A few months ago I finally picked up my first Georgette Heyer novel, and for the life of me I can’t think of any reason why I waited this long since Heyer is one of the most well known authors of regency romance. Friday’s Child is the perfect introduction to anyone who wants to give Heyer a try. Can a book just be too cute for words? Friday’s Child is definitely a “cute” read with lovely characters and a story that had me laughing from beginning to end. There are no undercover spies or evil villains popping up to do the hero and heroine in. There isn't even any kissing between the hero and heroine till the very end. This is simply a story about a man who marries a childhood friend for convenience. The fun in reading is seeing him come to his senses as he falls in love with his precious wife.Lord Anthony Sheringham has decided it is time for him to marry and he believes he has found the right woman. Her name is Bella Milbourne and she has been nicknamed the Incomparable by the Ton. Sheringham, or Sherry, as his close friends call him, has known Bella since they were children. He loves her, or so he tricks himself into believing. If Bella marries him, he will come into his inheritance and out from under the thumb of his uncle who he can’t stand. Bella holds Sherry in great affection but turns him down because she longs for another. Sherry’s pride is hurt and promises to marry the first woman he sees, which happens to be a very young, penniless orphan, Hero Wantage.
Hero is very starry eyed around Sherry, ever since they were children, and she thinks he is so very perfect. Sherry puffs up whenever he is around Hero because she praises his various virtues. Hero is a good sort, even though Sherry thinks her name is, “a nonsensical name for a girl!”
When Hero tells Sherry she is about to be cast out from her aunt’s house and must either become a governess or marry the horrid local curate, Sherry decides to save Hero and marry her himself! Sherry has always gotten along very well with Hero and will take care of her as long as she doesn’t cling to him to him too much and allows him the same freedom he had when he was a bachelor. Sherry gives Hero a new nickname, and calls her Kitten since she reminds him of one, “… I think it’s your silly little nose… That, or the trick you have of staring at a fellow with your eyes wide open…”
Soon Sherry marries Hero. Sherry doesn’t keep Hero hidden away, and even introduces her to his various other bachelor friends. Sherry’s friends are a very friendly sort and they welcome Hero into their group with open arms. Things couldn’t be better, until, Sherry bring Hero to London where she feels so out of place. And because of that, she makes some mistakes in society’s eyes and tends to embarrass Sherry. (It doesn’t help that she points out a past mistress of Sherry’s to everyone) Plus, when Sherry’s friend George, Lord Wrotham seems a bit too close for comfort with Hero, Sherry becomes jealous. He is not sure what to do with his Kitten who keeps finding herself in certain scrapes. Hero just wants to help George, who is in love with Bella, but Bella, who I thought was a bit of a B-I-T-C-H, plays with his emotions. Soon there are rumors running all over the place about George and Hero, and Sherry is ready to duel his friend over Hero’s affections.
Friday’s Child is a wonderful tale of regency England by master storyteller, Georgette Heyer. I could not stop laughing at the antics of Sherry and Hero as they try to come to terms as a new married couple. I found myself laughing too many times to count and I wanted to smack Sherry over the head because it took him forever to finally realize he loves Hero as a woman and not just his friend. Friday’s Child is a lovely book with some slapstick comedy that would be wonderful to see on the big screen. If every book by Heyer is like Friday’s Child, I will make sure to pick up the rest of her back list. If you are in a mood for great comedy and endearing characters, Friday’s Child is the book for you!
4 stars out of 5 stars!
Katiebabs (KB) Question- does anyone know what the title means?
