A lovely tribute to Jane Austen. The book started a little slow but picked up pace within the first 50 pages. Once the pace picked up I enjoyed the fluid pace of each characters and the book. I'm looking forward to more books by this author.

Another disappointing summer read recommendation (sorry Modern Mrs. Darcy. It not every book with Austen in the title is worth reading). This fell flat with me - other than spurring me to revisit Austen’s novels myself. I recently read that it’s being touted for fans of Guernsey Literary (etc....) and I see why- it has that wholesome and unrealistic view of country life bit that novel featured the beautiful backdrop and interesting history island of Guernsey that made up for some of the more far fetched storylines and characters. This novel was a real stretch of the imagination - and not in a good way. The characters were not believable - more like ciphers : the war widow, the lonely farmer, the recluse, etc. and the addition of an Austen obsessed movie star was just too ridiculous. I enjoyed their discussions of Austen and discovering more about her only recent “fame” but little beyond that.

THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY • Natalie Jenner • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brief Synopsis: This book takes place after World War II, in the little town of Chawton, England, where the famous author Jane Austen once lived and wrote. In this quaint town, a group of people from different walks of life (though, all no stranger to hardship and grief) are brought together by their love of Jane Austen. Together, they create The Jane Austen Society - a charitable group that aims to create a museum centered around Austen, and thus preserve her legacy and the many items that can be tied to Austen and her family.

Pros: This is a light, charming story that acts as a love letter to Jane Austen and her works of fiction. The book itself contains a sweet crew of characters, all with big hearts and noble aims, trying to work through their own grief. Lovers of Austen will undoubtedly value the conversations that take place between the characters about Austen's novels. The nod to Austen's works throughout the plot of this story will also bring a smile to the reader's face.

Cons: This novel lacked the character development or plot intrigue needed to elevate this book for me. I liked the idea of the characters, but they never truly came to life for me. The plot was sweet, but lacking, especially because the characters fell flat. Truthfully, this book just made me want to pick up one of Austen's again instead!

Ultimately, this was a cute book that Austen lovers will appreciate. Outside of that though, there was nothing extraordinary about this book that would make me want to recommend it to others.

With so many fanfiction titles and stories retold from another point of view, I was almost weary to read this title, but The Jane Austen Society was a pleasant surprise.

Chawton, the final home of classic icon author, Jane Austen is the setting for this wonderful novel, and what a fabulous setting for a romance novel. Being transported to a time and place like the one created around the historical creation of the Jane Austen Society was a real treat, I found the story absolutely endearing and full of life and love.

A cast of characters much like those created by Austen herself, I found the details of those living in this small village gave me hope, even among their tragedies. While historical fiction isn’t my absolute favorite genre, I really did enjoy these characters individually and as a whole, and loved how the details of Austen’s novels were so wonderfully woven into the tale.

Thank you to Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my review, I was thrilled to read it as a part of the #SRC2020 #summerreadingcamp hosted by Booksparks.

This was a super enjoyable read! The characters were all so unique, and I found myself drawn into each of their stories. It was interesting hearing facts about Jane Austen and the world wars, and it added so much flavor to the story. It really had something for everyone, whether you're a romance fan, a history fan, or maybe simply a lover of all things Jane Austen. Plus the audiobook is narrated by Richard Armitage! What can be better than that?

A thoroughly enjoyable if slightly mispaced read, THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY is perfect for Janeites and women's/historical fiction readers. A very memorable debut, and I look forward to more from Jenner in the future.

Natalie Jenner bravely strolls a well-worn path in writing for and about Janeites, but she comes up roses with this charming tale. Set just after World War II, The Jane Austen Society imagines the beginnings of Austen’s stardom when a band of misfits, including a country doctor, a Hollywood star, and a burgeoning book cataloguer—who finds a long-lost Austen letter in the Knight family’s Godmersham Park Library—gets together to preserve the author's legacy in her hometown.

Jane Austen lovers will love this story focused on a cast of characters working to preserve Austen's legacy after World War II as they use the books and their mission to help them heal. This book brought me back to the first time I read Jane Austen and the new insights discussed in the books made me wish to go find my own copies of Emma and Pride and Prejudice again. The novel starts off a little bit slow, but it's worth it for the net that Natalie Jenner weaves as she brings the various characters together to focus on creating a museum to preserve site where Jane Austen wrote her last three novels. It was a very satisfying read and thoroughly clever; I think Austen herself would be very please by the homage!

