Kathy Hamilton (I only share books that I believe in. If you buy through my links, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support)
Georgette Heyer is one of the most beloved historical romance novelists of all time. She wrote over fifty novels in her lifetime, many of which have become timeless classics and still have a devoted fanbase today. But what are the 10 best Georgette Heyer books?
Georgette Heyer’s Signature Style
A true master of the British Regency era. There really is no one quite like Georgette Heyer and part of the reason her novels still capture the hearts of modern readers is her signature style.
A good Heyer novel features witty banter, sparkling dialogue, strong-willed characters, intricate plots, and a great sense of fun and adventure. She was also incredibly well-researched.
Filling her novels with accurate period detail that draws readers into the world of the past. Georgette Heyer’s legacy lives on in her amazing novels. However, with so many books to choose from which books come out on top as reader favourites? Let’s have a look.
10 Best Georgette Heyer Books
The Grand Sophy
” When the redoubtable Sir Horace Stanton-Lacy is ordered to South America on business, he leaves his only daughter Sophy with his sister, Lady Ombersley, in Berkeley Square. But Sophy’s cousins are in a sad state, and she’s arrived just in time to save them all. But she hadn’t reckoned with Charles Rivenhall, the Ombersleys’ heir, who is very unappreciative of her efforts.
Starting of with probably one of the best Georgette Heyer books according to fans. Sophy has never met a challenge she can’t overcome. Finding lodgings in a foreign country during the Napoleonic wars – no problem. Hosting parties for the most famous people of her age, a cinch.
She’s used to managing a household and everyone in it entirely to her own satisfaction. So when you add in a family of cousins who’d rather she didn’t you have a perfect set-up for a romance.
I like to think of this book as Georgette Heyer’s homage to Emma by Jane Austen. Like Emma, Sophy is confident, authoritative and often overzealous in her determination to fix things.
But this urge comes from strong loyalty to those she loves and a desire to make everyone around her happier. It’s lovely watching Sophy learn that she doesn’t have to take every problem on her own shoulders. Add in a nice enemies-to-lovers romance, and it’s got everything!
Friday’s Child – Georgette Heyer’s Favourite Book:
“Rejected by Miss Milborne, the Incomparable, for his unsteadiness of character, wild Lord Sheringham is bent on avenging Fate. Vowing to marry the first woman to cross his way, who should he see but Hero Wantage, the young and charmingly unsophisticated girl, who has loved him since childhood …
Famously, Georgette Heyer only kept one piece of fan mail. A letter, which reached her from a Romanian political prisoner who kept herself, and fellow prisoners, sane by recounting the plot of Friday’s Child over and over again. Beyond this heart-wrenching story, Friday’s Child is more than worthy of a place on any list of best Georgette Heyer books.
This is Georgette Heyer, doing what she does best. As Sherry and Hero plunge headlong into an ill-thought-out marriage, guided by well-meaning but woefully unprepared friends, she gives her talent for writing funny plots full of mishaps full reign.
What is refreshing here is that Georgette Heyer gives us such a young and immature hero. With a huge capacity for growth. As a result, despite being older than Hero, the power imbalance never feels too big. Instead, we find a couple who can mature and learn together.
While keeping the best bits of their individual personalities intact. This, coupled with some of the best side characters I’ve ever encountered makes it a must-read.
Venetia
“In all her twenty-five years, Venetia Lanyon has never been further than Harrogate. Nor has she enjoyed the attentions of any man aside from her two wearisomely persistent suitors. Then, in one extraordinary encounter, she meets a neighbour she only knew by reputation – the infamous Jasper Damerel. Before she realises it, Venetia is encouraging a man whose way of life has scandalised the North Riding for years.
Venetia is a huge fan favourite and for good reason. If you’ve never read a Georgette Heyer book, this may be the best one to start with. Of all Georgette Heyer’s regency romances, this one is possibly the most achingly romantic.
Venetia is a woman who has shouldered a lot of responsibility at a young age. She has also been kept at home thanks to various selfishly-minded family members. So, watching her fall in love, and with someone so “wrong” on paper is wonderful.
Damerel, the love interest, is initially introduced as a rake. But what’s different is that Venetia never tries to pretend he doesn’t have a past.
She is able to see all that he is and love him in spite of his flaws. In turn, he is one of the few people in Venetia’s life who truly wants what’s best for her. It’s this care that helps both characters realise what they want from life, and gives them to courage to go after it.
