I didn't want to write to much on the previous thread, so I don't give anything away for anyone who hasn't finished the book yet.  Although, honestly, the outcome was so predictable early in the book I can't imagine who would be surprised by the ending.  As discussed earlier, the dialogue and period setting were very good, which did allow me to be easily absorbed into the book.  I guess I just like a little more "meat" to my stories.

Did it bother anyone else how Frederica continued to refer to Alverstoke as "cousin" even after she accepted his marriage proposal?  I know they were not really cousins, but I still found it creepy!  LOL.

I'm not quite done yet; I'm at the part where Frederica just blew up at Harry when he opposed the plan of the family retiring to Alver for the rest of the summer. I loved it! All along, Frederica has accepted the burden of being the head of the family, without complaint. She took on the mothering the 2 boys, finding a way to launch Charis into soceity, and worrying about money. She loves her family and looks out for them, and I love that she told Harry off for being all talk and no action!

Now I'm dying to see what will happen with Charis and Endymion, b/c it's obvious that Harry is going to back their romance more than ever now that he's sore at Frederica!

Okay, done now!I had to laugh at everyone talking about Alverstoke and Frederica getting married right in front of them, before they had even discussed it themselves.

And I also loved the end, with Felix and Jessamy finding out about the engagement. Just a fun, lighthearted read! I'm def. going to read another Heyer in the future.

I also really enjoyed this book and agree with Arika's comments whole-heartedly. I also agree w/ Michelle's comment about needing a little more meat on the bone.

Heyer's books are great 'escapist' books - they are clever, light-hearted, witty and just overall fun, fast reads. They are great 'in-between' books. I wouldn't want a steady diet of them, but one scattered in every once in awhile is delightful! This is my second Heyer book & I will read more - in fact I think Linda & I have at least two more in the TBR waiting for their perfect time to be read.

Regarding Frederica, my one minor disappointment is that I wanted just a little more of Frederica & Alverstoke after they decided they were made for each other. Some initial wedding planning would have been an enormous hoot & I really, really wanted to know the reactions of Alverstoke's family members & friends!

Question: Who was your favorite secondary character? While I loved Alverstoke's sister Eliza who swooped in just in the nick of time to be of such great help, my favorite secondary character is Alverstoke's secretary (Charles? is that right?) who was so clever & witty and fell in love with Chloe. He was a great straight man for Alverstoke.

AND: is it just me, or would this make an absolutely charming movie? Seems to me the script would practically write itself - I could practically see the scenes as I was reading the book! But with that in mind, was there any once scene that was a bit overblown or maybe unnecessary? Any situation a little overdone?

While I know a movie would leave detail & specific scenes all over the cutting room floor (for example, Jessamy riding the bike down the hill & getting in such a mess), I really liked all the scenes. When I try to think of something, one thing that leaps to mind is Charis' hystrionics & Endymion's unbelievable thick-headedness, but, then I think it was all very necessary for us to get a good understanding of their characters and the pressure they were under that kept them from standing up for themselves.

Then I think about the balloon ride and the mad chase through the countryside. But, oh so important: it got Alverstoke fully invested in Frederica & her brothers and, more importantly, it got them out of London & away from societal pressures and spying eyes.

Other thoughts?

Kelly

I really enjoyed this light-hearted romance.  Like Kelly, I wanted a bit more novel at the end: more reaction from other characters, more dialog between Frederica and Alverstoke.

Throughout the book, I got a kick out of the words and phrases that Heyer uses, so many different ways to say someone was not much of an intellectual.  Where we would say Charis was an "airhead" Heyer's characters called her a ninnyhammer among other things.

A delightful book, I plan to read more Georgette Heyers.

LInda

Don't laugh, but I think my fave secondary character was Buxted. It made me laugh to see how hard he tried to impress Frederica by attempting to tame Jessamy and Felix, and it was surly Alverstoke who won them over instead. It baffled him every time Alverstoke showed him up in the kids' eyes. I can imagine the expression on his face!

I would *love* to see this made into a movie. There's a "Darcy and Eliza Bennett" chemistry with Alverstoke and Frederica.