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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
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.
I love Georgette Heyer, and this is my favorite of her books. I love the primary characters! I re-read this book at least once a year.
Set in Regency England, the story is about Frederica who imposes on the Marquis of Alverstoke to pretend to be her family's guardian. He ends up becoming completely embroiled in their lives, much to his surprise. Heyer recreates Regency London so well, that it almost feels like reading a Jane Austen. There are differences - Heyer uses much more slang (which can be tiresome after a while). The dialogue, description, and characterizations make this book well worth the read.
Set in Regency England, the story is about Frederica who imposes on the Marquis of Alverstoke to pretend to be her family's guardian. He ends up becoming completely embroiled in their lives, much to his surprise. Heyer recreates Regency London so well, that it almost feels like reading a Jane Austen. There are differences - Heyer uses much more slang (which can be tiresome after a while). The dialogue, description, and characterizations make this book well worth the read.
An enjoyable light read for fans of Jane Austen, even if it's not of the same caliber.
lighthearted
medium-paced