Having read The Jane Austen Society, I decided to pick this next book up. I was immersed in the story immediately--I liked the friendship and discussion of Jane Austen's works that the judges have, the sisters' support of each other and desire to break outside the boundaries of women in their era, and the idea of Jane Austen's brother being a character in the story. However, once the sisters were at sea, the story lost direction for me and slowed. A few of the time jumps late in the book were a little confusing (I thought I had just missed something but realized information was withheld to be disclosed later in a flashback). While I appreciated how events in the story mirrored events in each of Jane Austen's novels, the plot of this novel sometimes felt too much in service of the themes in Jane Austen's books.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I have read  two of Jenner's previous books and enjoyed them, so as an anglophile and mild "Janeite", I was looking forward to this one. Jenner does a fabulous job of getting the reader into the time period and setting. Her research shines through in the details, but not in a way that bogs the reading down. In her author's note she states that this is mostly fiction - the historical details come from time period and a few well known people living in post-Civil War Boston. If was especially fun to have Louisa May Alcott as a character in a "Jane Austen" themed book, and frequent mention of Charles Dickens as well. Things I appreciated most were the friendship of the two sisters that spread to others on their sea voyage, their commitment to one another and to their father. I also thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of what it might have been like to be the last living sibling of Jane Austen, as Sir Francis was - and how he might have thought about his part of Jane's legacy for future generations. Overall, a nice escape from the daily news!

This delightful original and beautiful written live story was set in 1865. It was full of a page turning, exciting, and entertaining romance full of drama, action, and interesting and wonderful characters. I enjoyed this engaging sea voyage. I highly recommend reading!

In a nod to Jane Austen’s use of alliteration: Lovers of literature lend me your ear! Austen at Sea is a sublime celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday. Like classic Victorian novels, Natalie Jenner divides the novel into four books. Set in Boston and London,1865, Jenner’s novel packs a political punch for women. She craftily lends an eavesdropping feel as seven justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Court discuss Jane Austen’s five novels during summer recess. Current male viewpoints on women’s right to vote, owning property, and divorce laws, the backbone of Jenner’s novel, are juxtaposed to the main female characters’ refusal to settle for the low expectations of society, including most of the males around them. Jenner’s law degree shines an infuriating light on history and precedent providing ample fodder for discussion groups, possibly necessitating another conversation and another bottle of wine!
Natalie Jenner creates characters readers would want to spend time with long after the novel ends. Charlotte’s gift for the stage and Henrietta’s quest for research takes readers within a lecture hall and the library of Gore Hall at Harvard. A fabulous scene but also maddening since women weren’t allowed to register nor were they invited to the discussion group after auditing lectures. The sisters’ determination and endurance in overcoming obstacles continues to develop as their journey extends across the Atlantic. Sara-Beth, vivacious and socially ambitious, sly, independent Constance, and lonely, Louisa May Alcott add different age & class dimension to the plot. Readers get a giant dose of “paternal protection” as Justice William Stevenson agonizes over his daughters’ trip across the Atlantic-without a chaperone! Tension and the male point of view is deftly created through the Nelson brothers, Justice Nash, and of course, the reason for the transatlantic crossing, Sir Francis Austen.
The narrative is rife with references to Jane Austen’s characters. Sir Francis Austen, the last living sibling of Jane, takes on the role of Emma Woodhouse, becoming an adorable, giddy, 90-year-old matchmaker, but also keeper of secrets. Actions of Jane’s sister Cassandra and the admiral’s youngest daughter and live-in caretaker, Fanny, add an unsettling thread to a plot already laden with relationship angst and courtroom drama. In true Austen fashion Jenner transports readers from the wharves of Boston, to the decks of the SS China, and the streets of London. Travels include the grounds of Sir Austen’s Portsdown Lodge with views of his “beloved sea”, and the Austen family home and graveyard in Chawton.
Do you fancy letters, manuscripts, antiquarian bookshops, first editions, libraries? Then you know books are a gift. Austen at Sea is a stunning gift for Jane Austen fans from years past and for newfound readers. Thank you, Natalie Jenner, for inspiring another generation of readers through the world’s beloved Jane Austen. Happy 250th Birthday!

I really liked Natalie Jenner's previous works, the Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls so I was thrilled the publisher gave me access to an early copy. Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me, I just couldn't get into it. Perhaps it was me, I tend not to like books set at sea, but I found the beginning slow and kept finding other things to do instead of read.

Austen at Sea was such a beautifully written story. I was absolutely enthralled with this story from start to finish.

Austen at Sea is a historical fiction novel. While the book primarily follows the journey of the Stevenson sisters in the late 1800's America, the story weaves Jane Austen and her legacy throughout.

The Stevenson sisters correspond with Jane Austen’s brother, hoping to gain something of Jane's being ardent Austen fans. Instead, they get an invite to England to visit Jane's brother. Unbeknownst to them at the time, Jane's brother was also corresponding with the Nelson brothers and invites them to visit as well. All four board a boat to England, and joining them are a woman who has an interest in one of the brothers, a man with an interest in one of the sisters, and Louisa May Alcott. They all become fast friends.

What follows is a story of independence, friendship, love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness.

The literary references throughout this story are fantastic. I especially loved the inclusion of Louisa May Alcott prior to her publishing Little Women in this story. Little Women will forever be my favorite book.

The history in this story was so fascinating. The Civil War in America was ending. The suffrage movement is starting, and laws generally for women are starting to loosen in America. But, not so much in England, which plays an important part in this story.

The ending of this story was I'd say bittersweet. There were happy stories amongst our characters, but not without tribulations. In the end, all that they went through seemed to bring the sisters to a decision on what to do with an important piece of history with regards to Jane Austen, and it really was the perfect ending!

I was disappointed in Natalie Jenner's "Austen at Sea". I had trouble staying connected to the characters and following the plotline. I had high hopes and thought this would be an enjoyable read.

Released May 20th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*SPOILERS*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc copy.

I was excited but nervous to get an arc of this book. I loved Jenner’s debut, The Jane Austen Society, and enjoyed her sophomore novel, Bloomsbury Girls. Her third novel I didn’t like and didn’t finish. Unfortunately, I only liked parts of her most recent, Austen at Sea.

The first issue I had is with the characters. Jenner jumps around to too many characters, which results in the reader not feeling close to any of them. Because of this too there’s a lot of telling and not showing. There are two main romantic relationships the book focuses on, but not enough time is spent with either relationship for the reader to feel invested in them. Usually, the reader is able to root for a love interest of the main character, but I can honestly say I wasn’t sure which of the love interests I was supposed to be rooting for. If Jenner had showed the start of the romantic relationships, this might have been more successful. Instead, the reader is just supposed to go along with these characters being in love with each other without having any scenes to go off of.

This is also an issue of plot. Jenner wasn’t able to successfully progress the romantic relationships while also telling the story of Jane Austen’s brother and his struggle to understand how to preserve her legacy. I think the plot needed to be majorly reworked. In trying to stay within the sphere of Jane Austen, Jenner limits her story.

My favorite part of the novel was the last portion dealing with the trials. I wish the book’s plot had gone like this: development of Henrietta’s relationship with Denham, marriage, subsequent betrayal over an item of inheritance, the court battles, and redemption. Instead, the plot is all over the place.

I learned a lot about laws of the time and appreciate Jenner’s research; however, this is a novel and not an essay. It felt off for Jenner to directly quote multiple books, plays, and laws throughout the novel.

Anyone interested in reading it should disregard the title. Only a small portion of the book takes place at sea, and this portion doesn’t relate to the Austen part of the novel.

Sadly, this was a miss for me.

I have really enjoyed Natalie Jenner’s past books. Austen at Sea was another gem. Jenner’s fans will especially enjoy the Supreme Court Justice’s Austen book club. The characters are well written and likable.

Thanks to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the alc.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I just found it boring and hard to relate to. I am upset because I usually enjoy historical fiction novels, and I am pretty sure that I have read books by Natalie Jenner that I have enjoyed in the past. Oh well.

very fun book about Jane Austen and coming into yourself, as well as societal struggles and other such things. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Title: Austen at Sea   
Author: Natalie Jenner         
Genre: Historical fiction  
Rating: 4 out of 5

In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.

In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.

The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.

