A Bored Aristocrat is Beset By a Spirited Family and Their Scrapes

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Source: Purchased

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance

THE PREMISE: The one thing that bores Lord Alverstoke most in the world is his family harassing him with their problems and seeking favors.

Capable and full of charming candor, Frederica Merryville purposefully comes to London help her younger sister find a brilliant match. And her first step to accomplish this mission is to solicit the assistance of her distant cousin – none-other than Lord Alverstoke…

MY THOUGHTS:

I went into this with pretty high expectations as I heard soooooo many readers list Frederica as one of their MOST favorite Georgette Heyer novels (with 50+ novels, it must be impossible to decide!), and I was so eager to understand why! Like so many of her stories, this tale is full of wit, charm, comedic capers, romantic drama, and brilliant exchanges. But I think what everyone must adore most about this novel is this collection of characters!

Let’s chat about why we love them, shall we?

• Lord Alverstoke: He’s a jaded and bored aristocrat who has not had his lasting interest engaged by anyone in his thirty-seven years. He is a definitive upper-crust with a perfectly sarcastic sense of humor, and becomes a true hero in this tale by coming to the rescue multiple times over.

• Frederica Merryville: At twenty-four, she believes herself to be past the marrying age and despite trying not to be one of those managing females, she is one! But a most delightful one that selflessly puts caring for her younger siblings and their happiness well before any thoughts of herself.

• Charis Merryville: Frederica’s stunningly beautiful and gentle-hearted younger sister. And in the words of many, despite being beautiful and without a whit of conceit, she is a “pea-goose” and “ninny-hammer.”

• Jessamy Merryville: Frederica’s studious younger brother, who plans to go into the church. He sometimes rubs against his brothers, but  is always quick to take responsibility upon himself. Seems to be mature and aware for his age.

• Felix Merryville: Frederica’s youngest brother, who is fascinated by all things mechanical and inventive. He is irrepressible and single-minded about his passions and can go on about them for hours assuming everyone is interested in these subjects as he is. (He is JUST LIKE my brother! 😆)

And this is just some of the colorful, exasperating, and comedic characters readers will encounter in this tale. There is still Lord Alverstoke’s self-serving and spongey relations (except for Eliza, who was amazing), Charis’s and Frederica’s collection of suitors (some mutton-heads for sure!), and Lord Alverstoke’s highly capable secretary, Charles Trevor. Oh, and I mustn’t forget Lufra – the fun-loving and mischievous Baluchistan hound. Each character featured in this story was so brilliantly rendered – so authentic and so full of personality.

Aside from witnessing these characters traverse through copious amounts of schemes and scrapes during the London Season, I loved that at the heart of this tale it was about a family coming together to perfectly and completely meet each others’ needs. Frederica and her siblings are parentless and the young boys need a proper guardian to help steer their paths. And even though Lord Alverstoke has more relations than he knows what to do with, he doesn’t have any strong connections or reciprocating relationships with them. I loved the beauty of seeing Lord Alverstoke find his needs met with the Merryvilles and the distraction, chaos, and overall happiness they brought to his life.  I especially loved his relationship with Frederica. I loved how he appreciated all her worth and talents, how he saw her selfless heart, and how it drove him mad that he didn’t know her mind. Their frank conversations together, their reliance on and support for each other, and their respect and consideration for each other was everything.

Brimming with admirable and endearing characters, comedic and outlandish escapades, and tender and heartwarming relationships, Frederica is nothing short of sublime. I am happily joining the chorus of readers that proclaim that Frederica is one Georgette Heyer’s best! I highly recommend!

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For the past nine years I’ve made it a tradition to post a review near/on Georgette Heyer’s birthday (August 16th) in celebration of our birthdays! (I’m a few days late this year!)

I’ve read several Heyer novels not during August too, you can find all my reviews below:

Arabella    I    Black Sheep    I    Cotillion    I    Devil’s Cub    I    Faro’s Daughter

Friday’s Child    I   Lady of Quality   I    Sprig Muslin    I    Sylvester: Or The Wicked Uncle

The Black Moth    I    The Convenient Marriage    I   The Grand Sophy    I    The Masqueraders

 These Old Shades    I    Venetia

 

Help me plan for next year…what Georgette Heyer novel should be my next?