What do you think?
Rate this book
Ausentatious #1
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet
"After procuring several fervent assurances that his wife would apologize sincerely and deeply for his absence from Rosings that evening, Mr Collins reluctantly died."
Thus begins THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET, a sapphic romance between recently widowed Charlotte Lucas and grown-up scientist Mary Bennet. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder at the sheer sturdiness of a well-built pianoforte.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Lindz McLeod will be available Apr 29, 2025.
Thus begins THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET, a sapphic romance between recently widowed Charlotte Lucas and grown-up scientist Mary Bennet. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder at the sheer sturdiness of a well-built pianoforte.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet by Lindz McLeod will be available Apr 29, 2025.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2025
66 people are currently reading
7100 people want to read
About the author
Lindz McLeod
34 books61 followersLindz McLeod is a queer, working-class, Scottish writer and editor who dabbles in the surreal. Her short prose has been published by Apex, Catapult, Pseudopod, DIVA, Nightmare, and many more.
Her longer work includes the award-winning short story collection TURDUCKEN (Spaceboy, 2023), as well as SUNBATHERS (Hedone Books, 2024), QUEEN O'NINE TAILS (Hedone Books, 2025), THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET (Harlequin, 2025), WE, THE DROWNING (Android Press, 2026), THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY (Harlequin, 2026), the collaborative anthology AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE (Stanchion, 2025), and more. Her work has been taught in schools and universities, displayed in a museum, turned into avant-garde opera, and optioned for TV.
She is a full member of the SFWA, the former club president of the Edinburgh Writers' Club, and is in her third year of a PhD in Creative Writing. She lives in Edinburgh with her talented fiancée and their two extremely photogenic cats, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Dane.
Her longer work includes the award-winning short story collection TURDUCKEN (Spaceboy, 2023), as well as SUNBATHERS (Hedone Books, 2024), QUEEN O'NINE TAILS (Hedone Books, 2025), THE UNLIKELY PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET (Harlequin, 2025), WE, THE DROWNING (Android Press, 2026), THE MISEDUCATION OF CAROLINE BINGLEY (Harlequin, 2026), the collaborative anthology AN HONOUR AND A PRIVILEGE (Stanchion, 2025), and more. Her work has been taught in schools and universities, displayed in a museum, turned into avant-garde opera, and optioned for TV.
She is a full member of the SFWA, the former club president of the Edinburgh Writers' Club, and is in her third year of a PhD in Creative Writing. She lives in Edinburgh with her talented fiancée and their two extremely photogenic cats, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Dane.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
November 10, 2024
charlotte lucas and mary bennet i have always known what you are!!!
god that was so lesbian of charlotte lucas (her just existing but also telling mary she had feelings through the language of flowers and then being surprised when she did not pick up on the clues)
this is for all the P&P girlies but especially the queer austen fans
Read my full review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc!
Bookstagram | Blog
god that was so lesbian of charlotte lucas (her just existing but also telling mary she had feelings through the language of flowers and then being surprised when she did not pick up on the clues)
this is for all the P&P girlies but especially the queer austen fans
Read my full review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc!
Bookstagram | Blog
November 17, 2025
Four years after the events of Pride and Prejudice Mary and Charlotte are reunited, and it turns into something quite magical!
I have a small confession. I’ve never finished Pride and Prejudice - I have seen the movies, and the mini series. Don’t be mad at me!
So here is the thing, when I saw this book, I was obsessed with the cover, the title was so f-ing cute, and its sapphic so I jumped right in… without reading the synopsis…
It took me an embarrassingly long time to connect the dots that these were the same characters from P&P. So really it’s me - I am the problem.
I did thoroughly enjoy this one, but I am positive I would have LOVED this one if I was an Austen or P&P fan.
I absolutely loved that these two heroines got the love story they deserved and really enjoyed the language of flowers aspect to this novel. It feels like it would be the perfect read to take to the park and devour surrounded by roses. I did wish there was a considerable amount more angst and yearning. I also think most of the drama could have been resolved with a bit of communication.
Overall a fun read, definitely a must for lover of P&P and those who don’t mind a little less angst in their romances.
Audio Narration: 4/5 Solid Narration, great pacing and inflection!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
I have a small confession. I’ve never finished Pride and Prejudice - I have seen the movies, and the mini series. Don’t be mad at me!
So here is the thing, when I saw this book, I was obsessed with the cover, the title was so f-ing cute, and its sapphic so I jumped right in… without reading the synopsis…
It took me an embarrassingly long time to connect the dots that these were the same characters from P&P. So really it’s me - I am the problem.
I did thoroughly enjoy this one, but I am positive I would have LOVED this one if I was an Austen or P&P fan.
I absolutely loved that these two heroines got the love story they deserved and really enjoyed the language of flowers aspect to this novel. It feels like it would be the perfect read to take to the park and devour surrounded by roses. I did wish there was a considerable amount more angst and yearning. I also think most of the drama could have been resolved with a bit of communication.
Overall a fun read, definitely a must for lover of P&P and those who don’t mind a little less angst in their romances.
Audio Narration: 4/5 Solid Narration, great pacing and inflection!
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
3.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
May 4, 2025
3 .5 stars , the extra half for “different”. This one’s set in Austen's P&P universe where two minor characters - Charlotte Lucas & Mary Bennet have a sapphic romance after the early death of Mr. Collins. Overall, it was fine but I was not prepared for the 🌶️, which I just don’t like in my fiction, regardless of sexual orientation - that’s definitely not very “Austenesque” to me. Still, major props for a decent and different story & the writing style which still felt quite “Jane” like in tone.
Read
November 15, 2024A love match between Charlotte Lucas Collins and Mary Bennet? Sign. Me. Up!
There was a lot to like here. I really enjoyed the author's take on Charlotte, and also her stately attempt at period language. I enjoyed the very ending, once we got there. I loved the meeting between the two and the gradual development of awareness, though there were some bumps along the way.
First of all, the author's apparent total lack of knowledge about the customs and culture of the ecclesiastical world. Beginnig with the fact that Charlotte, after several years of marriage, would have known exactly what to expect if Mr. Collins were to die suddenly: the position has to be filled, for there must be a clergyman conducting the vital affairs of the church. Charlotte's profound ignorance is that of a contemporary of ours with zero knowledge of that aspect of history, not a woman of the period.
Then, the customs of mourning would be even more rigid for a clergyman's widow, and it would be extremely unlikely that Lady Charlotte de Bourgh would not post back from Timbuktu or even Mars once she heard of Mr. Collins's death, in order to oversee the proper disposition of this living in her gift. Still less would her daughter be introducing Charlotte to eligible men during those early months of morning!
