Set in the 1865 Boston and Hampshire, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson, daughters of Massachusetts supreme court judge, are all avid readers of Jane Austen. The daughters, who crave freedom, begin a correspondence with the last surviving sibling of Jane Austen, Francis, and persist with meeting him.

At the same time, brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson, who are Philadelphia rare book dealers, write to Francis as well.

This whole situation gives Francis an idea for matchmaking.

However, a lot happens on the S.S. China which takes all characters across the ocean. What happens on the ship creates some dilemma and some legal complications.

The premise of the story is interesting as it recreates stories of Jane Austen with dilemmas, matchmaking, and happy marriages. However, the pace of the story is slow.

I really enjoyed this story of Charlotte and Henrietta and their adventure to meet a living relative of Jane Austen. Going against their father’s wishes, the two get on a ship head across the ocean. After having been corresponding with Jane’s brother, he has invited them for a visit. The two women can hardly wait to meet him and see items of Jane’s as well as her inspiration and livelihood. Although the two get themselves wrapped up in a few unexpected additional adventures on this journey. Unbeknownst to them, this brother had a plan of his own as well. I really enjoyed this story, there was a lot of twists and characters but it kept the story lively and I enjoyed how they all played their part in this novel. Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press and Austen Prose tours for the complementary novel and tour invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

The year is 1865, in Boston, a pair of sister named, Henrietta and Charlotte Stevenson and have the love of Jane Austen's books. As does their father, a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice. They decide to travel over the seas to the country of England where Jan Austen is born. Prior to that they had started communicating with Jane's brother, Sir Francis Austen. Sir Francis Austen has invited them to come visit him. While on the ship they meet two Civil War Veterans from Philadelphia and seem to have the same plan in mind. They meet two famous people as they journey over the sea.

I love historical fictions and the title intrigued me as I love Jane Austen's books. There is so much that happens in this book and it is so hard to put this book down, you just want to keep reading and reading. Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a preview of Natalie Jenner's creative writing and plan to read more of her books.

This is my 3rd Natalie Jenner book, and this might be my favorite! I love how she weaves her love for literature (namely Jane Austen, but also Dickens and Alcott) with the laws of the time. I think many of us have a general awareness of the rights that women didn't have in the 1800s, but I know this caused me to more deeply consider the implications of those laws.

I love Jane Austen, but I don't have quite as rich of an understanding of her works as some Jane-ites. I still found this incredibly accessible. A pitfall for me was being able to keep the characters straight (even with a character list, this is a common struggle for me). I couldn't get through this quickly, but I still think it was worth the read.

Lastly, I loved learning the real life inspiration she drew from to create the characters! I think that was an interesting facet of history that I would have never know, and I love that she gave those real life people a wider audience!

Austen at Sea had so many elements that had potential for me to absolutely love this book (Women's rights, Civil War, Austen and other authors, Historical Romance, etc.) but the story just fell absolutely flat for me. I kept pushing and trying - convinced something was going to happen to cause me to care about at least one of the characters. Most of the story was completely convoluted and difficult to connect to. Austen novels themselves can be slow moving of course but there is whit, humor and character development to pull you along. This book did no such thing.

NetGalley, I appreciate the opportunity to read Austen at Sea in exchange for my honest review.

An enthusiastic five stars for this marvelously fulfilling piece of historical fiction. The story manages to be both intellectually rich and emotionally pleasing. My perfect blend! In 1865, two daughters of the long-widowed Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice pen a daring request to the only surviving brother of their favorite author — Jane Austen. Meanwhile, two Philadelphia book collectors have similarly engaged with Admiral Austen about Austen memorabilia and editions. On the side, the Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Court have elected to read and discuss the entire Austen oeuvre over the very summer break that sees the four correspondents heading off to England. Their discussions are completely engrossing, putting into dialog multiple well crafted opinions and surprising me with their depth. The story itself takes the reader from Boston, across to the sea to Hampshire, and concludes with a courtroom drama spectacular spanning both countries.

On the surface, this could pleasurably be read as an engaging comedy of manners a la Austen herself, with the delightful development of surprising relationships etc. But under the tip of the romantic iceberg lies the depth, thoroughness, and insight of the literary, political, legal, and economic contexts of the time period. Equality, justice, freedom — these are topics on everyone’s tongues during the post-Civil War recovery period, the still relative newness of the United States, and the current battles in both locations for various forms of women’s rights (including, but not limited to, women’s suffrage). These issues are brought out with a number of different techniques. Those discussing Austen’s works have literary discussions about her characters, their roles, purposes, desires, and life lessons. Women’s rights are addressed (and argued) through a fascinating panoply of laws, Acts, and jurisdictions — exemplified by the situations and experiences of the various characters. It’s obvious to us today (I hope!) that women should have rights equal to those of men, but to hear the completely sensical arguments and rebuttals on both sides of the issue during that time period by people who were not inherently “evil,” was deeply interesting.

