I love Georgette Heyer, so eagerly picked up A Bachelor Establishment, both the book and the audio version. I appreciated the older main characters, and found it both moving and laugh out loud engaging. Not one to listen to when out walking the dog.
I had always wondered why it was originally authoured by Isabella Barclay since she was such a cow in the St Mary's novels. I guess I should have realised there must have been some tongue firmly in cheek.
It was fun reading about older main characters! And besides cheering for Elinor and John's developing relationship, I had a soft spot for Laura and Charles.
I enjoyed reading this so much more than I thought I would. Glad I didn't let the Isabella Barclay association put me off any longer! A great book to start the year with.
I remember enjoying this one a while back, while waiting on the next St Mary’s. I’ll admit I wouldn’t seek out another similar book in the genre, but I enjoyed the story and the flow of the action, and I appreciated its slightly shorter length.
A bit late to the party as I was finishing off another book, but I have managed to squeeze into January. As a long time admirer of Georgette Heyer's books, I loved this clever homage with a Jodi twist. I would love to see more books in this genre from Ms Taylor but I suppose she is quite busy! Thank you for this 'Year of Reading' and I am really looking forward to February's White Silence.
At first the Isabella Barclay had me so confused. She’s an awful person, why am I enjoying a book wrote by her!!!! Had to tell myself to let it all go, as it’s all entirely fictional and really it is Jodi Taylor behind it all who is a very nice person.
I wish you had more time to write historical romance too. I liked how it wasn’t too formulaic. Older characters, heroine is competent and self sufficient. Hero although arrogant is so for good reasons and softens when he finds out the truth. Though I’m wondering what happens to his title. Are they too old to produce an heir?
My favourite romance is normally time travelling men in kilts ( I think this has become a genre) but absolutely loved this story so much I have it on audible. Great for driving to, cleaning, pretending to work, crafting.
Thanks for your comment - yes, they are too old and Elinor can't have more children anyway, but there is an heir. Captain Francis Ryde, currently serving in the army in the post-Napoleonic wars and no more enthusiastic about running an estate that John was.
I enjoy this book tremendously! I read it during the summer for the second time and revisiting it now as part of this Year of Reading was still such a pleasure. Elinor and John were completely delightful, as were Laura and Charles and the Elliots.
Terrifically diverting read for the interregnum between Christmas and New Year, inclined on the chaise with sweet meats at hand!
My only question is - why was she shot? Was that also connected to the people pretending to be the widowed sister-in-law etc? That action seemed to take place very early on; they must have been aboard a VERY fast boat?
'A Bachelor Establishment' was my first Jodi Taylor book - I am also a devotee of Georgette Heyer. I enjoyed it so much I googled to see if Jodi had written anything else (!), and discovered St Mary's. Joy of joys. There were six or seven books in existence when I discovered the series so I had a wonderful time steeping myself in Max's world before joining the ranks of the fans impatiently waiting The Next Book. I've listened to 'A Bachelor Establishment' several times and it will always have a special place in my heart as my introduction to Jodi. Hope they don't mess it up too much for TV.
The Corinthian! I adore Richard (stop, my beating heart!) and his dawnng realisation that maybe there is love out there. Complex plot, great secondary characters and a nod to gender diversity that was probably quite radical for the time. Next favourites are Cotillion, Friday's Child and Frederica. If I'm allowed to have more than one...
I really like this book- loved the humour and the main characters but would have liked more of the others in it- Laura and Charles- the various servants etc. Definitely up there with Georgette Heyer herself
I love Georgette Heyer, so eagerly picked up A Bachelor Establishment, both the book and the audio version. I appreciated the older main characters, and found it both moving and laugh out loud engaging. Not one to listen to when out walking the dog.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
I had always wondered why it was originally authoured by Isabella Barclay since she was such a cow in the St Mary's novels. I guess I should have realised there must have been some tongue firmly in cheek.
It was fun reading about older main characters! And besides cheering for Elinor and John's developing relationship, I had a soft spot for Laura and Charles.
