Review of Dating Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #1) by Kate O'Keeffe

Pride and Prejudice meets The Bachelor in this laugh-out-loud rom com from USA Today bestselling author, Kate O’Keeffe

Is it a truth universally acknowledged, that a girl must compete on reality TV to win a modern-day Mr. Darcy's heart?

Emma Brady is having doubts about how far she'll go to promote her new activewear line. Sure, being on a reality show could be the big break her business so desperately needs, but is putting up with a Mr. Darcy wannabe worth it?

Sebastian Huntington-Ross is straight out of an Austen novel. But it's hard to focus on his chiseled jaw, broad shoulders, and wickedly sexy accent when all Emma can see is his pride, arrogance, and smug demeanor.

Sparks fly when Emma realizes Sebastian has his own agenda for being on the show. Will Emma hold fast and keep the aristocratic Sebastian at arm's length? Or will she put her reservations aside when the lines between reality and "reality show" start to blur?

Dating Mr. Darcy is a laugh-out-loud feel-good rom com for fans of The Bachelor, Bridget Jones's Diary, Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella, and of course the great Jane Austen herself. It's the first title in the new Love Manor Romantic Comedy series, and can be read as a stand-alone novel.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon

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**My thoughts**

Okay, I’ll be honest. My initial thoughts before reading the book were less than positive. I mean, I despite reality TV with a passion. And how many times must we regurgitate Pride and Prejudice? And now to put the two together? But I bought it and gave it a shot anyway. I have enjoyed Kate O’Keeffe in the past and other authors I follow were raving about it.

I devoured it in one afternoon sitting poolside, eager for the next installment to arrive.

Emma is pretty much only going on this show to promote her clothing line, Timothy. And if her ill-fated entrance to the manor doesn’t win her over to you, then I don’t know what will. That scene, and many more of her antics, completely endeared her to me and I want to be her friend.

And then we have our “Mr. Darcy,” aka Sebastian, who is able to play his role quite well. Only, it doesn’t seem to be much of a role for him. He really is a very good looking, suave nobleman. He has a great sense of humor, and I think will make you swoon more than the original.

Their banter right off the bat shows an incredible chemistry that just oozes off the pages. I was greatly amused by their plotting and other interactions. And while I’m rooting for them to make it work, I am also cheering on Emma for sticking it to the reality TV world. And I have to see that Kate seems to have perfectly captured all of the reasons why I hate reality TV.

I applaud Kate O’Keeffe for taking the trope of regular girl meets her real-life prince (or English nobleman) to a whole new unique level all of her own and knocking it out of the park. This was a highly enjoyable romantic comedy that I know I am going to read again and again.