MARIANNE: A Sense and Sensibility Sequel: Received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Alice McVeigh:
1. What is the name of the book and when was it published? MARIANNE: A SENSE AND SENSIBILITY SEQUEL was published TODAY, on October 27, 2025.
2. What’s the book’s first line? “And who, pray,” asked Lady Catherine de Bourgh, “might that young lady be?”
3. What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”. I’ve read all of Austen’s novels hundreds of times. What I’m doing in this series – ‘McVeigh’s celebrated series”, according to Publishers Weekly – is mixing and matching characters from all of her works. This one takes the passionate Marianne from Sense and Sensibility farther than Austen did. She was happily married to Col. Brandon, but is now widowed. She is persuaded to return to London, and has absolutely no intention of marrying again. At least three of Austen’s male characters have a different idea!
4. What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event? Marianne herself persuaded me. She’s always been my fav. Austen heroine, partly because she’s famously impulsive while I have (fully diagnosed) ADHD by Britain’s National Service, and partly because of her musicality. I wasted some years of my youth playing cello in London orchestras (including the BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic).
5. What’s the main reason someone should really read this book? Because it’s unusually good. The following reviews are NOT from my mother, or even my fellow writer friends. We’re talking editorial, unbiased reviews from strangers, is one reason. (The other reason is that my mother hates fiction… sigh!):
“Marianne captures the essence of Austen… McVeigh throws together favorite characters that readers love, or love to hate, to see how they gel. The result is funny, heartwarming and everything lovers of Austen’s universe could hope for.” – BookLife Prize review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
“A masterpiece! Dive in!” – Editor, HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY review
“Invigorating, self-aware, contemporary… This series continues to be an immersive delight, extending, honoring, and doing justice to Austen.” SPR editorial review
“I’ve never even considered the possibility of Sense and Sensibility needing to be expanded on, but this is a gift. Stunningly new while keeping Austen’s heart to the last page.” Lauren Gerock (The Bookstagrambabe)
“A treasure… With its blend of longing, temptation, and social wit, McVeigh reaffirms why Marianne, with all her impetuous charm, remains a heroine worth following into another chapter. Admirers of Austen’s moral complexity and sparkling dialogue will feel at home.” READERS VIEWS (editorial review)
“Spectacular! With smooth pacing and classic style, McVeigh delivers a sequel that is sure to please.” READERS FAVORITE (editorial review)
6. What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of? She is me.
7. When did you first decide to become an author? It’s not something one decides. One either is a writer – or one isn’t! I completed my first – truly awful – novel aged thirteen. It’s very like the overwritten romance Marianne’s younger sister writes in this book!
8. Is this the first book you’ve written? It’s my eighth. I was first published in my thirties – big-five-published – by Hachette, in contemporary fiction. Several nervous breakdowns later, I’m FINE and writing multi-award-winning, Austen-inspired fiction.
9. What do you do for work when you’re not writing? I spent years touring around the UK – I’m a Londoner – with professional symphony orchestras. Now, if not writing, I’m mostly messing about playing tennis. I should say, very bad tennis. I love tennis, but tennis doesn’t love me!
10. How much time do you generally spend on your writing? I’m always writing. Either in my head or on my laptop.
11. What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie? The best is knowing you call the shots. The hardest is also knowing that you call the shots.
12. What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors? Don’t change genres – and don’t bother to advertise your first book. Changing genres confuses your readers is the reason for the first. While it’s pointless wasting advertising revenue on a book with no follow-up to make it worth the money. Be patient and wait (unlike me!) Believe me, waiting works.
13. Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why? Depends on the publisher. Would have to be mega. First, because I was big-five-published before, so I know the downsides as well as the upsides.
14. Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?) Not bothered about money. Fame… maybe. But mostly, the desire to express myself.
Remember, I spent years buried – cello number 3 or 6 or 12 – in wonderful London orchestras, being bossed by famous conductors and amazing principals. I was inspired by conductors and cello principals both. But there was zero room for self-expression.
15. Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire? Beyond Austen, Hilary Mantel. I cried buckets when she passed. Alive, Ann Patchett or Alice Munro. On a good day, with the wind behind him, Ishiguro.
16. Which book do you wish you could have written? Hilary Mantel’s Bring up the Bodies from her Cromwell trilogy. But, being ADHD, I lack enough patience to do all her amazing research.