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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Loved it! Interesting characters and a tense plot. People have compared Heyer to Jane Austen. I can see why, though so far I think Austen's character development is better. I am definitely hooked on Heyer and can't wait to read the next book!
One of my more favorite of Georgette's books. Funny, clever writing etc.
The enemies to lovers dynamic felt very pale and annoying to me, which was unfortunate since it was most of the book. Also Peregrine is the stupidest brother alive. Didn't have much patience for this one, although Heyer is always delightful with her period details
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
N/A
I love Georgette Heyer. My Mum has the whole collection and got me onto them and I have been going through her collection over a few years trying to savour the experience of reading them for the first time. She began reading them because her Dad recommended them to her. My family all love the literary classics and historical fiction.
Regency Buck is one of my favourites! (‘False Colours’ is number one — if you like this book definitely read that one) The historical accuracy, the tone and pace of her writings feel as if they were written in the time period. In this story she successfully includes real people who her leads Judith and Lord Worth would have associated with if they themselves had existed. Beau Brummell and the prince regent have important roles in this story. (Her portrayal and inclusion of real people in this story is successful and compelling in comparison to the very dull and boring book ‘My Lord John.’ Should be said it’s boring but the historical accuracy and research that went into is worth applauding!)
I first read this one back during lockdown and decided to re-read it this year and was not disappointed. The characters are enjoyable and fun to read. There is a bit of mystery which got me hooked when I first read — I read it and got to a point in which I literally could not put it down! I stayed up until 2am finishing it!) Although I remembered the story and the plot the second reading was just as enjoyable :)
This story has romance, gold diggers and loveable dandies, duels, clubs, whist, muslin dresses, and balls!
Regency Buck is one of my favourites! (‘False Colours’ is number one — if you like this book definitely read that one) The historical accuracy, the tone and pace of her writings feel as if they were written in the time period. In this story she successfully includes real people who her leads Judith and Lord Worth would have associated with if they themselves had existed. Beau Brummell and the prince regent have important roles in this story. (Her portrayal and inclusion of real people in this story is successful and compelling in comparison to the very dull and boring book ‘My Lord John.’ Should be said it’s boring but the historical accuracy and research that went into is worth applauding!)
I first read this one back during lockdown and decided to re-read it this year and was not disappointed. The characters are enjoyable and fun to read. There is a bit of mystery which got me hooked when I first read — I read it and got to a point in which I literally could not put it down! I stayed up until 2am finishing it!) Although I remembered the story and the plot the second reading was just as enjoyable :)
This story has romance, gold diggers and loveable dandies, duels, clubs, whist, muslin dresses, and balls!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Racism, Kidnapping
There is cock fighting and gambling in this book. There are some sexist, racist, and classist words/statements. This of course is not acceptable— however it is of the time period and should be understood and acknowledged that this is what would have been said and acceptable in the early 1800s.
Ah, Georgette, how I love your books! I sometimes feel I could read ten Georgette Heyer books in a row and still enjoy them just as much. Regency Buck was one I hadn't read before and it's another great example of her writing.
Our heroine is Judith, who moves with her brother, Peregrine, to London after the death of their father. Their estate has been held in trust until Peregrine comes of age, and the fun starts when they meet their new guardian, Lord Worth. He's much younger than they had imagined and Judith despises him at their first meeting, preferring instead the company of her newly discovered cousin, Bernard. Judith soon becomes the toast of London, with scores of men falling at her feet and showering her with proposals, but who will eventually win her hand?
The great thing about a Georgette Heyer romance, and this one is a particularly good example, is that there's so much more to them than just romance. In Regency Buck there are elements of adventure, mystery and comedy, as well as some fine descriptions of life in Regency England that really bring the period alive. Unusually, Heyer introduces a lot of real life characters into this novel, and Beau Brummell, the Duke of Clarence and even the Prince Regent himself have quite large roles. It really helps immerse you in the story and I found myself looking all these characters up on Wikipedia as I was reading, noting just how accurate Heyer's descriptions were and how detailed her research must have been.
Heyer tries really hard to disguise the plot of her novel, throwing red herrings in to put us off the scent. However, the old "she hates him but really she loves him" storyline is such a staple of this kind of novel that I'd be surprised if many readers were put off by her efforts. I knew exactly where the book was heading, but I did appreciate Heyer's efforts to disguise the exact path it was taking.
As always with Georgette Heyer's work, I loved this book. I love the sense of fun that accompanies all her stories, the colourful characters, the sparkling dialogue and the lovely cosy feeling I get while I'm all curled up on my sofa reading.
Our heroine is Judith, who moves with her brother, Peregrine, to London after the death of their father. Their estate has been held in trust until Peregrine comes of age, and the fun starts when they meet their new guardian, Lord Worth. He's much younger than they had imagined and Judith despises him at their first meeting, preferring instead the company of her newly discovered cousin, Bernard. Judith soon becomes the toast of London, with scores of men falling at her feet and showering her with proposals, but who will eventually win her hand?
The great thing about a Georgette Heyer romance, and this one is a particularly good example, is that there's so much more to them than just romance. In Regency Buck there are elements of adventure, mystery and comedy, as well as some fine descriptions of life in Regency England that really bring the period alive. Unusually, Heyer introduces a lot of real life characters into this novel, and Beau Brummell, the Duke of Clarence and even the Prince Regent himself have quite large roles. It really helps immerse you in the story and I found myself looking all these characters up on Wikipedia as I was reading, noting just how accurate Heyer's descriptions were and how detailed her research must have been.
Heyer tries really hard to disguise the plot of her novel, throwing red herrings in to put us off the scent. However, the old "she hates him but really she loves him" storyline is such a staple of this kind of novel that I'd be surprised if many readers were put off by her efforts. I knew exactly where the book was heading, but I did appreciate Heyer's efforts to disguise the exact path it was taking.
As always with Georgette Heyer's work, I loved this book. I love the sense of fun that accompanies all her stories, the colourful characters, the sparkling dialogue and the lovely cosy feeling I get while I'm all curled up on my sofa reading.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book has all the necessary ingredients to be good, but somehow doesn't quite manage it.
Judith Taverner is the heiress, she is beautiful, rich, spirited, headstrong, everything a Heyer lady should be, and yet I did not like her.
Peregrine Taverner is her brother, he's funny, a bit stupid, constantly getting into scrapes but not endearing.
Lord Worth is their guardian until they both come of age and he's rich, handsome, domineering but not in a way that makes you go weak at the knees. He's just a bit, boring almost.
And then there's Charles Audley, Lord Worth's brother who is charming enough, but doesn't really make me want to read a book about him (don't worry, he's SO much improved in An Infamous Army).
There's a mystery subplot, someone's trying to kill Perry, which although pretty obvious (although it does make you second-guess yourself), provided a new dimension to the usual romance. There's a fabulous description of the Brighton Pavilion, and Beau Brummell is a great supporting character, but it's almost that the effort that's gone into the historical detail and the mystery has detracted from the usual character development.
I admit I crammed this book in between Devil's Cub and An Infamous Army but once I started it I realised that I had actually read it before but had no recollection of the story. Which I guess is the point, it's an ok read, just a bit forgettable.
Judith Taverner is the heiress, she is beautiful, rich, spirited, headstrong, everything a Heyer lady should be, and yet I did not like her.
Peregrine Taverner is her brother, he's funny, a bit stupid, constantly getting into scrapes but not endearing.
Lord Worth is their guardian until they both come of age and he's rich, handsome, domineering but not in a way that makes you go weak at the knees. He's just a bit, boring almost.
And then there's Charles Audley, Lord Worth's brother who is charming enough, but doesn't really make me want to read a book about him (don't worry, he's SO much improved in An Infamous Army).
There's a mystery subplot, someone's trying to kill Perry, which although pretty obvious (although it does make you second-guess yourself), provided a new dimension to the usual romance. There's a fabulous description of the Brighton Pavilion, and Beau Brummell is a great supporting character, but it's almost that the effort that's gone into the historical detail and the mystery has detracted from the usual character development.
I admit I crammed this book in between Devil's Cub and An Infamous Army but once I started it I realised that I had actually read it before but had no recollection of the story. Which I guess is the point, it's an ok read, just a bit forgettable.
3.5 I'll fo sure read more Georgette Heyer, but Lord Worth was kind of too much of a dick to Judith in this one. Kissing and abducting her at the beginning essentially??? I was like um no.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Primary Genre:
1. Regency Romance – Set in early 19th-century England (likely 1810s, given Beau Brummell’s presence), featuring the ton, high society, and aristocratic manners.
Subgenres & Key Tropes:
2. Enemies-to-Lovers – Judith’s fiery dislike for her guardian simmers into passion.
3. Guardian/Ward Romance – A classic Regency trope with power dynamics and forbidden tension.
4. "Beau Monde" Setting – References to Beau Brummell and the Bow-window set (London’s elite dandies).
5. Headstrong Heroine vs. Arrogant Hero – Judith’s wilfulness clashes with Worth’s cool dominance.
1. Regency Romance – Set in early 19th-century England (likely 1810s, given Beau Brummell’s presence), featuring the ton, high society, and aristocratic manners.
Subgenres & Key Tropes:
2. Enemies-to-Lovers – Judith’s fiery dislike for her guardian simmers into passion.
3. Guardian/Ward Romance – A classic Regency trope with power dynamics and forbidden tension.
4. "Beau Monde" Setting – References to Beau Brummell and the Bow-window set (London’s elite dandies).
5. Headstrong Heroine vs. Arrogant Hero – Judith’s wilfulness clashes with Worth’s cool dominance.