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The Convenient Marriage
Horatia Winwood is the youngest and the least attractive of the three Winwood sisters. She also has a stammer. But when the enigmatic and eminently eligible Earl of Rule offers for her oldest sister’s hand – a match that makes financial and social sense, but would break her sister's heart – it is Horatia who takes matters into her own impetuous hands. Can she save her family’s fortune? Or is she courting disaster? Witty, charming, elegant, and always delightful, Georgette Heyer – the undisputed queen of Regency Romance – brings the whole period to life with deft precision and glorious characters.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1934
About the author
Georgette Heyer
264 books5,109 followersGeorgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.
Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.
Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.
Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,848 reviews
December 6, 2020
One of my two least favorite Georgette Heyer novels that I've read (the other being April Lady, which may not count since I DNF'd that one). Who knew a marriage of convenience story could be so boring? It has soo many annoying elements:
* one of those very young, impetuous, immature TSTL heroines I dislike so much
* she has a stammer that is written out Every.Single.Time.
* lots of frantic, farcical running around
* an evil ex-mistress and a cardboard dastardly villain
* a hero who's twice the age of the heroine
Anyway, it all adds up to way too many things I found dislikeable about this novel. Frankly, I skimmed through most of it.
* one of those very young, impetuous, immature TSTL heroines I dislike so much
* she has a stammer that is written out Every.Single.Time.
* lots of frantic, farcical running around
* an evil ex-mistress and a cardboard dastardly villain
* a hero who's twice the age of the heroine
Anyway, it all adds up to way too many things I found dislikeable about this novel. Frankly, I skimmed through most of it.
July 2, 2017
Ahhhh, reading a Heyer romance is such a comfort during tough times. I love entering her world.
The impetuous and very young Horry Winwood marries Lord Rule (who is old enough to be her father) to save her family from ruin.
Fast paced, farcical & funny. I really enjoyed this read. The way GH treats Horry's stutter didn't bother me so much this time around and her sisters are some of the best "supporting actress" women that GH has ever written.
What I did have trouble with was the character of the villainous Lord Lethbridge And I thought the ending dragged on too long & became too silly. I was very close to skimming which I just don't do with Heyer books. Well other than a couple of the more leaden historicals.
But still great fun!
The impetuous and very young Horry Winwood marries Lord Rule (who is old enough to be her father) to save her family from ruin.
Fast paced, farcical & funny. I really enjoyed this read. The way GH treats Horry's stutter didn't bother me so much this time around and her sisters are some of the best "supporting actress" women that GH has ever written.
What I did have trouble with was the character of the villainous Lord Lethbridge And I thought the ending dragged on too long & became too silly. I was very close to skimming which I just don't do with Heyer books. Well other than a couple of the more leaden historicals.
But still great fun!
February 7, 2008
The one where the notorious rake Lord Rule decides to marry the pretty Winwood sister, but the reckless one, Horatia, persuades him to marry her instead. She gambles; her brother Pelham gambles (in fact, his gambling is the reason the Winwood sisters are prepared to marry Rule to begin with); hijinks ensue.
Horatia is kind of an idiot, isn't she? I mean, a little boldness is refreshing in a Regency heroine, but Horatia seems like an eighth-grader who can be induced to do anything by being told that Mom doesn't want her to do it. It's a little creepy to think of someone so immature being married at all.
I did like Rule; he reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci, with his vagueness and his deceptive intelligence and the laziness that makes everyone underestimate him. (At one point, his sister tells him he should beat Horatia, and he says, "But think how fatiguing!")
The scene where drunken Pel and his drunken friend Pom rescue Horatia and try to figure out why she's out in the streets alone is hilarious, but by the end of the book I'd had a little too much Pel and Pom getting into scrapes.
And -- did noblemen really suck on the heads of their canes? She mentions this twice, and it sounds unhygienic, not to mention really strange-looking.
Oh, and if you're looking to buy a copy, don't get the paperback edition with the foreword by Jo Beverley; it's full of typos.
Horatia is kind of an idiot, isn't she? I mean, a little boldness is refreshing in a Regency heroine, but Horatia seems like an eighth-grader who can be induced to do anything by being told that Mom doesn't want her to do it. It's a little creepy to think of someone so immature being married at all.
I did like Rule; he reminded me of Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci, with his vagueness and his deceptive intelligence and the laziness that makes everyone underestimate him. (At one point, his sister tells him he should beat Horatia, and he says, "But think how fatiguing!")
The scene where drunken Pel and his drunken friend Pom rescue Horatia and try to figure out why she's out in the streets alone is hilarious, but by the end of the book I'd had a little too much Pel and Pom getting into scrapes.
And -- did noblemen really suck on the heads of their canes? She mentions this twice, and it sounds unhygienic, not to mention really strange-looking.
Oh, and if you're looking to buy a copy, don't get the paperback edition with the foreword by Jo Beverley; it's full of typos.
January 5, 2017
This is not a drill. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I believe I am, in fact, upon the brink of accomplishing something that I have been meaning to do for years. I want you all to be the first to know that I just read my first very Georgette Heyer. That's right. I actually did it. After years of promising myself and countless others (many of you) that I would do it, I finally managed it! And I can tell that I'm about to dive headlong into a full-fledged binge.
After consulting all of your past comments on which Heyers are your favorites and why (and after some serious counsel from Beth Brower and a well-timed trip to our local Barnes & Noble), I chose to start with The Convenient Marriage. I had no idea it would turn out to contain, without question, one of my favorite proposal scenes ever. The kind of proposal scene that makes you feel like nothing could ever go wrong after it. It takes place very early on, and it made me laugh and sigh repeatedly with delight. I know I will be yanking out my copy to reread that scene for years to come.
Which is not to say that the entire experience was perfectly smooth sailing. Horatia is a bit hysterical for my taste. Or rather, she starts off very promising indeed and then proceeds to be rather hysterical for the next couple hundred pages. And, yes, I grew impatient. And yes, I really would have loved it if she'd managed to see one single thing for what it was without Rule having to patiently explain it to her. But Rule. You guys. Rule. I loved him from beginning to end. He gives the impression that he is always withholding a smile when he is at his most decorous and that when he is smiling placidly at you is when you are actually in the most danger. Rule will always be dear to me. As will drunk Pel & Pom, roving the streets of London at the crack of dawn, trying to discern whether or not Horatia actually murdered someone with a poker. I'm still filled with helpless laughter when I think of those two, to say nothing of Pom's great aunt.
The Convenient Marriage also includes two excellent duels, one hilarious and quite brief, the other magnetic and drawn-out. And, yes, I could definitely have done with a handful more scenes in which Rule and Horatia were, say, in the same room together (particularly at the end). But, on the whole, my time spent with these characters was utterly entertaining, and I will be cracking open my second Heyer tonight.
After consulting all of your past comments on which Heyers are your favorites and why (and after some serious counsel from Beth Brower and a well-timed trip to our local Barnes & Noble), I chose to start with The Convenient Marriage. I had no idea it would turn out to contain, without question, one of my favorite proposal scenes ever. The kind of proposal scene that makes you feel like nothing could ever go wrong after it. It takes place very early on, and it made me laugh and sigh repeatedly with delight. I know I will be yanking out my copy to reread that scene for years to come.
"It's v-vulgar to care about Settlements, but you are very rich, are you not?"
"Very," said his lordship, preserving his calm.
"Yes," nodded Horatia. "W-well—you see!"
"I see," agreed Rule. "You are going to be the Sacrifice."
She looked up at him rather shyly. "It c-can't signify to you, can it? Except that I know I'm not a Beauty, like L-Lizzie. But I have got the Nose, sir."
Rule surveyed the Nose. "Undoubtedly, you have the Nose," he said.
Horatia seemed determined to make a clean breast of her blemishes. "And p-perhaps you could become used to my eyebrows?"
The smile lurked at the back of Rule's eyes. "I think, quite easily."
She said sadly: "They won't arch, you know. And I ought to t-tell you that we have quite given up hope of my g-growing any taller."
