I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down! The characters and plot felt very true to the original Pride and Prejudice, and I particularly enjoyed getting Charlotte Lucas's perspective and seeing what happened after her marriage to Mr. Collins. While some events were surprising, they and their outcomes seemed plausible to me.

I also really appreciated the author's writing style. Fortunately, she does not have what is to me the only downside of Jane Austen’s writing style, which are the nuances and layers of meaning of Austen’s time which can often be lost on modern readers unfamiliar with the social customs and language of that period. I found the descriptions to be well-balanced and not excessive, which allowed the narrative to maintain a brisk and engaging pace. The only part that felt a bit slow was when Colonel Fitzwilliam recounted his war experiences to Charlotte.

Overall, it was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend this book!

Introducing Mrs. Collins is a thoughtful and beautifully written reimagining of Charlotte Lucas’s story. Where Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice leaves Charlotte as the sensible woman who traded passion for stability, this novel breathes new life into her character and dares to ask: what if her story did not end there?

The pacing and prose felt true to Austen’s world while still adding fresh emotional depth. I especially appreciated how the author explored Charlotte’s choices with empathy. Her decision to marry Mr. Collins may not align with what readers want for her, but it is easy to understand her reasoning. What made the story even more moving was Charlotte’s willingness to reflect on her missteps, creating space for real growth and introspection.

Another strength of the book is how it humanizes Mr. Collins. He remains awkward and flawed, but the author offers us a fuller picture of him, making him more than just comic relief. At the heart of the story, though, is Charlotte’s unexpected connection with Colonel Fitzwilliam. Their bond is honest, vulnerable, and authentically drawn, a perfect example of the “right person at the wrong time” dilemma that adds weight to Charlotte’s journey.

Ultimately, Introducing Mrs. Collins is a tender tale of love, longing, and second chances. For anyone who has ever wondered if there was more to Charlotte Lucas than practicality, this novel delivers a heartfelt answer. It is never too late to claim your own happy ending.

This book was such a sweet surprise! I went in not totally sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying it. It has that kind of cozy, easy to fall into writing that makes you want to curl up and just keep reading. I felt so enchanted by it.

What I loved most were the characters. They felt real, with their little quirks and flaws, and I found myself invested in how things would turn out for them. It had just the right mix of heart, humor, and charm. It wasnt my favorite of all time , but it left me with a smile on my face, and that’s the kind of book I always consider a win.

Recommended for people who like: cozy historical settings, character driven stories, slow burn drama with heart, and books that leave you feeling warm when you close them

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Company for the ARC!

This was better than I expected! I have been deep in a contemporary/fantasy romance book hole this year and was thinking this wouldn't keep my attention but I was wrong.

I will start off by saying there needs to be a trigger warning for miscarriage. While I did see it coming a chapter or so before it happened, I do think it was handled very well. If you have experienced it recently, maybe just keep it in mind while reading.

Introducing Mrs. Collins was so funny and a well thought out as a retelling of Pride and Prejudice (mostly) from Charlotte's POV. The writing felt similar to a style of the times, while also feeling current.

I enjoyed seeing Rachel Parris' take on a character we had known to be quiet and really just taking the best she could get (Mr. Collins).

I will say that while I enjoyed Charlotte and Colonel Fitzwilliam getting closer, this book made me sympathetic towards Mr. Collins which I didn't think was possible.... it did make me sad that she did have an affair with another man, when Collins was just doing his best.

Charlotte's character is altered into someone she probably really wasn't meant to be, but I liked seeing this point of view and that there was more out there for her, even if Collins had to die.

I also wish there was more of the Colonel and Charlotte together in the end, but I guess the point is about Charlotte's growth all on her own.

3.5 Stars

Introducing Mrs Collins is a delightful look at Charlotte's character, from Pride & Prejudice, and her life after marrying Mr. Collins. If you are a fan of the original book, this story brings in the characters you already know and love...and some that are unloved! I always enjoy these regency type stories and seeing how women navigated their lives when so many freedoms were withheld from them.

Charlotte is a perfect FMC, who is no nonsense and ready to take control of her life, as much as within her bounds, until she finds an unexpected passion that makes her rethink her practical manner. I was completely in love with this story, up until Parris introduced the one trope that I don't enjoy in my books. This did affect my rating, and it's the only reason I brought it down to 3.5 stars, because I really did enjoy the writing and the characters.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
* Female Frienships
* Societal Expectations
* Marriage of Convenience
* Letter Correspondence
* Complicated Relationships
* Loss & Grief

𝐈𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲?
🥶 (No)

If you are a fan of regency romance, with characters who make difficult decisions, while navigating everyday life, then I think you would enjoy Introducing Mrs Collins.

What a great idea to have Charlotte Lucas Collins as the teller of her own story. I loved it. It showed the limits of women's rights and needs of the time, with the difficult choices she made. Hope to read more from this author.

A satisfying contribution, though Wickham need not have been quite so villainous nor was there any real need for Lady Catherine to be quite so wise.

This was a good book , it was a look into charlottes life and a rare look into another look into Pride and Prejudice.
It was good to see from another persons POV
Highly recommended from a pride and prejudice fan
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the arc

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of Rachel Parris' novel 'Introducing Mrs. Collins'.

I requested this novel to review with no expectations going in. I have read Jane Austin's 'Pride and Prejudice' a number of times and I love the 1995 BBC series. I was intrigued by the opportunity to continue the story of Charlotte Lucas, to learn more about her as an individual rather than simply the friend of Elizabeth Bennet or the long suffering wife of the cringe-worthy Mr Collins. I have to say I was more than pleasantly delighted by this novel. It is heartwarming, sincere, and you can tell the author has done her research with great care.

I don't want to risk accidentally revealing anything about the plot by going into any details, you wouldn't thank me for it. . Suffice to say this book is well worth investing in. You will fall in love with the family cast of characters from the start, you will laugh, you will cry, your heartstrings will be pulled, and by the end your heart will be full of joy.

A rare 5/5 from me.

I loved this Pride and Prejudice spinoff which tells the story of Elizabeth Bennett's best friend Charlotte Lucas and her life after she marries Mr. Collins and the choices she has to make to find happiness. Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for this arc.

I was pulled into this story almost immediately, and I loved every second of being able to genuinely feel the feelings this story shares. I loved how this story flowed effortlessly, with some lovely moments, and I look forward to reading whatever Rachel Parris writes next!

Pub Date: 04 Nove 2025


Many thanks for the opportunity to read 'Introducing Mrs. Collins!

At first I was absolutely delighted with this book and thought it was very well written. Unfortunately, once I got further along everything fell apart. I think that anyone who has read the original Pride and Prejudice would know that Charlotte would never put her reputation or the reputation of her family in any kind of danger, ever. This book totally made up a new character for Charlotte, one that I did not like. I understand wanting give these characters there only stories, but I felt like Charlotte deserved better than this.

This book was super frustrating for me as a big Jane Austen fan. The author made some big decisions regarding Charlotte Lucas’ character, having her behave in ways that are completely the opposite of who we know her to be in Pride and Prejudice. At one point, Charlotte tried to justify her affair with another man by saying God wants her to find love if he’s made her capable of love. It’s the classic modern approach to life decisions- If it makes me happy, it must be good. No, friends, that’s not what God calls us to.

There’s just absolutely no possible way I will get behind a book that promotes adultery and to see a beloved Pride and Prejudice character who exudes humility, duty, and respectability be portrayed in this twisted manner is truly the limit for me. I cannot finish this book.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

** spoiler alert ** Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I don't think I have ever read another Pride and Prejudice that has captured Mr. Collins quite so well. Every single word he spoke or the letters he wrote, I could see coming straight from the Jane Austen novel. I loved how she developed his character, showing flashbacks from his life and how hard he tried to be a good husband. How having Elizabeth and Darcy stay with them affected him, but he never said anything because it made his wife happy. Yet still showing all his faults.

On the other hand, she totally changed the character of Charlotte. I am not saying that she couldn't have found a passionate love. I just can't imagine her ever cheating and think Jane Austen might have a heart attack (not really but kinda). at the thought. She could have been demisexual instead of asexual. More than she immediately was bored and immediately didn't like anything about her life.

It wasn’t so much that the author changed Charlotte's character since I have read adaptations that have done that before. It's that you know the only way Charlotte can get a HEA is for her husband to die. Which, Mr. Collins deserved the HEA in the book. Not Charlotte. Cheaters don't deserve a happily ever after. Maybe just an Ordinary Ever After (got that term from another book I just read . . . Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow). I just shouldn't have to hope someone dies in a rom-com to get to the happy ending.

All that being said, I definitely will be looking into other books by this author in the future.

This is a well written look at Charlotte's story. That any Jane Austen fan will love.
I liked seeing her struggle and how she dealt with the feelings she was feeling.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. As a Jane Austin lover, I liked this take on Charlotte story. Her bravery, strength, and personality really came out in such a great way.

This book is an absolute knockout from start to finish. The story pulls you in instantly, weaving unforgettable characters with a plot that never stops surprising you. The writing is crisp and vivid, painting scenes that practically leap off the page. Every twist hits like a thunderclap, keeping you hooked until the very last word. It’s a breathtaking, can’t-miss read that will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.

Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving sequel to Pride and Prejudice that finally gives Charlotte Lucas the voice and story she deserves. Parris skillfully explores Charlotte’s quiet strength and resilience as she navigates a marriage of convenience with Mr. Collins, balancing duty with the yearning for something more. Set against the genteel backdrop of Kent, this novel weaves themes of love, loss, and second chances into a heartfelt narrative that challenges the judgments we place on sensible choices. Perfect for fans of Austen and anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beneath a reserved exterior, this book is a tender reminder that it’s never too late to claim your own happiness.

I received a free copy of, Introducing Mrs. Collins, by Rachel Parris, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Charlotte Lucas did not marry for love, I dont think she should of married at all, if she was going to cheat on her husband.

Introducing Mrs Collins

Stepping into the pages of "Introducing Mrs Collins" feels like a homecoming to the beloved world of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice—a landscape of genteel society, quiet longing, and grand estates like Lucas Lodge, Huntford, Rosings, and Longbourn. For lifelong admirers, this book offers that rare magic: reimmersion in a world we once dreamily traversed with hopes of discovering our own Mr. Darcy.

As someone often hesitant to explore adaptations or reimaginings of Austen—knowing the impossibly high bar she set—I must concede: this book surpasses expectations. The author has not simply paid homage to Austen’s timeless story but has masterfully woven the fabric of the original into a new, captivating narrative that shines a spotlight on Charlotte's experience. It's a worthy sequel that adds emotional depth and nuance, capturing the wit, subtlety, and sharp social observations that have long endeared Austen to millions.

There is a delicate balance in revisiting classic tales: honoring established facts while breathing new life into familiar characters. Here, that balance is achieved with elegance, care, and creativity. Readers will find themselves delighting in every page, rediscovering the settings, and journeying alongside Charlotte as she steps from supporting character into the luminous heart of the story.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Introducing Mrs Collins" to anyone who loves Jane Austen’s work. Whether you’re an Austen devotee or a casual reader, the sense of nostalgia, the flawless integration of the original story, and the compelling voice of Charlotte will enchant you from beginning to end.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, and I am thrilled to give it a glowing five stars.