Vanessa Roberts hates all things Jane Austen, but her beloved Aunt Ella is a serious Janeite. When Aunt Ella asks her for a favor, Vanessa can't refuse, and she finds herself handling PR for Julian Chancellor's new book while he is visiting Chicago for the Jane Austen Society of North America's conference.

Julian spent a year living as Austen's beloved hero Mr. Darcy, and he wrote a book about it. He plans to use the proceeds from the book to save his family's historic estate. He is publicizing the book at Austen festivals with a unique lecture titled "Undressing Mr. Darcy." During the talk, he disrobes down to his drawers, discussing each article of clothing and its significance to Regency culture. It goes without saying that his lecture is a hit with the ladies at the conference.

Vanessa begins working with Julian to promote his book via social media, and his popularity skyrockets. As Vanessa spends more time with Julian, her anti-Austen sentiment changes. Soon, she's buying a bonnet and scurrying around Bath on a Jane Austen scavenger hunt to get to see Julian again. Her workaholic ways become a thing of the past. Suddenly, Vanessa's life is filled with adventures with her new Janeite friends and a warm flirtation with her high school acquaintance Chase, a unique man who dresses up as a pirate in his spare time.

The cast of Janeite characters are charming and genuinely interesting. Doornebos includes an abundance of Austen quotes and trivia, which enrich the story. The only negative aspect of the story is how unwilling Vanessa is to see what is right in front of her. It becomes frustrating to watch her continue to jeopardize her happiness, but she remains a charming heroine who the reader wants to be happy.

Filled with witty humor and quirky characters, UNDRESSING MR. DARCY is a story that Austen fans will savor.

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