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Eversley #2
The Toast of the Town
THE WHIMS OF PASSION
Beautiful and coltish Georgiana Eversley was well aware of her intoxicating powers. She took it for granted that she could captivate any man who caught her fancy, though few men did. But when the handsome young Dr. John Graham let it be known that he didn't care for her at all, Georgiana's hurt pride demanded revenge.
And so it was that she accepted a daring wager to prove that she could indeed entice the young doctor and jilt him savagely as well. But Georgiana was unaware of the whims of passion—and unprepared for the dark and startling reward of a gambling heart…
Beautiful and coltish Georgiana Eversley was well aware of her intoxicating powers. She took it for granted that she could captivate any man who caught her fancy, though few men did. But when the handsome young Dr. John Graham let it be known that he didn't care for her at all, Georgiana's hurt pride demanded revenge.
And so it was that she accepted a daring wager to prove that she could indeed entice the young doctor and jilt him savagely as well. But Georgiana was unaware of the whims of passion—and unprepared for the dark and startling reward of a gambling heart…
168 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
124 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Alice Chetwynd Ley
23 books54 followersBorn Alice Mary Chetwynd Humphrey on 12 October 1913 in Halifax, Yorkshire, England, UK, she studied at King Edward VI Grammar School in Birmingham. On 3 February 1945, she married Kenneth James Ley. They had two sons; Richard James Humphrey Ley and Graham Kenneth Hugh Ley.
She was a teacher at Harrow College of Higher Education. In 1962, she obtained a diploma in Sociology at London University, and was awarded the Gilchrist Award of 1962. She was a lecturer in Sociology and Social History, from 1968 to 1971.
Under her married name, Alice Chetwynd Ley, she published romance novels from 1959 to 1986. She was also tutor in Creative Writing, from 1962 to 1984. She was elected the sixth Chairman (1971-1973) of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was named an honoured Life Member.
Alice Chetwynd passed away in 2004.
She was a teacher at Harrow College of Higher Education. In 1962, she obtained a diploma in Sociology at London University, and was awarded the Gilchrist Award of 1962. She was a lecturer in Sociology and Social History, from 1968 to 1971.
Under her married name, Alice Chetwynd Ley, she published romance novels from 1959 to 1986. She was also tutor in Creative Writing, from 1962 to 1984. She was elected the sixth Chairman (1971-1973) of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was named an honoured Life Member.
Alice Chetwynd passed away in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 30, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Endeavour Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a re-release of a book originally published in 1976, as such the cover has been redesigned. I'm not a fan of the new cover, it makes the book seem silly.
The story follows Miss Georiana (Georgy) Evesley, who is wealthy and happy not to be married (very reminiscence of Austen's Emma) and Dr John Graham. It appears to be hate at first sight when she crashes her carriage into him on there first meeting and there relationship gets worse from there. Incidentally he is also the only man not to fall instantly in love with her, however Georgy puts together a plan to change this.
This is a sweet regency romance that also nicely touches on gender inequality at the time.
This is a re-release of a book originally published in 1976, as such the cover has been redesigned. I'm not a fan of the new cover, it makes the book seem silly.
The story follows Miss Georiana (Georgy) Evesley, who is wealthy and happy not to be married (very reminiscence of Austen's Emma) and Dr John Graham. It appears to be hate at first sight when she crashes her carriage into him on there first meeting and there relationship gets worse from there. Incidentally he is also the only man not to fall instantly in love with her, however Georgy puts together a plan to change this.
This is a sweet regency romance that also nicely touches on gender inequality at the time.
June 3, 2022
A wonderful choice of main characters.
And it showed how well write a series, and put persons from the previous part in the next one.
I think the story could have been even better if it was longer. Some parts were a bit too rush.
If you are a fan of romance, but more by Georgette Heyer than by Julia Quinn, Judith McNaught, etc., you should try Alice Chetwynd Ley too.
[4-4.5 stars]
And it showed how well write a series, and put persons from the previous part in the next one.
I think the story could have been even better if it was longer. Some parts were a bit too rush.
If you are a fan of romance, but more by Georgette Heyer than by Julia Quinn, Judith McNaught, etc., you should try Alice Chetwynd Ley too.
[4-4.5 stars]
January 31, 2018
Hallelujah! I finally found a Heyer replacement who does not suck. Not only does she not suck, Alice Chetwynd Ley is actually pretty awesome, and SO MUCH BETTER than the Julia Quinns of the world. Ley is a worthy successor of the Heyer legacy, and this book (the second in the Eversley Saga; loosely connected novels about members of a large Regency family) is probably my favourite in the series (the first being the least favourite). This has been an amazing find, and to top it all I read all the books practically for free because they are on Kindle Unlimited.
