There are many types of books that I do not particularly care for but the top of the chart is people who write for other people's characters. Yet I still fall for it and then am unhappy with myself. How does another author really know what happened to Scarlett? How can anyone else really write for Robert Parker or Rex Stout? Yet I persist in trying them hoping for the best.

And what characters seem to be rewritten the most? It seems to be Jane Austen for some reason. So here I try it again, this time with Mary Bennett, a somewhat shadowy character. Now I know why. She is boring. She is so boring that a book centered around her is boring. Her insecurities just go on and on from the way she dresses to the way she plays the piano. Does it never end? You just want to pick her up by the shoulders and shake her.

Her best "friend", Charlotte, is a doozy. She stops her dancing with a young gentleman. She deliberately goes after the man Mary has told her she wants. She kicks her out of the house after a visit. Will Mary ever be able to get the knife out of her back? No wonder she is so insecure.

The author does her no favors droning on for 480 pages. This is longer than the original work by 50%. Is there more story to be told. No. Just someone without a good copy editor. Please do us all out of our misery by editing a good 100 pages out of this book. It really needs it.

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

This book is absolutely charming, romantic, heartbreaking at times, heartwarming at others, and is such a beautiful continuation of “Pride and Prejudice”. Every time I picked up “The Other Bennet Sister”, I felt like I traveled back in time to Regency Era England, and was there with all of the characters.

Ms. Hadlow’s writing style is vivid, poetic, beautiful, and very Austen-esque. She is truly able to bring everything in her book to life, and her characters, settings, and storylines jump right off of the page. The tone, pacing, and arc of the story felt very true to Austen’s novel, while still allowing for the plot to expand past the original book. Everything from the characters inner thoughts, to conflicts, to dialogue with one another felt extremely authentic and were exquisitely written. Hadlow stays very true to various characters while still allowing for them to grow and change. Seeing some events before and during “Pride and Prejudice” through Mary’s eyes was really interesting, and seeing her story continue, and her own personal growth was a beautiful story to read. I also loved the various references to books that were often read during this era as well. You can tell how much Ms. Hadlow loves Jane Austen and the Regency Era!

If you enjoy regency romance novels, and / or Jane Austen books and continuations, I cannot recommend this book enough! I could not wait to see what happened chapter after chapter. While the book is a bit on the longer side, I never wanted to put it down, and I so hope Ms. Hadlow continues this story in perhaps another sequel!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for an ARC of this book, and to Henry Holt & Company for sending me a physical ARC as well, I absolutely loved it! I hope to read many more books by this amazing author.

The story is about Mary Bennet, the almost non-existent Bennet daughter. It narrated what hapened to her since she was a young child until adulthood (and after her sisters were all married).

After her sisters were settled, it seemed her fate was to travel from one relation to the other (Jane then EBD then Longbourn then Mrs Gardiner's home). This gave her the advantage to observe, learn and change her ways/decisions.

Loved the way the author described the events in her life that could possibly explain the way she is. (explanation made sense and not out of the ordinary). Also enjoyed the riposte between her and CB (yes instead of EBD vs CB). There were also some love interest. Happy she made the right choice (HEA). However this is a very looonnnggg story (95 chapters), but it is an engaging one.

I recommend this to all P & P fan.

Janice Hadlow’s novel about Mary Bennet, the often-scorned and overlooked sister from Pride and Prejudice, is pure delight from start to finish. The Other Bennet Sister is a wonderful read, an impressive debut novel, a loving homage to Austen and her world both real and fictional, and a celebration of all of the myriad young women who fall outside of the “romance heroine” mold.

The novel’s voice captures Austen’s cadences and crispness without ever falling into pastiche; also like Austen, Hadlow is able to move seamlessly between comedy and pathos, irony and deep emotion. She gets both the details and the feelings of Austen’s world just right. But while this is certainly a book “Janeites” will love, its appeal is much wider than that—it’s a moving female coming of age tale even beyond the Austen connection, with a protagonist and a story that will resonate for many readers.

For anyone who has ever felt like the odd duck, the fifth wheel, the wallflower or the family disappointment, The Other Bennet Sister will have particular meaning. I’m one of those readers. Back in the day, I was a girl who had to wear glasses from the age of four on…felt like the oddball in an outgoing, physically attractive family…and retreated into reading and study both as a means of both hiding and survival. Though my story is nowhere near as stark as Mary Bennet’s—I am lucky enough to have been raised in a time, culture and family that offer women much wider options that she had and with an exponentially more supportive mother!—it took me many years to find myself, my calling and my “tribe.” Hadlow’s Mary Bennet resonated deeply for me, speaking authentically to the kind of search and stumbles I experienced. I’m confident that many others will feel the same.

In Hadlow’s novel, Mary’s glasses serve as a kind of symbol of how clearly we do, or don’t, see the world as well as ourselves. Mary earns every bit of the clear-sightedness she attains by book’s end, as well as the rewards that go with it. Kudos to Janice Hadlow for bringing her story—and with it the inner journey of so many readers—to such convincing life.

[PLEASE NOTE: This is the review that will post to my online journal, SOCIETY NINETEEN, on 3.25.20; see link below. I'm also reviewing the book for Publishers Weekly.]

THE OTHER BENNET SISTER is perfect for Jane Austen fans and readers who enjoy re-tellings and historical fiction. Hadlow does a great job of capturing Austen's style and details of the time period. I enjoyed getting to see Mary's perspective - such a creative approach. My one caveat is that the first part of the story drags a bit, in part because we are "re-reading" Pride & Prejudice from Mary's viewpoint. The plot picks up during the second half of the book when Mary is coming into her own. Overall, I'm glad I stuck with it!

This story just did not work for me. I ended up DNF'ing it at the 20% point. I think the joy of Pride and Prejudice is reading about how witty and interesting and even silly the characters are. I feel like I know them, they are part of my extended literary family. So for this book to turn the tables, so to speak, and introduce those characters through Mary, the least interesting character, who basically complains about everyone and everything the whole time...it took the joy out of the story. I'm not sure Mary needed her own story. Certainly not this iteration of Mary Bennett.

I did love the writing, and I thought it flowed well, and felt similar in style to Jane Austen, but it was lacking her tone.

I adore Pride and Prejudice, and usually am a tiny bit prejudiced (ha) against retellings. I loved the idea of Mary having a story and gave it a shot, but it was a little slow for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy for review. I am not usually an Austen fan, but I really enjoyed this take on the sister Mary from Pride and Prejudice. It was a bit long and stretched out, and overall exceptionally predictable, but the writing was entertaining and well done enough to keep the reader interested.

"Then he took her in his arms again, and they found ways to express their happiness that required no further words from either of them."

One of the most spectacular Austen retelling I have ever read! A book about everyday life, it truly dives deep into the emotional and moral compass of the characters. While telling weaving its own new tale, it perfectly struck that Austenesque style of writing.

A Pride and Prejudice retelling from Mary's point of view, this story is a breath of fresh air in a sea of Austen want-to-be's. The characters that you have come to know and love have a new light shone on them in a way that will have you reevaluating how you have felt about them in the past. Mary's story, while filled with melancholy, is a true triumph of self-reliance in the pursuit of happiness.

I was happily charmed by this debut novel. I hope that Janice Hadlow will grace us with more Austen retellings in the near future. It is a five out of five stars rating from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Poor Mary Bennet, always the odd woman out in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, left to her music and her books. (Which, for the record, are fine hobbies.) Hadlow imagines a rich, multifaceted sequel for Mary in which she treads and ultimately flourishs despite of the limitations of poor eyesight, female intellectualism, and Regency spinsterhood. This book is no mere fanfiction; there is richness to Hadlow's characterization and plot that ultimately make Mary's triumph something worth savoring.

Austen retellings can be boring and predictable, but this story avoids both. The closer look at Mary's view of the Elizabeth/Darcy romance doesn't get bogged down dragging us through all the details but gives us a fresh perspective on the characters and their motivation. Mary's story continues past the end pojnt of Pride and Prejudice to show us Her Story and growth.

Mary Bennet finally gets her own moment in the spotlight in this charming story she even finds love .A. book that drew me right in really enjoyed.#netgalley#henryholt

The concept of this book is brilliant! Pride and Prejudice is a classic tale, and people love to read about other characters from the main story. Mary Bennet is one character that is not mentioned often. Like true "middle child" circumstances she is overlooked. Writing an original story about her is a great idea.

However, the execution of this novel was not the best. The first part was a retelling of Pride and Prejudice from Mary's point of view. How she longs to be close to Lizzie and her father, but sometimes her mannerisms come off the wrong way.
The second part has Mary wandering from home to home trying to figure out what she's going to do in her life. Majority of the chapters are internal dialogue about the feelings and emotions she wants to express, but she never actually expresses them. Mary then realizes she made a mistake in not being open sooner and goes back to lamenting her woes.

It isn't until you're deep into the book her character starts to change for the better. This was the most exciting thing to read. The descriptions were bold and enticing; and you could feel her happiness jumping off the page. But then it goes back to her being insecure and unsure how to express what she desires.

I am close to the end and even that is dragging. The writing, descriptions, and character development is well written and intriguing. I just have to say the book is too long.

I really enjoyed this, I was left feeling it was a little long. But it will be something I pick up for my channel in the future to talk about and reread.

The ugly duckling--Mary Bennet--gets her due in this wonderfully inventive and richly characterized novel sure to delight Austen fans.

Mary Bennet is the plain sister. She's the forgotten sister. She's the sister that no one thinks of. This is her story.

From a young age, Mary Bennet came to understand that she was plain. And her mother's lack of affection or any kind words pushed Mary to become studious for she knew that becoming accomplished was the only way to distinguish herself from her beautiful and charismatic sisters. We see Mary's life from childhood, through the death of her father, and her fate as she has no home to call her own and must rely on the charity of friends and family. Mary becomes a woman beaten down by unkindness but unwilling to accept that she will become a spinster or a governess. Her journey is about a woman who comes to love and appreciate herself, despite the odds stacked against her.

I really enjoyed this story. Mary is portrayed as the most boring and annoying in the original Pride and Prejudice. This novel places her in a new light and does not always paint the other family members with a kind brush. You get to revisit the characters of Pride and Prejudice and go beyond. It's well written and interesting. I could not wait to see what fate had in store for Mary Bennet.

Delightful read! I was so pleased that the oft-overlooked Mary Bennet got her own story, and a true love match in the end. She didn't compromise who she was, she grew over the course of the story and I was so happy for her in the end. Recommended!

All any of us want is a little attention, she thought...~from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow

Poor Mary Bennett, the 'ugly duckling' sister, the comic foil, the forgotten and ignored child! Portrayed in film as squinting, clueless, socially inept, pseudo-intellectual, and plain.

Her story must be depressing. She watches her older sisters marry well for love, and her silliest, youngest sister at least snags a handsome rake. Even Charlotte Lucas gets her ever after--happy to have a home if not Mr. Collins as a mate.

Janice Hadlow's debut novel The Other Bennett Sister channels Austen's character Mary Bennett, imagining a worthy character who lives into a richer life. The novel shows inspiration from Austen's story and themes yet Hadlow develops the story in an original way, true to the historical time and setting.

Themes of self-realization, self-recreation, learning through error, prejudice and pride, sense and sensibility are all a part of Mary's path.

The first part of the book follows Pride and Prejudice from Mary's perspective. Those of us familiar with Austen's novel must be patient; the best is to come. We do learn that Mary had taken to reading theology and philosophy hoping for her father's approval.

After her sisters, including Kitty, are married and Mr. Bennett has passed, twenty-year-old Mary and Mrs. Bennett are dependent on the rich sisters. Miss Bingley takes out her disappointment on Mary with whispered jabs. And the Darcy household is too happy and perfect to easily allow her room. In desperation, Mary turns to the Gardiners. They offer Mary the example of a happy marriage, value her for herself, and provide good counsel.

When Mary is convinced to select a new wardrobe to better suit London society, I loved the descriptions of spotted and stripped and sprigged muslins, the fad colors of coromandel and jonquil, the green dress that will replace the dull colors that had allowed Mary to previously disappear into the woodwork.

In her simple elegance, Mary takes her place in society and attracts the attention of several men. One combines good sense and steadiness with a love of poetry. The other embraces free-thinking and prefers the pursuit of sensation as life's goal.

She meets men with a love of the novel. I love the many references to the literature and poetry that arises in conversation:

William Godwin's Poetic Justice

Mary Wollstonecraft

Lord Byron and Shelley

Tintern Abbey and We Are Seven by William Wordsworth; also his Guide to the Lakes

Evelina by Fanny Burney

Tom Jones by Henry Fielding

Pamela and Sir Charles Grandison by Samuel Richardson

I loved how the Romantic Era makes its impact on her life with Mary's (unsuitable) beau extolling feeling and sensation and rejecting cultural expectations and values, especially concerning the role of women and marriage as a socio-economic compromise.

Our lives are so brief and yet we spend so much of them obeying rules we did not make.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow

Mary early prefers the steady man. But his reticence leaves Mary to be persuaded into unwise decisions.

This landscape gives us a proper sense of perspective. It shows us our smallness in the great scheme of things.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow

The Gardiners take that trip to the Lake District they had once planned for Elizabeth; Mary's preferred beau accompanies them while the other just shows up.

Before she came to the Lakes, she had read a great deal about the subline--sights so extraordinary they could not be adequately described, only felt and experienced. She had never expected to feel for herself such an extraordinary consummation.~ from The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow

...they caught sight of the great lake at Windermere; then they were quiet, for it was a sight magnificent enough to silence anyone.~ from The Other Bennett Sister

The group decides to walk up the second largest mountain in England. It is a rocky climb that will last all day--and threatens Mary's future happiness.

The romance has enough twists and turns for any Austen lover, with the satisfaction of a happy ending. This is not a plot giveaway--any Austen fan fiction must have it's happily ever after.

Hadlow has given us a fantastic read.

I was given access to a free egalley by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

Mary Bennet, the middle sister, possesses neither beauty not charm shared by her sisters. The ugly duckling becomes the subject of many conversations. She finds consolation in music as she has no talent for drawing or painting and no patience for needlework. To stretch her intellect, Mary asks her mother to hire a governess, which is met with bleak enthusiasm. She is directed to Mr. Bennet’s library to read to her heart’s content. To her surprise the first book she picks is written by a woman. To her disappointment, that’s the only book in her father’s library written by a woman. Nevertheless, “she felt the unused muscles of her mind flex and curiosity stir within her.” Normally, she wouldn’t be interested in attending ball, but now she is even excited about it.

My weakness is I have a hard time resisting books associated with Jane Austin. But then the realization hits me that I already know those characters. Even though, Mary is a very interesting character and the writing is superb with wonderful sense of humor, it wasn’t enough for me. I think I’m expecting something new that would surprise me and it doesn’t come.

The story is way too long. It would be much stronger with some parts trimmed. 3.5 stars

This book was a brilliant slow burn. It started a little slow and I had a hard time getting into the sections that overlapped with the original. But once Mary's story started in earnest I was hooked! I so enjoyed seeing old favorites fleshed out and given new life.