I have mixed, but mostly positive, feelings about this book. I'm generally a sucker for anything Jane Austen related, no matter how far fetched, so when I saw this book, I immediately knew I wanted to read it! And in many ways, I was not disappointed. We saw a handful of characters from Pride & Prejudice, and several more were at least referred to, which I appreciated. In that sense, it did feel a bit like re-entering Austen's universe.

I really liked getting to see the story through Charlotte Lucas' (Collins) eyes. And while I am not very well-read when it comes to sapphic novels, I felt the author did a good job of describing Charlotte's feelings in a way that was understandable to a cis straight woman like myself. I did feel like the feelings moved a little fast for my liking, but that's likely more due to my personal preference for a slow burn than it is any error on the author's part. Parts of this story were slow burn (for example, the spice didn't start until halfway or later), but the lustful thoughts and feelings started faster than I would've preferred. That being said, I adore the addition of Charlotte being a happy little gardener. That was a fitting choice!

I did not love how drastically Mary changed from the OG book. I get that this is a new work of fiction. But if the premise of the story is based on two established characters, then it makes sense to me for us to either be introduced to those characters as we knew them (which was done very well for Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet, for instance) and let them shift as the story progresses, or to have at least some aspects of the character remain if we're introduced to them in a new form. But Mary seemed to undergo an almost night and day difference, and while there was a brief explanation for it, it did not seem natural and made her feel like an entirely different character. It was as if the book was about Lizzie instead of Mary.

It was also interesting to me how open and accepting of same sex relationships so many people were in this story. I'm very curious to know if that's purely a fiction made up by the author as like an alternative history, or if there actually were many who secretly were accepting of same sex romances and just maintained facades of judgement for the sake of keeping up appearances. I may have to research this a bit to sate my curiosity.

Anyway, all in all I did enjoy the book. The romance was sweet, if a bit more lusty than my typical taste, and it was fun to venture back into Austen's world from a new perspective! Now I need to read Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa!

I will admit to having no prior knowledge of these characters as I haven't read any of Jane Austen's works. I did however really enjoy this book even without that previous knowledge so for anyone who hasn't read Pride and Prejudice, I don't think it would be necessary in order to enjoy this book.

The book starts off on a sadder note with Charlotte experiencing the loss of her husband. You can tell she is just going through the motions with her grieving and isn't taking the loss as hard as one might if the person were some profound love of their life. Through a series of letters at the beginnings of chapters you get a peek into the lives of Charlotte's family and friends and soon enough one of those letters promises to send Mary Bennet to Charlotte's home to comfort her in place of her older sister who cannot travel to be with her. Very quickly we see the bond between Charlotte and Mary form as they spend time together and share their interests. Charlotte's world is burst wide open as she has new opportunities she's always wanted given to her by Mary and her more free way of living granted to her by living with her more liberal aunt. It was a beautiful slow build to their relationship that I really enjoyed. The secret looks, the messages passed through the meanings of flowers and subtle conversations filled with hints and double meanings. Once they realize that they both feel the same way, the romance really accelerates and so does the spice. There was more than I was expecting for the time period of the book though nothing too wild.

The third act break up was a bit predicable and maybe a resolved a little too easily with options presented to Charlotte that resolved all her issues simply and maybe a little unbelievably. I didn't really buy that the gentleman that she was working for would simply give her his fortune after only knowing her such a short time for example. The resolution between Mary and Charlotte also came quite late in the book and I would have appreciated more time after their make up to be shown in the book.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys time period romances like these. I listened to the audiobook version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator's performance of the book. I think it really brought something to it if audiobooks are your thing.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

After the death of her husband Charlotte isn't sure what is next for her. All she knows is that she has no desire to rush into another mairrage. Reaching out to her best friend for support, that friend sends in her sister to help and a part of Charlotte comes alive.

