The Perfect Gentleman by Julie Cooper - Blog Tour - Review and Giveaway

Today the blog tour for Julie Cooper's The Perfect Gentleman stops here. Thank you for joining us!

When I first discovered the world of Austen-inspired novels I stumbled across unpublished fiction. I'm sure a lot of readers do, your book-buying budget will only stretch so far! I don’t read much unpublished work these days but in the days when I could, JulieCoop was one of my favourite authors. I hadn’t read all of her stories, but her modern ones (The Best Light, Pounds) have made it on to my list of stories that I’ve re-read many times.

I can understand why people are reluctant to publish but I am always so happy when writers I've enjoyed reading online make their work available to a wider audience. Julie Cooper is one such writer and so I was very keen to take part in this blog tour. Let's look at the blurb and then I'll share my review of The Perfect Gentleman with you :)

Book Description

’Tis no secret that Lizzy Bennet has dreams. The uniquely talented daughter of a woman with a dubious reputation, Lizzy knows she must make her own way in a world that shuns her. Fitzwilliam Darcy carries the stains of his family’s disgrace upon his soul and only by holding himself to the strictest standards has he reclaimed his place in society.

Now Georgiana Darcy has gone missing. If his fifteen-year-old sister cannot be found quickly, the scandal could destroy Darcy’s years of perfect behaviour. Lizzy Bennet know just what to do to find Georgiana. She is willing to join the pursuit to get what she wants but will Darcy be willing to trust her with his secrets? And what will they do when the search for Georgiana reveals what neither expected to find?

The Perfect Gentleman is a romantic adventure so big it needs two volumes in one book. Follow the adventure in A Not-So-Merry Chase and discover the surprises and temptations that await at Pemberley in Love Wisely But Well.

My Review of The Perfect Gentleman by Julie Cooper

The Perfect Gentleman is a Pride & Prejudice-based story set at the time of the original. I would hesitate to call it a variation as it is so far away from Austen’s story, and the reason for this is that the deviation from P&P happens a long time before the opening of events and is a major change. The story opens with Mr Bennet on his sick bed. He is at death’s door, and makes the confession to his sister (who here is married to Mr Charles Bingley’s father!) that he has a family that he has abandoned.

It turns out that Mr Bennet met Fanny Gardiner believing that she was a widow with a young daughter, Jane, and married her, soon leading to another pregnancy. However, Jane is actually the natural daughter of a baronet, who takes an interest in her welfare and upkeep. This meant that Mr Bennet found out that his wife had lied to him. In disgust, he abandoned his wife, step-daughter and daughter (Elizabeth). He provided a house for them in Ramsgate, but no income. Mrs Bennet had few options of how to make an income for herself, and in desperation chose to find herself a gentleman to support her and her daughters. Over the years, there have been other men providing her with financial support so it’s fair to class her as a courtesan.

Mr Bennet has also kept letters from a young Elizabeth, who wrote several times hoping to make a relationship with her father. He never replied. Charles Bingley recalls that his friend, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has a sister staying in Ramsgate, and decides to write to him immediately to enlist his help in ensuring that the child is well, not realising that the ‘child’ is actually now one-and-twenty!

Meanwhile in Ramsgate, Mrs Bennet has raised her daughters as best she can. Although in many ways she is slapdash and deficient, she has kept them fed and miraculously kept them away from the life course that she has taken. Jane’s father paid for his daughter’s education, and her sister has also managed to benefit from this, so Elizabeth has also had some form of education.

Through an accidental encounter with one of her mother’s gentleman callers, a kindly man called Mr Wickham, a young Elizabeth was introduced to sculpting with clay. This unleashed an artistic fervour which now provides the family with an additional source of income in the form of selling ornaments to tourists. It has also fuelled Elizabeth’s dreams of one day becoming a serious artist earning serious money.

She tamped down her exasperation with Jane’s scruples by silently repeating her goals. See Jane happily wed and earn enough to take care of Mama without relying upon the men.

When Darcy arrives in Ramsgate, he finds his sister not in residence, and has a big surprise when he meets a lady who he supposes is Mrs Bennet, but turns out to be the young Miss Bennet that he is seeking. Darcy in this story also has an altered back story. He has been at pains to avoid even a whiff of disrespectable behaviour owing to an old family scandal, which the Darcy family is still trying to live down.

He had, possibly, shielded Georgiana overmuch from their family stains. In protecting her from the shame he suffered, had he failed to teach her how narrow the path and how steep the fall if she succumbed to dishonour?

Learning that Miss Darcy’s companion is Mrs Lydia Younge, one of Mrs Bennet’s acquaintances due to their similar ‘profession’, Lizzy is determined to save Miss Darcy from the results of her indiscretion, and offers her help to Mr Darcy. There begins a romp of the first order, as the young couple (she with no reputation to lose, and he incognito) set off in pursuit. Chasing clues while all the while fighting their attraction to each other.

It was imperative she understand precisely why the idea that she accompany him, under any pretence, was out of the question. “Do not be a green girl. No one who sees how I look at you would ever believe you my sister,” he whispered.

Lizzy did something she hadn’t done in years; she blushed.

I really enjoyed this part of the story. It was such fun to see Elizabeth and Darcy try and track Georgiana down because they come from such different worlds. They are attracted to each other but neither fully understands the other. There were some really corking funny lines in this section too:

Lizzy had believed the hired hack comfortably spacious, but she hadn’t adjusted for the amount of room a Darcy and his glacial stare must occupy.

The blurb describes this book as a book in two halves and it very much is. The adventure story of chasing Georgiana and the story of what happened next. I won't say much about part two for fear of spoiling part one. Although the first part of the story, when Elizabeth and Darcy are seeking Georgina was my favourite part of it, I also enjoyed the second. I thought some of the ideas explored are rarely considered in historical fiction, such as the fact that women of the time were not expected to have dreams any greater than of marriage and taking on the management of a home. In cases where a woman had gone from a very small household to mistress of a great estate this would have been extremely daunting as well as possibly soul-destroying, if they had other dreams in mind.

In general, I like to see characters close to Austen's characters, and for the events to differ, but I found the characters are quite different from canon. Not so much Darcy, but Elizabeth particularly is changed. To be fair, in this instance this made perfect sense as the upbringing that this Elizabeth had was vastly different to canon Lizzy. She didn’t have the influence of her father, she didn’t have standing in society, and her education would also have been quite different, so it's not so much of a downside as a comment.

On the flip side of this comment on characterisation, I loved Mrs Bennet in this story. She still chattered inconsequentially but she was such a kind lady, and a loving mother. I know a lot of people don’t rate canon Mrs Bennet as a mother, but I always think she was doing the best she could to secure her daughters’ future and this Mrs Bennet most definitely looked after her girls in the most vital aspects.

One reservation I had regarding this story is some events and behaviour stretched credibility a little too far for me, I didn’t quite buy some of what happened, and found some behaviour unlikely. You have to be willing to go with it, to enjoy this romantic and exciting story. There was also some unexpected humour, which I enjoyed. I would have liked a little bit more information on some parts of the story, such as how the relationships between the younger and older generations would continue, that was left a little open-ended.

So what of the title, is Darcy The Perfect Gentleman? I’d have to say, he comes pretty close. He is arrogant, but not above noticing that, and realising where he has gone wrong. As for Elizabeth, she was very different to canon, but likeable and warm-hearted. I felt that there were times when neither of them put themselves in the other’s shoes, but I enjoyed seeing this odd couple work through their differences, and they’re not the only odd couple in the book! For those who prefer to avoid sex scenes, you’d be safe to read this, there is romance, there is lust, but no on-page sex.

In summary, if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief for a while and go along for the ride, this is an enjoyable read. I’d rate it as a four star book, and will look forward to reading Julie Cooper’s next published work!

About the Author

Julie Cooper, a California native, lives with her Mr Darcy (without the arrogance or the Pemberley) of nearly forty years, two dogs (one intelligent, one goofball), and Kevin the Cat (smarter than all of them.)  They have four children and three grandchildren, all of whom are brilliant and adorable, with the pictures to prove it. She works as an executive at a gift basket company and her tombstone will read, "Have your Christmas gifts delivered at least four days before the 25th."  Her hobbies are reading, giving other people good advice, and wondering why no one follows it.

You can connect with Julie Cooper via Facebook.

Buy Links

The Perfect Gentleman by Julie Cooper is available to buy now - in paperback, kindle and for kindle unlimited - Amazon UK / Amazon US / Amazon CA / Add to Goodreads shelf

Giveaway Time!

You can win a $50 Amazon gift card from Quills & Quartos Publishing! The contest ends on November 13. To be eligible, just comment on any of the blog tour stops and Quills & Quartos will select a random winner from the comments. You need not visit all the stops (one point per stop and comment), however, it does increase your chances of winning by earning more entries. Please check the Quills & Quartos Facebook to find out about winners.

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Blog Tour Schedule

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