There’s something irresistible about a romance that tips its hat to Pride and Prejudice—especially when it’s set near the real-life inspiration for Pemberley itself. Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller blends literary nostalgia with a heartfelt contemporary romance, offering readers a story full of history, healing, and quietly transformative love.
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Title: Not Exactly Mr. Darcy
Author: Carolyn Miller
Series: N/A
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
Disclaimer
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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
My Thoughts:
Not Exactly Mr. Darcy is such a delightful homage to one of literature’s most iconic heroes—and it manages to feel both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly its own.
After losing out on a teaching position, Olivia Bennett finds herself “volunteered” by her family to travel to England to help care for her grandmother as she recovers from hip surgery. Soon, Olivia is settling into a small English village near Chatsworth House—better known to Jane Austen fans as Pemberley itself. Naturally, Olivia makes a pilgrimage to the famous grounds, eager to see the fountain made legendary in the Pride and Prejudice adaptation…only to be unceremoniously ordered off the property by a rather surly man who appears to work there.
That encounter sets the tone for what unfolds next: a fairy-tale-esque story steeped in history, second chances, and quiet transformation. Olivia becomes involved in helping restore a struggling historic estate—one weighed down by financial strain and skepticism from the local villagers. As a newcomer, she faces resistance and outright hostility, yet her resilience and genuine care for the home shine through. She isn’t just preserving a building—she’s honoring its story.
Liam Browne is, at first glance, thoroughly unpleasant. Brooding, sharp-tongued, and deeply guarded, he feels very much like a modern echo of Mr. Darcy himself. But as layers of his past are revealed, his behavior becomes more understandable—and far more compelling. Watching Olivia and Liam slowly chip away at one another’s defenses is deeply satisfying, especially as unspoken secrets and the temporary nature of Olivia’s stay add emotional tension.
What I loved most was Olivia’s focused, wholehearted personality. She pours herself fully into the things she loves, and that passion is genuinely inspiring. Liam’s emotional arc is equally rewarding—his gradual shift from bitterness to contentment feels earned and authentic, not rushed.
This is a slow-paced, sweet contemporary romance rich with historical references, gentle humor, and emotional growth. If you enjoy stories that feel like a warm cup of tea with just enough longing and hope stirred in, this one is a joy.
Publisher’s Blurb:
Pride, Pemberley, and Second Chances
When history-loving Olivia Bennett’s teaching contract isn’t renewed, she is considered her family’s logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England’s great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne’s brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv’s vivacious determination can resolve. Along the way, she may just learn that appearances count for naught. . .and that love can be found in unexpected ways.
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Final Thoughts:
Not Exactly Mr. Darcy is a gentle reminder that love doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it grows quietly—in shared purpose, in understanding, and in the courage to let someone truly see you. For readers who enjoy sweet romance grounded in history and heart, this story is well worth the journey.
If you could visit one literary location in real life—Pemberley, or otherwise—where would you go, and why?
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