"It would certainly be a pity if you did," said his lordship.
"D-do you think so?" Horatia was surprised. "It is a great trial to me, I can assure you." She took a breath, and added, with difficulty: "You m-may have n-noticed that I have a—a stammer."
"Yes, I had noticed," the Earl said gently.
"If you f-feel you c-can't bear it, sir, I shall quite understand," Horatia said in a small, anxious voice.
"I like it," said the Earl.
"It is very odd of you," marvelled Horatia. "But p-perhaps you said that to p-put me at my ease?"
"No," said the Earl. "I said it because it was true."
Which is not to say that the entire experience was perfectly smooth sailing. Horatia is a bit hysterical for my taste. Or rather, she starts off very promising indeed and then proceeds to be rather hysterical for the next couple hundred pages. And, yes, I grew impatient. And yes, I really would have loved it if she'd managed to see one single thing for what it was without Rule having to patiently explain it to her. But Rule. You guys. Rule. I loved him from beginning to end. He gives the impression that he is always withholding a smile when he is at his most decorous and that when he is smiling placidly at you is when you are actually in the most danger. Rule will always be dear to me. As will drunk Pel & Pom, roving the streets of London at the crack of dawn, trying to discern whether or not Horatia actually murdered someone with a poker. I'm still filled with helpless laughter when I think of those two, to say nothing of Pom's great aunt.
Glamour might still have clung to a rakehell who abducted noble damsels, but no glamour remained about a man who had been pushed into a pond in full ball-dress.
The Convenient Marriage also includes two excellent duels, one hilarious and quite brief, the other magnetic and drawn-out. And, yes, I could definitely have done with a handful more scenes in which Rule and Horatia were, say, in the same room together (particularly at the end). But, on the whole, my time spent with these characters was utterly entertaining, and I will be cracking open my second Heyer tonight.
August 9, 2010
Richard Armitage reading a Georgette Heyer classic! *swoon*
I had not read The Convenient Marriage before this new Naxos Audiobooks recording happily landed on my doorstep. I will confess all up front. I did the unthinkable. I read the complete plot synopsis on Wikipedia before I delved into the first chapter. *horrors* Don’t even think about following my example. It will spoil the most enjoyable aspect of this novel – surprise!
The Convenient Marriage is one of Georgette Heyer’s more popular Georgian-era rom-com’s, and for good reason. It has all the requisite winning elements: a wealthy and eligible hero, a young naïve heroine, greedy relatives, a scheming mistress and a revengeful rake. Add in a duel, a sword fight, highway robbery, abduction, switched identities and scandalous behavior, and you are in for comedic high jinxes and uproarious plot twists. As I laughed out loud at the preposterous plot machinations in the synopsis, I thought to myself, “How does Heyer do it? How can she take us on such an outrageously wild ride and make it believable?” I was soon to find out.
Handsome and elegant Marcus Drelincourt, Earl of Rule, is comfortable in his bachelorhood. At thirty-five his sister Lady Louisa Quain urges him to marry, suggesting the beautiful Elizabeth Winwood. She is from an aristocratic family of good pedigree but little fortune. With two unmarried younger sisters, prim Charlotte and impulsive Horatia, and their self-indulgent elder brother Pelham (about as much help to his family as a rainstorm at a picnic), she must marry well. Lady Winwood is thrilled when the Earl agrees to marry Elizabeth and save the family from destitution. Seventeen-year old Horatia is not. Presenting herself at the Earl’s doorstep she boldly offers herself to him in exchange for her elder sister who is in love with Lieutenant Edward Heron. Horry proposes a marriage of convenience to Lord Rule with the promise that she will not interfere with him after they are married. She does not bring much to the bargain. Not only is she poor, she does not possess her sister’s beauty, and she stutters. Intrigued by this young, brave girl, he is tempted and soon sees the logic, agreeing to her proposal.
The new Countess of Rule wastes no time in becoming the sensation of the bon ton dressing to the nines, attending parties, the opera, gambling huge sums and getting into all sorts of scrapes while her husband continues to pay attentions to his mistress Lady Caroline Massey. With patience and fortitude, Lord Rule councils his stubborn young bride against excess and the dangerous liaisons of Baron Robert Lethbridge, a known rake with a history with the Drelincourt family.
Determined to teach her husband a lesson for his interference, she defies his wishes attending a masked ball. Escorted by Lethbridge, he sees their friendship as the perfect opportunity to ruin her reputation and punish Drelincourt for thwarting his elopement with his sister Louisa years before. Horry tempts Lethbridge with cards, bending his resistance by scandalously agreeing to offer a lock of her hair if he wins. Unbeknownst to Horry, her husband has followed her to the ball, overhears their conversation and intercedes by stepping on her dress and ripping it. While she is away he disposes of Lethbridge and exchanges his costume with his own. Returning, Horry loses badly at cards and must give Lethbridge/Rule his winnings. Penitent, she concedes the bet which is met with a stolen kiss. Furious, Horry rushes away running into Lady Caroline Massey who recognizes her. Certain that her husband’s mistress will reveal to him that his wife was at the ball, she confesses all to him first. The Earl in turn reveals his charade. Discovering that he has fallen in love with his wife, how will he court and convince her that love is much better than a marriage of convenience?
Heyer’s characterizations just sparkle and shine. This May/Decemeber relationship presents great opportunity for difference in opinion and blunder. If Horry had not been an impulsive, stubborn seventeen-year old there would have been little conflict and no story. Lord Rule’s patience in dealing with his teenage bride commanded respect, endearing us to him by opening up the possibility of the love relationship that we hope for. This delightful romp was made all the more enjoyable by this new audio recording by British stage and screen actor Richard Armitage. This is his third foray into Georgette Heyer for Naxos Audiobooks. His skill at unique characterization and resonant, velvetly voice transports the listener like Cinderella to the Ball. Unfortunately, once the story ends, so does the enchantment. My solution was to start it again. For me, a new audio recording combining fanciful storyteller Georgette Heyer and the sultry and seductive voice of Richard Armitage is like la petite mort. Hopefully they are not few and far between.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
I had not read The Convenient Marriage before this new Naxos Audiobooks recording happily landed on my doorstep. I will confess all up front. I did the unthinkable. I read the complete plot synopsis on Wikipedia before I delved into the first chapter. *horrors* Don’t even think about following my example. It will spoil the most enjoyable aspect of this novel – surprise!
The Convenient Marriage is one of Georgette Heyer’s more popular Georgian-era rom-com’s, and for good reason. It has all the requisite winning elements: a wealthy and eligible hero, a young naïve heroine, greedy relatives, a scheming mistress and a revengeful rake. Add in a duel, a sword fight, highway robbery, abduction, switched identities and scandalous behavior, and you are in for comedic high jinxes and uproarious plot twists. As I laughed out loud at the preposterous plot machinations in the synopsis, I thought to myself, “How does Heyer do it? How can she take us on such an outrageously wild ride and make it believable?” I was soon to find out.
Handsome and elegant Marcus Drelincourt, Earl of Rule, is comfortable in his bachelorhood. At thirty-five his sister Lady Louisa Quain urges him to marry, suggesting the beautiful Elizabeth Winwood. She is from an aristocratic family of good pedigree but little fortune. With two unmarried younger sisters, prim Charlotte and impulsive Horatia, and their self-indulgent elder brother Pelham (about as much help to his family as a rainstorm at a picnic), she must marry well. Lady Winwood is thrilled when the Earl agrees to marry Elizabeth and save the family from destitution. Seventeen-year old Horatia is not. Presenting herself at the Earl’s doorstep she boldly offers herself to him in exchange for her elder sister who is in love with Lieutenant Edward Heron. Horry proposes a marriage of convenience to Lord Rule with the promise that she will not interfere with him after they are married. She does not bring much to the bargain. Not only is she poor, she does not possess her sister’s beauty, and she stutters. Intrigued by this young, brave girl, he is tempted and soon sees the logic, agreeing to her proposal.
