Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebo

"Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" is definitely an entertaining book, especially for fans of
Jane Austen novels. Karen Doornebos' premise is a mix of "Regency House
Party," a pathetic program that did not at all appeal to me, and the long-running
American television reality program, "The Bachelor," which I love. In the novel,
failing American business women Chloe Parker heads to England to take part in
a reality show based on life in Regency England, but this version seems much
more appealing than "Regency House Party," as the women there to capture
their Mr. Darcy are forced to learn the skills of an accomplished woman in those
olden days, and that's no easy task. They get dates with their bachelor,
Sebastian Wrightman, based on their accomplishment points. Perhaps that's a
trick "Bachelor" should try as well!

There is a villain, a catty aristocratic girl named Grace, and a twist, as the
bachelor the girls are trying to woe to win the prize money is not an actual
moneyed Brit (wasn't there a reality show with this twist as well?). Regardless,
the book is tremendously informative and entertaining as it leads the audience
into the less glamorousaspects of Regency living, like women being forced to do
needlepoint and ride side saddle. It also teaches an in depth lesson in Regency
fashion and manners, which provides this fan an education the real TV show did
NOT do.

The book loses my attention near the end, where. despite a little too much hand
wringing about which of the bachelors she truly has feelings for, Chloe chooses
the "Right Man" for herself after all. Sadly, she leaves England and returns to the
states before she can admit to herself that she wants that relationship with Henry
Wrightman, the supposedly poor brother who in fact is landed gentry and shares
nearly all of her interests, instead of the sexy actor playing his rakish brother.

I enjoyed reading most of the book, except for the end, which -seemed a little
contrived to me, as if it were altered to make it more of a feminist diatribe than
the normal ending to a piece of romantic fluff it should be. But I look forward to
reading more by Doornebos, and hope somebody chooses to turn this book into
a game show soon!

Submitted by Gerti