Frederica
“Rich and handsome, the Marquis of Alverstoke sees no reason to put himself out for anyone. Until a distant connection, ignorant of his selfishness, applies to him for help. Lovely, competent, and refreshingly straightforward, Frederica Merriville makes such a strong impression that to his own amazement, the Marquis agrees to help launch her family into society. Soon, Lord Alverstoke can’t resist continuing to help her and, despite trying to keep his distance, he soon finds himself drawn into her delightful world.
If you love the huge family dynamics in books like the Bridgerton Novels by Julia Quinn, you will love Frederica. This is one of the best Georgette Heyer books specifically because of its close family dynamics. Frederica is smart, charming, funny and sincere.
Her love for her family is a guiding principle in life. And once you meet them it’s easy to see why. Her brothers, Jessamy and Felix, provide most of the novel’s escapades and joy, helping to bring Lord Alverstoke out of his self-imposed boredom.
What really works in Frederica is the fact that, despite wanting her family to be launched into the Aristocratic world, it’s Lord Alverstoke who finds himself drawn into her sphere instead.
The warmth, banter and joy of living together with a family who you love are irresistible. Additionally, the secondary characters have depth and feel realistic instead of props that propel the romance. I once read a review that said, this book feels like Georgette Heyer wrote it whilst smiling, and this really feels like the best way to describe it.
The Quiet Gentleman
Returning to his family seat from Waterloo, Gervase Frant, seventh Earl of St Erth, could have expected more enthusiasm for his homecoming. His quiet cousin, stepmother, and young half-brother seem openly disappointed that he survived the wars. And when he begins to fall for his half-brother’s sweetheart, his chilly reception goes from unfriendly to positively murderous.
Georgette Heyer was a master of Regency romance. But did you know she also turned her hand to murder mysteries as well? In The Quiet Gentleman, she combines both and creates a romantic mystery and one of her most unique novels set in the Regency Era. In fact, this duality also gives readers a fresh perspective, as the main character is, uncharacteristically, a man.
Gervaise is a wonderful character, with many people around him taking his quietness for lack of strength. But he is no shrinking violet, so when someone tries to kill him he doesn’t take it lying down!
Plus, I get the feeling Georgette Heyer really enjoyed writing the characters of his not-so-loving family. This one is the best Georgette Heyer novel to read if you enjoy a good Agatha Christie novel but sometimes wish there was a little more romance thrown in!
These Old Shades
Under the reign of Louis XV, corruption and intrigue have been allowed to blossom in France. Lord Justin Alastair, the notorious Duke of Avon, known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. Society believes the worst of Justin, who is clearly proud of his sobriquet, ‘Satanas’. In a dark Parisian back alley, he is accosted by Leon, a young person dressed in ragged clothing running away from a brutal rustic guardian. The Duke buys Leon, a redheaded urchin with strangely familiar looks…
If you’re looking for the best Georgette Heyer book this might just be it. A long-time fan favourite. In These Old Shades, Georgette Heyer switches up the time period a little and takes us back to pre-revolutionary France. A world of opulence, glittering balls and intrigue.
Here, she is able to fully indulge her skill for setting a scene. Describing the colourful world of those living at the epicentre of high society in the 1700s.
This book does not follow the typical romance formula. Avon is, at first, a cold and calculating character and somewhat of an enigma. When he first meets Leonie, he encourages her to continue to pretend to be a boy.
Hardly promising beginnings. But it is a testament to Heyer’s skill that Avon gradually evolves into a truly multifaceted hero. As his love for Leonie grows, almost against his will, he begins to appreciate the joys of life. He becomes closer to his own family and friends. And he tries to become the person Leonie believes him to be.
Devil’s Cub
Duellist and gamester, the young Marquis of Vidal had fairly earned the sobriquet ‘Devil’s Cub’. A tribute to the wilder excesses of his father, the Duke of Avon. When Mary Challoner discovered Dominic’s plans to run away with her lovely sister, she donned cloak and mask in a daring impersonation and found herself bound for France with the most notorious rake in Georgian London.
Devil’s Cub is almost unique amongst Georgette Heyer’s lengthy canon of books. It is a sequel! Although it can be read as a stand-alone novel, it follows the next generation from These Old Shades and features Avon and Leonie’s wild son, Dominic.