If you are looking for a book that will do nothing but entertain you, The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner will fill the bill. Attention needs to be paid to the first chapter preceding the body of the book, which takes place soon after WWII, by some eleven years. The setting is Chawton, the final home of Jane Austen and focuses on a variety of people who are besotted with her work. The young movie star and the farmer in the first chapter set up the desire to revisit Jane’s last home.

Initially, the town seems equally divided between those who cherish its status and are willing to share the historical place and those who don’t want outsiders disturbing their traditional lives that have not varied that much since Jane was a resident. But the group calling themselves the Jane Austen Society mushrooms as the movie star and farmer are joined by the town doctor and lawyer who were childhood friends; Miss Frances, the last direct descendant who broke an engagement long ago with the lawyer; a young widow; and a diehard Jane Austen fan serving as an employee of the estate who does documentation of rare volumes in the library after everybody else is asleep. The twists and turns as the characters experience romance, intrigue, and disappointment seems fitting for a small village with a historical treasure in its midst. The book is a novel but relies on research and an evident love for Austen’s work to get the atmosphere right for her fans.

It is helpful when reading but not absolutely necessary to be a Jane Austen enthusiast or to have at least read Pride and Prejudice or seen the movie, but it is not essential to remember enough to take an exam in English lit class.

3.5 stars

I love a book about readers and people passionate about books. The Jane Austen Society is about a group of people who come together over their love of Jane Austen's books and their desire to preserve Austen's brother's cottage into a museum. I've only read one Jane Austen book and that was many years ago in my high school English class. I remember enjoying it so was hoping I'd enjoy this book. Unfortunately some of the Jane Austen references were lost on me, but being a book lover and having books I am passionate about, I was able to relate to these characters.

It's set in the English village of Chawton where the villagers have each had their share of loss. The setting and variety of characters made this a joy to read. I loved seeing them come together for their shared love of Jane Austen. Some parts felt slow and I found myself wanting to skip forward, but overall felt heartfelt and left me wanting to pick up a Jane Austen book in the hopes of finding comfort in it the way these characters did.

Jenner’s novel pays homage to Austen in a way that many other variations don’t. She understands the Austen characters and their motivations, but in creating her characters and their motivations they are not talking to us as Austen’s characters but fans of Austen’s words, her thoughts, her dreams. Jenner’s characters want to talk about Austen in a way that helps them deal with their own losses and pains, but they also want to preserve Austen’s great novels for generations to come and to do so by preserving her home in Chawton, even if it is against the wishes of the owner, Mr. Knight.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner, narrated by Richard Armitage, is a book not to be missed by Janeites. I really loved Armitage’s narration — he was so soothing to listen to and he carried the character-driven novel really well. Do not miss out on this gem.

Just after the close of WWII in the small English village of Chawton, a group of villagers along with two outsiders ban together to try and buy the cottage that was Jane Austen's last residence, and turn it into a museum. What this unlikely, disparate group have in common, is a love of Austen, her books and a wish to share it with all fans of Austen. This is a delightful look at English village life with a endearing group of characters. This book will appeal to a wide range of readers, whether or not they are Austen fans themselves.

I really wanted to dig into this book when I received it and connect with the characters since I love Jane Austen so much. However I struggled. I maybe chalk it up to the time we are in right now or how long it took to have the characters be relatable. Because of this I could not finish the book. I am hoping to give it another chance in the future when things seem to slow down. I don't think this book is bad or anything, it was just not for me at this time.

3.5
An enjoyable novel that offered a great escape. Character heavy at the beginning almost had me giving up. Glad I stuck with it though. I always enjoy when a mismatched group group of people find themselves together for the common goal. In this case, they all want to carry on the Austen legacy. I have liked many of Jane Austen's novels, but because I'm not one of the "uber-super" fans, I didn't believe I'd get as much enjoyment as I actually did. With that being said, I'd consider this book a good read for all. Links to come.