So the reader who knows anything of the period has to dodge around these sizable boulders plonked in the path of the story in order to get to the evolution of the romance. For the most part, it was worth it. This Mary Bennett has utterly nothing to do with the Mary Bennet of Austen's novel, who reads very much like a person on the spectrum, but that aside, Mary is a delightful character in her own right. A self-possessed bluestocking scientist (or as they would have said then, a natural philosopher) who reminded me in fact of what Mary Shelley might have been, if she'd not run off with Shelley and had to compound with constant pregnancy, losing her children, poverty while racking about war-torn Europe, and Shelley's love affairs.
For the most part, I really enjoyed Mary and Charlotte. The best part of the novel was the evolution of their relationship as two intelligent women negotiate the changes in their lives, and explore their evolving identities. There was a small bump toward the end when the author succumbed to the lamentable requisite "Dark Moment" that too many romances these days seem to require, but once we're past that, it's clear sailing to a happy ending.
Leaving me thinking: Charlotte and Mary! Great idea!
There was a lot to like here. I really enjoyed the author's take on Charlotte, and also her stately attempt at period language. I enjoyed the very ending, once we got there. I loved the meeting between the two and the gradual development of awareness, though there were some bumps along the way.
First of all, the author's apparent total lack of knowledge about the customs and culture of the ecclesiastical world. Beginnig with the fact that Charlotte, after several years of marriage, would have known exactly what to expect if Mr. Collins were to die suddenly: the position has to be filled, for there must be a clergyman conducting the vital affairs of the church. Charlotte's profound ignorance is that of a contemporary of ours with zero knowledge of that aspect of history, not a woman of the period.
Then, the customs of mourning would be even more rigid for a clergyman's widow, and it would be extremely unlikely that Lady Charlotte de Bourgh would not post back from Timbuktu or even Mars once she heard of Mr. Collins's death, in order to oversee the proper disposition of this living in her gift. Still less would her daughter be introducing Charlotte to eligible men during those early months of morning!
So the reader who knows anything of the period has to dodge around these sizable boulders plonked in the path of the story in order to get to the evolution of the romance. For the most part, it was worth it. This Mary Bennett has utterly nothing to do with the Mary Bennet of Austen's novel, who reads very much like a person on the spectrum, but that aside, Mary is a delightful character in her own right. A self-possessed bluestocking scientist (or as they would have said then, a natural philosopher) who reminded me in fact of what Mary Shelley might have been, if she'd not run off with Shelley and had to compound with constant pregnancy, losing her children, poverty while racking about war-torn Europe, and Shelley's love affairs.
For the most part, I really enjoyed Mary and Charlotte. The best part of the novel was the evolution of their relationship as two intelligent women negotiate the changes in their lives, and explore their evolving identities. There was a small bump toward the end when the author succumbed to the lamentable requisite "Dark Moment" that too many romances these days seem to require, but once we're past that, it's clear sailing to a happy ending.
Leaving me thinking: Charlotte and Mary! Great idea!
October 13, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
i bow at the altar that is women, charlotte lucas, and this book
thank you to netgalley and harlequin for the arc!!
i bow at the altar that is women, charlotte lucas, and this book
thank you to netgalley and harlequin for the arc!!
March 5, 2025
4.5⭐️rounded up! If you ever wished for better for Charlotte Lucas than a life under the judgmental gaze of Rosings, you need to pick this book up! The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet is Charlotte Lucas’ journey of self discovery spurred on by the arrival of Mary Bennet (the Bennet sister done dirtiest by P&P) to the Parsonage. This book manages to be sweet, sexy, and thoughtful about the challenges faced by women, the LGBTQIA+ population and the working class in 1800s England. From the very first line it’s clear that this book is Charlotte’s awakening, but I loved all of the side characters (Mrs. Waites, Pipp and Mr. Mellor in particular!) who loved Charlotte and Mary as hard as they always deserved. This book does justice to Jane’s original while also bringing new life to the characters that served just as brief plot points in the previous Longbourn canon. I’m grateful I was able to read it as part of The Hive, thanks to Harlequin Romance/HTP books for the ARC! I can’t wait to get a physical copy on my shelf for my Austen-adjacent novels.
April 23, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up
Unfortunately I think I liked this book a lot more in theory than in practice. I do agree that Charlotte and Mary both could have been queer and deserved better, so Mr. Collins dying after 4 years and the two of them finding sounds great.
It started off strong, but I found both a lack of felt yearning (we're told that it's there, but you don't really feel it), too much of a quick emphasis on sex over emotions which feels discordant for an Austen adjacent novel (though I'm not opposed to steaminess when it's done in a way that fits), and too much drama around lack of communication for characters who are supposed to be very grounded and realistic. I wanted more hand-clenching and less fanfic. It's okay, but sadly not what I was hoping for.
The audio narration is done fairly well. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Unfortunately I think I liked this book a lot more in theory than in practice. I do agree that Charlotte and Mary both could have been queer and deserved better, so Mr. Collins dying after 4 years and the two of them finding sounds great.
It started off strong, but I found both a lack of felt yearning (we're told that it's there, but you don't really feel it), too much of a quick emphasis on sex over emotions which feels discordant for an Austen adjacent novel (though I'm not opposed to steaminess when it's done in a way that fits), and too much drama around lack of communication for characters who are supposed to be very grounded and realistic. I wanted more hand-clenching and less fanfic. It's okay, but sadly not what I was hoping for.
The audio narration is done fairly well. I received an audio review copy via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Want to read
November 4, 2024one day, i will actually read pride & prejudice instead of adding all of the retellings to my tbr. today is not that day.
May 7, 2025
It was natural, though, that a flower starved of sunlight would therefore do everything in its power to grow towards that source.
This was good. Probably more on the 'fine' side of good, but I mean, I did like it. In the beginning, I definitely thought that I would end on a higher rating than this, and I can't pretend that I'm not a bit disappointed. I reread Price and Prejudice in preparation for reading this, and that might have been a mistake. Because I ended up wanting something in that same vein and style, something very understated and quiet and slow burn, and this wasn't that. But because I was reading about characters that I had just seen in that book, I kept expecting the styles to be similar, and the more it turned out to be dissimilar, the more disappointed I got? All of that to say, it's not the book's fault that I didn't like this as much as I could have, and if I were you, I wouldn't reread P&P before reading this book. Just think of it as any other sapphic historical romance.