You can always count on Georgette Heyer to give you an entertaining read but this one really excels. From start to finish it’s packed with adventure, romance and fun.
Mary Challoner is a perfect heroine. She’s feisty and smart and more than a match for the Devil’s Cub. She also challenges him to be better. Showing him that his immaturity and boredom are what ultimately drive his bad reputation.
I love when Heyer gives readers a young and immature hero who is challenged to come up to the standard of a worthy heroine. It feels like it flips the script a bit. If you love, enemies-to-lovers plots, you’ll absolutely melt when you read this one!
Cotillion
The three great-nephews of cantankerous Mr Penicuik know better than to ignore his summons, especially when it concerns the bestowal of his fortune — the wily old gentleman has hatched a typically freakish plan for his stepdaughter’s future and his own amusement: his fortune will be Kitty’s dowry. But while the beaux are scrambling for her hand, Kitty counters with her own inventive, if daring, scheme: a sham engagement which should keep wedlock at bay …
Cotillion is personally one of my best Georgette Heyer books. As a huge fan of a friends-to-lovers plot, I really appreciate they way Freddy and Kitty slowly grow together in this book.
I love when a hero and heroine bring out each other’s best qualities and this is especially the case here. Freddy is not an alpha hero but he’s exactly the man you’d want if you needed to find a carriage in a hurry. He’s a best friend to Kitty long before she realises she loves him.
Plus, this is probably one of Georgette Heyer’s most laugh-out-loud books! I love her collection of eccentric characters. From Rakish Cousin Camille to prim Miss Fish (who loves to talk through the medium of poetic quotes) and Kitty and Freddy themselves.
The plot, as the title suggests, is a dizzying dance featuring many different couples leading to a fantastic show down in the final chapter that never fails to make me laugh.
Arabella
Daughter of a modest country clergyman, Arabella Tallant is on her way to London when her carriage breaks down outside the hunting lodge of the wealthy Mr. Robert Beaumaris. Her pride stung when she overhears a remark of her host’s. Arabella pretends to be an heiress, a pretence that deeply amuses the jaded Beau. To counter her white lie, Beaumaris launches her into high society and thereby subjects her to all kinds of fortune hunters and other embarrassments.
If you love a strong and witty heroine, then Arabella is definitely for you. From the start Arabella is caught in a web of accidental lies. Caused by her bad temper, she can do nothing but go along with them.
This is the book that reminds me of Anthony and Kate in Bridgerton. With plenty of banter and quips and Arabella’s habit of foisting orphaned animals on Robert.
In this book, Georgette Heyer lets her talent for dialogue shine. With both characters playing a game with each other, each not entirely sure the other is in on the joke.
Plus, unlike some of the other books in this list, there is less of an age discrepancy here. Arabella feels a lot more mature and self-confident and proves more than a match for Robert.
Sylvester
Endowed with rank, wealth and elegance. Sylvester, Duke of Salford, posts into Wiltshire to discover if the Honorable Phoebe Marlow will meet his exacting requirements for a bride. If he does not expect to meet a tongue-tied stripling wanting both manners and conduct, then he is intrigued indeed when his visit causes Phoebe to flee her home. They meet again on the road to London, where her carriage has come to grief in the snow. Yet Phoebe, already caught in one imbroglio, now knows she soon could be well deep in another …
After a recent re-read of Sylvester, I knew it was more than worthy of a place on any list of best Georgette Heyer books. This one has it all – a feisty heroine and a hero who needs to learn a little humility. Some hilarious secondary characters and a determined matchmaker who works behind the scenes to make it all come together.
Throw in a runaway success novel written by an ‘anonymous’ author. Plus enough sizzling chemistry to satisfy anyone, and you really have a recipe for success here.
Georgette Heyer was a fan of naming books after her protagonists. However, in this case, I really think it does the book a disservice. Sylvester gives nothing away and, I think, readers may miss out on a real treat because of this.
This is one of Heyer’s novels that I could see working in a TV adaptation. Since she went to town with fleshing out secondary characters and developing a plot that feels more involved than simply leaving two characters alone for long enough to fall in love! Read it, you’ll love it.
A Final Note
Georgette Heyer wrote so many amazing books that it’s a challenge to narrow down the list. As with any popular author, it’s impossible to include everyone’s favourite book. But with this mix of fan favourites, my personal favourites and a few novels that may surprise longtime readers – there’s something for everyone!
