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There's no place for pride in this Austen misadventure.
Chloe Parker was born two centuries too late. A thirty-nine-year- old divorced mother, she runs her own antique letterpress business, is a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society, and gushes over everything Regency. But her business is failing, threatening her daughter's future. What's a lady to do?
Why, audition for a Jane Austen-inspired TV show set in England, of course.
What Chloe thinks is a documentary turns out to be a reality dating show set in 1812. Eight women are competing to snare Mr. Wrightman, the heir to a gorgeous estate, along with a $100,000 prize. So Chloe tosses her bonnet into the ring, hoping to transform from stressed-out Midwest mom to genteel American heiress and win the money. With no cell phones, indoor plumbing, or deodorant to be found, she must tighten her corset and flash some ankle to beat out women younger, more cutthroat, and less clumsy than herself. But the witty and dashing Mr. Wrightman proves to be a prize worth winning, even if it means the gloves are off...
Robijane
Posted July 20, 2011
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of Definitely Not Mr. Darcy and didn't want to put the book down. Thirty-nine-year-old Chloe Parker is a divorced mother from Chicago who thinks she's auditioning for a Jane Austen historical-recreation TV show and finds herself instead in a Regency-era version of The Bachelor. It's a great premise that more than pays off in this debut novel. Chloe finds herself in over her head more than once and discovers that living in the past isn't all she expected. I enjoyed this book even more than I thought I would. It's funny, insightful, and ultimately very satisfying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 7, 2011
Hilarious!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2013
I hated this book, for starters Chloe got on my ever-lovih nerves! She wanted to be in Regency times no she NEEDED her cellphone, she loved Sebastian no she loves Henry, she really needed to win no she can' t live without deoderant.....Ugggh! For a woman who was well over 20 years old she was just stupid! And by the way the author spent waaaay too much time on the details of every little thing, do I really need to know how the candles melt in Bridesbridge? Please people don't buy this book, I borrowed it from the library and wish I could get my money back!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RunningShoeGirl
Posted December 5, 2012
I want a sequel. I want to know that they made it off camera. No Bachelor endings here. LOL Pieces of this novel reminded me why I DON'T watch reality shows...catty much? Sheesh. But it was a great read. My only let down was that it ended before I was ready for it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 10, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The premise was entertaining (and not at all unlikely) and the characters were funny. The book offers a lot of interesting historical facts about the Regency Era throughout, and Doornebos does a nice job of using these facts to point out how easy it is for the modern reader to romanticize Austen's England. Like Chloe, the idea of a Austen-themed dating show might seem ridiculous to the reader, but Chloe's likeable character and the author's attention to detail make it very easy to get sucked into the plot. Doornebos's fresh and amusing spin on Austen makes for a fun and interesting read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 11, 2012
This was such a difficult book to read because it was so poorly written. Terrible grammar, awkward phrases, and abrupt plot changes. The ending seemed completely tacked on and was completely unsatisfying. I'm actually deleting it from my Nook.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 26, 2012
A must read if you're an austin fan
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KKC_AZRomanceReader
Posted January 6, 2012
If you love romance and Jane Austen...then you have to read this. I couldn't put it down. It's funny, addicting and I loved Chloe! Could anyone as a Jane Austen fan really go back in time and live in 1812? Chloe does her best and takes us along for the ride. I seriously hope that Miss Doornebos continues the story with a follow up book. And this would make a cute movie....Austen meets The Bachelor! If there is ever a show like this....SIGN ME UP! I want my own Henry! :)
I can't recommend this book enough!
What better way to honor Jane Austen’s 236th birthday, then with a review of a contemporary version of Pride and Prejudice? Karen Doornebos’s Definitely Not Mr. Darcy is just this novel, complete with rakish gentleman, misconstrued personalities, mistaken identities, and a good dose of scandal!