The story beings 4 years after Pride and Prejudice ends. Mr. Collins has just died, after a quick illness, and Charlotte has to take stock of her life. She's childless, so Longbourn will end up going to some other distant Bennet relation. Lady Catherine will want another parson, so she can't remain in the parsonage. Should she move back home with her parents, or try to get remarried? While she's in this limbo state, she writes to Lizzie, and Lizzie suggests that Mary come to stay with her. Feelings blossom, and soon Charlotte and Mary are falling for each other. My biggest disappointment with this, I guess, is Mary's character. In the time that's passed, she's undergone a lot of change and character growth, which is great! I liked this character! But because I didn't SEE her going through that growth, she just seemed like a totally different person from her book counterpart. And idk, I picked this up because it was the idea of THOSE book characters that intrigued me. And since I had JUST reread P&P, I could tell exactly how different she was. I have to emphasise though, all of her character growth was stuff I would have wanted for her, stuff that made me happy, stuff that made her and Charlotte work really well together. It was good. But because we see none of it, and we're just told about the things she did, and the people she interreacted with, and everything that happened to enact that change in her... man, I kinda disliked that. (Also, she was 24. If this takes place 4 years after P&P, shouldn't she have been 22? Or shouldn't Charlotte have been 33, and not 31?)
The romance was very sweet. The kinda thing where like... if this is your first historical romance, and you decide you like historicals, then you'll probably eat this up. Like I said, EYE wanted this to be more slow burn and understated when it came to the exploration and declaration of their feelings, but also keep in mind that for me, I'm usually happiest when the couple only start boning at like 80% lol. This will probably be plenty slow burn enough for most readers. I liked the exploration of sexuality, how the author expanded on things in the original text that certainly, to me, pointed towards Charlotte being queer. There were lots of cute, romantic moments, especially as Charlotte fought her internal prejudices and came to terms with the things she's always felt. It's always my favourite thing about historical romance; the exploration of queer feelings. And I really liked the discussions about life, death, and grief; living life in the moments and enjoying it. And when we see the life that Mary has been leading, meet the people she's spent her time with, it did a lot to bring everything together. (I'm pretty sure the adventurous Aunt Cecily is an invention of this author, but I liked her.) Lots of flower talk and flower language, which I'm ambivalent about, but it was fitting for the characters, and made for a lot of lovely little moments.
Where this kinda fell apart for me was the third act conflict/breakup. I've definitely read worse, but man... Sometimes, I really feel like some authors only write third act breakups because they think they need to, and not because it's the thing that the characters need to go through in order to be together. The way this one happened... it almost felt forced. I totally sympathise with how hard this was for Charlotte, and the way she must have felt, but she reacted in a way that did not seem to gel with the relationship they had up to that point, and the growth she'd had. They could have had a conversation; this did not need to snowball into a breakup! It just felt really inauthentic forcibly dramatic to me. And I'm a little torn on this, but I just didn't like how easy things felt at the end? An extremely convenient solution to their problems just falls into their laps. Also, no one is homophobic. I'll never complain about characters NOT being made to experience homophobia, but it felt very... pat. Idk. Mileage will vary!
I'm making it sound like it didn't enjoy this book. I promise, I mostly did! (Though I almost did give this 2.5 stars.) I listened to the audiobook as read by Clare Corbett, and it was really lovely. Super well narrated, very emotive when it needed to be. I liked most things about the author's writing style, and I could definitely see myself reading from her again. I see that this is going to be a series, and I'd love to read more queer Austen retellings/published fic. But I'll temper my expectations.
“I’m not one for speeches,” she murmured, “but know that nothing need fade.”
January 22, 2025
⭐4.5
Thank you to NetGalley, Carina Adores, and Lindz McLeod for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“Sometimes love is like a flower. If the seed is planted too deeply, then it may never see sunlight. If too shallowly, it may be eaten by a passing bird. If the conditions are not conducive, if there is not enough sun or rain or if the soil is not fertile enough, or a hundred other reasons, then the seed will not flourish. That is not the fault of the seed. Sometimes conditions are simply not ripe.”
➤Plot
May Interest you if you like:
- Sapphic Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Secret Dating
- Flowers/Flower Language
- Bridgerton
The story starts off with death, Charlotte's husband's death, to be exact. Only being married for four years, Charlotte did everything she could to be the perfect wife and hold up her appearance around everyone. Yet, she is now faced with the impossible choice of remarrying to another man after her mourning period is over or moving back with her parents to forever be a widow. She was ready to decide between the two options until Mary Bennet, sister of her best friend, shows up and shows her a new world.
A story about learning to bloom into your happiest self, because it's never too late to turn into your prettiest flower and learn to love with your whole heart.
➤Characters
The characters were absolutely amazing. You follow Charlotte, so you don't really get the thoughts of other characters. However, you understand Charlotte so well and can't help but feel bad. Many times I have been in Charlotte's shoes, especially when figuring out who I am and how scary it can be to say you love someone.
This story strives from how strong Charlotte is as a main character and how absolutely lovely Mary is as a love interest. Honestly, I understand Charlotte. Mary is amazing and knows her ways to sweep someone off their feet. Mary knows who she is, what she wants, and has such a playful aura about her. But she isn't without her faults and fears, which makes her so realistic.
There are many side characters that don't get much page time and one of them is very much an antagonist, only without any redeeming qualities that we see. This story focuses so much on Charlotte and Mary that there didn't need to be a bad guy that was fully fleshed out - they needed someone to sprinkle in some drama here and there to add tension only. It works!
Even if there isn't a lot of time explored with some of the side characters, they have a presence that makes them feel alive in this world. How they interact with the main characters is so great. Yes, we don't see their whole life and know everything about them, but McLeod makes them feel like they have experienced the world and doesn't need to tell you everything about them to feel like they are alive. This whole world feels so alive and realistic.
➤Enjoyment
I adore this book! I kept gushing about it to all my friends, stating: "I can't wait until this release, so everyone can experience this story!"
There aren't any risks. It's a love story of two people who desperately want love in a society that wants to keep them in the shadows. In that aspect, it can be hard to read at times, because it can really reflect both history and the current society for some.
I will warn anyone who picks this up, it's very slow at the start! Even though it starts with death, it's more so warming the reader up to who Charlotte is as a character at the beginning, what the current society and expectations are like, and a lot of rules that may be a bit difficult to understand if you haven't read something similar to this time period. Everything really picks up when Mary comes in and every little detail you can do the dog meme reaction of "I know what you are."
It's heartwarming and I see myself picking this up many more times in the future! Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley, Carina Adores, and Lindz McLeod for the ARC and allowing me this opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
“Sometimes love is like a flower. If the seed is planted too deeply, then it may never see sunlight. If too shallowly, it may be eaten by a passing bird. If the conditions are not conducive, if there is not enough sun or rain or if the soil is not fertile enough, or a hundred other reasons, then the seed will not flourish. That is not the fault of the seed. Sometimes conditions are simply not ripe.”
➤Plot
May Interest you if you like:
- Sapphic Romance
- Friends to Lovers
- Secret Dating
- Flowers/Flower Language
- Bridgerton
The story starts off with death, Charlotte's husband's death, to be exact. Only being married for four years, Charlotte did everything she could to be the perfect wife and hold up her appearance around everyone. Yet, she is now faced with the impossible choice of remarrying to another man after her mourning period is over or moving back with her parents to forever be a widow. She was ready to decide between the two options until Mary Bennet, sister of her best friend, shows up and shows her a new world.
