St. George, Nonnie - The Ideal Bride

[oyceter]

My very first Regency!

Really loved it. Like Brockway's Bridal Favors, it made me giggle a lot, maybe even more so than Bridal Favors just because of the narrative voice. One of my favorite bits:

He groaned.
"You are in excruciating pain!" She flew to the bed and landed on his knee. He doubled over in excruciating pain.

It's got a great little tongue-in-cheek humor that never fails to amuse me. Of course, I could very possibly be amused by stupid things, but it's just this slightly dry little voice, and the characters really do get in the most ridiculous situations! More Monty-Python-esque than straight out farce, imho.

Anyway. Gabriel Carr, stunningly handsome and rich businessman, is looking for his perfect bride, because he means to be married before his thirtieth birthday. Lady Nola's looking for his warehouse. Collision, Gabriel promptly determines she in no way fits his list (literal) of ideal bride attributes, chaos ensues from there. There is a bevy of matchmaking people, meddling relatives and servants, an ugly dog, and much discussion over Nola's attributes.

Small thing, but I really like how Gabriel thinks she's really very not-impressive-looking at first and then gradually begins to think she's more and more beautiful as he gets to know her.

Very light-hearted and cheerful. Very glad I bought it instead of just borrowing. I think this will be one of the ones I read when I'm feeling down.

Are most Regencies like this? Wow, I've been missing out.

Must try to dig up more.

Comments

[mogens.livejournal.com]

You haven't any read any Georgette Heyer? If not, then you must! :) Of course, it's been so many years since I read one of her Regencys that I can't give you a recommendation.

[oyceter]

I know, it's shocking! I keep meaning to dig them up and just forgetting. Or getting so baffled by all the titles that I can't figure out what to pick.

[stakebait.livejournal.com]

Venetia, The Grand Sophy, the Nonesuch are all lovely. Alas, one of my very favorites has a similar name to about three others that are good, but not great, and I cannot keep them all straight. But really they're all worth reading.

Alas, most of, say, the Signet Regency line lacks salt by comparison, though I still read them to feed the craving.

[oyceter]

Oh, thanks! Hopefully the library will have them... I haven't been able to find very many in the used bookstores.