I love historical romance after stumbling upon Tessa Dare and loving the wit, humour, and romance. I was hoping this would be of a similar type but was unfortunately mistaken. At least a bit...

There is still the beloved combination of an arrogant Duke, who needs to be taken down a peg or two, and a bookish maid who is strong willed and just as intelligent as any man. I admit in this book there was also traces of the humour that warms my heart.

Unfortunately for me it didn't feel enough. The Duke was to arrogant to become dislikable and I didn't believe or feel any romance between him or Phobe. Not to say he was the only flawed charater as Phobe because seemly weak willed by the end of it and dare I say 'prissy'.

I can see the similarities between this and Pride and Prejudice. Sylvester vs Mr Darcy being the main one however I feel that Pride and Prejudice was just done better.

I found the language dated the book and made it harder to fully understand certain aspects but I think that's an entirely individual problem of mine.

I did enjoy Tom and Sylvester's nephew and it did tickle me when it mentioned parts in the UK I knew. For me the supporting cast and personal connection to locations encouraged me to rate it so.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Fun and funny Recency Rosanne romance about false impressions, presumption and mistaken identities.

Thanks to the publisher for approving me.

This is first book by this author I have read. Having heard how other got into historical books from reading her I Expected more than i got. While it was very good as far as language goes unlike more modern authors it just didn't seem to flow as well. There was no real romance build up it quite a decent length but the marriage/I love you declaration moment just felt a bit rushed and like it came out of nowhere.

Having spent the whole of January gorging on the entire Bridgerton Series, I was drawn to try this older regency novel by Georgette Hayer, after it was advertised as something for Bridgerton fans.
We still have a rakish Duke, and a young lady who may, or may not, be suitable as a bride for him, alongside a strange situation that throws them together, despite neither of them really wanting to be with one another.
I'm afraid this was where the similarity ends, for me. Perhaps the writing was not a style that I enjoyed, as it was written quite a while back, compared to the slightly more contemporary way the Bridgerton series was penned. The story was intriguing, but I did find the language didn't captivate me in the same way.
Still, if you are a Regency Romance fan, I am sure you would be more than happy to read this, and the many others Heyer has penned.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fabulous Heyer regency novel. So much wit but not at the expense of deep emotion. As usual her characterisation is superb - the heroine, Phoebe, who isn't beautiful but who is clever and lively (when she isn't being intimidated by her ambitious stepmother); the hero, Sylvester, who is aloof and cold-blooded but always polite; the trusty young squire; the beautiful, vain, self-obsessed sister-in-law; an hysterically funny dandy, Sir Nugent Fotherby and a delightful young nephew.

I loved this book and have read it many times over the years but it never fails to engage me. One of the best!

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing a copy in return for an honest review.

Georgette Heyer! A totally stunning author whose every book I've read and yet to find one that isnt perfect. Sylvester is no different. Incredibly well told. Heyer writes the best THE BEST regency books around (and her crime books are incredible too) The story is intriguingly told and you cannot wait to find out the next instalment of the story. A total 5 star read wether you're a fan or historical books or not.

I have not read a historical novel for such a long time. I used to read Georgette Heyer way back when and had forgotten how much I enjoyed her stories. Sylvester, Duke of Salford feels he needs a wife but also fears rejection. He comes across as arrogant and sometimes rude although he does seem to treat his staff well. He is very fond of his mother. His mother and a good friend of hers betrothed him and Phoebe when Phoebe was born although it was somewhat in jest. Sylvester was pushed to visit Phoebe’s family so he could meet Phoebe. Phoebe was led to believe by her stepmother that Sylvester was visiting to ask for her hand in marriage. Once she met him she was appalled at the thought of marrying him as his arrogance etc came through very quickly. She was not shy in coming forward with her thoughts and they quickly became sparring partners verbally. She even went to her father to advise him she would not marry Sylvester. The story carries on and in places very amusing to read their dramas. Phoebe finds out that his twin brother had passed away and he was the guardian of his son Edmund much to the concern of his brother’s wife. Things become so difficult that Phoebe decides to run away to London to her grandmother. She seeks the help of Tom a childhood friend who is like a brother to her. They start their journey and have an accident in their carriage and who turns up by chance to help by Sylvester. Once in London life becomes more confusing as Phoebe had written a novel and it was the talk of the town as everyone decided that the villain was based on Sylvester. Phoebe and her grandmother decide to escape to France and here is where the story gets interesting and fun to read. Enough from me but I must say this is a great book and a great read

I've never read this book by Georgette Heuer before but have enjoyed other titles when I was in my teens. I thought I'd give this a go as I love Regency romance as a genre.
This was a very entertaining read, you could easily predict the outcome of the book even from the early stages but it was an immersive and interesting read. The writing is dated now but this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Will definitely read more

Phoebe Marlowe was not interested in marriage, planning instead to become a writer. After being ignored by the Duke of Salford, she uses him as the model for the villain in her first novel. But when she meets Sylvester in person, she discovers, too late to stop publication, that he is not the evil uncle she has portrayed him to be. Chaos ensues throughout the Ton before Phoebe can make things right.

Sylvester is a masterpiece of romantic fiction. Georgette Heyer captured the Regency period perfectly in her stories, with the dialogue and behaviours between her characters far more believable of the time than many who have tried since. Whilst Phoebe is a heroine who, at times, can be exasperating, Sylvester is a strong character whose actions are always in keeping with the traits ascribed to him. Probably the most enjoyable character, though, would have to be the foppish Sir Nugent Fotherby, who is a delight to detest!

Georgette Heyer has become a forgotten author, but her books are genuine classics and should be included in the libraries of all historical romance fans.

Exciting, engrossing, page turner. Keeps you involved even if you know it's fiction. This is an endearing romance novel with just the right balance of humour, charm and entertaining characters,

I read a lot of Georgette Heyer's Regency romances and was very happy to read again Sylvester.
Even if this book is more than 60 years old it's still highly entertaining and well written.
Sylvester and Phoebe are two great characters and I rooted for them even I knew what was going to happen.
The vivid historical background, the fleshed out characters and the well crafted plot made this novel gripping and highly entertaining.
I hope that Georgette Heyer will be read by plenty of of new readers.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sylvester by Georgette Heyerdahl

The disaster of a meeting for the Duke and Miss Marlow at Austerby as he goes to see if she would be would be a suitable future bride. She runs away terrified at the thought by his haughty manner then the fun begins

Though I felt this may not have been one of best novels I have read because I found this one particularly hard going. Due to the excessive use of regency dialect and if unfamiliar with this it would make the book unreadable. It would be better to place the glossary of slang at the start. Although the humour and characters were fabulous and it was very well written as always and i loved the journey that the story took.

I'm really sorry but I couldn't get into this story at all but I have it a Good go!. Sylvester was a devil of a character but I think it was the writing style that didn't agree with me!.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review

Georgette Heyer is known as the queen of romance novels. Deservedly. There is simply nobody better.

Less humorous than other of her offerings, such as Faro's Daughter and Arabella, this novel is intense and absorbing.

If you haven't read a Heyer novel, you really must.

This is my first book by this Regency romance author Georgette Heyer and I was unsure if I would enjoy her books but how wrong was I. I was soon emerged in this wonderful world. I was impressed with the research for this era and I could just picture everything. I loved Phoebe, not at all what I imagined her to be like. I was thoroughly entertained and totally loved it. I will definitely be reading more from this author

As an avid reader of Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances in my teens and twenties, I was eager to re-read Sylvester, one of my favourite books. The quality of writing is immersive, it draws you into the Regency period with rich aristocrats, dandies, and elegant ladies enchantingly portrayed.

When Sylvester, the arrogant Duke of Salford, decides to take a wife, he is influenced by his mother’s comments about Phoebe, the daughter of a friend. He decides to see whether Phoebe would fit the bill. However, all is not as it seems, leading into an entertaining adventure involving Sylvester, Phoebe, and others becoming entangled in a conglomeration of extraordinary events, which are packed with humour.

The strength of Ms Heyer’s novels is within her characters, with the stroke of her pen, you feel you know the characters well, even lesser characters are vividly brought to life. Edmund, the Duke’s young ward is a joy. She draws a picture of the Regency period with such expertise, you feel you were there, racing along in the curricles and dancing in the extravagant balls. Along with dialogue packed with humour and outrageous plotline, this is an enchanting book to enjoy.

Once you have read a Georgette Heyer novel, you will want to read them all. Highly recommended!

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. It has been so many years since I read a book by Georgette Heyer and I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed her style of writing. Great read and a good story

Having read all of Georgette Heyers’ books in my mid-late teens, I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed them. In this one, Sylvester, Duke of Salford, has decided the time is right to get a wife, he’s not in love mind you, he’s not up for romance, but duty calls. The Honourable Phoebe Marlow hadn’t even been on his short list, but he’s persuaded by his god-mother he should at least meet her. Phoebe unfortunately has seen him once, and wasn’t impressed.

This is a romp through the upper classes of the time. Duty, honour, responsibility, wealth, titles, they’re all in here but also a gentle sense of humour and some very likeable characters, such as Phoebe, Tom and Edmund; as the story goes on, you warm to them more. The language is sometimes a bit confusing but there is explanation for some of the out of date phrases at the back of the book. It’s a gentle Regency romance, makes nice light reading and also makes me grateful times have changed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This isn’t the type of book I usually read.and it was the first Georgette Heyer book for me. There was so much I enjoyed about the book as I was transported back in time. A fascinating insight into a life before mobile phones and fast cars.

It has humour, adventure and who could fail to love Phoebe and Sylvester’s young nephew Edmund. Both are outspoken and never far from trouble.

When the news went out that Sylvester Rayne, the elegant, impeccable Duke of Salford, was seeking a wife, all England was aflutter! Lord Sylvester is a polished bachelor who has stringent requirements for his future wife -- she must be well-born, intelligent, elegant and attractive. And of course she must be able to present herself well in high society. But when he is encouraged to consider Phoebe Marlow as a bride, Sylvester is taken aback by the coltish woman who seems to resent him. The first time Sylvester met Phoebe, he found her dull and insipid. Phoebe, was a hoydenish country miss with literary aspirations. When she was snubbed by the Duke, and she thought he was insufferably arrogant. In fact, she deemed him the most arrogant rake she'd ever met. So what was a budding author to do but base her novel’s villain, the Wicked Uncle on Sylvester! Phoebe meets none of Duke's criteria for a fiancee. But when Phoebe ran away, she got his attention and fancy. And when a series of unforeseen events leads them to be stranded together in a lonely country inn, they are both forced to reassess their hastily formed opinions, and they begin to discover a new-found liking and respect for each other, and they find striking up an unusual friendship. Phoebe discovers that the duke isn't the villian she first thought. And Sylvester stumbles upon something he never dared hope for. Then her book is published
Sylvester is one of my favourite Heyer books I just love everything about it & if I’m down it’s one of the books I go to lift my mood. I love Sylvester & his Sparrow, Phoebe, their banter is priceless, then there’s Edmund who totally steals the book & a boy, a puppy & tasselled boots has me crying from laughing every time I read it. It’s just brilliant