A story about learning to bloom into your happiest self, because it's never too late to turn into your prettiest flower and learn to love with your whole heart.
➤Characters
The characters were absolutely amazing. You follow Charlotte, so you don't really get the thoughts of other characters. However, you understand Charlotte so well and can't help but feel bad. Many times I have been in Charlotte's shoes, especially when figuring out who I am and how scary it can be to say you love someone.
This story strives from how strong Charlotte is as a main character and how absolutely lovely Mary is as a love interest. Honestly, I understand Charlotte. Mary is amazing and knows her ways to sweep someone off their feet. Mary knows who she is, what she wants, and has such a playful aura about her. But she isn't without her faults and fears, which makes her so realistic.
There are many side characters that don't get much page time and one of them is very much an antagonist, only without any redeeming qualities that we see. This story focuses so much on Charlotte and Mary that there didn't need to be a bad guy that was fully fleshed out - they needed someone to sprinkle in some drama here and there to add tension only. It works!
Even if there isn't a lot of time explored with some of the side characters, they have a presence that makes them feel alive in this world. How they interact with the main characters is so great. Yes, we don't see their whole life and know everything about them, but McLeod makes them feel like they have experienced the world and doesn't need to tell you everything about them to feel like they are alive. This whole world feels so alive and realistic.
➤Enjoyment
I adore this book! I kept gushing about it to all my friends, stating: "I can't wait until this release, so everyone can experience this story!"
There aren't any risks. It's a love story of two people who desperately want love in a society that wants to keep them in the shadows. In that aspect, it can be hard to read at times, because it can really reflect both history and the current society for some.
I will warn anyone who picks this up, it's very slow at the start! Even though it starts with death, it's more so warming the reader up to who Charlotte is as a character at the beginning, what the current society and expectations are like, and a lot of rules that may be a bit difficult to understand if you haven't read something similar to this time period. Everything really picks up when Mary comes in and every little detail you can do the dog meme reaction of "I know what you are."
It's heartwarming and I see myself picking this up many more times in the future! Highly recommend.
May 9, 2025
Jane Austen but make it gay? Yes, please.
I was excited when I first heard about this book because Charlotte Lucas is the most queer coded character in Pride and Prejudice, so I wanted to see what an author did with that story. I didn't expect the love interest to be Mary Bennet, the quintessential middle child of the famed Bennet daughters. But I was more than happy to go with it.
This book had me at the first sentence, honestly, with its Austenian wit and charm:
Mr Collins has died only 4 years into his marriage with Charlotte, leaving Charlotte homeless and dependent on her family unless she's able to marry. The problem is that people have never lined up to court Charlotte, not even Mr Collins, as humbling as that is to think about, so Charlotte doesn't think a second marriage is likely, not that she wants to marry again anyway.
It's Lizzie who suggests her sister Mary come visit Charlotte since she cannot. It's not what Charlotte expected, but it is familiar company, even if was never particularly close to Mary. But in the intervening years, Mary has blossomed. Her manners have improved, her self-righteousness has turned to confidence, she's less serious and, well, those "fine eyes" are genetic.
I really enjoyed this! Let's be clear, you're going to have to suspend some disbelief for sure. This is a fantasy world that seems a little too good to be true, but I didn't mind it one bit. My biggest obstacle was Mary's transformation. I had a hard time believing her complete "glow up," but I went with it as best as I could.
I was excited when I first heard about this book because Charlotte Lucas is the most queer coded character in Pride and Prejudice, so I wanted to see what an author did with that story. I didn't expect the love interest to be Mary Bennet, the quintessential middle child of the famed Bennet daughters. But I was more than happy to go with it.
This book had me at the first sentence, honestly, with its Austenian wit and charm:
After procuring several fervent assurances that his wife would apologize sincerely and deeply for his absence from Rosings that evening, Mr Collins reluctantly died.
Mr Collins has died only 4 years into his marriage with Charlotte, leaving Charlotte homeless and dependent on her family unless she's able to marry. The problem is that people have never lined up to court Charlotte, not even Mr Collins, as humbling as that is to think about, so Charlotte doesn't think a second marriage is likely, not that she wants to marry again anyway.
It's Lizzie who suggests her sister Mary come visit Charlotte since she cannot. It's not what Charlotte expected, but it is familiar company, even if was never particularly close to Mary. But in the intervening years, Mary has blossomed. Her manners have improved, her self-righteousness has turned to confidence, she's less serious and, well, those "fine eyes" are genetic.
I really enjoyed this! Let's be clear, you're going to have to suspend some disbelief for sure. This is a fantasy world that seems a little too good to be true, but I didn't mind it one bit. My biggest obstacle was Mary's transformation. I had a hard time believing her complete "glow up," but I went with it as best as I could.
May 20, 2025
I needed this book. As much as I adore Pride and Prejudice, this sapphic sequel was an absolute joy to read and something younger Nat would've loved.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet takes a character long dismissed by readers—Mary Bennet—and gives her unexpected depth and a slow-burning romance that’s full of restraint, yearning, and gentle transformation. Told entirely from Charlotte Lucas’s perspective, the story reimagines her life post-Mr. Collins and lets her unfold beautifully into someone who begins to want more, and then dares to take it.
Societal expectations come into play here, but they are then shunned for love. I loved the way this romance was developed — in the language of flowers, in moments of quiet companionship, and in Charlotte’s gradual realisation that she can live differently. The prose is elegant without being fussy, and I loved how rooted it stayed in Charlotte’s inner world as she moved through grief, social expectation, and newfound connection.
The queer awakening is so thoughtfully done, and the HEA felt completely earned. Yes, there is a slight suspension of belief due to the historical setting, but it's a romance book - I'll give it that grace. This novel was a really lovely read that honours its Austen roots while adding something new and moving. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice or historical queer romance.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet takes a character long dismissed by readers—Mary Bennet—and gives her unexpected depth and a slow-burning romance that’s full of restraint, yearning, and gentle transformation. Told entirely from Charlotte Lucas’s perspective, the story reimagines her life post-Mr. Collins and lets her unfold beautifully into someone who begins to want more, and then dares to take it.
Societal expectations come into play here, but they are then shunned for love. I loved the way this romance was developed — in the language of flowers, in moments of quiet companionship, and in Charlotte’s gradual realisation that she can live differently. The prose is elegant without being fussy, and I loved how rooted it stayed in Charlotte’s inner world as she moved through grief, social expectation, and newfound connection.
The queer awakening is so thoughtfully done, and the HEA felt completely earned. Yes, there is a slight suspension of belief due to the historical setting, but it's a romance book - I'll give it that grace. This novel was a really lovely read that honours its Austen roots while adding something new and moving. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice or historical queer romance.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin - Romance | Carina Adores for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
July 17, 2025
I simply adored this. A beautiful sapphic romance that goes beyond the pages of Pride and Prejudice to explore what might have been for Mary Bennett (once she grew out of being an insufferable know it all) and Charlotte Collins ne' Lucas (once she was freed from the cloying shackles of Mr. Collins by a convenient illness).
