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The Attentions of A Most Affectionate Mother: A Pride and Prejudice sequel
Mary goes to the library looking for escape, not love. With three daughters married in a single year, one would think that Mrs. Bennet’s matchmaking ploys would diminish. One would be wrong. Very wrong. To avoid her mother’s affectionate arts, Mary takes refuge at Clarke’s library. There, in the reading room, she can forget the trials of Longbourn, lost in the pages of her favorite books. The strategy works—surprisingly well in fact—until the morning a tall, handsome stranger wants the same book she has already checked out—a text she needs to help a friend. Instead of politely waiting until she is finished with it, as a proper gentleman would, he insists she give it up to him immediately. When she rejects his demands—the audacity of it all!—he refuses to take no for answer, and appears on Longbourn’s doorstep. Now Mama has seen him, matchmaking is not far behind. Mary is determined to escape Mama’s machinations at all costs. But, maybe, just maybe, this time Mama is right.
102 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2018
49 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Maria Grace
100 books321 followersSix time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 15, 2018
I read this on two sites as a WIP under the title of "A Chance Meeting". It is Mary's story. With three sisters married and gone Mary has been asked to review and make notes from a book by Charlotte Collins. When she is checking it out at Clarke's a man accosts her and asks that she give it up as he needs to read it. She refuses but as the story progresses the man, a vicar, Mr. Johnstone arranges to come to Longbourn in the afternoons when Mary has done her reading for the day and read it. Of course, Mrs. Bennet soon sees the possibilities here and she sticks her nose in and has the man coming in the mornings to read with Mary. Their manners towards each other soften but soon he must return to his parish.
Now there is another mother out there, his mother who soon writes and pleads for Mary to come and help her with the unruly boys that her son has under his charge...at least, help until her daughter is free to come home and do her part.
This Mary was a pleasure to read about as she shows a backbone and even some discernment about the text they shared and as she is not afraid to state her opinions (not that this latter trait is new). But it is the Mary-in-charge of one recalcitrant boy who was a surprise. Consider her own parents: did they stand up to tantrums in their household, to Lydia in particular? However as Mary takes charge and gains some control another mother shows up and threatens all who dare lay a hand on her dear boy.
Mr. Johnstone has also been taking his own notes. This was an enjoyable story.
Now there is another mother out there, his mother who soon writes and pleads for Mary to come and help her with the unruly boys that her son has under his charge...at least, help until her daughter is free to come home and do her part.
This Mary was a pleasure to read about as she shows a backbone and even some discernment about the text they shared and as she is not afraid to state her opinions (not that this latter trait is new). But it is the Mary-in-charge of one recalcitrant boy who was a surprise. Consider her own parents: did they stand up to tantrums in their household, to Lydia in particular? However as Mary takes charge and gains some control another mother shows up and threatens all who dare lay a hand on her dear boy.
Mr. Johnstone has also been taking his own notes. This was an enjoyable story.
November 30, 2018
This is a short Pride and Prejudice sequel that tells us how Mary Bennet fares after three of her sisters have married. She still has little in common with either her mother or her sister Kitty, and her father is usually in his bookroom.
She corresponds with Charlotte Collins, and her friend has requested the summary of a specific reference book at the Meryton circulating library. Mr. Collins needs to follow it closely (at Lady Catherine's direction, of course) in establishing a boys' school in Hunsford. Mary borrows the book, but Percy Johnstone, a vicar visiting the area, is just a moment too late. He needs it for the same reason--he is also starting a boys' school in his parish.
At their initial encounter, Mr. Johnstone's rude insistence that Mary let him borrow it first annoys her, and she adamantly refuses. To her surprise, he comes to Longbourn and petitions Mr. Bennet, who establishes a schedule so that each can use the volume in his study.
As the story develops, Mary meets Mr. Johnstone's mother. Then she gets a surprising request and finds herself monitoring a handful of boys. Most significantly, she is away from the rest of her family and finally out from under the shadow of all her sisters for the first time in her life.
Ms. Grace continues to demonstrate her ability to craft a fully developed story in novella length. I love Mary here. She is completely relatable as she struggles to think and act more charitably toward others, even when she's seriously provoked. Nice story!
She corresponds with Charlotte Collins, and her friend has requested the summary of a specific reference book at the Meryton circulating library. Mr. Collins needs to follow it closely (at Lady Catherine's direction, of course) in establishing a boys' school in Hunsford. Mary borrows the book, but Percy Johnstone, a vicar visiting the area, is just a moment too late. He needs it for the same reason--he is also starting a boys' school in his parish.
At their initial encounter, Mr. Johnstone's rude insistence that Mary let him borrow it first annoys her, and she adamantly refuses. To her surprise, he comes to Longbourn and petitions Mr. Bennet, who establishes a schedule so that each can use the volume in his study.
