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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer was…alright. I’ve had it on my TBR for quite a while and finally got around to reading it. Just from the blurb I read when I first bought the book, I immediately got major Pippi Longstocking vibes from Sophy. A protagonist with a dead mother and a father conveniently overseas for an unspecified amount of time. She rolls into town with a magnificent horse and a monkey, doesn't care much for social conventions, and has a wild solution for every problem thrown her way. I was excited to see a character like that in a historical romance novel set in the 1800s, and Sophy didn’t disappoint. She was easily one of the best parts of the book, and for good reason.
That said, the book isn’t without its faults. I enjoyed the second half far more than the beginning. My main issue with the first 100 pages or so is that they were overly focused on transportation—carriages, horses, and endless rides in the park or through the streets of London. It dragged the pace down for me quickly, especially since I'm neither knowledgeable about nor interested in those details. Honestly, if the second half hadn’t picked up the way it did, I probably would’ve rated this a star lower.
I was also a bit conflicted on whether or not this even qualifies as a romance novel. There really isn’t much actual romance in it. The most romantic subplot involves the love triangle between Cecilia, Lord Charlbury, and Mr. Fawnhope—but even that leans more toward drama than romance, and most of it happens off the page. Still, I’m counting it as a romance since, technically, it is one.
On the topic of romance, though, I’m not a huge fan of the pairing between Charles and Sophy, who are cousins. They barely share any romantic moments, and while I’m not necessarily complaining about that, the two do end up engaged on one of the last pages. I suspected that would be the outcome based on how much time the narrative gives them, but it still doesn’t sit entirely right with me.
I also found the ending a bit abrupt. I would’ve liked to see Sophy reunite with her father, though I suppose it’s easy enough to imagine how that scene might have gone.
Overall, I’m giving The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer 3 stars. It had its moments, especially thanks to Sophy’s lively character, but it also had its fair share of issues. It’s worth mentioning that the book includes some racism and antisemitism, which, while unfortunately not surprising for something published in 1950, definitely detracted from the experience.
|—TL;DR—|
Focus Genre: Historical Romance
Nostalgia: Disqualified
Personal Enjoyment: 3⭐
Plot: 3⭐
Characters: 4⭐
Historical Accuracy/Immersion: 4,5⭐
Writing: 3⭐
Romance: 2⭐
- Chemistry: 3⭐
- Fluff: 1,5⭐
- Steam: Disqualified
World-Building/Setting: 3,75⭐
Pacing: 3⭐
Ending: 3⭐
=Overall=
3,07-stars⭐ ≈ 3-stars⭐
~09/07/25~
Pacing: 3⭐
Ending: 3⭐
=Overall=
3,07-stars⭐ ≈ 3-stars⭐
~09/07/25~
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Gun violence, Incest, Antisemitism
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, Racism
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Loveable characters:
Yes
I have to admit that I was very hesitant to pick this book up and If it isn't for the club read, I wouldn't have picked it but boy, am I surprised. I enjoyed it very much. I was expecting some new girl struggling at her aunt's home and finding love kind of story but What I got was some regency baddie scheming through her London family.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I have to talk about main character Sophy. First of all is there anything she is not capable of doing, lol. I loved her thorough and thorough. She was charming, funny and is very good at what she is doing. She has most page time than any characters and she is the one who carries us readers through the novel so the novel could have gone downhill even if she were little bit of annoying or boring but that isn't the case. She kept the whole story engaging. She is marvelous and good yet despite this I can't help but feel would it have been little better If she has some flaws in her character, so I don't know.
For the romance part, now this odd because I don't see any romance at all from where I expected. I assume it will be unpopular opinion but the only romance I felt came from Miss Wraxton and Lord Bromford, like these two are the only characters whom I feel shared a vibe and gone well with each other and out of all their combined unbearableness was actually wholesome. I didn't feel a thing between Sophy and Charles and I wasn't meant to feel anything from Cecilia and Charlbury so that's it for romance.
The ending, now that was rushed and unsatisfied. It felt like I was enjoying some tasty meal and someone picked my bowl and went out before I could finish it. Despite all this a very entertaining read indeed.
SPOILERS AHEAD
I have to talk about main character Sophy. First of all is there anything she is not capable of doing, lol. I loved her thorough and thorough. She was charming, funny and is very good at what she is doing. She has most page time than any characters and she is the one who carries us readers through the novel so the novel could have gone downhill even if she were little bit of annoying or boring but that isn't the case. She kept the whole story engaging. She is marvelous and good yet despite this I can't help but feel would it have been little better If she has some flaws in her character, so I don't know.
For the romance part, now this odd because I don't see any romance at all from where I expected. I assume it will be unpopular opinion but the only romance I felt came from Miss Wraxton and Lord Bromford, like these two are the only characters whom I feel shared a vibe and gone well with each other and out of all their combined unbearableness was actually wholesome. I didn't feel a thing between Sophy and Charles and I wasn't meant to feel anything from Cecilia and Charlbury so that's it for romance.
The ending, now that was rushed and unsatisfied. It felt like I was enjoying some tasty meal and someone picked my bowl and went out before I could finish it. Despite all this a very entertaining read indeed.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Immensely entertaining. I was either laughing out loud or smiling the whole time. A ridiculous cast of characters who never failed to create a comical scene. Imagine something like the characters of "The Importance of Being Earnest" and Mr. Collins from "Pride & Prejudice"
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
“Well I think,” said Sophy confidentiality “that he now means to be in love with me, Charles. He likes the way I hold a lamp and he says, he would like to see me with an urn.”
"By all that is wonderful, it's the Grand Sophy!"
Oh my goodness I loved every minute of this delightful regency! Seriously I couldn’t stop giggling… the dialogue & banter in this book is perfection! This is my second book by Georgette Heyer & it won’t be the last. I absolutely loved Sophy who was raised by her father & had an unusual upbringing traveling the world. When she arrives in London to stay with her Aunt & family, chaos issues! I mean she arrives with a dog, a parrot & a monkey 😂 Sophy is unconventional, smart, funny & has a talent for setting things to right. When she sees how unhappy her extended family is she knows she can help... Sophy’s meddling schemes will have you giggling & falling in love with all of these characters! There are so many delightful moments… if you are looking for a fun classic, this is it. I strongly recommend audio, it was fantastic!
“I find it a marvellous circumstance, cousin, that no one has yet strangled you!”
“Will you marry me, vile and abominable girl that you are?
Yes, but, mind, it only to save my neck from being wrung!”
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
If you’re gonna read regency era beach reads, you sometimes have to accept that the main love interest will be a first cousin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pretty standard GH regency fare! I will never understand the savage lover type, but that’s probably just because I’m a sensitive girlie whereas GH’s heroines are always without sensibility!
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated