I know a lot of people who really enjoy Georgette Heyer’s books. In fact, I have never heard a bad thing about her books. So, when Sourcebooks e-mailed me asking me if I wanted to read and review one of her books on my blog, I was definitely interested. As it turns out, Sourcebooks is re-releasing a selection of Heyer’s titles this year. (In all honesty, I will admit that I am surprised that they’ve waited this long what with the number of different publications of Austen’s works one can find in the bookstores currently.) Black Sheep will be released in June.

Black Sheep centers on Abigail Wendover, a 28-year-old single woman living with her sister and niece in Bath. Fanny, Abby’s niece, is not yet of-age, and yet finds herself “in love” with Stacy Caverleigh, a fortune hunter trying to regain his own lost fortune. In an attempt to prevent an elopement between Fanny and Stacy, Abby enlists the help of Stacy’s estranged uncle, Miles Caverleigh who has recently returned to England from being exiled to India by his family in his youth. Unknown to everyone in England, India agreed with Miles quite well, and he has gained his own fortune, but he is still considered to be the “black sheep” of the Caverleigh family, and not a suitable husband for anyone from a good family. Long story short, as to be expected from this sort of book, Abigail and Miles fall in love, though Abby is torn between her love for Miles and her relationship with her family (who claim they will disown her if she marries Miles).

The characters were wonderful, and the dialogue was witty and amusing. It was predictable, but that is what you would expect from this type of book. Of course the girl’s going to get the guy, everyone’s problems are going to work out wonderfully and all will live happily ever after.

As my first foray into Heyer’s Regency romances, it was certainly successful. I finished the book feeling the complete satisfaction that only a good read can leave you with. I can see why Jane Austen fans really enjoy her books, and I will definitely be reading more of Heyer’s works.