3.5 stars rounded up

I really wanted to love this book but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I had to force myself to listen to the audiobook each day. I wasn't invested or connected to the characters. It felt a tad too long for me. I did enjoy the narrator's voice. I kept hoping with each passing chapter that I would want to listen to it. But it never did catch my fancy. Finally after weeks I finished it and that in itself felt like quite an accomplishment.

Audiobook Review: Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner

I received this audiobook from NetGalley, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to discover new authors and share my thoughts.

Austen at Sea was my first book by Natalie Jenner, and while it’s not my usual type of read, I found it to be quite interesting. It leaned more heavily into history than fiction in my opinion, but it was still an engaging listen. The book features many references to well-known authors and literary history, and you can tell that Natalie Jenner is passionate about women’s rights. The story was rich with historical insights, particularly about women’s roles and achievements, and I definitely walked away having learned something new.

The narration was well done—smooth, clear, and easy to follow. That said, I did find it a bit surprising that a book so rooted in women’s history and empowerment was narrated by a male voice. While I did enjoy his tone, accent, and delivery, a female narrator might have felt more thematically fitting.

Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook and continue expanding my audio library. I’m glad I had the chance to experience this thoughtful and informative story.

I might have liked this book if it weren’t for the plodding pace, but I gave up after chapter 7. The narrator is fantastic but an odd choice for this book. But then, the cover and description don’t really seem to match the actual content. The book has a more masculine perspective than I expected.

And, let’s face it, I read A LOT of historical fiction. I don’t need to be told, over and over and over again, about the inequities women faced in the nineteenth century. I feel like those things should be woven into the fabric of the story, rather than conspicuously called out So, I just found this book wearying. I’m sure it’s a good book, but I’m not the target reader.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

The narrator did a wonderful job bringing this story to life and voicing the characters. His voice fit the characters and the time period this story is set.

For me this was a unique story for the author to tell. I like the way history, women's issues and our love for Jane (as well as other classic authors) are woven together to tell this story. I enjoyed the debates about Austen's work and reading how her brother is working hard to preserve her memory. While Austen brings our characters together, her work is only part of this story.

I love the way Jenner develops her characters with depth and growth through each story; each one plays an important part. You can tell each one is created with care.

I was fortunate enough to receive a digital copy of the book. Reading along with the audiobook enhanced the experience for me. I appreciated the list of characters referenced at the beginning as well. I do wish the audiobook included the author's note, because her inspiration behind Austen at Sea is interesting.

Overall this book exceeded my expectations and will be a reread for me again very soon.

Thank you MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

Austen at Sea AUDIO by Natalie Jenner is an entertaining story; multiple romances, but so much more. Charlie (Charlotte) and Harry (Henrietta) Stevenson find themselves on a ship to England, much to their father’s consternation, to visit a man with whom they had been corresponding: Jane Austen’s brother. (This takes place in the mid-1860s) On the same boat are Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, booksellers from Philadelphia, who are also going to visit Sir Francis, ostensibly to appraise some of his literary holdings. Sit Francis has matchmaking in mind. Also on the ship is Thomas Nash, a judge who sits on the bench with the women’s father, and is assuming the role of chaperone, and a young woman, Sarah-Beth Gleason who has been chasing the Nelsons, in turn. It is fun until it isn’t. Harry meets a man on board and after knowing him for ten days, marries him. They get to Austen’s home where they find a very old, but very entertaining man and form a quick friendship. It gets a little complicated but the bottom line is that Sir Francis gives Harry a letter written by his late sister, Jane. Harry’s husband sees dollar signs and attempts to convince her to sell it. She won’t. She leaves the marriage and returns home, taking the letter and leaving some of the others behind. The ensuing legal trauma takes much of the book. This is a time in which women are chattel and their belongings are the property of their husband. Add in English and American law and you have a mess.

This story clearly shows the presumed places of men and women in society. It also points out the kind of power a woman can hold over a man. Terrific characters, Sir Francis attempts at romance clearly fail, but romance blooms where it will. We also meet Louisa May Alcott before she reached the height of fame. It is a story of misplaced importance; both young and older love; the dawning of women’s rights; and so much more. While entertaining, it was also enlightening. It clearly shows emotions of both men and women, both young and older, and reminds the reader of what life was and can be.

The narrator is Rupert Graves and while it took a moment to adjust, he did an exemplary job with all these characters. He gave the feelings of each the depth they deserved and did so in an entertaining manner.

I was invited to listen to Austen at Sea by MacMillan Audio. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacMillanAudio #NatalieJenner #RupertGraves #AustenAtSea

This was excellent, the best kind of historical fiction!

The main characters are two 20-something daughters of a Boston judge in 1865 Boston who are obsessed with the life and works of Jane Austen. Once they make contact with her last remaining sibling, an old sea captain well into his 90s, the plot takes off on a steamship to England. What follows is a very entertaining, interesting, and educational novel.

Besides the fictional accounts of life in 1860s Boston as well as aboard a transatlantic steamship, there are so many other elements. There is a bit of women’s history, describing the beginnings of the women’s Sufferage movement in Boston and New York. There is some Austen family history, with descriptions of the battles between Jane Austen’s siblings and descendants over her works and letters. There is a bit of critical analysis of her works, surprising in a novel but interesting! The novel ends with a legal battle and romance, any my only quibble with the novel is how these two elements resolve.

Overall, I really enjoyed Austen at Sea and highly recommend it to lovers of Austen and literature in general.

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

This was my first Natalie Jenner novel, and it definitely won’t be my last. Her storytelling is elegant, and clearly rooted in extensive research and care. The historical detail in this book really shines, and you can feel how much heart went into crafting every scene.

I’ve read some Jane Austen, but I’m not quite an Austenite. Because of that, parts of the book were a little harder for me to fully connect with or understand, especially where deeper references or themes came into play. That said, Jenner's writing absolutely carried the story, and I still found myself fully immersed in the characters and setting.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and MacMillan Audio for the audiobook!

DNF at 51%


I really wanted to like this book.
This book takes place at a time where woman don’t have the rights to vote or divorce at will. Some woman are starting to speak out and one way of doing that or writing and reading. Dickens was compared to Alcott.
I really found this book difficult to follow. There were too many characters to try to keep track of. I found myself having to pause to take notes to keep track of people. It was hard for me to follow.
This book is not what I was expecting. I was expecting it to be more about “rebellious” women at the time, and I just thought that that was lacking and part of it was the choice of a male narrator.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to @authornataliejenner @stmartinspress and Laurel Ann Nattress for the generous #gifted book, and to @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2925 for the accompanying audiobook.

This remarkable novel had me utterly captivated from start to finish.

Set against the backdrop of 1865, it follows Charlotte and Henrietta, the daughters of a Chief Justice from Massachusetts, and the Pennsylvania-based book dealer brothers, Nicholas and Nelson, as they embark on a journey to England. Their eclectic group seeks to meet Sir Francis Austen and delve deeper into the life of his illustrious sister, Jane Austen. Along the way, the sisters experience the complexities of love, heartache, and enduring friendships they make aboard the steamship.

The writing is nothing short of exquisite. The intricate details woven throughout, regarding Jane Austen, Sir Francis Austen, and the legal systems of both America and England, are simply phenomenal. The storyline ensnares you, holding your attention as we accompany the sisters on their journey. I found the discussions in the book club formed by the justices, centered around Jane Austen's work, to be thought-provoking and insightful. The exploration of women's rights in both England and the evolving America is particularly enlightening, with a blend of historical context and a legal case enriching the sisters' story.

The narrator's performance is outstanding, truly bringing the characters to life. His portrayal of the women is particularly admirable, and his accent adds an additional layer of authenticity that enhances the overall experience.

If you’re on the lookout for a compelling historical adventure infused with the nuances of Jane Austen’s life, this book is an absolute must-read. Mark your calendars for its release on May 6, 2025, you won’t want to miss it!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio arc in exchange for my honest review. I have such appreciation for any book that pays homage to Jane Austen! I enjoyed the justices’ debates about the different Austen books.

However, this book’s pacing was a bit slow for me, with a rushed ending and unanswered questions. There were LOTS of characters, so some of them felt unnecessary and some dynamics were pretty surface level and not fleshed out.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Natalie Jenner for a copy of this Arc. I will be giving my honest review.
While I enjoyed its focus on the capabilities of women during a time whilst inhabiting a world set to control and limit them…I do think the choice of a male narrator was a poor one.
I felt disinterested and disconnected from the story as a whole. In part from the overwhelming amount characters, strangely placed storylines (the dickens play) and amount of legal speak. I also didn’t think it’d be a problem for me but actually hated real historic characters being characters in the book.

3.5 stars
This is my first time reading a Natalie Jenner book, even though I do have her previous ones in my TBR. Austen at Sea releases next month and I was given both the Kindle edition and the audiobook for review.

Taking place in 1865 from a couple different view points. There are the sisters who are two women ahead of their time. They have a on going correspondence with Sir Frances Austen, who just happens to be the brother of Jane Austen. Another is from the Nelson brothers, bookstore owners who also just happen to have a correspondence with Sir Austen. These four meet on a ship bound for England, along with familiar faces in history.

