What Kitty Did Next

by Carrie Kablean

England, 1813. Nineteen-year-old Catherine Bennet lives in the shadow of her two eldest sisters, Elizabeth and Jane, who have both made excellent marriages. No one expects Kitty to amount to anything. Left at home in rural Hertfordshire with her neurotic and nagging mother, and a father who derides her as "silly and ignorant," Kitty is lonely, diffident and at a loss as to how to improve her situation.

When her world unexpectedly expands to London and the Darcy’s magnificent country estate in Derbyshire, she is overjoyed. Keen to impress this new society, and to change her family’s prejudice, Kitty does everything she can to improve her mind and manners—and for the first time feels liked and respected.

However, one fateful night at Pemberley, a series of events and misunderstandings conspire to ruin Kitty’s reputation and she is sent back home in disgrace. But Kitty has learnt from her new experiences and what she does next does next will not only surprise herself, but everyone else too.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Regency, Retellings, British Literature

416 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2018

About the author

I was born and raised in London, and came to Sydney in 1990. I love both cities - shame they are so far apart.
I have always loved reading and when I was a kid and the mobile library made its weekly stop nearby I read anything in the historical fiction genre I could get my hands on. Especially loved Tudor England. Then Jane Austen came into my life, and never left. And I started working my way through other great English classic novels (an ongoing pastime). But my tastes range farther afield too, Junot Diaz, Stella Gibbons, Tom Wolfe, Graham Greene, Karen Joy Fowler, Alice Sebold.... have to stop, it will go on forever.
Theatre is also a passion. I reviewed for The Sunday Telegraph for more than a decade, and still post the occasional review.
I was a journalist with The Australian for more than 20 years, and now write for my own amusement - and hopefully yours!

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was feeling that I was on a one way train to Slumpsville, but this book rejuvenated my book loving soul Those who have read a few of my reviews know that I have been a fan of Jane Austen since age 13( thanks Emma Thompson!) and I cannot resist any type of sequel. The tagline teases us that this is the book Pride & Prejudice fans have been waiting for and in a way, it certainly was. Just for old time sakes, I am going to just remind readers where Jane Austen left her beloved characters.

Excerpt from the original P&P( 1813)
Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters.....Mr. Bennet missed his second daughter exceedingly; his affection for her drew him oftener from home than anything else could do. Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth...... Kitty, to her very material advantage, spent the chief of her time with her two elder sisters.... Mary was the only daughter who remained at home; and she was necessarily drawn from the pursuit of accomplishments by Mrs. Bennet's being quite unable to sit alone... As for Wickham and Lydia, their characters suffered no revolution from the marriage of her sisters. Chapter 61 excerpt from Jane Austen, Project Gutenberg

So, having married three of the Bennett sisters, Austen concluded her story, but I think we all wanted happy endings for sweet Kitty and the proper minded Mary and to journey back to Austen's much loved world that she had created. Although Mary finds her happiness quickly( yet in a satisfactory fashion), Catherine "Kitty" Bennett is at the centre of this sequel and the book takes us on a quest as she tries to step out of the shadows of her three married sisters and form her own identity. I was so hooked into this story that I felt as if this was a lost manuscript recently found among Austen's papers. Author Carrie Kablean is certainly a kindred spirit and this is certainly a Jane Austen sequel that I would re-read again. Trust me, I have read a few that I REALLY wish I could forget!

Kablean takes us from Longbourn to the inner rooms of London society to the splendor of Pemberley and exposes us to the many trials of the becoming of Kitty Bennett.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced e-book copy in exchange for an honest review

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was just brilliant. Rich, warm, fun, clever, thoroughly Austen-esque and with a brilliant plot. I adored it.

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Charming read

Ok so for me I haven't read Jane Austen so I was a little apprehensive as to what to expect. I know sometimes books based on classics don't always live up to expectations.
However I really enjoyed What Kitty Did Next.

It was wonderful to see Kitty mature from a young women into a lady.
Kitty doesn't have it easy, but as she grows so does her maturity to deal with situations.
I really liked her character she is strong, independent, yes a lil immature at times but that only added to her charm.

This isn't a fast paced book at all. Carrie creates the perfect ambiance.
It really is the perfect read if you adore historical fiction with a dash of romance.
I can only speak as I find as I haven't had the pleasure of reading the previous originals. But I would definitely recommend reading this beautiful enchanting read.

Thank you to Love Book Group Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website:-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this engaging, gently paced, Pride & Prejudice sequel, the author delivers a thoughtful, 'coming-into-her-own' story with the fourth Bennet daughter, Kitty getting her time to shine.

What Kitty Did Next starts out by setting up the situation which begins shortly after the events of Pride & Prejudice. Life is somewhat dull and flat for Kitty after Lydia and Wickham are bustled off to Newcastle and her two oldest sisters are married and move away. Kitty is stuck with dull, prosy Mary, a querulous still match-minded mother, and a stern father who came down hard on her after Lydia's misadventures. Kitty wallows a bit, but then catches a break when sweet Jane and Bingley invite her to stay with them in Town for the Season.

It was slow going, but very necessary as the author shows the steps of Kitty's maturing process and introduces her new situation while keeping the reader up on all the Bennet sisters. I enjoyed Kitty's unique personality and voice among the others. She doesn't suddenly become a heroine overnight and her growth has its halts and starts, but with each encounter and adventure she steps out of her sisters' shadow and becomes her own woman.

The story really gets moving when Kitty is tested, severely. Nothing like injustice when you're doing the right thing to get a gal to step forward the stronger for it.

I really liked this version of Kitty Bennet and enjoyed her self-reliance and spirit. She has to work for what she wants and it was fun seeing her get there.
And, it wasn't just Kitty. There were a few new and original characters that were great to meet. I really liked this version of Bingley and Jane in particular and then Mr. Bennet. There was some added sparkle, there.

All in all, this was a well-written, heartwarming tribute to the classic and a fabulous sequel effort that I can heartily recommend.

I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanna Loves Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

After taking about a month to get a quarter of a way through this, I think it is time for me to call it quits. I gave up on Pride and Prejudice spinoffs awhile ago partly because there was so many being produced and also because they all pale in comparison to the original masterpiece. I LOVE P&P. It was my first Jane Austen, and I have read it many, many times. I am uber critical of books that take the beloved characters and try to create a new story with this. I get annoyed with tone, dialogue, story and characterization in some form or another. This was no different. It was no better or worse. It may be an enjoyable story to the less critical.

I was initially drawn in by the fact that it was about the most overlooked character, Kitty. It takes her and makes into a free-thinking feminist. I did not buy into her transition into being a Wollstonecraft reader or an appreciater of fine music and learning to play. I may have been able to buy-in if it was sold appropriately, but it wasn’t here for me.

*I received an ARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[wosedwew · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. ~ Willa Cather

Full Disclosure: Kitty Bennet is my favorite of the supporting characters from canon Pride & Prejudice. I am always happy to find another story that develops Kitty into her own person rather than a parrot for her idiotic sister.

The story opens after the end of canon P&P with only Mary and Kitty remaining at Longbourn with their parents. Mrs. Bennet has intensified her efforts to find a husband for Kitty, having largely given up the chase for Mary. Kitty, bored and unhappy at home, rejoices when her new brother, Charles Bingley, invites Kitty to London with them for the season.

Kitty’s eyes are opened in several ways: enjoying music at concerts and resuming childhood lessons; developing interests in current events and reading all types of books, not just the romance novels Lydia enjoyed.

Another eye-opening event: Jane shared information about how Wickham was convinced to marry Lydia and how the family would have been shunned without that marriage.

Georgiana and Kitty develop a friendship. When the Darcys leave for Pemberley, Kitty is invited for a visit. A ball is planned and an uninvited and unwanted Lydia appears at Pemberley’s door. Will Lydia behave as a courteous guest? Or has she become even more unruly since her marriage?

In the spider-web of facts, many a truth is strangled. ~ Paul Eldridge

True to form, Lydia implicates Kitty in a quickly hushed-up scandal. Darcy and Elizabeth, who in canon showed considerable talent in misunderstanding people and jumping to conclusions, believe Lydia. Kitty is sent home in disgrace.