The new Countess of Rule wastes no time in becoming the sensation of the bon ton dressing to the nines, attending parties, the opera, gambling huge sums and getting into all sorts of scrapes while her husband continues to pay attentions to his mistress Lady Caroline Massey. With patience and fortitude, Lord Rule councils his stubborn young bride against excess and the dangerous liaisons of Baron Robert Lethbridge, a known rake with a history with the Drelincourt family.
Determined to teach her husband a lesson for his interference, she defies his wishes attending a masked ball. Escorted by Lethbridge, he sees their friendship as the perfect opportunity to ruin her reputation and punish Drelincourt for thwarting his elopement with his sister Louisa years before. Horry tempts Lethbridge with cards, bending his resistance by scandalously agreeing to offer a lock of her hair if he wins. Unbeknownst to Horry, her husband has followed her to the ball, overhears their conversation and intercedes by stepping on her dress and ripping it. While she is away he disposes of Lethbridge and exchanges his costume with his own. Returning, Horry loses badly at cards and must give Lethbridge/Rule his winnings. Penitent, she concedes the bet which is met with a stolen kiss. Furious, Horry rushes away running into Lady Caroline Massey who recognizes her. Certain that her husband’s mistress will reveal to him that his wife was at the ball, she confesses all to him first. The Earl in turn reveals his charade. Discovering that he has fallen in love with his wife, how will he court and convince her that love is much better than a marriage of convenience?
Heyer’s characterizations just sparkle and shine. This May/Decemeber relationship presents great opportunity for difference in opinion and blunder. If Horry had not been an impulsive, stubborn seventeen-year old there would have been little conflict and no story. Lord Rule’s patience in dealing with his teenage bride commanded respect, endearing us to him by opening up the possibility of the love relationship that we hope for. This delightful romp was made all the more enjoyable by this new audio recording by British stage and screen actor Richard Armitage. This is his third foray into Georgette Heyer for Naxos Audiobooks. His skill at unique characterization and resonant, velvetly voice transports the listener like Cinderella to the Ball. Unfortunately, once the story ends, so does the enchantment. My solution was to start it again. For me, a new audio recording combining fanciful storyteller Georgette Heyer and the sultry and seductive voice of Richard Armitage is like la petite mort. Hopefully they are not few and far between.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
September 28, 2018
This was not good. There are way too many elements that don't work, it's a mess.
- Hero is 35, heroine is 17. Seventeen!!!!!!!!!! That isn't cute. As a rule, if you have to ask "am I too old for you?", you are too old. At one point, the hero says the heroine treats him "like an indulgent father", barf. Heyer has sold me on big age differences before, but notttt here.
- The heroine, Horatia, is an idiot. There was really nothing likeable about her, which is rare among Heyer heroines. Obviously most people aren't sensible at 17, which is one of the problems of having a 17 year old heroine. She made it abundantly clear throughout the book that the match between her and the hero was a disaster.
- But let's be fair. The hero, Rule, is also unlikeable. Okayyy they had a marriage of convenience, blah blah blah, but that doesn't mean I have to like that he kept seeing his mistress after marriage. See: A Civil Marriage. Plus, other heroes have done the "lazy aristocrat" much better than Rule, including Alverstoke (Frederica), and Alastair (These Old Shades).
- Hero and heroine had no chemistry. I'm really not sure what Rule saw in Horatia. Actually, the hero didn't even have chemistry with his mistress. The one person he had MAJOR chemistry with was his nemesis, Lord Lethbridge. No joke, these two set the page on fire in their last interaction. Not sure if this was intended or not.
Frankly, even if you're a die-hard Heyer fan, you can pretty much skip this. She did the whole marriage of convenience thing muchhhh better in Friday's Child.
- Hero is 35, heroine is 17. Seventeen!!!!!!!!!! That isn't cute. As a rule, if you have to ask "am I too old for you?", you are too old. At one point, the hero says the heroine treats him "like an indulgent father", barf. Heyer has sold me on big age differences before, but notttt here.
- The heroine, Horatia, is an idiot. There was really nothing likeable about her, which is rare among Heyer heroines. Obviously most people aren't sensible at 17, which is one of the problems of having a 17 year old heroine. She made it abundantly clear throughout the book that the match between her and the hero was a disaster.
- But let's be fair. The hero, Rule, is also unlikeable. Okayyy they had a marriage of convenience, blah blah blah, but that doesn't mean I have to like that he kept seeing his mistress after marriage. See: A Civil Marriage. Plus, other heroes have done the "lazy aristocrat" much better than Rule, including Alverstoke (Frederica), and Alastair (These Old Shades).
- Hero and heroine had no chemistry. I'm really not sure what Rule saw in Horatia. Actually, the hero didn't even have chemistry with his mistress. The one person he had MAJOR chemistry with was his nemesis, Lord Lethbridge. No joke, these two set the page on fire in their last interaction. Not sure if this was intended or not.
Frankly, even if you're a die-hard Heyer fan, you can pretty much skip this. She did the whole marriage of convenience thing muchhhh better in Friday's Child.
August 8, 2010
This was my sixth Heyer, and it is simply awful. After 75 agonizing pages, had to put in the "did-not-finish" shelf.
Who knew Heyer could be so bad?
OK, on to some of the main problems with this book:
Well, the heroine stuttered. Hey, I've got nothing against stuttering (I did it for a while a long time ago), b-but I d-don't w-want to r-read it in a b-book e-every s-sentence the h-heroine m-makes. V-very a-annoying.
Heroine is a stupid, vapid one. Perhaps she changes later, but I'm not willing to waste more time to find out. I like Heyer heroines when they are mature and charming or when they are frisky and coltish. Not when they are vapid - like Horatia (aka Horry) is.
I don't much care for the hero. He's not very charming or dashing or witty like a Heyer hero can be. He's just "there".
Definitely not recommended for a first try of Heyer. She's much better then this.
Who knew Heyer could be so bad?
OK, on to some of the main problems with this book:
Well, the heroine stuttered. Hey, I've got nothing against stuttering (I did it for a while a long time ago), b-but I d-don't w-want to r-read it in a b-book e-every s-sentence the h-heroine m-makes. V-very a-annoying.
Heroine is a stupid, vapid one. Perhaps she changes later, but I'm not willing to waste more time to find out. I like Heyer heroines when they are mature and charming or when they are frisky and coltish. Not when they are vapid - like Horatia (aka Horry) is.
I don't much care for the hero. He's not very charming or dashing or witty like a Heyer hero can be. He's just "there".
Definitely not recommended for a first try of Heyer. She's much better then this.
February 5, 2016
What would have happened if Darcy had married frivolous and headstrong Lydia Bennett instead of her more sober sister Elizabeth? We find out in Georgette Heyer's tedious The Convenient Marriage. Never have I felt more sympathy for the two villainous characters intent on ruining the airheaded, wasteful, absolute horror that is Horatia Winwood. If the author had been intent on satirizing the decadent, atrocious upper classes of England in the 18th century, interested only in gambling, dandifying themselves, and conducting affairs, while the world around them burns, this would have been an absolute success. But because she insists on casting Horry as her heroine, the story becomes deplorable. The last part of the novel, a cockamamie Macguffin about a missing diamond brooch straight out of Dumas' Three Musketeers (minus all the elegant, suspenseful intrigue), is particularly dull and dragging. Too bad because I was initially enchanted by the humorous writing and the obviously Herculean effort to render the historical setting as vividly as if one were stepping through the pages of this book straight into an English drawing room of the Regency period where the butler would offer you a glass of ratafia while the gentlemen admired your newest powdered, lavender-scented coiffure a la Grecque a boucles badines.
March 9, 2016
Horatia Winwood (plain, stammers) offers herself in place of her (lovely, shy) sister to the Earl of Rule (slyly intelligent) for marriage. She agrees to never interfere with him because she thinks he's getting the short end of the stick, except he'd rather like it if she would interfere because he would like her to get the long end of his stick.
