Calling all fans of Jane Austen, England, and quaint small-town stories! This book was practically written for you. I’ve seen so many wonderful reviews for this book, and while it fell short for me as you’ll see here in a second, please don’t let that deter you from picking it up. I can definitely see the reason behind all the love this one has received.

So let’s get to my thoughts, shall we? First of all, I adored the Jane Austen book chat and love that was woven as one of the main elements throughout this story. It was just so fun! Oh how I would love to meet up with this group of quirky characters and chat with them! It all left me ready for a deep-dive into all things Austen.

Secondly, those characters that I mentioned above... I so enjoyed their uniqueness and realness, and their journey of finding friendship amidst and doing life with one another, flaws and troubles and all. They all had something different to offer and were so lovely to come alongside and get to know! Also, the tight-knit feel to their little village of Chawton was delightful and I loved the sense of place we got with how picturesque it was.

Sadly here’s where my overall enjoyment of this one slowed though. I felt the story took a long time to take off, being introduced to so many characters and their lives and trying to figure out how it all connected and the direction it was headed... to finally see it all come together way too late in the story in my opinion, and then for it to just kind of abruptly end. The pacing felt off and bugged me, and by nature being a slow-burn story, I needed more “oomph” here to keep me invested. Besides walking away appreciating the things mentioned above and themes like the power of books, friendship and supporting one another through life’s trials, and simply a whole lot of love for Jane Austen, I just didn’t get much out of it.

I guess I’ve realized since finishing this one that it was the writing and storytelling style here that just didn’t quite fit me as a reader. But it could be a perfect fit for you!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the complimentary copy.

I recently finished reading Emma by Jane Austen and it has become my favourite by this great author. I read Emma in preparation for reading this highly anticipated book by Natalie Jenner: The Jane Austen Society. The story takes place between 1932 and 1946 in the town of Chawton, Hampshire where Jane Austen spent ten years of her life and wrote her last three novels. A group of eclectic Austen’s book lovers unites to create a museum to honour Ms. Austen and save the great library from the Great House where Ms. Austen lived part of her life. The characters are all wonderful and lovable. I was fascinated by the lives of these relatable characters and how they all work together for a greater cause. Natalie Jenner’s writing is superb and provides a feel-good sentiment towards this extraordinary group of people. This is a must-read for all Austen lovers.

Jenner was born in England but was raised in Toronto. Her love for Jane Austen shines through this, her first novel. The story is set in Chawton England, where Austen once lived and wrote. Set in 1945 -1947 the plot involves a small cast of fictional Jane Austen fans who form a society to try and save the cottage where she worked and some of her books etc. The small group have all undergone some loss; a war widow, a widower, a man who lost his two brother to the war, a movie star losing her looks and her career, etc. This is a real treat for Austen fans, but a fun light story for anyone who likes historical fiction.

The Jane Austen Society is Natalie Jenner's debut novel which is coming out on May 26th here in the US. As a huge fan of Jane Austen, I tend to be interested in anything that has her name in the title or has anything to do with her characters.

This is a historical fiction novel set in Chawton, England, in the 1940s. Chawton is where Jane and her sister Cassandra finally settled after their brother Edward inherited a large estate of the Knights family (the family was a distant relation to the Austens and adopted Edward as they themselves were childless). We follow several different characters in the book: a country doctor, a schoolteacher, a scullery maid, a farmer, and even a Hollywood star. All of them share one love: Jane Austen's novels.

The author uses the omniscient voice so even though we follow different characters at different times and the perspective changes, the narrative is always in the third person. I personally prefer this style of writing. The story flows smoother and I don't get distracted by different "voices".

As one can discern from the title, the characters eventually band together to form the Jane Austen Society designed to preserve the place where Jane Austen spent the last 10 years of her life. Throughout the novel, each of the characters deals with their own personal struggles and tragedies, and somehow reading Austen helps them cope with loss and pain, and pulls them back to joy and life. Through this new project of establishing a society, all of them acquire an additional purpose and drive, and I loved watching the many transformations the characters go through.

I ended up really enjoying this book. In fact, I think it might become a favorite. Every year, I review 12-20 galleys of upcoming novels. This is one of those rare occasions, when I am planning to buy a finished copy for my library, and will definitely read it again. There something cozy and nostalgic about the setting in rural England. There are also multiple references to Austen's characters, which is always a plus for an Austen fan. 5 out of 5 stars. What a delightful read!

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

The Jane Austen Society follows eight completely different Austen-lovers who want to make a memorial for her in Chawton, where Austen spent much of her writing and final days. The eight characters are introduced to the reader quickly within the first few chapters which left me slightly confused until I wrote very brief notes on them. The characters quickly become intertwined in each other's lives and easy to follow after the first quarter or so of the book. Each character is working through some type of difficulty in their lives and consistently turn to Austen, and, later, each other, for comfort and insight. Over time, they are brought together by this mutual appreciation. I enjoyed listening in on their discussions of Austen with each other about favorite characters and little things they noticed during a recent reread. Like Austen novels, Jenner writes a happily-ever-after for all the good characters with several marriages, and on the flip side, the bad characters get what they deserve. Overall, this was a delightful read and pouring out of deep appreciation for Jane Austen. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me an ARC through NetGalley.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it, even to people who have never read Jane Austen. I liked the characters and enjoyed their growth throughout the novel. As I read the book I realized that it's been many years since I actually read Jane Austen, although I've seen many movies and mini-series. It made me actually want to read them again. I think that Austen-philes will get much more out of the book than I did!

Such a cute story, of a band of well-developed and lovable characters, reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I loved all of the backstory about Jane Austen's home town as well as a few fictional tidbits that made me feel like I knew so much more about her and her life.

I really liked this cozy read as a nice entree into summer reading!

A very enjoyable read, particularly for Jane Austen fans! I loved the discussions of Jane Austen’s work by the book’s characters and how these same characters “unwittingly” seemed to mirror some of Austen’s finest protagonists. The author’s love for Austen and knowledge of her work shines throughout the book.

This is a charming historical fiction of the founding of The Jane Austen Society. At this point, it is hard to imagine that such a society was ever in doubt. Filled with lots of references, quotations, and critical interpretations of her work, this will be a delight to any Austen fan. Definitely a comedy of manners it ties up all the loose ends with skill and loving acknowledgment. A fun read.

This debut was stellar. I loved it.

This charming, endearing story was such a delight. A cast of characters whose mutual appreciation of Jane Austen brings them together. The way their lives connect is revealed at a luxurious, leisurely pace. I don't mean that to sound slow or boring because it was perfect. I felt like I was in the village of Chawton on a casual stroll right alongside them.

Fabulous writing, unforgettable characters and an engaging story= happiness! It hit all the right marks for me. The tone and cadence of this book gave me the same feelings I had when I read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir and Dear Mrs. Bird.

You don't have to be an Austen aficionado to enjoy this book, but if you are, it will certainly be a charming addition to your reading experience.

Not only do I love historical fiction but I love Jane Austen so this book was perfect for me. And not only that, but I love stories about book clubs. It's always so sweet and entertaining watching a group of characters full of so many different personalities, all with their own trials and tribulations, come together and bond over books. I really enjoyed this and I think any Jane Austen fan would as well. Even a non-Jane Austen fan would enjoy!

A lovely debut for Austen fans! Set in the village of Chawton immediately following WWII, this is very much about a group of people who bond together for a common goal - which is not only to establish a center for Jane Austen-but also (even if they don't know it) to find love. Adeline taught at the village school until she was married; her husband was killed in the war and no, no spoilers, she is pregnant and being seen to by Dr, Gray, who lost his own wife to a tumble down the stairs. Frances Knight sits alone in the great house while Andrew Forrester knows what's coming in her father's will. Young Evie had to leave school at but she's cataloging the library. Adam is a lonely farmer. And then there's Mimi, an American actress who loves Jane Austen. The characters debate the merits of different Austen books and characters even as they circle one another. You will be a bit at sea if you haven't read the books (or at least seen the movies!) and some of it might have been better edited out but if you know your stuff, you'll appreciate how Jenner has woven her idol in. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A very good read for those who also enjoy tales of village life in the UK.

I would give 3.5 stars if possible. A charming tale that became quite predictable at a certain point. I still enjoyed the read, and would recommend to others looking for a quick, sweet read. A nice escape from the horror of the outside world.

I am a huge fan of Jane Austen, having read all of her novels several times. And there actually is a Jane Austen Society of North America that I am considering joining! This novel, The Jane Austen Society, by Natalie Jenner, is a fictionalized look at the origins of the Society that began in Chawton, England, one of the places where Jane Austen lived. It is so much fun because it reads like an Austen novel. There is the idyllic country village setting with a group of villagers who are into each other's business. There are also several potential romantic couples, and regrets of moments lost. This was a wonderful novel.

What I Liked:
Setting:

Life in England was harsh right after WWII. Even though the war had ended, there were still food shortages and the personal losses of loved ones. And this was on top of all the losses from the first world war. People were emotionally and financially shredded. I liked all the details that the author provided to show the accumulated effects. It showed how devastating these world events were to everyone.

Characters:

There are so many wonderful characters in this book. Doctor Grey is a man who seems to be a blend between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightly. He is both astute about people like Mr, Knightly (Emma), and at times oblivious like Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice).

I also loved Adeline, the young war widow. Her outgoing, optimistic view of the world is shattered by a number of tragedies. She reminded me most of Jane in Pride and Prejudice.

There is also a subplot about an American movie star who is a rabid Jane Austen fan. At first, this doesn't seem to fit with the other characters. But I found her to be a good reminder that people all over the world can relate to Austen's works.

Plot Points:

There are several plot points that parallel situations in various Jane Austen novels. From similarities to Mr. Darcy and Jane in Pride and Prejudice, to long ago engagements as in Persuasion, the mirroring of plot devices are fun to notice and are well executed. This is especially true in the subplot of the forgotten romance between the daughter of a local gentry and a solicitor, which will remind readers of Persuasion (my favorite of Austen's books). I was squealing in delight!

It's the mid-1940's, and the people living in the small village of Chawton, England are putting their lives back together after the ravages of the World War. For some of the villagers, what unites them is a shared appreciation of the works of Jane Austen, a form of local pride because Chawton is where Austen lived last in her life. Of course, not all is perfect, and while Austen's home is in desperate need of preservation and repair, it seems like for many in the village, life is as it is meant to be, and as people attempt to reach out to each other for love and shared purpose, much of it seems to fade and wither before it can form a spark. For this village, and for Austen, salvation might be found unexpectedly, for one voice shines brightly out of the murk, a young lady named Evie who believes that what really matters is finding love, empathy, and shared purpose in life.

I think it was really great how Natalie Jenner provides resonance for Austen's works across generations. I think that placing this story in the post-World War II time period helps to drive home the point that Austen's works are soul food, that they provide hope and solace even when times seem dark. Jane Austen's works have always resonated with me, so with The Jane Austen Society, I felt that I too wanted to be part of the villagers' effort to preserve and protect an important part of her legacy. We don't always get a good chance at making an impact or finding love, and this story tells us to reach for what we can however and whenever we are able. I think that matters, because as Austen would tell us, “Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.” So be sensible, and take part in The Jane Austen Society, preferably after tea time and before excellent boiled potatoes.

What do an American actress, a village doctor, the proper heiress to a great English estate, a former school teacher, a city lawyer, a servant girl, an American movie producer, and a caretaker have in common? All have suffered loss, many of them great loss. Set at the end of World War II, this historical fiction reminds the reader of the great sacrifice many were forced to endure. Their love for Jane Austen and her literary works brings them together with a common goal, and it's through their companionship that their pasts are reconciled and their futures are set.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. I loved the characters and found myself rooting for them. Jenner's writing style is beautiful, yet succinct without too much detail. Every sentence she writes advances the story, which I like. Set in England, Jane Austen's home, this book made me want to do two things: reread Pride and Prejudice and other Austen works, and plan a trip to England! I would recommend this book for any readers who love historical fiction, history enthusiasts, educators, librarians, or lovers of Jane Austen/female writers/writers from the nineteenth century.

Put the phone on mute.
Grab a cup of tea.
Get a blanket.
Find a quiet space.
Curl up and be transported to post WW II England with an engaging group of characters.
From different walks of life, they are brought together by a love for Jane Austen.
I especially loved their conversations and debates over the works of Jane Austen.
It makes me want to re-read all of Jane Austen’s books.
This is a cozy read. A great way to escape the reality of today.
I look forward to Natalie Jenner’s next book!

I received this book through Net Galley and this is my unbiased review.

Full disclosure here - bit of a Jane Austen fan so there was no doubt I was reading this one. Of course it is heavy with Jane Austen references in the writing so that is fun but about half way thru I was not so sure of the structure of the book. There were too many plot holes that were brushed over so that it became just a quick read with a predictable ending. It lacked the literary acuity of the namesake on the book. On the plus side, I did like the references to some books of Austen's I had not read (i.e. Mansfield Park) and had some good historical references to Austen's relationships with her sisters which kept my interest in the book.

While I did finish the work, and it would make a good beach read I am not sure that it would be for those die hard devotees of Jane Austen.

I don't even really love Jane Austen books, but I did love this one! The characters in this book turn to Jane Austen for some comfort after work. The community feel is really compelling, and the characters were very likeable. A PERFECT summer read!

was interested in this because of the beautiful cover and the fact that it’s about Jane Austen, as I’ve been reading whatever Austenesque material I can get my hands on lately. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this!

The characters are well-written and relatable, and I love all of the tie-ins with Miss Austen. I would highly recommend this to fans of Miss Austen and anyone who enjoys historical fiction. 5⭐️