Customer Reviews

Venetia

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'll have to be honest and say it took me a long time to get into this book. I had read about the first two chapters before I got stuck. Admittedly, this was partly because of personal reasons and I also lost the book at one point. Yet it was true that I was not hooked from the start. But a few weeks ago, after finding it again I gave it another go. I was not disappointed! I'm usually not a fan of the "reformed rake" cliche yet this book didn't quite follow that pattern. I found Venetia and Damarel's love story to be very natural (and a bit sensual at parts!) and after all, Venetia did not even try to reform Damarel. She fell in love with him, knew he loved her as well, and thought she would have a much more exciting life as his wife. I like to think that Damarel was faithful to her all the same, as his past reckless behavior really all stemmed from a broken heart.

I have read this book twice and loved it both times, and I have probably read at least 25 to 30 Georgette Heyer books. Venetia and Sylvester are among my favorites along with The Foundling. Of course, I am a big fan of all of her novels except the 20th century ones.

Venetia is a beauty but her more important qualities are her intelligence, wit and confidence. She has remained home, living a rather reclusive and bookish country lifestyle, to watch over her sickly younger brother. She doesn't feel that she can leave for a season in town or a life of her own until their elder brother returns from the war to take over the household responsibilities. Venetia does have two local suitors who are enthralled with her beauty. One is an infatuated young man who is several years younger. The other is a serious neighbor who would make a respectable, if not exciting, husband. Neither her relatives or suitors recognize the spirited young woman just waiting to be allowed some independence away from home.

Unexpectedly Venetia encounters another neighbor, the dangerous rake, Lord Damerel. There have been many rumors about his dissolute and scandalous past but Venetia always looks for the good in people. The cynical Damerel is immediately enchanted by the natural warmth and spirit he sees in Venetia. She is charmed by his willingness to challenge her wit and spirit. They share literary interests and enjoy bantering as they toss quotes back and forth.

Despite objections from the community a close friendship develops between Damerel and Venetia. Damerel knows that he doesn't deserve such an innocent beauty; she is much too special for a tainted character like himself. Damerel is determined not to hurt Venetia's reputation but in charming her he hurts her heart. Venetia sees that Damerel cares for her but he will only treat it as a passing idle. How can she convince him that she doesn't care about his past or the scandal if only she can be with him?

Damerel is a deliciously wicked hero with a cynical view of life. It is enjoyable to watch as he falls in love with the sweet heroine who is determined to catch the man she wants. Although this may be a predicable relationship - the rake and the innocent - it is charmingly handled with a few twists to add interest.

This is my first ever Heyer book! I had not heard about her before I started book blogging but when I did she was everywhere and I was intrigued by this old icon. If you are reading historical romance then you should read her too, and now I finally have. I liked what I read, a lot. I can't say I noticed that it was originally published in the 50s either.

To the story. Venetia has lived all her life at Harrorgate and has not travelled at all. Her father wanted her at home and therefore she has not known many men either. Though she has two suitors, but they are soon forgotten when she meets the rake next door. Poor Venetia, she had such a thirst for life but her dad was an idiot when he was alive. Still she is just so sweet that she does not mind because she loves her home and her brother. The thing with Venetia is that she might just be too sweet. I usually do not like heroines this sweet but here it works because, well she is just so nice. She is very forgiving. But she does have a tongue on her too and can put down her suitors when they get too odious. I think that is why it works, because she has a mind of her own and I like her witty style.

The style is very amusing and the banter between Demarel and Venetia is sweet, and it just made me think Jane Austen (and we all know I love her.) These two just hits it off at once, they are playful, they flirt, and it all so very cute. I know he is a rake, but not with her, though he does say a few things now and then, but so does she. For once I can be shocked for silly reasons. In the end I truly love sweet romances where people at most kiss and that is utterly scandalous of course.

It is not all a dance on roses. He is a rake, so no one wants him close to them. She does have two very silly suitors. Something happens that will cause a uproar. But this is a lovestory and she knows what she wants.

Conclusion:

I am happy to have read my first Heyer book and I will read more. I do recommend this one to romance lovers. The style is humorous and I love the old talk.

I've been on a Heyer reading binge, and this is my favorite yet. I love that the heroine is witty and smart, and that the story has more emotional depth than many of her novels. It actually brought tears to my eyes. Lovely story!

A fan of Richard Armitage (who reads for the audiobooks), my friend gave me a copy. Loved it! Venetia is filled with secrets that are secrets! A joy to read and fun to go on the journey with her.

I read my first Heyer in my earliest teens, more than half a lifetime ago. Over the years, I have felt my preferences for Heyer heroes and books change drastically. Through the years, Venetia has been a constant. I loved it then and I love it now.

I must have read this book about 30 times or so and I still laugh out loud.

Venetia is an older heroine who's always lived in the country. But she's not a woman who needs trown bronze. She's confident, knows what she wants, and she's very self possessed.

And then she meets her next door neighbour, the Wicked Baron. They become very fast friends to the dismay of almost all of Venetia's relatives and friends. (Her brothers don't really care). And so they (the relatives and friends) conspire. What happens next? Read it yourself!

What I like:

1) Venetia has enough sense to know that there's a chance that Damerel may not remain loyal to her (physically, at least). And she accepts that.

2) Under her very proper deportment, Venetia is quite prepared to lead the life of a wife who partakes in her rakish husband's lifestyle. (I think Heyer hints at this by showing us what a shocking mother Venetia has.)

3) I really like how well the plot moves. Esp in terms of the guests Venetia suddenly has to hosts and how they become excuses for Venetia's uncle to step in and take her away.

What I don't like:

1) The only problem I have is that I really do not like Damerel's whinging in the very end. But I suppose we're shown that Damerel really is a very sensitive man under that rakish hard shell. So maybe some alcohol does make him mopey.

This book is interesting, because I love the story even if I don't fall in love with Damerel, I can see how Ventia does.

The novel has everything: a beautiful, strong, smart heroine, a bright, quietly heroic, self deprecating rake, a brilliant crippled brother, an inconsiderate brother that marries a shy quiet girl with a horrific mother, a noble but boring suitor, and some great minor characters.

Georgette Heyer writes so well that reading her novels is always entertaining.

Probably my favorite Georgette Heyer - well, along with The Grand Sophy, Fredrica and Toll Gate. And maybe another or two that I've forgotten.

Nice presentation.

I recommend all of Georgette Heyer's books. I love the characters in this book and it is very typical of Heyer's writing,