Everything that comes with Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" book, I am totally in to check it out. An this one has a unique premise that has caught all my attention. And with no surprise, I can tell You all that this book totally worth the reading! First of all, I should make clear that this is not a retelling or something similar to that. it's just a fiction that is influenced by one of the most famous works of the English lady author, placed in nowadays set. The perfect strangers( that doesn't like each other) to lovers with a lot of humor, sensibility and an original conection with the story of Jane Austen. The characters reflect in a modern way, all the essence of Austen's message: Sometimes society makes Us prioritize what We see in the surface and appearance of people, but Humans are more than What it shows or financial gain. The romance progresses very well as the narrative goes on, and We can truly sense the chemistry between Vivian and Brodie. Really, the book is way compelling than I tought it would be. It has adult content, so it's important to know that this book is not indicated for young readers.

I love Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen so this was definitely for me. Vivian and Brodie was truly an opposites attract couple, but they really made it work. Vivian brought out the softer, more caring and definitely responsible side of Brodie to show the town who he really is. And Brodie encouraged Vivian to be more like herself. Also, their chemistry was swoonworthy. Their family situations were interesting, it was superb when Vivian stood up for Brodie. The festival setting was great as well. I genuinely recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

I absolutely loved the characters and the focus around Darcy and the town having an event. I loved Pride and Prejudice and it was great to see a new take incorporating the story.

Where do I even start with The Wrong Darcy?!
This book had me CACKLING!!! Vivian is a librarian better known as Keaton's mom or Sam's ex, and Brodie is the black sheep of their town. Naturally, these two are Lizzie and Darcy in their town's month-long Jane Austen festival... and they hate each other.
Vivian & Brodie's story is so cute and insanely funny! It's a slowish burn where he falls first (there's hand flexing!), a good amount of spice, and (I will die on this hill) no third-act breakup.

"He's never read the book. He's brash and unpolished. He's... blond?!"

I love a good retelling of a classic, but mix that with the small-town and enemies-to-lovers tropes, and I am HERE for it.

At first, Viv and Brodie hate each other for various reasons (she takes things too seriously, and he calls her V), but eventually decide to help each other gain favor with the town (HE EVEN WATCHED THE KIERA KNIGHTLEY P&P WITH HER!!!)

The Worst Darcy is light, swoony, and just spicy enough to avoid detracting from the story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Robyn Gynne, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC of "The Worst Darcx".
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was funny, heartwarming and just an overall really enjoyable story. The story focuses on wrong first impressions and getting to know each other better. I really loved the relationship forming between Brodie and Vivian.

When a title boldly features the name "Darcy," invoking thoughts of the classic masterpiece "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, it's hard not to be intrigued. This contemporary romance invites readers to relish in the echoes of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy's iconic romance while exploring fresh narratives.

Set against the backdrop of the Jane Austen Festival, our protagonists step into the shoes of the beloved characters. The story kicks off with the promise of a tantalizing twist as our modern Elizabeth and Darcy grapple with unconventional expectations and strive to break free from the molds society has cast them in.

The book wittily acknowledges that Darcy is not typically adorned with metal head attire, tattoos, or nipple rings, playfully defying the conventional image. This clever nod to tradition while embracing modern quirks is just the beginning of the book's delightful interplay between past and present.

As the narrative unfolds, we witness a gradual evolution in both the characters' ambitions. Beneath the facade of being "just the librarian/Sam's ex" or "the town disappointment," they each harbor aspirations to redefine themselves within the context of the festival.

What truly captivates is the way the author crafts this journey, allowing the characters to peel back the layers of judgment and preconceptions. In doing so, they embrace empathy and understanding, forging connections that transcend initial impressions.

The pacing follows the slow burn trope. The build-up, the witty banter, those funny moments – total chef's kiss. Then, hitting the 50% mark and it's like game over, you're reading 'til dawn. Stuff gets intense, steamy, and okay, maybe a tad smutty.

While the story excels in delivering captivating romantic chemistry, I felt like there is room for "more" deeper exploration of the characters' personal lives and struggles. But maybe the goal was more vibes, less drama.

Highly recommended to the fans of Pride and Prejudice, the author crafts a captivating narrative that both pays homage to the beloved source material and stands on its own merits.

Opening Lines- “There was nothing like a little passive aggression to wake you up in the morning. “Are you sure this isn’t a mistake, Vivi?” my mother asked over the phone. “It’s not too late to change your mind.”

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that if the name of your town is Austen, Ontario, you will indubitably host an annual Jane Austen festival.
And, said festival is the spring board for a well-paced, fun, and sizzling romance beginning with a cringe worthy first encounter that paces out from there with a character-driven romance. I was originally caught by the cover and title to try a new to me author, but I enjoyed the author’s writing that made me care about the characters, enjoy the bantering, and feel the progress of the relationship.

Vivien and Brody both think they have something to prove because, to their families, they are screw-ups. They take the festival as a challenge that being the best Lizzy and Darcy ever will get people to see them differently. Viv, in particular, starts out wound pretty tight and judges on appearance while Brody was prickly because he knew he was always compared and found wanting. In the process, they start to see themselves differently as they work together and start respecting each other as allies then something more. They share a sizzling attraction and whew boy do they get up to some smexy times, but they both hold back from commitment because of fears of inadequacy and rejection. I loved how Viv’s ex, Sam, does a great job as her bestie and gives her the nudges needed to not mess up her own chance of happiness and Brody’s bandmates-friends do the same for him.

The librarian and the heavy metal rocker finding love at a Jane Austen festival was sheer fun for me. Want some spice and a small town contemporary romance, take up The Worst Darcy.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for an hoenst review.

I really wanted to like this, but the beats on this story just didn't hit very well. It seemed rushed in some parts and like weeks had passed at others. It left me feeling confused about the timeline and whether or not I believed these characters would be acting or feeling this way so quickly. It also paints itself as a Pride & Prejudice retelling, but that really didn't feel right. Yes, there is an inital headbutting but the other facets of what make Pride & Prejudice so compelling were missing here. Also the monster dick was a lot and didn't fit with the vibes of the rest of the story. The whole thing felt incongrous, so it's a no for me. I'm sure this will find it's intended audience though!

Vivian Trent is desperate. Her family doesn't approve of her life as a single mom and the small town of Austen still won't accept her as one of their own four years later. Playing Elizabeth Bennet at the annual Jane Austen Festival is the perfect way to win over the locals and prove that she's thriving. But when Austen's favourite festival hero is replaced by his tattooed, metalhead brother, how is she supposed to achieve perfection with such a bad boy playing Mr. Darcy? He's never read the book. He's brash and unpolished. He's... blond?!
Brodie's used to being the town disappointment, so when Vivian turns her nose up at him, he's not surprised. Hot librarian or not, she's way too uptight. But once the festival gets underway, they see new sides of each other. When he finds out her dark secret, suddenly she’s much more endearing. She’s vulnerable, but strong. And the way she looks in that gown only blurs the lines between playing the part and falling for her for real.
But when her goal is within reach, can Vivian go off-book and choose Brodie, if it means risking everything she thought she wanted?

I love Pride and Prejudice, so I ate up all the references to Jane Austen's masterpiece in this opposites-attract romcom! This was a bit of a slow burn, but once it started heating up it got spicy and I was here for it! This story is funny (there's a scene with an audiobook that had me laughing SO HARD), sweet without going over the top and Brodie, the MMC, totally grew on me (even though he wears leather cuffs). Plus, there's no third act breakup! Jackpot! Worth a read, especially if you love Pride and Prejudice. Thank you to netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

What if Darcy was a bad boy? When you’re a bad boy in a small town as a younger man, you’re always a bad boy.
A single mom moves to be closer to the father of her son.
Easy read.

Rating: 4,25 stars

This is THE most adorable romcom I've read in a while! The banter between the characters, the pining, the small town setting, ugh it was absolutely amazing!
I really loved how the background for their romance was a Jane Austen festival!? Like how perfect is this for reading geeks? Or maybe it's just me considering I had just rewatched Pride and Prejudice (2005 version), and was listening to an audiobook of Sense and Sensibility at the time, so yeah, this has been Jane Austen's month and I was definitely here for it!

Read this one if you like :
- Small town romance
- Single mom (and the most adorable dinosaur obsessed kid)
- Jane Austen, and the regency era as a whole
- Opposite attracts, with the 2 town outcasts coming together
- Found family

Thank you Robyn Gynne for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

☽𝔹𝕆𝕆𝕂 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎☾

3/5 ⭐
2/5 🌶️

Okay, being a Janeite or Jane Austen enthusiast, I rather liked discovering small bits of Austen here and there. Not only in terms of her renowned work Pride and Prejudice (my favourite), but also in terms of the 2005 film (yes, the hand flex and everything).

I was extremely into the book when it first started. It had me hooked, and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the tension between the major characters as I learned about Austen's festival and their personal lives.

However, towards the middle of the story, it became a little monotonous for my liking, and there were a few things that I wasn't enjoying as much as I would have liked. The female lead character is a single mother, yet there aren't many scenes with her son, which is a little disappointing. I'd have delighted to observe their interactions. Similarly, while I liked the female character, she was very critical of the male character for no apparent reason. But I'd like to assume they were both a little bit judgemental of one other because Pride and Prejudice is all about what the title implies.

⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
I will update this review soon when the publishing date is closer and with the intention of adding a link to my Instagram account in which I will post this review.

This was such a fun and fluffy debut novel from Robyn Gynne. I was immediately hooked by the title, and all I want in this world is to live in Austen, Ontario and be a part of the Austen festival each year, with my end goal to be Elizabeth Bennett, of course.

Vivian Trent also had this desire. She moved to Austen to be nearer her best friend, Sam, who also happened to be the father of her adorable son, Keaton. While she and Sam were no longer in a romantic relationship, they were still good friends and determined to co-parent their son. Unfortunately, after a few years in town, being a local librarian still wasn't enough for Vivian to feel like she was a part of the town. Determined to be more than 'Sam's ex' and 'Keaton's mom,' she is cast as Elizabeth Bennett in the year's Austen festival and is determined to make a name for herself and be accepted by the town. The town's golden boy, however, is no longer able to play Mr. Darcy, and instead hands the role off to his heavy metal band member brother, Brodie Bishop.

While I would say this book is cute and doesn't have any real high stakes involved, Vivian would certainly say differently. And this tattooed rocker who had never read or watched Pride and Prejudice was most certainly not going to be of any help in her making a good impression on the town. Do I think that Vivian was a little annoying at first and put way too much weight into what the town thought of her and went a little overboard with her desire for perfection at the festival? Sure. But I think that excess helped show her growth by the end.

I love any time a person falls in love with Pride and Prejudice, so it was fun seeing Brodie open up to the idea of playing Darcy, along with Vivian opening up to him as a person. They haven't had the easiest paths through life, and it's sweet how they become each other's cheerleaders, especially when they can't rely on family for that support. The fact that Brodie is so good with his niece and Vivian's son is the cherry on top. Those scenes were so precious.

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵."

This book was a fun palate cleanser, and who knew that Mr. Darcy could be so...improper?! And him overhearing one of her audiobooks had me cackling. The running joke that developed from it kept me highly entertained. I'm sad that Austen, Ontario isn't a real place, but I certainly enjoyed my time visiting in this book.

𝚝 𝚛 𝚘 𝚙 𝚎 𝚜:
small town
single mom
enemies to friends to lovers
forced proximity
LGBTQ+ rep
he falls first

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of the book.

This is a quick, lighthearted read with some spice thrown in. I enjoyed this book. The characters were enjoyable and had some depth. The storyline was predictable but it didn’t detract from the read.
This is a great beach or weekend read.

This was a well written romance, with spice and a lot of fun. I love the relationship between all the characters, especially Vivian and her ex, they handled the custody really well. I like how the relationships were very healthy and portrayed very well.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the Publishers for this ARC.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

I, like many romance readers, fell in love with Pride and Prejudice from a young age. Our heroine, Viv, is also a bit of a fan. A single mum, who is just trying to fit into her new community, is a little shy and worries that she might come across too starchy and buttoned up to make friends.

