Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

For fans of Jane Austen, this book is everything they could want in a preservation of Austen. This story follows 8 people who come together to create a society to keep Ms. Austen's life work alive. Overall this book was a great combination of romance and fiction.

However, there was a lot that seems distasteful. The sexual assault was completely unnecessary and caught me off guard as that tone was not set It made me stop reading for a time before I felt forced to come back to it. The rest of the story after felt flat. If you're a great fan of Austen, go into this with caution but overall a great way to reconnect with her writing. It did make me go pick up her work to read and remind me why a society such as this would exist.

The Jane Austen Society // by Natalie Jenner

I have always wanted to be someone who loves the classics but a few months ago, I finally decided to be honest with myself: I really do not enjoy reading classics (besides The Count of Monte Christo of course). I have forced myself into so many books for the sake of being a well-rounded reader and ended up abandoning them each time. I have been much happier since I've stopped doing that. That doesn't mean though that I stopped enjoying the heck out of my Pride & Prejudice DVD and I also still love to read modern books based on those same classics. So when I saw The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner, I knew I had to read it!

I was a bit skeptical in the beginning. because the story had a much slower start than I expected. I was also worried that maybe I was not familiar enough with Jane Austen's works to be able to really appreciate this book either. But both of those worries were soon laid aside. While there were more characters to follow than I am used to, the way their lives intertwined gave me such nostalgic feelings about living in a small town and ensured that there wasn't an information overload that would make it difficult for the reader to follow along. And though it does have a whole lot of references to Austen, which is of course not surprising if you've read the synopsis or - you know - the title itself, they were done in a way that felt natural to the storyline and didn't pull the reader out of the story even if they weren't familiar with the specific work that was referenced. If you are used to happy endings, then you will feel like "Of course I know how this is going to end" but I was actually surprised by how this book was wrapped up. This book was slow but steady all the way throughout and I really enjoyed being immersed into its world the entire time.

This book does address some rather difficult issues, such as suicide and death, miscarriage, addiction, and sexual abuse. Some of these are explored further while others are only touched on briefly but to me at least it always felt very respectfully done. I have had a miscarriage myself recently so it can be difficult to hear and read about those but I felt that this topic was handled appropriately, though I would still advise to approach with care if you know this might bother you.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to this book immediately because of the title. If I see Jane Austen in the title, I am automatically down to join in on the reading adventure. While this book was not what I had expected it to be, I really enjoyed how Jane Austen ended up being central.

The beginning of this book is very slow, but that is understandable because we are being introduced to all of the characters separately and learning why they are each so connected with Austen. These separate chance encounters and stories really set up a unification of all the character that is believable and unforced. The natural chemistry between the characters was palpable and the desire to see them admit their feelings for each other embodied the feeling of the regency era more than I expected possible. I wanted to jump into the book at many points and tear of the blindfold in order to show them that they felt the same for each other. This kept me turning pages, seeking a resolution, once I got past the very slow start.

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen you are going to love this whimsical journey to England and a group of fans who endeavor to preserve some of the physical history of Ms. Austen. Interspersed with each character’s tale is discussion of Ms. Austen’s novels which feed the soul of her followers. A delightful story on so many levels and a most enjoyable read.

I love this book! THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY is a Janeite's escape. It is a delightful and clever story about coming together and discovering hope from great literature.

I hesitated to write a review about this book because I found it completely forgettable. I had to go back and skim it to remember the plot, the conflicts and the characters themselves. It's a shame but nothing about it stuck with me.

Following the Second World War, eight individuals come together to form The Jane Austen Society to preserve the legacy of the infamous author. Each member is vastly different from the others, yet they share a deep love of Austen's work. Through her debut novel, The Jane Austen Society, Jenner illustrates the way a town's history can have an impact on its current residents, and the way that literature holds the power to heal via its ability to empathize with our own humanity.

The discussions regarding Austen's characters and their motives, as well as the potential projection of Austen herself in her work absolutely delighted me. Furthermore, I loved the friendships formed between the members of The Jane Austen Society, as it proves how literature (and the love thereof), can bring a wildly different group of people together. Literature can have a lasting effect on people, and Jenner references the impact that Austen had on those experiencing grief.

"During the Great War, shell-shocked soldiers had been encouraged to read Jane Austen in particular - Kipling had coped with the loss of his soldier son by reading her books aloud to his family each night - Winston had recently used them to get through the Second World War."