I'm not a Pride and Prejudice fan so I enjoyed this book, but I don't think I was quite the right audience for it. I just didn't connect with the characters or their thought processes/motivations.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Age: Adult
Tropes: Best Friend's Sister, Late in Life
Read For: Netgalley
Obtained From: Thanks to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the Advance Listening Copy

Taking place four years after the events of Pride and Prejudice, this picks up with Charlotte having recently been widowed. Lizzie (not featured except in letters), unable to visit herself, sends her younger sister Mary Bennet to visit her dearest friend. What results is a slow-burn sapphic romance between Charlotte (slowly discovering her feelings toward other women) and Mary (more than willing to show her the ropes of lady love).

Mary & Charlotte
Charlotte was exactly what I expected her to be, and was endearing right from the start of this book. You immediately love her self-deprecating humor, which is so honest and interesting. She was so funny and witty, and although this is only from her POV, it was easy to stay there since she’s so relatable. Nobody does slow burn better than a sapphic romance, and there were so many moments of sexual tension from simple leg touches to longing looks. Charlotte creating wreaths with hidden meaning in her floral arrangements felt so in character. She wants to be bold and share how she feels, but she’s also fearful of rejection, so she does this through a bit of subterfuge. And while the burn is slow, it’s satisfying and the pay-off is sooooooo hot. I mean, it’s Mary, did you not expect a piano hook-up?!

This book did an excellent job of giving more context and depth to characters we already know so well, and both Mary and Charlotte felt on-brand. The third-act break-up (spoiler?) was realistic to the characters and most particularly realistic to Charlotte’s lived experience so far. Overall, this was a great book and an equally wonderful audiobook. Narrated by Clare Corbett, this was a really fun listen, and she really did a great job bringing the characters to life.

The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennett was a fun and lighthearted read that offered a refreshing twist on a familiar character. It was kind of nice to read a gay romance for a change—sweet and genuine without being overly dramatic. While the story had charm and warmth, it was also pretty predictable, which held it back a bit for me. Still, it was an enjoyable, easy read with a satisfying sense of comfort.

Mrs. Charlotte Collins has just become a widow after four years of marriage and contemplating the next steps for her life. While in mourning, her best friend’s sister Mary Bennet has come to visit and Charlotte starts to have less-than-friendly feelings for the woman. Mary is a self-proclaimed spinster who enjoys her academic pursuits and living with her aunt. She’s bold and original and Charlotte can’t stop thinking about her. We get the whole story from Charlotte’s point of view, with all her insecurities, self-doubts, and general hesitance at life. It’s definitely a slow-burn romance and a learning experience for Charlotte, who has been lonely and sheltered all these years. Loved it.

Text-
At first glance I just assumed that this was a sapphic historical romance. Then I read the title and realized is about Pride and Prejudice characters, specifically Charlotte Lucas and Mary Bennet. I have to say I just kept picturing the actors from the 2005 movie and I’m not mad at it. Also it was kind of nice already know the people and some places they’re talking about.

I really liked that Charlotte ended up with a better life. I mean don’t you kinda feel bad for her ending up with Mr. Collin’s? You get to see Charlotte grow and learn about herself. It’s also interesting to see her navigate it with all the social norms of the time. I also love all the people Mary surrounded herself with. It felt like she had this wonder queer community and I love that. So happy that these two characters got a happy ending.

Also, I really enjoyed the meaning of flowers that are woven into the book (just don’t expect me to remember any if them 😂).

Audiobook-
I feel like this voice was perfect for this book. It makes sense to use a British voice actor but she was also able to make it sounds like it was period appropriate.

Four years after 'Pride & Prejudice', Charlotte Collins, née Lucas, is a widow, once again forced into financial insecurity with a precarious future.

Am I glad I read it? It's been a long while since I've been so satisfied by a P&P-inspired story. McLeod does the source material justice, crafting compelling, warmly satisfying arcs for two characters about whom we know the least and who also happen to be the most queer-coded.

Charlotte, who took advantage of Lizzie's rejection of Mr. Collins to secure a stable future, has spent the last 4 years in the kind of perfectly acceptable situation expected of her, finding satisfaction in cultivating a lush, riotous garden. She's spent so long forcing herself to remain bland and amiable that she hardly knows what her own opinions are. Mary, on the other hand, has grown into herself in the intervening years in the safety of Aunt Cecily's home (and away from Mrs. Bennet). Charlotte can hardly believe this bold and interesting Mary, with her "strange way of looking at the world," could possibly find her beautiful.

The gentle, slowly unfurling romance and lesbian awakening, told entirely through Charlotte's introspective, tentative POV, is utterly lovely. I love reading about safe spaces/havens in queer historical romance, and Aunt Cecily's home, including the queer side characters we meet there, is a wonderful setting for Charlotte to see that there are alternatives to the future she assumes for herself, one where she can fulfill her deepest desires instead of denying them.

Bonus: I really loved how Charlotte's love of gardening is woven through the story. Flowers, and their accompanying meanings, are the language she speaks best in, and, to that end, her declaration of love for Mary is one of my favorites I've read in a while. (And it's not lost on me that Mary's perfume is violet-scented.)

Narrator Clare Corbett was absolutely perfect for this story (and sounds surprisingly like Judy Dench when narrating Lady Catherine de Bourg's lines).

Rating: 👍🏻 (liked)

Thank you to Harlequin Audio & Carina Adores for the ALC! This title is out now!

I really loved this one. It engaged with the original in a great way while building characters that were all their own. Looking forward to more books from Lindz McLeod!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the advanced audio.

I am a lover of anything Pride and Prejudice, so I was excited to see this sapphic take on two of Austen's characters that got the short end of the stick in P&P. A few years into their marriage, Charlotte's husband dies, and she finds herself in the company of Mary Bennett for a time during her mourning period.

This was a sweet read focusing on Charlotte's journey of self-discovery as she leaves behind her less-than-thrilling marriage. I wish she'd had a better ending to her story in P&P, and I really enjoy how Charlotte explored her friendship with Mary and discovered new depths to her feelings. I also appreciated how the author addressed the challenges facing the queer community of that time and created safe havens for them to exist and have their own support systems and found family moments.

The audio was great and easy to listen to and follow along. Clare Corbett did a good job with distinguishing voices so that I knew who was speaking at any time.

I adore P&P and this book was such the perfect sapphic continuation. It was only single POV with Charlotte’ side, but it worked well. I felt the author did a wonderful job continuing beloved characters and expanding a world we all know and love so well.

4.5⭐️
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet was everything I needed in a sapphic nod to Jane Austen and more! From the brushed knees to the secret messages with flowers, this book had me blushing and begging for a happily ever after for our two main characters.

I did start recommending this book to friends about 45% into it and then the spice level increased quite a bit so maybe read the whole thing before you decide who to recommend it to 😂

Overall, I think historical romance lovers, Janeites, and people looking for the perfect sapphic romance for the summer are going to LOVE this book.

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

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

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This sounded really interesting, but didn't quite hold my attention. I liked it, just didn't love it.

If you love Pride & Prejudice and queer stories, this book is a must read! At first I was worried Charlotte and Mary would be a weird pairing, but they honestly work so well together! I enjoyed the whole book - it’s sweet and steamy!

Read if you love:

💐 Slow burn
💐 Self discovery
💐 Sapphic

Genre/type: Regency Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5

I listened to the audiobook of "The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet" by Lindz McLeod on NetGalley. This story continues the story of Charlotte, friend to Lizzie Bennet. Her husband has just died after a few years of marriage and Charlotte is not sure what to do next. Lizzie can't come to stay due to family obligations so she sends her sister, Mary. Charlotte begins to have feelings for Mary. Society's expectations have always governed Charlotte and she has a hard time dealing with these feelings. I enjoyed this book!

If there is one niche subgenre I will gobble up its a Pride and Prejudice retelling/sequel/extra story but make it queer! And that is exactly what The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet was. As a Mary myself (thought I was a Lizzie but alas) I love that this told her story in the way I always thought she'd go. She always had the makings of a rebel spinster but in this she does get her happy ending in a uniquely Mary way. I loved Charlotte in this. Although I am loathe to admit she was happy in her marriage with Mr. Collins it is evident that she didn't resent it, which is very true to her characterization. She made the most of her situation and her never truly being in love with him helped make her romance with Mary all the more lovely and kind of felt like fate.

