This is a sweet sapphic romance following Charlotte Lucas, the best friend of Lizzie Bennett from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, as she navigates life after being unexpectedly widowed. Mary Bennett, one of Lizzie’s younger sisters, stays with Charlotte and introduces to her some alternative options for a woman’s life, including salons to discuss scientific research, and queer experiences. There is a recurring use of the flower codes and floral symbolism, which felt beautifully romantic and feminine. This was a short book, about 200 pages, but delightfully packed with a love story and a story of a woman becoming increasingly confident and independent. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of Austen, Bridgerton, and the Regency era, who are looking for a little more queer representation.

A regency, Jane Austen, subtle sapphic carry on! I really liked Charlotte and Mary and their little, awkward misunderstandings. I great read that had me smiling from start to finish :)

I will gleefully accept any Austen reimagining, and one that is queer AND gives the much-maligned Mary a second chance, is good by me. The time period, and subsequently unspoken 'alternative' lifestyles, add credence to the very believable journey that takes Charlotte Lucas from assuming she was utterly alone in her feelings to discovering a community that she belongs to, and accepting that she is worthy of being truly loved for herself.

I’m a sucker for a Jane Austen spin-off, and I’ve probably read at least three Mary Bennet stories specifically (‘The Other Bennet Sister’ was a particularly good one) so I requested this as soon as I saw it on NetGalley.

Mary is the most maligned Bennet sister in ‘Pride and Prejudice’, and is portrayed as even worse than the feckless Lydia or the inane Kitty. (I love the implication in Gill Hornby’s ‘Miss Austen’ that Jane Austen named all of her worst characters ‘Mary’ after her annoying sister-in-law.) This, however, is not actually Mary Bennet’s story - it is the story of Charlotte Collins.

The great mystery of why on earth anyone would marry Mr Collins is revealed in the first few pages, as we learn that Charlotte was in love with Elizabeth (of course she was!) and settled for Mr Collins as she knew she would never be able to be with the one she truly wanted. When Mr Collins dies suddenly, she writes to Elizabeth but her son is ill and so she sends Mary in her stead to keep Charlotte company. Mary is nothing like Charlotte remembered her, she is an intellectual with a freethinking and progressive circle of friends and acquaintances and Charlotte is fascinated by her. While Anne de Bourgh tries to find Charlotte a second husband, and her parents expect her to move back into Lucas Lodge, Charlotte wonders if there might be another option.

Although this is a romance, it is also about Charlotte finding herself and creating a way to live outside of societal expectations. In true Jane Austen style, the story is a comedy of misunderstanding and miscommunication, but the spark and the rapport between Charlotte and Mary is beautifully written and their relationship is thoroughly convincing. A charming and satisfying read.

What happens after the end of Pride and Prejudice? What if Charlotte was queer and Mr. Collins passed away? What if Mary Bennet, Elizabeth's quiet, studious sister grew up to be a curious, well-read young woman?

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This story was delightfully witty, very reminiscent of the original Jane Austen text in wit and charm, but with its own unique voice. I loved the mix-up and expansion of Charlotte's character, especially because the motivations behind her marrying Mr. Collins in the first place continued to play a role. It felt very authentic overall.
I also really enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Charlotte and Mary, the giddy girlhood that permeated it and the tenderness that envelops their friendship and, later, romance. The side plots were amazing, especially Barton and Pitt's, though I did shed a tear or two.
I will say that I have no idea how realistic it is (queerness throughout history has taken many forms and I am not as well informed as I would like to be), but it felt very attainable, and the fears Mary and Charlotte harbor due to their upbringing in polite society are well written and explored.
Overall, this is a read I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
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I received a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley. All Thoughts and Opinions are my own.

The longing! The angst! The complete and utter obliviousness!

This book had girl with a pearl earring vibes without being epically boring (apologies to people who loved that film, but it was not for me).

I love all adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and this is just another to add to the list - Lost in Austen always holds a place in my heart, but no other adaptation that I’ve come across has been so utterly unapologetically queer.

