Checkmate, Mr Darcy: A Regency Novel inspired by P&P (2024)

Interesting story. I like it - with a few caveats.

It's important to mention that It's not for everyone. Darcy is only a secondary character here (though a significant one) who neither deserves nor ends up with Elizabeth Bennet.

Instead, at Rosings, Colonel Fitzwilliam is relieved when she admits she dislikes his cousin, proving herself to be a rare woman not dazzled by Darcy's wealth and consequence. Fitzwilliam's admiration for her grows, as does Elizabeth's feelings for him.

Her father's profitable chess hobby is another major plot element throughout the book. Mr. Bennet has garnered more than just money, though - he and Elizabeth also have high society connections no one else knows about.

The threat in Meryton from Mr. Wickham is erased rather early. It's quite satisfying to see Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, and Mr. Collins get their respective comeuppances.

As Darcy is presented here, his haughtiness is more than skin-deep, and he's NOT likeable. However, Ms. Salier goes a bit overboard with the negative consequences of one specific action he takes, as reprehensible as it is.

After everyone's HEA has been achieved, the book continues on for too long. By several chapters.

Despite its flaws, I found it an enjoyable, unusual read.

Content is clean.

Darcy is so bad, you will cheer for Richard

I don't usually enjoy a non pairing of Elizabeth and Darcy, but this variation does it really well.
Richard is lovable and brings out the best in Elizabeth. Darcy is one of the worst I have ever read of him, so it's easy to accept Elizabeth with Richard.
Some of the story is very tongue in cheek, but that makes it an even more fun and enjoyable read.

Finally, something original.

I have been hoping for a story like this. I giggled more often than not and loved the outcome!! If you're a P&P purist, this is not a story for you. I absolutely loved it. Borrowed it from KU, but am seriously tempted to buy.

This was a fun book to read. I liked the pairing of Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam as Darcy truly did not deserve Elizabeth. I know I will be reading this book again.

Wonderful alternate take on Pride and Prejudice

This author is always a joy to read but for those of us who are devotees of Colonel Fitzwilliam, this particular story is what we had always wished the ending of Pride and Prejudice could have been!

With just a tweak of both Mr. Bennet’s connections as well as Mr. Darcy maintaining his convictions regarding pride (his, of course, being under SUCH good regulation), we see a very different love story. Personally I’ll think of it as “ODBC”, Our Dear Better Couple.

While I don’t mind spoilers per se, and the author is very upfront about who does or doesn’t have an HEA, her words are the ones you should be reading. I cannot recommend this highly enough. While she may downplay her character development, this is author modesty. We the readers are treated to this and no, characters developing do not have to do so with all kinds of heavy-handed ‘pointing out the moral’ or high-falutin’ prose.

Overall, we see how families cope with happiness, sadness, and even with Mr. Collins. . .well, you simply have to read to find out what Divine Retribution looks like for him.

Kudos to the author. Now I’m inspired to dust off the chessboard!

Col. Fitzwilliam for the win

I enjoyed the story, fantastical as it was. Lizzy’s connections were high indeed.

There was sadness and humor and Darcy was a cad and an ass.

I have never been one who absolutely had to have Darcy and Elizabeth have their HEA. I recently enjoyed one where a very changed Jane and Darcy wound up together and enjoyed that very much (though it was a little too sweet for me).

Obviously, in order to make these switches palatable to us, one or the other has to be shown in a less than admirable light. In this case, Darcy is written as even more arrogant and rude than normal. I will not give a spoiler here, but let’s just say that what Darcy does is enough to cause his family to cut him from their lives. He does redeem himself in the end, but by then everyone has had their own HEA.

I just want to say one thing to those who get their pantaloons in a bunch when Darcy and Elizabeth don’t end up together. If you always have to have D&E together, just read the original and stop telling authors how to navigate their own stories. They are called vagaries for a reason. You are entitled to your opinions but it is disingenuous to read a blurb telling you what the story is about and then give a one star review for that very reason. 🙄

I really enjoyed this change of pace variation where Elizabeth finds her HEA with Col Fitzwilliam instead of Darcy.

OMG!!!!

I am in absolute love with this book!! I know many JAFF readers want Darcy and Elizabeth to somehow have a happily ever after. I however am slightly different, all I want is genuine believability for Elizabeth's Happily ever after. Every fantastical element is introduced in such plausible ways that I was swept up in the story and able to completely believe and enjoy the show.

brave author

Ms Salier crafted this story so effectively that I didn’t spend a moment fretting over Mr Darcy. “The Hedgerows” was inspired. I will be buying this for my permanent collection.

Absolutely Enjoyable

I looked forward to reading this because sometimes in JAFF, Mr Darcy is portrayed as being truly awful and is forgiven far too easily and quickly. It reflects poorly on Elizabeth.

In this version, Darcy doesn't get the wake-up call he needed until far too late.

Colonel Fitzwilliam is his frequent JAFFy awesomeness and Elizabeth is rightly impressed. There are multiple other changes that are quite enjoyable, especially the solution to the housing issue after Mr Bennet's death.

