Regency Buck

Extremely enjoyable read! I had no idea who the good guy really was and who the bad guy really was until the very end. Exciting adventure-filled mystery romance, where the ending is the most enjoyable ending I believe I’ve experienced in a Heyer novel yet! See for yourself! (I am a female writing this review on my male household member’s account.)

I liked it as well as all the other Heyer books on Audible. I have read all her books. Heyer created the modern Regency genre. I am now reading them again with Audible. In this one I found the drawl she gave Worth slowed the pace a little and speeding up the recording made everyone else sound tinny.

There are less than a handfull of regency romance (with a dash of mystery) authors that could be considered on par with Heyer's stellar writing, but even though she is in a class of her own, if you have never read Heyer before, I beg you not to read this one first - truly, it is better than most regencies out there but is a fair disappointment when compared to many other's of Heyer's works (my very favorite being These Old Shades.)Here, the dialogue is witty but just not AS witty. That said, my biggest annoyance lies with the heroine - immature, petty and judgmental; perhaps we can forgive her these not-pretty qualities as she is a great beauty and a great heiress, a situation which we assume resulted in her being overly pampered and quite sheltered from reality. As well, Heyer obviously endeavors throughout the book to show us that her young heiress is not without conscience and she does grow as the book progresses - she just doesn't grow fast enough for my liking! :)I also feel that too many of the tense situations that occur in the book are due to the much dreaded plot contrivance of "the misunderstanding". I do hate this contrivance more than any other, and at some point, after enough "misunderstandings", I as a reader feel like throwing in the towel.And yet, despite these criticisms, you must wonder why I rate this so well as 4 stars? Alas, even a disappointing Heyer (yes, there are maybe one or two others in addition to this one) deserves no poorer a rating, for a dull gem in her collection becomes a shiny diamond amongst drab pebbles when compared to the whole of the genre.

I own this book in paperback, kindle and audio and have enjoyed it multiple times. I even got both of my teens to tear themselves away from the dystopian books they read to give this one a try. My older daughter liked it so much she read it twice. Is it Heyer's best book? I don't think so. I think "The Grand Sophy" may be her best book, though that's not my favorite either.In reading through several reviews, I noticed a few comments. For instance, a reviewer states not to make this your first Heyer. I would disagree. This book has very few "cant" terms so it's much easier to follow than Friday's Child or many of Heyer's other books. Also, this book is an outstanding introduction to Regency rules, fashions and proprieties like men must wear breeches and not pantaloons to Almacks and you must arrive at Almacks before 11pm. It mentions in context and provides trivia for all of the most notable people of the time, like Beau Brummell, Lord Byron, Lord Petersham, etc... I especially appreciate the details about the Prince Regent, what he was like as a younger man and tidbits about all of his brothers. Fascinating! The descriptions of Brighton and The Royal Pavillion interested me so much that when we visited England we went out of our way to spend a day in that seaside town.Quite a few reviews complain that the hero, Lord Worth, is too autocratic. My daughters loved him! He's an authoritive, resolute hero. He's not a bully, but he's uncompromising. I found him very similar to the Duke of Avon from "These Old Shades" - quietly commanding. Though it's easier to picture Avon with a twinkle in his eye as he holds his ground with the heroine. But Worth's character has the added complexity of keeping Peregrine safe from the villain who's trying to kill him, so Worth does not want any of his wishes countermanded - it's a matter of safety. This makes Worth seem grumpier than he needs to be. And Judith, the heroine, is so easily baited. Her constant miffs with him can get annoying, but what reader wants the heroine to be a "Mary Sue?" Judith has many talents and redeeming qualities - she can ride, drive, sing, play piano and is refreshingly forthright. And it's charming how she confers with Beau Brummell about making herself fashionable, instead of being a country nobody from Yorkshire.Though this book is not my favorite Heyer, it's easily in my list of top ten. Venetia (Regency Romances)  - best romance Frederica (Regency Romances)  - best all around, best family, best humor Friday's Child (Regency Romances)  - best coming of age Regency Buck (Regency Romances)  - best descriptions of Prinny, Brummel and Brighton Charity Girl (Regency Romances)  - best hero The Grand Sophy (Regency Romances) - best heroine Devil's Cub (Historical Romances)  - best scene (between Duke of Avon and heroine), best abduction These Old Shades (Historical Romances)  - best revenge The Foundling  - best travel adventure, duke in disguise Masqueraders  - best swashbuckling

Georgette Heyer is just awesome in her characterisation of the regency era,love her characters and her plots...loved this book.A must read

I love the witty banter that is always found in Heyer's novels. This is certainly one of my favorites. I have to admit though that it was little Henry that made me smile the most.

Have just reread the Alastair-Audrey trilogy and while I love all three of these novels I feel that in this one Ms Heyer had settled into the style of writing that characterises all her Regency novels. My favourite of this genre.

Georgette Heyer spins historical figures in amongst fictional ones to brilliant effect. At times improbable but inn't that part of the fun?

This has all the ingredients for a great regency romance- a tall , dark , handsome, dandified hero and an equally beautiful though a little 'rustic' heroine. Judith and her brother Peregrine , wealthy heir and heiress are left by their father as wards to Lord Worth whom they have never met. They travel down to London to 'cut a dash' in regency society and events take a very interesting turn as the insufferable stranger they meet in regrettable circumstances on the way turns out to be their guardian who decides to take a keen interest in their affairs. Regency society is depicted extremely well with Beau Brummell and Royalty featuring prominently in the story.Witty dialogue , and fashionable life at the time make for a good read.