Review-ish Thing: Mr Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo

Last night was our #WednesdayYA chat of Mr Darcy Broke My Heart, and rather than doing a straight-forward review of the book (which would probably be pretty similar to my review of Jane Austen Ruined My Life, honestly...), I thought I'd share some of the thoughts expressed during the chat last night. We all seemed to be on the same page with this one, which was basically "I liked it, but..."
And frankly, sometimes we were hilarious.
Click through to see what we loved — and what drove us nuts — and to share your thoughts on the book if you missed the chat!

On our first impressions: 

I've read Beth Pattillo before, and I liked this less. The problems I had w/ her other seemed even more so in this. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

Which isn't to say I DIDN'T like it, because it was still fun and engaging, but it felt underdeveloped. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

Le plot: Date guy; Meet other guy, know nothing about him other than cute/wealthy & decide ur in <3, get him to <3 u back; Take it all back.
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

I think if you're going to have this set up - well, lemme back up, because FIRST OF ALL, HELLO INSTALOVE. What even was that? #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

LIke, you're a grown woman; have a fling, have some flirty feels, but y'all were getting way too serious, too fast up in there. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

But yeah, if you're going to have this set-up of realizing that you've got something good going on & you need to put in effort #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

Then give us more of that! Don't just do a 180 and call it a day. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

On the "Formidables," who readers will recognize from Jane Austen Ruined My Life. This group is the only unifying element between the two books, as they are companions and sequential.

I feel like the Formidables were mentioned but the book didn't delve enough into who they really were. #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

The Formidables were VERY neglected in this. It's assumed you've read Jane Austen Ruined My Life. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

In real life, the Formidables would have been going considerably more batshit over the manuscript. Let's be real. #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

In JARML, the Formidables are devotees, but believe they are protecting Jane & her wishes. So batshit, yes, but not public. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

On the "lost original manuscript" of First Impressions (Pride & Prejudice), which is at the heart of this book, and which we all wanted to see more of:

@TheBookRat At some points that was the most interesting thing going on and was excited to see long passages in italics. #WednesdayYA
— Julie H (@KCWB_C) August 28, 2014

I liked the recycled pages, but why have so many missing? How did that serve the story? #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

I suppose the argument could (and prob should) be made that the old lady WASN'T missing any pages; she gave what was needed. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

On the characters...

I like James being flawed, I just think he could have maybe been more flawed, or flawed in a more compelling way. #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

They all had a tendency towards woodness, and could all use development and subtlety. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

I mean, really, he's a bit of a Wickham. =/ #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

and their relationships...

If both the sister and the bf had problems with her being with sister all the time, why not talk about it? #WednesdayYA
— Julie H (@KCWB_C) August 28, 2014

Kinda really shitty to say, Hey, you gave up your youth and dreams to take care of me, but could you GTFO now pls? #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

@lizpatanders over the Atlantic Ocean during $1 per minute phone calls? #WednesdayYA
— Julie H (@KCWB_C) August 28, 2014

ESPECIALLY given her sister's attitude at the resolution. If you're so upset, why are you just now fixing it?! #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

And on the resolution of the story, which we mostly liked (though again, we wanted to be a little more developed, and a little less abrupt):

I liked seeing Claire's boyfriend step up & I liked her realizing that it's not about the stereotypical HERO, but what's right #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

INDIVIDUALLY. What works for Claire, what Claire needs. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

So in the end, it's not about Claire finding Darcy, it's about Claire finding CLAIRE. That, I liked. #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

SO IN CONCLUSION, we liked this book, but we definitely had some issues with it. Those issues were mostly outweighed by the quick pace and enjoyable feel of the book...

Does this book make either of you want to read Jane Austen Ruined My Life? #WednesdayYA
— Misty (Book Rat) (@TheBookRat) August 28, 2014

It was a fast read and overall enjoyable even if there are lots of problems so its a possibility. #WednesdayYA
— Julie H (@KCWB_C) August 28, 2014

I have an interest in Jane Austen Ruined My Life but want to prioritize other adaptations. #WednesdayYA
— Liz Anderson (@lizpatanders) August 28, 2014

...which probably wouldn't keep Liz & Julie from reading Jane Austen Ruined My Life. Probably. 
Maybe.

If you've read Mr Darcy Broke My Heart, please let us know your thoughts in the comments! 

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