I gave the story 4 stars because I found the first few chapters a little rough. The writing was pretty simplistic at points and the errors more frequent. It got better.

There was a time or two when I rolled my eyes because the luck of the Bennet girls was really piling up, but fundamentally, it was a great diversion.

Unusual Twist is Satisfying

Taking a nontraditional route to this variation, the author explores how the personality traits with which we are so familiar can deliver unusual results. The story moved space and offers readers a wonderful "what if."

Warning - no HEA for Darcy

Great story, although not good for those who need Lizzy to end up with Darcy. This Darcy is his own worst enemy and loses out because he cannot change his attitudes. Witty dialogue, funny situations, and a very creative plot. Totally enjoyed it!

An Honorable Man

This "What if Story" allows the reader to delve into a "Looking Glass" world where Darcy is very late in becoming "the better man". Richard is the man who demonstrates respect, honor and love to Elizabeth. He appreciates her for who she is and in so doing finds much more than the tolerable woman that Darcy met. If one is willing to give up the fairy tale of a HEA with Darcy at Pemberly, this novel is quite enjoyable. The premise is intriguing. Sydney Salier unique sense of humor provides many chuckles throughout this well written novel. As I am Team Richard I am very satisfied with this variation. And may I say thank you to Ms. Salier for writing such a delightful book.

Just delightful!

I am happy that this novel came with a first line disclosure that it was not a HEA for E&D. So thank you. Now that my expectations have been set, there are a LOT of Darcy flaws that addressed most rigorously in this telling. I enjoyed. Loved also Mr Bennet’s last laugh. Read and enjoy.

Oh dear . Spoiler!

I always read any book by Ms Salier as soon as I can, without reading anything about it. Big mistake this time. I can read practically any scenario, any trope in JAFF, but one thing Must! happen. HEA for ODC.

This is why I give 3*, not because of the book itself.

I finished it as a matter of principle, but...nope, not for me. And I will read the summary carefully from now on.

Another Direction

What if Darcy did not realize the error of his ways and effect changes in time to win Elizabeth’s heart? In this wild departure from canon, Ms Salier has created a most enjoyable novel whose HEA involves a different but familiar groom, a Mr. Bennet with unexpected foresight, and an Elizabeth with most surprising connections, all situated in a charming version of Meryton.

Surprisingly I Loved This Without HEA

Glad I was warned about ODC not being together. This was really good, well written and enjoyable. Darcy was really unlikeable so it made the Colonel and Elizabeth love story more palatable. My only what the heck moment was the death of Mr Bennet, it’s like he just died and your going to check out the place you will live. The body isn’t even cold yet. That just didn’t seem right.

Unconventional HEA

I don't always go for ODC as not being endgame, but sometimes you just need that difference. And this book was well written, and just enjoyably done. I loved all of it. I always enjoy this author, as well, so that's not surprising. A fun little romp through an alternate universe.

LOVED IT!

Not you typical P&P variation. Darcy is his usual abysmal behavior and gets his set down. Elizabeth finds her life partner. Mrs. Bennet still worries about living in the 'Hedgerows'. A number of new circ*mstances and characters create a wonderful story all revolving around chess.

Suppose Elizabeth accurately reads Mr. Darcy's arrogance right from the beginning? This provides an opening for Richard, always the charming and unpretentious man who until this variation rarely gets his due. There are so many "comeuppances" in the book that are deeply satisfying. The novel is well-paced, surprising and insightful. I just loved it.

A Brilliant Book By This Author As Usual

Loved the different take on the story of was such a great read. Elizabeth married the Colonel also she has quite a few people who are d connections like her godfather Duke and the Queen. Lol

Mister Darcy finally gets what he deserves

I've read hundreds of pride and prejudice variations. This is the 1st review I've written. Lots of humor, and mister Darcy got what he deserved.

Unconventional and surprising

This is an unconventional and surprising plot. I thoroughly enjoyed a change from the usual P&P variations. This one was something special and I will read more of Sydney Salier.

Not a D & E tale

I do enjoy an occasional Lizzy and Fitzwilliam story. This one is perfect. Darcy is an @$$! Mr. B. scores a homerun here. Fabulous connections. Low angst and a quick read. Yep, the title works for a few of the scenarios.

A very different variation

This story is fun and funny, with--as the author warns--a much different ending than other P&P variations. Would have been 4 stars if not for all the typos.

"The one where Elizabeth marries Colonel Fitzwilliam."

Good writing, as always, but the author was a bit more interested in Darcy being an ass than in the love story.

In JAFF, Bingley is often denied a happily ever after while Darcy is forgiven. Not this time.

Avid Reader

I read this as a draft and had to read the final publication. Sometimes Richard makes Elizabeth a better husband.

Genius. Pure genius!

Well, I was simply delighted by this tale for so many reasons. I highly recommend this romp! You won’t regret it.

This book was great. Easy to read, well written, loved the characters. The change of direction for Elizabeth was well done. Thank you!