...I may be on cold medicine. Don't judge.
1. This is basically April Lady except with a more sassy heroine and slightly more interplay between Rule and Horry. (Of the two, I think I prefer this one, but still: Heyer's skill does not lie in the married books.)
2. First, this could have been slightly more palatable if Horry hadn't turned out to be basically a turnip. Pre-marriage, she appears to be slightly more intelligent than your average vegetable, but the moment she marries that's all out the window. The fact that she reacts to her brother's plan to stage a highway robbery as "the cleverest notion she had ever heard of" has my eyes rolling off the table. Give me a wry, dry Horry and this book could have soared.
3. While allegedly "historically" accurate, I don't think having your hero engage in adultery with his mistress is "emotionally" accurate. Get that crap out of my romances.
4. Pel and Pom started off entertaining, but there's a steep line of diminishing returns on fools like that: I think they were left onstage a bit too long.
5. What was the story of what happened between Louisa and Lethbridge? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW.
...I may be on cold medicine. Don't judge.
1. This is basically April Lady except with a more sassy heroine and slightly more interplay between Rule and Horry. (Of the two, I think I prefer this one, but still: Heyer's skill does not lie in the married books.)
2. First, this could have been slightly more palatable if Horry hadn't turned out to be basically a turnip. Pre-marriage, she appears to be slightly more intelligent than your average vegetable, but the moment she marries that's all out the window. The fact that she reacts to her brother's plan to stage a highway robbery as "the cleverest notion she had ever heard of" has my eyes rolling off the table. Give me a wry, dry Horry and this book could have soared.
3. While allegedly "historically" accurate, I don't think having your hero engage in adultery with his mistress is "emotionally" accurate. Get that crap out of my romances.
4. Pel and Pom started off entertaining, but there's a steep line of diminishing returns on fools like that: I think they were left onstage a bit too long.
5. What was the story of what happened between Louisa and Lethbridge? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW.
October 18, 2015
Update on 06/21/14: Just finished listening to the audiobook. How on earth did I only give this 4 stars the first time?!? This book is swoony (the fact that the audiobook was read by Richard Armitage may have something to do with it...). Proper review coming :D
Another good read from Heyer!!! I abseloutely loved the characters!!! Horatia wasn't my favourite heroine ever, but I still liked her. I just found her slighty too frivolous and immature for Rule; she would have needed to grow and mature more than she actually did, for them to be a good match. I loved Rule, especially in the second half of the book when he finally starts to do things and everyone thinks he doesn't know anything but he does and I thought he was pretty good at manipulating people... But I must admit that I had a penchant for Lethbridge...I don't know why, he just sounded so...hot. Heyer made him sound really hot. And badass, of course. I thought he was one of the best "villains" ever. He reminded me a lot of the Duke of Andover in "The Black Moth". I really like those cynical, dark, mysterious, sarcastic and good-looking villains. They make the story ten times more fun and interesting. I also have to give much credit to Pom and Pel for making this story so hilarious!!! Without them it wouldn't have been half as good! Their habit of betting on every thing was just too funny!!
Overall, I thought "The Convenient Marriage" was a very pleasant read, definitely recommended for Heyer fans. Horatia's stutter may become annoying, but it's part of her and of her personality, and just keep reminding yourself that Rule thought it was "charming"!
Another good read from Heyer!!! I abseloutely loved the characters!!! Horatia wasn't my favourite heroine ever, but I still liked her. I just found her slighty too frivolous and immature for Rule; she would have needed to grow and mature more than she actually did, for them to be a good match. I loved Rule, especially in the second half of the book when he finally starts to do things and everyone thinks he doesn't know anything but he does and I thought he was pretty good at manipulating people... But I must admit that I had a penchant for Lethbridge...I don't know why, he just sounded so...hot. Heyer made him sound really hot. And badass, of course. I thought he was one of the best "villains" ever. He reminded me a lot of the Duke of Andover in "The Black Moth". I really like those cynical, dark, mysterious, sarcastic and good-looking villains. They make the story ten times more fun and interesting. I also have to give much credit to Pom and Pel for making this story so hilarious!!! Without them it wouldn't have been half as good! Their habit of betting on every thing was just too funny!!
Overall, I thought "The Convenient Marriage" was a very pleasant read, definitely recommended for Heyer fans. Horatia's stutter may become annoying, but it's part of her and of her personality, and just keep reminding yourself that Rule thought it was "charming"!
March 17, 2021
5 STARS
Absolutely delightful. As expected, really. I have to mention that this was read on audiobook. The narration was by Richard Armitage ❤️who did a brilliant job of it. I could have done without the stammer, which was pronounced and expertly portrayed, but horribly annoying just the same. LOL. I'm looking forward to reading more of Heyer's books.
She took a breath, and added, with difficulty:
"You m-may have n-noticed that I have a - a stammer."
"Yes, I had noticed," the Earl answered gently.
"If you f-feel you c-can't bear it, sir, I shall quite understand,"
Horatia said in a small, anxious voice.
"I like it," said the Earl.
Absolutely delightful. As expected, really. I have to mention that this was read on audiobook. The narration was by Richard Armitage ❤️who did a brilliant job of it. I could have done without the stammer, which was pronounced and expertly portrayed, but horribly annoying just the same. LOL. I'm looking forward to reading more of Heyer's books.
January 23, 2018
Dangerous Liaisons made light with absurdity.
There I was in the middle of reading some dreadfully bleak and twisted books when I realized that a bit of fluff would clear the palette. Voila! Enter Heyer. And it worked, I just had to bite my tongue and read past Horatia's propensity to be an absolute rube. She had all the moxy I like in a heroine, but her leap before looking and then going, 'Oh, dear!' was grating. I suppose it's better than not realizing her idiocy at all, but nevertheless, eye-rolling and made me want to smack her upside the head. I know, I know... she's young; it's allowed. *eye-roll* Let's just say that unprepared and arrogant are not two qualities I enjoy in tandem.
And Rule. *deep sigh* Woefully under-explored. As the master tactician he loses some shine with his choice. I get it. He's jaded and Horry's the breath of fresh air that will reinvigorate his life.
Frankly, the secondary characters had all the good lines and saved it.
The hat is beyond and really needs to be read properly in context to be enjoyed.
Nothing more endearing than a good loser.
Utterly unhinged at times, but surprisingly insightful when taking a moment for reflection.
So, the main characters were meh, but the absurd romp and especially the last sixty pages left me feeling much fonder.
There I was in the middle of reading some dreadfully bleak and twisted books when I realized that a bit of fluff would clear the palette. Voila! Enter Heyer. And it worked, I just had to bite my tongue and read past Horatia's propensity to be an absolute rube. She had all the moxy I like in a heroine, but her leap before looking and then going, 'Oh, dear!' was grating. I suppose it's better than not realizing her idiocy at all, but nevertheless, eye-rolling and made me want to smack her upside the head. I know, I know... she's young; it's allowed. *eye-roll* Let's just say that unprepared and arrogant are not two qualities I enjoy in tandem.
And Rule. *deep sigh* Woefully under-explored. As the master tactician he loses some shine with his choice. I get it. He's jaded and Horry's the breath of fresh air that will reinvigorate his life.
Frankly, the secondary characters had all the good lines and saved it.
When he had seen the Viscount stalking towards him at Almack's he had been quite aghast, and would have been perfectly willing to eat the rash words that had caused all the bother had not the Viscount committed that shocking rape upon his hat and wig. [...] this brutal action had roused him to a really heroic rage.
The hat is beyond and really needs to be read properly in context to be enjoyed.
It was a good fight -- I don't remember a better. Hatred lends a spice, doesn't it?
Nothing more endearing than a good loser.
You can't go around the club asking a lot of queer-looking strangers to come to Vauxhall with you. Besides, what should we do with them when we got 'em there?
Utterly unhinged at times, but surprisingly insightful when taking a moment for reflection.
So, the main characters were meh, but the absurd romp and especially the last sixty pages left me feeling much fonder.
February 4, 2016
I enjoyed this historical romance very much. It was a quick read by a master narater on youtube. The book was full of intreague, tretury and sometimes misguided and often unrequited love.
I recommend this book to all. I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
I recommend this book to all. I am looking forward to reading more of her work.
Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
September 17, 2017
I'm left with some serious feels after the last couple of pages of this book and as a consequence I'm upping the rating.
Four stars, when it should really be three given that my overall experience with this book can be summed up in one word: inconsistent. There were some super high points (five stars - ding!ding!ding! Jackpot type fives). And then some utter lows (pitch Kindle at the wall, liberal skipping type lows).
The core romance of this book really worked for me. May/December. Handsome, experienced rake meets and marries (for convenience!) young, unusual stammerer.
So characters: oh, Horry! I couldn't live with you, but I do love you. In marriage, Horry absolutely blossoms. She becomes a well-dressed, entertaining, fun, determined creature, which of course, she's been all along but a bit of cash in her pocket everything gets turned up to ten. I love that she goes full Duchess of Devonshire - gambling, spending, gamboling around town with a group of cads. There's a trend in modern historical romance (and I love it, don't get me wrong) to give heroines a profession, or a cause, or some history that they must rise above. Horry is just allowed to be a typical brand of upper class woman who I have no doubt existed in the late 18th century but she's still awesome and has plenty of agency.
Rule is a bit less of a character. There's a happy cynicism to him. He, equally, is allowed to be a louche, lazy, clever, rather alpha upper class man and that's kind of great.
It's strange because whilst I thought Horry was the star character (and it's fair to say she also powers the plot), she is not the star of the romance. On that score, Rule wins. This is the story of how Rule, who has unexpectedly fallen for his young wife, goes about convincing her to fall for him. Unbeknownst to him, she already has, but he doesn't know that and Horry, unusual looking stammerer that she is, cannot bear to tell him for fear she won't come up to his standards.
The five star moments of this story are in the interactions of the H/h, frankly, there aren't enough of them. But those that there are - brilliant! From their delightful first meeting to discussions about shoes, to my favourite part when Rule pursues Horry to a ball and they play cards (he's masked, she thinks he is someone else). To Rule's surprise, she confesses all and it's the most delightful thing and if only they'd kissed and it all ended there!
The book would've basically been a novella, but it would probably have made five stars.
Instead, we get this side show plot about the crazy villain (which does lead to one of the better duel descriptions I have read). And pages and pages and pages and pages of no H/h interaction and, instead, Horry's hapless brother and his mates pratting endlessly around. God, it was dull and pointless. And, kind of stupid, because Horry confessed about the ball, but won't explain the missing jewellery even though that's less scandalous and definitely not her fault. Felt counter intuitive and a bit out of character.
It bugged. It bugged so bad.
Then we get a lovely, lovely, marvellous declaration scene between Horry and Rule and I could almost forgive all the boredom before.
Hence, four stars.
Four stars, when it should really be three given that my overall experience with this book can be summed up in one word: inconsistent. There were some super high points (five stars - ding!ding!ding! Jackpot type fives). And then some utter lows (pitch Kindle at the wall, liberal skipping type lows).
The core romance of this book really worked for me. May/December. Handsome, experienced rake meets and marries (for convenience!) young, unusual stammerer.
So characters: oh, Horry! I couldn't live with you, but I do love you. In marriage, Horry absolutely blossoms. She becomes a well-dressed, entertaining, fun, determined creature, which of course, she's been all along but a bit of cash in her pocket everything gets turned up to ten. I love that she goes full Duchess of Devonshire - gambling, spending, gamboling around town with a group of cads. There's a trend in modern historical romance (and I love it, don't get me wrong) to give heroines a profession, or a cause, or some history that they must rise above. Horry is just allowed to be a typical brand of upper class woman who I have no doubt existed in the late 18th century but she's still awesome and has plenty of agency.
Rule is a bit less of a character. There's a happy cynicism to him. He, equally, is allowed to be a louche, lazy, clever, rather alpha upper class man and that's kind of great.
It's strange because whilst I thought Horry was the star character (and it's fair to say she also powers the plot), she is not the star of the romance. On that score, Rule wins. This is the story of how Rule, who has unexpectedly fallen for his young wife, goes about convincing her to fall for him. Unbeknownst to him, she already has, but he doesn't know that and Horry, unusual looking stammerer that she is, cannot bear to tell him for fear she won't come up to his standards.
The five star moments of this story are in the interactions of the H/h, frankly, there aren't enough of them. But those that there are - brilliant! From their delightful first meeting to discussions about shoes, to my favourite part when Rule pursues Horry to a ball and they play cards (he's masked, she thinks he is someone else). To Rule's surprise, she confesses all and it's the most delightful thing and if only they'd kissed and it all ended there!
The book would've basically been a novella, but it would probably have made five stars.
Instead, we get this side show plot about the crazy villain (which does lead to one of the better duel descriptions I have read). And pages and pages and pages and pages of no H/h interaction and, instead, Horry's hapless brother and his mates pratting endlessly around. God, it was dull and pointless. And, kind of stupid, because Horry confessed about the ball, but won't explain the missing jewellery even though that's less scandalous and definitely not her fault. Felt counter intuitive and a bit out of character.
It bugged. It bugged so bad.
Then we get a lovely, lovely, marvellous declaration scene between Horry and Rule and I could almost forgive all the boredom before.
Hence, four stars.
October 19, 2017
Well, I should not have gone here again.
First read this when I was about 17, and I loved it. Well, the heroine is 17, so no surprise there. Hero is old (34) which is a bit more of an age difference than I usually like but I thought it seemed wonderfully romantic at the time.
Fast forward to NOW. If Richard Armitage hadn't been reading this, (that slightly raspy yet velvety voice *fans herself) it would have been a DNF. It was just so painful. Horry (Horatia) is such a useless mess. Probably a typical 17 year-old. But she was forever blaming herself for everything that happened, and her darling husband, Rule, reminded me of a large, sleek pussycat playing with a mouse. No thanks. And I'm not even going to start on the OW issue- the mistress. I mean he just got married, the f***er, and he still visits her - oh, that's right, less often. That boat won't float, baby.
Ah well, I am now forewarned. Because I have learnt something really interesting. How we feel about a book really does depend on where we are at in a particular time in our lives. So maybe I shouldn't say a book was shite, rather, it doesn't appeal to me at this moment. Hell, I used to read bodice-rippers with tons of dubcon, even violence, and think that was OK.
So actually, I am glad I read this book again. Much of Georgette Heyer may now be largely incomprehensible and unlikeable for me, (and I really have read every single one of her HRs). But in acknowledging this, it is also telling me to mellow out and calm the f*** down. It is only somebody's story, after all!
Peace out. :)
First read this when I was about 17, and I loved it. Well, the heroine is 17, so no surprise there. Hero is old (34) which is a bit more of an age difference than I usually like but I thought it seemed wonderfully romantic at the time.
Fast forward to NOW. If Richard Armitage hadn't been reading this, (that slightly raspy yet velvety voice *fans herself) it would have been a DNF. It was just so painful. Horry (Horatia) is such a useless mess. Probably a typical 17 year-old. But she was forever blaming herself for everything that happened, and her darling husband, Rule, reminded me of a large, sleek pussycat playing with a mouse. No thanks. And I'm not even going to start on the OW issue- the mistress. I mean he just got married, the f***er, and he still visits her - oh, that's right, less often. That boat won't float, baby.
Ah well, I am now forewarned. Because I have learnt something really interesting. How we feel about a book really does depend on where we are at in a particular time in our lives. So maybe I shouldn't say a book was shite, rather, it doesn't appeal to me at this moment. Hell, I used to read bodice-rippers with tons of dubcon, even violence, and think that was OK.