Not only regarding Charlotte and Mary, as the title suggests, but also many of the side characters or mentioned background people - it really showcased the likely high number of queer people that have existed in that time and throughout all of history. Though pretty good at hiding, for their own safety, once you’re in the same club they all come out of the woodwork.

Charlotte and Mary are so sweet in their endless misunderstandings and adorable bumbling around each other, they’re amazing main characters and I loved them both so much.

But also I loved the language of flowers and how prevalent this was through the whole book - it has historical connections with sending coded messages and passing secret declarations of love between queer people who couldn’t do so more openly. The perfect theme for this book!
(Also, not a spoiler, but I loved how the last word in the book was “violets”, epically gay and adorably sweet!)

I don’t think I have a single negative word to say about this, it’s perfectly paced and a fun engaging read. That’s about it it!

A lovely regency romance. I loved seeing the characters developing their relationship and the characters from the original austen novel making an appearence. I loved it.

This book had me smiling from the very first sentence, instantly bringing back warm memories of Pride and Prejudice. The promise of revisiting the P&P world was exciting, and the novel started off strong, capturing the charm of Regency-era storytelling. However, as the plot unfolded, the setting became progressively less believable. The depiction of high society felt overly idealistic—almost utopian—with an unusual level of support (or outright indifference) toward LGBTQ relationships and women choosing not to remarry. While it’s always refreshing to see progressive themes in historical fiction, the execution made it difficult to stay immersed in the world.

The author made a valiant effort to emulate Jane Austen’s writing style, but it didn’t always come naturally. The prose often fluctuated between authentic period language and modern expressions, which repeatedly pulled me out of the story. The novel began with Austen’s signature tone but quickly lost its way, lacking the sharp wit, irony, and social critique that make Austen’s works so compelling. Instead, the book leaned more into sentimental romance, missing that distinct Austenian edge.

And then there’s the ending—one particular element arrived so unexpectedly that it felt more like a Happily Ever After straight out of a fairy tale rather than a resolution that fit the rest of the narrative. It left me more puzzled than satisfied.

I’ll also admit that I probably went into this book with the wrong expectations. Given its inspiration, I wasn’t anticipating any smut, but—well, there it was. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but certainly unexpected in a book that starts off feeling like an Austen continuation.

Overall, The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet had a promising start, but the inconsistencies in tone and historical believability kept it from fully delivering on its potential. While it may appeal to readers looking for an idealized historical romance, those hoping for Austen’s signature humour and critique might find themselves a bit disappointed.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

This was a sweet and interesting read. It was definitely a new take on the characters from Pride and Prejudice and was refreshing to read.

It started stronger than it ended. I really enjoyed the beginning of the novel but felt that the middle was a little all over the place and I wasn't wowed by the conclusion. It was a decent ending but I'd have liked more from it. Charlotte also got a little tedious in parts (though to be fair, the original Charlotte Lucas was also tedious, so actually that might be a plus because it's true to character), I did enjoy this version of Mary though.

There was a solid attempt at period language which I liked as often authors just make regency characters sound like modern teenagers but there was a real effort here to make it sound as if it was an actual regency story. There were a few historical inaccuracies I noticed but they didn't take away from anything and a little creative license is to be expected.

In terms of the relationship between Mary and Charlotte, I enjoyed it but as with the plot, I felt like it ran out of steam a little as the book progressed.

Overall this was a nice and unique take on old characters and I enjoyed it but do wish it was a little bit more exciting.

I have to admit my one true Austen love is Persuasion though I've always felt a kinship with Charlotte Lucas. If I was a regency girlie, I'd value stability over the one true love vibes. Charlotte and Mary's romance was something I quickly fell in love with and if I were to travel in time, I'd want to live in their queer household with its expansive gardens.

This book was everything I love about queer historical romance. There was yearning (so much yearning!), there were sweeping romantic gestures, there were beautiful moments of realisation, a period-appropriate happy ending… everything you could want!

Both Charlotte Lucas and Mary Bennet are fascinating characters in Pride and Prejudice, who have possibly the most distant relationships with romance of all the women in the book. That makes for a really interesting starting point in this book, which explores the possibility that both of them are, in fact, attracted to women.

The book is from Charlotte’s perspective, and I really enjoyed seeing her character arc. She has always been aware of her attraction to women, but has always pushed it to one side, assuming that she is the only person that feels this way and understanding the expectations on a woman in her position. At the start of the book is has never even occurred to her that anything else might be a viable possibility, for financial reasons as much as anything else. She comes to realise, however, that not only is she not alone, but that there are others out there who have successfully built lives together. It was such a storyline, that felt true to the period while also ringing true for many modern readers.

From the moment Mary and Charlotte were reunited towards the start of the book, I was fully invested in their romance. I was completely gripped, desperate to find out what would happen and what road the story would take. This Mary has grown up a lot since P&P, but it still felt true to her original character. Both characters have an interest in botany, Mary from a scientific perspective, Charlotte from a more artistic one. Not only was this a really nice theme throughout the book, but it also allowed for them to take part in what was a much more gender neutral pastime and interest than many others at that time. From that perspective it worked really well within the story, as it opened up their social circle and opportunities to find other like-minded people in regency society.

I was so emotionally invested the whole way through this book! It’s a wonderfully queer follow-up to P&P, perfect for the sapphic Jane Austen fan.

I received a free copy for an honest review.

I really loved this book. Pride and Prejudice has always been a favourite of mine and this did it so much justice. Both Mary and Charlotte were treated so kindly and I'm very happy they got the ending they deserved. I loved all the queer background characters, it made the story come alive in the best way.

though a spin-off / sequel (either work) to pride & prejudice, i do think you can read this without any knowledge of the former. that said, of course, the two leads are originally from the jane austen novel — them being charlotte lucas and mary bennet — and it’s nice to see the name-drops of other, familiar and beloved characters surrounding them. the romance is sweet & a slow-burn and really lovely to read. i know more about flowers and their meanings now than i did before.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Pride and Prejudice—and Jane Austen’s works as a whole—are some of the most frequently retold, reimagined, and expanded upon in literature. For lifelong Austen lovers like myself, the arrival of yet another addition to this ever-growing collection can bring both excitement and a hint of skepticism.

But from the very first page, it’s clear that this author not only understands Austen’s world but adores it. The characters feel wonderfully true to their original selves, infused with both wit and warmth. Take, for example, Mr. Collins on his deathbed—still managing to apologize to Lady Catherine for missing dinner. That moment alone? Absolute perfection. The inclusion of letters and small anecdotes from side characters is another brilliant touch, staying delightfully in character. And for those who cherish Austen’s most iconic lines, the references to “fine eyes,” “most ardently,” and other beloved phrases are sure to make your heart flutter.

And, as it turns out, yearning sapphics fit seamlessly into the world of Austen. Is it terrible to say I wasn’t exactly grieving Mr. Collins? Perhaps. But shifting the focus to two of Pride and Prejudice’s more overlooked characters felt like such a breath of fresh air. The author captures their essence beautifully, weaving a story that is tender, wistful, and the most exquisite slow burn.

I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at the opening paragraph of a book! And then, happily went on to devour the rest. What a clever concept for a story. I really enjoyed the way the writer merged one of literature's much-loved worlds with the lives of unwritten women of this era. There's even a tiny pinch of polyamory in here, too, in a wholly believable way. Can we make this a genre (if it isn't one already)? Writing queer lives for famous supporting characters. Also, I would absolutely watch an adaptation of this if any TV producers are reading this review. The only thing I insist on is that Simon Callow play Mr Mellor.

This book was an utter delight.

Now, if you want something of a serious bent where the characters are very true to form and you seem them develop into what's on the page, this is not for you. We're several years removed from the events of Pride and Prejudice and Mary Bennet's character is more grown up and worldly in ways that aren't really that likely. It also has a few NSFW scenes so that might also not be your thing.

HOWEVER. I loved it. In part, there are so few sapphic romance stories set in this era that are written well, and having characters from a well loved story helps this along a lot so it was honestly easy to love.

