A Personal Reflection on Hiring Mr. Darcy (Austen Hunks #1)
The moment I stumbled upon Hiring Mr. Darcy by Jennifer J. Chow, I was instantly intrigued. A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice with a twist? Yes, please! I love when authors breathe new life into classic tales, and I had high hopes for this romantic romp featuring Austen-inspired heroes. However, as I delved into the book, my enthusiasm dimmed, and I ultimately found myself unable to finish it at 77%.
Navigating the Plot and Characters
The premise had such promise: the heroine, Meg, hires a man to play Mr. Darcy in a Jane Austen competition after her boyfriend caves to the pressure of an actress. The idea was pure fun, and the guy she hires is sweet, kind, and charming. Unfortunately, that sweetness was overshadowed by Meg’s stifling negativity. Instead of chemistry between Meg and her Mr. Darcy substitute, I noticed an absence of any real connection, leaving me frustrated.
Meg’s character left a lot to be desired. At times, she made both Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy seem positively saintly in comparison. Her judgmental, elitist snobbery grated on my nerves from page one. While I understand her underlying trust issues, it felt exhausting to wade through her relentless self-criticism and harsh judgments of everyone around her. And let’s be honest, her references to her “ugly Hobbit feet” and “ugly pot belly” were less relatable and more tiresome.
Writing Style and Narrative Flow
Chow’s writing style has a light, conversational tone that initially drew me in. However, as I got deeper into the story, the pacing felt uneven. I found myself trapped in Meg’s point of view, which only served to amplify my annoyance. Flipping to her counterpart’s perspective for a few chapters could have added layers to their dynamic and might have made his patience with her more understandable.
Adding to my irritation was the consent debate brought up in the book. A friend’s flippant comment that a man shouldn’t ask for permission to kiss left a bad taste in my mouth. It was frustrating and felt out of step with respectful contemporary relationships.
An odd mix-up with literary references (seriously, Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley can’t be confusing) further compounded the flaws, and I wondered: were they intended to portray Meg’s character as an unintentionally cruel snob or was it a slip-up?
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, I wish I could have loved Hiring Mr. Darcy, but it just didn’t resonate with me. If you’re a sucker for Pride and Prejudice retellings and enjoy a Darcy-esque hero with a hefty dose of arrogance, this book might still find a warm corner in your heart. But for those like me who crave character development and genuine connection, you might want to pass or approach it with caution.
While my experience with Meg’s journey was frustrating, it did make me reflect on the complexities of self-esteem and judgment in today’s society. Books that stimulate thought—good or bad—always hold a place in my heart, and Hiring Mr. Darcy certainly did that. If you decide to dive in, I hope it sparks your curiosity in ways that it couldn’t for me.
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