I both read and listened to this book. I actually preferred the audio in this case. It slowed me down enough to actually listen to different viewpoints and consider them carefully — I usually read too fast and often miss important details. Rupert Graves is the reader — a wonderful actor with a beautiful reading voice. I learned a lot about Austen’s life and her works (despite the fact that I’ve read each multiple times) and enjoyed a wide array of references from that time period — including Louisa May Alcott who appeared in a delightful cameo role. The cast of characters at the start of the book is quite helpful.

Highly recommended.

If you are a fan of Jane Austen, you should seek out Natalie Jenner's books. I’ve read three others that feature the author.

Set in the mid-1860s, the main characters are sisters from Boston. Their father is part of the Massachusetts Supreme Court. The sisters start corresponding with Jane Austen's last surviving sibling, Sir Francis Austen, who eventually invites the sisters to visit him in England.

There are alternating chapters with a book club of the Justices where they often discuss Jane Austen's books. Fascinating!

The sea voyage is fascinating as a host of characters come together, even acting out Charles Dickens’s “Tale of Two Cities.” On board, we also meet two bookstore owners, the Nelson brothers. And Louise May Alcott!

The book contains some romances and an interesting court case. It wasn't easy to read about how women were treated during these times as the property of their husbands. No thanks!

If you aren’t a fan of Jane Austen, this one might not be your cup of tea. I found it a bit slow in the middle, but overall, I enjoyed it!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was not just a fluffy romance (not that I don’t also enjoy those), but had some engaging and thought-provoking historical content. It was largely centered around first-wave feminism and the injustices experienced by women during this time period, with an Austen-related twist.

A few reasons why I would rate it closer to 3.5 stars:
- The abundance of characters and sometimes jumpy nature of the narrative made it difficult to connect with any particular character.
- Some portions read more like a (fairly interesting) case study than a story.
- With real, historical people mixed in, it was sometimes difficult to know which details were true and which were fabricated for the story. I found myself doing a lot of Googling, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The author’s note stated that she wrote this while undergoing cancer treatments. It’s easy to see that she combined many topics that are both important and comforting to her. Wishing her all the best through her recovery.

Thank you NetGalley for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I really loved all the Austen talk in this book--from the chief justice book circle discussions to the ponderings from the POV of her last surviving brother. I could read anything about her for the rest of my life and never get tired of it. I was also obsessed with having Louisa May Alcott as a character in this book, because I also love reading anything about her, and I really enjoyed any scene with her in it. The romances among the other characters got a bit muddled for me and I confused a lot of the men characters and the Nelson brothers in particular didn't feel very well developed, or even necessary. I disagreed with some of the romantic decisions at the end, not so much that I was mad but just so that I didn't feel a lot about it at all. Also the protracted court trial made for a pretty slow ending. All these things aside, I overall really enjoyed especially the historical and literary aspects of this book, including all the feminist and abolitionist themes from the time, and I would definitely recommend it to people also interested in these topics.

Oh man. I am so sad to give this such a low rating. I had high hopes but it just did not deliver. Too many characters, a confusing and convoluted plot… I could go on but I won’t. Disappointed. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

The other day I was discussing favorite reads with a friend and fellow reader, and I mentioned having received this book to review, and she said, "I've never really been into Jane Austen." I guess I suddenly realized that I have never really enjoyed her books either, and I have only ever read Pride and Prejudice. I am a fan of the films made of her movies and (I suddenly realized) I am a BIG fan of Jane Austen fans and the Jane Austen meta-verse. I love to read about people in the modern day who form bookclubs, keep diaries and generally go fan girl over Jane Austen. Such a great devoted cult. (If that is Jane Austen heresy, please accept this reader's apology.)

As such a fan I was first exposed to Natalie Jenner in her debut novel The Jane Austen Society. (About a rag tag group of post WWII Austen fans who fight to preserve her legacy. Five stars.). Jenner's other two novels are linked by character and historical time to this novel, and I also enjoyed them for their historical themes and the great feminist awakening that comes through in each.

So I was excited that Jenner's next work would be a further exploration of the cult of Jane Austen, plunging me once again into her fan world. This time the reader travels to Civil War Era United States and meets a pair of sisters who befriend Austen's aged brother via letters across the sea. They race to see him before he dies in order to learn more of Jane Austen's secrets, and as they sail to England they meet a pair of brothers who are also in pursuit of the aging General.

Along the way we also meet Louisa May Alcott and a host of other 19th century Boston Brahmins and literati and the sisters have a grand adventure which culminates in a rather funny set of international legal battles and escapades and of course, in Jane Austen style, everyone gets rightfully paired off and lives happily ever after. Stick around for the epilogue for a delightful tie to the debut novel I mentioned above.

The true excitement of the book does not come about until about two thirds of the way through the novel, so a reader must be content to get mingled into the Jane Austen world and meet the characters and watch them fawn over Austen and her life and meet the relevant players before getting to the true heart and story of the novel.

But if you love historical fiction and you are an Austen fan boy or girl--you will love the homage to Miss Austen, the discussions of her work, and the historical developments of the rights of women in the USA and Britain. I hated to tell sweet Henrietta and Charlotte and Louisa that suffrage was still a long way off.

This is a clever and compelling book. You need a good grasp of Jane Austen’s novels, life, an appreciation for Louisa May Alcott and Dickens (I think I’ve got all those) and it spoils A Tale of Two Cities (which I haven’t read so I skimmed some scenes).

The premise is lovely - in 1865, right at the end of the American Civil War, Frank Austen, Jane’s brother, is now a 90-year-old widower living a quiet life after a successful career at sea. He entertains a regular correspondence with two American collectors of rare books and two Janeites, Charlotte and Henrietta, daughters of a supreme court Justice. On a whim, he decides to invite all four to England to show them some of his family’s secrets and do some matchmaking.

When I saw that Frank was dead set on channeling his inner Emma, I cheered. I thought oh this is going to be fun. It’s not as light as I would have wanted (this is why I don’t read historical fiction) but I was invested in those characters and in the fascinating insight into Jane Austen’s life and writing (all but Northanger Abbey which everyone seems to hate even though it’s one of my favourites). This touches on women’s rights, female suffrage, married women’s property and a lot besides.

I enjoyed a lot of it, my problem is that I think Henrietta and Charlotte deserved a lot better than what they got (probably why I prefer straight up historical romance) and there are many times when the characters didn’t feel real and were just there to express ideas about grand affairs. My interest is in the domestic, and ultimately this was interesting but I didn’t love the personal relationships so not a favourite.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I always enjoy Natalie Jenner’s historical research! Thank you @stmartinspress for my early reading and listening copy of AUSTEN AT SEA, out May 6, 2025.

I loved the idea that the two Stevenson sisters “escape” American society to connect with Jane Austen’s last surviving brother, who is now in his 90s. Of course they do this after they’ve reached the pinnacle of American society at the time…and there’s nothing left for them to “do” according to the men.

So on the ship they encounter several men along the way, make some questionable decisions that have repercussions and ripple effects for the future of American women and society, and are even in the midst of Louisa May Alcott!

I love how Jenner sprinkles these amazing women writers into the midst of the storyline in a time when women were not given the same equal frankness that many men were.

I liked that many of the judges within the story also valued the women and their thoughts, despite what the law and society felt for the time. This could be a result of their father’s influence, but regardless, it was men in high power valuing these women.

Set between Boston and British ports of call, this is another great Jenner novel that you will enjoy!

This was a delightful story, full of determined strong-willed young women, Jane Austen tidbits and a solid love story or two! Loved the cross Atlantic settings and reading about women struggling to find their place in the 1800s.

3.5/5 ⭐️

Austen by the Sea is a beautifully written novel that brings the past to life with elegance and charm. The author’s prose is rich and immersive, capturing the refined world of the 19th century while making the characters’ journeys feel deeply personal. The intertwining stories of the Stevenson sisters and the Nelson brothers, drawn together by their love for Jane Austen, create a compelling and atmospheric narrative.

While the book is captivating, it does feel a bit longer than necessary, with some sections lingering more than needed. However, the exquisite writing and well-developed characters make it a rewarding read, especially for fans of historical fiction and classic literature.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC set to be published on May 6, 2025

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner
Narrated by Rupert Graves

This is the fourth book I've read/heard by Natalie Jenner and all four of them have had a connection to Jane Austen. The books also will allow us to meet or hear about famous people of all sorts. With each book I have looked up people and places that I want to know more about. That's one of the things I love about historical fiction, it makes me want to know more.

It's 1865 and Jane Austen's last surviving sibling, Sir Francis Austen, is near the end of his life. He still misses his two late wives, his siblings, and his children and grandchildren who have gone before him. He's had a long successful and adventure filled life and has some things he wants to pass on those who will protect what he has been protecting for so many years. It's through his letter writing friendships with two sisters and two brothers that Francis sees a chance for some matchmaking and passing on that which is important to him and to his late sister, Jane.

Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson are in their 20s and they've had blessed lives for women of their times. They've also had to deal with all the many restrictions that society puts upon women although their father, Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice William Stevenson, has been very lenient and generous with his daughters for the times and his station in life. Now the women have a chance to break the shackles of their existence in Boston by accepting Sir Francis's invitation to visit him.

Nicholas & Haslett Nelson have both survived the Civil War, not entirely without injury. They run their Philadelphia family book store which buys and sells rare books and have been corresponding with Sir Francis about something he wants to show the brothers. They, too, book passage on the same ship as Charlotte and Henrietta, to visit Sir Francis. although the four won't know each other until after the ship sets sell.

We get to meet and/or hear about real people although the author makes up much of what is in this story. There is a slice of life chance to spend time with Louisa May Alcott, we get to spend time with Bostonian politicians and bigwigs while they debate which book they plan to discuss next (kind of their own buddy read group, which made me laugh). The trip across the ocean is a busy one and then many of the new friends who met on the ship will scatter once the voyage is over.

But, also, many of these lives with cross again and again and Sir Francis has a hand in some of what goes on even if his plans don't go the way he had hoped. If you enjoy reading about authors of the classics and some famous people of old, including getting to see how savvy women back then were doing all they could to gain the freedoms they deserved, there is much to enjoy in this book.

I followed the audiobook closely with the ebook, because there are so many people and places I wanted to research. The audiobook is narrated by Rupert Graves and my experience with him has mostly been in movies and shows that have dealt with classics so after getting used to the idea that a man was narrating the book, I began to feel he was a good choice for the story. We learn that plays of the time were sometimes performed by one person and that's how I see the narration of this story, with Rupert Graves putting on a auditory play for us as he narrates this story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the audio and ebook ARCs.

Austen at Sea is a charming, heartfelt story about two sisters in 1865 who strive for more freedom than women were allowed in their time. Their widowed father is a State Supreme Court Justice who, along with his fellow Justices, has a book discussion group in which Jane Austen's books figure prominently. Henrietta and Charlotte begin a correspondence with Jane Austen's last surviving sibling, who is in his 90s and coming to the end of his life. Also corresponding with Admiral Austen are a pair of brothers who are freshly back from the Civil War and own a bookshop and collect rare books, for their enjoyment. They meet on a ship heading to England, along with a cast of characters including Louisa May Alcott. The story that ensues could be straight out of an Austen novel. I, very much, enjoyed this story of life, love, and the joy of books. 4-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

A deep dive into many social issues in post Civil War America and Britain….laws from both counties governing married women’s property, suffrage, citizenship and divorce. All of this is threaded throughout a Austen-esque tale which weaves a number of concurrent stories about the book’s many characters. In 1865, two Boston sisters, privileged daughters of Massachusetts’ Supreme Court, write to the 91 year old Admiral Austen…the last living sibling of Jane. At the same time, two book seller brothers, veterans of the Civil War, also write to the Admiral. Admiral Austen invites all 4 to visit him in the hope that he might engage in some matchmaking á la Jane’s stories. As in an Austen tale, nothing turns out as planned but the characters’ journeys are intriguing. I enjoyed this book but there are a few point of disappointment. The mysterious, unfinished letter written by Jane and found by the Admiral’s second wife was never fully revealed. As it is pivotal to the plot, I wanted more. Also, the (no spoilers) full story of the marriage of 2 central characters seems uneven…lots of info in the beginning and lots skipped over in the middle and end. Finally, if the reading isn’t a serious Austen lover, some of the prolonged discussions of her books might be a little boring.

5.0 stars
HIGHLY recommend

First off, I have loved every one of Natalie Jenner's books. They are lovely, well-written, and historically based. What's not to love?

The writing, characters, and storylines are so well done and strong. Plus, Jane Austen is weaved throughout the novel and is a powerful presence.

If you like Jane Austen books, Natalie Jenner books, or just a good historical fiction novel - this is it!!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6957549514 - posted 3/14/2025
StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/de64cbc8-2d44-4840-8014-10bc208227f9 - posted 3/14/2025
Books by Dorothea blog: https://draft.blogger.com/blog/posts/5498228170078225889?hl=en - posted 3/14/2025

Do you like Jane Austen? Do you like romantic sweeping stories with well crafted characters and scenes that carry you away?

Especially if you enjoyed Emma and Persuasion, read this. I'm so glad I did, and I savoured every page. I am so appreciative that I was given an eARC of this book, and I hope you'll enjoy it as well. It felt like a warm hug, or the feel good movie you watched when you were feeling under the weather.

I will be here with my tea waiting for the movie to come out, because it would make a splendid one.