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!