Austen at Sea, by Natalie Jenner — Book Cover Reveal

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

Happy news, Janeites! Natalie Jenner, the author of the international bestselling novel, The Jane Austen Society, has just revealed the cover of her new novel, Austen at Sea. It is a stunner, and I am pleased to share it with you here today along with the description of the story to pique your interest.

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BOOK DESCRIPTION

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 her memories and surviving artifacts.

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 devoted to 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, brothers Nicholas and Haslett Nelson—veterans of the recent Civil War and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen. Bachelors both, they too are invited to visit Sir Francis in 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 Nelsons, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—the wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on both Nelson brothers—and a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It’s a voyage and trip that transforms 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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DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

Without further ado, here is the stunning cover of Austen at Sea!

EARLY PRAISE

• “If you’ve ever found sustenance in a Jane Austen novel—or sought meaning in your own life through the power of books—this is the novel you’ve been waiting for. Full of heart, hope, and history.”— Kristin Harmel, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Paris Daughter
• “With an intriguing cast of characters, powerful messages of hope, and a clever story, Natalie Jenner does it again — she brings us into the life of Jane Austen with a fresh eye and a dazzling story.”— Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
• “With a deep understanding of Jane Austen history and a whip-smart sense of plot and pacing, this is a comedy of manners in the true Austen tradition.”— Helen Simonson, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club
• “A heartwarming story that’s sure to delight book lovers. The plot is chock full of romantic yearnings and unexpected twists, while at the same time offering up sly winks to Austen’s novels. An absolute winner.”— Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Spectacular
• “Save your money on that Jane Austen Festival and buy this book instead! Jenner has crafted the ultimate literary adventure…. A novel of remarkable heart. Jane Austen would be proud!”— Sarah McCoy, New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of Marilla of Green Gables
• “Jenner brings Louisa May Alcott to vibrant life in this richly layered story of lovers and book lovers caught up in the struggle for women’s rights and literary legacy. Alcott and Austen fans, rejoice!”—Virginia Kantra, New York Times bestselling author of Meg & Jo and Beth & Amy

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MY THOUGHTS

I had the chance to read an early manuscript of Austen at Sea and I am thrilled to report that it is inspired by actual people and events in the mid-1800s , packed full of Austen lore, sweeping literary love, and tons of heart. Here are my brief thoughts:

From post-Civil War America, an intrepid group of Jane Austen’s ardent admirers traverse the Atlantic to visit Sir Francis Austen, the last surviving sibling of the esteemed authoress. In search of insights into Jane’s writing and life, what they discover is much more than the knowledge they sought—meeting heroes and villains, passion and purpose. Jenner again reveals her skill as a master storyteller whose astute observations of human nature rival Austen’s own. Readers will be delighted by her charming characters, engaging plot, and sensational denouement.

• Austen at Sea releases on May 6, 2025. While it will be a long wait until it is available, you can preorder your copy today.

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BOOK INFORMATION

• Austen at Sea: A Novel, by Natalie Jenner
• St. Martin’s Press (May 6, 2025)
• Hardcover, eBook, & Audiobook (320) pages
• ISBN: 978-1250349590
• Genre: Historical Fiction, Austenesque Fiction

AMAZON | PUBLISHER | ADD TO GOODREADS

We received an advance copy of the book from the author. Cover image and book description courtesy of St. Martin’s Press © 2025; text Laurel Ann Nattress © 2024, austenprose.com, an Amazon affiliate. No AI: material on Austenprose.com may not be used in datasets for, in the development of, or as inputs to generative AI programs.

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