Brodie, the town bad boy with hidden layers agrees that she's a little prim when they first meet. But when they have to work together during the town's Jane Austen festival as Lizzy Bennet and Mr Darcy, they discover that there is more to each other than meets the eye. So there is the similarity between Pride and Prejudice (which incidentally was originally called First Impressions) but this book doesn't draw too heavily on Elizabeth and Darcy's story, which I liked.

It's spicy and funny with a little angst thrown in and a Lady Catherine figure who is truly diabolical. Lots of fun to read.

The Worst Darcy was hilarious, heart-warming, and HOT! Two of the steamiest scenes I've read this year are in this book: one in the car where Brodie shows how well he embraces Vivian's secret kink and one at a fountain where his possessive side comes out a bit. They were top notch and both helped move their relationship along rather than being thrown in just to add some spice.

Brodie's struggles with his childhood trauma and Vivian's internal struggles with being a single mom were both handled very well. Family can be a blessing or a curse, but Brodie and Vivian luckily realized that it takes more than blood to make a family. He had his bandmates and she had her ex and his fiance. Neither were truly alone.

Vivian and her ex Sam have the perfect shared custody arrangement, and I'm a little jealous. So often in romance books, the ex is evil and vindictive, but Sam seemed to truly care about Vivian and worry about her happiness.

I'm sure I'm going to get kicked out of the romance community for this, but I've never actually read Pride and Prejudice. I've only seen the 2005 movie, and that's because of seeing so many references to the handgasm. I'm happy to say this book includes some glorious references to it that will make you snicker and swoon!!

Featured tropes:
Single mom
Rockstar hero
Enemies-to-lovers
He falls first
Exhibitionism
Good girl
Good boy
Naughty librarian
Found family

Favorite quote:
“I can read. I just don’t like reading.” “I don’t understand the words that just came out of your mouth.”

Thank you, Robyn and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I went into this book SO excited since I just recently got into “Pride and Prejudice’ and it absolutely surpassed my expectations! Both the main characters (Brodie and Vivian) were amazing even when they weren’t respectfully playing Darcy and Elizabeth. Brodie and Vivian are playing in a real life re-enactment of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ that their town does every year. Brodie is the town bad boy who can’t escape his past with the town and how they perceive him. Vivian is a mother that co-parents her child with a town local and feels like she will forever be referred to as his ex or her child’s mother. Both have a lot to prove to their town and this re-enactment is just the way to do it! At first Brodie and Vivian clash- how could Vivian POSSIBLY work with someone who won’t take it seriously? Especially when Brodie refuses to dispute her accusations, because what would he possibly need to prove to the local librarian? This book had me laughing, gasping, and absolutely happy. The dynamic between the characters in real life and as they ‘play a part’ is only heightened by the dual POV chapters. If this book isn’t on your TBR… add it! #NetGalley #ARC #NetGalleyARC #TheWorstDarcy #RobynGynne

I wasn’t expecting much from this book, but I absolutely loved it! The complexity of the characters, the interpersonal relationships, the unique (Canadian!) setting, and the story beats were handled really well and I adored how there was no third act breakup. The intricacies of Vivian and Brodie’s characters was wonderful to read, especially with how Brodie interacted with children and the scenes of Vivian’s found family together. The only thing I was missing was a scene with Vivian's mother and sister, since that storyline felt a bit incomplete and unresolved, but I loved the closure and beginnings of healing that Brodie got with his family. I will definitely be reading Robyn Gynne’s next book!

I’m thankful this was sent to me as an arc but unfortunately it didn’t take me long to dnf. I don’t know if I’m projecting from past experiences being judged for who i am, being autistic and having tattoos and wearing bold makeup, or it’s my reading slump in part but i can’t do it. I just didn’t like Vivian at all and the way she went at things and just this idea she had in her head and just how low key judgmental she was didn’t vibe well with me so… dnf
Every word I read aggravated me more and more and I’m not about that life. Didn’t get far so maybe it would have gotten better but I couldn’t deal with out FMC. Maybe now that the book is out, in the future I will give it a second chance, maybe right now wasn’t the time for me to read this book
Either way I’m out