Unfortunately, I struggled with the pace of the novel, as it read more like literary fiction than historical fiction. The first half of the book was very slow, offering an intimate look into each of the characters' psyche. While the pace of the story picked up in the second half, I admittedly would not have finished the book had I not received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. That being said, I had absolutely no issues with the writing, and I can see how those that are truly fans of Austen's work (the books, not the movie adaptations) would find this entirely enchanting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I never knew the impact Jane Austen could have on a person, a community, and a family. This book inspired me to revisit the books I read in my younger years. I found the characters engaging and the story thoughtful and well written, giving me the details to visualize the beautiful countryside

I'm shelving this one with my favorites! 4.5 stars!! It is so well done. Chawton comes alive with Natalie Jenner's writing, and so do these vivid and unique characters! It was a bit of a slow start, but the twists and the romantic elements and all the Jane Austen literary references (and how Austen's novel plots are paralleled in this story) make it all worth it. The ending was very satisfying. My favorite parts were the interactions between Dr. Gray and Adaline (their chemistry, their literary discussions, and their experiences with grief/healing/emotional awareness). Can't wait to read more by Jenner!

2.5 stars!

First off, can we please normalize putting content warnings at the start of books? I am so glad that I looked at a handful of other reviews prior to reading so I knew to expect a sexual assault on-page. For what it's worth, happens in chapter 6! (And in my opinion is completely unnecessary and does not add anything to the plot)

For me, this book had a very slow start, and while I understand why the first half of the book was there, I really didn't need or want it. There was a lot of head-jumping and seemingly unconnected characters, places, and events. And even so, when a character was mentioned in an earlier portion (Evie for example), it took a minute to connect the dots when she showed up again later on. I found myself asking "why do I care?" and "what is happening?" throughout the first half of the book often.

However, by the time you get to the halfway point, the characters do start coming together and the story picks up. And it all picks up enough that you do feel invested and want to know what happens to all of them. I really think this falls into the category of the author started the story too soon. It was enjoyable enough towards the end and I was glad with how it all wrapped up, I just wish the energy of the last few chapters could have been spread out through more of the book!

This book immediately made me think of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and that was wonderful because I loved that book. In this story, each character is struggling with ghosts and trauma of the war but manage to band together after WWII to form a book club to protect the home and legacy of Jane Austen. You’ll fall in love with them as you learn their tragedies and watch their triumphs.

I've heard so much about this book and was so happy to get a copy through netgally. This is the perfect comfort read. Cozy with enough depth to keep me invested. I loved the group of characters with all their quirks and how they managed to work together to protect what was important for them. I also loved how each of them had their own battles and growth. Just lovely

An amazing tale set after World War II filled with historical detail that brings the story alive. Natalie Jenner weaves a remarkable tale that takes the reader on an amazing journey.

I can be quite picky when it comes to Jane Austen but this was a well written, clearly researched piece. I rather enjoyed it.

The Jane Austen Society is a debut novel by Natalie Jenner about an unlikely group of Jane Austen fans who come together after WWII to preserve Austen's works and the home she lived in the last years of her life in Chawton, Hampshire England.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen my guess is, you will enjoy this book. The characters share their love of Austen and her novels and the influence reading her books had on their lives. As someone who has only read one Jane Austen book, I did feel like I was missing something. There are plenty of references to Austen's characters and novels, and I think having more knowledge about her novels would have been helpful.

The writing and story have an Austen vibe in a more contemporary way, which of course makes sense. There are a lot of characters; in this case 8 main characters. This imitates Austen who has an abundance of characters in her novels and there is a couple of twists and a romance. I found the number of characters to be a lot for this type of story, but I did like that the society and the connections made were important for each character. I just found that I didn't really connect with them.

I loved the setting of Chawton and the cottage. I especially loved the descriptions of the libraries and all the books and I liked the premise of creating the society. The overall theme or message is a good one. The importance of reading and how books impact our lives.

Unfortunately,there were some parts I just found rather boring and flat. I had hoped to learn and understand the love of Austen through characters who were passionate about her novels and that didn't really happen for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy for an honest review.

Bookworm Rating: 🐛🐛🐛

My Thoughts
The Jane Austen Society is like a gentle salute to the author and to her books, done with charm and warmth; it reminds us of why we still enjoy reading Jane Austen even today. While it took me a while to get into it due to a slow start, I did finish it. The parts that I loved, charmed and delighted me; while the parts that I didn’t, well, they kind of bored me. But overall, enjoyable; and for those who understand the Austen references, even more so!

What I loved about it
THE CHARACTERS
The motley crew of unique characters, each one with their own struggles, and each one using their love of Austen to get through life and to connect with each other! While I loved some characters more than the others, and did not care for a few at all, overall it was endearing to see how they all came together to preserve something they believed in.

AUSTENESQUE
All the references to quotes and scenes from Austen’s books, and the books themselves! And the fact that I could draw parallels between the characters in this book with Austen’s characters was a delight!

I also loved how the characters revere and discuss Austen and her books; for them, the books are anchors and life-lines, while the characters from their beloved author’s books are as real to them as each other. Reading their conversations felt like I was having a wonderful bookish discussion with friends!

STORYLINE
While the book has its own story line, Jenner charmingly uses Austen and her books throughout to connect the characters and move the story forward. The plot is like a multi-patterned quilt of family and friendships, of loss and starting again, of love and heartbreak, all sewed together with Austenesque threads.

THE SETTING
Of course the setting of a quaint village never fails to ensnare me into a book! And all the places mentioned in the book are real; which meant I learned a lot without realizing it, and I do love when that happens.

OTHER
Reading this made me want to read Austen all over again; and to visit the places mentioned in the book. And of course, the cover is charming too!

What could have been better
It started off really slow, and you might wonder if there is really a society at all in the book, but patience serves the reader in this book. It also dragged in other places and I initially skipped those parts. But when I found myself turning back pages because I realized I must have missed something, I decided to stick with it through the rest of the book (and am glad I did)

Trigger warnings: References to the Hollywood casting couch (one in more detail than needed for this book maybe?), as well as a slightly graphic scene of childbirth loss. Also, considering this was set right after WW II, many of the characters also have suffered some loss due to the war.

Side Notes
There is really a Jane Austen Society in Chawton and they have a virtual event this weekend!!

Quotes
-- "Do you ever stop and think how lucky we are, the way we get to live here every day, like Jane Austen did?"
-- "… inside the pages of each and every book was a whole other world."
-- "To him the church was the perfect size: small enough to always feel intimate, but just big enough to always seems full."
-- "Of being both one step ahead of the characters and one step behind Austen on every single reading."
-- "If a village could be asleep, Chawton was it."

In Summary
Recommend for those who are Jane Austen or historical fiction fans (but also for those who enjoy reading books about books and authors; or books set in sleepy quaint villages)!

Disclaimer: Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

(Please forgive me for this very late review, Netgalley. I got the ARC back in March when everything went crazy, so I truly believed I would never pick this up. But here we are.)

Actual rating: 3.5

I was pleasantly surprised when I read this. It was such a lovely little book!

I appreciated that this book didn't try to tackle the complexities of WWII. It only dealt with the after effects of the war, and even then it wasn't mentioned much. It made the story feel more focused on what it was trying to do, showing how Jane Austen has affected the lives of the characters. This was a more light hearted, happy historical fiction novel, which can be hard to find, and I really enjoyed it.

I loved the narrative style this book had. I just love a large cast of characters with shifting perspectives. It made it feel more cinematic, and I could totally see this as a mini series or a Downton Abbey-esque show. Even though this is a short book, I still found myself connecting with the characters and their struggles.

This whole book is an ode to Jane Austen, which should be evident by the title and synopsis. It shows how literature, and Jane Austen's works especially, are there for you when you're going through a dark time. For me, a person who's more indifferent toward Austen, the repetitive reminder about how much these people love her got to be a bit much. The whole first half was just to set up the intense love of Jane Austen these people have, and then the rest of the plot: the formation of the society, and everything else, felt like it was more rushed.

Also some of the lives of the characters in this book begin to mirror those in Austen novels, which was a little too on-the-nose for me. Just because they love Austen doesn't mean their relationships have to be so obviously like the relationships in her books.

But overall, this was a very quick, fun, enjoyable book, and if you love Jane Austen as much as these characters do, you'll absolutely love it!

I have a lot of mixed emotions about this book. Sure, it was a fine story steadily teetering on the boarder of melodramatic mini-series acclaim. Sure, it had romance, drama, and trauma (so much trauma). And sure, it took place post WWII. But that is the only accreditation for its “historical fiction” tag and the multiple historical fiction awards the title won upon publication. As the capstone of my yearlong study of Jane Austen’s work and life, this was a HUGE disappoint. You would think with a title like The Jane Austen Society that readers would at least get a passing glimpse of the actual Society’s founding, work, and legacy. But nope, not one bit. The author even admits that this text is 100% fiction in her interviews. What a disappointment! The complete lack of facts and under-examination of Austen artifacts made me wonder if I had been conned by the simple allure that Jane Austen’s name holds. In addition, it was somewhat disheartening that the strong feminist wit and strength of Austen and her key characters was so sorely overshadowed by a very dominant male character presence in this novel, as well as a male audiobook narrator. A true lesson in do not judge a book by the cover. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you love Jane Austen you have to read this book! It was like bringing Jane Austen into today’s world. I would love to see her house and this book made me feel like I was right there in her house surrounded by books she may have read.
A group of people come together to form the Jane Austen Society that have nothing in common except for the love of Jane Austen and wanting to preserve her memory. I loved the characters and wanted to shout at them sometimes. It is a cute story well worth reading.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Synopsis: When the last bit of Austen's legacy is threatened, a group of individuals come together to preserve her home and legacy, and are united in their love for the works and words of Austen.

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ✨

Pride and Prejudice are how I came to know of Jane Austen, and it was the reason why I was interested in this book. . I loved reading the discussions about Austen's characters in this book: their motives, flaws, and virtues, much like the members of the Jane Austen Society.

The beginning of the book was a bit slow for me, but once it gets more into the characters I started enjoying the read. I liked the writing style and the fact that it was so easy to connect with these characters from different walks of life. This would definitely make for a great holiday read.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martins Press & Natalie Jenner for this e-ARC.
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