Over You: A Mr. Darcy Valentine's Romance Paperback – February 13, 2016

This was quite an unusual modern approach to Pride and Prejudice. As a warning, the book contains some profanity (including the F-bomb) and a very lusty approach to the relationship between Beth Bennet and William Darcy. The issue of homosexuality and the difficulty of being in the closet also is front and center.In this imagining, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have only three daughters: Jane, Beth and Mary. Jane's personality is much as in cannon except she has an anxiety disorder and has to take Xanax, both mostly because of her overbearing mother. Mary is a complete departure from the original. Her character delights in being outrageous and shocking their mother, and she's a political activist on environmental issues. (I admit I really loved this Mary!) Mrs. Bennet is almost worse than the original article. Her desperation to expose her daughters to wealthy, socially acceptable men seems over the top, even when you understand her motivation, which is explained late in the book. Beth's best friend, Colin Frey (an interesting mashup between Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins) is gay and desperately trying to hide that fact from his parents, at least while his father is running for political office. Darcy's friend, Cameron Bingley, is just like Charles Bingley. Interestingly, Anne Degatto, the daughter of Catherine Degatto, seems more similar in character to Caroline Bingley here. Darcy's very outgoing sister, Gwen, appears early in the story. She reportedly has a drinking problem, but it also seems as though Darcy has her on a pretty tight leash. And Grant Wickham... what can I say? Wickham is always a sweet-talking, lying, all-around bad egg.I enjoy the creativity in this plot. While you can find the Pride and Prejudice elements, this modernization doesn't try to follow it point by point, which makes it feel very fresh and different. I particularly like the depiction of the relationship among the three sisters as well as their close, unconditional friendship with Colin. Their interactions with him demonstrate he is more like a sibling to them rather than just a friend.I don't generally object to sexual content when it seems to flow naturally from the story. In this case, Darcy and Beth get pretty hot and heavy long before she's gotten over her annoyance with his haughty personality. It's one of those "sexual chemistry" attractions for each other that the hero and heroine just can't seem to fight. I'm not sure they have enough interaction otherwise for them to have any basis for an adult relationship outside of the great sex. And Beth gets way too close to having sex with Wickham shortly after meeting him. Regardless of how often it's mentioned that this is uncharacteristic for her, she comes across to me as slutty.I also think I may be missing something. I picked this up thinking it was a stand-alone Pride and Prejudice variation. Based on Beth's exchange with Darcy in the first scene, it seems as if she already has a major chip on her shoulder against Darcy with some prior history that isn't made clear in this book. She is rushing through the hospital because her father had collapsed during a meeting with Darcy, but it seems as though she is blaming Darcy for somehow making him ill. That is never explained or expanded upon - at least not in a way that I recognized.There is also reference to "celebrities" Jon and Bryan Ferro, as though I'm supposed to recognize those names. It turns out they are featured characters in a several-book series this author is writing, of which this is perhaps a part. This book does end with "Ready for More? Pre-Order Stripped 2 Now!" It's not clear to me whether "Stripped 2" will be a continuation of this story (which does leave room for a sequel, though it comes to a logical conclusion here) or whether it's a continuation of this series of books the author is writing about the Ferro Family.The things I like about this book I really, REALLY like. The sensual scenes are pretty hot for those who like that sort of thing and doesn't come across as overly crude. (To me it doesn't, anyway, but my sensibilities may not be as easily offended as others.) The writing in general is quite good, the characters are strong, there are enough tweaks to the Pride and Prejudice storyline to keep my interest and wondering what is going to happen next, there are surprising twists, and there's a clearly defined climactic scene that changes everything. All these positive elements lead me to give it 4 stars despite the reservations expressed above.

I really enjoyed Over You and couldn't put it down (yes, I read it in one sitting). I have not read Pride and Prejudice, *gasp* so I didn't have any preconceived notions when starting the book. I was hooked by the immediate attraction between the two main characters, Beth and William. You have to love a forbidden romance - one where there is a powerful life altering attraction mixed with a long history of disdain for one another. I kept thinking - Which emotion will win? Why don't they like each other? If they hate each other, why can't they keep their hands off each other?In addition to the conflict between Beth and William, there is a series of personal issues Beth has to deal with concerning her family and best friend. It is clear that she is fiercely loyal to those she loves and puts the needs of others before her own. The twists and turns with her family also had me on edge wondering what was going on and what the outcome was going to be (which is why I couldn't put it down).The book was well written and I recommend it to others. I was pleased with the outcome and how the missing pieces that kept me hooked finally came together to answer all my questions.

I can't resist a good modern P&P story, and I just happened to see this one suggested to me. As to the sexy part, it certainly has a lot of sexy time. Funny thing is, there's no actual sex scene but we do get to third base and they're good!The sweet comes from the love and loyalty Beth shows for her family (including best friend Colin) and the love and loyalty Darcy shows her in typical Darcy fashion.Aside from all the mushy sentimentality, I found myself laughing out loud from Lizzy's thoughts (it's told from her POV) and I loved Mary's bad ass character!I started off really not liking Mrs. Bennet because she is the way we would expect her to be. But in the end she wasn't too bad once you saw the reason she acted in her own special way. It was sweet that her husband defended her unlike other stories where he ignores and belittles her.If I had one complaint of this story it's that it was too short! I wanted more and I didn't want it to end where it did! A personal complaint but ahh a sequel would be awesome! The book description declares no cliffhanger but I totally disagree. I was left hanging! LolCan't wait to read this again :)

Hot and steamy, light and airy modern variation of P&P. Lacking in depth.I can't say I recognise any of the characters as P&P except for their names. Some are nicely done though, others not so much. Love Mary in this, she is hilarious. My main issue is Elizabeth who is both slutty and a bit stupid, not a big fan of that. Didn't like the sex scene with Wickham although it was not explicit.Jane is a nervous wreck on Xanax and Camrone (Charles) is unmemorable. Mrs Bennet as a shopaholic is believable, she is also redeemed in the end. There is no real development of character which I found rather disappointing.The novel ends up in the housewife porn genre and there is nothing wrong with that but nothing exciting either.

Pride and Prejudice has nothing on Over You. I am a big Mr Darcy fan and this book really does him justice. This is a great read.

I really loved this story. Elizabeth is a caring young woman who puts those she loves before herself all the time. William Darcy is obsessed with his work and does not have a sense of humour. Very well written as usual, I really enjoy the easy to read style of H.M. Ward. This was a great stand alone read although I really hope there is more to this story. There is even the signature wildlife appearance in this book lol. (if you are a fan of H.M. Ward you will know there is often a critter of some sort that makes an appearance.) I would like to see what happens in the future. How Beth and William progress now that all the barriers are down. How her sister Jane and her future husband Cameron grow and develop their future together.

was hesitant to buy as am a huge Jane Austen fan, but this book was great.

Not really believable. I didn't rally like it sorry

A very quick read, bawdy and not enjoyable or enthralling. Do not recommend.