I will confess that I have not read much Jane Austen, actually Pride and Prejudice is my only one, though I am intrigued after reading this book. Austen at Sea is an interesting read, and I much preferred the e-book versus the audio. I found the voices in the audio just a bit distracting.

Austen at Sea is a story of relationships, women ahead of their time, and well, Jane Austen and her legacy. It was atmospheric as it reflected the time. How women were treated and the tension between England and America. I am intrigued enough to head over to my TBR and boost Natalie Jenner‘s books up closer to the top.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review

We’re only three weeks away from the release of Natalie Jenner‘s fourth novel, Austen at Sea. While this book continues her theme of Austeneque historical fiction, this one goes back farther in time, to 1865, and features people who knew Jane Austen in her lifetime. It follows two sisters who begin corresponding with Sir Francis Austen, brother of the famous author. With promises of a rare artifact, they leave Boston to visit him in England.

What struck me about Austen at Sea is how it’s so devoted to ideas. The myriad characters spend much of their time discussing literature (not just Jane Austen’s novels, but also works by Charles Dickens, the Brontës, and more), women’s place in society, and politics. What makes for a strong literary heroine? How is it fair that women give up their identity upon marrying? Why is it easier for men to seek divorce than women?

And while ideas make for lively discussions among the characters, they also become a major part of the plot. Elopement, ownership, citizenship, divorce… all of it arises throughout the course of this novel. Ultimately it is a book of forward-thinking people—early feminists—as they are united and inspired by literature to make changes in the real world.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and MacMillan Audio for the digital copy of this book and audiobook; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

According to the author, this book was inspired by two real-life stories. “… An 1848 correspondence between Admiral Sir Francis Austen and two Boston sisters, whose Harvard President father had been introduced to the works of Jane Austen by members of the United States Supreme Court; and the life and work of Abraham and Philip Rosenbach, Philadelphia book collectors and founders of the present-day Rosenbach Museum & Library. ” The book features Louisa May Alcott as a minor character, too. The overall theme is the Jane Austen legacy.

There are many characters and storylines to pay attention to, and some subplots work better than others. What I really liked about this historical fiction homage to Jan Austen was that everyone was a positive character; there were no antagonists or culprits to worry about. Such a breath of fresh air.

The audiobook was performed by Rupert Graves, who was Mr. Weston in 2020’s Emma. It was a bit confounding and confusing as to why a man was chosen to narrate largely young adult women. Graves performed all right but reminds me of how Danielle Steel’s books are almost exclusively narrated by men, even when women are the majority of the characters. Just… weird. He does a really good American accent but also comes across as a rather old man trying to represent young unmarried women.

Jane Austen fans will appreciate the unique take on her legacy with this book. Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to give an honest review. I absolutely loved this book. I haven’t read the Jane Austen Society yet but I definitely will be reading it soon based on how much I enjoyed this one. I feel like there will be some people not super happy with the way things ended but I understood and appreciate that the author stayed true to the characters rather than give the readers everything they probably wanted in the end. My only critique was that early on I felt like having an English male narrator didn’t quite work. It was hard to listen to him voice the female American characters. It made me think of how Trevor Noah voiced himself as a child in the audiobook of his memoir. After awhile I got used to it and there actually ended up being a lot more male characters so I understood why he was chosen. After awhile it didn’t bother me. Other than that I thought it was great!

For context, I was assigned this audiobook to review for a journal. While I like historical fiction, I probably wouldn't have picked it up on my own (the genre of "cover art featuring women in dresses looking away into the distance" is not my preference).

That said, this is a serviceable historical fiction centering on Jane Austen's legacy and featuring Louisa May Alcott as a minor character. Two Boston sisters sail to England to meet with Austen's surviving brother, who wants to share material with them so his sister's genius will be appreciated by future generations. A side plot involves the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices having a Jane Austen book club in their downtime, where they give some light literary criticism of the novels and the broader topic of women's rights. Events happen but I struggled to be very invested in the ups and downs because clearly, the wrongs would be righted and the injustices sorted out (although I think we're possibly also meant to reflect on the progression of women's rights and how some of them are under threat today).

Rupert Graves narrates, probably because he was Mr Weston in 2020's Emma, and while his reading is unobjectionable, I found him to be an odd choice. The main characters are women (while their father also has a storyline, he is not the focal point of either the beginning or the ending), but Graves's reading comes off so hard as Old Man that I didn't hear a lot of the younger female characters in his voice. He did make the effort to Americanize his accent for the American characters, which was a helpful distinction, but not quite enough to give Young Unmarried Woman.

All in all - it was fine. Not for me, but I'm sure there's an audience for it, and it's not actually bad.