I enjoyed reading this so much more than I thought I would. Glad I didn't let the Isabella Barclay association put me off any longer! A great book to start the year with.
That's lovely. Happy New Year and Happy Reading!
I remember enjoying this one a while back, while waiting on the next St Mary’s. I’ll admit I wouldn’t seek out another similar book in the genre, but I enjoyed the story and the flow of the action, and I appreciated its slightly shorter length.
Standing by and ready for this year’s books!
In February we have White Silence - Book one in the Elizabeth Cage series.
A bit late to the party as I was finishing off another book, but I have managed to squeeze into January. As a long time admirer of Georgette Heyer's books, I loved this clever homage with a Jodi twist. I would love to see more books in this genre from Ms Taylor but I suppose she is quite busy! Thank you for this 'Year of Reading' and I am really looking forward to February's White Silence.
At first the Isabella Barclay had me so confused. She’s an awful person, why am I enjoying a book wrote by her!!!! Had to tell myself to let it all go, as it’s all entirely fictional and really it is Jodi Taylor behind it all who is a very nice person.
I wish you had more time to write historical romance too. I liked how it wasn’t too formulaic. Older characters, heroine is competent and self sufficient. Hero although arrogant is so for good reasons and softens when he finds out the truth. Though I’m wondering what happens to his title. Are they too old to produce an heir?
My favourite romance is normally time travelling men in kilts ( I think this has become a genre) but absolutely loved this story so much I have it on audible. Great for driving to, cleaning, pretending to work, crafting.
Thanks for your comment - yes, they are too old and Elinor can't have more children anyway, but there is an heir. Captain Francis Ryde, currently serving in the army in the post-Napoleonic wars and no more enthusiastic about running an estate that John was.
Do like how certain words crop up regularly in several books, for instance "miscreants".
This was delightful! I so enjoyed this book and the push to read it. Thank you!
I enjoy this book tremendously! I read it during the summer for the second time and revisiting it now as part of this Year of Reading was still such a pleasure. Elinor and John were completely delightful, as were Laura and Charles and the Elliots.
This is my favorite Jodi Taylor book. I was pleasantly surprised by this book.
Terrifically diverting read for the interregnum between Christmas and New Year, inclined on the chaise with sweet meats at hand!
My only question is - why was she shot? Was that also connected to the people pretending to be the widowed sister-in-law etc? That action seemed to take place very early on; they must have been aboard a VERY fast boat?
Yes, it was by the tricksters and I'm afraid I don't remember the timeline.
So thrilled to learn Georgette Heyer meant the same to you as to myself and my mother. Can not wait to read A Bachelor Establishment now.
Isabella Barclay was an absolutely despicable person but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t write a good book 😉
Thankfully Jody is nothing like her!
'A Bachelor Establishment' was my first Jodi Taylor book - I am also a devotee of Georgette Heyer. I enjoyed it so much I googled to see if Jodi had written anything else (!), and discovered St Mary's. Joy of joys. There were six or seven books in existence when I discovered the series so I had a wonderful time steeping myself in Max's world before joining the ranks of the fans impatiently waiting The Next Book. I've listened to 'A Bachelor Establishment' several times and it will always have a special place in my heart as my introduction to Jodi. Hope they don't mess it up too much for TV.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. I adore Georgette Heyer too. My favourite is These Old Shades. What is yours?
Took me a while to decide! ‘The Corinthian’ is my fave - am in love with Richard Wyndham… Plucky heroine and great secondary characters.
The Corinthian! I adore Richard (stop, my beating heart!) and his dawnng realisation that maybe there is love out there. Complex plot, great secondary characters and a nod to gender diversity that was probably quite radical for the time. Next favourites are Cotillion, Friday's Child and Frederica. If I'm allowed to have more than one...
I really like this book- loved the humour and the main characters but would have liked more of the others in it- Laura and Charles- the various servants etc. Definitely up there with Georgette Heyer herself