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debs4jc's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the Victorian Era in England. A family's life is uprooted when the unconventional Sophy arrives. Sophy dares to do things like drive her cousin's team of spirited horses, manage her own money, and meddle in the affairs of her cousins who are on the marriage market. And good for them because Sophy has a lot of good sense and manages to make things come out right in the end. [return]This was a very enjoyable read, I could guess at how it would end way in in advance but it was so satisfying to see how Sophy managed it. I loved the main character's irrepressable charm and intelligence.
ayami's review against another edition
2.0
Pleasant but nothing special. Not sure why it was written. It's not really a regency novel, which was disappointing. If Heyer wanted to write a heroine who is emancipated, why not set her in her own times? Don't see a point of putting a twentieth century female character in the nineteenth century and then mock all the other characters for having the mindset of their own times. It seems to me Sophie could get away with anything simply because she was wealthy and was from a high-society. Nothing ground breaking there.
rebalwil's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
amazing_emily_anderson's review against another edition
4.0
So fun and truly delightful! I loved the fast-paced, witty dialogue, the gossipy moments, and of course the title character, Sophy, who now ranks up there as one of my favorite regency heroines. Like her estranged cousins, I was instantly enamored of Sophy when she stepped out of her carriage with an entourage of animals (monkey included), but I think she really stole my heart when she single-handedly convinced the most villainous money lender in town to return the loan her cousin took out by threatening him not only verbally but with her own carefully concealed pistol! My only complaint is that Sophy ends up with Charles, but really, I wouldn't have been happy to let my Sophy go to anyone. I loved her that much!
atelierofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Wild, hilarious, audacious Sophy! Even from the perspective of a 21st century woman, Sophy is a force. There were so many moments where I was like, "girl, you are insane. INSANE. Also, please be my friend."
Basically, cousin Sophy comes to London and sorts out everyone's life. She's eye-poppingly nosy and meddlesome...except she genuinely only wants the best for everyone (and she's usually always right anyway). I'd call this more of a family comedy than a romance actually because the entire story is about how Sophy becomes one of their own. She loves her cousins without reservation, and for all of her impishness, she is wise.
Sophy and Charles though..these two make each other laugh and they share inside jokes. That's the best kind of love. I love them together because Sophy is such a great foil for Charles. He's burdened by crushing responsibility and the consequences of his father's profligacy, which is slowly turning him into a dour authoritarian. Except he has this natural ease and sense of humor which peeks out more and more often due to Sophy's antics and joyfulness. They trust and respect each other long before they fall in love. Even when they're at each other's throats (which is often) they behave like a real family despite having been strangers their entire lives. I loved how cleverly Sophy guided Charles and the rest of the family to be more communicative and grow closer to one another.
But the side characters are seriously one of the best parts of this book! Everyone has such a distinct personality and I loved reading about all of the unwitting people who get sucked into the vortex of Sophy's scheming. Also, Sophy's dad is the best. He's the most neglectful, hands-off parent ever but in his own way he loves and empowers Sophy. No, seriously, it was so great to read a father character who empowers his daughter. And he is hilarious.
That said, this was written in 1950 so there are some dated stereotypes about people. If certain characters had been a bit more nuanced in that respect this would have been a full 5 stars. I would read this book again and again in spite of this, but your mileage may vary.
This was my first Heyer novel and I can't believe I've slept on her work for this long. This was recommended to me as a lover of Austen...but after reading, I actually can't understand why. The only genuine similarity is that they take place in the same time period. Austen's work is sharp and laced with social commentary. Heyer is all levity and banter. They're both wonderful, in very different ways!
Wild, hilarious, audacious Sophy! Even from the perspective of a 21st century woman, Sophy is a force. There were so many moments where I was like, "girl, you are insane. INSANE. Also, please be my friend."
Basically, cousin Sophy comes to London and sorts out everyone's life. She's eye-poppingly nosy and meddlesome...except she genuinely only wants the best for everyone (and she's usually always right anyway). I'd call this more of a family comedy than a romance actually because the entire story is about how Sophy becomes one of their own. She loves her cousins without reservation, and for all of her impishness, she is wise.
