April Lady

I have purchased all of the Georgette Heyer Regency romances here on Audible, and I've enjoyed all of them. However, if pressed, I have to say that I had to work at enjoying APRIL LADY the first time that I listened to it more than I've had to with the other GH Regencies. I think that a significant reason why I didn't enjoy this book on my first read was that I felt so much empathy for the heroine and her difficulties. I could see myself, at her age and with her lack of worldly experience, making the same mistakes in judgment that she had, and so I felt all of her turmoil as she truly did try to do the right thing in the muddle that she'd made of things while also trying to keep her headstrong young sister-in-law on the straight and narrow. Any GH fan would probably attest that the last few chapters of her romances tie up all of the plot points in a satisfactory (and usually humorous and entertaining) fashion, and I was happy with this book's resolution, as well, so this made up for the novel, as a whole, not flying along as wonderfully and humorously as I find most of Heyer's romances do. At this moment, I'm almost finished listening to the book again, and I've enjoyed it more this time, possibly because I'm not so anxious about HOW Nell's difficulties will work out in the end. Still, I would not recommend this novel to someone who's never before read a Heyer romance; it might not convince them to ready any more, on its own merits. One of her others (maybe FRIDAY'S CHILD, THE RELUCTANT WIDOW, FREDERICA, or THE UNKNOWN AJAX) would be a better introduction from which to judge her writing, especially her talent for writing memorable humorous characters, even for the supporting cast. So, if this would be your first Heyer audio ever, please re-think this choice and check out her others listed here on Audible. I feel that you should listen to APRIL LADY eventually, but check out her other romances first. Still, the narration was perfect, in my opinion.

As usual, Eve Matheson's narrations shines. It is a pity that her voice is wasted on one of Heyer's less engaging novels. The story drags on in endless detail and I soon lost sympathy for the heroine and her troubles.

I have loved Georgette Heyer for years, so when I saw that some of her books were available from Audible I was thrilled. All the other ones that I have bought so far have been a delight, and I listen to them over and over. But much as I enjoy this book, the narration is frankly dreadful - the heroine sounds as if she's about to burst into tears all the time, and the accents are jarringly peculiar. I've removed Friday's Child off my wish list just because I can't listen to another book from this narrator!

I've enjoyed most of Heyer's books on audio but my favorite ones are all read by Eve Matheson. Friday's Child is the best.

Matheson's voice is very light and easy. I find it relaxing and I love how she captures the youthful characters.

I've listened to six other Georgette Heyer's and they were all good fun. I could not make it through this one.

Yes, it is so very Georgette Heyer, with all the history, humour and romance. I loved it.

Makes it very real. Love the accent