Single and childless Jocelyn is heartbroken following the loss of one of her cherished Rhodesian ridgebacks. Her friends, Bernadette and Sylvia, brainstorm ways to lift her spirits, ultimately deciding to form a book discussion group. While waiting in line to see Mansfield Park, Bernadette engages in conversation with a distraught Prudie, a French teacher whose husband, Dean, has just canceled their planned trip to Paris, leaving her disappointed. After sharing a coffee, Bernadette invites Prudie to join their book club, which she initially hesitates to accept until the mention of reading Jane Austen piques her interest.
Meanwhile, Sylvia's world is rocked when her husband Daniel reveals he wants a divorce, admitting to an affair with a younger colleague. Sylvia, overwhelmed by the betrayal, leaves their dinner in tears. Her supportive daughter Allegra, who identifies as a lesbian, moves back home to comfort her mother during this difficult time.
At a dog breeders' convention, Jocelyn meets Grigg, a sci-fi aficionado attending a separate event at the same hotel. Sparks fly as he shows interest in Jocelyn, but she initially rebuffs him. However, in a surprising turn of events, she invites him to join their newly formed Jane Austen book club, bringing their roster to six members, all of whom eagerly dive into Austen's literature.
At their first meeting at Starbucks, tensions arise as Prudie makes a snide comment about Allegra's online jewelry business, referring to it dismissively as "hippie handicrafts." The awkwardness escalates when Grigg arrives late after mixing up the Starbucks locations. As they introduce themselves and choose their novels, Grigg is dubbed an "Austen virgin," having never previously explored her works.
Jocelyn attempts to spark a connection between Grigg and Sylvia, hoping their romance will distract her from her divorce; however, it quickly becomes apparent that Grigg's affections lie with Jocelyn instead. He consistently encourages her to explore sci-fi novels, which she is reluctant to do. Prudie, on the other hand, finds herself infatuated with a former student named Trey, which complicates her already turbulent feelings about her crumbling marriage.
The Jane Austen book club's first meeting proves awkward, as Prudie’s attempt to impress with her French skills backfires. As they discuss their selected novels, Sylvia becomes disheartened by parallels to her own life, leading to emotional fallout during the discussions.
When Allegra gets injured while skydiving, Sylvia and Daniel find themselves reconciling in the hospital, with Daniel expressing regret over his earlier actions. With each meeting, the bonds within the group deepen as they share laughter, heartbreak, and ultimately grow closer.
Prudie's relationship with Dean continues to deteriorate, but a significant moment occurs when Dean agrees to read Persuasion aloud to Prudie, igniting a long-forgotten spark between them. In contrast, Jocelyn, after finally embracing Grigg's sci-fi books, races to his house only to find warmth and connection blossoming between them.
As their relationships evolve, the group reunites a year later at a library benefit dinner, where joy abounds. Prudie has embraced motherhood, and all the couples are thriving together, while Bernadette arrives with her new husband, who has yet to read Jane Austen. The bonds they've created showcase the transformative power of friendship, literature, and love.
