The Darcys' First Christmas: A Sweet Tea Novella in Austen Variations

Dec 27, 2016 Anna added it

Shelves: austenesque

In The Darcys’ First Christmas, Maria Grace’s holiday novella sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are planning to celebrate a quiet Christmas at Pemberley with the Gardiners. Already worried that she isn’t up to the task of being the Mistress of Pemberley, Elizabeth nervously begins preparations for the first Christmas ball in years and has an idea to start a new tradition, a Christmas picnic for the children. Darcy seems pleased with Elizabeth’s ide In The Darcys’ First Christmas, Maria Grace’s holiday novella sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are planning to celebrate a quiet Christmas at Pemberley with the Gardiners. Already worried that she isn’t up to the task of being the Mistress of Pemberley, Elizabeth nervously begins preparations for the first Christmas ball in years and has an idea to start a new tradition, a Christmas picnic for the children. Darcy seems pleased with Elizabeth’s ideas and how she is settling into her new role with the help of Mrs. Reynolds, Pemberley’s longtime housekeeper.

However, the Darcys’ holiday plans quickly fall apart when Lord and Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrive unexpectedly, and Aunt Matlock — already upset at Darcy marrying beneath him — is hellbent on taking charge of the preparations for the ball and appalled at the changes Elizabeth has proposed as Pemberley’s new mistress. To make matters worse, Darcy — used to running Pemberley on his own and panicked by his relations’ sudden arrival — usurps Elizabeth’s authority in household decision-making, crushing her already fragile self-esteem. When Georgiana’s fear of Aunt Matlock keeps her confined to her rooms and an accident puts even more strain on the Darcys’ marriage, things go from bad to worse, and neither Elizabeth nor Darcy is able to reach out to the other for comfort.

The Darcys’ First Christmas is another sweet story that I enjoyed in the little time I had to myself over Christmas weekend. Grace does a great job showing Elizabeth’s insecurities about her new role and how the Darcys’ relationship is still so new that misunderstandings are bound to pop up. I loved seeing Elizabeth and Darcy both find the courage they needed to take on Lady Matlock and even Georgiana, who still has so much growing up to do. However, it didn’t feel right to me that Darcy and Elizabeth would turn away from one another at the first sign of tension and wait so long to finally address their troubles. I understood it for the sake of the story and appreciated the insight from Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Gardiner, but it just felt like Elizabeth was a bit too weak in this story.

Still, that didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the novella, and I loved that Grace included some holiday traditions like the Yule log and even addressed Fitzwilliam’s trauma from the war. Grace managed to pack so much into so few pages, and I was left feeling fully satisfied.

Review posted on Diary of an Eccentric ...more

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Dec 28, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

I loved this story about the Darcys' First Christmas. But I do have to say I agree with another's comment about how Elizabeth was written out-of-character. Maria Grace has posted excerpts of this novella on several of her blogs. When I read of a certain bad aunt's (And, No, it was not Lady Catherine.) behavior I make a comment on that blog that I was sure Elizabeth was going to use her quick wit to come back at this person with perfect put downs and use her ability to draw on past statements to I loved this story about the Darcys' First Christmas. But I do have to say I agree with another's comment about how Elizabeth was written out-of-character. Maria Grace has posted excerpts of this novella on several of her blogs. When I read of a certain bad aunt's (And, No, it was not Lady Catherine.) behavior I make a comment on that blog that I was sure Elizabeth was going to use her quick wit to come back at this person with perfect put downs and use her ability to draw on past statements to refute demands. After all we have read of her astute manner in handling Lady Catherine while confronting her in that little wilderness at Longbourn.

Unfortunately, (or should I say, Once again) we read of this couple misunderstanding the actions of the each other. And they can't seem to get up the courage to speak plainly as to "just what happened and why?"

The story has us reading of how Darcy and Elizabeth have sorted out their daily routine and chores. Elizabeth has found a friend, a mentor and wise guide in Mrs. Reynolds who gently gives opinions about past practices - good or bad. But she also lets Elizabeth know that no one is perfect and even Lady Anne had her moments of doubt, of bad judgments and wrong decisions. Long kept journals are given to Elizabeth so she can read of past dinners, receipts, balls, menus, etc. Darcy and Elizabeth visit some of the tenants together and we read as Elizabeth comes to know and be known to these people.

But the fly in the ointment comes while Elizabeth is out visiting tenants alone one day and unexpected guests show up. Darcy had to make some quick but necessary decisions and when Elizabeth does come back to the manor she misunderstands as some of those decisions (....no, to her it is all of those decisions) seem to undermine her position as Mistress of Pemberley. Here we find an Elizabeth who keeps her feelings inside and who avoids Darcy’s gaze and who is suddenly mute. (This is the out-of-character Elizabeth for me.)

Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam are part of the story and one seems to add to the distress in the home while the other one looks on and gives some sage advice as the unease in the household is observed. Darcy's and Elizabeth's thoughts about how alone they feel does cause some anxious moments while reading but we do know that we will have a happy ending.

At 91% on my kindle we have the lighting of the Yule Log and the author writes a most touching speech for Darcy here, "Let us consider the year past. Our faults, mistakes and bad choices. Let us allow the flames to consume those that we may begin the coming year with a clean slate. With that as our starting place, let us purpose to improve our faults, correct our mistakes and make improved choices."

And after we reach our happy conclusion Maria Grace gives us descriptions and explanations of all those Regency traditions.

This story is so much more than I have written here. Even though Christmas 2015 has passed I truly enjoyed this short story. I recommend it to all. ...more

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Dec 02, 2015 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen-related, christmas-books

Christmas Cheer

I really enjoyed this short story. I did not have time to read it all in one sitting, but it was a treat I enjoyed each night.

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Mar 07, 2016 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: period-romance, 2016

This was a fairly entertaining book with many misunderstandings on the part of both Elizabeth and Darcy. However my main grievance came from the fact that Elizabeth was very out of character. Even the unusual portrayal of Georgiana was not so disconcerting as Elizabeth.

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Feb 21, 2022 Michelle David rated it it was amazing

Lovely

An interesting story and emotional journey in this variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by the talented Maria Grace.

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