I love this book....over and over again.

Well. Quite the most snobbish classism in this one. To the point that the plot half revolves around it! I didn’t quite expect how it turned out, and it’s even more complicated in its manners and attitudes than the last one I read. I think I prefer Heyer when she’s not writing about quite such high society.

Rated as such because Leonie and Rupert don't end up together and they clearly should have.

Merde! what a book! When I read 'The Grand Sophy' I was certain no other book will come close. Thank you Georgette Heyer for proving me sadly wrong. This book is above and beyond my expectations. It has wit and so much heart. Each and every character was so well drawn and real and I was quite heartbroken when I got to the end.
Heyer does set a high standard and everyone else must try to measure up. When I'm in a less excited state of mind, I will attempt a proper review. And could there be a more challenging hero? Alistair hmmm...

I am reminded of why, like H.P. Lovecraft, I prefer later writers under Heyer’s influence (Fantasy of Manners, mainly) to Heyer herself. This was amusing enough, but was enough of both a romance novel and a product of its time to leave me rather cold, titian-haired imps notwithstanding.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the book but it was not my favorite Heyer novel. I did like the madcap chase in the middle quite a bit though.

So confused as to why everyone likes this so much! It hasn't aged well! I can't decide which main character annoyed me more... the secondary cast was interesting, but you can tell this was written several decades before my favourites by her.

Cute but aspects of it did not age well--especially a 19-year-old being presented as SO childlike.

Probably the Heyer with the most depth I've read so far. I really enjoyed this and I cried.

I actually read Devil's Cub first (not realizing this was a bit of a series), so going back in time with this one. I may actually go reread the Devil's Cub now...

But back to These Old Shades - it took me a bit to get into this one. I tend to like Heyer's later novels (Black Sheep may be my favorite) - the heros and heroines are older and a bit less silly. I believe the author was only 20 herself when this novel was written so I suppose it makes sense.

My biggest issue with this book was the age difference between Leonie and Justin. Twenty years is a bigggg gap and it’s not like Leonie is mature or Justin doesn’t spend the majority of the book saying she was his ward and calling her infant. At least the other characters acknowledge there’s an age difference and I must say the last chapter made it feel more realistic for me. So yeah, I do wish maybe it was ten years or less (because in the back of my mind there’s this huge inequity between the couple which I don’t like but on the other hand, Leonie is kind of Justin’s redemption and it melts my heart a bit).

My second issue was this revenge thing - I didn’t read The Black Moth, but it felt like Justin’s need for revenge was a bit flimsy, although in the end Leonie’s dad did prove himself to be utter trash.

Still, I read Georgette Heyer for a little light romance, so I can’t say I didn’t get what I came for!

The secondary characters were especially well done - Hugh, Edward, Fanny, Rupert, and Tony felt like more than just window dressing and added to the fabric of the story. Over all a very enjoyable read and I think I shall go find my copy of the Devil’s Cub!