Mrs. Bennet falls ill. As the only daughter still at home, Kitty must stand on her own managing the household. She continues learning, reading and improving her music. But can she ever find love?

“What Kitty Did Next” is clean, well-written and proofread. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys JAFF – especially my fellow Kitty fans.

Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

VERY WELL WRITTEN, BUT SLOW



👍 Writing: It almost felt like reading an Austen novel, the writing was so humorous and wry.

"Mr. Collins, a man of little sense and great pomposity"

👎 Pace: The pace was a bit slow, probably because the plot felt thin and took a while to really get going.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What Kitty Did Next" is a Regency romance set in 1813 in England. It starts about a year after Pride and Prejudice and is told from Kitty's viewpoint. Kitty knows that her family thinks very poorly of her, but she's not sure how to improve things. Jane takes pity on Kitty and invites her to London to see the sights and learn to mix in society. Then she's invited to Pemberley! Just when Kitty feels like she's proved herself to her family and that new friends have recognized her worth (including some potential suitors), things start to crumble as old prejudices combine with a misunderstanding, forcing Kitty to return home.

The author did an excellent job of capturing the personalities and tone of Jane Austen's novel. The characters' acted in ways that were consistent with their behavior in Pride and Prejudice, and the style of writing was similar to Austen's. The author did add more historical detail--things which help bring the setting and time period alive to the modern reader. This is the best Pride and Prejudice sequel that I've read.

It's an excellent novel on it's own, too. I enjoyed how Kitty grappled with how her family treated her and questions about her future. I liked how she grew as a person. While the romantic interest didn't have a lot of scenes with Kitty (as they weren't constantly together), they did have plenty of "off-screen" time to get to know each other better. He built up her confidence, and they shared interests. And the author has done her research. I enjoyed the little historical details that were woven into the action.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this story and I look forward to the author's future novels.

I received an ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much! I thought the author did a great job of realistically showing how Kitty matured when she was out from under Lydia’s influence. Kitty’s relationships with the Bingleys and the Darcys are realistic as well given the personalities of the individuals. We get to see Georgiana Darcy and the Gardiners again (such great characters!) and we get to go to both London and Pemberley! How can you go wrong with that? There is a romance in this of course but it’s pleasantly understated. The real focus is Kitty’s own coming of age and how she leaves childish things behind. It’s so well done and so satisfying. There is one plot device that I found a bit contrived but it is necessary for the second half of the novel and a lot of Kitty’s growth, so I just went with it. We get to see Mr Bennet enjoying the British Museum’s reading room too! How fun is that??

When Kitty is staying with the Gardiners in London, it’s so cold the Thames freezes over and there is a frost fair out on the ice. I enjoyed the details of that so much. They even led an elephant across the river to prove it was frozen solid! 🤣

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty Bennet, freed from her sisters' shadows, begins to find her own personality through writing and music. Love may follow, but a person from the past may cause Kitty to lose all of her newfound friends and confidence. Kablean develops some of the lesser-known Pride and Prejudice characters, as well as introducing new ones, and gives Kitty a satisfying ending.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were very pleased when a novel inspired by Jane Austen’s fourth daughter in Pride and Prejudice crossed our path. What Kitty Did Next is a continuation, as such, of one of the five Bennet sisters after the close of the classic novel, whose heroine Elizabeth receives most of the praise from her father and a marriage to Mr. Darcy of Pembeley in the end. Her younger sister Catherine on the other hand, or Kitty as she is called by her family, only earns put-downs and threats from her father after her involvement in her younger sister Lydia’s infamous elopement with Mr. Wickham. Accused of being silly and ignorant, what could Kitty do to regain her family’s trust, raise her self-esteem and make herself marriageable? From the title of the book, my expectations were high. How would Kablean turn the floundering duckling of Longbourn into a swan?

Much of the anticipation for the reader is generated by Kitty’s past behavior in Pride and Prejudice. For those who have not read the original, Kablean gives us ample background and character backstory.

"Kitty, meanwhile, was just Kitty. A docile child, she had trailed after her adored eldest sisters but they, like many older siblings, had not delighted in her presence and had sent her off to play with the younger ones. Only sickness and prolonged periods of enforced rest had brought Jane, and occasionally Elizabeth, to her bedside, and when she had fully recovered her health Lydia had so far inserted herself as her mother’s favourite that it had seemed obvious that she should follow in her younger sister’s wake and share all the delights and comforts bestowed upon her. Neither commanding nor being the centre of attention, Kitty had become more adept at observing than doing and, until the events of the previous year, had not questioned this order of things." Chapter 6

Our sympathies run deep for Kitty. With three of her sisters married, she is stuck at the family home with sister Mary (no fun) her prattling mother (harpy) and a negligent father who has placed her on a very short leash in reaction to the bad conduct of a younger sister who is now out of harms way living in Newcastle. With no balls to attend or officers to flirt with life is a bore until sister Jane invites her to dine at Netherfield Park. After meeting Sir Edward Quincy, a very old gentleman (of at least forty-five) she wonders if his decided attentions to her could become her fate? A wealthy widow is a very eligible prospect that her family would approve of. Yet, what does she have to offer him beyond youth? Her sister Jane sees her dilemma and invites her to join herself and her husband Charles at their London townhouse on Brook street.

"How thin is the line between happiness and despair! Yesterday, all had been bleak and monotonous; today, every bright prospect was open to her." Chapter 9

So, off to London Kitty goes – a town of diversions and prospects aplenty. Or one would hope. There, she meets Mr. Darcy’s younger sister Miss Georgiana who encourages Kitty to renew her love of music, is taught by Mr. Henry Adams a dishy young music master, is introduced to Sir Quincy’s eligible nephews Mr. Frederick Fanshawe and Mr. William Fanshawe, who are his heirs, attends music soirees, art galleries and museums, shops for frocks, and generally does all the things that fashionable young ladies do while in Town. Life is good for Kitty, yet after reading Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Women she craves more and begins a diary of her time in London.

Usually, at this point in a novel, there is a crisis or a challenging event for the heroine. In Pride and Prejudice it occurs about a third of the way in the narrative after the tumultuous failed first proposal by Mr. Darcy to Elizabeth resulting in anger, anxiety and exasperation for both parties. His “be not alarmed, madame.” letter to Elizabeth is an epiphany for her. Before that moment she never knew herself and is touched and humbled by his response. This important character arc does not happen in What Kitty Did Next for hundreds of pages, which leaves readers wondering where the storyline is going. There is activity. Kitty is improving herself, slowly, and we do learn more about the Fanshawes and sense that something is amiss there. Coupled with the author’s choice to use pages of telling the story and not showing, I found myself growing as impatient and restless as the heroine. When the action finally moves to Pemberley and Lydia Wickham crashes the summer ball, things finally come to a point of true crisis for our heroine. Her reputation is tarnished and she is sent home to Longbourn in disgrace.

What she did next, I will leave for the reader to discover. The first half of the novel was very gently paced. Be patient. Like our heroine Miss Kitty Bennet, debut novelist Carrie Kablean was learning and improving with every chapter. The final third of the book was pure vindication. Kitty became accomplished, worthy of our attention and praise, and so did the author.

Laurel Ann - Austenprose

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-4.75 I agree with Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) about the evening.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable Pride and Prejudice retelling and now a rival to The Other Bennet Sister for my favourite Austen spin off! It was so interesting to see Kitty mature into a young women with more positive influences on her. I also especially enjoyed all the time spent with Jane and Elizabeth both in London and Pemberley... the characterization and writing felt very true to Austen. The seasonality present throughout was wonderful, particularly the details about the 1814 Frost Fair on the frozen Thames. And I liked that this book gave Mr Bennet a bit of a redemption arc. Definitely highly recommend!

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Unsuspecting and Undistinguished Character Transforms into a Heroine!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

With three Bennet daughters marrying for love at the close of Pride and Prejudice, the two remaining unmarried daughters (Mary and Kitty) have always aroused curiosity and speculation. What kind of futures are in store for these ladies? Do they find their own happiness? Do they marry for love? Many writers have been inspired to pick up their pens and compose tales that flesh out these characters and continue their lives beyond what Jane Austen wrote. While there are dozens of stories that spotlight Mary Bennet, there are decidedly less that feature Kitty Bennet, who is famous for her coughing and for mindlessly being under Lydia’s influence. In Carrie Kablean’s debut novel she shines a spotlight on Kitty and reveals the events of Kitty’s life the year after her sisters marry.

Overlooked, undistinguished, and seemingly foolish – Kitty Bennet does not seem to be the type of heroine to attract interest or admiration. But her life undergoes some dramatic changes when she is removed from Lydia’s influence and invited to visit her happily married sisters. Spending time with Jane and Mr. Bingley in London society opens Kitty’s eyes to many things – she discovers the joys and entertainments of traveling, revives her interest in music, and learns much by observing the social interactions of those around her. And when Kitty is invited to spend some months in Pemberley as the close friend of Georgiana Darcy, Kitty evolves even more. She learns some startling revelations about her sisters and their marriages, develops a more intimate friendship with Georgiana Darcy, and provides much assistance to Elizabeth during her first grand social event. But sadly, things to take a very unexpected and horrible turn at this grand social event, and Kitty finds herself accused, criticized, and disgraced…

I absolutely adored this story about Kitty! I loved her gradual transformation. She becomes so much more than the “silly and ignorant” daughter her father supposes her to be. I loved how Carrie Kablean fleshes out her character and shows the ways Kitty becomes her own individual and forms her own thoughts and dreams. She truly has spent life in Lydia’s shadows. And because she was part of such a big family (and was not the favorite child of either parent), her experiences, opportunities, and education were limited. Now she has the chance to pursue some of her interests and take advantage of some new opportunities. It was such a rewarding experience to witness Kitty grow into a sensible, well-informed, and admirable heroine.

In addition, I greatly enjoyed seeing Kitty interact with those around her. I was so pleased to see her relationship with Jane, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and especially Mr. Bingley blossom (I really enjoyed the shared interests between Kitty and Mr. Bingley!) And there are several new acquaintances and some possible suitors that were delightfully well-drawn and great additions to Kitty’s social circle. I adored both Sir Edward Quincy and Henry Adams. Lastly, I enjoyed seeing a most gratifying and pleasing relationship develop between Kitty and one of her parents. With all that happened to Kitty in the latter half of the novel, it was heartwarming to see this new understanding develop and mutual regard grow.

My only wish for this well-crafted and reverent sequel would be for perhaps a little more romance and slower pacing towards the end. While this story does set a more leisurely pace at the beginning, the latter half of the story picks up and is very eventful. I loved the romance that developed, but I do wish there was a teensy bit more to it.

Despite that minor quibble, I found myself enchanted and enthralled by Carrie Kablean’s What Kitty Did Next. I applaud Ms. Kablean for her eloquent and descriptive prose and thoughtful renderings of Jane Austen’s characters. I cannot help but wonder what she will do next… 😉 Hopefully a story about Georgiana *fingers crossed*

Austenesque Reviews

[Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picking up where Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice left off, Catherine "Kitty" Bennet is left behind at Longbourn with her parents and sister Mary after the marriages of her older sisters Jane and Elizabeth, and younger sister Lydia, over a period of 6 months. Kitty (with no clue about the scandal Lydia's marriage to George Wickham almost caused the family if not for the kindness of Mr. Darcy) is lonely without Lydia, who was her closest friend before her sudden departure from home.
Soon Kitty is invited to stay with the Bingleys in London where is overjoyed to find culture and society unknown to her before. She does her best to improve her manners and make her sister Jane proud, enjoying the company of new friends, including Georgiana, Mr. Darcy's sister.
Thanks to Georgiana, Kitty receives an invitation to Pemberley, which she gladly accepts. Here her friendship turns to sisterhood with Georgiana and she becomes closer with Elizabeth and the standoffish Mr. Darcy. In the middle of Elizabeth's preparation for her first ball, the family is shocked when Lydia arrives without an invitation.
Lydia (also unaware of the gallant actions of Mr. Darcy or the truth of her husband's intentions) and her inappropriate behavior in polite society leaves Lizzie anxious, so Kitty keeps an eye on her young sister to make everything as uneventful as possible.
It doesn't take long for Lydia's behavior to bring about a scandalous scene during the Pemberley ball which Mr. Darcy witnesses and interprets as a betrayal by Kitty. Kitty returns home in shame without the chance to explain herself, but life as she's always known it at Longbourn is about to change forever. Once considered "silly and ignorant", Kitty has turned into a well mannered lady who carries herself with grace through dark times.
Everything you wanted to know about what happened to the Bennet family after the happy ending of Pride and Prejudice is here: love, loss, births, deaths, and the strong bonds of sisterhood.
What Kitty Did Next is a charming continuation of Pride and Prejudice told through the story of this often overlooked sister.
Thanks to RedDoor Publishing and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

For full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com

[Carole (in Canada) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Notice and approval did not go hand in hand in her world." (quote from the book)

What became of Kitty Bennet after the marriages of Jane and Elizabeth? What affect did Mr. Bennet's strictures have on her and Mary after the scandalous elopement of Lydia and her eventual marriage? This delightfully charming story provides us with Kitty's emotional and enlightening journey to finding, not only who she is, but what she wants out of life.

This, for me, was a very satisfying read that provided a gradual growth of character to one who is so overlooked by her family and lacked confidence in herself. I am a huge fan of Kitty Bennet stories and this one is a gentle read but does provide enough challenges for her to overcome and test her mettle...and is it ever tested!

From despondency to joy and everything else in between, we get to experience her inner battles and thoughts. We also get to see a bit of married life for Elizabeth and Darcy as well as Jane and Bingley. Jane is her sweet self with words of wisdom and encouragement. I must say though, that Charles in this story was such a delight and a positive influence on Kitty. As Kitty has never been outside of Meryton, he provides a whole new world to her when she goes with them to London.

"She thought the music sublime, reverential, as if it were reaching into her soul providing a balm, a release and something akin to joy." (quote from the book)

There are wonderful new characters in this story that blend well with the old. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's lives are certainly turned on their heads as each of their daughters fly the nest. Life at Longbourn will never be the same.

My only quibble would be no epilogue. I would dearly love to know more, especially about Mary.

I highly recommend this well written continuation to Pride &Prejudice.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan so when I heard that there was a new novel continuing the Pride & Prejudice story by following Kitty's life, I was very excited but also a little cautious because I'm always worried that it will fall short of the excellence of a classic. But I'm happy to report that WHAT KITTY DID NEXT by Carrie Kablean exceeded my expectations and made me fall in love all over again.

Kitty Bennet is a little lost in her life. With her three sisters married and living away, she feels lonely and unsure of who she really is and what she really wants in her life. Having always been Lydia's shadow she is still being blamed for Lydia's hasty actions which almost ruined the family, but Kitty isn't Lydia and yearns for more from her family and for her future. And when she finds herself accompanying Jane and her husband to stay in London. suddenly a whole new world of possibilities opens up in front of her eyes as she tries to find her place in this new world. But when one night changes it all, will Kitty ever get the opportunity to show everyone exactly who she is and what she is made of?

From London to Pemberley, WHAT KITTY DID NEXT by Carrie Kablean really brings the world of Austen alive again and I eagerly delved into the sights, smells, and homes of the time period. I loved the characters, the flow of the story, and I devoured this book in one sitting.
​
WHAT KITTY DID NEXT by Carrie Kablean is the perfect story for Jane Austen fans and all historical fiction fans alike, and I highly recommend it.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It always fascinates me that such is the appeal of Jane Austen's great novel, Pride and Prejudice that so many authors attempt, in their own way, to continue the story. Some succeed and some don't and I'm pleased to say that What Kitty Did Next worked for me.

I've always felt really sorry for Kitty Bennet, so often overshadowed by her more high spirited sisters, she always seemed to be derided as silly Kitty, so it’s been really lovely to see her have her own exciting story where her personality is allowed to shine just as brightly as her feisty older sisters.

The author writes well and certainly captures the essence of Pride and Prejudice whilst at the same time allowing a new and fascinating story to unfold. There are the usual quirky moments at home, at Longbourn, as with three of her sisters now married and settled, poor Kitty is left at home with the irascible, Mr. Bennet, and with Mrs Bennet still confounded by her nerves and intent on match making, Kitty is delighted when she receives an invitation to London to stay with the Bingleys and then to Derbyshire and the magnificent Pemberley estate.

What then follows is a lovely coming of age story which is really quite charming and which captures the spirit of this iconic novel with good humour and a fine eye for historical detail. I enjoyed watching Kitty grow in confidence and maturity and as the title of the novel suggests, discovering just what Kitty does next makes for a really lovely Austenesque spin-off.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Kitty Did Next joins a small but growing list of worthy Austen spinoffs. I found Kitty's interior journey satisfying, and I liked that the romance was on the sidelines. Kablean sets up some backstory that casts a different light on the Bennet family. I was quite emotionally invested in their interpersonal complexities. Her historical research was enjoyable, and added the right touches of realism. Honestly, I would like a sequel to this novel, and I hope she continues to write!

[Alizee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, aligned with what I expected - which is to say a sort of fanfiction. I was not very surprised by the twists but enjoyed it all the same :)
3,5/5

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Decent sequel to P&P, featuring Kitty's love story

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As is the norm for me, I tucked into this book without reading the synopsis and I couldn’t help thinking I had heard of these characters somewhere before, I also had a voice of some of them in my head, it was strange so I read the synopsis and realised that this was a book about Kitty Bennett, one of the Bennett sisters from Pride and Prejudice. I love Jane Austen’s classic book and love the film.

So a new to me author writes a book about characters I am already familiar with, this is quite bazaar. I remember Kitty and Lydia being the really silly annoying girls, who were fixated with “Officers”, getting noticed and married. The author has taken over the story of Kitty and I really loved the way she has done this. The often left out one, ignored one or in the way and stupid one, my heart really did go out to her. It was great to see a change in this character grow and develop. Once out of the shadow of Lydia, Kitty comes to the realisation that she is indeed very childish and in order to be more readily listened to she must learn to grow up.

As the story progresses the author has not made it easy for Kitty, there are some obstacles that have been added and it is interesting to see how Kitty approaches these and acts to them. I really found myself warming to her as the story continued and it wasn’t long before I was willing her onward to find what she wanted in her life.

The whole feeling of the story from start to finish oozed the sense of fashion, social gatherings, etiquette as along with the setting I felt as if I had been transported back into the early 1800’s and a great continuation to a story I adore.

I would absolutely recommend this to readers of historical fiction, romance and general fiction. It is a story that continues on from a classic and reads well as a stand alone. If you are not a reader of classics then do not be put off, this is a fabulous and well paced book that will appeal to many readers

[Michaela (Journey into Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

Pride and Prejudice is one of my favourite classics and I’ve read and watched the TV adaptions and movies several times, so I was really excited to jump back into this world and I’m glad to say that I was not disappointed.
This is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice set after the events of the original book following the second youngest Bennet girl Kitty as she navigates Regency Britain Society, learns how to live outside of her elder sister Lidia’s shadow and find a husband.
Before I read this I didn’t have much of an opinion on Kitty other than her being a Lidia copycat but once I read this I realised I was very wrong. This book adds a lot more depth to her character and I loved learning more about her.
I also loved seeing more of Elizabeth and Jane and getting to spend time at Pemberley. However, I swear Lidia is one of my most disliked fictional characters and this book just enchances my dislike of her
Overall this was a great read and I loved learning more about Kitty.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Reading 'What Kitty Did Next' was like visiting old friends and I so enjoyed being immersed in their world and lives again. I have read a number of Jane Austen wannabees and spinoffs, and Carrie Kablean is the first modern author who has really captured Austen's voice and spirit. The dialogue is natural and flowing, remaining true to the period. The storyline and characters are perfectly credible - their joys and their woes - and all cleverly tied together with the same Austen spark and wit that we are used to. Great fun. Highly recommended.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Kitty Did Next is a book I approached with both eagerness and a little trepidation. After all, books of this nature tend to be either hugely enjoyable or a complete disaster. I am happy to say that this story fell into the former category. It was well written and picked up nicely from the end of Austen's novel. The characters all felt 'in character', and though slow to start, Kitty's tale soon picked up the pace as conflict ensued. I read it with a smile on my face and was eager to get back to it each evening to see how Kitty would fare. Though you could read this on its own, I believe you will get more from it if you are already familiar with the events of Pride and Prejudice. All up, a fun historical fiction with a splash of action and a dash of romance. 4.5 stars from me.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since it’s been ages since I read or watched Pride and Prejudice, I was a little hesitant about reading this one. Not just because I thought I might have been too unfamiliar with previous events but also because this is Jane Austen and it’s always a little tricky picking up something so iconic. But I shouldn’t have worried, as within the first few pages I once again found myself completely immersed into the lives of the Bennett family.

