Yes, it all started at Annie Richmond’s party.Īs a writer of romantic comedy, how could I leave Jilly Cooper behind on the sinking ship? Just as I’d finished reading all the Georgette Heyers and ploughed my way through historical novels thick enough to be used as doorstops, I discovered Jilly.

She’d never have met the wild and mysterious Marina, a wraith from Rory’s past, nor her brother, the disagreeable Finn Maclean never have spent a night in a haunted highland castle, or been caught stealing roses in a see-through nightie… If Emily hadn’t gone to Annie Richmond’s party, she would never have met the impossible irresistible Rory Balniel – never have married him and been carried off to the wild Scottish island of Irasa to live in his ancestral home along with his eccentric mother, Coco, and the dog, Walter Scott. Quite simply – Bridgerton, without the sex. Through its pages I can dance a cotillion, ride in a curricle accompanied by my Tiger and become the toast of the Bath. I could buy a new copy, but where’s the fun in that? I’ve never tired of it so I guess it belongs on my desert island with me.

And, as is the way with these things, she reforms him and don’t they say reformed rakes make the best husbands? I used to re-read this book when I was feeling down or recovering from the flu etc. Also, who could resist unsophisticated Hero Wantage who agrees to enter a marriage of convenience with Regency Buck Lord Sheringham whom she’s secretly loved all her life. Especially Ferdy who believes he is being stalked by a Greek because he’s told that one day he will ‘meet his ‘Nemesis’. The characters and historical background of ‘the ton’ and the slang which Heyer has down to a tee are what make the novel for me. I bought my copy of Friday’s Child for 3/6 (17p) back in 1965 and it was passed round the sixth form as we laughed at the antics of the characters and relived their adventures. The chaos that follows will push friendships – and hearts – to breaking point.īefore Pride and Prejudice hit our screens, Georgette Heyer was my go-to author for Regency romances.

When the dashing Lord Sherry proposes out of the blue, Hero is overjoyed – she’ll escape a life as a governess and, once they wed, he can finally claim his inheritance.īut as Hero attempts to social climb in glamorous London society, Sherry is concerned that her naivety will ruin them both and takes drastic action. Hero Wantage is desperate to change her fate. Let’s see what she has chosen from all the books even written as the ones she would like to be stuck with indefinitely, shall we?īook One – Friday’s Child by Georgette Heyer Today’s literary castaway, stranded on a deserted beach with only five books and one luxury item to keep her company, is author, Lizzie Lamb.

Tall, Dark and Kilted by Lizzie Lamb