It's 1820 and Fanny Knight marries Sir Edward Knatchbull, a widower and father to numerous children. Among them is Mary Dorothea who is growing into womanhood and delighted by the large circle of friends and family she meets through her new stepmother. She particularly likes Cassandra Austen and her brothers.

Soon Mary and Edward Knight realise their love for each other and plan to marry. But it seems their relationship, despite both being from good families, is not well regarded. What can they do?

This is a wonderfully atmospheric, wry and entertaining novel, very much of the spirit of Jane Austen. 

Fanny Knight was Jane's neice and correspondent and she kept detailed diaries throughout her life. It is these that have fuelled and inspired this novel by Gill Hornby. And it's a very lovely read.