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Seventh Heaven
A Romance NovelIn the tradition of Regency Romance, a Georgian romp in a sweet and crazy tale of the poet and the wealthy widow.Can Louisa’s common sense save her from falling in with the disreputable gold-digging Berownes?Elizabeth Bailey is the author of historical fiction, including 18 romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon and the Lady Fan mystery series with Penguin’s Berkley Books.SEVENTH HEAVENSeptimus Berowne, poet, does not expect to succumb to the charms of wealthy Lady Louisa Shittlehope, although his brothers are eager to court her. Hampered by the shocking Berowne reputation, Septimus struggles to stop Louisa embroiling herself in his family’s affairs and keep her safe from his dissolute brother Quintus.But the tribulations of the Berowne girls capture Louisa’s warm heart and she cannot help but interfere. Quintus strikes, involving Louisa and the Berownes in a madcap chase to rescue her love-struck ward. Will they be in time? Can Louisa brave Society’s disapproval to snatch at the promise of happiness?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 1994
51 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Bailey
95 books304 followersAn avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 1, 2020
This was not a book that really did a lot for me - I didn't really feel connected with the story or the characters (though Septimus did make me chuckle once or twice). Nothing was really good or really bad. It was a nice story that was good for a days entertainment, but it didn't do anything extraordinary for me. Nice, but that's it.
May 13, 2021
According to the author, it's 'the maddest romp she's ever penned' and 'is a light-hearted foray into a world of masquerades, duels, gaming, abduction, tea garden parties, elaborate head dresses ...'
Well, it's all that and more, and mostly concerns one family - the outrageous, 'rambunctious' and the very assorted Berownes. The h (a Junoesque widow of a wealthy cit), her cousin and ward, Millie and her supercilious aunt bring in the rear.
Berownes, the H's family, are not good ton and are scarcely invited anywhere (but are still seen everywhere) and not without cause. The siblings (all 10 of them) apparently are of different and dubious paternity. And are named numerically, if in Latin - Original, Secunda, Tertius, Quarto, Quintus, Sexta, Septimus, Octavia, Nona and the baby, Decimus. The first three are married and live away and are not part of the story. The rest help make the story what it's described as - a romp and also a comedy of errors at one point, aided ably by Dolly, their not so motherly mother.
Septimus is a novel mc. He's a poet and poor with it - so typical. The confident and friendly h, accepts his friendship but rejects his poetry as fatuous doggerel. While all three of his unmarried brothers make a play for her, he keeps it light between them. They are sweet but romance is more felt than seen.
Decimus also gets his hea. So, only 4, 5 and 6 are left unmarried. Quarto deserves happiness if not a book. Quintus the villain, I feel can be redeemed to be a H. Sexta's feelings though for her brother are seriously dicey. (I cannot believe the author didn't realize what this devotion was looking like.)
All said, this Georgian romp-com entertains, but also drags and becomes farcical at places.
It's good to read about places other than Almacks and Vauxhall but the 'head-dresses' are sported by only a few (not the mcs), the dresses are mostly brocade but we also get some muslins. Dueling is with swords instead of pistols. The easy informality of calling by first names is a bit strange though.
Well, it's all that and more, and mostly concerns one family - the outrageous, 'rambunctious' and the very assorted Berownes. The h (a Junoesque widow of a wealthy cit), her cousin and ward, Millie and her supercilious aunt bring in the rear.
Berownes, the H's family, are not good ton and are scarcely invited anywhere (but are still seen everywhere) and not without cause. The siblings (all 10 of them) apparently are of different and dubious paternity. And are named numerically, if in Latin - Original, Secunda, Tertius, Quarto, Quintus, Sexta, Septimus, Octavia, Nona and the baby, Decimus. The first three are married and live away and are not part of the story. The rest help make the story what it's described as - a romp and also a comedy of errors at one point, aided ably by Dolly, their not so motherly mother.
Septimus is a novel mc. He's a poet and poor with it - so typical. The confident and friendly h, accepts his friendship but rejects his poetry as fatuous doggerel. While all three of his unmarried brothers make a play for her, he keeps it light between them. They are sweet but romance is more felt than seen.
Decimus also gets his hea. So, only 4, 5 and 6 are left unmarried. Quarto deserves happiness if not a book. Quintus the villain, I feel can be redeemed to be a H. Sexta's feelings though for her brother are seriously dicey. (I cannot believe the author didn't realize what this devotion was looking like.)
All said, this Georgian romp-com entertains, but also drags and becomes farcical at places.
It's good to read about places other than Almacks and Vauxhall but the 'head-dresses' are sported by only a few (not the mcs), the dresses are mostly brocade but we also get some muslins. Dueling is with swords instead of pistols. The easy informality of calling by first names is a bit strange though.
April 28, 2021
This is my absolute favorite Elizabeth Bailey novel. I have read it a few times and it still brightens my day.
I do not even know where to begin with this story full of truly original and oddball characters. Do I start with the Berowne family of 10 kids whose mother can't be bothered even to name them so instead numbered them from "Original" down to "Decimus?" Do I focus on the wonderful 7th son Septimus or his crazy siblings Quarto, Quintus and Sexta (who most likely is clinically insane)? Or maybe focus on the growing romance between Septiumus ("Setty" to his family) and the lovely Louisa Shittlehope? A most unfortunate last name. Or do I go on about how Ms. Bailey took this large family and gave each person their own unique personality and yet made them FEEL like a cohesive family (with the requisite rotten eggs...you know we ALL have that ONE in the family).
The dialogue is funny from the very beginning with Decimus (the babe of the family) bemoaning the "love of his life" Louisa's rejection of his suit
"It is too late. Lady Louisa has blighted my life. Do you know that she did not even remember me? She asked me who I was. And that was after I proposed.
Or when Decimus can't understand where he went wrong in his pursuit..
"Well, but she then said it only strengthened her argument."
"What argument?"
"That she is too old for me. She said I could not wish for a wife who would be past all pleasure and riddled with gout while I was still in my prime."
"Gout?" Septimus closed his eyes as if in anguish and shuddered. "Gout, he says calmly."
"Yes, but it shocked me at the time, I confess."
"The wonder is you did not run incontinently from the house."
"I did not. I said I was sure she could not have gout. But then she said I should live under the cat's foot, for she is no meek little mouse."
"So it would appear," Septimus agreed, but with a quivering lip.
"And she said," pursued Decimus, determined to purge his soul, "that, on top of being impossible to live with, she would almost certainly grow fat."
I loved how society bemoaned the existence of the Berownes while acknowledging that they were all very handsome (drat them!) and wishing for some end to them (except that they enjoyed extreme good health, curses!). I also enjoyed how no matter how quick the story moved along it also had some serious and disturbing elements (Quintus and Sexta in particular are a couple of messed up siblings). To me, it didn't slow or stop the story down.
Highly recommended...
I do not even know where to begin with this story full of truly original and oddball characters. Do I start with the Berowne family of 10 kids whose mother can't be bothered even to name them so instead numbered them from "Original" down to "Decimus?" Do I focus on the wonderful 7th son Septimus or his crazy siblings Quarto, Quintus and Sexta (who most likely is clinically insane)? Or maybe focus on the growing romance between Septiumus ("Setty" to his family) and the lovely Louisa Shittlehope? A most unfortunate last name. Or do I go on about how Ms. Bailey took this large family and gave each person their own unique personality and yet made them FEEL like a cohesive family (with the requisite rotten eggs...you know we ALL have that ONE in the family).
The dialogue is funny from the very beginning with Decimus (the babe of the family) bemoaning the "love of his life" Louisa's rejection of his suit
"It is too late. Lady Louisa has blighted my life. Do you know that she did not even remember me? She asked me who I was. And that was after I proposed.
Or when Decimus can't understand where he went wrong in his pursuit..
"Well, but she then said it only strengthened her argument."
"What argument?"
"That she is too old for me. She said I could not wish for a wife who would be past all pleasure and riddled with gout while I was still in my prime."
"Gout?" Septimus closed his eyes as if in anguish and shuddered. "Gout, he says calmly."
"Yes, but it shocked me at the time, I confess."
"The wonder is you did not run incontinently from the house."
"I did not. I said I was sure she could not have gout. But then she said I should live under the cat's foot, for she is no meek little mouse."
"So it would appear," Septimus agreed, but with a quivering lip.
"And she said," pursued Decimus, determined to purge his soul, "that, on top of being impossible to live with, she would almost certainly grow fat."
I loved how society bemoaned the existence of the Berownes while acknowledging that they were all very handsome (drat them!) and wishing for some end to them (except that they enjoyed extreme good health, curses!). I also enjoyed how no matter how quick the story moved along it also had some serious and disturbing elements (Quintus and Sexta in particular are a couple of messed up siblings). To me, it didn't slow or stop the story down.
Highly recommended...
January 3, 2023
Lady Louise Shittlehope widow did not have a choice at 17 when she was married off for her status. When the 10 Berowne siblings now came calling she was not going to fall for any fortune hunters. A madcap romp through Georgian England with Louisa a very forward woman for her time who is hiding her involvement in her deceased husband’s business. There are plenty of laughs and adventures and you will romp through this book with ease.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher, Sapere Books) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher, Sapere Books) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 5, 2019
This is quite an entertaining Georgian romp wherein a chaotic and disreputable family engages Lady Louisa's attention. I felt the start a bit slow, with the common social scenes, but in the second half the pace was faster, building to first a chase, then a climactic sword fight and a romantic ending.
December 22, 2018
Seventh Heaven Indeed
A delightful Georgian romp that is excellent on period details, wonderful characters and witty dialogue. Louisa, Septimus and the Berownes deserve a whole series. Bailey never fails to deliver.
A delightful Georgian romp that is excellent on period details, wonderful characters and witty dialogue. Louisa, Septimus and the Berownes deserve a whole series. Bailey never fails to deliver.
April 11, 2022
cute
Absurd, ridiculous, and completely unrealistic but very entertaining. A nice light read. I have to agree that Shittlehope is not a name one should be saddled with. Such a name makes one envision a rather constipated personality.
Absurd, ridiculous, and completely unrealistic but very entertaining. A nice light read. I have to agree that Shittlehope is not a name one should be saddled with. Such a name makes one envision a rather constipated personality.
July 3, 2025
wildly delightful romp
Lots of fun, full of a rackety family and lots of confusion.
Found this book very reminiscent of a Georgette Heyers style plot, but it is uniquely it's own.
Delightful cast of characters.
Lots of fun, full of a rackety family and lots of confusion.
Found this book very reminiscent of a Georgette Heyers style plot, but it is uniquely it's own.
Delightful cast of characters.
October 8, 2025
Love her stuff!
Her plots are well crafted and fun, the prose very smooth, and the pacing is perfect. The characters in this one are quirky and interesting. Not the typical storyline but really engaging.
Her plots are well crafted and fun, the prose very smooth, and the pacing is perfect. The characters in this one are quirky and interesting. Not the typical storyline but really engaging.
April 2, 2018
I enjoyed the characters and the situations they got into. A most enjoyable read.
April 23, 2020
Hilarious
What an amusing farce, loved every minute of this book, were people really so daft 250 years ago, so many amazing characters still laughing.
What an amusing farce, loved every minute of this book, were people really so daft 250 years ago, so many amazing characters still laughing.
October 8, 2020
What a fun and witty read! The characters were laugh-out-loud hilarious, the story was romantic. A truly enjoyable book.
March 17, 2021
At the beginning of the book I was a little confused with all of the names of the family members. Once I got into the rhythm of the story I was able to identify each one. The plot moves fast and I found it to be quite funny at times.
October 14, 2014
To think that the hero and the heroes family could exist in the Ton is a little stretch that you will want to make in order to enjoy this little gem. Ms Bailey works hard to give us a more modern heroine than might have existed in the Regency Ton, but one that when confronted by the family Berowne is well ready to deal with them.
And such a family you would not want for your own. From eccentric parents who did not suit, and should not have been given a license to have children come ten, seven of whom we meet. We are of course drawn to the hero who gives us that amount of sense we expect in the child most capable of leadership.
Ms Bailey gives us a Ton that is as all others, but thrown into hers are these eccentrics and our steadfast heroine who begin to entwine about each other in a way that we can see will not be separated, though who that element of emotion that leads to love and respect, we see take hold of our hero much sooner than our heroine can recognize it has a hold of her. And with that, we have some of the most fun in a delightful chase, and then a resolution of honour that reveals all.
For a little fun romp, you must come meet the Berownes and see if their madness will rub off on you as well.
And such a family you would not want for your own. From eccentric parents who did not suit, and should not have been given a license to have children come ten, seven of whom we meet. We are of course drawn to the hero who gives us that amount of sense we expect in the child most capable of leadership.
Ms Bailey gives us a Ton that is as all others, but thrown into hers are these eccentrics and our steadfast heroine who begin to entwine about each other in a way that we can see will not be separated, though who that element of emotion that leads to love and respect, we see take hold of our hero much sooner than our heroine can recognize it has a hold of her. And with that, we have some of the most fun in a delightful chase, and then a resolution of honour that reveals all.
For a little fun romp, you must come meet the Berownes and see if their madness will rub off on you as well.
October 13, 2020
Seventh Heaven is a very entertaining and often humorous tale of a family. Louisa is a widow, who meets the members of this family, learning that their names are actually numbers of their birth order. She first meets Decimus, the youngest, number ten. who asks her to marry him. The family is mostly destitute as far as finances are, so she realizes he is asking for her fortune. As time goes on, she meets all of the Berowne family, and befriends most of them. Quarto and Quint, four and five of the family, also asks her to marry them, in very strange ways. She of course, tells them no. After she meets Septimus, number seven, they do become great friends, as well as Octavia and Noni, eight and nine, sisters of the family. She becomes great friends of theirs also, but their strange sister, Sexta,six, she never draws very close to. It is a very fun story to read and I enjoyed it! I would highly recommend it!
October 8, 2020
I started reading this book late at night, assuming it's a light read.
It happens in historical England and author used many unknown terms for me, that I had to constantly translate (english is not my native language). But I quicky got used of the terminology, so after few chapters I understood almost everything.
First, I was confused about main characters- there were so many of them mentioned. Was it Quarto, was it Quinto... No, it was Septimus. There are 10 brothers and sisters, all named after numbers. I liked the fact that author was so witty.
So, story unfolds, and quickly there were witty and well written word battles between Louisa and Septimus- story is captivating, chapters go quickly by.
I enjoyed the story till the end.
It happens in historical England and author used many unknown terms for me, that I had to constantly translate (english is not my native language). But I quicky got used of the terminology, so after few chapters I understood almost everything.
First, I was confused about main characters- there were so many of them mentioned. Was it Quarto, was it Quinto... No, it was Septimus. There are 10 brothers and sisters, all named after numbers. I liked the fact that author was so witty.
So, story unfolds, and quickly there were witty and well written word battles between Louisa and Septimus- story is captivating, chapters go quickly by.
I enjoyed the story till the end.
September 21, 2014
This book started out slow, but quickly picked up speed and became an engaging read. The main characters, Louisa and Septimus at first appear to be a mismatch, but the differences in personality don't stop them from feeling and instant and strong attraction to one another. Both are delightful characters.
Bailey's story features a cast the consists of Septimus's outrageous siblings, he has nine, who do an excellent job of driving the plot forward.
Anyone who enjoys sweet romances, masquerade balls, heroines who have a great deal of common sense, and sword fights will be very happy with Elizabeth Bailey's Seventh Heaven.
Bailey's story features a cast the consists of Septimus's outrageous siblings, he has nine, who do an excellent job of driving the plot forward.
Anyone who enjoys sweet romances, masquerade balls, heroines who have a great deal of common sense, and sword fights will be very happy with Elizabeth Bailey's Seventh Heaven.
October 5, 2020
So many Berownes, so little time!
Oh my, what a complicated group of sisters & brothers! Lady Louisa Shittlehope - a very managing wealthy widow - meets her match with this family, and with Septimus in particular. Confusion, attraction, an abduction, and not one but two love affairs add to the charm of this story. Reading quickly to the end, I felt I was in a circus!! What an experience! Fascinating characters in this historical romance, had me in thrall to the very end!! Highly recommended.
Oh my, what a complicated group of sisters & brothers! Lady Louisa Shittlehope - a very managing wealthy widow - meets her match with this family, and with Septimus in particular. Confusion, attraction, an abduction, and not one but two love affairs add to the charm of this story. Reading quickly to the end, I felt I was in a circus!! What an experience! Fascinating characters in this historical romance, had me in thrall to the very end!! Highly recommended.
December 18, 2024
Seventh Heaven is a family novel in 1782 in England. The story is about a widow Lady Louisa, who meets with the Berowne family. All the members named after numbers of their birth order. In the beginning it was quiet hard to keep up with so many characters, but even with that it was an entertaining read. The only challenge for me was the language that the author used, but with time the reader can get used to it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2020
SEVENTH HEAVEN by Elizabeth Bailey is a farcical Georgian romance. Louisa is delightful, but I struggled a bit with Septimus. He's a poet, and the language he uses tends to be lofty and a bit difficult to read. This book relies a lot on dialogue. If you like banter and absurd situations, you may enjoy this book.
I received an ARC from NetGally, and this is my honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGally, and this is my honest review.
March 12, 2016
The dysfunctional family to end all dysfunctional families, but written with a very light touch. The heroine is a managing woman, but even she has taken on more than she can cope with and needs the hero's help to deal with them. Amusing.
October 29, 2020
I have received this title via NetGalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review
This was a cute romance read. It was not super romantic considering it is a romance. I did find that it moved a little slow at times, while at other times it moved too fast for my liking.
This was a cute romance read. It was not super romantic considering it is a romance. I did find that it moved a little slow at times, while at other times it moved too fast for my liking.
October 10, 2020
A delightful romp
Not your typical romance, but a frothy whirlwind plot and cast of characters that Mozart would have loved to turn into a comic opera.
Not your typical romance, but a frothy whirlwind plot and cast of characters that Mozart would have loved to turn into a comic opera.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews