“Take a Peek” book reviews are short and (possibly) sweet, keeping the commentary brief and providing a little peek at what the book’s about and what I thought.
Synopsis:
(via Goodreads)
Under the reign of Louis XV, corruption and intrigue have been allowed to blossom in France, and Justin Alastair, the notorious Duke of Avon and proud of his soubriquet ‘Satanas’, flourishes as well. Then, from a dark Parisian back alley, he plucks Leon, a redheaded urchin with strangely familiar looks, just in time for his long over-due schemes of revenge on the Comte de St. Vire. Among the splendours of Versailles and the dignified mansions of England, Justin begins to unfold his sinister plans — until, that is, Leon becomes the ravishing beauty Leonie…
Unanswered questions.
Lovely, titian-haired Leonie, ward of the dashing Duke of Avon, had all Paris at her feet. Yet her true origins remained shrouded in mystery. And neither the glittering soirees nor the young aristocrats who so ardently courted her could still the question that plagued her young heart.
What was her mysterious parentage?
Just one man held the secret, the one she feared most in the world–the iron-willed Comte de Saint-Vire, deadly enemy of the Duke. He would give her the answer–for a price. But could she betray the man she secretly, helplessly loved? And could this proud young beauty bear to face the truth when it came?
My Thoughts:
I’m sold! Until this month, I had never read a Georgette Heyer book — until my book club selected Devil’s Cub for our February book of the month. I really enjoyed Devil’s Cub, and once I realized that it was a sequel (kind of) to These Old Shades, I simply had to read this one as well.
These Old Shades is even better than Devil’s Cub, in my humble opinion. The Duke of Avon is just everything you could want in a hero of a Regency romance — he’s of the nobility, has a terrible reputation, is incredibly self-assured and handsome… but turns out to have a smooshy heart just waiting for the right person to come along and melt it. Léonie is a delight — an unpolished young girl, masquerading as a boy, who falls head over heels for her rescuer, but never quite loses her independence, impudence, and saucy sense of humor.
The banter and social maneuverings in These Old Shades are delicious. The book is scrumptious fun, beginning to end.
More Georgette Heyer, please! If you’re a fan, let me know which book you think I should read next.
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The details:
Title: These Old Shades
Author: Georgette Heyer
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication date: Originally published 1926
Length: 386 pages
Genre: Historical romance
Source: Library
Bookshelf Fantasies 
I agree with you on all counts as to the merits of Avon and his cub. I discovered Heyer years ago when I could find her titles at the library. But I was thrilled to discover the reissues. I bought all my favorites so I can reread them on snowy winter days. My top Heyer titles: The Grand Sophy, Venetia, Faro’s Daughter, The Masqueraders, The Toll Gate, and The Talisman Ring. Some of them have a mystery in them, but all of them have feisty heroines.
Ooh, thanks for sharing your favorite Heyer books! I have a copy of The Grand Sophy already, and I’d heard good things about Venetia too. Will have to add all of these to my reading list!
My Comfort food !
First read G.H as a teenager, Now80 + I still reread the every 10 years when the plot has become a little hazy They are the perfect escape from mundane everyday.
Also as well researched for period detail as the pompous Wolf Hall
I’ve been loving GH, have read a bunch more since I first wrote this post a few years ago! Next up for me will be Cotillion, in August (with my book group). Her books are delightful — I can see why you’d consider them comfort food!