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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An enjoyable read! I liked the sibling dynamics, and Frederica was charming and witty and clever. The age gap was a bit much for me, but not enough to spoil the whole book. Seeing Alverstoke grow to care for the younger boys was sweet, and I love Felix and his poor orphan act and the hijinks he gets up to - and Jessamy’s love and admiration for his sister!
One of my favorite Heyer novels. Frederica and her brothers and sisters manage to effectively shake up their cousin's rather boring life with hilarious and wonderful results.
Such a sweet story. Lord Alverstoke is rich, selfish and spoiled. He never goes out of his way for anybody, least of all his family, because he has never had to. But when he meets Frederica, and her family, and immediately starts rescuing them from scrapes, his selfishness becomes non-existent.
I loved how he adopted the role of guardian (and father-figure) to Frederica's youngest brothers. All of the mischief her family got into was quite amusing too.
More flawed characters that you can't help but love! I think that's why I enjoy Heyer's books so much. Usually the characters in many books are too perfect and it just doesn't relate to reality. Learning to love someone despite their imperfections are what her books, and life, are all about.
I loved how he adopted the role of guardian (and father-figure) to Frederica's youngest brothers. All of the mischief her family got into was quite amusing too.
More flawed characters that you can't help but love! I think that's why I enjoy Heyer's books so much. Usually the characters in many books are too perfect and it just doesn't relate to reality. Learning to love someone despite their imperfections are what her books, and life, are all about.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
No
Four stars for what it is, which is fluffy historical fiction romance. Fun read! It’s about the Marquis of Alverstoke, a foppish 37 year old bachelor who really cares nothing for other people. He’s also the most eligible bachelor in town since he has a large fortune, and toying with the ladies that flirt with him is a primary source of amusement for him. He meets the Merriville family, some distant cousins of his, when the eldest sister Frederica seeks his help to introduce her little sister to society. Alverstoke is gradually won over by the whole family and becomes human. It was just cute.
Another enjoyable re-read with a strong minded "older" young heroine (24-36) who wins the love of a Tulip of the Ton mostly by needing his help but not trying too hard, and being her own smart, witty, busy self. Frederica Merrivale has come to town to secure a good match for her beautiful, "pigeon-witted" younger sister, with her brothers in tow. She solicits the help of the Marquis of Alverstoke, a distant relation and the old friend of her fatther. He agrees to help sponsor the Merrivales solely to upset his annoying mooch of a sister, who is bringing out her plains disagreeable daughter the same year, Add in a clandestine love affair for the beautiful sister, a large, friendly, poorly trained mongrel dog who needs constant exercise and a hot air balloon chase and you can imagine how much fun it all is, As with all of Georgette Heyer's work the book recalls the witty, sparkling movies of the '40s and would make the most wonderful screwball comedy. But I think I have had enough of re-reading GH for the moment. So many books out there I haven't read! And as always, so many books, so little time.
So good! Entertaining, cute, NOT cloying or annoying! Will be reading more Heyer, no doubt!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This was my second Heyer book, I first read The Grand Sophy. I liked that one a little more, but I still liked Frederica.
I found the family hilarious, although I also wanted to slap Charis. I loved Alverton, and I did enjoy hearing his thoughts on Frederica, which didn’t happen in TheGrand Sophy.
But I didn’t love all the talk of mechanics that went on for pages and the second third of the book was really slow and more boring. The second third was great, except I don’t know that I 100% loved the end dialogue. Frederica’s end of the conversation was a but weird.
But I did like seeing Alverton grow and not just love Frederica, but her brothers as well. And him annoying Louisa at the beginning was hilarious.
I found the family hilarious, although I also wanted to slap Charis. I loved Alverton, and I did enjoy hearing his thoughts on Frederica, which didn’t happen in TheGrand Sophy.
But I didn’t love all the talk of mechanics that went on for pages and the second third of the book was really slow and more boring. The second third was great, except I don’t know that I 100% loved the end dialogue. Frederica’s end of the conversation was a but weird.
But I did like seeing Alverton grow and not just love Frederica, but her brothers as well. And him annoying Louisa at the beginning was hilarious.
3.5 stars rounded up. While I enjoy Heyer's writing and Regency story lines, this one fell a bit flat for me. Some of the language was repeated over and over again - phrases, descriptions, and words. Because of this, the book felt repetitive and unnecessarily long. I also didn't love how the Marquis kept calling Frederica "my child". This is just about the ickiest thing to say to a love interest. There was a 13 year age gap that wouldn't have been a big deal, if he would have just stopped saying "my child"! I did enjoy the details about technological advances of the day, especially the scenes with the pedestrian curricle (bicycle with no pedals, aka Regency era balance bike) and hot air balloon. Heyer definitely knows her stuff and her books are very well researched.