3.5 stars

Reading this reminded me of when I read Atonement and was wondering when the heck the atoning was going to start. I read in the book description that a devastating misunderstanding prompts “what Kitty did next,” but I thought it would happen a lot sooner than it did. That thwarted expectation affected my appreciation of the first 50-60 percent of the book, but even so, it was enjoyable enough. It was a little slow, but I liked what was happening, especially Kitty’s growing friendship with Georgiana.
I wasn’t convinced at first that Lizzy and Darcy would behave the way they did when things finally came to a head, but I think the author laid enough foundation for it.
The historical detail was good. I think I actually recognized a couple of things from the book I read last year about the Regency. People who think Kitty sort of gets the shaft in P&P will enjoy this the most. ( )

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 ( )

This is a very sweet imagining of what might have happened following the events of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It’s not quite a re-telling, but takes many beloved Austen characters, blends in a few new characters, and comes up with something believable as a spiritual sequel. ( )

What Kitty Did Next by Carrie Kablean is a lovely continuation of the classic Austen novel Pride & Prejudice. Now that three of her sisters are married, there is just Kitty and Mary left. Despite the desire to see her last two daughters wed, Mrs Bennet is reluctant to let them travel further from home than Meryton. When Jane, Kitty's eldest sister, invites her to London, Kitty is delighted that her parents agree. From London, Kitty goes to stay at Pemberly with Lizzy, her second eldest sister. Away from her family home, and among people who value her opinions and input, Kitty begins to blossom. She makes friends, from Georgiana Darcy and Felicia Fanshawe, to Sir Edward and Henry Adams, and begins tentatively exploring writing.

Unfortunately, her world gets upset when Lydia, the youngest, black sheep sister shows up uninvited to the Darcys’ summer ball and causes a ruckus that leaves Kitty blamed for a theft she didn't commit. Returned to her family home under pretence of caring for her ailing mother, Kitty begins to take over more and more of Longbourn's daily running, and to deepen her writing practise. The birth of Jane’s baby, the Bennets’ first grandchild, rallies Mrs Bennet. For a time at least. Her unexpected passing tumbles the family into mourning, and she and her father travel to London for the Christmas holidays to visit family. And it is here that Kitty will rise in fortunes, on many levels.

This story, written in a many reminiscent of the classic Pride & Prejudice, plays the long game. The events cover a year and more, delving deep into one young woman’s transformation from 'silly girl’ to 'sensible adult’. I did so feel for Kitty, to be labelled such things as she was. I know what it's like to have a family that won't take the time to recognise or foster innate gifts, and who inadvertently cause damage to a growing psyche with such assumptions of character. I was glad she ended up out of that environment, and in one that did foster her growth. It was tragic that her sister Lizzy assumed she’d fallen back on supposed old ways, with nary a chance to explain. I am glad Kitty gave a tirade against that injustice, for all the good it did at the time. However, it was Kitty's return home, full-circle, that paved the way for all her later good fortune.

I rather quite liked Kitty. I enjoyed most of the characters to be honest, except Frederick and Lydia. The latter’s behaviour was just atrocious on so many levels, it was hard to believe she was related to Kitty, Jane, and Lizzy. Oh, and Caroline Bingley. Ugh. Asshat. Sir Edward was my favourite, overall. He seemed so sweet and caring. It was hard to see him taken such advantage of. And for some reason, Felicia made me think of Mary, from the BBC Sherlock. That was just amusing.

But really, it was descriptions of time and place that I enjoyed most. All the different estates. London trapped in fog. The pure novelty of gaslamps! The frost fair was a treat to read about, except that the testing of the ice involved walking an elephant across. What if the ice broke!? I was so afraid that would be the case, and elephant and handlers would go down.

If you love Jane Austen's works, or particularly the characters of Pride & Prejudice, I highly recommend this book!

***Many thanks to Love Books Tours and the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )