'Cotillion' by Georgette Heyer is a Regency romance novel that follows the story of Kitty Charing, an heiress who is expected to marry one of her guardian's nephews in order to inherit his fortune. Kitty, a headstrong young woman, refuses the proposals of her cousins and instead convinces her cousin Freddy to pose as her betrothed. As they navigate through a series of misunderstandings and scrapes in London, Kitty and Freddy find themselves in a sham engagement that leads to unexpected twists and turns, ultimately culminating in a satisfying and sweet ending. is praised for its witty language, charming characters, and entertaining plot that keeps readers engaged until the last page.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and memorable, with Kitty evolving from a naive girl to a more perceptive young woman and Freddy standing out as a uniquely lovable male lead.

Writing/Prose:

The narrative features sharp, witty dialogue and humorous descriptions, reflecting the social norms of Regency society.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline revolves around Kitty Charing, who devises a plan to navigate societal expectations and pursue love while managing a sham engagement.

Setting:

The story is set in Regency London, showcasing the social intricacies and atmosphere of the time through various vibrant settings.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with a slower start that picks up as the story progresses, ultimately leading to an exciting and humorous finale.

The Saloon, like every other room in Arnside House, was large and lofty, and had been furnished, possibly some twenty years earlier, in what had then been the first style of elegance. This, however, h...

Notes:

Cotillion is primarily about Kitty Charing, an orphaned heiress who must marry one of her guardian's great nephews to inherit his fortune.

Kitty's guardian, Mr. Penicuik, is a miser who loves her more than his own family and sets a condition for her inheritance.

The story unfolds with a cast of quirky cousins, including the dandy Freddy Standen, who becomes Kitty's faux fiancé.

Kitty originally hopes to marry the charming Jack Westruther, but he does not respond to her guardian's summons to propose.

Freddy, though foppish and seemingly not very clever, is actually wise and caring, making him a unique hero in the story.

The novel features humorous dialogue and clever social commentary, showcasing the customs of Regency society.

Despite its romance theme, the book avoids excessive sentimentality, focusing instead on character development and moral lessons.

Heyer's writing is characterized by witty banter, intricate plots involving mistaken identities and social maneuvering.

Readers appreciate the nostalgic feel of the settings, as well as Heyer's ability to evoke the Regency era's charm and social intricacies.

Several characters, including Kitty's governess and Mr. Penicuik, provide comic relief and deeper insights into the main story.

The book has been well-received for its themes of friendship, integrity, and the social responsibilities of the gentry during the Regency period.

Has Romance?

The book contains a significant romantic plot that evolves over the story, culminating in an engaging resolution.

From The Publisher:

'One of my perennial comfort authors. Heyer's books are as incisively witty and quietly subversive as any of Jane Austen's' Joanne Harris

Kitty Charing's life-changing inheritance comes with a catch.

Her eccentric and childless guardian, Mr. Penicuik, is leaving Kitty all of his vast fortune - but with one condition. She must marry one of his five grand-nephews.

However, Kitty's clear favourite - the rakish Jack Westruther - doesn't appear at all interested in the arrangement. To make Jack jealous, Kitty impulsively convinces his cousin, the kind-hearted and chivalrous Freddy Standen, to enter into a pretend engagement.

But the more time she spends with Freddy, the more Kitty wonders whether Jack is the right choice after all…

'Fabulously witty' Stephen Fry

'Georgette Heyer is second to none' Sunday Times

'One of my favourites . . . a clever subversion of a romantic trope, with a typically ingenious Heyer-style heroine, a marvellously Wodehouse-ish hero. To be read in the bath, with scented candles burning' Joanne Harris

Ratings (7)

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Reader Stats (17):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (1)

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About the Author:

Author of over fifty books, Georgette Heyer is the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists, who made the Regency period her own. Her first novel, The Black Moth, published in 1921, was written at the age of seventeen to amuse her convalescent brother; her last was My Lord John. Although most famous for her historical novels, she also wrote eleven detective stories. Georgette Heyer died in 1974 at the age of seventy-one.

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Cotillion

Georgette Heyer