A delightfully complex historical for Austen fans... Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner (Review) #newbooks #bookx #austenatsea #nataliejenner #histfic #historicalfiction #austenesque #janeausten #austenprosepr

Austen at Sea

By Natalie Jenner

Historical Fiction, Romance

Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 320 Pages

May 6, 2025 by St. Martin's Press

Summary

Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.

In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.

In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson―bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers―are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.

The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason―wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons―and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.

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My Review

AUSTEN AT SEA titles this story so well in its reference to the sea voyage these characters undertake, which ends up being the pivotal moment of their lives. It's a story of self-discovery as they travel to meet Jane Austen's elderly brother and the last of her siblings still living. With delightful sisters at the center and a cast of equally wonderful side characters, readers will fall in love. Austen fans will enjoy the many nods to her life and works, with some Dickens and other classic works mentioned as well. There is a depth to this story from the complex relationships to a young nation still forming its laws and the rights of its people, particularly in regards to women and marriage. Highly recommended!

Read this book if you like:

- Jane Austen with references to her books and life

- Strong female relationships

- Familial ties and friendships

- References to classical literature

- Strong female leads

- Book clubs (regardless that its formed with judges)

- Complex and sweet romance for all ages

- Women's rights and references to a young America

I couldn't keep a smile off my face as I read this. I loved these sisters and those around them. These girls! They possess intelligent minds and strong wills, but the world is still not ready for women to take their place and they have an uphill battle. Thank goodness they have plenty on their side willing to support them and push them on. The justices reading circle discussing Austen's works was especially entertaining while equally being insightful. I loved Frances Austen and the melding of hearts for those who loved his sister. I loved reading the author's depiction of Louisa May Alcott as well as other figures and movements of the time. There were so many different dynamics. There's the various families, social standings, English culture and laws, American culture and laws, the end of the Civil War and the assassination of Lincoln, rights of women, and complex romance and expectations. I loved that I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen and if romance would bloom and, if so, with whom. The story itself was consistently paced with some emotional high peaks of sadness, happiness, passion, anger, heartbreak, loss and joy.

Here are a few parts that resonated with me:

"How much strength did the larger world sap from women, in asking those who could afford to do so, to stand idly still in one spot, while rendering the poor transient–if not homeless–for life?"

"Life wasn't at all like the law. There was no logic to the yearning of his heart, hence he could not reason himself out of it. Nash disliked being at the mercy of something he did not understand, much as he was attracted to it. The members of his profession boasted the skill of comprehension above all; they firmly believed that nothing could ever be worded to outsmart them.

But there were no words for how he felt about Charlotte Stevenson. And he couldn't help recalling, with increasing panic, Mr. Knightley's famous statement to Emma upon declaring his own heart:

If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more."

"I'd rather I be the one to get my life wrong."

"Freedom is not about ensuring you get everything you want, but rather becoming the best self that you can be. Therein lies life's great reward for us and for those around us."

I only have a few complaints. One is that there were a few parts that dragged and some insertions in the story that weren't really necessary. Another is that the author would all of a sudden move forward in time and then not disclose what happened in the interim until a few chapters later. To me, it felt jarring and didn't allow the story and characters to continue and as a reader like the author was reaching in and disrupting my enjoyment of the story.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I loved so much about this book! Being an Austen fan, I found all the different discussions about her books and looks into her life and family to be utterly charming. I also adored these two sisters as well as the other side characters to their story. This is definitely a story to pick up if you're also a fan!

Content: Some references to marital and non-marital affairs.

Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Are you an Austen fan and have you read any of this author's books? Have you read any other books with a focus on an author?