I was so excited to read this book because, well, Jane Austen, and I'd heard many great reviews about it. Sadly, I was pretty disappointed.

So many of the components were there in this book and there were delightful characters. The problem (in my opinion) was there were too many characters and we never actually got to completely meet them. We got bits and pieces, but it made for weird jumps. All of a sudden two characters kind of have a thing for each other and the reader is left trying to figure out where it came from and if they should care. Honestly, all the romantic relationships in the book didn't feel like they built. If everyone had just been friends and stayed that way, it may have been a better book.

The Jane Austen bits and how the characters discussed and quotes her were definitely the high point of the book. Everything else (including two plot twists) was just not handled as well as I would have liked.

Are you tired of being bombarded with bad news? Natalie Jenner’s debut novel The Jane Austin Society offers you an escape to a gentler time when the news of the day comes to you via radio or neighborhood gossip. Set in an English village in the last days of World War II and soon after, the story may initially remind you of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society but the characters are not quite so eccentric. Although a few of the secondary characters are broadly drawn, the main players are all motivated by decency and a love for Jane Austin. Keep in mind that Austin’s reputation had not yet reached the heights it has today and this small group for a variety of reasons are all determined to preserve and protect her legacy. Most of the characters have grown up together in the village of Chawton, the final home of Jane Austin one hundred fifty years earlier.. Their stories are filled with both love and regret. Throw in a glamorous American actress with a deep love for the British writer, and you have a story with just enough drama to keep you wondering how past mistakes will be corrected and whether love will triumph over money. Let me assure you, best of all, you will have a story with an ending that Jane Austin herself would have been proud to write.

This was a great book, but unfortunately it wasn’t really for me. I felt like the book kept dragging along, and I wasn’t able to get into it. I think part of the problem was my lack of knowledge and experience with Jane Austen books.

I think there was great character development in this book. The writing was well done. There are a ton of raving reviews for this book, so I would check It out if you’re a Jane Austen fan!

I don’t even know where to begin. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to transport myself into a book as much as I wanted to be in the world of The Jane Austen Society. A little village in England with a group of people who love Jane Austen as much as I do? Yes, please. But that wasn’t the only thing that made it so easy escape into this book. It was the characters that really made this book so wonderful.

There are seven characters who are the main focus of the book: Francis, Dr. Grey, Adeline, Andrew, Evie, Adam, and Mimi.

Francis lives in the Great House, the home where Jane Austen lived for a few years during her life. At the beginning of the story, Francis hasn’t left the house in a long time and she is weighed down by her sickly father and the way her life has turned out.

Dr. Grey is the local doctor in the village. Life hasn’t been the same for him since his wife, Jennie, died, but through reading Jane Austen and spending time with a certain teacher in the village, he’s been able to at least get by.

Adeline starts off the book as a energetic teacher willing to push the boundaries of the villagers to ensure her students get a unique education. But tragedy soon hits her twice and takes everything that made life worth living for her. It’s only Jane Austen and the society (and the people in it) that turn her world around.

Andrew is a solicitor who has known Dr. Grey and Francis since childhood and used to be in a relationship with Francis. Now, he’s her father’s lawyer, but still pining for what was taken away from him so long ago. Maybe the society can give him a second chance at love?

Evie is probably by favorite character. She’s unable to finish school with her favorite teacher Miss Adeline Lewis, but when she goes to work as a maid in the Great House for Miss Francis, she makes the most of it. She catalogs the whole library because she wants to! I freaking love her!

Adam is where the story begins. His life has been a series of tragedies. His father and his two brothers are dead and he now lives with his mother who is not the greatest person to be around most of the time. But when he meets a tourist looking for Jane Austen’s house, something sparks in him that leads him to a life he could’ve never expected.

Mimi is a big Hollywood actress who just so happens to be obsessed with Jane Austen. When her fiance decides to buy her a house Jane Austen used to live in, she comes to a small village and meets a group of people that will change her glamorous life forever.

Whether it’s fate, their love for Jane Austen, or something else, all these people come together to start The Jane Austen Society. Their mission is to create a place where they can open a museum dedicated to the famous author and to further the study of her life and books.

Maybe I just haven’t read enough (lol my friends would beg to differ), but I haven’t seen an adult book with a found family in it like this one. And that made this so goddamn refreshing. Making friends as adults (when you’re not in school) is not easy and to see these people come together due to their love of Jane Austen and because they clearly see the same level of trauma in each other’s eyes…it makes me weepy just thinking about it.

That line from Pride and Prejudice: “I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun,” rings very true to how I ended up feeling about this story and most of the characters in it (except for Jack Leonard. He can eat shit). I was listening to the audiobook and before I knew it, I was freaking crying at the end because it was over and I couldn’t spend more time with them.

Ok, before this turns into me writing poetry about the characters (I would!), let’s talk about the audiobook since that’s how I experienced the story. When I signed up for this tour, I mentioned that I would kill for the audiobook because the voice of Richard Armitage is a gift from the gods. I did not expect to actually get a copy of it! The day I received the email…there might have been some flailing.

But here we are, and let me tell y’all…YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK! Even if you read the book too, you need to buy or borrow the audiobook. It does not disappoint. He does the voices of all the characters and I think it allowed me to immerse myself into this world even more (listen to the excerpt earlier in this post!).

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, past death of family members, sexual assault (on the page)

In terms of the overall story, the characters could not have been better developed and the way the storylines were all weaved together was masterfully done. Some of the storylines also mimicked Austen’s novels which I loved more than life.

I’m giving The Jane Austen Society 4.5 out of 5 stars.

You can get The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner now!

What can I say? I loved this book as a Jane Austen fan. But the good news is that you can 100% enjoy it if you're not familiar with Austen's work. But you will enjoy it so much more if you are. The references were never laid on too thick, the writing is splendid, and it really does remind me a lot of why I liked The Chilbury Ladies' Choir!

Thank you #netgalley #Austenprose #StMartinsPress for a complimentary e ARC of #thejaneaustinsociety for review. All opinions are completely my own.

A love of writing and timeless stories draws people together….

Jane Austen’s final home was located in Chawton, England. In this imagined story that takes place shortly after WW11, a number of devoted Austen fans band together to preserve the home and her legacy. A local doctor, a young widow, a young farmer, a descendant of Austen’s, a young maid, and a movie star are among the group, and the story is told through their unique perspectives. Although they are very different from each other, they each share a deep connection with and a great love for the works of Austen.

Fans of Jane Austen will appreciate this imagined story of the first Jane Austen Society and that it is written in the style of an Austen novel. The Jane Austen Society is character-driven (although there’s a suspenseful plot element), charming, relationship-centered, and filled with likable characters (the maid is my favorite!). Although there are many references to Austen’s work throughout the story, I don’t think you need to have read Jane Austen to follow or appreciate the story. If you have read Austen, reading the story will be a richer experience for you. Several reviewers have compared this story to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society because of the unique group of people in a small community who come together in post-WW11 England to form a book club. In both stories, the book club enriches their lives and strong relationships are formed.

The Jane Austen Society includes a variety of characters, and it takes a while to get to know all of them. This can make the first part of the story move slowly. These are people you would love to have in book club. They are devoted to their favorite author and her work. I liked how many of the characters found true comfort in reading and rereading their favorite Austen work and how they applied her writing to their own lives. Reading Austen offers this group of readers encouragement for the dreariness and hardships of their post-war lives and personal struggles.

A few thoughtful themes include saving (themselves, relationships, a legacy), friendship, community, romance, determination, resourcefulness, second chances, and grief.

Sometimes in historical fiction, actions, thoughts, and behaviors are modernized and a present-day agenda infiltrates the story. This was somewhat noticeable in this story, and my attention to it falls under personal preferences. Even though imagined, I prefer that the story stays as authentic to the times as possible.

Overall, I think historical fiction enthusiasts and Jane Austen fans will enjoy this charming and heartfelt story. I think it would make a wonderful movie, too! Book clubs that have read some Austen might particularly enjoy this imagined beginning of the Jane Austen Society.

***May contain spoilers.***
Trigger Warnings and Content Considerations: Even though this is a mostly gentle read, it doesn’t shy away from life’s difficulties: the loss of a baby (difficult birth), mention of suicide, death of a loved one, drug use, and sexual assault.