The Cotillion by Georgette Heyer: A Review

The Cotillion by Georgette Heyer begins in the depressing Arnside, where our heroine Kitty has lived all her life. Kitty is the ward of the scrooge-ish man, Mr. Penicuik, he summons his five unmarried great nephews to join him at Arnside for an important announcement. When the two that showed up on time (an the one who wasn't even invited) their Great Uncle announces that he is giving his vast fortune to his ward, Kitty, but only under the condition that she marries one of his great nephews.Enter Kitty her only problem besides the unwanted proposals of an oaf and a pastor, the man she "fancied herself in love with", Jack, doesn't show up!

After refusing two proposals she by chance meets up with Freddy Standen, one of Mr. Penicuik's great nephews, and comes up with the brilliant idea for him to propose and to pretend they are engaged so Kitty can experience the joys of London before she returns to her dull chilly life at Arnside. Ruefully Freddy agrees and she is swept off to London where she makes the most unusual acquaintances, plans the most outrageous schemes, learns to dance an amazing waltz, and finds love in an unexpected place.

Personally I think Heyer could have focused more on the main characters Freddy and Kitty, but I love this book. The ending is so adorable and it wraps up all the plots quite nicely. Definitely a recommended read, but if you are looking for a more comedic Heyer Romance novel I'd go for The Corinthian or The Convenient Marriage. But all in all three out of five stars.

Favorite Quotations from The Cotillion:
"No one could have called Mr. Standen quick-witted, but the possession of three sisters had considerably sharpened his instinct of self-preservation."


"Now you be a good girl, Meg, and don't, for the Lord's sake, try to think." Freddy Standen