The Elopement: A funny and bittersweet new historical romance - Paperback

From Gill Hornby comes a captivating historical novel set in the world of Jane Austen's family.

“Gill Hornby's trilogy about Jane's family has all Austen's wit and unnerving powers of observation with an extra twenty-first-century zap, and The Elopement is the best yet.” — Ferdinand Mount

1820. Mary Dorothea Knatchbull lives under the sole care of her widowed father, Sir Edward, a man of strict principles and deeply held Christian values.

But when her father marries Miss Fanny Knight of Godmersham Park, Mary's life changes completely.

Her new stepmother comes from a large, happy, and sociable family, and Fanny's sisters soon become Mary's first true friends. Her aunt, Miss Cassandra Austen of Chawton, is especially kind, while her brothers are amusing, handsome, and charming.

As Mary Dorothea blossoms into a young woman, she forms a special bond with one Mr Knight in particular.

Soon, they are deeply in love and determined to marry. Neither expects any opposition. After all, both come from good families and have known each other for years.

It promises to be the most perfect match. So who could possibly want to stand in their way?

Readers are loving The Elopement:

• “So well-written, with vivid period detail that I felt immersed in the Austen world and did not want it to end.”
• “I was hooked from the first page.”
• “Sharply observed, well researched and wonderfully told.”
• “I loved every minute of this novel.”
• “A gem.”