for Jane Austen is an ever present third character and I really wanted to visit Bath (and Barton Cottage!) even more after reading this book.  I love Sense and Sensibility and this book was a great modern homage to that novel.

This book is not to be missed by any lover of Jane Austen or by anyone looking for a great character story about two sisters and the ups and downs of their relationship.

If you would like to read an interview with Victoria Connelly and have a chance to win a copy of this novel, please follow and comment on this link.

Book Source:  Review Copy from Sourcebooks.  Thank-you!