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sams84's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy this and I was still more concerned when I started reading and it had all the hallmarks of Pride and Prejudice style stories with a single girl displaying herself for marriage purposes and annoying rich bachelor she may or may not end up marrying. Thankfully there was a lot more to the story than that and while I never completely warmed to either Arabella or Robert, they did grow on me a lot, especially Robert given his conversations with Ulysses, the dog Arabella saved and gifted to him.
jamie_o's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Arabella Tallant, daughter of a humble Yorkshire vicar, gets a once in a lifetime chance to stay with her godmother in London. Her main ambition is to find a husband because her parents have a bunch of other children to support. But she gets herself into a pickle with her impetuosity, making this goal much more difficult.
Heyer does such a great job with her male leads, I've enjoyed every one of them, including Robert Beaumaris. I adored his sensitive, caring side, particularly his one-sided conversations with Ulysses - the mutt Arabella foisted on him. And Arabella's compassion for society's downtrodden was charming.
This Heyer novel didn't include as much of her trademark humor. It tackled some serious issues, from Bertram's gambling addiction and drinking, to forced child labor, animal cruelty, and poverty.
"He was pounced on in the hall by his injured friend, who demanded to know what the devil he meant by inflicting lemonade upon his guests."
""Miss Tallant, better come upstairs!" said the anguished Mr. Scunthorpe, to whom Leaky Peg's vocabulary was rather more intelligible than to Arabella. "You dub your mummer, you death's head on a mop-stick!" Leaky Peg advised him."
Heyer does such a great job with her male leads, I've enjoyed every one of them, including Robert Beaumaris. I adored his sensitive, caring side, particularly his one-sided conversations with Ulysses - the mutt Arabella foisted on him. And Arabella's compassion for society's downtrodden was charming.
This Heyer novel didn't include as much of her trademark humor. It tackled some serious issues, from Bertram's gambling addiction and drinking, to forced child labor, animal cruelty, and poverty.
"He was pounced on in the hall by his injured friend, who demanded to know what the devil he meant by inflicting lemonade upon his guests."
""Miss Tallant, better come upstairs!" said the anguished Mr. Scunthorpe, to whom Leaky Peg's vocabulary was rather more intelligible than to Arabella. "You dub your mummer, you death's head on a mop-stick!" Leaky Peg advised him."
barusp's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ginaparrish's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it but I wanted more from it. Many of the characters’ problems could’ve been solved with a simple conversation. Though I liked them, the main couple didn’t get many sweet moments. We did get several surprising moments detailing the horrors of poverty in London in the Regency period, animal and child cruelty, and the perils of gambling addiction. I felt there was a huge double standard there as well between Arabella and her brother that didn’t get explored. Anyway, it was good but not outstanding.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books. So much. I love the men in her stories - so freaking charming. Ugh.
I gotta admit this one took a little bit of time to get into. Once she ends up in her 'predicament', that's when the story started coming about and I just couldn't put it down. My favorite chapters were having to do with Jemmy and Ulysses (you will see when you meet them). Arabella is my kind of girl.
I'm so in love with Heyer books. They're a real treat.
I gotta admit this one took a little bit of time to get into. Once she ends up in her 'predicament', that's when the story started coming about and I just couldn't put it down. My favorite chapters were having to do with Jemmy and Ulysses (you will see when you meet them). Arabella is my kind of girl.
I'm so in love with Heyer books. They're a real treat.
sminismoni's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun romp through Regency society. Gets off to a slow start, but then the plot thickens and reaches a crescendo, before a satisfying end.
jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
4.0
Such a delightful regency era romance! It has the most charming characters including a very endearing four-leg companion. It also gave a very nice and researched insight into a time period plentifully used in the historical romance genre. Georgette Heyer's writing has such an entertaining quality. I will definitely check out more of her work.
awkwardsnitch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A fun and lighthearted Regency romance that has the smack of realism amongst the veil of frivolity.