There's a limit of new locations to introduce the reader to and so what we have are well done and easy to picture. The characters likewise are either expanded on from the originals or wholly new and very distinct from each other. I didn't lose track of anyone and I loved how the servants were give space to take up. We assume that Austen's world had limited servants because they're rarely mentioned but we know they would have been everywhere in her homes (such that she had) and so it was nice to see this side of the world explored a little.

The ending was easy to see, along with the conflicts that were inevitable but nothing felt forced and even though I wanted to shake Charlotte for being an idiot her point of view is clear even when she's conflicted.

The ending was super satisfying and lovely and just made me want to find more sapphic regency vibe books. Would absolutely recommend.

This book tells the story that my younger self really needed to read when I was young enough to be studying Jane Austen's works. I had always wondered how I would have survived if born in an earlier time - now I know that I would have been able to seek shelter by gaining employment in a queer household.
Written as what is surely fan fiction, generally the reader is already aware of both of the main characters and a lot of the background necessary to hit the ground running.
It is impossible to feel anything about the death of Mr Collins, particularly when you can see Charlotte is inconvenienced by his death rather than heartbroken. Her best friend, Lizzie Bennet is unavailable and sends her sister, Mary, to distract and help Charlotte in her 'grief'.
In an age where respectability meant so much, alternate lifestyles required money, property and the ability to meet likeminded people with whom to socialise and develop relationships.
After some perceived flirting and yearning and beliefs that she must be misinterpreting signals and gestures that Mary is making, Charlotte and Mary at last find themselves on the same page and begin to enjoy an emotional and sexual relationship. Without a financial safety net Charlotte determines that she must be a dutiful daughter and return to the parental home to either seek another match with a view to marriage or caring for and being supported by her parents. Mary wishes her to stay with her and is hurt that Charlotte puts her notion of respectability before their future.
There is a lot of information about the historical period, queer community, the Pride and Prejudice world, gardening, flowers and the meaning of various flowers. I am always impressed when I can see evidence of good, clear, accurate research being used in fiction.
I really enjoyed this book.

When Charlotte Lucas is widowed at 31, her friend Lizzie sends her sister Mary to lift her spirits. When more than friendship grows between them, Charlotte has to choose between a respectable life or pleasing herself. 

I thought this was satisfying as a regency romance as long as you can go in with a degree of suspending your disbelief. The book carves out a space for queer people in regency society that is fun to imagine, and the romance is very sweet. 

That said, I felt that making this an extension of Pride and Prejudice detracted somewhat. Charlotte and Mary are peripheral characters in P&P, so a large degree of modification and expansion on their personalities etc is required to make them main characters. The main characters of P&P don't really figure - so why not just write original characters? I felt like I was juggling the world and social rules established in Pride and Prejudice with the one in this book. It would have been easier to suspend disbelief and sink into the fantasy of living a queer life in regency England without Austen's canon in the back of my mind. 

I received an eARC from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I was going to love this but sadly I didn't. As someone who loves an Austen retelling, this just didn't give me the emotion other retelling have (especially those featuring Mary bennet). I just felt held at arms length and the pace was really slow.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. 2.5 stars rounded up. I love Pride and Prejudice, and it was blatantly obvious to me when I read it that Charlotte was gay, so I was conceptually thrilled by this book.

I found the characterisation of Charlotte somewhat irritating, as she was so incessantly negative, but the rest of the characters were written to be quite likeable and I especially enjoyed the author's own characters, rather than their development of Austen's - though I would have never read a period romance without it being in the Austenverse, as it were.

The plot was standard, and for me the slow burn was way too slow. This may come down to the fact that I'm just not really a fan of romance novels in general.

Some of the book read like the author wanted to prove that they were familiar with the source material: there were bits of Pride and Prejudice canon that were dropped in for seemingly no purpose other than to prove that the author knew it. I also found some of the linguistic choices too repetitive, and it felt neither authentic for the time period nor even like British English, in parts.

All of this being said, it was not a badly-written book, and if this is your kind of thing, you'd probably adore it. Sadly, lesbians from Meryton was not enough for me to overlook the bits that I didn't love.