Full Description

Grand Sophy

Sophy sets everything right for her desperate family in one of Georgette Heyer's most popular Regency romances.

When Lady Ombersley agrees to take in her young niece, no one expects Sophy, who sweeps in and immediately takes the ton by storm. Sophy discovers that her aunt's family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right: Ceclia is in love with a poet, Charles has tyrannical tendencies that are being aggravated by his grim fiancee, her uncle is of no use at all, and the younger children are in desperate need of some fun and freedom. By the time she's done, Sophy has commandeered Charles's horses, his household, and finally, his heart.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Excerpt

Excerpt

Reviews

Reviews

Book Loons Hilary Williamson
Of all Georgette Heyer’s treasure trove of witty and scintillating Regencies, The Grand Sophy is my long-time favorite. Fortunately - since my old copy is worn down with re-reading, it has just been reissued by Sourcebooks Casablanca.

One way of looking at this delightful romance is as a role reversal of The Taming of the Shrew. After being left a fortune by his Nabob uncle and paying off his erratic father’s gaming debts, hot-tempered Charles Rivenhall (who’s engaged to the humorless Miss Wraxton) has turned into the family despot, ruling the roost in the certainty that he knows what’s best for all his siblings. Little does he know that a tornado (in the form of his cousin Sophy Stanton-Lacy) is about to tear apart his comfortable (though not very happy) life.

It all begins when Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy (a diplomat) descends on his sister Lady Ombersley, asking her to take in his daughter Sophy while he travels to Brasil. When Sophy shows up - her entourage including a splendid black horse, an Italian greyhound, a parrot, and a monkey in a scarlet coat - she finds a miserable household. In particular, her cousin Cecelia was to marry Lord Charlbury, but he unfortunately contracted the mumps, leaving the field open to handsome (but penniless) poet Augustus Fawnhope. A heavy-handed Charles forbids the relationship, hence encouraging it.

Of course, a wily Sophy sorts out all these relationships - and even her own - though at times with rather drastic methods (that include confronting a hardened criminal in his lair, a gunshot and a kidnapping). As she tells Charles, ’Where the well-being of the persons to whom one is attached is concerned, one cannot say that one is not responsible’. She is indeed the Grand Sophy and her story is well worth reading and re-reading!

Jane Austen’s World Vic Sandborn
The Grand Sophy, the latest Georgette Heyer release by Sourcebooks, is a page turner that will keep the reader guessing when and how the heroine will top her previous outrageous acts. Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy, a rich widower who has recently returned from the Continent, convinces his sister, Lady Ombersley, that his sweet, motherless daughter ought to stay with her while he returns abroad. Several weeks after their discussion, Miss Sophy Stanton-Lacy makes a grand entrance:

“Lady Ombersley, meanwhile, standing as though rooted to her own doorstep, was realizing with strong indignation, that the light in which a gentleman of great height and large proportions regarded his daughter had been misleading. Sir Horace’s little Sophy stood five feet nine inches in her stockinged feet, and was built on generous lines, a long-legged, deep-bosomed creature, with a merry face, and a quantity of glossy brown ringlets under one of the most dashing hats her cousins had ever seen.”

Sophy could not exactly be called a beauty, but no one who had met her could ever quite forget her. Not ten minutes after her dramatic arrival, Lady Ombersley wonders: “What kind of niece was this, who set up her stable, made her own arrangements, and called her father Sir Horace?” The entire family, nay all of London, would soon find out.

Georgette Heyer wrote about two types of heroines. The Mark II heroine, who was a biddable and quiet young girl, and the Mark I heroine whose independent habits and dominant character invariable clashed with the hero’s personality. Sophy is the quintessential Mark I Heyer heroine: a tall, bossy, outrageously rich and independent, problem-solving, smart and capable young lady who will let nothing, not even Mr. Charles Rivenhall’s censure and outrage stand in her way. Arriving at the Ombersley’s house wearing a sable stole and carrying a sable muff, she alights from a coach and four with an entourage that includes several liveried footmen, a doyenne, an Italian greyhound, a monkey named Jacko, and a parrot in a birdcage. Even as Lady Ombersley struggles to hide her dismay, Sophy’s cousins are delighted, except for Charles. Everything about Sophy sets his teeth on edge, especially when she won’t give way to even his slightest wishes.