3.5 stars rounded up
If you are a fan of Jane Austen and a few other great nineteenth-century writers (Alcott, Dickens), then you may enjoy this book as much as I did. This was a lovely read about two sisters and their love of Jane Austen, though there were a great deal of additional characters to keep track of, sometimes too many for me. And as the two main characters are women and much of the story deals with the lack of women’s rights in the 1860s, I question the use of a male narrator, though he narrated the book well enough. (I could not decipher most of the characters from the voices he bestowed upon them, but with so many characters, I wasn’t surprised.)

I also thought the book cover was beautifully done, with the two sisters staring out into the ocean while on board a ship, and torn pieces of letters (Austen’s, we presume) along the sides.

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen and historical fiction, give this a listen or a read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion of the work.

In 1865 Boston, sisters Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson defy societal expectations and set off for England after receiving an invitation—and an original letter—from Sir Francis Austen, brother of Jane Austen. Meanwhile, rare book dealers and Civil War veterans Nicholas and Haslett Nelson are drawn to England by the promise of a rare Austen artifact. Their shared voyage sparks a journey that will change all their lives through the enduring power of literature and love.

This one left me a little conflicted. Parts of the story, I really enjoyed. Sir Francis was a delight. I sympathised with the (fictional?) desire for him to make sure his sister was known and respected, despite the family’s wishes to keep Jane Austen’s life private. I really wanted more parts of the book about him.

However, the majority of the book bounces between the Stevenson sisters, the Nelson brothers, occasional scenes from Louisa May Alcott (and I’m not sure why she was even there), and a judge who is fighting his feels for one of the sisters. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and they are all flawed people. I found it difficult to find one among them that I really liked. All of them made decisions that I found strange.

Narratively, there were times the author would jump ahead to reveal something dramatic, only to then go back to explain how it happened. The ending also felt abrupt. Other than that, it was well written and the narrator, while not an immediate favorite, had a pleasant voice.

Overall, it was fine. Not one I would pick up again, but readers who have enjoyed the author’s other works may enjoy it.

Title: Austen at Sea
Author: Natalie Jenner
Narrated by: Rupert Graves
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Length: Approximately 11 hours and 11 minutes
Source: Audiobook from NetGalley and physical book from St. Martin’s Press as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!

If you could meet any author alive or dead, who would you want to meet? I love the adventure of the Stevenson sisters in Austen at Sea to see the brother of a most beloved author. I would love to meet Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott and so many more.

Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson are the daughters of a Massachusetts State Supreme Court judge. They want more out of this world. They wish they could go to college or have a career, but in 1865, their formal education is complete. Their favorite author is Jane Austen. They write to her only surviving brother, Sir Francis Austen to express their love and to learn more about her. He invites the two sisters to visit England, as well as two brothers who are rare booksellers from Philadelphia. What rare artifact does he want them to see?

Thoughts on this novel:

• I loved the world, great characters, and unique story of this novel. I wish I could visit this world.
• The overarching question of this novel was what are the rights of women? Can a wife own her own property separate from her husband? Can she make her own decisions about her property?
• I loved the sections of the novel where the Massachusetts State Supreme Court judges read Jane Austen’s novels and discuss them. It was entertaining.
• Louisa May Alcott is on the ship with our main characters as they journey to England. She was a fantastic and fully sketched character. I love that she had the ship put on a play of A Tale of Two Cities for entertainment. I would love to see an entirely separate novel on just Louisa’s adventures.
• I loved Sir Francis Austen as a character. He had an interesting life himself and I would love to see him star in his own novel. At this point, he is at the end of his life, and he is thinking about his sister’s legacy. Should he leave her letters or burn them as his daughter wishes?
• About halfway through the novel, the book takes a turn and the story goes in another direction. I was confused at first and it took me a bit to get my bearings.
• I loved Rupert Graves as the narrator. He was an entertaining narrator and I loved his voice.
• I have enjoyed every Natalie Jenner novel I’ve read, but I would rate this one as my favorite with The Jane Austen Society.

Overall, Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner is a beautiful and extraordinary story with unforgettable characters. I loved the look into the lives of Austen fans in the 19th century when Austen’s family is still alive. I also liked the discussion of women’s rights.

This was a lovely, light historical fiction romance. I listened to the audiobook version and found the narrator to be excellent. There were many characters and plotlines in this story. All of the characters were interesting and likeable; no villains in this one! The author has clearly done a lot of research on the writings of Jane Austen which added additional value to the book, in my opinion. However, it was not as deep as other historical fiction that left a lasting impact on me.

If you are looking for a light historical romance, this is a great choice. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for the ARC of Austen at Sea!