Historical narration, specifically regency English, can be incredibly hit or miss for me and this was a hit! Clare Corbett did a wonderful job narrating, it felt purely Austen to have her narrate. I'm adding her to my list of trusted regency narrators!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy. All opinions are my own.

This was an eminently enjoyable sapphic awakening romance, set in the Pride & Prejudice world, between Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) and Mary Bennet. It was sweet, tender, and steamy!

I liked Charlotte’s awakening, and appreciated Mary being in the role of more experienced lover. There was exquisite yearning, and the main conflict was really Charlotte being unable to articulate what she was feeling.

I had a couple of nitpicks that made me lower my rating. One was that the mourning customs seemed to be thrown out the window, which didn’t feel right for the period, or for Charlotte who is a rule-follower. The other was that Mary “revealed” to Charlotte the whole scandal with Lydia and Wickham. But Mr Collins and Lady Catherine already knew about that, so there’s no way Charlotte didn’t. You know those 2 would never have shut up about it.

All that being said, I would recommend this for a lovely sapphic Regency (open door) romance!

The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet
Lindz McLeod
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cannot say “no” to a Pride and Prejudice book. This one had me with a Sapphic HEA for Mary Bennet. The fact it’s with a recently widowed Charlotte Lucas Collins is icing on the cake. I love this concept.

This was a fun regency romance in a world I love. If you enjoy queer takes on regency romance this book will definitely be for you.

The audiobook is also well done. Told through Charlotte’s perspective, Claire Corbett does a convincing job of delivering Charlotte’s naivity and insecurity. It is a fun listen.

As an avid Austenite, I do wish the author had infused some of Austen’s tone into the storytelling, and that Mary and Charlotte were more complex in their characterizations than they are ( Mary is a little too confident and Charlotte too insecure) but if you are looking for a fun breezy read, this will likely hit the spot.

Thanks to @harlequinbooks and Audio for the free eARC and ALC via @netgalley.

Hmm. As a lover of pride and prejudice since high school, I have to admit Ive never even thought twice about what half of the Bennet sisters end up doing, but this book gives us a new possibility for Mary, who connects with Charlotte after the untimely demise of her cousin- yes that cousin, Mr Collins.
I have to admit, I really liked the writing style. From someone who is a casual enjoyer of classics, and t felt to some degree like I was picking up a classic novel. Is it perfect? No, but it was lovely.
Admittedly, the story was not particularly my favorite. I loved the way there were hints as to what it would have been like to be queer in that time, choosing ‘an independent life’ and being with your ‘close friend’, but I couldn’t really get into the romance. And I was growing a bit irritated with hearing Charlotte think/say ‘I’m not a prude just because I married an of God’ but then being so aghast and seemingly scandalized….
What kept my attention to finish this story and what I’d like to talk about is the audiobook! The narrator was wonderful- providing different voices to our characters (and for Mary and Charlotte, the chosen voices seemed perfect for them), infusing emotion into our lovers’ encounters, and just pacing everything in a really smooth way.
Anyway, 3/5 ⭐️ for the story, but the audiobook gets a 4/5 ⭐️ thank you so much net galley for a copy of this audiobook- this is my honest review!

2.5 stars

I was really excited to read this sapphic sequel to Pride and Prejudice, which features a romance between a widowed Charlotte Lucas Collins and Mary Bennet. I think I would have enjoyed much more it if it were just a romance separated from the original text. My biggest issue with this book is that Mary's character has absolutely no relationship to the Mary Bennet who we meet in Pride and Prejudice and we don't get enough of her backstory from her selection to make her transformation believable. Charlotte also seems to think that Mary is fascinating and magnetic, which also doesn't align, even if she was misunderstood. That dissonance distracted me enough through the entire book that I wasn't really able to enjoy the rest of the story.

Thank you toHarlequin Audio for an advance listening copies for for an unbiased review.