Arabella by Georgette Heyer

Arabella

by Georgette Heyer

A BELOVED CLASSIC FROM THE QUEEN OF THE REGENCY ROMANCE

'Absolutely delicious tales of Regency heroes . . . Utter, immersive escapism' SOPHIE KINSELLA

'One of my perennial comfort authors. Heyer's books are as incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's' JOANNE HARRIS
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A fiery debutante. An ill-tempered bachelor. A romance for the ages.

Arabella, the daughter of an impoverished country parson, dreams of a new life in London. But her beauty and charm will only get her so far - and when Arabella embarks on her first London season armed with nothing but a benevolent godmother and her own notoriously short temper, she quickly runs afoul of Robert Beaumaris.

He's the most eligible bachelor of the day, with a personality as strong and combative as hers - and Arabella cannot abide him thinking of her as just another pretty girl after his wealth. So she allows herself to be provoked into a game of deception - one that could have unexpected consequences...

Arabella is a rich, dashing romance from Georgette Heyer, the legendary creator of the beloved Regency romance genre.
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'Wonderful characters . . . rapturously romantic' KATIE FFORDE

'A wonderful wit . . . I've read her over and over and over again' STEPHEN FRY

'Triumphantly good . . . Georgette Heyer is unbeatable' INDIA KNIGHT

Reviewed by ladygrey on

3 of 5 stars

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Arabella is a delightful romantic comedy. I love that [author:Georgette Heyer] writes it with such an archaic voice. Admittedly, this means it's a bit difficult to follow at times but its also fun to read something that is written so differently from most of what I read. And the characters are so true to the Regency era that their reactions are off kilter to a modern audience, but that's also one of the things I love about them. I love that they haven't been modernized. Which is not to say I don't like a good modern regency romance from time to time. I do thoroughly enjoy [book:The Season]. But I also really like a good, authentic regency romance.

Arabella is mostly a delightful heroine; smart and beautiful and appropriately strong willed and compassionate. She did turn a little foolish at the end but Mr. Beaumaris more than makes up for it. I like that he's charming and smart and confident enough to take the appropriate action. He is the sort of hero that makes the story. And I love that as much as the story is a comedy, he's never portrayed as a fool.

I didn't love Bertram's storyline because it was quite uncomfortable for a good portion of it. But, like the rest of the story, it ended well enough that it's not much of a detraction.

I enjoyed the conversations and the politics of the season and the flirtations that are so unique and delightfully high handed. I could have used a bit more dancing but otherwise this is a lovely book.

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  • Started reading
  • 14 July, 2013: Finished reading
  • 14 July, 2013: Reviewed