Venetia

by Georgette Heyer

Ebook, 2011

Library's rating

½

Library's review

Venetia has reached the deplorably over-the-hill age of 25 without ever leaving Regency era Yorkshire. Despite her lack of exposure to high society, she has two young men dangling after her. Neither of them — not the stuffy and overbearing Edward nor the lovesick teenager Oswald — stirs her
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heart, however, and she has resigned herself to life as a spinster. Until, that is, the absent Baron who owns the estate next door comes back for a visit. Lord Damerel is a rake, a man with a terrible reputation after having caused a major scandal at 22 when he ran away with another man's wife. How could a well-mannered woman like Venetia possibly fall in love with such a dissolute example of manhood?

Well, really, how could she not? If you've read any romances at all you know this match is inevitable, but the road Heyer makes her lovers travel en route to the requisite happy ending is highly enjoyable. The two characters are extremely likable, as is Venetia's bookworm younger brother Aubrey. And she throws in a power-hungry, social-climbing woman, mother of the insipid girl Venetia's older brother married on an impulse, to provide a wonderfully hateful foil for Venetia's good-natured competency. And I loved Venetia's scheme for making her match with Damerel acceptable — instead of trying to rehabilitate his reputation, she decides to ruin her own!

I think I like this one so much because Venetia acts in a way modern women can relate to. She does not consider herself overly constrained by the conventions of the day that prevented women from having any kind of an independent life without the need for a constant chaperone or husband. And she and Damerel, far from fulfilling the usual romance trope of "hate at first sight", become fast friends and soul mates before they fall in love against all expectations except their own. It's a highly enjoyable story all around.
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Description

Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Reading Georgette Heyer is the next best thing to reading Jane Austen."—Publishers Weekly Beautiful, capable, and independent minded, Venetia Lanyon's life on her family's estate in the country side is somewhat restricted. But her neighbor, the infamous Lord Damerel, a charming rake shunned by polite society, is about to shake things up. Lord Damerel has built his life on his dangerous reputation, and when he meets Venetia, he has nothing to offer and everything to regret. Though his scandalous past and deepest secrets give Venetia reason to mistrust him, a rogue always gets what he wants. As Venetia's well-meaning family steps in to protect her from potential ruin, Venetia must find the wherewithal to take charge of her own destiny, or lose her chance at happiness. Charming characters and flawless prose make Venetia a fan favorite from the Queen of Regency Romance. Fans of Mary Balogh, Elizabeth Hoyt and Jane Ashford will be delighted by this story about finding love, redemption, and the courage to follow your heart. Other Regency Romances from Georgette Heyer: Frederica Sylvester Cotillion What reviewers are saying about Venetia "A wonderful story whose characters, settings and, most importantly, dialogue combine to create such a well-crafted story."—Bags, Books, and Bon Jovi "Wonderful characters, elegant, witty writing, perfect period detail, and rapturously romantic"—Katie Fforde "Wonderful and lovely and perfect! Venetia is one of the most charming characters EVER."—Once Upon a Bookshelf "An absolutely rollicking Regency romp. I loved it from the first page."—Library Queue What everyone has to say about the Queen of Regency Romance Georgette Heyer "Georgette Heyer was one of the great protagonists of the historical novel in the post-war golden age of the form. Her regency romances are delightful light reading..."—Philippa Gregory "[Heyer's] characters are witty and beyond charming, her prose is flawless and lighthearted, and her historical detail is immaculate."—Read All Over Reviews "Georgette Heyer is unbeatable." —Sunday Telegraph.… (more)

Awards

AAR Top 100 Romances (95 — [Previously 2000-96 / 2004-60] Most Recent Rank - 2007)

Language

Original publication date

1958
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