Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

There's a handsome new soldier in Meryton, and he's caught the eye of everyone from the Bennets to Mr. Darcy. That's right, it's none other than Mr. Wickham, and after seeing Mr. Darcy's reaction to him in Meryton, Elizabeth's curiosity is insatiable. Luckily, Mr. Wickham is more than willing to share the story of his many misfortunes. Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy was proud, but this is another level of cruelty ...

Anne is getting comfortable at Uppercross, which means lots of time with the Musgroves, and they're all very grateful to have Anne as a go-between and sounding board for their various complaints about each other - especially Mary and Mrs. Musgrove. Meanwhile, the Crofts have arrived at Kellynch. Upon meeting them, Anne learns that Captain Wentworth is on his way to Kellynch too. It's very trying for Anne's nerves, but s...

The Bennets are expecting an addition their party tonight, and sadly for Mrs. Bennet, it's not Mr. Bingley - it's their cousin Mr. Collins, who is next in line to inherit Longbourn. Can he be a sensible man? Mr. Bennet thinks not, and one evening together proves him absolutely correct. In this week's Friday Favorites, revisit the introduction of one of everyone's favorite comic clergyman, as Mr. Collins's tales of his parish and pa...

Sir Walter's meeting with Admiral Croft is satisfactory, and their agreement is finalized, which means that the Elliots are off to Bath. Or rather, Sir Walter and Elizabeth are headed to Bath, but they will be joined by Mrs. Clay instead of Anne. It's quite an affront, but one that is softened somewhat by an invitation from Anne's other sister, Mary, to stay with her at her home in Uppercross. So Anne is staying close b...

The two eldest Bennet sisters are still at Netherfield as Jane recovers from her cold, and that means Elizabeth and Darcy are stuck in each other's orbits for a little longer. The evenings together are bringing Elizabeth a little too close for Mr. Darcy's comfort, especially after Elizabeth teases him about his faults. Mr. Darcy's good opinion once lost may be lost forever, but luckily Elizabeth's charms will always...

Anne can't get it out of her mind that he may soon be returning to Kellynch, and he is none other than Captain Frederick Wentworth. Seven years ago, the two were engaged, but Anne was persuaded by her dear Lady Russell to end the engagement. Now, Captain Wentworth has made his fortune in the Navy, and may soon be back in Anne's orbit, and Anne needs a great many strolls to calm her nerves. Her reflections on the past will h...

Jane's been invited to dine with the ladies of Netherfield, and it looks like rain, so of course she must go on horseback. But Mrs. Bennet's plan works a little too well, and now Jane is stuck at Netherfield with a cold. Elizabeth soon joins her, and with everyone in such close quarters, sparks are bound to fly. In this week's Friday Favorites, revisit the Bennets' visits to Netherfield (Mrs. Bennet stops by too, to let Mr. Darcy k...

As much as it pains him, the proud Sir Walter must decide who will be the new tenant of Kellynch Hall. Luckily, Mr. Shepherd has just the tenant in mind: an Admiral Croft. Though Sir Walter generally finds naval officers displeasing (their faces are just so weathered), there's a certain charm in letting one's home to an Admiral - their station is just high enough, without being too high to embarrass a baronet. For Anne, the...

Things are heating up in Hertfordshire! After a more thorough introduction to our main players, we join Elizabeth and Darcy at another assembly, where Darcy's initial distaste with Elizabeth is softening into something more intriguing. As Mr. Darcy is learning, a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow a great deal of pleasure, indeed. Settle in as our the comforts of our next Friday Favorite soothe your mind...

Sir Walter Elliot's money troubles are serious - serious enough that the family absolutely must retrench. But mere cuts to their household budget (journeys, London, servants, horses, table...all the comforts of baronet life) aren't enough. The family will have to quit Kellynch Hall, relocate, and, much to Sir Walter's chagrin let their beloved home. While Anne wants to stay nearby in the country, her wishes are, as always, disregar...

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there's never a bad time to revisit Jane Austen's most beloved novel. In this first of our new Friday Favorites series, we make our way back to the very beginning of Pride and Prejudice, and meet the Bennets as they learn that Netherfield Park is let at last, and by a man of a good fortune. Elizabeth Bennet may not be handsome enough to tempt Mr. Darcy, but the first three chapter...

It's time to meet our new protagonists: the Elliots of Kellynch Hall. The family consists of Sir Walter, the haughty and vain baronet, and his three daughters, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary. Elizabeth and Mary have something to recommend themselves to their father (beauty, and a husband, respectively), but Anne has lost her bloom - she's only Anne. We meet them as Sir Walter is growing distressed for money, having exceeded his ...

We're here in your feed with some exciting announcements!

First and foremost, our next bedtime stories novel will be: Persuasion. Get ready for the poignant, romantic tale of Anne Elliot to be your new companion in rest and relaxation.

But that's not all. 2025 isn't just the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, it's the year that we crossed 100 episodes! To celebrate, we're updating our release ...

There's one more surprise left in store for Emma - Harriet has accepted Robert Martin! Though Emma believes it impossible at first, it's really true, and with this news the fates of all three of Highbury's young couples are set. It's been a long road of encouragement, deception, and mistaken affection, but at last, everyone is paired with their desired partners and on their way to the altar. It's finally time to...

Emma Woodhouse's story is nearing its end, but one crucial step remains - informing her father of her and Mr. Knightley's engagement. Now that Mrs. Weston's baby has safely arrived, Emma has no more excuses, and can even recruit Mrs. Weston to help make Mr. Woodhouse comfortable with the idea of poor Emma eventually getting married. And once the news is out to the Westons, it's only a matter of time before it makes ...

Harriet's off to London, so Emma is free to bask in the happiness of Highbury. She's overdue for a visit to congratulate Jane Fairfax, so it's off to the Bates's. But Emma's desire to speak freely to Jane is thwarted by the presence of none other than Mrs. Elton, who had the same idea as Emma. Though the visit may be more awkward than anticipated for them, it's just right for you, so let this week's stor...

Frank Churchill's letter is too good to keep to herself, so of course Emma immediately shares it with Mr. Knightley to get his thoughts. His patience for Frank Churchill is limited, though, and his priority is to discuss a more pressing issue with Emma - where they should reside after marriage. Mr. Knightley knows Emma cannot quit her father and Hartfield, so what if he were to join her there instead? Emma is delighted at how e...

Emma's exquisite happiness can only be disturbed by one thing - a thick letter from Frank Churchill, forwarded to her by Mrs. Weston. Uninterested as she is in hearing from him, it must be done, so she sits herself down to learn his truth. Settle in under your covers and join her, as she discovers how Frank and Jane Fairfax made their secret engagement and the sequence of events in Highbury that led to its eventual reveal. Let ...

The dark clouds over Highbury have cleared, and as Emma takes her walk in the garden, the clouds over her heart are about to clear as well. For she has run into none other than Mr. Knightley, returned from London, and eager to see Emma and console her over Frank Churchill's impending marriage. But when Emma reveals that she never had an attachment to Frank, Mr. Knightley's emotions overcome him, and he reveals that he has l...