I felt like this took a little bit to get into, but it ended up being a good read! I like all of Natalie Jenner’s other books, so this was an easy reading choice to make. I liked all the characters, and enjoyed seeing how their lives came together—and how they turned out. The historical aspects were fascinating to read and I was nice to see these men change their minds about women’s rights and life in general.

Natalie Jenner is a bestselling author. Austen at Sea is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 5/3).

I really enjoyed this addition to Jenner's Jane Austen adjacent world. The characters were strong, fully formed people and I loved them all. I thought the story was interesting and I really enjoyed the easter eggs from Jenner's other books. I loved the relationship of the sisters and how everyone ended up happy. It really felt like an Austen novel set at a different time.

I love anything Austen adjacent and this is no exception. I also enjoyed the combination of fictional and real historic figures. (It my opinion it's the best part of well written historic fiction). I would read more from this author!

While Austen at Sea is undoubtedly well-written, I found it difficult to stay engaged. The story moves at a meandering pace, and while some will appreciate the author's care in developing her large cast of characters and her adeptness in writing dialogue, I found myself looking for a bit more momentum. This was probably an 'it's not you, it's me' situation, and readers who enjoy literary fiction that emphasizes character and mood over action will enjoy it.

3.5 🌟s for the quality of the writing and character development, Not my personal cup of tea, but perfect for a reader who likes a more contemplative journey.

It took me several chapters to feel immersed, but once the ship sailed I was hooked. Jane Austen fans will enjoy this ode to her writing. The book is packed with social commentary (especially women’s rights), historical context, and nods to many of Austen’s contemporaries. The marriage court case was a great plot point juxtaposed against Austen’s writing. This would be fantastic for book club discussions.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC e-book.

Set in the 1865 Boston and Hampshire, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson, daughters of Massachusetts supreme court judge, are all avid readers of Jane Austen. The daughters, who crave freedom, begin a correspondence with the last surviving sibling of Jane Austen, Francis, and persist with meeting him.

At the same time, brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, who are Philadelphia rare book dealers, write to Francis as well.

This whole situation gives Francis an idea for matchmaking.

However, a lot happens on the S.S. China which takes all characters across the ocean. What happens on the ship creates some dilemma and some legal complications.

The premise of the story is interesting as it recreates stories of Jane Austen with dilemmas, matchmaking, and happy marriages. However, the pace of the story is slow.

I really enjoyed this story of Charlotte and Henrietta and their adventure to meet a living relative of Jane Austen. Going against their father’s wishes, the two get on a ship head across the ocean. After having been corresponding with Jane’s brother, he has invited them for a visit. The two women can hardly wait to meet him and see items of Jane’s as well as her inspiration and livelihood. Although the two get themselves wrapped up in a few unexpected additional adventures on this journey. Unbeknownst to them, this brother had a plan of his own as well. I really enjoyed this story, there was a lot of twists and characters but it kept the story lively and I enjoyed how they all played their part in this novel. Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press and Austen Prose tours for the complementary novel and tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

The year is 1865, in Boston, a pair of sister named, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson and have the love of Jane Austen's books. As does their father, a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice. They decide to travel over the seas to the country of England where Jan Austen is born. Prior to that they had started communicating with Jane's brother, Sir Francis Austen. Sir Francis Austen has invited them to come visit him. While on the ship they meet two Civil War Veterans from Philadelphia and seem to have the same plan in mind. They meet two famous people as they journey over the sea.

I love historical fictions and the title intrigued me as I love Jane Austen's books. There is so much that happens in this book and it is so hard to put this book down, you just want to keep reading and reading. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a preview of Natalie Jenner's creative writing and plan to read more of her books.

This is my 3rd Natalie Jenner book, and this might be my favorite! I love how she weaves her love for literature (namely Jane Austen, but also Dickens and Alcott) with the laws of the time. I think many of us have a general awareness of the rights that women didn't have in the 1800s, but I know this caused me to more deeply consider the implications of those laws.

I love Jane Austen, but I don't have quite as rich of an understanding of her works as some Jane-ites. I still found this incredibly accessible. A pitfall for me was being able to keep the characters straight (even with a character list, this is a common struggle for me). I couldn't get through this quickly, but I still think it was worth the read.

Lastly, I loved learning the real life inspiration she drew from to create the characters! I think that was an interesting facet of history that I would have never know, and I love that she gave those real life people a wider audience!