The Convenient Marriage

By: Georgette Heyer

Narrated by: Avita Jay

Brought to you by Penguin.

The Convenient Marriage is read Jay by Avita Jay, who has appeared on stage in Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World, Peer Gynt and Bring on the Bollywood

Horry Winwood doesn't play by the rules.

So when her family are near ruin and her sister is about to enter a loveless marriage to a wealthy man to settle the family debts, young and headstrong Horry proposes to marry him in her sister's place.

As her new husband's attentions fall elsewhere, Horry begins to feel increasingly unhappy.

Then she meets the attractive and dangerous Lord Lethbridge, and her days suddenly become more exciting.

But there is bad blood between Horry's husband and her new acquaintance, and as complications and deceptions mount, the social tangle grows ever trickier to unpick.

Will Horry's gamble cost her everything she holds most dear?

©1934 Georgette Heyer (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Georgian, romantic comedy of errors

The focus in this highly entertaining, frequently hilarious Georgian romance is a comedy of errors. There is one, main, villainous antagonist driving most of the plot, and a thrilling climax to that portion of the novel offers a highly satisfactory resolution.

Unlike modern, sexy historical romances, this sex-free, marriage of convenience plot is both historically accurate and emotionally satisfying.

I don't typically enjoy a romantic pairing with a huge age difference, and Horatia (Horry) at 17 is more than half the age of 35-year-old Marcus, Earl of Rule. Fortunately, Heyer does an excellent job of believably motivating their romance, and I was cheering for their HEA.

I have read this book multiple times over the years. This time around I experienced it as a recently produced audiobook. The British, female narrator does an excellent job.

Super GH

The narrator did a wonderful job on an unabridged classic Heyer masterpiece. Brought the characters to life.

Excellent storytelling

Loved this book so much. There was a section where I the MFC was beyond annoying, but I had to remind myself that she was a teenager and so her immature behavior made sense. MMC was the regency era equivalent of a Stern Brunch Daddy with a sense of humor. I read along while I listened to this on audible, the narrator (Anita Jay) was excellent.

A romance with no romance in sight

A regency romance with a more interesting story about a secondary character. Horrey is a petulant child and dislikable character

It was entertaining. Good plot for a short book.

I enjoyed the story. Didn’t mind the virtual voice. It had a little suspense, action and romance.

Creepy!

This plot may have been more acceptable some fifty years ago when this was written. However, the idea of a thirty something man marrying a 17 year old girl is shocking today. The bride is a smart but very silly young woman, which would be okay but she marries a much older, smarter and more sophisticated aristocrat who, while having a great deal of affection for her, still delights in playing tricks on her that cause her much distress. Looks like emotional abuse to me! Nonetheless, she loves him dearly and blames herself for everything her husband does.

Additioally, the plot rambles and includes a lot of farcical content which I didn't find very funny. Won't try any more Georgette Heyer.