Darling is one of those books that introduces you to a large crowd of extraordinary characters, let you fall in love with each and every one of them, and leaves you heartbroken when finished. I can’t see myself recover from the heartbreak any time soon.

India Knight did a marvelous job with the reimagining of Nancy Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love. The writing was smart and excellent, and the recreation of Radletts’ (honorary) family members was simply perfect. The way they interacted and moved around each other’s perks and preferences is heartening and downright hilarious. Especially Uncle Matthew, who wholeheartedly loved or loathed almost anyone and anything (and how everyone seemed to brace themselves for his eccentric outbursts) was highly entertaining.

I love how the story is told from Franny’s perspective, allowing her to share her sharp observations. The narrative is smart, wit, and a bit snarky, making this book laugh out loud funny even though the course of their lives was not all sunshine and rainbows.

Five full stars.

I read this book in one sitting, and it was an absolute joy. I love India Knight and I love the Mitfords so I knew I would enjoy Darling, but it surpassed all my expectations. Combining the two has created a delicious alchemy.

Darling is a very recognisable modern retelling of The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford, but it is also somehow entirely it’s own thing. The writing felt timeless, the characters are a dream - I laughed out loud so many times, particularly at Uncle Matthew. It is charming and funny but with a terrific spikiness, it has the sort of gossipy observation of a big Jilly Cooper novel (a huge compliment!) and I was devastated to finish and stop hanging out with a family I had fallen so hard for,

What a gorgeous cover ! I've enjoyed some of India Knight's previous books and so was looking forward to this, a reimagining of Nancy Mitford's Pursuit of Love. Darling tells the story of teenage Linda Radlett, isolated in rural Norfolk with her mother, rock star father, siblings and cousin and how she eventually escapes to London. I found Darling to be a light and engaging read, at times funny and heart breaking. There is an ease and lightness to the author's prose and she perfectly captures the spirit of Mitford's book. However at times I found the writing style a little too saccharine for my taste and this stopped me from becoming completely immersed in the story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this digital ARC
3.5 stars