ABOUT THE BOOK

“She is tolerable, I suppose, but there is rather too much of her to tempt me.” Overhearing Mr. Darcy’s rude dismissal of her shocks and mortifies Elizabeth Bennet to the core. She is living her worst fear, and it galvanizes her into action. Soon, the gentleman cannot keep his eyes from her, but can she forgive his thoughtless judgment of her appearance and character? Especially since he faces a worthy competitor for her attention? Who will win the lady’s hand, along with the right to love her through thick or thin?
Book: More to Love by Robin Helm
Author: Robin Helm
Genre: Christian Historical Sweet Romance Release Date: February 12, 2019

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MY BOOK REVIEW

Robin Helm's "More to Love" is a different take on a Historical Romance novel. This book is all about appearances. This is a unique variation tale on the original "Pride & Prejudice". After Elizabeth overhears Mr. Darcy's insult at the Meryton Assembly, that she eats too much food and lacks self-discipline. She also overheard others commenting about her size. They are seeing her clothes are getting tighter and tighter. She decides to change her lifestyle by going on an extreme weight loss. She starts walking with her sister and cuts down on her food intake. Can Miss Elizabeth forgive Mr. Darcy for his rude comments?

Helm makes each character feel realistic and relatable. Elizabeth, Jane, Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and even Beckett. The Bingley Sisters are not likable. They are brats, unlike the Bennet sisters who are kind. Mr. Darcy makes an excuse to Elizabeth by telling her he cares about her despite her size and made this comment up because he is drawn to her and didn't want to be. I felt Mr. Darcy is scared of being in a relationship. Mr. Darcy is an arrogant person. He has to really work hard to get Elizabeth's respect back. While taking care of Jane and Darcy when they fell ill, Thaddeus, the physician, saw Elizabeths worth right away unlike Mr. Darcy.

The problem I found with "More to Love" made it seem like losing weight is easy and it happens fast. Elizabeth didn't have any setbacks. I wish it gave a more accurate portrayal of how hard it is to lose weight since this is the central plot. I have never been on the heavy side, but I know friends who are overweight always trying to lose weight and having setbacks.

Helm did a great job of weaving in some Old and New Testament quotations that precede each chapter without sounding preachy, forced or out of line. At times I found some plots points worked really well and other times some are introduced and then never fully explored. For example, a letter to Elizabeth disappears, but then mysteriously turns up a few days later.

If you are "Pride & Prejudice" fan you may find this story to have some missing incomplete storyline. I enjoyed it, but I also have never been a huge fan of "Pride & Prejudice" so I wouldn't really know the difference. The pacing of the book wasn't horrid. It was a little on the slow side for me.

Robin Helm did a marvelous job making this story delightful and heartwarming.

"I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest opinion of the book."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robin Helm’s books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction. Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy (Christian paranormal romance); the Yours by Design series: Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, andForever Yours ( ChristianTime Swap romance), and Understanding Elizabeth (Christian Regency romance). She contributed to A Very Austen Christmas: Austen Anthologies, Book 1, an anthology featuring like-minded authors, in 2017, and A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2, in 2018. New releases for 2019 include More to Love, a stand-alone Christian historical sweet romance dealing with body image; Lawfully Innocent, a Christian historical U.S. Marshal romance book in the Lawkeepers series; Maestro, a Christian historical sweet romance featuring a brilliant musician and his student; and A Very Austen Romance: Austen Anthologies, Book 3. She lives in sunny South Carolina where she teaches piano and adores her one husband, two married daughters, and three grandchildren.

MORE FROM ROBIN

Have you ever been judged on the basis of your appearance – what you weigh, how you dress, how you wear your hair or do your makeup? I am a professional dieter, and I have been on all of them. I lose, and I gain it back. I know the lengths a woman will go to after she overhears remarks about how she looks, so I relate to Elizabeth in More to Love in a way that’s a bit beyond my comfort zone.

Another aspect of this book which is personal is that I chose to base a supporting character on a wonderful, Christian lady at my church (with her permission). Mrs. Donna Bailey has been a constant encouragement to me in regards to my writing. She often gives me beautiful sugar cookies she painstakingly decorates with holiday themes. Mrs. Bailey is the housekeeper and dessert cook at Longbourn, and she helps Elizabeth through thick and thin, so to speak.

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