Reviews

Lady Of Quality: Gossip, scandal and an unforgettable Regency romance by Georgette Heyer

a_chickletz's review against another edition

3.0

This book was cute. I loved the main character. She and I have a lot of similar goals. Independence from family, a need for helping others, and a lack of love life close to thirty.

Though seen as a comparison story to Black Sheep, I think this one stands on it's own. The story is very compact, not a lot of characters nor a lot of jumps in the plot, but gets the job done.

If you're looking for one of those books where the two leads dislike one another and then fall in love, this is the book to read. :)

ajs19's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

kemmer's review against another edition

5.0

One of my favorite "comfort authors" and one of her best books.

thebigq's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Sparkling. Annis is one of Heyer's best leading ladies imo

anki47's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

shropgirl's review

4.0

One of the later Regency novels by Georgette Heyer this is still a good read when you want something light, fairly predictable, with likeable characters, a reasonable plot and a satisfactory ending. 

I think that Georgette Heyer is under estimated as an author because I find that her novels are usually well researched in period detail, in the descriptions of the restrictions that were placed on women of this time but still able to create strong female characters who show spirit despite society’s expectations of them. 

The lady of quality is Annis Wychbold, a lady past the first prime of youth at the age of 29, who has set up her own establishment in Bath in order to escape the confines of living with her brother and his wife and children. She knows that there is every likelihood that if she remains her role would become that of a maiden aunt called upon to help with the children. The conventions of society expects her to have a woman to live with her and so her cousin, a woman left without a home following the death of her father comes to live with her. These circumstances are just the examples we need to see the different roles of women during the eighteen century, you are either married, single in need of a chaperone or a dependent without means. 

Annis meets a young couple, Lucilla, a young heiress who is running away from her home in order to escape from being forced into marriage with Ninian, who is actually helping Lucilla to travel to Bath. Annis, sympathetic to Lucilla’s situation offers to let Lucilla stay with her. Lucilla’s guardian, Oliver Carleton, an unpleasant rake, travels to Bath to remove his ward back to her aunt. However learning of the circumstances agrees to Lucilla remaining with Annis for the short term, whilst he looks for alternative arrangements. 

And so we have a typical Heyer plot which we know will resolve itself in the expected way and the reader will not be disappointed in this. There are no shocks and there are a cast of characters which we enjoy. A great book to read especially if feeling under the weather and not wanting anything to taxing on the brain. 

soph_young_'s review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

sherwoodreads's review against another edition

A retread of one Heyer's "Bath" plot, with an added dash of unpleasantness from some characters, and some of the rather long conversations are almost repeats from previous books. I think this one is only for the diehard Heyer fan.

emmajdavies's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-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

3.25

Delightful, frothy and easy read

riverdeboz's review against another edition

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? Yes

3.5