I really struggled with the language in this book, not only because I'm not used to this style of writing but also because the blurb didn't give any indication that this would be the writing style of the book. I also think I was hindered by not having read Pride and Prejudice, because I don't think the understanding of who the characters were and what their relationships to each other were was something I was able to grasp. I felt like the book moved really slowly, so when that was tied with the language struggles I was having, I just really had trouble with feeling motivated to read. When I don't feel motivated, I don't feel inclined to root for the relationship or get connected to the characters, so unfortunately, I don't think this book was for me.

This sapphic reimagining of what happens after Pride and Prejudice is a fun read. Charlotte and Mary's painfully slow-burn romance still blossoms even amid the constraints of Regency society. Who knew the bookish Mary Bennet could grow into such a fascinating character? The language of flowers woven throughout the book adds a romantic touch that feels genuine to the time period. Perfect for Austen fans looking for queer representation in the Regency era. A satisfying read that gives these overlooked (and some would say for one, villainised) characters the love story they deserve.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Atom for providing me with this ebook in exchange for an honest review*

I really think that Mary Bennet was the most underappreciated character. Lost inside her books and music was the most down to earth sister of all the Bennets. So, reading about her in a book which she's the MC, drew my attention. Aside from the fact that it was solely from Charlotte's POV the slow burn was excruciatingly...slow. I believe that the author had to keep the time-period aspect at bay, but LGBTQ and queers were burned as witches at that time period. Anyway, aside from these little things that annoyed me, it was an enjoyable read.

2.5, actually.

Before I read this, I was wondering, do we really need a P&P retelling about a relationship between Mary and Charlotte? Let me answer this firsthand: No.

The story started nicely, with Mr Collins (Charlotte´s already husband) dead of an unknown illness, and Charlotte having to kinda reorganize her priorities and decide what to do from then on. I think Charlotte´s characterization was pretty accurate, compared to what I remember of the original book, and it was cool to see her in those first chapter. But I think everything began to go downwards when Mary appeared.

Because, I don´t know if this is a me thing, but I didn´t recognize the original Mary in this character. I can buy you that she is a feminist but too discreet to let it show. I can (barely) buy she is science minded (honestly, the original seemed too bound by tradition for this). But being an artist who goes often to salons and draws naked women? Honestly, that is no plain at all.

But okay, let´s go with this Mary. Nevermind that.

My second problem with this retelling, however, was the fact that the supposed slow burn is painful to watch. You see, what happens between Charlotte and Mary is an instant attraction from the first time they met. Charlotte (because we see her POV the whole story) falls in love practically in a couple of days, and then... Then there is this absurd pinning for hundreds of pages, without going anywhere. This is one of those books where you KNOW the characters love each other from page one, but they don´t do anything about it for whatever random reason.

I wouldn´t have minded that if I had witty dialogue or an interesting plotline. But there was nothing of that either. The most interesting thing were the flower references that, at one point, ended up being too many for me and they annoyed me more than provoke a positive reaction.

I ended up DNF 60% in, because I simply couldn´t drag myself into finishing it. I didn´t actively dislike it, despite it all, but I did get the impression this story lacked of orinality: as if the author wanted to write something, didn´t know exactly what, and just went with a P&P retelling because it sells.

Have to say firstly tiny writing wasn’t my favourite thing about this book at all!
But I had also seen a to adaptation of it not long ago so story was fresh in my head too
I am also not a fan of romantic historical fiction so all things considered this book did well to score so high !!
Great story just not for me sorry

I often wonder about side characters stories and what happens after the main story. Pride & Prejudice is one of my favorite classics and has a lot of adaptations and retellings. It's refreshing to explore other people.
Here, we have a romance story between Mary Bennet (Elizabeth's middle sister) and Charlotte Lucas (Elizabeth Bennet's best friend)
I love the forbidden romance, the childhood friends who didn't know they were alike, the language of flowers, the drawings. The two characters are lovely and relatable, and the queer side characters are delectable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I received a free copy for an honest review.

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

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

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

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

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