Some years have passed since both pride and prejudice were overcome and Charlotte has just buried her husband and finds herself at loose ends. Try though she might she was never able to truly love her husband and she believed she should have done and she never took any delight at all in the marriage bed. And though she has enjoyed a comfortable life on Lady Catherine's sufferance, now that she is widowed she will have to find a new situation in a matter of weeks. After writing to Elizabeth for assistance she is surprised to find Mary Bennett, dispatched by her sister who is dealing with a sick child at Pemberley.
In a delightful slow burn that begins as a wonderful friendship before delicately and deliciously winding its way into a deep satisfying romance both women find in each other the thing that was missing from both their lives. For Mary, at peace with her sexuality after connecting with like minded friends and relatives, it is the realization of genuine love and affection beyond just physical intimacy and for Charlotte it is the first time she is able to name the conflicting feelings she has always carried with her and to understand that there is no evil in embracing who you truly are.
The road is obviously not entirely smooth, but the roadblocks actually serve as important character development for both women and feel less like the plot devices they often are in romance novels. There's also a sweet sort of melancholy about the narrative, this is not a society that would readily (if at all) embrace two women who want to build a life together, but they aren't alone and though they may need to keep aspects of their relationships secret for safety and security there will always be places where they can truly be themselves.
This also feels wonderfully of Jane Austen's world and doesn't at all suffer from not being written in strictly Austen style, it actually feels very fitting given how different Mary and Charlotte are from Elizabeth and Darcy or Jane and Bingley. I actually think I would have found overly witty dialogue and sharp social observations a bit out of place.
Despite its appalling cover (c'mon Carina Adores publisher what in the world is up with those women?) this is a true gem of a novel and 100% my official head canon for both these lovely ladies from now on.
Some years have passed since both pride and prejudice were overcome and Charlotte has just buried her husband and finds herself at loose ends. Try though she might she was never able to truly love her husband and she believed she should have done and she never took any delight at all in the marriage bed. And though she has enjoyed a comfortable life on Lady Catherine's sufferance, now that she is widowed she will have to find a new situation in a matter of weeks. After writing to Elizabeth for assistance she is surprised to find Mary Bennett, dispatched by her sister who is dealing with a sick child at Pemberley.
In a delightful slow burn that begins as a wonderful friendship before delicately and deliciously winding its way into a deep satisfying romance both women find in each other the thing that was missing from both their lives. For Mary, at peace with her sexuality after connecting with like minded friends and relatives, it is the realization of genuine love and affection beyond just physical intimacy and for Charlotte it is the first time she is able to name the conflicting feelings she has always carried with her and to understand that there is no evil in embracing who you truly are.
The road is obviously not entirely smooth, but the roadblocks actually serve as important character development for both women and feel less like the plot devices they often are in romance novels. There's also a sweet sort of melancholy about the narrative, this is not a society that would readily (if at all) embrace two women who want to build a life together, but they aren't alone and though they may need to keep aspects of their relationships secret for safety and security there will always be places where they can truly be themselves.
This also feels wonderfully of Jane Austen's world and doesn't at all suffer from not being written in strictly Austen style, it actually feels very fitting given how different Mary and Charlotte are from Elizabeth and Darcy or Jane and Bingley. I actually think I would have found overly witty dialogue and sharp social observations a bit out of place.
Despite its appalling cover (c'mon Carina Adores publisher what in the world is up with those women?) this is a true gem of a novel and 100% my official head canon for both these lovely ladies from now on.
April 18, 2025
i am sure i could spend my days reading sapphic regency romance! i only found myself feeling that it may have been purposeful on the authors part to avoid moving away from austen’s blank slate characters for cameos from the more fleshed out bennet sisters. although i deeply understand that choice, it did somewhat feel like the pride and prejudice link was therefore easy to remove..
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc, normalise sapphic retellings of all books.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc, normalise sapphic retellings of all books.
May 6, 2025
2.5 stars
I was really excited to read this sapphic sequel to Pride and Prejudice, which features a romance between a widowed Charlotte Lucas Collins and Mary Bennet. I think I would have enjoyed much more it if it were just a romance separated from the original text. My biggest issue with this book is that Mary's character has absolutely no relationship to the Mary Bennet who we meet in Pride and Prejudice and we don't get enough of her backstory from her selection to make her transformation believable. Charlotte also seems to think that Mary is fascinating and magnetic, which also doesn't align, even if she was misunderstood. That dissonance distracted me enough through the entire book that I wasn't really able to enjoy the rest of the story.
Thank you to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Audio for advance reading and listening copies for for unbiased reviews.
I was really excited to read this sapphic sequel to Pride and Prejudice, which features a romance between a widowed Charlotte Lucas Collins and Mary Bennet. I think I would have enjoyed much more it if it were just a romance separated from the original text. My biggest issue with this book is that Mary's character has absolutely no relationship to the Mary Bennet who we meet in Pride and Prejudice and we don't get enough of her backstory from her selection to make her transformation believable. Charlotte also seems to think that Mary is fascinating and magnetic, which also doesn't align, even if she was misunderstood. That dissonance distracted me enough through the entire book that I wasn't really able to enjoy the rest of the story.
Thank you to Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Audio for advance reading and listening copies for for unbiased reviews.
November 5, 2025
I have long held the belief that Charlotte Lucas from Pride and Prejudice was a lesbian. The way she thought about marriage wasn't revolutionary in the Regency period—marriage was an economic reality for women in Protestant Europe—but the way she thought about men screamed "I'm not interested in them" to me. Enter Lindz McLeod with a continuation of Charlotte's story that picks up four years after Pride and Prejudice ends and asks the question: what if Charlotte Lucas and Mary Bennet were together?
Mr. Collins has died of an illness a mere four years after he and Charlotte married, leaving her in yet another economically precarious situation. They had no children, so she will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennet's death, and a new parson will soon be hired for Hunsford. Charlotte will need to vacate her home and move back in with her parents. This is the worst possible outcome for a woman, who longed for economic stability and to take the burden of her care off her parents—so badly, in fact, that she married Mr. Collins despite knowing she did not love him and wasn't attracted to him. Charlotte writes to Lizzy to ask if she'd be willing to come for a visit while she figures out what's next. Lizzy can't come but suggests Charlotte invite her sister Mary to Hunsford. When Mary arrives, Charlotte is shocked by the beautiful, confident woman who steps out of the carriage. Mary has been living in Canterbury with her aunt for the last several years and has clearly come out of her shell. And Charlotte is beginning to realize the reason she never felt anything beyond friendship for Mr. Collins might be that she isn't attracted to men at all.
I really wanted to love this book. I really did. As I said above, I do believe Charlotte makes a believable queer character and that this story could work. I just don't think the conflict writing in this book was very good. It leaned into the worst tendencies of sapphic contemporary romance and then layered the Regency setting on top.
My biggest complaint about sapphic romances today is that they often have no actual conflict, or the conflict feels manufactured. The latter is true here. We are with Charlotte for the whole novel in close third-person, past-tense POV. She spends much of this book believing there's no way Mary Bennet—who has had multiple lovers and experienced the sophisticated world of queer Canterbury—could love and want Charlotte. That is Charlotte's primary fixation as the slow burn works its way through the novel. So why was the act-three low moment Charlotte freaking out about what her parents would think of her supporting herself and living independently? It felt like it came out of nowhere and, therefore, had no teeth and didn’t feel believable. All of the plot in this novel is in the first chapter, where Mr. Collins dies. If you're going to write a book where nothing at all happens beyond character development, the act-three breakup had best be duct-taped to that character work.
The poor conflict writing makes me sad because I do think the characterizations of Charlotte and Mary really worked. Charlotte is the embodiment of compulsory heterosexuality. She spent her entire life believing the only way to live was to have a husband. If she didn't want to become a financial burden to her parents and, eventually, her siblings, she was going to need to find a husband. And by the time she was twenty-seven, any husband would do. Now, as a widow, she's exploring her own wants and needs for the first time—but again, always in the context of not becoming a burden to her family. Mary Bennet is seen as the serious-yet-ridiculous middle sister in Pride and Prejudice. She isn't able to explore her own personality outside the chaos of the Bennet household until she moves in with her aunt and finds a world beyond the narrow confines of Meryton. I thought both characters were compelling enough for me to keep reading, despite the fact that literally nothing happened after chapter one.
I am deeply disappointed that this book did not work for me. Everything was there; the execution just didn’t work. 2.5 stars.
Mr. Collins has died of an illness a mere four years after he and Charlotte married, leaving her in yet another economically precarious situation. They had no children, so she will inherit Longbourn after Mr. Bennet's death, and a new parson will soon be hired for Hunsford. Charlotte will need to vacate her home and move back in with her parents. This is the worst possible outcome for a woman, who longed for economic stability and to take the burden of her care off her parents—so badly, in fact, that she married Mr. Collins despite knowing she did not love him and wasn't attracted to him. Charlotte writes to Lizzy to ask if she'd be willing to come for a visit while she figures out what's next. Lizzy can't come but suggests Charlotte invite her sister Mary to Hunsford. When Mary arrives, Charlotte is shocked by the beautiful, confident woman who steps out of the carriage. Mary has been living in Canterbury with her aunt for the last several years and has clearly come out of her shell. And Charlotte is beginning to realize the reason she never felt anything beyond friendship for Mr. Collins might be that she isn't attracted to men at all.
I really wanted to love this book. I really did. As I said above, I do believe Charlotte makes a believable queer character and that this story could work. I just don't think the conflict writing in this book was very good. It leaned into the worst tendencies of sapphic contemporary romance and then layered the Regency setting on top.
My biggest complaint about sapphic romances today is that they often have no actual conflict, or the conflict feels manufactured. The latter is true here. We are with Charlotte for the whole novel in close third-person, past-tense POV. She spends much of this book believing there's no way Mary Bennet—who has had multiple lovers and experienced the sophisticated world of queer Canterbury—could love and want Charlotte. That is Charlotte's primary fixation as the slow burn works its way through the novel. So why was the act-three low moment Charlotte freaking out about what her parents would think of her supporting herself and living independently? It felt like it came out of nowhere and, therefore, had no teeth and didn’t feel believable. All of the plot in this novel is in the first chapter, where Mr. Collins dies. If you're going to write a book where nothing at all happens beyond character development, the act-three breakup had best be duct-taped to that character work.
The poor conflict writing makes me sad because I do think the characterizations of Charlotte and Mary really worked. Charlotte is the embodiment of compulsory heterosexuality. She spent her entire life believing the only way to live was to have a husband. If she didn't want to become a financial burden to her parents and, eventually, her siblings, she was going to need to find a husband. And by the time she was twenty-seven, any husband would do. Now, as a widow, she's exploring her own wants and needs for the first time—but again, always in the context of not becoming a burden to her family. Mary Bennet is seen as the serious-yet-ridiculous middle sister in Pride and Prejudice. She isn't able to explore her own personality outside the chaos of the Bennet household until she moves in with her aunt and finds a world beyond the narrow confines of Meryton. I thought both characters were compelling enough for me to keep reading, despite the fact that literally nothing happened after chapter one.
I am deeply disappointed that this book did not work for me. Everything was there; the execution just didn’t work. 2.5 stars.
dnf-2025
May 4, 2025DNF @ 50%
This was so boring. Pride and Prejudice world where Mr. Collin's dies and Charlotte ends up having a queer awakening with a Bennettt sister.
This tried to both have Jane Austen writing while also not having the spark of an Austen book.
The narrator did have a spot on impression of Judi Dench/Lady Catherine in the 2005 movie adaption which was fun.
Arc from Netgalley. 0 for 3 this weekend on arcs :')
This was so boring. Pride and Prejudice world where Mr. Collin's dies and Charlotte ends up having a queer awakening with a Bennettt sister.
This tried to both have Jane Austen writing while also not having the spark of an Austen book.
The narrator did have a spot on impression of Judi Dench/Lady Catherine in the 2005 movie adaption which was fun.
Arc from Netgalley. 0 for 3 this weekend on arcs :')
May 3, 2025
This is the HEA I wanted for both Charlotte Lucas and Mary Bennet. I laughed for 5 minutes at the first line, but the rest was pretty dreamy and introspective. I felt like it had the right amount of character growth to get us from the Charlotte of P&P to the Charlotte willing to take risks.
🎧 The audio was well done, and each character was clear. Everything was in Charlotte’s POV, with a linear plot, so it’s easy to follow!
🎧 The audio was well done, and each character was clear. Everything was in Charlotte’s POV, with a linear plot, so it’s easy to follow!
December 5, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of my ARC in return for my honest review
I was immediately interested in the cover and story of this book. A sapphic, slow burn romance set in the P&P universe? Sign me tf up
The plot: two lesbians pining after each other in the most obvious way ever until one of them dies (jk)
The story follows a recently widowed Charlotte. Elizabeth had plans to visit, but her child fell ill, so she sent Mary in her stead. Gay shit ensues.
Am I wrong to say I’m glad Mr. Collins died? Is that rude? I really liked how the story followed 2 of the lesser known characters from P&P, and I feel that the author really captured their essence. It was wistful, romantic, and a deliciously slow burn. It was mildly spicy
I was immediately interested in the cover and story of this book. A sapphic, slow burn romance set in the P&P universe? Sign me tf up
The plot: two lesbians pining after each other in the most obvious way ever until one of them dies (jk)
The story follows a recently widowed Charlotte. Elizabeth had plans to visit, but her child fell ill, so she sent Mary in her stead. Gay shit ensues.
