From the desk of Katie Jackson:
What happens when a surprising—and surprisingly vindictive—villain sets his sights on ruining a revered naval hero?
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Two grooms missing at the altar. Darcy & Wentworth kidnapped. Two great loves tried by separation, battle, and deception.
Set on the stage of Napoleon’s 100 Days, relish the mystery, sea chase, and, finally, the satisfying finish as four yearning hearts—desperate to be reunited—draw closer together. Join the heart-stopping chase with Anne Elliot & Elizabeth Bennet as they search the tattered rooms of a waterfront inn, suffer on board a frigate engaged in a deadly game of naval chess, and then enter the gilded confines of London’s preeminent card room where revenge is riding on one final hand.
Can true love be lost at sea?
The Sailor’s Rest is set in the Persuasion timeline of 1815 but leaves in place the age and plot constructs established by Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen’s greatest lovers come together to be tested in the crucible of war on the Mediterranean’s blue waters and in the smoky confines of a prestigious London gambling den.
MY THOUGHTS
What a wild ride! There is nothing restful about The Sailor’s Rest, to be sure. This story is an epic tale on the high seas, complete with intricate naval customs and a fierce battle, and far from the staid drawing rooms of typical Regency-era novels. It is utterly unique in the Austenesque genre. Imagine a story where Fitzwilliam Darcy muses, “Nothing in his old life had prepared him for the brutal simplicity of a sailor’s existence.” (Loc 1956)
Unwavering Companions
“Anne could not imagine a world where she had not known Elizabeth Bennet.” (Loc 1515)
One of my favorite, yet relatively rare, combinations in Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF) is one in which Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet and Persuasion’s Anne Elliot are friends. This story ratchets up their friendship with a shared trauma that seals their steadfast devotion to one another as sisters of the heart. An even more horrific shared experience between Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Captain Frederick Wentworth brings those gentlemen together in loyal comradeship as well. The support they all demonstrated for each other was a bright beacon in the turbulent tale.
Unparalleled Historical Detail
The author brought his extensive historical knowledge to this tale like the most impressive ship in the navy’s fleet and just blows the reader out of the water with incredible detail. This reads more like studious historical fiction with a pinch of romance than the usual historical romances in JAFF. At times, the details overwhelmed the plot and, honestly, the reader, so dense are the facts. This book has footnotes, folks!
Unexpectedly Thought-provoking
There is some philosophical prose woven into this action-packed story. Comparisons between Austen’s books and characters, which I had never before considered, merely scratch the surface. There are deeper elements here, commenting on the overarching societal norms in this time period when the aristocracy and the admiralty, and the poor who did their bidding, all had varying hands to play as the drums of war beat steadily across the sea.
Unusual Austenesque
Readers with a weather eye for unusual Austenesque variations will be captivated by the nautical adventures in The Sailor’s Rest.
4 out of 5 Stars
WE RECOMMEND THE SAILOR’S REST IF YOU ENJOY:
⚓ Nautical action
⚓ Impressive historical detail
⚓ Austen’s greatest lovers
⚓ Friends who become family
BOOK INFORMATION
- The Sailor’s Rest: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, by Don Jacobson
- Independently published (March 23, 2023)
- Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook (389) pages
- ISBN: 979-8379314149
- Genre: Austenesque, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction
We received a review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Cover image courtesy of Don Jacobson © 2023; text Katie Jackson © 2023, austenprose.com, an Amazon affiliate.
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Austenprose 
This is on my list but at the moment I’m struggling with unknown angst (I’m rereading older books on my kindle that I know I can cope with). I will definitely get round to this one though, once I can deal with all the history, so thank you for such a great review. I’m not the biggest history fan as confirmed by my school reports. I liked certain eras but dates and conflicts weren’t my favourites so, as a child of the sixties, I tended not to study them enough.
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Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts, Glynis! I think you will enjoy Elizabeth and Anne and Darcy and Wentworth working together in this one.
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Thanks for this review, Katie! I’ve not been as involved in the Austenesque world lately, so I’m glad to hear that Don has released a new book. He brings a fresh perspective and, as you point out, plenty of thought-provoking historical detail to his work.
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Thank you for stopping by, Christina! He definitely brings a fresh perspective to the genre that readers will enjoy.
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This was a fab listen for me and I especially loved the P&P and Persuasion mash up done so well. Enjoyed getting your thoughts, Katie!
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Thanks, Sophia! I can imagine that it’s an exciting audiobook!
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