Sophy and Charles though..these two make each other laugh and they share inside jokes. That's the best kind of love. I love them together because Sophy is such a great foil for Charles. He's burdened by crushing responsibility and the consequences of his father's profligacy, which is slowly turning him into a dour authoritarian. Except he has this natural ease and sense of humor which peeks out more and more often due to Sophy's antics and joyfulness. They trust and respect each other long before they fall in love. Even when they're at each other's throats (which is often) they behave like a real family despite having been strangers their entire lives. I loved how cleverly Sophy guided Charles and the rest of the family to be more communicative and grow closer to one another.
But the side characters are seriously one of the best parts of this book! Everyone has such a distinct personality and I loved reading about all of the unwitting people who get sucked into the vortex of Sophy's scheming. Also, Sophy's dad is the best. He's the most neglectful, hands-off parent ever but in his own way he loves and empowers Sophy. No, seriously, it was so great to read a father character who empowers his daughter. And he is hilarious.
That said, this was written in 1950 so there are some dated stereotypes about people. If certain characters had been a bit more nuanced in that respect this would have been a full 5 stars. I would read this book again and again in spite of this, but your mileage may vary.
This was my first Heyer novel and I can't believe I've slept on her work for this long. This was recommended to me as a lover of Austen...but after reading, I actually can't understand why. The only genuine similarity is that they take place in the same time period. Austen's work is sharp and laced with social commentary. Heyer is all levity and banter. They're both wonderful, in very different ways!
saleesi's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
pollyched's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Absolutely mental. So fun and silly. The grumpiest romantic hero! The heroine keeps stealing horses!!
septemberheartflakes's review against another edition
5.0
Why, oh, why did it take me so long to discover Sophy Stanton-Lucy?
The book is about Sophy, who is sent to live with her aunt's family while her dad, Sir Horace, travels to Brazil. The story is then carried by Sophy's mischiefs and tricks to lighten up the household and drive her eldest cousin, Charles Rivenhall, to nuts.
I love Sophy so much. Where do I start?
I am grateful that Georgette Heyer wrote Sophy as not one of those impossibly graceful and beautiful maidens of the Regency era where all the men can't help but just fall in love with her. Sophy was first described as "all legs" and of having too large of a nose and mouth but wonderful eyes. In short, she is mundane. This catapults here into becoming such a relatable and well-loved character because of her street-smarts and personality.
At first, the book as if tackles the notion that women should not do this and that during the era when Sophy was countlessly denied to drive her own patheon (horse carriage). But then, I realized that Heyers is not really putting out a feminist stand when Sophy, mischievous as ever, galloped her horse in Hyde Park... it was just Sophy being Sophy.
With that being said, Sophy is a well-written character. Most outgoing female characters always turn out pretentious and trying too hard but Sophy is still a dear despite all. She's not rude either, just simply Sophy. She does things because she wants to and although listens to what gossip ails her tricks, never let it get to her head too much to affect her. Such a positive character in an era where speculation is the norm.
Brb gonna add more of Georgette Heyer's books into my TBR wheel.
The book is about Sophy, who is sent to live with her aunt's family while her dad, Sir Horace, travels to Brazil. The story is then carried by Sophy's mischiefs and tricks to lighten up the household and drive her eldest cousin, Charles Rivenhall, to nuts.
I love Sophy so much. Where do I start?
I am grateful that Georgette Heyer wrote Sophy as not one of those impossibly graceful and beautiful maidens of the Regency era where all the men can't help but just fall in love with her. Sophy was first described as "all legs" and of having too large of a nose and mouth but wonderful eyes. In short, she is mundane. This catapults here into becoming such a relatable and well-loved character because of her street-smarts and personality.
At first, the book as if tackles the notion that women should not do this and that during the era when Sophy was countlessly denied to drive her own patheon (horse carriage). But then, I realized that Heyers is not really putting out a feminist stand when Sophy, mischievous as ever, galloped her horse in Hyde Park... it was just Sophy being Sophy.
With that being said, Sophy is a well-written character. Most outgoing female characters always turn out pretentious and trying too hard but Sophy is still a dear despite all. She's not rude either, just simply Sophy. She does things because she wants to and although listens to what gossip ails her tricks, never let it get to her head too much to affect her. Such a positive character in an era where speculation is the norm.
Brb gonna add more of Georgette Heyer's books into my TBR wheel.
taltaltal's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25