Frederica [Paperback]

Georgette Heyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2009

One of readers favorites, Frederica is full of surprises

When Frederica brings her younger siblings to London determined to secure a brilliant marriage for her beautiful sister, she seeks out their distant cousin the Marquis of Alverstoke. Lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward, Frederica makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help launch them all into society.

Lord Alverstoke cant resist wanting to help her

Normally wary of his family, which includes two overbearing sisters and innumerable favor-seekers, Lord Alverstoke does his best to keep his distance. But with his enterprising - and altogether entertaining - country cousins getting into one scrape after another right on his doorstep, before he knows it the Marquis finds himself dangerously embroiled...

WHAT READERS SAY:

"A writer of great wit and style... I've read her books to ragged shreds." - Kate Fenton, Daily Telegraph
"Stylish, witty, and bang up to the mark!" - Punch
"One of Georgette Heyer's more adorable heroines." - Saturday Review
"Classic Heyer—the author at her best!"
"Not only do the characters seize your heart from the first moment, they are three dimensional and so alive. It is just wonderful!"
"What a great book. One of my favourites, as the most beautiful is not the heroine."
"Witty, enchanting, and impossible to put down. This is one of Heyer's best works and one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read."
"A wonderfully written witty tale of the downfall of a cynic. I was charmed."

(20090123)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The novel ends on a most satisfying note, and I can think of no better way of spending a chilly winter evening - wrapped in a down comforter with my pooch sleeping by my side - than reading this gem of a book. (Vic Sandborn Jane Austen's World 20090526)

There was a playful, light-hearted feel to this book that, along with the engaging characters, totally charmed me. (Deborah White Genre Reviews 20090526)

If the modern day romance novel is the wonder bread of the literary world, Georgette Heyer would offer readers the fiber-heavy complexity of whole grains. (Rebecca Laney Becky's Book Blog 20090527)

I think Ms. Heyer's writing is just so smart and witty... I highly recommend FREDERICA if you are looking for a good summer read. It is a very entertaining story with lots of romance. (Julie Peterson Booking Mama 20090527)

I liked Frederica a lot, especially the banter between Frederica and Alverstone... (Christina Maclean Chris' Book-a-Rama 20090529)

I had previously posted on my blog that I was looking for that next favorite book, and I found it here with Frederica. This book is funny, charming and full of interesting characters. (Naida Milenkovic The Bookworm 07 20090529)

Frederica is a fun, witty and intelligent read... I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes a good historical romance. (Alyce Reese At Home with Books 20090601)

Verdict: delightful repartee, a good Hero and crazy kids as secondary characters = win. (Ana The Book Smugglers 20090603)

Frederica is a powerful Regency romance, that every fan of the genre should read. (Marlene Once Upon a Romance 20090612)

[A] fun, charming book... Frederica is a keeper, going on my bookshelf. (Lesa Holstine Lesa's Book Critiques 20090629)

This is a great book that explores both the relationships of the characters, and the Regency era itself. Fun, entertaining, enthralling! (Wendi Barker Wendi's Book Corner 20090821)

The novel is humorous, light-hearted... a nice, comfortable way to get your Austen-fix. (Keira Gillet Love Romance Passion )

[F]ull of family, humor, society do's and don'ts and of course, romance.
(Kristi Herbrand Books and Needlepoint )

The characters can't help but be loveable - from the sister who is beautiful and can't tell anyone no, to the brother who can't help but be ernest, to the heroine herself. It all keeps you coming back for more. (Nicole Heffernan A Blog of Books )

About the Author

The late Georgette Heyer was a very private woman. Her historical novels have charmed and delighted millions of readers for decades, though she rarely reached out to the public to discuss her works or private life. It is known that she was born in Wimbledon in August 1902, and her first novel, The Black Moth, was published in 1921.

Heyer published 56 books over the next 53 years, until her death from lung cancer in 1974. Heyer's large volume of works included Regency romances, mysteries and historical fiction. Known also as the Queen of Regency romance, Heyer was legendary for her research, historical accuracy and her extraordinary plots and characterizations. Her last book, My Lord John, was published posthumously in 1975. She was married to George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer, and they had one son together, Richard.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Reprint edition (January 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402214766
• ISBN-13: 978-1402214769
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 101 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FREDERICA Is An Extraordinary Heroine & An Outstanding Novel, September 22, 2003

By 

Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: FREDERICA (Mass Market Paperback)

Georgette Heyer is able to pack more [physcial] tension into a story, which includes no more than a single kiss between lovers, than most of today's writers with all their well written, X-rated love scenes. She also creates some unique and extraordinary characters, and portrays them with depth and feeling. Her storylines are just as unusual as the characters she peoples them with. "Frederica" is no exception, and has become one of my favorite books by Ms. Heyer.