As heroes go, Charles is a bit of a prig. He cannot help himself, for his father, Lord Ombersley is an inveterate gambler. Charles unexpectedly came into an inheritance from a rich relative who had made his fortune in India and he uses his wealth to pay off his father’s debts. In doing so, Charles becomes the de facto head of the family. A sensible man, he proposes to a patronizing young lady, Miss Eugenia Wraxton, and leads a bland existence … until Sophy enters his parents’ house and turns his well-ordered life upside down. The reader learns one thing about Charles that others don’t seem to appreciate – children, dogs, monkeys, and parrots turn instinctively to him, and although he might seem harsh on the surface, he has a soft heart and is an easy touch. However, his dictatorial way intimidate two of his siblings, Cecilia and Hubert, to the point where Sophy feels she needs to help out, causing Charles to gnash his teeth at her presumption. At the core of this book are the crackling scenes between Sophy and Charles, and thankfully they are numerous:

The Grand Sophy is one of Georgette Heyer’s “larger than life” books. Everything – from the characters to Sophy’s antics to the settings – is bigger and grander than in most of her other novels, and the side characters are unforgettable. Augustus Fawnhope is a beautiful but a gloriously silly poet who Cecilia loves. Cecilia, Charles’s lovestruck sister, is a sweet Mark II heroine with backbone and pluck, who sees the error of her ways, but can do little to rectify the situation. Enter Sophy to the rescue. Sancia, Sir Horace’s Spanish fiancee, is singularly lazy and unforgettable in her ability to drop off to sleep in front of company, but Sophy knows she can solicit her support whenever it is needed. Lord Bromford, a terminally boring hypochondriac and Mamma’s boy, woos Sophy with the tenacity of a bulldog, much to the glee of her younger cousins, who watch with awe as their older cousin deftly handles him.

Charles’s fiancee, the horse-faced and prudish Eugenia Wraxton, is Sophy’s perfect foil. On the outside, Miss Wraxton is all that is proper, but on the inside she is small and mean of spirit. Sophy sees right through her and is determined to open Charles’s eyes before he is leg-shackled to her through marriage. Where Miss Wraxton merely pays lip service to being a lady, Sophy is warmhearted and generous to a fault. Her rarified social status allows her to act outrageously with impunity, a fact that the jealous Miss Wraxton never quite realizes. Miss Wraxton constantly lectures Sophy or, worse, tattles on her, as the following scene between Sophy and Charles suggests. In it they are discussing her purchase of her high perch phaeton, to which Charles has strenuously objected:

“I have no control over your actions, cousin,” he said coldly. No doubt if it seems good to you to make a spectacle of yourself in the Park, you will do so. But you will not, if you please, take any of my sisters up beside you!”

“But it does please me,” she said. “I have already taken Cecilia for a turn round the Drive. You have very antiquated notions, have you not? I saw several excessively smart sporting carriages being driven by ladies of the highest ton!”

“I have no particular objection to a phaeton and pair,” he said, still more coldly, “though a perch model is quite unsuited to a lady. You will forgive me if I tell you that there is something more than a little fast in such a style of carriage.”

“Now, who in the world can have been spiteful enough to have put that idea into your head?” wondered Sophy.

He flushed, but did not answer.

Although this book provides us with a fun romp through Regency London, it does possess one flawed scene. It is pivotal and demonstrates Sophy’s fearlessness and pluck in helping Charles’s brother Hubert out of an impossible situation, but Georgette Heyer is a product of her snobbish upbringing and time. Her description of a stereotypical Jewish lender, the villainous Mr. Goldhanger, is old-fashioned and ruffles our modern sensibilities. For many readers, this scene is a deal-breaker (see comments). Some stop reading the book at this point, others feel that the book loses some of its lustre, and others like myself manage to move on, realizing that authors cannot help but be influenced by the age in which they live. A friend of mine observed that Huckleberry Finn is full of racial slurs, but that did not prevent it from becoming a classic. Having said that, Georgette’s description of the Jewish lender did give me pause, but after a few pages, I was once again absorbed by Sophy’s antics and rooting for the characters I had come to love. When I turned the last page, I could only wish them all the happiest of ever afters.

I give The Grand Sophy three out of three regency fans.

Anna’s Book Blog Anna Lemkau
When Lady Ombersley agrees to take in her young niece, no one expects Sophy, who sweeps in and immediately takes the ton by storm.

Sophy discovers that her aunt’s family is in desperate need of her talent for setting everything right: Ceclia is in love with a poet, Charles has tyrannical tendencies that are being aggravated by his grim fiancee, her uncle is of no use at all, and the younger children are in desperate need of some fun and freedom. By the time she’s done, Sophy has commandeered Charles’s horses, his household, and finally, his heart.

Thoughts: At first I had doubts about reading this book, but in the end I absolutely loved it. Sophy splashes on the pages by chapter three and doesn’t stop till the last page. With her vibrant personality you can’t help but being drawn in, she is a pure delight. The Grand Sophy was an exciting, charming read. The characters grab you and don’t let go. You can’t help but want to see what Sophy will do next.

Georgette Heyer, is definitely a pioneer of the Historical Romance genre. I think any one today that is reading this genre should read Ms. Heyer at least once.

Write Meg Meg Snider
My first foray into the world of Georgette Heyer — and Regency romance — was not a disappointing one! Like the countless lords, fools and gentlemen who fall in love with brash, bewitching Miss Sophy Stanton-Lacy, I don’t think I’ll be able to forget The Grand Sophy for a long while.

When her father leaves for South America, Sophy is deposited in the care of her father’s sister, Lady Ombersley, who lives in London with her indifferent husband and great brood of children — among them the beautiful Cecilia, close in Sophy’s age, and Charles Rivenhall, the eldest son and executor of the estate. After arriving at Berkeley Square, Sophy can quickly see she’s needed to set a great many things to rights in her family’s world: Charles and his terrible temper must be contained — and his engagement to Eugenia Wraxton, a pious and droll woman, cannot stand; the infatuation Cecilia has for handsome poet Augustus Fawnhope must also come to an end; and the children need some joy in their lives — coming in the form of Jacko, the pet monkey Sophy entrances them with upon first stepping out of her carriage. And despite any of their efforts to resist her charms — or their anger at her turning their world upside down — it’s impossible for anyone not to love the Grand Sophy.

Myself included! Heyer’s novel of manners, family and love is witty, fun, entertaining and romantic. Sophy Stanton-Lacy is such a powerful presence in the story, you’d think everyone else would be totally washed out — but that couldn’t be further from true. Each character comes to life through Heyer’s spot-on descriptions and eye for detail, letting us know just what kind of a numbskull the dowdy Lord Bromford is without having to beat us over the head with the facts. As a writer, her touch is light — but very effective. And I would have loved to go “for a turn” in the phaeton of one Lord Charlbury or Mr. Charles Rivenhall, I’ll tell you that! I love the romantic English turns of phrase, and Heyer’s language seems as authentic as I can imagine.

Though I’m quite the Jane Austen fan and love historical fiction, I was a little worried that the language and syntax of the writing would overwhelm me — but definitely not. I found the entire book easily readable and digestable, and I had a hard time putting it down. I even considered taking an hour of vacation time in order to finish the book on a lunch break! The unexpected turns in the story kept it fresh and lively, and I couldn’t have asked for a better — or happier — ending . . . though I was sad to see it end. One of my favorite books this year!

Melody’s Reading Corner Melody
I have not read anything by Georgette Heyer so when Danielle from Sourcebooks contacted me and asked if I want to review The Grand Sophy, I jumped at the offer!

After reading this book, I am happy to declare that I fell in love with Heyer’s writing and I think the plot and the characters are very engaging! I liked Sophy Stanton-Lacey and I think she is simply one extraordinary heroine. She is bold, headstrong and a very intelligent young woman and she refused to let anyone bully or get into her way if she doesn’t want to. Considering the generation and society at that time, I think what her attitude and some of the tings she did would be most likely to be frowned upon but that does not stop Sophy from doing the things she wanted to do. Simply put, I admired her.

The Grand Sophy begins with Sophy’s arrival in the Rivenhall’s residence when her father, Sir Horace, is to leave for Brazil and her aunt, Lady Ombersley has agreed to take her into the family temporarily until her father is back.

Sophy caused an uproar when she arrived at the Rivenhall’s residence with a magnificent equipage and although the members are flabbergasted by her outrageous behaviour, they quickly warmed up to her and they are quite impressed by her sharp wit and intelligence. However, Charles Rivenhall, the eldest son in the family is not pleased with her at all and thinks she should behave like a real lady. Conflicts arise and sparks fly between them; and he is most certainly not pleased that one of his sisters, Cecilia who always seem to seek for her advice concerning her betrothed whom he deemed favourable but it seems Cecilia already has a gentleman in mind and he is none other than poet Augustus Fawnhope.

It seems this is not the only issue that infuriates Charles. Sophy also goes to extra length in saving his brother from an infamous moneylender when he loses his games and is in debt. Despite she managed to settle things without getting anyone hurt, Charles thinks what she did is improper and he is most certainly shocked that she own a gun and could handle it as well as him! But most of all, what bother him is the way she deals with things in general and her determination in rearranging the lives of anyone she encounters (in particularly the Rivenhall’s members), never mind if her intentions are all good.

Seriously, I had great fun reading the exchanges between Charles and Sophy because most of their dialogues had me chuckling, and not to mention it made me wonder when or what it would take to make them see each other in a less prejudice manner. I really liked Sophy; I was in awe of her direct approach when dealing in certain situations and not at all wishy-washy.

I really enjoyed reading The Grand Sophy, and I can totally understand why this book is classified as one of Heyer’s most beloved regencies. This is my first Heyer’s book but definitely not the last!

Many thanks to Danielle for sending this book to me for review!

AustenProse Laurel Ann Natress
First published in 1950, The Grand Sophy contains one of Georgette Heyer’s most endearingly outrageous heroines. In this newly released reissue by Sourcebooks, you are in for a rollicking good time through Regency era London with Miss Sophia Stanton-Lacy. As one of her many male admirers proclaims, “By all that is wonderful, it’s the Grand Sophy!” Too true.

A diplomat’s daughter, Sophy has traveled the Continent with her widowed father Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy following the British army in their pursuit of Napoleon during the Peninsular War. Two years have passed since the Monster of Elba was finally defeated and Sir Horace’s duties now take him abroad to South America. He feels it is time for Sophy to marry, and who better than to present his motherless daughter to London society than his amiable sister, Lady Ombersley. But, will her eldest son Charles approve? Things in her dysfunctional family are so oddly arranged. Her indifferent husband Bernard Rivenhall, Lord Ombersley has run through his fortune, and now relies on his eldest son Charles, who inherited another estate, to pay his debts and finance his household. Charles, known for his ill temper and tight pocketbook, is engaged to equally priggish young woman, Miss Eugenia Wraxton, whose rigid grasp on social stricture is at odds with everyone who she deigns to look down her very long equine nose at. Lady Ombersley’s beautiful young daughter Cecilia should marry the very eligible and wealthy Lord Charlbury, but prefers instead the handsome poet Augustus Fawnhope whose odds at fame and fortune are slim as his picking a Derby winner. Her second son Hurbert, whose moods sway with the tides of his debt, is ensconced with dubious money-lenders and in need of extraction. They all live a dull life according to Charles’s autocratic commands. If ever there was a family in need of a make-over, the Rivenhall’s present a tall bill.

Enter The Grand Sophy. Quick, intelligent and exuberantly capable, twenty-year old Sophy is a bracing reveille to her cousin’s the Rivenhall’s staid existence at Berkeley Square. From the moment she arrives on her aunt’s doorstep elegantly attired with her entourage of a dog, a horse, a monkey, a parrot, a groom, a maid and a mountain of luggage, they are left with no uncertainty that this is no ordinary young lady. Outspoken and unafraid to stretch the edge of decorum, Miss Stanton-Lacy sizes up the household’s problems and sets about to make them right, much to the chagrin of her cousin Charles and his meddlesome fiancée Miss Wraxton, who thinks she’s a hoyden. Sophy is fearless in the face of propriety venturing beyond the constraints of the Regency women’s world visiting banks, buying horses, a Phaeton carriage, and planning and paying for her coming out Ball, all the while pushing her cousin Charles’ buttons at every turn. Their repartees are absolutely hilarious – Sophy almost always in command of the final outcome – and Charles not knowing what hit him. Life as the Rivenhall’s had known it has been quite undone. Along the way, Sophy has a great deal of fun, and so do we.

Life at Berkeley Square had become all at once full of fun and excitement. Even Lord Ombersley was aware of it. “By God, I don’t know what’s come over you all, for the place was used to be as lively as a tomb!”

Visiting Regency London is always a treat through Georgette Heyer’s astute eye. Her historical references are quite amazing. The descriptions of clothing, fabrics and furnishing were sumptuous. Her attention to the details of Regency carriages and horsemanship, was spot on. The plot kept me turning pages quickly, eager to see what Sophy’s next antic would be, and which couples would be together by the conclusion of the novel. Through Sophy’s exuberant personality we meet a heroine whose qualities of self assurance, conviction and zest for life are infectious. I had to laugh out loud when even the stuffy Rivenhall butler Dassett acknowledged that Sophy is a gem.

“I venture to say, she is a lady as knows precisely how things should be done. A great pleasure, if I may be pardoned the liberty, to work for Miss Sophy, for she thinks of everything, and I fancy there will be no hitch to mar the festivities.”

Yes, The Grand Sophy knows precisely how things should be done, and I would not have it any other way. This was by far my most enjoyable read this year. Fun, engaging and hilarious, I can not recommend it more highly. Sophy is a devilishly fine girl.

5 out of 5 Regency Stars

Becky’s Book Reviews Rebecca Laney
Why couldn’t Emma be more like Sophy? When Sophy Stanton-Lucy comes to visit her cousins (and stay with her aunt and uncle), she brings something vitally refreshing to the household. Charles Rivenhall, the ’man’ of the household in a way, since he is the one holding the purse strings, is engaged to be married to a prim-and-proper (and-sometimes-meddling) young lady, Eugenia Wraxton. Cecelia Rivenhall is in love with a poet, Augustus Fawnhope. But her parents—and her brother—would much prefer her to marry Lord Charlbury. Unfortunately right after he spoke with her father but before he could present himself to the lady, he came down with the mumps. While he was out of the picture, Mr. Fawnhope stepped in speaking words of love and admiration. It is up to Sophy to puzzle out the ins and outs of this family and play matchmaker extraordinaire. Throw in a couple of her own suitors buzzing around the place—quite a few eccentrics I might add particularly Lord Bromford—and we’ve got the makings of a great romantic comedy. Sophy is a firecracker of a heroine with a mind of her own and the gumption to say and do what she pleases. But she also has a big heart. Her good intentions sometimes lead her to make ’poor’ choices, but Sophy is strong enough and resourceful enough to take care of herself. A fact that just infuriates her cousin Charles.

Jane Austen’s Emma may be a matchmaker like Sophy. But poor Emma is hopelessly stupid and selfish in comparison. The joke is always on Emma, everything is funny and charming in a way—but it is at her expense. Sophy is a delightful heroine. Sophy is far from selfish. She’s always thinking of others. Wanting others to be happy—to get their happily ever afters. And she’s observant as well. I loved Sophy. I did.

This is a fun little novel that I’m happy to recommend.

All About the {n} Sanchez Nely
When Sophy Stanton-Lacy arrives at her aunt’s doorstep little did they know what was in store for them. Sophy’s father is off on business and has asked his sister to mind after Sophy (quite possibly even find her a suitable match). Her aunt, although a bit reluctant at first, agrees to take Sophy in and introduce her to the ton. But upon her arrival Sophy finds that her cousins’ lives are in a bit of disarray. For one, her cousin Ceclia is smitten with what the family considers an unsuitable suitor (a poet). Then there is her high-strung cousin Charles Rivenall who is determined to marry a horribly prosy bluestocking. Using unorthodox methods, Sophie sets out to put everything to rights... but staying with her relatives could be her biggest challenge yet... especially since it seems that she has finally met her match.

Sophy is a this fantastic, fun-loving, unconventional, and adorable heroine. In my book of heroines, she is only second to one Miss Elizabeth Bennett. The fact that her motivation for all her escapades is a desire to make other people happy makes her absolutely endearing. Her determination to force Mr. Rivehnall to lighten up and the inevitable battles that ensue provide pure delightful entertainment. Although at first you are not too fond of Mr. Rivenhall, he actually turns out to be the perfect gentleman with a need for exactly someone like Sophy to provide just what his life was lacking. All the secondary characters were just as entertaining as her main characters. I loved them all - from the distracted poet to the lazy, Spanish Marquesa, even all of the crazy animals. In the span of a few pages, Heyer manages to break three betrothals, create two new engagements, one marriage, and through it all leaves everyone, including the reader, perfectly satisfied.

This is regency romance with a sense of humor. Sophy grabs you and takes you on a ride you don’t want to end. With fabulous characters, zany laugh-out-loud moments, and the need to see just what she will come up with next.

You just HAVE to read this!

The Book Binge
My Thoughts: Right from the very first page I was sucked into Sophy’s crazy little world. In any other writer’s hand, I’m sure Sophy would come off as insufferable and a little miss know it all. But Sophy is molded by Georgette Heyer’s genius and she’s a great character. She is a miss know it all, but she also recognizes her faults. She admits when she might have gotten herself into a somewhat dangerous situation...once or twice and she knows she has a terrible temper that makes her act rashly. But these are all endearing things. She’s smart, independent, and kind-hearted. She also bows down to propriety when it suits her needs.

Which is something that drives Charles crazy! He’s barely dragged his family out of debt and he shoulders quite a lot of burden. So the last thing he needs is someone else he has to watch out for. That’s why Miss Wrexton is the perfect lady for him. She knows the rules of society and abides by them. Her reputation is without fault. She’s also dull as doorknob and Charles, when seeing Miss Wrexton next to Sophy, can see how alive his cousin is. Miss Wrexton also thinks she superior to everyone, and believes as Charles’ fiancee she can lecture them on their proper place.

The sparks that Sophy and Charles strike off each other are quite fiery indeed. And it’s all in the dialog, which is excellent. I do love witty banter.

As much as I love The Grand Sophy, the ending did lag a little bit. The ending is one big farce of a situation that had me cracking up by the time it was resolved, but the build-up to the resolution was a bit meh. For that, I’m giving the Grand Sophy an A-, rather than an A.

4.5 out of 5

Lesa’s Book Critiques Lesa Holstine
August 16 is Georgette Heyer’s birthday, so August is the perfect time to review one of her most popular books, The Grand Sophy.

When Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy shows up at his sister’s house, she doesn’t realize the impending changes about to take place in the Ombersley household. Sir Horace, on his way to Brazil on a diplomatic mission, is sending his twenty-year-old daughter, Sophy, to stay with his sister. The family expects a "little Sophy" who has been living with her widowed father. The self-confident tall woman who arrives with her parrot, greyhound, monkey, and horse, isn’t what anyone expected.

And, if the Honourable Charles Rivenhall, Sophy’s cousin, thought he was going to control Sophy, and quietly introduce her to society, he needed to think again. For Sophy, known as "The Grand Sophy" to the gentleman soldiers who had been stationed in Europe when she was there, is determined to straighten out the sad lives of her cousins, including Charles, engaged to a woman that Sophy sees as a deadly bore. The lives of the Ombersley family will never be the same, once Sophy takes over.

Georgette Heyer was known as the "Queen of the Regency romances", and deservedly so. The details of life and clothing in Victorian England is well-researched, and described, without being boring. The characters are unique, and the conversations are enjoyable and witty. And, Sophy is one of the best characters Heyer created. She’s self-confident, humorous, and a born matchmaker. Heyer masterfully created quite a contrast to Sophy in the form of Charles’ fiancée, Miss Wraxton, a stuffy, over-critical, staid woman. Sophy is just so much fun. Charles may find her exasperating, but he also has to find her admirable.

Sourcebooks Casablanca has reissued many of Georgette Heyer’s books this year. It’s been a pleasure to read some of the ones I missed reading the first time around. But, if you only have time to read one of Georgette Heyer’s romances, make it The Grand Sophy.

Book Reviews by Bobbie Bobbie Crawford-McCoy
The Grand Sophy is lively and emotive; a thoroughly satisfying read for all regency era, Historical Romance fans!

The Grand Sophy is a delightful book set in London, England where the story begins in the spring of 1816. When meddlesome Sophy Stanton-Lacy arrives at her aunt’s Berkeley Square home for a lengthily visit, the oppressive atmosphere quickly weighs down on her. Sophy wastes no time and gives her younger cousins a few unique pets to enjoy. Though outspoken, honest and more then a little too cheeky; Sophy’s meddlesome ways cause quite a few quarrels. Even with the best of intentions, she manages to ruffle a lot of feathers. The smoothly-flowing, fast-paced story includes some wonderful plot twists that take the reader on a delightful journey filled with witty characters, humorous dialog and precious, G-rated romance. A rather large cast of characters makes for a veritable menagerie of interactions, clashes and confrontations; this delightful story is packed-full of charm and amusement. Not too long after her arrival, the self-confident Sophie notices that her oldest cousin Charles, Mr. Rivenhall, seems to rule the household with his holier-then-thou, domineering attitude. Never one to back down from a challenge, Sophy makes it one of many important tasks, to transform the dreary home into a house filled with smiles and contentment; unfortunately, the dour Charles does not care for her intrusive behaviour.

A quote from the book – Charles & Sophy:

‘I’ll take care of that!’ he retorted. ‘Let me tell you, my dear cousin, that I should be better pleased if you would refrain from meddling in the affairs of my family!’
‘Now, that’, ’said Sophy’, ‘I am very glad to know, because if ever I should desire to please you I shall know just how to set about it. I daresay I shan’t, but one likes to be prepared for any event, however unlikely.’

Georgette Heyer is the author of more then 50 novels and many of them are being republished by Sourcebooks Inc. I really love this particular story; it made me smile and laugh!
I very highly recommend this book to regency era, historical romance fans and those who enjoy classic literature.

?????????? (10 out of 10 Diamonds) – Absolutely LOVED it!!

A Journey of Books Cinnamon Brown
I absolutely loved the story within the pages of THE GRAND SOPHY. Admittedly, I was a little nervous at first about reading a book written in 1950. Typically I love Historicals…as long as they were written in contemporary times. Perhaps it’s the change in how people write today than in the past, I’m not sure. In either case, I felt myself drawn further into the book with each page that passed, proving that Heyer is a writer that can effectively cross decades and will probably continue to remain fantastic for years to come.

Sophia, or Sophy as she is commonly referred to, has come to live with her aunt while her father travels to Brazil. Especially with a book set in this time period I was expecting a quiet and demur girl walking along through a sensible love story. Instead, I found myself face to face with an independent and witty Sophy who brought spunk to most things that she did. I think it was the spunk that addicted me to the story. I really just wasn’t expecting that in the book given the time period and the time when the book was published. Nevertheless, Heyer gave Sophy a fun loving attitude and an ability to stir things up, both of which made for a wonderful read.

Sophy sets out to fix all the things that are wrong in the Ombersley household and this provided the greatest amount of humor for me. Don’t get me wrong; this isn’t just a humorous book. Heyer also works hard to fill the pages with emotion, intrigue and passion. Certainly not the kind of passion that would require a sensuality rating, but passion in the sense that the reader can really feel what is going on with the characters. Heyer brings her story to life and encourages Sophy and her entourage to jump off the page. It’s not at all difficult to imagine being there with her as we watch Sophy’s story unfold.

If I had to make any recommendation to future readers of THE GRAND SOPHY, I would say this. Bring a piece of paper and writing utensil along for the ride. Sophy’s little marriage plots can get quite complicated! I found myself occasionally flipping back to earlier sections of the book to reread and figure out what exactly was going on. That doesn’t at all mean that the story was poorly written, rather, Heyer wrote a complex and detailed story that really encourages us to think and interact rather than sit idly by and watch the fun happen.

I would have to say that my favorite aspect of THE GRAND SOPHY was how modern the story seemed. It felt very authentic and I don’t doubt that Heyer did a good amount of research into Sophy’s time, but she imbued her own sense of humor and modern feel into the book. This is a story that sits up and grabs your attention rather than sitting idly by, dusty and forgotten on a shelf. I have a feeling that I’ll be grabbing this one time and time again.

Writing: 10
Interest: 10
Passion: 10
Originality: 10
Characters: 10
Pace: 9
Overall: 59/60 - A

Book Cover: 3/3

If you couldn’t already tell, I would definitely give THE GRAND SOPHY a very large A. The story was wonderful and there were a couple times that I actually chuckled out loud, much to the confusion of those around me. I simply smiled and pointed to the book saying, “You have got to read this.” Now, I’m saying it to you. Go find yourself a copy, curl up somewhere and give it a good read. I think that lovers of any kind of fiction, but especially Romance and Historical alike will get quite a bit of enjoyment out of this one.

Cheeky Reads Sabrina Heise
I was extremely excited for the chance to review Georgette Heyer’s The Grand Sophy. Having heard so much about Mrs. Heyer and her books, I was sad to say I’d never read one before now. From the research I did, The Grand Sophy is beloved by readers. In fact, many deem it to be their favorite Heyer book. So, it was the perfect introduction into the world of Mrs. Heyer!

I was not disappointed! When an author and book are hyped so often, I sometimes worry that my expectations could never be met. This time though, they were exceeded and I had a very grand time reading this book.

Sophy was uterly charming character and managed to steal my heart as she does the family in the book. She was smart, sassy and meddlesome to perfection and unlike any other character I’ve read from writers of Mrs. Heyer’s time period. It was a blast reading Sophy’s exploits!

Heyer perfectly twisted a tale that includes a cast of characters you’ll root for and some you’ll root against, which makes it all the more fun. Through it all, you just know that Sophy will figure out how to set it all right and find her own happily ever after.

I can only wonder how I made it through advanced high school English classes and an English Major in college and not have been introduced to Mrs. Heyer. Mrs. Heyer should be required reading right alongside the likes of Austen and the Bronte sisters. Likewise, where are all the BBC adaptations of her books!

I’m very against spoilers, so I won’t go into too much detail here except to say that if you haven’t read The Grand Sophy you should do so immediately!

Once Upon a Romance Marlene Breakfield
Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy, a diplomat, must travel to South America, so he leaves his daughter, Sophy, with his sister’s family. The Hon. Charles Rivenhall, the eldest child of Sir Horace’s sister, is used ruling the roost in his family and is much put out when Sophy starts her meddling. Because Sophy sees the family as needing her help, she begins to interfere in their lives and liven things up. This once somber household becomes quite lively, because of Sophy’s antics.

The Grand Sophy is a very entertaining Regency romance with wonderfully eccentric characters and a very humorous plot. Sophy is a managing female, who is quite capable of taking care of herself and everyone else— a unique quality in Regency heroines. Poor Charles, who is used to giving the orders and being the responsible one, is gobsmacked by Sophy. Charles can’t control Sophy, but finds he admires her, in spite of himself. By the ending, Sophy has brought humor and light into everyone’s life, and Charles, who was on his way to a staid, humdrum life, finds himself in love and anticipating an exciting future.

The Grand Sophy is Heyer at her best— the historical feel is spot on and the chuckles are continuous. This book is highly recommended.

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Specs / Support

Trade Paper Specfications

• Length: 8.00 in
• Width: 5.25 in
• Height: 0.00 in
• Weight: 18.00 oz
• Page Count: 384 pages