I was in the mood for a light read and while I was perusing my TBR piles, boxes, and shelves, I came across this and remembered that Lillelara had recently read it and enjoyed it.

I definitely enjoyed The Grand Sophy better, but this one got me through without complaint.  I struggled to really feel invested in the story or any of the characters though; it seemed to missing just that little bit of depth - or else my reading slump had dulled my reading sense, rendering everything a bit duller.  Given Heyer's hit and miss record, either is possible.  Or perhaps a bit of both:  the final scene at Rattray's rectory perked me right up; in that moment, the characters popped to life for me and I cared about what happened next.  

I haven't read even close to Heyer's entire backlist, but I'd firmly place this midway on a scale of those I've read so far.

"Stands to reason if you´re in it I must be too."

 

Freddy, you adorable human being. You think you aren´t smart enough, good enough, worthy enough, but you are pure perfection. I really loved his character.

And hands down, my favorite thing about this book has been the relationship between Kitty and Freddy, a match made in heaven between two people, who just get each other. One of the cutest couples I have read about in a very long time. These two made me feel all fuzzy and warm inside and that´s coming from one of the most unromantic souls on this planet.

Out of the three Heyer´s I have read so far, this one is my favorite.

I admit it, I´m developing a teeny tiny crush on the male main character in this book. Freddy is such a sweetheart.

"If this one opportunity - the only one I can ever be offered! - is denied me, " declared Kitty dramatically, "all hope is at an end!"

"Yes, but - I mean - No, dash it, Kitty - !"

"And it will be you, whom I have always believed the kindest of my cousins - at least, you are not indeed my cousin - it will be you who have inexorably slammed the gates upon my aspirations!"

"Done what?" demanded Freddy. 

"Condemned to a life of misery and - and of indignant old age!"

"No, that´s coming it too strong!" protested Freddy. "I never - "

"I should not have asked you to help me," said Kitty, stricken by remorse. "Only it seemed to me that here, perhaps, was a chance offered me of escaping from my wretched existence! I see that it will not do! I beg your pardon, Freddy: pray do not think of it again!"

 

Getting hit by a freight train or meeting one of Georgette Heyer´s determined heroines with a plan: it pretty much amounts to the same thing for the poor chap at the receiving end.

I´m in the mood for something delightful and a Georgette Heyer definitely fits that description. 

And there is cantankerous old man in this novel. But instead of killing him off, as Agatha Christie likes to do with her grumpy old men, I´m sure he´s going to be a hilarious character.