Category: Tracy’s Reviews

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.*

A Pretend Betrothal by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Pretend Betrothal (The Mayfair Literary League, #2)A Pretend Betrothal by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #2

Release Date: February 28, 2023

Lady Tabitha “Tibby” Malton has loved Michael Shaw for as long as she can remember, but her relationship with Michael is firmly in the “friend zone” and he shows no signs of seeing her as anything more than a friend. To complicate matters, Tibby’s mother has become increasingly needy and socially withdrawn, yet she demands Tibby’s attendance. Tibby fears if she doesn’t do something soon, she will spend the rest of her life as her mother’s companion with no chance of love or a family of her own. So when her friend Pheobe from the Mayfair Literary League suggests that they each should make a bold move to capture the attention of their secret crush, the “For Better or Worse” agenda is launched and Tibby vows to be brave enough to follow her heart. She approaches Michael and asks if he would be willing to engage in a pretend betrothal with her, she tells him she hopes that the thought of Tibby marrying might encourage her mother to rejoin society and be less dependent on Tibby, she also thinks it will stop Michael’s mother from pressuring him to marry. At first, he refuses, but later agrees, so now she has to make him fall in love with her.

Michael Shaw is the second son of an earl and has recently sold his commission in the military after spending the last ten years in service. He has returned home but feels a bit lost and not sure what to do with the rest of his life. He is surprised by Tibby’s proposal and declines because he worries that it could ruin her reputation, but with his mother pressing him to marry and Tibby assuring him she isn’t worried about her reputation, he agrees and soon he is seeing his dear friend in a new light and discovering that he can’t seem to stop kissing her. He is wondering if she would consider a true betrothal, but before he can broach the subject, he learns of the Mayfair Literary League’s mission and feels betrayed. Can they overcome her deception or has she lost her chance at HEA?

I enjoyed this well-written, nicely paced story, it was easy to sympathize with Tibby and root for her HEA. Likewise, Michael was also easy to like, and his struggle to find a new purpose in life was entirely relatable. The bond between them was clear from the start, but it seemed to take Michael a long time to figure out and accept his new feelings for Tibby, and I didn’t quite understand why Tibby had such a low opinion of herself. Together these two bring out the best in the other and they share a true friendship, add to that, a great supporting cast of characters, secrets, kisses, and forgiveness and you have a delightful read. I did think the ending was a bit similar to the previous book, but overall the story was completely different and a joy to read, I would however have liked to know the outcome of his botany experiment (just saying…). This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*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.*