- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Berkley Trade; 1 Original edition (Sep 6 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0425243826
- ISBN-13: 978-0425243824
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.7 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #148,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
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...
About the Author
Karen Doornebos is an English Literature graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison and a lifelong member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She lives in Illinois.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now a Regency Fan!, Sep 6 2011
By Manic Mom "Stephanie" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (Paperback)
Definitely Not Mr. Darcy is about divorced mother Chloe who goes to England thinking she will be participating in a documentary in the Regency times only to discover she's actually going to be a contestant on a Regency Reality Show. Chloe must woo the `bachelor' to win the $100,000 prize, which she needs to be able to afford her failing business and keep custody of her daughter.The premise was attractive because not only is Bachelor Mr. Wrightman a hottie, his younger brother is thrown into the mix and he is a quite gallant chap himself! (ooh, that sounds like such a regal regency phrase, does it not? The book rubbed off on me!)
I loved learning about the quirkiness of the times, like how the women wore their gowns, how they didn't bathe but once a week, what they used for deodorant, what they DIDN'T use for underwear, how they tied up their busts, what fanology was, and the hobbies they did. It has all made me very thankful for the comforts of our times!
I loved the author's quick-witted writing, and her characters were charming and flawed, in the very best possible of ways! I enjoyed imagining what those times were like as well, and found myself longing to jump back into the book during the day when I had other things to do. You'll find that after you read Definitely Not Mr. Darcy, you'll look around at the men in your life and think, "Seriously, chivalry IS TOTALLY DEAD!"
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
"All is not as it seems.", Sep 25 2011
By E. Bukowsky "booklover10" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (Paperback)
In "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy," by Karen Doornebos, thirty-nine year old Chloe Parker (who is divorced with an eight-year-old daughter) leaves Chicago to participate in a reality show set in England in 1812. First prize is $100,000. To win it, she will have to outperform the other lovely contestants and convince a hunky and wealthy landowner, Sebastian Wrightman, to propose. Think of it as "The Bachelorette" meets "Pride and Prejudice." On the set of the show that bears the cheesy title, "How to Date Mr. Darcy," everything appears authentic: no electricity, showers, deodorant, modern rest rooms, television, cell phones, or computers. Chloe and her British competitors all have maidservants to fix their hair, dress them, and tend to their every need. In addition, contestants are asked to demonstrate their skills at archery, needlework, and playing a musical instrument in order to earn "Accomplishment Points."At first, Chloe is delighted and enthusiastic to be living her dream. After all, she is a walking encyclopedia on everything Jane Austen. Still, Chloe soon misses her daughter and longs for the pleasures of basic hygiene (even soap and hot water are considered luxuries) and electronic communication. Nor is she thrilled to have cameras following her around. Fortunately, Chloe is pleasantly diverted not only by the gorgeous Sebastian, but also by his devastatingly attractive brother, Henry.
Doornebos has a feel for the Regency period and she effectively captures the atmosphere of Austen's novels. There are stately dinners, formal balls, a mock fox hunt, and semi-chaste courtships. Readers will be amused by some nice comic touches: One of the contestants frequently has her way with dashing footmen, another suffers from chronic allergies, and Chloe is a klutz who is forever putting her foot in her mouth and messing up her fancy dresses.
"Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" is a light and frothy send-up of silly reality programs, but it does not have the mandatory romantic buzz. Most readers will be able to predict where the plot is headed, and the love scenes are as synthetic as the show itself. Chloe is a bit of a contradiction. On the one hand, she is needy and desperate for the prize money. Yet, in a few short weeks, she suddenly becomes independent and strong-minded. Although there are some entertaining moments in this humorous novel, "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy" is too long, drags towards the end, and does not fully deliver on its initial promise.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Approximately Austen, Nov 2 2011
By Caitlin Warnock - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy (Paperback)
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars because while this book was entertaining, it didn't really have much depth...in fact it was pretty shallow, and highly predictable. That being said, it is still a fun little read. I finished it in a day, and it certainly kept me interested enough to see it through.The story centers on Austen-aficionado Chole, who lands a spot on a Regency-era reality show...little does she know she is actually entering a dating contest to win the heart of the handsome (and very wealthy) Mr. Wrightman. Rife with cutthroat fellow contestants, tricky social situations, and not too dull humor, this tale has our heroine on her slipper clad toes the whole time.
One of the things that kept me intrigued throughout the book was the research done into real Regency life. Though the period is just the backdrop for the dating show, it reveals to the readers tons of little known facts about life for women at the time...and I must say, it doesn't sound as pleasant as Jane Austen makes it. In truth, life was a bit more difficult without the convenience of baths, the plethora of ridiculous undergarments, and the somewhat questionable food. It was details like this that made this story feel a bit more real and bit less Lifetime Movie.
In short, I enjoyed this book, simple as it was. I recommend it for a fast, fun read, but caution away those who are looking for something with a bit more profundity.
Caitlin Warnock
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