The Earl of Rule is a great catch. When he proposes marriage to Miss Elizabeth Winwood, she should be delighted, but she isn’t. She’s in love with someone else. Elizabeth’s younger sister Horatia has the perfect solution; she’ll offer herself to Rule instead, since he really only wants a Winwood, not any specific one of them. Despite Horry’s pronounced stammer, Rule is enchanted with her and agrees to marry her instead. Determined to be the perfect wife, Horry leaves Rule alone and engages in her own sometimes scandalous relations with the ton. A series of clever, humorous mishaps and slow realizations lead the married Rule and Horatia to come to terms with the fact that they are perfectly suited for each other.
I’m realizing that I love Georgette Heyer. This book is laugh out loud funny at times. It’s a literary caper that just continues on and on with a sweet underlying romance that left me with a smile on my face. There is so much fun going on in this book. There is Horry being rebellious by befriending Rule’s enemy, then hitting him on the head with a poker when he tries to kiss her. That had to be the funniest scene in the book, not to mention the scenes that ensued from complications of the failed seduction!
I also just love the way Heyer writes. She takes us straight back to Regency England and I can feel it in the prose as well as in the historical details. The romance is clean and relatively free of sexual passions, but that doesn’t make it any less real. The development of the fondness between the very young Horatia and her older, more experienced husband is endearing and engaging. I wanted them to discover the happiness that lay just beyond their current reach.
Overall, this book is exactly what I look for in a historical romance. It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s believable. I wouldn’t ask for more! I’m so excited to read more by Georgette Heyer. Thanks so much to Danielle and Sourcebooks for reprinting this wonderful author and sending me this review copy.
The Convenient Marriage is available from Amazon and Amazon UK.
I really, really liked this one. It was my first Heyer book and I consider myself a fan now. I just finished Frederica yesterday and it was still good, but I thought The Convenient Marriage was better!
Julie P.’s last blog post..Review: Precious
Heyer is awesome! I read three mysteries of hers and now I’m moving on to her historical novels. I’m very happy to hear that this one is funny because that’s the element from her writing that I enjoy the most.
lilly’s last blog post..Two Brothers. One North, One South by David H. Jones
I have GOT to get my hands on some Georgette Hayer! This book sounds wonderful.
Memory’s last blog post..82. The Kalahari Typing School For Men by Alexander McCall Smith
Thanks for this great review. I haven’t read any Heyer, but am excited to read some this summer. I appreciate your description of Heyer’s reading style, as that can make a huge difference on the delivery of the story! Thanks again.
Becky at “One Literature Nut”’s last blog post..Two Challenges: 48 Hour Book Challenge & A Shakespearean Summer
I haven’t read any of Heyer’s books, but the more I read reviews, the more I think I need to.
SuziQoregon’s last blog post..Library Loot – May 20
I have read so many wonderful reviews of Heyer’s work that I am very anxious to read her myself.
The problem I have is that I do not tend to enjoy romance novels. I have heard that she also wrote several mysteries that I think I might try first: Behold, Here’s Poison, Why Shoot the Butler and the Unfinished Clue.
Molly’s last blog post..Olive Kitteridge
I have to admit, I’ve never read Georgette Heyer, even though I love Regency romances.
heidenkind’s last blog post..Thursday Tea
I’ve always intended to read something by Georgette Heyer, but somehow never got around to it. But this sounds like something I’d enjoy. Especially if it’s funny. I may have to add this one to the TBR list.
JLS Hall’s last blog post..Friday Finds: 22 May 2009
I’m realizing the same thing about Georgette Heyer! Great review!
I loved this novel too. I can’t wait to start Corinthian I’ve heard good things.
Keira’s last blog post..Reader Highlight: Susan’s Success Story!
This is one of my favorites.
Christina’s last blog post..REVIEW – Countdown by Michelle Maddox
I just love Heyer – I first read some of her books in my early teens – they were Mom approved! . . . and I love them just as much now. Yeah!
Thanks for stopping by and participating in Thingers last week! I’ve got the post up for this week. ~ Wendi
Wendi B ~ Wendi’s Book Corner’s last blog post..Tuesday Thinger: What’s Missing??
I read another very favorable review of this one. I haven’t read much Heyer, but this does sound like a book I would really enjoy. Hopefully I will get my hands on a copy soon. Great review! Your love for this book really comes through.
Zibilee’s last blog post..Coventry Giveaway!
[…] Medieval Bookworm […]