A great romance - full of humour and witty heroines. Sylvester is one of those reads full of history which is brought to life through great characters.

"Sylvester" is a Regency romance novel written by Georgette Heyer. The story follows the young and headstrong Phoebe Marlow, who is determined to marry for love rather than be pressured into an arranged marriage by her ambitious mother.

Phoebe's plans are disrupted when her mother insists that she must accept the marriage proposal of the wealthy and titled Sylvester, Duke of Salford. Furious at the idea of being forced into a loveless marriage, Phoebe impulsively writes a satirical novel that features a character based on the arrogant Duke.

When Sylvester gets wind of the book, he decides to confront Phoebe and give her a piece of his mind. However, their meeting doesn't go as planned, and they find themselves thrown together on a journey across England. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters and experience various adventures that bring them closer together. In the end, Phoebe and Sylvester must overcome their own prejudices and the meddling of others to find true love and happiness.

This is one of my favourite novels by Heyer. I found the story witty and intelligent, and the characters engaging.

I devoured Heyer's novels as a teenager - this was the first one I had read for some time and I had forgotten how compelling they are! .'Sylvester' is a fantastic twist on the 'girl meets boy', only to misunderstand each other, scenario.
Phoebe has experienced her first London season but has not received any proposals, something her unforgiving and unlikeable step-mother holds over her head. A suitable match (Sylvester) is put forward by Phoebe's grandmother, but Phoebe takes fright and runs away from home, aided by her childhood friend, Thomas. This angers Sylvester who then decides to 'make' Phoebe fall in love with him:! This seems impossible but fate throws them together in an unexpected way - Phoebe is a budding author and has written a roman de clef, casting Sylvester (who she had met in London during her season and immediately disliked) as the villain. When the novel becomes a 'hit' many in London society believe there may be some truth behind the novel's plot, adding to the misunderstandings between them...

Carefully crafted with plenty of meticulously researched period detail, Heyer's novels continue to hold their own against today's chick lit and contemporary romance novels. Thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy - it was fabulous to rediscover 'Sylvester'.

This book is written by the godmother of historical romance and I’m so glad it’s getting revamped and given a new cover!

For lovers of pride and prejudice, this one has an arrogant hero that is obviously a starchy duke.
We have class difference and snowed in tropes!

Can’t wait to read more by Heyer!

Originally published in the 1950s, I was offered a copy of a new edition to review. I was introduced to Georgette Heyer books when I was a teenager and have loved them ever since. It is many years since I last read Sylvester, and I was pleasantly surprised to find it was even better than I remembered. I also recommend the audiobook where Richard Armitage does an excellent job of bringing the story to life.
Sylvester Rayne, the Duke of Salford, has decided it is time for him to marry; he is not looking for a love match but someone fitting to be his Duchess. He views Phoebe Marlow as completely unsuitable, but thinking her father has arranged a marriage between them she runs away. She has met him before and found him to be insufferably arrogant. Trapped by a snowstorm at the same lonely country inn, they get better acquainted and discover their first impressions were wrong. Phoebe has written a novel and based the villain on Sylvester. This is not a problem until she finds out the novel is going to be published and everyone will know what she has done.
Beautifully written in an understated way, Sylvester features wonderful characterisation and amusing dialogue. The Regency setting is well researched and vividly described. In recent years Regency romance novels have become popular again, but Georgette Heyer is still the original and best. Thanks to Random House UK, Arrow and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

Twice I tried to read this novel, but unfortunately I just couldn’t get into the story- possibly the style of writing didn’t help- Regency novels are ones I usually enjoy. Thankfully I’m sure others will enjoy it.

Life has been remarkably shit for the past few weeks and I needed something light and happy to help untangle some of my brain. Heyer always does that for me. Interestingly this seems to be one of the few Regency Heyers that I've never re-read for a fair few decades and thus I didn't remember the storyline at all. It has all the things I want in a Heyer, and delivered in her wonderfully warm style.

Another lovely period romance with unexpected twists to entertain. The picture is set delightfully, and the turn of phrase so unusual that sometimes it is actually difficult to know what was said! Phoebe hears that the fabulous Duke of Salford will ask for her hand in marriage. He is given this idea from his mother and godmother, who realise that the usual society will not make him happy. Phoebe meets him and is so horrified that she decides to take matters into her own hands, and with the help of her best friend, tries to run away to London. Snow storms, accidents and endless paths crossing with the Duke, and they both end up with a very different impression of each other

My review:🌟🌟🌟🌟

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer is set in regency period, with Sylvester, Duke of Salford, used to his power and the deference others give to him, tell his mother that he's planning to marry in the most dispassionate way. 

He ends up going to a country house to meet Phoebe, the granddaughter of his godmother.  Phoebe isn't pleased with the idea, and found his behaviour during the previous year to be arrogant.

This is historical romance, tamer than Bridgerton, but very enjoyable, with heroines and heroes to cheer on, and plots to surprise you.

Sylvester was first published in 1957, but this is an updated edition, and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.

Georgette Heyer wrote a great many regency romances, and also detective fiction, and so here is a link for her on GoodReads.

If you've been enjoying The Bridgerton TV series or books, then I would highly recommend you try Georgette Heyer!

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Penguin Cornerstone.

I always love reading Georgette Heyer novels with their charm, witty dialogue and handsome Regency heroes. No one else captures the Regency era as well as Heyer.

Sylvester, the rather arrogant Duke of Salford, is looking for a suitable wife. His invalid mother suggests Phoebe Marlow, the daughter of a close friend, but Phoebe has taken a dislike to the Duke, and she has other plans... Nevertheless, the Duke finds himself somewhat intrigued by this admittedly plain girl who stands up to him, and makes him laugh. When she runs away with an old friend, he discovers that he is anxious to help, and they start to enjoy each other's company even more at a snowed-under country inn, but Phoebe has a secret, which could ruin everything...

Any lover of the popular Regency series "Bridgerton" or historical romanceswill enjoy this book!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A first read from this author for me. A great regency fiction read that will make you laugh. Will be looking to read more by this author.

It's a while since I've read any Heyer and I confess I found this a bit slow when compared to some of the more recent Regency romances. (Bridgeton comes to mind.) But Heyer is what it is. When Sylvester Rayne, Duke of Salford, decides it's time to marry he picks out five potential young debs, with all the right qualities, and asks his mother to choose. She refuses, of course, so Sylvester decides to look over them once again, not believing for a minute that any young woman he picked would refuse him, money, title and all. He's in for a shock when he meets Phoebe Marlow who considers him arrogant and when she (mistakenly) thinks he's going to propose she runs away, knowing her mother would pressure her into the match regardless of her feelings. An accident on the road forces Phoebe and Sylvester to spend time in each other's company and she discovers he isn't the monster she thought him to be. Thus starts a chain of events which leads to the obvious conclusion but on the way there are misunderstandings semi-accidental kidnappings, a scurrilous book, and a rescue. Not my favourite Heyer, but by no means the worst.

Sylvester, the Duke of Salford, decides the time is right to find himself a wife. He thinks perhaps Miss Phoebe Marlow will fit the bill, until he meets her and decides she isn't quite what he is looking for - but he is more than surprised when his arrival sees her running off to London with a friend. By chance, he catches up with her on the road, and the pair end up in a tangle involving a bad Gothic novel, Sylvester's young nephew and a lot of gossip and rumours.

I've read a few Georgette Heyer novels and I love how immersive they are - there is a real sense of time and place with them, and the characters are well drawn and memorable. It's witty and fun, the romance is slow burn and clean. I enjoyed it, although I don't think it is the best of her novels.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I really tried but I just couldn’t get into the story. There’s no doubt at points there’s entertainment - the nephew character raised a chortle but I just couldn’t get into the book. Unsure whether it was the writing style or the story itself. I found the pace very slow which would have made my attention wane. The Regency period is a favourite of mine but unfortunately the author is not for me.

Thank you Netgalley

This is one of my favourite Georgette Heyer novels. Phoebe is shy and independent and Sylvester is arrogant and proud. After an initial misunderstanding, Sylvester determines to be nice to her and then spurn her, He quickly forgets this and they fall in love and become friends. It is only after an inevitable falling out that he realises his true feelings. Is he too late? Of course not!

Heyer is one of my favourite authors. I just love her writing and get sucked in all of her stories. Her romances are the best, and this one is no exception. Great characters, lovely story. Highly recommended.

I read this as a young woman and loved it for the second time of reading. I love the Regency period and Georgette Heyer remains one of my favourite authors. It was an intense read and I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. Brilliant.

This is a classic Heyer novel with many of the components of her regency novels: stongwilled heroine, arrogant hero, misunderstandings, romance and adventure. This has some laugh out loud moments as Phoebe falls into one scrape after another as she tries to avoid an arranged marriage.
With a cast of characters who help and hinder her in her attempt to get the best of Sylvester, the seemingly arrogant duke who may or may not have decided she might be a suitable wife, a plot from a story by an unknown author, which leads to our heroine finding herself in France, this is a convoluted novel with a lot off twists and turns but everything comes right in the end....
A fast paced fun read!

I haven't read a Georgette Heyer book for many years and now remember why I enjoyed them so much. If anyone mentions the Regency period, her name is the one which springs to mind. This was another great story. It is the scrapes her characters get into before everything is sorted out which makes the stories so entertaining

It is wonderful to be back in the Regency world that Georgette Heyer has created after much research. We have an arrogant hero with a tragic family story that makes him hard to reach. Our heroine Phoebe is a plain but feisty young woman who picks the wrong side in this family argument. She drags Sylvester into an adventure he wants no part of but he has to take command of. This is a lovely romance with well rounded minor characters as well as the main cast. Sylvester realises that he has had enjoyable time and that Phoebe is actually strong and fun to be with. How does he win her heart? His mother has to be involved to help him out It is a funny well told romance told by the best ever author of this kind of fiction.