I enjoyed Austen at Sea and the adventures of the Stevenson Sisters. I loved Sir Francis Austen’s machinations as he romantically plots ro pair the sisters with two brothers of similar natures and tastes. However my favorites parts of the book were the Justices Literary Society discussions of Austen’s books.

Natalie Jenner’s Austen at Sea is a masterful tribute to Jane Austen, brimming with depth, emotion, and literary finesse. Divided into four sections—Boston, The Sea, Hampshire, and The Court—the novel is a vivid exploration of society, relationships, and legacies, all woven seamlessly into Austen’s world.

The story follows two Boston sisters, Henrietta and Charlotte, who long for freedom beyond the constraints of their era. Their bold decision to embark on a transatlantic journey aboard the S.S. China leads them to Portsmouth and a meeting with retired Admiral Sir Francis Austen, Jane Austen’s brother. When the Admiral bequeaths a controversial legacy to Henrietta, a transatlantic legal battle ensues, testing relationships and principles. Henrietta’s climactic courtroom speech is a standout moment, showcasing her brilliance and courage.

Jenner’s legal background enriches the novel, especially in the court scenes, which are intricately detailed and engaging. The narrative also features a colorful cast, including rare book dealers, a senator’s daughter, and Louisa May Alcott, whose witty and wise presence adds charm.

Themes of women’s independence, familial bonds, and romantic exploration are at the heart of this novel, making it a poignant and exhilarating read. Jenner’s exceptional storytelling and profound homage to Austen will captivate devoted fans and new readers alike.

5 stars. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner is a lovely story. I found the characters delightful and I loved following along on the literary adventures they had. If you are a book nerd, like me, you will love this story. I also enjoyed the parts of American history that were woven into the story. Austen at Sea would make for a great book club discussion.

As the aging brother, and sole surviving sibling of Jane Austen, struggles with entrusting items of his sister's legacy to strangers, he is contacted separately by two pair of American siblings who share an appreciation for Jane's writing. Somehow, he convinces both pair to come to England and share in celebrating Jane's legacy. The two pair of siblings meet aboard ship as well as engage with others, including Louisa May Alcott.

Ms. Jenner has spun a lovely tale based on two real-life stories. The writing is rich and painterly in the telling. The prose is exquisite and the dialogue reminiscent of an Austen story. The characters' emotions and motivations are beautifully captured and cleverly delivered. Ms. Jenner's legal training shines through the story like a beacon shedding light on the legal ramifications of the characters' actions within the story - a rather clever perspective, for certain.

This is a definite read for the historical fiction reader with a passion for Austen. For those interested in international law, I commend this story for the legal knot delivered which requires lawyerly untying.

I am grateful to author Natalie Jenner and her publisher, St. Martin's Press, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date:‎ May 6, 2025
Number of pages: 320
ISBN: ‎978-1250349590

Natalie Jenner puts her talents on display in Austen at Sea. She gives us a delightful cast of characters who love books, especially those of Jane Austen, but Charles Dickens is prominent as well. The intricate story weaves in commentary on specific novels of Austen, as well as Austen’s family history. Much historical context regarding women’s rights during this period of history, the end of the Civil War, sets the stage for many of the characters’ motives. We are also allowed to delve into the law with characters who are sitting judges and lawyers in both England and Massachusetts. Jenner incorporates an interesting character, Louisa May Alcott. But above all, there are love interests that develop as expected between several characters and unexpectedly between others.
Thank you, Net Galley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I am always looking for new authors.

I seriously enjoyed this book

The author did a fantastic job with the setting, story line and characters.

I highly recommend.

Janeites, rejoice! Natalie Jenner has written another spectacular book related to Jane Austen, with four young Austen fans in America visiting Jane's oldest surviving sibling in England in 1865. Oh how I would have loved to join them, and in fact, felt I was alongside them during this trip of a lifetime. Expect gorgeous prose, a narrative that befits Austen herself, and the most compelling characters. I savored this tale, and highly recommend it to every Janeite!

Natalie Jenner writes wonderful stories about people who love Jane Austen’s books. Her latest, “Austen at Sea,” tells the story of Americans Henrietta (“Harry”) and Charlotte (“Charlie”) Stevenson who, in 1865, write to Sir Francis Austen, Admiral of the Fleet, in England– Jane’s last living sibling. They want to know more about Jane.

At around the same time, two young men about three hundred miles away from the sisters write to Sir Francis. They want him to know they have an American first edition of “Emma.”

And in that magical way that some novels have, all four decide to visit Sir Francis. They even sail on the very same ship to England. On the way they talk about or sometimes even meet actual historical figures.

Naturally not everything goes to plan. Some characters are just not as nice as they should be. That’s part of what makes this story so compelling

Another reason to read this book: Jenner includes the names of Austen relatives who also wrote. I found many of their books in the library or in online bookstores. In addition, the endnotes list two nonfiction books about Jane Austen.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner is a wonderful 19th century historical fiction that is in the spirit of my beloved Jane Austen.

I absolutely loved The Bloomsbury Girls and The Jane Austen Society by Ms. Jenner, so I knew I had to read this.

I am extremely picky about how authors use the name, literary characters/themes, and the person and family of Jane Austen herself…so obviously I was a smidge nervous diving into a book that encompasses two of my favorite authors….and I am sure glad that I did.

It was nice to read an interesting and engaging historical fiction that takes the heart and spirit of Ms Austen and creates a cast of characters that kept me coming back for more. I felt invested, and that is itself is refreshing.

Definitely recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/25/25.

There is much to love about this novel. ‘Austen at Sea’ is smart and delightful - a must read for fans of Austen, and a gateway to participate if reading her novels is not for you. It’s told in the imitable style of Austen, but with a modern storytelling that makes it a more accessible and compelling read. History is woven into the story in a light, but not insubstantial way. It has strong characters displaying varying degrees of awareness of their circumstances and the societal restrictions they are living under. And intricate plotting - what begins as a comedy of manners launched by a moment of rebellion and high adventure, becomes a deeper and more direct study of the woman suffrage movement and the limitations of womanhood in society of that time period through perfectly pitched and detailed courtroom scenes.

The characters are endearing – from the loving Stevenson sisters central to the story, the earnest Nelson brothers, lonely and mischievous Sir Francis Austen. Equally notable are the indominable forces of Sara-Beth, Constance, and Louisa May Alcott; these women are a constant guide for the rest as they pursue love, happiness and betterment of self and society as a whole. And my favorite collection of characters: the supreme court justices with their literary discussion group – essentially a book club for Jane Austen novels. Having these learned men dissect the plots and themes of Austen’s novels in contemporary time adds layers to the novel’s discussion of the progressive movement [and the resistance it faced] to include women in the newly evolving rights coming out of the Reconstruction Era.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an early copy of this novel to read and review.