As I like both Georgette Heyer and Sophie Irwin, I had to read this novel (and it didn’t disappoint)
Here’s the blurb …
Could this be the Season she wins his heart?
Henrietta has secretly loved Arthur, Lord Allerton, since childhood. He is the only man who is interested in her rather than her fortune – just not in the way that she wants.
After three years away at war, Arthur has returned to London to find everything changed. His finances are ruined, his family in chaos. And sweet, shy Hetty is … different.
For Hetty has set herself a challenge: she has one summer to become the charming, dashing Diamond she’s always wished to be. And either Arthur will notice her, or she’ll give up her dreams entirely.
But in a glittering Season plagued by scandal and intrigue, is there still room for love …?
I loved this novel – the characters were fabulous – Arthur, the older brother, very responsible, Timothy, the dandy younger brother, Trixie, the younger sister determined to find some excitement (and probably ruin herself), and Henrietta, our heroine, who was a ward of the Allertons, but now just lives with them. She’s also incredibly wealthy (80 000 pounds) and very shy and awkward. The perfect set up for a regency romance.
There is descriptions of frocks, regency cant (slang), balls, the theatre and a balloon ascension. We’re just missing a trip to Vauxhall Gardens. There are fortune hunters and lovely shy young men.
Sophie Irwin has done a fabulous job of emulating Georgette Heyer. This is one of my favourite novels of the year.
A review.