Am I wrong to say I’m glad Mr. Collins died? Is that rude? I really liked how the story followed 2 of the lesser known characters from P&P, and I feel that the author really captured their essence. It was wistful, romantic, and a deliciously slow burn. It was mildly spicy
March 5, 2025
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!
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!
December 23, 2025
3.5 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a slow-burn romance between a widowed Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) and her best friend’s sister, Mary Bennet. Author Lindz McLeod continues the story of two of the more wallflower-ish supporting characters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in a charming story of love and growth.
Charlotte has always done what was expected of her, mindful that though loved she is a burden on her family. Marriage to Mr. Collins was supposed to fix that, but when he dies four years into their marriage, Charlotte is adrift. She can either remarry to secure her future or return home to her parents and the same existence she was drifting through for years. When her best friend is unable to leave Pemberley, she sends her younger sister, Mary. What I liked best about this story was how McLeod truly makes Mary feel like an older version of Austen’s character. She’s different, mature, and has come into her own but in a way that felt natural. Mary has blossomed having left Longbourn to stay with a relative and she sparks something in Charlotte that the woman has long repressed.
Charlotte and Mary make an excellent couple. They shine when they are among people who listen to and appreciate them for who they are. I really liked seeing Charlotte come out of her shell and to be respected by people for her knowledge and skills. But will Charlotte upend what is expected of her, what duty and society has drilled into her? Or will she take a chance on a forbidden love with the enchanting Mary Bennet? As this is a romance, I doubt it will surprise readers which track Charlotte takes, but it’s the journey not just the destination we read for. And the journey is sweet, if a little slow for my taste. As much as I liked Charlotte and Mary together, the middle of the book did drag for me. The writing didn’t pull me in as much as I would have liked and I kept putting the story down, not because it was bad but because it didn’t pull at me. Still, The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a lovely romance overall and the ending was a satisfying one for our two heroines.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a slow-burn romance between a widowed Charlotte Collins (née Lucas) and her best friend’s sister, Mary Bennet. Author Lindz McLeod continues the story of two of the more wallflower-ish supporting characters of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in a charming story of love and growth.
Charlotte has always done what was expected of her, mindful that though loved she is a burden on her family. Marriage to Mr. Collins was supposed to fix that, but when he dies four years into their marriage, Charlotte is adrift. She can either remarry to secure her future or return home to her parents and the same existence she was drifting through for years. When her best friend is unable to leave Pemberley, she sends her younger sister, Mary. What I liked best about this story was how McLeod truly makes Mary feel like an older version of Austen’s character. She’s different, mature, and has come into her own but in a way that felt natural. Mary has blossomed having left Longbourn to stay with a relative and she sparks something in Charlotte that the woman has long repressed.
Charlotte and Mary make an excellent couple. They shine when they are among people who listen to and appreciate them for who they are. I really liked seeing Charlotte come out of her shell and to be respected by people for her knowledge and skills. But will Charlotte upend what is expected of her, what duty and society has drilled into her? Or will she take a chance on a forbidden love with the enchanting Mary Bennet? As this is a romance, I doubt it will surprise readers which track Charlotte takes, but it’s the journey not just the destination we read for. And the journey is sweet, if a little slow for my taste. As much as I liked Charlotte and Mary together, the middle of the book did drag for me. The writing didn’t pull me in as much as I would have liked and I kept putting the story down, not because it was bad but because it didn’t pull at me. Still, The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet is a lovely romance overall and the ending was a satisfying one for our two heroines.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
June 10, 2025
Queer Austen book lovers RISE UP! This has got Jane Austen levels of pining and witty banter but make it sapphic.
The book starts four years after the end of Pride and Prejudice. When Mr. Collins dies after just four years of marriage, Charlotte is lost. While not exactly heartbroken, she will soon have to quit the parsonage that has become her home. In desperate need of support, she writes to her best friend, Lizzie. Unable to leave Pemberly, Lizzie sends her sister, Mary Bennet, in her stead.
To Charlotte's surprise, Mary Bennet is nothing like she remembers. Before long, Charlotte is enraptured-with Mary, and with the possibilities that lie beyond their societal confines. But when her time at the parsonage begins to dwindle and a potential suitor appears, Charlotte must make a choice-the safety and security of another husband, or a passionate life with Mary outside the confines of the ton's expectations.
I really liked the progression of Mary and Charlotte’s relationship. They were so sweet with one another! Charlotte making a bouquet of flowers that represent her feelings for Mary was adorable!! Charlotte’s slow realization that she is gay felt genuine especially for the time. The audiobook narrator was lovely. She really captured the characters and kept me hooked. I didn’t want to put my headphones down. This was a swoony and fun read and I’d definitely recommend it to any Jane Austen fans!
The book starts four years after the end of Pride and Prejudice. When Mr. Collins dies after just four years of marriage, Charlotte is lost. While not exactly heartbroken, she will soon have to quit the parsonage that has become her home. In desperate need of support, she writes to her best friend, Lizzie. Unable to leave Pemberly, Lizzie sends her sister, Mary Bennet, in her stead.
To Charlotte's surprise, Mary Bennet is nothing like she remembers. Before long, Charlotte is enraptured-with Mary, and with the possibilities that lie beyond their societal confines. But when her time at the parsonage begins to dwindle and a potential suitor appears, Charlotte must make a choice-the safety and security of another husband, or a passionate life with Mary outside the confines of the ton's expectations.
I really liked the progression of Mary and Charlotte’s relationship. They were so sweet with one another! Charlotte making a bouquet of flowers that represent her feelings for Mary was adorable!! Charlotte’s slow realization that she is gay felt genuine especially for the time. The audiobook narrator was lovely. She really captured the characters and kept me hooked. I didn’t want to put my headphones down. This was a swoony and fun read and I’d definitely recommend it to any Jane Austen fans!
September 20, 2024
For lovers of Pride & Prejudice, Anne Lister, The Bluestocking’s Guide to Decadence, Bridgerton, The Duke’s Sister & I, and on…Mary Bennet and Charlotte Lucas get their own delicious queer true love story.
I adored this book. I was sent the copy yesterday and devoured it immediately - all of the beautiful flower language references and the way Charlotte used that to share her feelings for Mary - the sweet acceptance of those around them, the complications of grief and widowhood and propriety. I was drawn in by the longing, yearning, and simple want of it all - how Charlotte let herself truly want something and have it - in this case, Mary’s self and love.
This book made my heart sing. And the ending was just SO exquisitely happy.