What Kitty Did Next focuses on daughter Catherine, also known as Kitty. Life at Longbourn has changed dramatically since Kitty saw three of her sisters get married. Kitty is lonely and bored, especially without her sidekick Lydia, and feels trapped at home with just her parents and sister Mary for company. But then she’s invited to stay over in London and even Pemberley. Suddenly the world looks incredibly different and Kitty might just figure out what kind of person she really is.

If someone had told me this was always supposed to be a kind of sequel and it was actually written back in the day, I would have believed them. The author does a fantastic job at creating the right atmosphere and staying true to the characters most of us are so familiar with. The story flows and it all feels very natural, as if it was always meant to be like this.

It’s been wonderful having the opportunity to spend some more time with these delightful characters and a part of me would actually be quite happy with more. If you like Jane Austen, you will most definitely enjoy this but I also feel it’s a novel for any historical fiction reader, whether you’re familiar with Pride or Prejudice or not.

[Tammy Buchli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3 1/2 stars, really, but a fairly enjoyable Austenation featuring the neglected Kitty Bennett. Non Austen fans may not enjoy it so much, I'm afraid. No striking anachronisms, and the language and characterizations were acceptable, but it started pretty slow -- all Bonnets and Balls for the first two thirds.. Once a conflict finally arose the pace picked up a lot and I enjoyed the final resolution. I would certainly read another by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC ebook in exchange for an impartial review.

[Bobbie Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of What Kitty Did Next by Carrie Kablean in exchange for an honest review. This tale tracks the life of Catherine “Kitty” Bennet following her sisters marriages in Pride and Prejudice. Kitty takes the critical words of her father to heart and tries her best to improve herself. However, even though Kitty evolves, it takes time for her family’s perception of her to shift. As a result, Kitty finds herself at the mercy of those views.

This was an entertaining book. I liked it very much. The only negatives were a couple of language things that did not seem to fit the time period and the author’s maneuvering the beloved Darcys into being a source of pain for Kitty. Otherwise, Ms. Kablean did an excellent job of joining Jane Austen’s love of social satire with her love of books and writing. Overall, this is a worthwhile read for Jane Austen fans.

#WhatKittyDidNext #NetGalley

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Pride and Prejudice sequel, Mrs Bennet has three daughters married, but what to do about the remaining two. Kitty is invited to London to join with the Bingleys. Can she take this opportunity to change. How will Lydia interfere. Does Elizabeth turn into Darcy and think she is always right and judge before knowing all the facts.
I would wish that authors would be more imaginative in their disposal of Mary Bennet who is my favourite female character. Which was really the only thing I didn't care for in the book.
There are not many books written about Kitty so I found the story enjoyable at that level, it was also well-written, though it was slow in its start. The story certainly developed Kitty's characters and made her much more likeable.
A NetGalley Book

[Christine Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to see an advance copy and found this was a delight to read. The author's take on the most overlooked of the Bennett sisters was a terrific idea and she pulled it off with a very relatable story of a young woman struggling with finding her identity in the shadow of her (now married - its post 'Pride and prejudice') sisters. What impressed me was the lovely funny, delicate and touching style, and how the author totally nailed the language, mores and environment of Austren's England. For Austen fans there's the pleasure of reading more on favourite characters but really the book is also a strong stand-alone piece of fiction in its own right. Couldn't put it down.