Author: Tracy

Avid reader (and reviewer) of historical romance.

Frederica by Georgette Heyer

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews2 Comments


FredericaFrederica by Georgette Heyer

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: Originally published in 1965, Re-releasing 03/21/2023

At the grand old age of 24, Frederica Merriville knows her chance for marriage is long past, but she hopes to launch her lovely younger sister Charis into society and find her a husband. For that, she will need help and knows just who to ask, their “distant cousin” Vernon, the Marquis of Alverstoke!

Vernon, the Marquis of Alverstoke is a jaded rake, a confirmed bachelor, and bored – with everything. Alverstoke doesn’t really want to help Frederica and plans to tell her, but once he meets her siblings, he reconsiders, not because he is a nice man, but because he knows it will annoy his sisters who want him to launch their daughters. Let the games begin! The Merrivilles are anything but boring, and soon Alverstoke finds himself embroiled in their escapades and *gasp!!* not bored. He also finds himself doing something he never thought he would; falling in love and considering marriage.

Georgette Heyer is one of my mother’s favorite authors and she has been telling me to read her work for years, so when this book came up for review on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance. This book was written before I was born but I can see Ms. Heyer’s influence in the works of many other authors that I have read – Barbara Cartland comes to mind and even some current-day authors. This book is filled with humor, family, more than one mishap (thanks to Frederica’s younger brother), restorative pork jelly, a “Baluchistan” hound, a very slow-burn romance (with zero steam), and finally a very sweet declaration scene leading to their HEA. I think my 13-year-old self would have enjoyed this book much more than my 50-something self did and I can see the allure for Austen lovers – but while I enjoyed this story, I don’t think I will be rushing to read her other books. I thought it was too long and tended to meander, I didn’t mind that omission of love scenes, but did struggle to feel a true connection between Frederica and Alverstoke beyond friendship. Overall, it was a fun read and if you are a Jane Austen fan or even a Barbara Cartland fan – I think you would really enjoy this book.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke

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Beguiling the Duke (Lords in Love #1)Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke

Tracy’s rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Lords in Love, #1

Release Date: March 7, 2023

John “Law” Holbrook, the Duke of Lawford is on his way to meet Lady Frederica, the woman his father wanted him to marry when his carriage loses a wheel and he is stranded in the town of Marrywell. He, his valet, and his driver make their way to the closest residence, a large farmhouse owned by the Campion family. It is here that he mistakes Sadie, the owner’s daughter for a servant and learns that due to the start of the annual May Day Matchmaking Festival, there is no one to fix his carriage and no rooms to let. But despite his gaffe, he is invited to stay and Sadie has the doctor summoned to tend to his driver. Law is relieved to have to delay his trip, he doesn’t want to marry Lady Frederica and despite what her father believes and what his father wanted, he never made any promises to wed her and there is no betrothal agreement. He quickly realizes what a gem Sadie is and tries to rectify his early insult. When he learns of the festival and Sadie’s desire to find a husband, he promises to help her find a husband before the end of the festival.

After years of managing her father’s house, Sadie Campion is more than ready to have a home of her own. And after an embarrassing lapse in judgment four years ago, she is finally ready to try her luck again this year. She worries that this might be her last chance to find a match and hopes she is chosen to be one of the seven young ladies chosen to be a “maiden fair” as they are almost always matched by the end of the festival. Having Law by her side is no hardship, she just has to remember that he is not for her. But the more time they spend together, the harder that is to remember – for both of them. It seems like he may be the one for her after all, that is until Lady Frederica and her parents show up declaring to one and all that Law is betrothed to her. Has she been played for a fool again? And why does it hurt so much more this time?

This was a cute story with engaging, likable characters, but at the same time, it was a bit drawn out and predictable. I liked the idea of the Matchmaking Festival and thought naming the town “Marrywell” was clever. Sadie and Law are easy to root for, but their story was a bit formulaic and I found the sheer number of secondary characters to be overwhelming in a relatively short book. Overall, it was a cute story with a bit of steam, a little heartache, and a happy ending that includes an epilogue. This is the first book in a two-author collaboration series, but I assume each story will be a standalone title and they can be read in any order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*