I adored this book. I was sent the copy yesterday and devoured it immediately - all of the beautiful flower language references and the way Charlotte used that to share her feelings for Mary - the sweet acceptance of those around them, the complications of grief and widowhood and propriety. I was drawn in by the longing, yearning, and simple want of it all - how Charlotte let herself truly want something and have it - in this case, Mary’s self and love.
This book made my heart sing. And the ending was just SO exquisitely happy.
May 15, 2025
I wanted to love this book, but overall found it kind of boring.
July 5, 2025
2.5
Cute! The desire wasn’t believable to me, but I genuinely think most of that is my fault for not being able to get the pictures of younger Charlotte and Mary out of my mind. I think, maybe, if we could have seen glimpses into the past I could’ve bought the romance, but I just didn’t feel it authentically. It just hard for me to see Charlotte with Mary, I’m sorry!!
Cute! The desire wasn’t believable to me, but I genuinely think most of that is my fault for not being able to get the pictures of younger Charlotte and Mary out of my mind. I think, maybe, if we could have seen glimpses into the past I could’ve bought the romance, but I just didn’t feel it authentically. It just hard for me to see Charlotte with Mary, I’m sorry!!
December 27, 2024
I liked this novel a lot. I didn’t realize until about half way through that it was based on anything (I am apparently quite dense) which was funny, but I think that also points to some excellent writing by the author that it clearly stands on its own. This was an entertaining story which will certainly scratch your regency era romance itch. I liked the characters, the story, the setting, and basically every bit of this novel. if you like lengthy explanations of the meanings of different flowers, then this novel will deliver 110%. It was missing *something* for me that would have taken it to the next level, but I’m not entirely sure what. I enjoyed reading the novel and flowed through it, but didn’t feel particularly gripped by it or enthralled in the way some novels do. It’s a solid 4-stars for me, and I could see it being rated higher if someone specifically loves this genre. I would recommend this novel.
My Rating: "B+"
GoodReads: 4-stars
Highlights:
-Great writing!
-Most of the novel seemed very realistic and believable to me, which is not often the case with novels of this type and setting. Everything that happened in the novel was believable for the setting in which it took place.
-I have not read or seen Pride and Prejudice, but I didn’t have any issue following this novel. The “worldbuilding” was sufficiently clear and the characters were all introduced enough that everything made sense.
-There were a lot of characters in this novel that I liked. It wasn’t a huge cast but it was large and well-developed enough that the world felt lived in. The side/minor characters had personality!
-The slow burn, particularly the first 2/3 of the novel, was excellent. The author did a great job of dropping hints and foreshadowing in a way that was fun to read, and believable for the situation.
-I liked Mary a lot!
Nitpicks:
-The plotline was somewhat straightforward and obvious, and very convenient. The protagonist just so happened to obtain certain information over the course of the novel which was the exact information that she needed later on (and no one else had), and no one else could do the same. It was fun, but a little on the nose.
-The conflict in the third act seemed rather forced/unrealistic/pointless, and it was somewhat annoying to read. It was unnecessary, to put it simply, and rather formulaic.
-The protagonist was overly oblivious to a lot of very obvious signs, to the point where it was unrealistic or frustrating. I understand not picking up on subtle signals or believing it might be true in the beginning, but this continued much later into the novel when things should have been clear.
-I understand the protagonists internal struggles, but it got very repetitive after a point without very much progression. I also didn’t see sufficient reason for the protagonist to be as self-deprecating as they were (particularly while faced with evidence of the contrary). Somewhat telling-not-showing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC, my review was left voluntarily.
My Rating: "B+"
GoodReads: 4-stars
Highlights:
-Great writing!
-Most of the novel seemed very realistic and believable to me, which is not often the case with novels of this type and setting. Everything that happened in the novel was believable for the setting in which it took place.
-I have not read or seen Pride and Prejudice, but I didn’t have any issue following this novel. The “worldbuilding” was sufficiently clear and the characters were all introduced enough that everything made sense.
-There were a lot of characters in this novel that I liked. It wasn’t a huge cast but it was large and well-developed enough that the world felt lived in. The side/minor characters had personality!
-The slow burn, particularly the first 2/3 of the novel, was excellent. The author did a great job of dropping hints and foreshadowing in a way that was fun to read, and believable for the situation.
-I liked Mary a lot!
Nitpicks:
-The plotline was somewhat straightforward and obvious, and very convenient. The protagonist just so happened to obtain certain information over the course of the novel which was the exact information that she needed later on (and no one else had), and no one else could do the same. It was fun, but a little on the nose.
-The conflict in the third act seemed rather forced/unrealistic/pointless, and it was somewhat annoying to read. It was unnecessary, to put it simply, and rather formulaic.
-The protagonist was overly oblivious to a lot of very obvious signs, to the point where it was unrealistic or frustrating. I understand not picking up on subtle signals or believing it might be true in the beginning, but this continued much later into the novel when things should have been clear.
-I understand the protagonists internal struggles, but it got very repetitive after a point without very much progression. I also didn’t see sufficient reason for the protagonist to be as self-deprecating as they were (particularly while faced with evidence of the contrary). Somewhat telling-not-showing.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC, my review was left voluntarily.
June 9, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this book because I love Pride and Prejudice and have always felt a personal connection to Charlotte. Alas, what I thought would assist me in this book worked against me.
Charlotte is a character who was left open enough in the Austen tale that I could conjure her outside of the pages to fit me and my yearning for a kindred spirit. Because of that I found it hard to equate the Charlotte and Mary I already knew to this new picture that had been painted. It was the same subject on the canvas, but different styles and details.
Plot wise, I lost interest early on and nothing ever hooked me enough to bring me back unfortunately, which made the later half of this feel like a bit of a chore.
Writing wise, I think this book is solid. The style is simple and easy to follow. I prefer a more flowery book and did not find that here so if you don't like wordy and prefer to get to the point then do not let this book's relation to the original “Pride and Prejudice” deter you, it is written in a modern romance style!
Charlotte is a character who was left open enough in the Austen tale that I could conjure her outside of the pages to fit me and my yearning for a kindred spirit. Because of that I found it hard to equate the Charlotte and Mary I already knew to this new picture that had been painted. It was the same subject on the canvas, but different styles and details.
Plot wise, I lost interest early on and nothing ever hooked me enough to bring me back unfortunately, which made the later half of this feel like a bit of a chore.
Writing wise, I think this book is solid. The style is simple and easy to follow. I prefer a more flowery book and did not find that here so if you don't like wordy and prefer to get to the point then do not let this book's relation to the original “Pride and Prejudice” deter you, it is written in a modern romance style!
Want to read
November 26, 2024"A sapphic romance between recently widowed Charlotte Lucas and grown-up scientist Mary Bennet. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder at the sheer sturdiness of a well-built pianoforte."
oh my god, yesssss
oh my god, yesssss
June 9, 2025
I love this book most ardently
Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews