I have no problem DNFing a book, but I seldomly do it at all. I’m too much of a completionist, I have to catch them all. I am shocked at how many I’ve DNF’d this year. I think I’ve actually DNF’d more books in this year than I have since I started tracking my reading in 2010.
I don’t think it’s a matter of these books very bad, I think it’s more my fault. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues in my home life that has my stress levels through the roof. I am shocked that my blood pressure has stayed as normal as it has, which I only know from my plasma donations twice a week, because my stress is manifesting in shakes in my limbs.
I’ve been addicted to Pride and Prejudice variations this year, probably because of the stress. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite novel and my top comfort read. I think I’ve been leaning hard into that comfort trying to manage my stress. In the process though, other genres have proven difficult to make it through.
As such, these are DNFs for now, but I will likely try them again next year or the year after when my stress has returned to normal.
2024 DNFs
The Wolf Prince by Roxie Ray Series: The Royals Of Presley Acres #1
Published by Independently published on September 3, 2023
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters
Pages: 639
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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've lost count of the number of Lunar Mate ceremonies I've attended where every eye is on me.
As the son of shifter royalty, I'm supposed to find a fated mate who will continue my family's powerful legacy. But at forty years of age, everyone is starting to think that person doesn’t exist, including me.
Then I experience a pull so deep and so undeniable, that when I look up and meet the eyes of a waitress, our gazes lock. Recognition sparks between us.
In an instant, I'm sure. This woman is mine.
I can tell my parents sense the connection, too. But judging by their expressions, they know something I don't.
Like me, they're aware she's special. But the fear in their eyes tells me she's the last person on earth they want to be my mate…
DNF at 68%. Why was this so long? No, seriously. The plot just dragged for me. I got about half through and it felt like I was two books in. I think I stopped at the chapter just before everything hits the fan and the climax begins rising properly, but I just couldn’t. By the time I got to that part, I had lost all interest.
Alpha's Stone Heart by Autumn Daniels Published by Independently published on September 24, 2024
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters
Pages: 266
Format: ARC
Source: Review Copy
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Darkstone Castle holds secrets...and seductions.
Gabriel Rousseau is more than just a man - he's a gargoyle shifter, ancient and powerful.
His scorching amethyst eyes burn with a fierce intensity I can't resist.
His touch ignites a passion I've never known.
But as danger closes in around us, I must learn to trust him.
Together, we'll face the shadows that lurk both within and outside the castle's walls.
I'm drawn to him, body and soul, but can I trust the darkness that lies within him?
Alpha's Stone Heart is a heart-pounding paranormal romance featuring a girl who finally finds her place in the world and the alpha gargoyle who wins her heart.
DNF at 36%. My first ARC of the year and I wanted to like it so badly. I knew what it was going in, but I just couldn’t stay into it. I wasn’t a big fan of the characterizations and there were plot points that were dangled like they were meant to be these big secrets but I just didn’t care. The hook was just missing for me.
Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson Series: Ernest Cunningham #1
Published by Mariner Books on March 29, 2022
Genres: Fiction, Adult
Pages: 384
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Store
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Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.
I'm Ernest Cunningham. Call me Ern or Ernie. I wish I'd killed whoever decided our family reunion should be at a ski resort, but it's a little more complicated than that.
Have I killed someone? Yes. I have.
Who was it?
Let's get started.
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE
My brother
My stepsister
My wife
My father
My mother
My sister-in-law
My uncle
My stepfather
My aunt
Me
DNF at 15%. I’ve heard such amazing things about this one, but I don’t see it. It’s written in first person, in a “Hi, I’m your author, let me tell you my story and break the fourth wall constantly because Deadpool is popular, so that will make this book sell, obviously, since you bought it! Ha!” sort of way. It sounds interesting and I’m sure once you get toward the end it all comes together, but I got so bored that I dropped it much faster than I normally like to.
Mistaken by Jessie Lewis Published by Independently published, Meryton Press on February 10, 2019
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Historical Fantasy, JAFF
Pages: 450
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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“Darcy stared into the pitch-black interior of the carriage, wishing for the thousandth time that he had never sent Bingley back to Hertfordshire.”
April 1812. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, headstrong and usually self-assured, returns home to Longbourn chastened and confused after a surprising marriage proposal from Mr Darcy—a man she thought she despised. When Mr Bingley arrives soon afterwards, sent by his friend Darcy to resume his romantic attentions to Elizabeth’s beloved sister Jane, Elizabeth begins to feel something like regret for the man she so cruelly spurned.
The once proud Fitzwilliam Darcy, thoroughly humbled by the rejection of his suit and resolved to become a man worthy of the woman he loves, sets about righting all the wrongs of which Elizabeth has accused him. But when terrible news reaches him from Hertfordshire, it becomes apparent that encouraging the capricious Charles Bingley to return to Meryton might just be the worst decision the master of Pemberley has ever made.
Having assumed their own actions have ruined all hope of reconciliation, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy soon learn they have greater troubles to overcome when betrayal of the worst sort threatens to forever ruin their chances of happiness.
Mistaken is a novel-length Pride and Prejudice variation set in Regency England.
DNF at 52%. I wanted to get into this and I will likely attempt it again sooner than later, because I was enjoying it, more or less. The writing is witty and fantastic, almost as if Lizzy herself had penned the story. The clever barbs are wonderful and I love it for that reason. I dropped it because it was just dragging. It’s only 450 page but the half I read felt like 500 pages on it’s own. Sure, I generally choose shorter variations, but it’s not a matter of me not being used to the length or something, the plot was just dragging. I have no idea where it was going. I couldn’t possibly see the forest for the trees and I was getting sick of viewing the greenery.
Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship by Kelly Miller Published by Independently published on November 14, 2024
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy, JAFF
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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Would Mr. Darcy sacrifice his legacy for love?
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s marriage proposal comes as a shock to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Despite the temptation to rail at him for his past injustices, she restrains herself and declines his offer with civility.Following a heartfelt and enlightening discussion with the perplexing gentleman, Elizabeth is persuaded to judge him anew and allows him to call upon her in London. As her understanding of Darcy’s nature improves, so does her regard for him.
But Darcy’s aunt Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth with a startling her ladyship maintains she has the means to take Pemberley away from Darcy. Could this outrageous assertion be true?
In this Regency variation of Pride & Prejudice, shocking developments and unforeseen obstacles combine to drive Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy apart. Will they manage to overcome these impediments and find their happily ever after?
DNF at 31%. This isn’t bad by any means, it is well written and a good story, but I couldn’t keep into it. ODC doubt each other far too much and the author throws so much drama and angst at them that even at 31%, it felt like it had been too much. Admittedly, I read this on a bad week, mentally and emotionally, so this felt like getting kicked in the shins, which I just couldn’t deal with. It’s another that I will return to sooner than later.
Heir Apparent by Clarissa Joy Thomas Published by Independently published on May 1, 2023
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy, JAFF
Pages: 574
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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What would have happened if Jane had been born male?
James Bennet is the perfect heir to Longbourn. He is always looking out for his sisters and mother, making sure they have the opportunity to receive proper education, and always making sure they have the guidance and direction they need. He purchased a small cottage to ensure that his mother and sisters had somewhere to live in the event that something happened to him and his father. He works tirelessly on the estate to ensure that Longbourn is profitable. He puts any additional money that comes into the estate towards ensuring that his sisters have dowries that are appropriate for their social standing.
The summer before the story began, James had done the Darcy family a great service, almost certainly keeping Georgiana from ruin. Between the debt owed to the Bennets and the younger girls being away at school, Darcy's objections to the Bennets are greatly lessened. Despite the divide in their social standing, the Darcys and the Bennets find themselves drawn to each other. Yet, given their differing situations, can their connection ever become deeper than just friendship?
Some portions of the story are copied directly from Pride and Prejudice. The story contains some mature scenes, although nothing is explicitly described.
DNF at 42%. Stilted writing, two dimensional characters, lots of “telling” within the writing, more verbose than if Mr. Collins had penned it himself…. or maybe I just like Jane more than I expected and having her gender swapped didn’t work for me. I’m not sure. I do know that I tried for nearly two months to make it through this, switching between books as I went, because I couldn’t stick to it for longer than a chapter at a time. I wanted to finish it, because the plot lines are interesting, but the writing just didn’t work for me and I’m not the type to skip ahead and read the ending without the middle.
Darcy's Longest Day by M.A. Sandiford Published by Independently published on July 25, 2021
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Historical Fantasy, JAFF
Pages: 229
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
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Friday 18th May, 1804
Dawn. St Albans, Hertfordshire. Fitzwilliam Darcy travels north with his sister, bound for Pemberley. In his frockcoat pocket lies a letter to Elizabeth Bennet, penned the night after his disastrous proposal. He intended to hand it to her before quitting Rosings for London, but their paths never crossed.
His plan is to call at Longbourn while visiting Bingley, now returned to Netherfield. Darcy broods over possible complications. Elizabeth might refuse the letter. Bingley might have lost Jane Bennet’s esteem. The militia (including Wickham) might still be quartered in Meryton …
But these are minor worries. For what awaits him is a life-and-death struggle to protect all he holds dear, in what will prove the most momentous day of his life.
DNF at 19%. I read the synopsis but still didn’t realize what this was going to be. The writing is far too fast paced and was triggering my anxiety fairly hard, which led me to scour other reviews to check my suspicions. This is very clearly all drama and intrigue with next to no romance. What little I did read, made this feel like an espionage story that just happened to toss Pride and Prejudice characters in the mix. This was not JAFF. This was original fiction using JAFF as a way to get more people to look at it. It should’ve been it’s own historical novel without the use of someone else’s canon. I think I would’ve not only enjoyed, but also respected it much better had it been it’s own thing instead of something riding on Jane Austen’s coattails.
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