Reviews

Powder and Patch by Georgette Heyer

meekkee's review against another edition

3.0

Powder and Patch may not be Georgette Heyer's best work, but the qualities that make her work so beloved to so many people do shine in this short but lively story. The characters are bright and lively, and the attention to detail is splendid as always. Phillip and Cleone may be more immature than many of her protagonists and too ridiculously blessed in looks and talents, but they still were a delight to read about, as were their surrounding ensemble. I wonder how much better this story would have turned out had Heyer written it at a later point in her life, but as it is, Powder and Patch is an excellent, easy way to lighten a boring workday.

lille_in_the_ville's review against another edition

3.0

While the woman in this is pretty annoying in her demands, the transformation of the protagonist is enjoyable and reminds me a bit (just a bit) of The Count of Monte Cristo. I prefer when Heyer plays a little later in history, but then again it's interesting to see her delving into a time of different fashions of clothing and language.

eleanorturner's review against another edition

3.0

Some light fun, but doesn’t live up to other Heyers in writing or plot.

onetrooluff's review against another edition

3.0

This is maybe my third Heyer romance, and fifth Heyer book overall. I did enjoy it but it dragged for me a bit in the middle. I can't say it was bad, though, since I was very happy and entertained at the final conclusion.

mkjacobswrites's review against another edition

4.0

Short and amusing; good French. I liked the continuing joke that the main guy couldn't write poetry well but he kept trying. It was a fun reverse Cinderella for the guy to have the makeover scene, but I didn't like how easily he was able to do everything, and the girl could've had more personality besides her relationship with him.

sparrowgirl's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

a_chickletz's review against another edition

3.0

I loved this cute little book. I really want to bump it up to four stars, so it's technically a rating between three and four.

I could see this as a movie: A guy likes a girl, a girl likes a guy. Girl wants more than what he is, guy wants to change for her. Guy changes but only because he wants to impress her. Girl sees guy and realizes that she always wanted that was right in front of her. Guy pretends to be the guy she wants, girl becomes sad. Throw in a dash of humor and a lol-zy ending and you have this book.

The reason why I'm ranking it down two stars is that it was too darn short and simple. I wanted more.

So, go in expecting a cute but short story and not one of Heyer's normal tales and you have this book.

nooneyouknow's review against another edition

3.0

2.5 stars. Some amazingly dated ideas in this one.

kirs10n's review against another edition

lighthearted

4.5

sherwoodreads's review against another edition

This early novel is set in the Georgian period, as Heyer discovers wit and plays around with it. I strongly suspect that she had been reading Pelham as well as a great deal of eighteenth century novels, as she gives us a young country hero whose beloved rejects him because he has no polish. So he sets out to become the most polished of beaux . . . and teach her a lesson.