As the story develops, Mary meets Mr. Johnstone's mother. Then she gets a surprising request and finds herself monitoring a handful of boys. Most significantly, she is away from the rest of her family and finally out from under the shadow of all her sisters for the first time in her life.
Ms. Grace continues to demonstrate her ability to craft a fully developed story in novella length. I love Mary here. She is completely relatable as she struggles to think and act more charitably toward others, even when she's seriously provoked. Nice story!
March 2, 2019
Meddling mothers, 'The Moral Miscellany' tome and one very determined vicar upend Mary Bennet's world! All she wants to do is spend time at her refuge, Clarke's Circulating Library to escape Longbourn.
"Potential for discovery, for learning, for being transported away from one's mundane life into one much more extraordinary." (quote from the book)
This was a heartwarming tale of Mary trying to find her place and herself after three of her sisters have married. Oh the revelations she encounters in her journey to trying to be a more patient and loving daughter. But when she is told by a young man to give him the book she has requested from the library, little does she know her life will never be the same.
April 13, 2019
Another amazing book by author! Love the 2 main characters and would love a sequel to it.
Only complaint is have is that I feel kitty acted too much like Lydia and I thought after the elopement of Lydia kitty changed to be less like her in pride and prejudice
Only complaint is have is that I feel kitty acted too much like Lydia and I thought after the elopement of Lydia kitty changed to be less like her in pride and prejudice
March 30, 2019
Avid Reader
I enjoy stories that focus primarily on Mary, especially when she is sensible and encounters a man who appreciates her. Both mothers intervened and a wedding sealed the deal.
I enjoy stories that focus primarily on Mary, especially when she is sensible and encounters a man who appreciates her. Both mothers intervened and a wedding sealed the deal.
June 3, 2019
A sweet novella by Maria Grace which focuses on the "plain" Bennet sister after the marriages of Lydia, Jane, and Elizabeth. Now at Longbourn with only Kitty and her mother for entertainment, Mary escapes as often as possible to Meryton's lending library.
While checking out a book in order to assist Charlotte Lucas with a project at Rosings, Mary is confronted by a very rude young man who demands the book Mary has just borrowed, insisting that he needs it himself. In high dudgeon, Mary leaves the young man in the dust.
But this young man is persistent and ends up at Longbourn...where Mrs. Bennet will not allow Mary to ignore him despite the fact that she is annoyed beyond words at the young man's effrontery in pursuing this book. In fact, Mary is forced to share her book with him so that Mr. Johnstone can complete a similar project for his own parish. Mrs. Bennet, with three daughters married, is most eager to plan yet another wedding and relentlessly pushes Mary at the poor gentleman. What is Mary to do?
I enjoyed this book, mostly because I always enjoy Maria Grace's interpretations of Mary as a much stronger and more intriguing and nuanced character than portrayed in Austen's original book. This Mary has quite a temper, stands up to her mother as well as she can (how can one outmaneuver a steamroller?), and takes on an incredible project at the behest of Mr. Johnstone's mother.
While both mothers attempt to make this match, will Mary and Mr. Johnstone agree?
This is another of Maria Grace's books that I had the privilege of reading half online at Austen Variations (or was it Maria's website, Random Bits of Fascination?) before proofreading the whole. It was difficult to slow down my reading in order to proofread; I kept wanting to push ahead and find out what happened!
While checking out a book in order to assist Charlotte Lucas with a project at Rosings, Mary is confronted by a very rude young man who demands the book Mary has just borrowed, insisting that he needs it himself. In high dudgeon, Mary leaves the young man in the dust.
But this young man is persistent and ends up at Longbourn...where Mrs. Bennet will not allow Mary to ignore him despite the fact that she is annoyed beyond words at the young man's effrontery in pursuing this book. In fact, Mary is forced to share her book with him so that Mr. Johnstone can complete a similar project for his own parish. Mrs. Bennet, with three daughters married, is most eager to plan yet another wedding and relentlessly pushes Mary at the poor gentleman. What is Mary to do?
I enjoyed this book, mostly because I always enjoy Maria Grace's interpretations of Mary as a much stronger and more intriguing and nuanced character than portrayed in Austen's original book. This Mary has quite a temper, stands up to her mother as well as she can (how can one outmaneuver a steamroller?), and takes on an incredible project at the behest of Mr. Johnstone's mother.
While both mothers attempt to make this match, will Mary and Mr. Johnstone agree?
This is another of Maria Grace's books that I had the privilege of reading half online at Austen Variations (or was it Maria's website, Random Bits of Fascination?) before proofreading the whole. It was difficult to slow down my reading in order to proofread; I kept wanting to push ahead and find out what happened!
February 18, 2022
Entertaining
This book is best read only if you are at all a fan of the Mary Bennett character.. I can't really say that I am, and she is at her most stiff, self absorbed, and insufferable in this story. But Maria Grace is a wonderful writer, so I was willing to give it a go. Mary and Kitty are the only daughters remaining at Longbourn, and Mrs Bennett has lost none of her annoying nervous flutterings, nor has she lost any of her matchmaking determination. Mary encounters a man at the local circulating library that wants the same book that she's just checked out, and they have a verbal altercation about it that begins their relationship in a suitably rocky way. He comes to Longbourn in an effort to share the book with Mary, so naturally Mrs Bennett has to become involved in the worst way possible.
This is not a light and sweet story. Don't expect a tender romance, for you won't find it here. Mary Bennett is too anxiety ridden, too conceited, and yet too lacking in any self esteem, to be a character in a love story. Her road to HEA is frought with heartache and self doubt, so much so that it almost cripples her. In today's world she would be spending years seeing a head doctor. Instead she has a mother who openly disparages her, a father who won't defend her, and a sister who's a worthless brat. Unfortunately for her, it seems the guy she ends up with probably won't boost her self confidence much either.
The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it, but only if you're in the mood for something a little heavy and dark.
This book is best read only if you are at all a fan of the Mary Bennett character.. I can't really say that I am, and she is at her most stiff, self absorbed, and insufferable in this story. But Maria Grace is a wonderful writer, so I was willing to give it a go. Mary and Kitty are the only daughters remaining at Longbourn, and Mrs Bennett has lost none of her annoying nervous flutterings, nor has she lost any of her matchmaking determination. Mary encounters a man at the local circulating library that wants the same book that she's just checked out, and they have a verbal altercation about it that begins their relationship in a suitably rocky way. He comes to Longbourn in an effort to share the book with Mary, so naturally Mrs Bennett has to become involved in the worst way possible.
This is not a light and sweet story. Don't expect a tender romance, for you won't find it here. Mary Bennett is too anxiety ridden, too conceited, and yet too lacking in any self esteem, to be a character in a love story. Her road to HEA is frought with heartache and self doubt, so much so that it almost cripples her. In today's world she would be spending years seeing a head doctor. Instead she has a mother who openly disparages her, a father who won't defend her, and a sister who's a worthless brat. Unfortunately for her, it seems the guy she ends up with probably won't boost her self confidence much either.
The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it, but only if you're in the mood for something a little heavy and dark.
January 5, 2019
Pleasant short story about Mary falling in love
Excellent story about what it is to be the two sisters, Mary and Kitty, left at home when the other 3 sisters are married.
Mrs. Bennet is worse about matchmaking and using up the sisters time. It’s quickly obvious that life at Longbourn is hard for Mary and Kitty. When all 5 sisters were at home, they could tag team their mother. But with only 2 sisters left. All their mother’s energy is focused on them. Yikes!
The rest of the story is about Mary meeting a man and ending up married. Great story. Mary interacting with the boys at school and handling them were great.
I recommend this story.
Excellent story about what it is to be the two sisters, Mary and Kitty, left at home when the other 3 sisters are married.
Mrs. Bennet is worse about matchmaking and using up the sisters time. It’s quickly obvious that life at Longbourn is hard for Mary and Kitty. When all 5 sisters were at home, they could tag team their mother. But with only 2 sisters left. All their mother’s energy is focused on them. Yikes!
The rest of the story is about Mary meeting a man and ending up married. Great story. Mary interacting with the boys at school and handling them were great.
I recommend this story.
December 27, 2020
In this P&P sequel, on escaping to Clarke’s library to find a book as a favour to Charlotte Collins - Charlotte wishes a summary of the book - she encounters a young man also wanting to read the same book. Mrs Bennet sees a chance at matchmaking but Mary fights against it.
A very likeable Mary in this delightful well-written novella
A very likeable Mary in this delightful well-written novella
January 12, 2022
A short story of Mary Bennet's romance. I really enjoyed it.
April 13, 2022
short and sweet
A very short but nicely sweet little variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Maria Grace.
A very short but nicely sweet little variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Maria Grace.
February 19, 2024
it was cute
March 31, 2020
This was a really fun Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Maria Grace that focused on Mary and her finding her HEA. The Mary in this story can be really stubborn when she wants and is an interesting character and I enjoyed getting to know her. I also liked the character Mr. Johnstone and seeing him and Mary interact with each other as well as seeing him and Mr. Bennet interacting. I look forward to reading more by Maria Grace in the future.
November 3, 2021
In this Pride & Prejudice sequel, on escaping to Clarke’s library to find a book as a favour to Charlotte Lucas - Charlotte wishes a summary of the book - she encounters a young man also wanting to read the same book. Mrs Bennet sees a chance at matchmaking but Mary fights against it.
A very likeable Mary in this delightful well-written novella
A very likeable Mary in this delightful well-written novella
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews