Sense and Sensibility Continuations

Welcome back to another book list inspired by Sense and Sensibility, in preparation for JASP 2025! All of the books on this list pursue questions left unanswered at the end of Sense and Sensibility, after the Dashwood sisters have supposedly gotten their happily-ever-after. What about Eliza and her daughter? What becomes of Margaret? How do the sisters fare in their marriages? Read on to find out.

1. Dashed by Amanda Quain

This YA contemporary novel is both an adaptation and a sequel - a look at the events of Margaret Dashwood's life after the events of Sense and Sensibility. Only those events took place in the modern day, and now Margaret is stuck on a cruise with her sensible sister, her blindly romantic sister, and a very cute new friend named Gabe.

Margaret Dashwood feels like the perfect heroine for a coming-of-age novel. Growing up between two extremes, how will Margaret forge her own path? Seeing both the consequences of excess sense and excess sensibility, how will Margaret choose to approach the possibility of love?

2. Expectations of Happiness by Rebecca Ann Collins

This is the most traditional continuation on this list. If you wish that Sense and Sensibility had a true sequel, exploring the continuing story of the Dashwood sisters as they navigate their new marriages, written in Jane Austen's voice, this is the book for you.

Rebecca Ann Collins has written a series of sequels to both Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, all renowned for their meticulous research and expert Regency-like pacing.

3. Eliza's Daughter by Joan Aiken

An oldie but a goodie - this continuation of Sense and Sensibility follows up on a loose thread from the original novel: What on earth happened to Eliza and Willoughby's daughter?

By the time this sequel begins, Eliza's daughter Liz has grown into her own woman, spunky, intelligent, and strong-willed. This revisitation on a forgotten storyline follows Liz as she navigates a regency world filled with familiar faces and challenges for young, bright women.

This book has pulled many mixed reactions from Jane Austen lovers, but I can't help but be a fan of it anyway for its unique approach to an old story.

4. Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Brebis

Familiar faces from Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility mix and mingle as the newly married Mr. and Mrs. Darcy oversee Kitty's search for a husband. The Darcys turn from matchmakers to paranormal sleuths as strange things keep occurring all around them.

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries is a series of cozy mystery follow-ups to Pride and Prejudice, in which Mr. and Mrs. Darcy interact with characters from different Austen novels.

Thank you for reading! JASP 2025 will take place June 19th-22nd in historic New Bern, North Carolina. So excited to meet those of you who will be in attendance!