About my reviews

I read a lot of Regency and a few early Victorian books which post-date Georgette Heyer, from 1980 onwards. Some of them are from my sweep of birthday Regencies (a comparison of older, more recent and current bestselling Regencies) and my later more random birthday selection. I’ve rated them according to how much I enjoyed them, which is very subjective, but I’ve never discovered an objective measure for books. Sometimes a book will just appeal to me (or not) depending on my mood. Bear in mind also that I’m a stickler for historical accuracy. Not everyone knows or even cares about the correct form of address for a duke, but I do, and I’ll enjoy a book less if the author gets that wrong, or trips over one of the myriad other nuances of Regency life. I don’t mind a little sex in my Regencies, as long as it’s in keeping with the plot and the mores of the times, but for those who don’t want graphic sex, I’ve marked ‘Trad’ against books that (as far as I know) conform to the traditions of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, and stay out of the bedroom.

My ratings:

  • 5*: I enjoyed it hugely, and any niggles didn’t bother me at all.
  • 4*: a great read, with a few issues that interfered with my enjoyment, but still recommended.
  • 3*: a good read but with some issues for me that may not bother others.
  • 2*, 1*, DNF: if I dislike a book or don’t finish it, I don’t usually review it.

AUTHORS! I don’t want to malign you unfairly, so if I’ve got something wrong in a review, or you’ve fixed an error I mention, please let me know and I’ll update the review. Email me here.