Chloe Parker is in a slump. She’s quite close to 40, divorced, and her antique letterpress business, which she started and runs herself, is failing. Fearing that this loss will make the financial future for her and her daughter too unbearable, she must do something quickly to right their financial ship and save them. Relying on her love for all things Jane Austen, Chloe decides to sign up for a Jane Austen inspired reality show set in England, for which she will be paid and have the chance to win a grand prize. She’s in for a shock, however, when she discovers that what she thought was an innocuous documentary-style show is actually a dating contest set in 1812 a la The Bachelor style format. The man of the hour is a Mr. Wrightman, and she must battle eight other women for his hand. Upon arrival she finds 2 Mr. Wrightman’s and realizes quickly that she is falling for the wrong one. Will she be able to win despite the numerous setbacks against her? Will following her heart lead her down the wrong road?
If Doornebos’s debut novel is any indication of what she’s capable of as a writer, then we’re in for following her long career. She creates characters that you can relate to. Chloe is the epitome of an Austen fan. She’s in love with Regency England, wishes (like most of the rest of us) that we could step back into that time of gentlemanly manners and courting. While most of us would love to take a trip back in time, Doornebos does a god job at reminding us of how wonderful technology and progress is. With the talk of chamber pots, chaperones, and the low social standing of women, Doornebos reminds us of how romanticized the period is.
While the ending of the novel isn’t really a surprise, the steps to conclude the story were as gratifying as I thought they would be. The ending lived up to my expectations. I’m excited to see what Doornebos comes up with in the future. Regardless if she writes Jane Austen fan fiction or not, I think we’ll be intrigued by her stories and her funny and snarky characters. If you’re looking for a fresh, contemporary take on the “Austen” genre, then look no further than Karen Doornebos.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2011
Let me just say this... three cheers for Henry! Im assuming research went in to make things as accurate as possible andnif so, yikes! It was a great read though and the reality show angle workes so well... i would so watch a show like this in real life!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.c_knott84
Posted November 21, 2011
When I read a book like this I want to be swept away: and swept away I was. Chloe is an 'everywoman' protagonist whose motives you can really relate to. I became so immersed in her character that I found myself rooting for whichever man she favored at the time; be it the rakish George, the unbearably sexy Sebastian, or the sweet, sensitive Henry. Throughout the book I didn't know which of them I loved, until Chloe did.
The regency rituals Chloe and the girls must go through provide a whole new side to the supposed glamour or wonder associated with life in the period. From bathing to ball gowns, there is something visceral in what Chloe must endure for historical accuracy. But while the story portrays much of the more 'uncomfortable' side of regency life, it never loses its deference for the period, and while she finds it as difficult to cope as you would expect, nor does Chloe.
I particularly loved the book's ending; it gives you the strong possibility of a 'happy-ever-after' for Chloe, but never relies on it for the story. The optimist and romantic in me assumes everything works out, but it is lovely that the book anchors itself in the modern world by keeping the final resolution from being too clean cut.
Anonymous
Posted November 14, 2011
A Little wordy, but great debut!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mrsinserra
Posted October 25, 2011
** spoiler alert ** OMG- this book was amazing. I love romance novels and this one was wonderful. I would love to see a sequel to this- showing how things went after the email. I read some reviews where people said that the social media references were wrong- maybe I have a newer edition- it is the ebook- but mine said tweeting like it should have. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels- and a great- probably happy ending. Now I, unlike some other readers, did not see the twist at the end coming- it was a great twist. I always like Henry more- glad Chloe did too!
PS- the author is super nice- I wrote to her to tell her that the book was AMAZING- and she wrote me back- personally- within a 1/2 hr- and it was 9:00 at night on a weekday. It is nice to see a writer that is good to her fans! I will most definitely buy her next book.
Anonymous
Posted October 3, 2011
I loved this book!!!! I hope Karen Doornebos writes a sequel to this book!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.3797785
Posted October 3, 2011
This story had an interesting plot; the idea of this story drew me in. It was fascinating to learn about all the 19th century customs as I read. I hope it was historically accurate, but regardless, it was interesting. The one thing about the book that was disappointing was the ending. It was rather abrupt; maybe not quite the romantic happily-ever-after I was expecting. Nevertheless, it was a pretty good read overall.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SophieScarlett
Posted September 21, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Definitely Not Mr Darcy by Karen Doornebos is a fun book to read. It's a cross between The Bachelor and a Jane Austen novel. I absolutely adored this novel from beginning to end. It's enchanting, humorous, delightful book that I couldn't get enough of.
Chloe Parker is a single mom who thinks she's going to be a part of a documentary but instead ends up on a reality show set in regency times. The producers of the show want it to be as authentic as possible so the contestants can't bring any modern day convenience. It's so authentic that the contestants have to use chamber pots instead of a toilet. Chloe, although apprehensive, agrees to be on the show. She needs the money to help her antique letterpress business from going under. The contestants are competing for $100,000 and the heart of Mr. Wrightman.
I really liked Chloe's character. She had real motivation to stay in this competition. I laughed out loud at her reactions to some of the situations she was put into. The characters had to win challenges such as trimming a bonnet and making ink to spend time with 'the bachelor'. Chloe finds herself drawn to Mr. Wrightman's brother, Henry. Henry is the younger brother, a doctor, and is helping Sebastian choose his future wife. This book has a plethora of interesting and stereotypical characters that worked perfectly.
The story line in this book is great. It's a bit predictable but a joy to read. It has some really great moments and a few spicy scenes (you know, for regency times). I would never want to compete in a regency dating show but I would definitely watch it if it was on television. This is a wonderful book to read and I would undoubtedly recommend this to all my Austen loving friends.
Cindy72
Posted September 7, 2011
I was so happy to receive an ARC of this book to read. I am a huge fan of Jane Austen and the regency period so I was thrilled to begin reading. Chloe is a terrific heroine...she is flawed and imperfect and makes mistakes just like the rest of us. She is not model perfect in any way (which makes her a perfect character for me). The author obviously spent a lot of time researching the Regency period because thee was no detail missed in the descriptions. I liked the characters; I liked the surprises and I liked the twists and turns. I was so sorry to see it end; I was anxious to finish it, but wished I could have read more. I look foward to reading more from this author Is it wrong to hope we'll see a Regency-era reality show in the future? Someone should send a copy to Mark Burnett.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Though she thought she signed up for a documentary, not fortyish single mom of a young daughter, Chloe Parker leaves Chicago to join a reality show set in Jane Austen's England because she needs the $100,000 prize money as her antique letter press business is failing. The participants are eight bachelorettes who accept the conditions of Regency England in order to win the heart of Mr. Wrightman. Chloe gives up indoor plumbing, central heating, phones and much more in anticipation of men in tights.
However, Chloe finds she fails nineteenth century activities as sewing is a foreign skill and the use of a fan seems inane. Her odious rival Lady Grace makes it worse as her shenanigans are to get Chloe kicked off the show by setting up the ancient moron to look even more like a loser. Her other rivals are just as young, beautiful and shark-like as Grace is. Then there is the prize.
Just when a reader would think that there is no knew take on Jane Austen, Karen Doornebos provides a fresh amusing spin by combining 1812 Regency England within a modern day reality show. The story line is amusing as Chloe competes with women younger, prettier and nastier than she could ever dream of being. With a nod to the 1900 House reality show, fans will agree that Mr. Wrightman is Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, but to Chloe he may be the right man.
Harriet Klausner
2boyz2fun
Posted August 12, 2011
I read this book and still chuckle at some of the scenes. This book is a fun read and I keep thinking...will there be a sequel? After finishing the book, I realized I wanted more. A good sign ;)
This book is clever in clashing modern with old. The book is filled with factual tidbits that made me realize just how horrible those poor Austen women really had it! Nonetheless, I still want to be a contestant on the show. What a great fun read.
Overview
There's no place for pride in this Austen misadventure.
Chloe Parker was born two centuries too late. A thirty-nine-year- old divorced mother, she runs her own antique letterpress business, is a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society, and gushes over everything Regency. But her business is failing, threatening her daughter's future. What's a lady to do?
Why, audition for a Jane Austen-inspired TV show set ...