Tag Archives: romance

Henrietta – Georgette Heyer

Cover of Sophie Irwin's novel 'Henrietta'.

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.

Leave a Comment

Filed under 5, Digital, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Recommended, Romance

Love By Design – Elizabeth Everett

Love by Design – Elizabeth Everett
My new book bag (it’s from Redbubble)

This was a mothers day gift from the lovely Miss A. I have already read A Perfect Equation and was keen to read more of Ms Everett’s work.

Here’s the blurb …

You couldn’t design a better hero than the very eligible and extremely charming Earl Grantham. Unless, of course, you are Margaret Gault, who wants nothing to do with the man who broke her youthful heart.

Widowed and determined, Margaret Gault has returned to Athena’s Retreat and the welcoming arms of her fellow secret scientists with an ambitious plan in mind: to establish England’s first woman-owned engineering firm. But from the moment she sets foot in London her plans are threatened by greedy investors and–at literally every turn–the irritatingly attractive Earl Grantham, a man she can never forgive.

George Willis, the Earl Grantham, is thrilled that the woman he has loved since childhood has returned to London. Not as thrilling, however, is her decision to undertake an engineering commission from his political archnemesis. When Margaret’s future and Grantham’s parliamentary reforms come into conflict, Grantham must use every ounce of charm he possesses–along with his stunning good looks and flawless physique, of course–to win Margaret over to his cause.

Facing obstacles seemingly too large to dismantle, will Grantham and Margaret remain forever disconnected or can they find a way to bridge their differences, rekindle the passion of their youth, and construct a love built to last?

I would describe this novel as a grown-up romance; Margaret is independent and self-reliant, she is not looking to be rescued or swept off her feet. In this series, the women are scientists, engineers, mathematicians, biologists, etc who want to participate in the world. Having said that, there are still traditional romance elements; the hero is an earl, Margaret is beautiful.

If you enjoy romance and romantic comedies, than this novel is for you.

A review

Leave a Comment

Filed under 4, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance