Perhaps my own expectations led me astray, but I did not love this book the way I hoped I would. The premise sets one up to believe that this is a romantic comedy in the spirit of one of Austen's own works in which a set of two sisters and two brothers who would never otherwise have met will end up paired off, brought together by their mutual love of Austen and the matchmaking scheme of one of her relatives. That is not what this book is. This book becomes an extended lesson in legal history, the evolving feminism of the 1860s, and literature. While I wanted to love and cheer for some of the characters, there's hardly a pay off. One ends up in the predictable marriage she probably was always destined for (her father's protegee). The other ends up stuck in a hasty marriage with someone who tries to abuse her and then, we are later supposed to accept, comes to love her. Meanwhile, this well is poisoned both by his actions and by the presence of another character who the reader is set up to believe the better, kinder love interest---but it goes nowhere. Added to these disappointments is the voice of the narrator of the audiobook, whose attempt at differentiating accents and male vs. female voices doesn't quite land, and frequently confuses the reader as to who is meant to be talking. Overall, this one was a hard 'fine.' I don't regret reading it, but it did not meet my hopes.

This book was so much better than I expected. It managed to catch the spirit of an Austen novel with history of Austen and her family (though much in here is fictionalized). It tells great moral tales, talks about the history of women, and gives a lot of information about Austen/her life. It also caught a lot of the excitement and characterization of Jo from Little Women, so that is also a fun piece of this.

Great book for anyone who likes Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott.

American sisters Harriet and Charlotte Stevenson, fans of Jane Austen, begin a correspondence with Captain Austen, her elderly brother in the UK. The sisters want to visit Captain Austen but after their father turns down their request, they book themselves passage on a steamship. Captain Austen also invites two brothers, booksellers from Philadelphia, to visit him in the UK, with the idea to match up the two sets of siblings. I enjoyed this novel although I did have a hard time getting into it at the very beginning. The epilogue wrapped things up nicely for me. This is definitely a book for fans of Jane Austen since her books were continually discussed. And it certainly opened my eyes about the lack of women's rights in the 1800s! I listened to the audiobook of this novel and I have to say that the narrator did a wonderful job with various voices and he had the perfect upper crust British accent for this book.

Book review: 3.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction, romance
Themes: women’s rights, property, love stories

For all book lovers enamoured by Jane Austen, this will be a cozy balm to the soul. Here we find these advocates for her work in all manner of life. The Massachusetts Supreme Court Justices who have a summer book club, the young men and women traversing the sea and a beloved brother to the author herself. On top of this is layered the suffragette movement and legal rights within a marriage. It is certainly a love story, one towards literature as much as towards first love.

If you have read Austen’s works you will enjoy the dissection of each of her books and learning a little more of her personal life, yet reading her novels is not necessary to enjoy this book. In the essence of an Austen novel it is a love story between many characters. More than that it was a legal quagmire of judgment and women’s rights. Confined by society and the roles of women, here was a group of young ladies who went after what they wanted through different avenues.

It was a stretch for Louisa May Alcott to be on the same ship at the Stevenson sisters, or at least within the same class given her station in life, but this is fiction. So I just enjoyed her presence and her sharp insight on the world around her. Having all these characters play acting from their favourite novels was also a troupe I wish I could have been part of. Overall, it was a rather romanticized tale of the times. One where ladies were beginning to have or at least seek to have more choices and options in life.

My main problem with this story was the relationship between Denham Scott and Henrietta. Note: some spoilers follow. I couldn’t really understand Harry’s choice in marriage to a man who casually laughs at women’s right when she has been a steadfast advocate in her adult life and sees no boundary to his own will and desire. Then there was all that played out afterwards. It seems much of this could have been avoided if Henrietta sought an annulment, but her desire not to was more emotional than logical. The epilogue was not to my taste and certainly soured my feelings on this book. I think I am not unduly prejudiced in my assessment of this man after all he had done for money’s sake. This novel would have rated higher for me without this addendum. Sometimes possibility is enough and forgiveness is too often expected from women of that time, so it was contrary to the overarching themes.

I wanted it to be more revolutionary and optimistic for Henrietta who would have choices after this whole ordeal. Where was her great love story? It wasn’t the feel good ending I was after, though I think many will like it.

🎧 I did a tandem read between the audiobook and ebook thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillion Audio, and Netgalley. The narrator added a sort of elegant grace to this story and really set the scene. I don’t always like when men intone young female characters, as they often come across simpering and whiny. This is especially true with a British accent, though I found the voice generally added gravitas and congeniality where needed. Here is where I liked having the book to revert back to and the slow pace allowed me to naturally flit between the two. It was also helpful to have the reference list of characters as there certainly were many to keep track of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Women's rights activists and avid Jane Austen readers two sisters, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, sneak away to sail to England in 1865. They had recently been corresponding with the last surviving sibling of Jane Austen, Sir Francis Austen. Inspired by Abraham Lincoln's emancipation proclamation they decide to free themselves and travel, without a chaperon much to the horror of their father, to England to meet with their writing hero's brother. On board the ship, they met two brothers, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson, also traveling to England in a twist to meet with Austen as well, under the premise of getting a never finished letter started by the famed author. Their time aboard this ship will leave their lives changed forever.

I am a huge fan of Natalie Jenner and have read a handful of her other works. She always does a great job capturing the essence of the Jane Austen world and making it her own. I enjoyed this story but took me a little while to get into it. It leans heavily on women's rights almost getting bogged down by it. There were some plot lines I found a little farfetched, like befriending Louisa May Alcott who just happens to be aboard. Overall this is a good novel but felt the pace was a little slow for me to connect with.

I had the audio version narrated by Rupert Graves. He does a very good job. As a side note, I was a little surprised by the choice given a heavy female pov with women's rights at the forefront of the story. I would recommend the book and audio version.

Austen at Sea is a delightful, heartwarming journey that blends romance, humor, and a touch of melancholy with a sharp feminist perspective. The story of two sisters, both passionate Jane Austen fans, embarking on a sea voyage to meet their brother is a fresh take on classic themes. The quick marriage and ensuing contentious divorce add depth and drama, while the witty, heartfelt moments keep the tone light and engaging. The novel masterfully explores themes of independence, love, and self-discovery, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. A charming, modern ode to Austen’s enduring influence, with a perfect mix of adventure, emotion, and feminist insight!

The premise of this book grabbed me from the start. Two American sisters connecting with an Austen sibling and traveling to England? I definitely needed to see how this one unfolded. The back and forth descriptions of the Jane Austen book discussions was entertaining. I also enjoyed Louisa May Alcott's appearance in the pages. The storyline was overall enjoyable but I admittedly grew a little tired of the constant theme of lack of women's rights. It is and was an important topic, but the reader gets the idea at the start and I felt its constant revisiting was a bit ad nauseum, in my opinion.
This is a fun read, though, and recommended for any Austen fans...and those just looking for a little something different.
Rupert Graves did a great job with narrating the different characters as well as his tone and expressions.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

I really enjoyed Natalie Jenner's novel the Bloomsbury Girls, so I was so excited to read Austen at Sea. Unfortunately I felt completely disconnected from the story and characters during this novel.

I did enjoy the narration performed by Rupert Graves.

I received an ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Love Natalie’s gift of how she weaves truth and reality into her fictional works including other real life characters into the storylines as well. Well done and such a lovely literary journey of exploration and stepping outside what is known for growth and answers. Beautifully done! Thank you NetGalley and
St. Martin’s Press for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Austen fans will likely love this book especially those that have reread her cannon several times and enjoy debating the themes. Such arguments take place throughout the book in the chambers of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. As more of a fan of the Austen inspired movies, I found these sections of the book to drag.
Austen at Sea is not a contemporary of Jane Austen’s novels, it takes place just after the civil war and features Austen’s last living brother, Sir Francis Austen, now in his nineties. The Stevenson sisters begin corresponding with him and take an impromptu voyage across the Atlantic to visit him. Aboard the ship, they become fast friends with Louisa May Alcott and bring together an unlikely band of likeminded spirits.
Austen at Sea has all the forbidden love, suffering in silent affection and miscommunication of a classic Austen novel. There are even court proceedings on both sides of the Atlantic. As a lover of historical fiction this missed the mark a bit for me but Austen enthusiasts will love it, I have no doubt. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

I am a Jane Austen super fan. My bridal shower was Austen themed. I loved being absorbed in a world with other fans. I thought this was a fun, light read. I’m not sure it will stay with me forever but I am glad I had the time.

For a book about Jane Austen, focusing on two sisters, for the first half of this, I assumed that many cues were going to be taken from Sense and Sensibility. I think that stands, but in the ending, I probably see more of Mansfield Park and Emma. There are parallels throughout as Easter eggs to delight any Janeites. The thrust of the story, however, is ultimately more about legacy and how we choose to handle it than about Jane or her works directly. I think the Austen at Sea is in actuality, her brother, a former naval admiral at the end of his life, who while no longer literally at sea, is definitely unsure of how to handle his sister’s legacy as the last surviving sibling. Slightly slow to start, and honestly less of a romance than I thought it would be, but a well written middle Victorian historical fiction. I almost wonder if this is the type of story Jane herself would’ve told 50 years later. This will appeal to a varied audience, literary history lovers will enjoy some cameos and references, legal history, comes into play in some interesting ways, and it almost feels like if Dickens was trying to write Austen. I can’t seem to gather my thoughts on this one, but I did enjoy it.


I will admit that until hearing him speak, I didn’t realize that Rupert Graves did any audiobook narration. For a book with characters that demanded some specific regional American accents (Boston, southern), I don’t know if he was the best choice, but his attitude was engaging throughout.

Natalie Jenner’s Austen at Sea is a delightful blend of historical fiction and Austenian charm. Echoes of Emma’s well-meaning but misguided matchmaking, Persuasion’s long-buried affections, and the classic misunderstandings of Pride and Prejudice offer a knowing nod to Jane Austen’s themes. Set against the backdrop of the 1860s, the novel also casts a sharp light on the era’s gender inequities, particularly the contrasting state of women’s rights in the U.S. and England, and their lack of suffrage on both sides of the pond. Real historical figures are woven into the story, including Louisa May Alcott. The audiobook is a particular treat: Rupert Graves’ wry narration brings a subtle wit and elegance that perfectly matches Jenner’s tone (and Austen’s, too!).

Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson, daughters of Supreme Court Justice Stevenson are disheartened by the barriers women faced in 1865. Their father was a loving, progressive man, but stifling in his affections as he strived to keep them safe after losing his wife tragically.

The sisters strike up a correspondence with beloved author Jane Austen’s brother, Sir Francis Austen, who has survived her, but is very old. At ninety-one, who knows how long he has left, so when they receive an invitation to come visit, the sisters jump at the chance. They book a passage and set sail without the knowledge or consent of their father, and they embark on a trip that leaves a lasting mark on Henrietta and Charlotte’s life.

I was captivated by Henrietta and Charlotte’s journey! Both sisters had a zest for learning and life, forwarding women’s rights, but they also had matters of the heart to contend with. My emotions were all over the place with everything that went on: relationships and ambitions, and the actions of others played into the story. The visit with Sir Francis Austen was bittersweet.

There was a lot that transpired, and the ending centered on Henrietta’s choices and the repercussions with a showdown in court!

I loved both sisters and was invested in their HEAs! There were a lot of interesting characters, friends made, and side stories, as well.

I alternately read and listened to the audio of the story and can recommend either version. Rupert Graves did a fine job acting out all the characters, so each felt distinct, and their emotions came through loud and clear.

Rupee Graves has a pleasant enough voice as the narrator, but as easy listening it can fade to the background. I had to refocus myself several times throughout listening. I think I would also prefer a female narrator as opposed to a male one, although I understand the reasons behind having a male narrator for this title. I appreciate the opportunity to listen, thank you!

As the Civil War comes to a close in 1865, Boston sisters Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson begin a correspondence with 91-year-old Admiral Francis Austen, brother of the late Jane Austen. Admiral Austen has also heard from two brothers who run a bookstore in Philadelphia. Trying his hand at being an Emma Woodhouse, the elderly Austen invites all four young people to visit him in England.

The Stevenson sisters’ father is a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He requests a judicial colleague – Judge Nash - to make the trans-Atlantic journey as a discrete chaperone for his daughters. Louisa May Alcott is also on board the ship. During the voyage, she organizes a play based on “A Tale of Two Cities.”

Romance ensues, as do quarrels between Admiral Austen and his daughter over Jane’s literary estate. Just as the property rights of women (or lack thereof) are a recurring theme in Austen’s novels, a lawsuit over an Austen artifact, bestowed by the Admiral on Henrietta, occupies the second half of the book.

Meanwhile, back in Boston, the justices of the Massachusetts court organize a book club in which they are systematically working their way through Jane Austen’s oeuvre. These were some of my favorite chapters: to be a fly on the wall during such provocative conversations.

I listened to the audio version of the book read by Rupert Graves. He captured the erudite, 19th century accents, both British and American.

This book is such a fascinating premise - what Jane Austen fans wouldn't love the opportunity to meet with her brother and hear about her life? I enjoyed the characters, although sometimes the story felt a bit too divided between all the different perspectives. I really became invested in the story once the characters all met up with Austen's brother in England.

I also loved the historical context of the time - post Civil War turmoil, women's rights movement, Supreme Court decisions... there was a lot going on during this time period!

My favorite part of all is the Supreme Court Justices' Jane Austen book club. Their discussions were so fun to read, and I love that they were arguing to rank her books. It was a delight to read!

Overall, the narrator did a great job alternating between British and American accents. I didn't love the parts where he was narrating for the female characters, but otherwise it was enjoyable.

I think most Janeites will enjoy this story, especially the descriptions of her family and home.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Natalie Jenner for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Although I was initially excited about this book, I was left somewhat disappointed. It was slow-moving and I sometimes had a difficult time following the storyline. However, I did like the historical elements included in the story. The plight of women and the sufferage movement were explored. Authos active during book's time setting were also mentioned adding depth to the time period. Where the narrator was engaging, there were long pauses between chapters making me wonder if there was something wrong with the recording.

This 4th book in the Jane Austen Society Series by Natalie Jenner is def one of my favourites in the series. I loved the bookclub that delved into each of Jane Austen’s books, the various romance stories and learning more about Jane Austen herself .

Audio rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the audio version of this book!

If you love famous authors, Jane Austin, Walt Whitman, Louis May Alcott, and Charles Dickens… you will enjoy this storyline. It pulls all these authors in to a curious adventure with twits and turns that you don’t see coming.

The story also heavily discusses women’s rights, or lack there of, and how these rules are batted between countries.

This is the second book in the Jane Austin stories by this author. I did not read the first book to know whether or not it is necessary, nor how that book may tie into this one.

I liked this story. It is not something I typically read but it’s good to switch it up. Some of the legal ease lost me (I don’t find it interesting) and sometimes it was hard to follow character lines.