The Rules of Gentility
by Janet Mullany
Georgette Heyer’s Cotillionmeets Bridget Jones’ Diary–this highly entertaining regency novel is a delight from start to finish! Author Janet Mullany began writing this book as a personal project, but it grew into a full-fledged book, and I am happy to have spent a day and a half in the world of Philomena Wellesley-Clegg and Inigo Linsley (which is quick reading for me)!
While Philomena is busy making lists, looking for a husband and shopping for bonnets, Inigo waltzes into the mix and upsets all of her plans. When things going awry, they conspire to alter outward appearances, all the while falling for each other no matter how much they strive otherwise. Secrets abound within their group of acquaintances, and we see ton snobbery, fortune hunters and class bias everywhere–there is more to this read than just a light, humorous tale.
Though not the most probable of plots, and with personalities and ideas too open-minded for the era, this is still an eye-opening Regency that sticks close enough to the period standards to be enjoyable. It is witty and laugh-out-loud funny, and definitely a great pick for Regency and Georgette Heyer fans!