So actually, I am glad I read this book again. Much of Georgette Heyer may now be largely incomprehensible and unlikeable for me, (and I really have read every single one of her HRs). But in acknowledging this, it is also telling me to mellow out and calm the f*** down. It is only somebody's story, after all!
Peace out. :)
September 23, 2023
I love that Heyer wrote a heroine with a stammer, and that the story did not in fact revolve around that--it was just a part of who Horatia is. I don't know how well the representation was done - I suspect IRL Horry would have met with a bit more contempt and ugliness than she does in this book, but I'm also kind of glad to see a world in which she wouldn't? At any rate, the story was charming, I cannot get over how utterly ridiculous (and foolish) Horry's brother is (was literally laughing out loud at the scrapes/escapades he engineered in his attempts to help his sister at the end of the book). It made Horry's own foolishness look just naturally naive, while Pel is just... Pel. The hero worked well enough for me, though I didn't find him as strong a character as many of Heyer's other love interests. Still, a very engaging read.
November 26, 2023
Definitely not as good as the first Heyer I read. Maybe it was the age difference - she was only 17 or 18 to his 34 (I think). Listened to the audible - Richard Armitage is excellent, as per usual.
Some of the scenarios were a bit implausible - I know, it's fiction, but ...
I cannot believe it takes me three weeks to finish a book these days. The GOODREADS challenge will be greatly reduced for next year.
Some of the scenarios were a bit implausible - I know, it's fiction, but ...
I cannot believe it takes me three weeks to finish a book these days. The GOODREADS challenge will be greatly reduced for next year.
July 31, 2015
It took me quite some time to get through this audio book - but not because it wasn't delightful! I cannot seem to find the time to listen to books as well as I can find the time to actually sit and read them. But, this audio version narrated by Richard Armitage was very entertaining. I just love his voice. He really adapted to the different characters so well and I found myself smiling throughout. The story itself was quite good and had a few fun twists that kept things interesting. I enjoyed my first Georgette Heyer novel and would read another. Any narration completed by Richard Armitage would be a bonus no matter what the title!
December 13, 2018
Oh, that was a lovely story! Made even better with Richard Armitage narrating! And to think, were it not for my friends on Goodreads, I may never have experienced it, let alone known that I was going to endeavor to get my hands on all of the Georgette Heyer novels within my grasp, despite having never even heard of the author previously. *cue the gasps* I know! What has been my education if it did not include the works that established the historical romance genre? The genre I fall back on whenever nothing else will do these days? I shudder to think. And now I will comfort myself by downloading more of her lovely stories...hopefully also narrated by the inimitable Richard Armitage.
April 21, 2010
Seventeen-year-old Horatia marries Rule to save her family from penury after her brother Pelham gambles away their fortune. Rule originally intended to marry the beautiful older sister Elizabeth, but she is in love with an army officer named Edward. Rule is intrigued by Horry's forthright speech and unpolished manners. Unfortunately, he doesn't take the initiative and tell her he likes her, instead letting her believe it is merely a marriage of convenience. Since she is not beautiful and knows about Rule's mistress, Horry reasonably enough assumes he doesn't care much about her. But because she really does love him, she can't resist the urge to try and make him jealous by flirting with Lethbridge, whom she does not realize is an old rival of her husband, using her to get back at Rule.
I found both characters likable but was impatient with her lack of sense and his laziness. This story seems like a model for those dumb "stupid misunderstanding" romances that abound. On the other hand, there may be some intended social commentary on the emotional unhealthiness of a society in which behavior is so artificial that it is more acceptable to discuss one's affairs than one's feelings for a spouse.
One thing I liked was Heyer's rejection of the creepy "forced seduction" or "I rape you because I love you" theme that has hung around in romance for way too long. When Lethbridge tries this on Horry it is obvious that neither loves the other at all:
In this scene Lethbridge has just kidnapped Horry and tells her he is going to ravish her.
"I wish," said Horatia forcefully, "you would stop talking about love. It makes me feel sick."
"My dear," he said, "I assure you I am falling deeper in love with you every moment."
She curled her lip. "Stuff!" she snorted. "If you loved me the least little bit, you wouldn't do this to me."
This is really the normal, well-adjusted reaction to a scene of this nature. Rape is not romantic. This book demonstrates that creating weird psychological tests for your partner and withholding your feelings are not very romantic, either. I enjoyed reading it, especially the farcical elements, but couldn't help thinking that the whole story could have been circumvented by Horry and Rule having one honest conversation on their honeymoon.
I found both characters likable but was impatient with her lack of sense and his laziness. This story seems like a model for those dumb "stupid misunderstanding" romances that abound. On the other hand, there may be some intended social commentary on the emotional unhealthiness of a society in which behavior is so artificial that it is more acceptable to discuss one's affairs than one's feelings for a spouse.
One thing I liked was Heyer's rejection of the creepy "forced seduction" or "I rape you because I love you" theme that has hung around in romance for way too long. When Lethbridge tries this on Horry it is obvious that neither loves the other at all:
In this scene Lethbridge has just kidnapped Horry and tells her he is going to ravish her.
"I wish," said Horatia forcefully, "you would stop talking about love. It makes me feel sick."
"My dear," he said, "I assure you I am falling deeper in love with you every moment."
She curled her lip. "Stuff!" she snorted. "If you loved me the least little bit, you wouldn't do this to me."
This is really the normal, well-adjusted reaction to a scene of this nature. Rape is not romantic. This book demonstrates that creating weird psychological tests for your partner and withholding your feelings are not very romantic, either. I enjoyed reading it, especially the farcical elements, but couldn't help thinking that the whole story could have been circumvented by Horry and Rule having one honest conversation on their honeymoon.
Read
January 2, 2021Oh look, it's my first DNF of the year. While Heyer is deeply problematic and while I deplore how her version of the Regency has somehow become the accepted "historical accuracy" standard in some corners, I do still enjoy some of her books. This Georgian tale just wasn't for me, though.
Set in the mid-1770s, this book starts with a marriage, followed by a romance. The Winwoods simply must make a match with the wealthy Lord Rule. The Winwoods are a respected family, but they are quite poor due to the gambling ways of the deceased father and the even worse gambling debts of the Winwood sisters' brother, Pelham. When Rule offers for Elizabeth, the eldest, there is just one problem.
Lizzie is madly in love with Mr. Edward Heron, a respectable younger son trying to make his way in the Army. He lacks the funds to be an eligible match. Lizzie's youngest sister, 17-year-old Honoria saves the day by proposing herself as a substitute to Rule. I think we're meant to respect Honoria's bravery in coming forward, but I just kept rolling my eyes at how everyone just gave Pelham's shocking behavior a complete pass. If you wonder how the indulgent coddling of gambling brothers came to be such a trope in historical romance, here you are.
I actually rather liked Rule, not least because he notices Honoria's stammer without mocking it, but he and Honoria just seemed like a mismatch. Also, I found that I really enjoyed Rule's mistress, Lady Massey, far more than the immature Honoria. When explaining why Rule would choose Honoria over Lady Massey, Heyer lays the class snobbery on rather thickly and it put me off. Combine that with the prospect of having to deal with Honoria and her sisters(all of whom seem like complete twits) for many more chapters, and I just had to quit.
I know this book has its fans, but I just lack the patience for it right now.
Set in the mid-1770s, this book starts with a marriage, followed by a romance. The Winwoods simply must make a match with the wealthy Lord Rule. The Winwoods are a respected family, but they are quite poor due to the gambling ways of the deceased father and the even worse gambling debts of the Winwood sisters' brother, Pelham. When Rule offers for Elizabeth, the eldest, there is just one problem.
Lizzie is madly in love with Mr. Edward Heron, a respectable younger son trying to make his way in the Army. He lacks the funds to be an eligible match. Lizzie's youngest sister, 17-year-old Honoria saves the day by proposing herself as a substitute to Rule. I think we're meant to respect Honoria's bravery in coming forward, but I just kept rolling my eyes at how everyone just gave Pelham's shocking behavior a complete pass. If you wonder how the indulgent coddling of gambling brothers came to be such a trope in historical romance, here you are.
I actually rather liked Rule, not least because he notices Honoria's stammer without mocking it, but he and Honoria just seemed like a mismatch. Also, I found that I really enjoyed Rule's mistress, Lady Massey, far more than the immature Honoria. When explaining why Rule would choose Honoria over Lady Massey, Heyer lays the class snobbery on rather thickly and it put me off. Combine that with the prospect of having to deal with Honoria and her sisters(all of whom seem like complete twits) for many more chapters, and I just had to quit.
I know this book has its fans, but I just lack the patience for it right now.
January 12, 2017
3.5
The Convenient Marriage is right there in the middle as far as the reading enjoyment goes. I’m not even torn about the rating.
On the one hand, you have a lovely and hilarious heroine. I loved Horry from the first moment she is introduced. She has this combination of naivete (that could be annoying at times) and stubbornness.
Then there's her family (her brother in particular). Horry has two older sisters and a brother. At first I thought this was going to be one of those stories with bitchy sisters. Definitely not the case. They have wonderful relationship. Yes, they criticize each other and yes, it can sometimes sound harsh, but they really love each other. Neither of her sisters were that surprised by Horatia’s behaviour.
I expected to hate Pelham, Horatia's brother, because of the gambling and implied selfishness. However, he too really loves his sister and the things he does for her in the book are hilarious. His way of helping is truly special. He brings a lot of humour into the story.
I loved the way Lord Rule treated Horatia. I loved every moment with them. From their first encounter and throughout the whole book, there isn't a single moment I could point out and say he shouldn't have done this or that.
On the other hand, the reason I couldn’t fully enjoy this story was Caroline Massey. I won’t get into it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Just to be clear, it’s just my personal preference and nothing to do with how well written or entertaining this book is.
Overall, The Convenient Marriage is worth reading.
The Convenient Marriage is right there in the middle as far as the reading enjoyment goes. I’m not even torn about the rating.
On the one hand, you have a lovely and hilarious heroine. I loved Horry from the first moment she is introduced. She has this combination of naivete (that could be annoying at times) and stubbornness.
Then there's her family (her brother in particular). Horry has two older sisters and a brother. At first I thought this was going to be one of those stories with bitchy sisters. Definitely not the case. They have wonderful relationship. Yes, they criticize each other and yes, it can sometimes sound harsh, but they really love each other. Neither of her sisters were that surprised by Horatia’s behaviour.
I expected to hate Pelham, Horatia's brother, because of the gambling and implied selfishness. However, he too really loves his sister and the things he does for her in the book are hilarious. His way of helping is truly special. He brings a lot of humour into the story.
I loved the way Lord Rule treated Horatia. I loved every moment with them. From their first encounter and throughout the whole book, there isn't a single moment I could point out and say he shouldn't have done this or that.
On the other hand, the reason I couldn’t fully enjoy this story was Caroline Massey. I won’t get into it, but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Just to be clear, it’s just my personal preference and nothing to do with how well written or entertaining this book is.
Overall, The Convenient Marriage is worth reading.
May 12, 2016
The story and the plot can definitely be understood from the blurb and many amazing reviews from previous readers, so I would focus only on my take on this one.
Though many hilarious moments in the book, I found it chiefly lacking in the romance element! There could have been so much more between Lord Rule and Horatia!
Also, the story has larger elements dedicated to the secondary characters, and a continued and flowing tale of the hero and heroine is not experienced here. There I felt lack of growth of cohesiveness between them and the growth of affection between them is not very apparent, but seems to come all of a sudden! I may be mistaken about this, and may be a future re read may clear these aspects for me.
The 4*s have been stolen for the book chiefly by Lord Rule and the hilarity and peculiar exchanges between Viscount Winwood and Sir Roland.
I loved Lord Rule but sadly he wasn't present substantially throughout the book as one may expect! Secondly, I positively disliked Horatia! She is very annoying and unbelievably stupid, and I really don't care for stupid heroines! I would also have liked to see what becomes of Charlotte!
Over all the book is a good and diverting read, goes without saying that writing is of course splendid and superior having come from GH's pen.
Though many hilarious moments in the book, I found it chiefly lacking in the romance element! There could have been so much more between Lord Rule and Horatia!
Also, the story has larger elements dedicated to the secondary characters, and a continued and flowing tale of the hero and heroine is not experienced here. There I felt lack of growth of cohesiveness between them and the growth of affection between them is not very apparent, but seems to come all of a sudden! I may be mistaken about this, and may be a future re read may clear these aspects for me.
The 4*s have been stolen for the book chiefly by Lord Rule and the hilarity and peculiar exchanges between Viscount Winwood and Sir Roland.
I loved Lord Rule but sadly he wasn't present substantially throughout the book as one may expect! Secondly, I positively disliked Horatia! She is very annoying and unbelievably stupid, and I really don't care for stupid heroines! I would also have liked to see what becomes of Charlotte!
Over all the book is a good and diverting read, goes without saying that writing is of course splendid and superior having come from GH's pen.
Read
May 28, 2015When Horry goes to the remote, sophisticated Earl of Rule to offer herself as the Family Sacrifice in her older sister's place, the earl surprises everyone by accepting her proposal. The fun begins there. I think it would have been perfect except for the utterly cliche Evil Mistress, that seems to have been a standard of romances at that time. The scenes with her are just painful (you want to take a shotgun to the earl) but other than that, it's great fun, and the Georgian era is beautifully evoked.
November 27, 2014
Lord Rule reminds me a little of Justin Alastair in These Old Shade, who is my favourite Heyer hero.
I loved the scene where Horry, our heroine, goes to visit Lord Rule…
‘You m-may have n-noticed that I have a – a stammer.’
‘Yes, I had noticed,’ the Earl answered gently.
‘If you f-feel you c-can’t bear it, sir, I shall quite understand,’
Horatia said in a small, anxious voice.
‘I like it,’ said the Earl.
Awww…*sigh*
The beginning and the end were the only times I felt any real liking for Horry. The rest of the time she was irritating.
Beautifully written, charming and witty, with great minor characters.
April 14, 2017
Ms. Heyer has a very funny sense of humor and a real talent for putting it down on paper, and in this book there were times I laughed almost through a whole chapter. However, to me it seemed she was trying to tell two stories and did a poor job on one and just fair on the other.
Considering the title, one would think she was trying to write a romance novel of sorts, and this is where she really blew it, because she had the makings of a real good love story. The Earl of Rule accepts the offer of seventeen-year-old Horatia to take the place of her older sister to marry him because her older sister is already in love with someone else. Those of you who have read the book might say since the Earl falls in love with Horatia at the end, it is a sweet love story, but the problem is the author doesn’t have the Earl and Horatia together enough to show how or why they fall in love.
Instead, immediately after the marriage Horatia becomes this whole different character that seemed to have maneuvered everything so she can live the high life. The sweet innocent girl that was willing to sacrifice herself for her sister’s love is no longer seen and a rather wild and extravagant person takes her place. The turn of her character made no sense and is another reason that makes the Earl falling in love with her hard to accept, since she is spending unbelievable amounts of money on clothes and jewel-encrusted shoes and racking up huge gambling debts. A romance is not seen in any of these goings on.
If Ms. Heyer would have just focused on writing a comedy about Horatia’s brother the Viscount, who, by the way, takes up a great deal of the book anyway and is the other story that is being told, it would have been a much better book. She could have called it something like ‘How to Defend Your Sister’s Honor and other Adventures of a Viscount.’
What we have, though, is a story that limps along in its hodge-podge way, leaving me wishing the author had chosen to write one or the other story. It is not that a book can’t have two stories going on at the same time, but if it is to be done, both story lines need to be developed sufficiently so that it all makes sense.
Considering the title, one would think she was trying to write a romance novel of sorts, and this is where she really blew it, because she had the makings of a real good love story. The Earl of Rule accepts the offer of seventeen-year-old Horatia to take the place of her older sister to marry him because her older sister is already in love with someone else. Those of you who have read the book might say since the Earl falls in love with Horatia at the end, it is a sweet love story, but the problem is the author doesn’t have the Earl and Horatia together enough to show how or why they fall in love.
Instead, immediately after the marriage Horatia becomes this whole different character that seemed to have maneuvered everything so she can live the high life. The sweet innocent girl that was willing to sacrifice herself for her sister’s love is no longer seen and a rather wild and extravagant person takes her place. The turn of her character made no sense and is another reason that makes the Earl falling in love with her hard to accept, since she is spending unbelievable amounts of money on clothes and jewel-encrusted shoes and racking up huge gambling debts. A romance is not seen in any of these goings on.
If Ms. Heyer would have just focused on writing a comedy about Horatia’s brother the Viscount, who, by the way, takes up a great deal of the book anyway and is the other story that is being told, it would have been a much better book. She could have called it something like ‘How to Defend Your Sister’s Honor and other Adventures of a Viscount.’
What we have, though, is a story that limps along in its hodge-podge way, leaving me wishing the author had chosen to write one or the other story. It is not that a book can’t have two stories going on at the same time, but if it is to be done, both story lines need to be developed sufficiently so that it all makes sense.
August 4, 2022
Splendid comedy, with a charming romance.
The scenes with Pel and Pom were wonderful. They were hilarious. Add to that silly Horry and amused Rule - and you have a smile on your face almost all the time.
Of course, I didn't see in here the love scenes (like one thinks of them), perhaps, one or two you could call such. Yet, if you know Heyer's novels, you know that she could be romantic. You just need to read the last few sentences of this book to confirm it. One of the best declarations of love ever.
[4.5 stars]
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/below is a review after first reading/
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From the beginning I was feeling Heyer's atmosphere. A scene when a hero meets a heroine is genial. I love such an encounter, such dialogues. Brilliant. Then you have many silly or inconvenient situations which the heroine puts herself in. And, of course first a few friends try to help her but in the end it is all fixed by the hero. The last scene - you just can stop reading. You know how all will end but still, you are delighting in it.
Witty, funny, enjoyable...
This is one of the books when you have an older hero and a much younger heroine. It is often by Heyer. But I have never enough of this.
I don't mark this story as "amazing" because for me there is not enough of descriptions of growing relationship between heroes. Between a proposal (a wedding) and the time when most of actions take place.
The scenes with Pel and Pom were wonderful. They were hilarious. Add to that silly Horry and amused Rule - and you have a smile on your face almost all the time.
Of course, I didn't see in here the love scenes (like one thinks of them), perhaps, one or two you could call such. Yet, if you know Heyer's novels, you know that she could be romantic. You just need to read the last few sentences of this book to confirm it. One of the best declarations of love ever.
[4.5 stars]
**************
/below is a review after first reading/
**************
From the beginning I was feeling Heyer's atmosphere. A scene when a hero meets a heroine is genial. I love such an encounter, such dialogues. Brilliant. Then you have many silly or inconvenient situations which the heroine puts herself in. And, of course first a few friends try to help her but in the end it is all fixed by the hero. The last scene - you just can stop reading. You know how all will end but still, you are delighting in it.
Witty, funny, enjoyable...
This is one of the books when you have an older hero and a much younger heroine. It is often by Heyer. But I have never enough of this.
I don't mark this story as "amazing" because for me there is not enough of descriptions of growing relationship between heroes. Between a proposal (a wedding) and the time when most of actions take place.
June 29, 2011
This book starts out with a hilariously honest conversation between a suitor and the younger sister of the girl he wants to marry. She argues that if all he wants is a wife, he should marry her because her sister is IN LOVE with someone else. Strangely he agrees.
The great thing about this book is that Horatia is actually, genuinely normal. She stutters and is described as the least attractive of her sisters. And yet! She's the heroine! It's not an ugly duckling story because she stutters and is normal looking for the whole book.
Then in usual Heyer fashion it all goes hilariously hijinxy. It turns out that much like her brother, she's got a weakness for gambling. At first this seems like a flaw, but then it becomes awesome because her brother likes to bet on EVERYTHING.
When Horatia is running away from a man who kidnapped her and who she thinks she killed she runs into her brother and his friend and the conversation goes like this:
Horatia: Oh, good, it's my brother, Pelham! Pelham! I think I killed this lord!
Pelham: I bet you didn't. Bet you 2 to 1 that she didn't kill him Pom.
Pom: I'll take that. 2 to 1, you say?
I think one of my favorite things about this book is that there is no Big Misunderstandings. The hero never thinks ill of his wife, and explicitly says at one point that he's "no Othello". Which, props to Heyer for that.
Plus, the whole tone of the book is so delightful.
The great thing about this book is that Horatia is actually, genuinely normal. She stutters and is described as the least attractive of her sisters. And yet! She's the heroine! It's not an ugly duckling story because she stutters and is normal looking for the whole book.
Then in usual Heyer fashion it all goes hilariously hijinxy. It turns out that much like her brother, she's got a weakness for gambling. At first this seems like a flaw, but then it becomes awesome because her brother likes to bet on EVERYTHING.
When Horatia is running away from a man who kidnapped her and who she thinks she killed she runs into her brother and his friend and the conversation goes like this:
Horatia: Oh, good, it's my brother, Pelham! Pelham! I think I killed this lord!
Pelham: I bet you didn't. Bet you 2 to 1 that she didn't kill him Pom.
Pom: I'll take that. 2 to 1, you say?
I think one of my favorite things about this book is that there is no Big Misunderstandings. The hero never thinks ill of his wife, and explicitly says at one point that he's "no Othello". Which, props to Heyer for that.
Plus, the whole tone of the book is so delightful.
June 6, 2023
An amusing, farcical and slightly disturbing romp in Regency England. Horatia or Horry is a bit of a dim witted character who marries the Earl of Rule instead of her sister. A marriage of convenience where Rule continues his relationship with his mistress.
Of course with a GH we find Rule falling in love with his 17 year old bride! Also ngside this Lord Leithbridge the villain is determined to seduce and ruin Horry. This is revenge for an incident with Rule’s sister Louisa when she was younger and which is never explained.
The characters of Mr Drelincourt the nephew of Rule and heir is hilarious especially the farcical duel with Horry’s brother Pel. Roland and Pel are extremely funny in their drunkenness stumbling into Leithbridge’s house after Horry’s escape.
We then have a serious duel with the villain and hero, an attempted highway robbery with Pel and Roland as well as a secret meeting to return the troublesome brooch.
A funny story although Horry was not very bright and a spoilt brat. As a heroine she was not a Miss Trent in the Nonsuch or Deb in the Faro’s Daughter.
Of course with a GH we find Rule falling in love with his 17 year old bride! Also ngside this Lord Leithbridge the villain is determined to seduce and ruin Horry. This is revenge for an incident with Rule’s sister Louisa when she was younger and which is never explained.
The characters of Mr Drelincourt the nephew of Rule and heir is hilarious especially the farcical duel with Horry’s brother Pel. Roland and Pel are extremely funny in their drunkenness stumbling into Leithbridge’s house after Horry’s escape.
We then have a serious duel with the villain and hero, an attempted highway robbery with Pel and Roland as well as a secret meeting to return the troublesome brooch.
A funny story although Horry was not very bright and a spoilt brat. As a heroine she was not a Miss Trent in the Nonsuch or Deb in the Faro’s Daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2020
A wonderful tale about the incorrigible Miss Horatia Winwood. She often acts without thinking first and without regard for the social requirements of a situation. After stepping in to offer herself, when the Earl of Rule offers marriage for her sister who loves another. She is off on a series of unfortunate events and social follies. Her husband however is quite capable of handling any situation. However when he goes away Horatia gets herself into a very awkward situation and has to enlist the help of family & friends to prevent a scandal.
A well written entertaining story with a colourful cast of characters.
A well written entertaining story with a colourful cast of characters.
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