Frederica Merrivale travels to London with her beautiful younger sister Charis, her three younger brothers Harry, Jessamy and Felix, their way too overgrown and exuberant puppy Lufra, and their man-hating Aunt Scrabster. The Merrivale's parents are dead, and although Harry is the heir of Graynard, the Merrivale property, Frederica is the eldest sibling and the one who has assumed responsibility for running the estate and raising the family. At 24, she is bright, witty, and very attractive, although her loveliness pales beside Charis' angelic beauty. Their mother settled 5,000 pounds on each daughter for a dowry, and Frederica wants to give Charis a season in London to meet and mingle with the ton. She knows that her sister is so beautiful and unaffected that she is sure to make an outstanding match.

Frederica asks a very distant and unknown cousin, the Marquis of Alverstoke, to sponsor her sister's "coming-out" into society. Alverstoke is handsome, rich and spoiled. He has had many lovers, but has never had a close emotional relationship with a woman, including his sisters who constantly plague him with requests for money and favors. These women, wealthy in their own right, are unbearably overbearing and provide much comic relief. At first Alverstoke is flabbergasted by Frederica's request, and believes that she is just another female who wants something from him. Slowly and against his will, Alverstoke is charmed by the Merrivale family, and amazed at Frederica's total lack of selfishness and her efforts to raise her younger siblings. He finds a way to sponsor both Frederica and Charis and to give his sisters a "set down" at the same time.

Both young women are besieged by suitors after they are presented to London society. Alverstoke spends more time with all of them, especially with Frederica, as she struggles to manage the boys, her sister, her own love life, the estate in the country, and the family's future. Ms. Heyer uses her delightful humor often, especially in the dialogue between Frederica and Alverstoke, and in the scenes involving the younger brothers and their dog. All the characters are very well developed and they demonstrate growth and change throughout the novel. The Merrivale family members are quite endearing. Some exciting adventures accompany this delightful love story, set in Regency England. This is a novel you do not want to miss. Excellent!
JANA

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Regency romances that exist, March 4, 2000

By 

John Whelan (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frederica (Paperback)

I really feel this book rates 6 stars.

Georgette Heyer researched her books in great detail and they are quite simply in a class of their own. Many people feel she invented the Regency Romance. The dialogue used is often from original sources, this book actually contains one of her very few historical mistakes, Soho in Birmingham not Soho in London is where the foundry was located. There are misunderstandings but ones that seem to occur quite naturally. In this book Felix Fredrica's schoolboy brother with a scientific bent questions practically everything and is quite central to the story. The character descriptions and dialog are excellent and all in all it is one of my favourite Georette Heyers.

From the dust cover of the Bodley Head edition...

Written in Georgette Heyer's lightest vein, this is the story of the adventures in Regency London of the Merriville family: Frederica, riding the whirlwind and directing the storm; Harry, rusticated from Oxford and embarking with enthusiasm on the more perilous amusements pursued by young gentlemen of ton; the divine Charis, too tender-hearted to discourage the advances of her numerous suitors; Jessamy, destined for the Church and wavering, in adolescent style, between excessive virtue and a natural exuberance of spirits; and Felix, a schoolboy with a passion for scientific experiment. In Frederica, Georgette Heyer created one of her most engaging heroines; and in the Marquis of Alverstoke - a bored cynic who becomes involved in all the imbroglios of a lively family -a hero whose sense of humour makes him an excellent foil for Frederica.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked on Heyer!, April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Frederica (Paperback)

I've been a fan of Georgette Heyer's wonderful Regency Romances for 25 years. I've started reading her books when I was 13 and my library of Heyer books is one of my most cherished possessions. Her sparkling dialogue and wonderfully created characters come alive in every page of the book. Frederica has my all time favorite Heyer heroes - The Marquis of Alverstoke is a bored and pampered aristocrat who when he meets Frederica and falls in love with her, finds his humanity and a heart beneath his cold exterior. What's wonderful about this book how warmly Frederica's family is portrayed. This book is full of wonderful romance, humor, and heartwarming joy! If you read this you will become Hooked on Heyer forever...