Speculation

by Jeremy Cook

The Seventh Novel Jane Austen never wrote

Speculation is a love story, in which outspoken Susan, and her friend Isabella challenge Regency marriage conventions.
Her fortune depleted by her brother’s gaming, Susan has no intention of marrying the vain wastrel chosen to be her husband. Instead she falls in love with Isabella’s cousin, Mr Jarvis. No idle landowner, he is a speculator (venture capitalist) whose latest scheme is a sugar plantation to be worked for pay by former slaves. They seem made for each other. But he's married, at a time when full divorce requires an Act of Parliament.
Isabella’s £100,000 fortune is the target of every idle bounder, despite her being the daughter of a plantation owner and a former slave. With Susan’s approval, she dismisses them all. But unwisely, she plans instead to elope with the vain wastrel.
Can Susan rescue her friend from folly, and marry the man she loves?

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

About the author

Jeremy Cook was born in Liverpool in 1942. An Oxford graduate, he moved to London where he was senior partner in a marketing consultancy for 25 years, with many financial clients. Like Clem, he suffered substantial losses as a result of his involvement with Lloyd’s. His wife is a successful investor, and the pair have jointly argued a financial case before the high court. They live in Notting Hill, London.

Reviews

[Eleanor Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a typical Regency romance, but what I got was a story with real heart, sharp wit, and two women who refuse to bend to society’s expectations. Susan is fiery and principled, Isabella is vulnerable yet determined, and together they make the kind of friendship you rarely see in this genre.

Mr. Jarvis was a refreshing twist, a man with ambition and conscience, and the romantic tension felt both slow-burn and deeply earned. I also appreciated how the book doesn’t shy away from the complicated realities of the era, especially around race, money, and marriage laws.

By the end, I was rooting so hard for Susan to get the ending she deserved, and the final chapters were incredibly satisfying. A thoughtful, heartfelt, and surprisingly modern Regency love story.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This speculative "seventh novel" is a brilliant exploration of love, class, and societal expectations. The story follows Susan, a sharp witted woman whose fortune is lost, and her growing love for Mr. Jarvis, a progressive venture capitalist involved in a controversial sugar plantation project. But he's married, and divorce in Regency England is almost impossible.

Meanwhile, Susan’s friend Isabella, the daughter of a plantation owner and a former slave, faces a string of suitors only interested in her wealth. Despite Susan's warnings, Isabella plans to elope with a vain wastrel, forcing Susan to intervene.

With Austen’s trademark wit and social critique, this novel blends romance with deeper moral questions about race, class, and ambition. Though unfinished, it's a thrilling, emotionally charged story that feels like a lost gem of Austen’s. A compelling read, deserving of 5 stars.

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. It feels like a Regency romance, but with more depth and thought than I expected. The characters are strong-willed, flawed, and believable, and I especially appreciated how the author explores love, friendship, and difficult choices within the limits of the time.
What stood out most was how the story gently challenges social conventions without losing its emotional heart. It’s not rushed, and the relationships feel earned rather than convenient. I finished the book feeling satisfied and thoughtful, which doesn’t always happen with historical romance.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with moral tension and a quieter, more intelligent kind of romance, this is well worth reading.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation feels like the lost Jane Austen novel we never knew we needed, witty, romantic, sharp, and wonderfully bold. Susan is a heroine you can’t help but admire: outspoken, intelligent, and determined to live by her own choices in a world that constantly tries to make them for her.

The story beautifully blends Regency romance, social rebellion, and high stakes emotional tension, while also tackling deeper themes like fortune, class, and the complicated legacy of wealth. The relationships feel layered and human, and the dialogue has that delicious Austen style sparkle.

If you love strong women, forbidden love, and a Regency setting with real bite, this book is an absolute gem. I flew through it and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended!

[Shopify App · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation surprised me with how layered and daring it is beneath its polished Regency surface. Jeremy Cook doesn’t simply recreate Austen’s world—he interrogates it, especially the uneasy relationship between wealth, morality, and social respectability. The romantic tension is genuinely affecting, but what truly elevates the novel is its willingness to wrestle with complicated questions about freedom, reputation, and the cost of security. It’s thoughtful, emotionally intelligent, and far more ambitious than a conventional period romance.

[Isabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation is a delightful and intelligent homage to Jane Austen that feels both authentic and refreshingly bold. Jeremy Cook masterfully captures Regency wit while tackling deeper themes of love, money, morality, and social constraint, giving the story modern resonance without losing period charm. With spirited heroines, sharp social observation, and a compelling romantic dilemma, this novel truly feels like the Austen “lost work” readers didn’t know they needed.

[Leo Mart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation reads uncannily like a lost Jane Austen novel, yet Jeremy Cook gives it a confident voice of its own. The wit, social observation, and emotional restraint feel entirely of the period, while the themes of speculation, moral responsibility, and constrained love give the story real weight. Susan and Isabella are intelligent, principled heroines whose choices matter, and the romantic tension is both believable and moving.

[Sico Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Cook demonstrates a deep understanding of Regency society and its contradictions, crafting a novel that is as thoughtful as it is entertaining. The story’s exploration of wealth, marriage, and moral compromise elevates it beyond a simple romance. This is historical fiction that respects its readers and rewards close attention.

[Sico International · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Cook demonstrates a deep understanding of Regency society and its contradictions, crafting a novel that is as thoughtful as it is entertaining. The story’s exploration of wealth, marriage, and moral compromise elevates it beyond a simple romance. This is historical fiction that respects its readers and rewards close attention.

[Cole Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy Cook has an impressive ability to inhabit the voice and concerns of the Regency period without sounding derivative. His characters feel fully alive, and the social tensions surrounding marriage, inheritance, and respectability are sharply observed. A rewarding read for lovers of classic-style literature.

[Emily Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rather than relying on nostalgia alone, this novel challenges the reader to think about who benefits from social conventions and who pays the price. The characters’ choices feel earned, not convenient, and the emotional payoff is deeply satisfying. Jeremy Cook writes with both compassion and clarity.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our club selected Speculation by Jeremy Cook expecting a straightforward narrative, what we found instead was a layered exploration of uncertainty and perception. Cook demonstrates a steady command of atmosphere and character psychology, crafting a story that invites readers to question assumptions rather than settle into easy conclusions.

[Roy Whits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation feels like discovering a lost Austen novel, but with bolder themes and sharper social insight. Susan is a refreshing heroine—witty, principled, and unafraid to challenge convention. I was completely absorbed from beginning to end.

[Carletta Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t just romance—it’s a thoughtful examination of class, fortune, and choice in Regency England. Susan and Isabella are compelling, complex women, and Mr Jarvis is far more interesting than the typical romantic hero.

[Terry Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant, daring, and emotionally satisfying.
Jeremy Cook weaves history, romance, and social commentary seamlessly. The stakes feel real, the dilemmas are nuanced, and the resolution is immensely rewarding.

[Carletta Bowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever reimagining of the Regency world.
Speculation captures the wit and restraint of the era while boldly addressing issues often ignored in historical fiction. The characters feel alive, and their choices matter.

[Allison Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong women, sharp dialogue, and real tension.
Susan is a standout protagonist—intelligent, loyal, and quietly rebellious. I especially appreciated how the novel questions traditional marriage expectations without losing its romantic charm.

[Larry Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance with intelligence and heart.
The plot kept me guessing, and the emotional conflicts were handled with sensitivity and insight. This is historical fiction at its best—engaging, thoughtful, and beautifully written.

[Samm Icon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing twist on Regency romance.
The inclusion of financial speculation, moral responsibility, and unconventional love makes this novel feel fresh and original. It respects the period while challenging its limitations.

[Gowen Laney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing and surprisingly bold.
Speculation dares to ask difficult questions about wealth, freedom, and love in a rigid society. The characters’ inner lives are richly drawn, making every decision feel consequential.

[Harry Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel that lingers after the last page.
This book combines romance, history, and social critique with remarkable skill. It feels like the “seventh Jane Austen novel” in spirit—yet confidently stands on its own.

[Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its elegant prose to its thoughtful themes, Speculation is a novel that invites both enjoyment and reflection. Jeremy Cook writes with confidence and restraint, allowing the story’s moral and emotional questions to unfold naturally. A beautifully crafted and memorable book.

[Sarah Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The strength of Speculation lies in its balance: romance and realism, wit and seriousness, affection for the era and clear-eyed critique of it. Susan and Isabella are refreshingly active in shaping their own destinies. This is intelligent historical fiction at its best.

[Ola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like discovering a forgotten manuscript rather than reading a modern novel. The tone is confident and graceful, and the story trusts the reader’s intelligence. Susan is not loud or dramatic, yet her quiet determination makes her unforgettable.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What stayed with me long after finishing was how carefully the author balances romance with consequence. Every choice matters. Love is not presented as fantasy but as a serious commitment shaped by society, law, and personal values

[Andrew Winterstudio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel does not rely on charm alone. It asks difficult questions about wealth, power, and responsibility, all while remaining engaging and readable. The historical setting enriches the story instead of limiting it.

[Diseos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan’s refusal to accept a marriage arranged for convenience rather than respect feels quietly radical. Her strength lies in her clarity of mind, not dramatic rebellion, which makes her choices feel earned and meaningful.

[Carbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speculation is a well-written and engaging book with a compelling storyline and relatable characters. It keeps readers interested while delivering thoughtful themes, making it an enjoyable and memorable read.

[Rick Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The language, manners, and emotional tension are beautifully rendered, yet the story feels modern in its moral courage. The exploration of marriage, money, and freedom gives this novel real depth.

[Clement Dc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good 👍 to read