From post-Civil War America, a group of brothers and sisters from America who are Austen fans cross the Atlantic to visit Sir Francis Austen, the last surviving sibling of Austen, searching for information about her life and writing. They discover more than knowledge; they encounter life and love. This is a typical historical fiction story by Natalie Jenner, and I really enjoyed it.

As a fan of the author's previous books, I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. I enjoyed the main story of two sisters who were "superfans" of the late Jane Austen, to the extent of corresponding with Austen's elderly brother and, ultimately, traveling to England to visit him. I also was fascinated by the legal issues of the time related to marriage and property and the different policies in the US and England. I think the scenes with the Massachusetts judges discussing Austen's books were unlikely and unnecessary, distracting from the main story. I think the author did a wonderful job bringing the time period to life, especially highlighting the restrictive lives of women and efforts to improve conditions. It was also interesting to see the impact of the long delays in getting news from overseas, especially compared to current times. There is a big cast of characters, including Louisa May Alcott and often referencing Charles Dickens. Literature and theatre are common shared interests of the ensemble. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. I look forward to reading more from Jenner.

Jane Austen fandom has reached new levels in 1865 America. In Boston, supreme court judges read and discuss her works, regular readers share her books and analyze her characters. Jane can not have many followers as ardent as Harriet and Charlotte Stevenson, daughters of one of those Boston justices, who decide to write to Jane Austen's sole living sibling expressing their admiration for his sister. The 92-year-old admiral Sir Francis Austen is intrigued by the letter and a correspondence begins. In appreciation for his sister's matchmaking skill, he also enters into correspondence with two bookselling brothers from Philadelphia. He invites them both to visit, hinting at a sailing on a certain date in hopes that they will meet on the ship.

Of course this doesn't quite work, but what does work is deliciously charming and fun. Both sets of siblings are drawn into the circle of Louisa May Alcott, who decides to stage an adaption of "A Tale of Two Cities" that brings passengers together in entertainment and laughter. Giddy with new friendships, the sibling sets bring along others along to meet with Sir Francis, who is equally excited to meet these young Americans. He shares stories about his beloved sister that he has long wanted to tell.

"Austen at Sea" sweeps you happily along in its wake, mostly historically accurate and nimbly written. Recommended for anyone wanting an appealing read with sprightly characters and a tragic event in the center. Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy of this delight in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Natalie Jenner’s previous books so I was excited to get an ARC of her latest novel, “Austen at Sea.” Although her earlier books dealt with Jane Austen as a theme, the reader didn’t have to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy them. Those books focused on friendships formed based on a shared love of Jane Austen, and while Jane Austen was a common theme, the relationships among the characters took center stage. However, unlike her previous novels, this newest one seemed to require a knowledge and enthusiasm for Jane Austen not present in the author’s previous works.

“Austen at Sea,” which begins in 1865, shortly after the end of the American Civil
War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, focuses primarily on two sets of siblings: sisters Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Judge in Boston and brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, booksellers from Philadelphia. Both sets of siblings are devout fans of Jane Austen and separately write to Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother asking for information about his late sister. The Stevensons and Nelsons sail to Portsmouth to meet Sir Francis, who takes them to Chawton, the estate where Jane Austen wrote her books. Just before they leave Portsmouth, Sir Francis falls ill and has his servant give Henrietta a bequest relating to his late sister, which subsequently embroils Henrietta in extensive legal battles on both sides of the Atlantic.

Interspersed with accounts of the two sets of siblings and their assorted romantic interests are book club discussions among the Massachusetts Supreme Court justices, who convene during their summer break to discuss Jane Austen novels at length and in great depth, forming a very detailed literary criticism of her books. Unless the reader is a devout fan of Jane Austen, these interludes became somewhat tedious. In addition, there are detailed accounts of the court deliberations and rulings involving Henrietta, which also bog down the narrative.

Based on all of the above, I found it somewhat difficult to rate this book. On the plus side, the author has a beautiful prose style which brings her characters and the time period to vivid life. She has clearly done extensive research, throwing a light on the difficulties women faced particularly with regards to the struggle for the right to vote and a married woman’s right to own property.

On the negative side, the novel felt very long, especially with the extensive literary criticism of Jane Austen’s novels and the description of legal proceedings. Fans of Jane Austen will probably enjoy the literary criticism, and as a result have a more favorable impression of the book as a whole. In the end, I concluded that Natalie Jenner’s writing style, strong characters and historical detail outweighed any negatives I felt towards the book. I will certainly continue to follow this author’s future book releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner is a brilliant, perfect read and a great choice for a book club book. There's romance, intrigue on the high seas and a delightful story featuring historical figures and for Jane Austen lovers, you won't be disappointed.
You will meet Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson who get on board a transatlantic steamship heading from Massachusetts to England and what they discover and encounter is beautifully written.
I loved this book so much!!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having read the first Austen book by this author, I knew that I had to read this book. I was so excited to get preapproved. I loved the siblings and this historical fiction book is a must read for any Austen lover. Highly recommend!

Henrietta and Charlotte Stevensen manage to get on board the S. S. China, on a transatlantic steamship heading to Portsmouth. Their father who was a Massachusetts supreme court judge, has passed away. They are wanting freedom but as young unmarried women who have led a sheltered life, this can be challenging.
The steamship is full of interesting people. Louisa May Alcott is one of those passengers. There are two male book dealers and a senator’s daughter.
A beautifully written novel which will tug at your heart. The themes, setting, people and story make this a one a wonderful reading time to savor.

This was everything that I was looking for from a historical fiction novel. I enjoyed the sibling dynamic and how it worked in this universe. The plot worked overall and was engaged with the overall feel of the. The characters had that charm that I wanted and was invested in what was going on. Natalie Jenner wrote this well and am excited for more.

I had read “The Jane Austen Society “ by this same author and absolutely loved it. When I saw “Austen at Sea” here on Net Galley I just knew that I had to read it I loved it even more! Historic Fiction is my favorite genre and has been my entire life. Pick this book up. It’s pure joy.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and fall in love with this book.

I was pleased to receive an advance reader's copy of "Austen at Sea" by Natalie Jenner. It is a long and thorough book that is very much in the contemporary style of the period, with excellent historical references and a well developed world and characters, both fictional ones and those borrowed from history. I enjoyed the story of the sisters' lives and journeys, the transatlantic experience, the courtroom drama. The plot point of women's rights in marriage, child custody, and property ownership was particularly interesting. For fans of 19th century literature, in particular Austen's style of dialogue and imagery. Highly recommend both book and author.

I just finished a great historical fiction novel. Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner was one of the best I’ve read this year.

Review coming soon!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Opinions are mine.