August 17, 2020
Was so boring.
Hero was decent enough, but I did not warm up to the spoiled arrogant heroine.
Plus another abrupt ending.
Hero was decent enough, but I did not warm up to the spoiled arrogant heroine.
Plus another abrupt ending.
June 11, 2022
This is the 2nd installment of the Eversley saga. The first story was about the eldest brother, Beau and this is about the sister Georgiana. I would suggest reading these books in order for more enjoyment & familiarity with the characters, though it is not necessary.
Georgina has taken the ton by storm and is its darling for the past few years. She can do no wrong and is one of the most eligible and sought after debutantes. However that has also made her a little arrogant, as she thinks she can do no wrong.
Georgiana's sister-in-law (Susan from Book 1) is now pregnant and her doctor is a young scot, Dr Graham. He doesn't pay homage to Georgiana like the rest of her court, and scolds her instead for her headstrong behavior.
Georgina immediately crosses swords with him and is determined to make him fall in love with her. She recklessly makes a bet about this with her brother and this ultimately brings everything down about her ears.
As usual with Alice Chetwynd Ley, the heroines are delightful but with shades of grey and they grow through the book based on their experiences. Each character is well-defined, especially the suitor Pamyngton. There is also a pleasant light humor that makes her books fun to read.
While her books may not have the complexity, humor and character arc of a Georgette Heyer, they still come closer than most other authors who write about this period. The characters feel like real people from the pre-regency era, rather than Americans with current day sensibilities, lingo and perceptions plopped into the 1800s.
There are characters from the previous book and it is a pleasure to meet them. It is nice to see Susan's more mature nature after marriage and child birth.
I am not very fond of 'Taming the shew' style of stories. However, the heroine has enough redeeming features. She is kind to her friends, and honest enough to acknowledge her faults. So the story still made a pleasant read.
I would rate this about 3.5 stars, and recommend it for those who love clean historical romances. On to the next book in the series...
Georgina has taken the ton by storm and is its darling for the past few years. She can do no wrong and is one of the most eligible and sought after debutantes. However that has also made her a little arrogant, as she thinks she can do no wrong.
Georgiana's sister-in-law (Susan from Book 1) is now pregnant and her doctor is a young scot, Dr Graham. He doesn't pay homage to Georgiana like the rest of her court, and scolds her instead for her headstrong behavior.
Georgina immediately crosses swords with him and is determined to make him fall in love with her. She recklessly makes a bet about this with her brother and this ultimately brings everything down about her ears.
As usual with Alice Chetwynd Ley, the heroines are delightful but with shades of grey and they grow through the book based on their experiences. Each character is well-defined, especially the suitor Pamyngton. There is also a pleasant light humor that makes her books fun to read.
While her books may not have the complexity, humor and character arc of a Georgette Heyer, they still come closer than most other authors who write about this period. The characters feel like real people from the pre-regency era, rather than Americans with current day sensibilities, lingo and perceptions plopped into the 1800s.
There are characters from the previous book and it is a pleasure to meet them. It is nice to see Susan's more mature nature after marriage and child birth.
I am not very fond of 'Taming the shew' style of stories. However, the heroine has enough redeeming features. She is kind to her friends, and honest enough to acknowledge her faults. So the story still made a pleasant read.
I would rate this about 3.5 stars, and recommend it for those who love clean historical romances. On to the next book in the series...
July 8, 2020
The heroine is a spoiled selfish person who acts in foolish willful impulse, over and over and over and over. Driving a vehicle with a pregnant friend? Race as fast as you can, in the wrong lane around a blind curve even though there is probably oncoming traffic and your friend is already freaked out and politely asking you not to do so. Brother bets you you can't emotionally entangle an upright decent guy whose cousin is clearly in love with him and for whom he'd make a great match? Nobody doubts your hotness! Decide to entrap the guy, and then say the cousin can have the leftovers to marry. She does one or two brave things, and somehow that is considered enough substance for a person or two to say that she's really good at heart and all that kind of blahblah. No, she is childish and will do anything she wants, even if it wrecks other people's lives. First time I read this my notes said she got better on page 132 (of 168), but this time noticed that nah, she didn't really ever get much better, just a little self-pitying here and there which made her want vaguely to be good, but anytime someone crosses her or is the least bit critical, she will jump off any cliff to prove something, usually taking others with her. Eh.
August 21, 2016
The Toast of the Town is another delightful Regency romance penned by Alice Chetwynd Ley. The second of three books in the Eversley series, these do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed (I read one, three, then two), but I think doing so would add to the reader's pleasure. Georgiana is not the sweetest of Ley's heroines, but I love her spark, and it was wonderful to watch her finally realise the truth of her feelings. Recommended to fans of Regency romance looking for a quick, simple, and pleasant read to pass an hour or two.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley.
October 11, 2020
Published in 1968, this is an old-fashioned regency romance, slightly insipid but still charming - despite being modeled on The Taming of the Shrew. Modern novels might have more depth and modern writing can have more to sink one’s teeth into, but then again there’s nothing quite like mid-century vocabulary, structure, and emulation of past watts of speaking and thinking. In many ways, these authors will always remain our superiors, and although the novels are simple, they were never intended to be anything but solid contributions to a very specific and enjoyable genre.
July 25, 2022
Unusual Georgian Romace//Family Saga
I have read this series out of order, and I could swear that a person spoken of as dead in this book is very much alive in a later volume and that the heroine here is married to a different man than the one who wins her in this book.
An alternate Georgian Universe?
The story is told with a great deal of charm and with some obnoxious secondary characters who add to the fun.
I have read this series out of order, and I could swear that a person spoken of as dead in this book is very much alive in a later volume and that the heroine here is married to a different man than the one who wins her in this book.
An alternate Georgian Universe?
The story is told with a great deal of charm and with some obnoxious secondary characters who add to the fun.
August 19, 2019
A relatively short and light hearted regency romance, this was a nice way to fill a few hours. I enjoyed most of the relationships between the characters, but I didn’t really feel the love between Georgy and the doctor. They seemed to fall in love without knowing one another at all, and without really liking each other. I couldn’t really understand it. I probably won’t read this again.
May 15, 2023
2.5 stars. Did not like Georgy, she is very spoilt. Everyone admits that, but she does not suffer any consequences. Could not see what the doctor saw in her. Also not sure his name was John or Jock. That was confusing.
February 5, 2018
Second in a series and also able to be read in one evening. Adorable.
July 6, 2018
Very good
The story leads you on a merry chase, but a fun one.enjoyable reading for those who love Victorian romance. Love
The story leads you on a merry chase, but a fun one.enjoyable reading for those who love Victorian romance. Love
January 9, 2020
Another enjoyable story in the Eversleys’ series. I enjoyed the style of story telling. The characters are well portrayed and you feel like you know them well.
November 30, 2021
I do not like insta-love! I really wished the MCs had time to actually talk about things or get to know one another. Georgy is also not my favorite heroine. She is quite spoiled. Kisses only
August 2, 2022
A good pre-regency romance
September 9, 2022
The Toast of the Town.
Another excellent Regency Romance by Alice Chetwynd Ley.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who is a fan of Georgette Heyer.
Another excellent Regency Romance by Alice Chetwynd Ley.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who is a fan of Georgette Heyer.
February 25, 2024
I didn't make it far in this book. The heroine was a conceited, inconsiderate, selfish bitch.
April 7, 2022
Another pleasantly undemanding read, light-hearted and very much in the Regency romp style of Georgette Heyer. This follows on from The Clandestine Betrothal, and although it isn’t essential to have read the previous book, it does make it a little more enjoyable to have some understanding of the background.
Here’s the premise: it’s four years after Hugh Eversley married Susan Fyfield, and they’re in anticipation of their second child. Hugh’s lively sister, Georgiana, an old school friend of Susan’s, is now twenty-one, the eponymous toast of the town, and has already turned down six different suitors. She’s a restless spirit, and Susan is sure that all she needs is a husband and children to settle her down. Accordingly, she has filled their house with guests to try to get Georgiana successfully paired off. Among the eligibles are Lord Pamyngton, a gentlemanly but dull viscount, and Henry Curshawe, brother to George Eversley’s very boring betrothed.
Georgiana is bored by this dull house party. She doesn’t like any of the Curshawes, and doesn’t take Lord Pamyngton’s gentle pursuit of her seriously. But one day she decides to take out Hugh’s curricle and matched pair for a spin, and her high spirits get her into trouble, throwing her (literally!) into the path of perhaps the one man who’s unimpressed by the very beautiful Miss Eversley, Dr John Hume. He ticks her off soundly and when she retaliates in kind, the stage is set for each of them to deeply dislike the other. So much so, that when the youngest Eversley brother, Freddy, challenges Georgiana to make the doctor fall in love with her, she accepts at once.
After this, things hum along nicely, and I really enjoyed the banter between the two, plus Georgiana’s ingenious attempts to entrap the good doctor into a declaration. But of course things don’t quite go to plan, and Georgiana has to suffer a great deal before she begins to understand her own heart and reaches her happy ending. The other members of her family as well as her two suitors act as facilitators or obstacles along the way.
I did have a couple of grumbles. One is Georgiana’s brother George (and what sort of family has a George and a Georgiana, anyway?). George is betrothed to the World’s Dullest Girl (tm) and seems to have a very cavalier attitude towards her, looking forward to the time when they’ll be married so that he doesn’t have to pay her much attention, for instance. I kept expecting him to see the light and realise that she was the WDG (tm), but he never did. George was rather sweet in The Clandestine Betrothal, so it was a sad comedown for him.
The other grumble was the good doctor’s cousin, who’s perfectly qualified to be a doctor’s wife, is desperately in love with him, the whole family expects them to marry and he ends up chasing after the entirely unsuitable and above his station Miss Eversley. And poor Anne isn’t even given the sop of a secondary romance to heal her broken heart. There was a throwaway line about her being young and meeting someone else in the future, and that’s all the thought she gets. I was very sad on her behalf. Georgiana’s other suitor, the gentlemanly Lord Pamyngton, gets his moment of glory in the next book, so his broken heart will be mended.
All in all, an enjoyable read in the old-fashioned style. A solid four stars.
Here’s the premise: it’s four years after Hugh Eversley married Susan Fyfield, and they’re in anticipation of their second child. Hugh’s lively sister, Georgiana, an old school friend of Susan’s, is now twenty-one, the eponymous toast of the town, and has already turned down six different suitors. She’s a restless spirit, and Susan is sure that all she needs is a husband and children to settle her down. Accordingly, she has filled their house with guests to try to get Georgiana successfully paired off. Among the eligibles are Lord Pamyngton, a gentlemanly but dull viscount, and Henry Curshawe, brother to George Eversley’s very boring betrothed.
Georgiana is bored by this dull house party. She doesn’t like any of the Curshawes, and doesn’t take Lord Pamyngton’s gentle pursuit of her seriously. But one day she decides to take out Hugh’s curricle and matched pair for a spin, and her high spirits get her into trouble, throwing her (literally!) into the path of perhaps the one man who’s unimpressed by the very beautiful Miss Eversley, Dr John Hume. He ticks her off soundly and when she retaliates in kind, the stage is set for each of them to deeply dislike the other. So much so, that when the youngest Eversley brother, Freddy, challenges Georgiana to make the doctor fall in love with her, she accepts at once.
After this, things hum along nicely, and I really enjoyed the banter between the two, plus Georgiana’s ingenious attempts to entrap the good doctor into a declaration. But of course things don’t quite go to plan, and Georgiana has to suffer a great deal before she begins to understand her own heart and reaches her happy ending. The other members of her family as well as her two suitors act as facilitators or obstacles along the way.
I did have a couple of grumbles. One is Georgiana’s brother George (and what sort of family has a George and a Georgiana, anyway?). George is betrothed to the World’s Dullest Girl (tm) and seems to have a very cavalier attitude towards her, looking forward to the time when they’ll be married so that he doesn’t have to pay her much attention, for instance. I kept expecting him to see the light and realise that she was the WDG (tm), but he never did. George was rather sweet in The Clandestine Betrothal, so it was a sad comedown for him.
The other grumble was the good doctor’s cousin, who’s perfectly qualified to be a doctor’s wife, is desperately in love with him, the whole family expects them to marry and he ends up chasing after the entirely unsuitable and above his station Miss Eversley. And poor Anne isn’t even given the sop of a secondary romance to heal her broken heart. There was a throwaway line about her being young and meeting someone else in the future, and that’s all the thought she gets. I was very sad on her behalf. Georgiana’s other suitor, the gentlemanly Lord Pamyngton, gets his moment of glory in the next book, so his broken heart will be mended.
All in all, an enjoyable read in the old-fashioned style. A solid four stars.
April 20, 2021
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this volume of the Eversley novels. I LOVED the first book and I liked Georgiana however she is extremely annoying by the opening of this tale. Her story but I almost wish it wasn't.
Our doctor hero, Dr Graham, is a far more interesting prospect though I feel sorry for his cousin Anne Hume as she doesn't get a look in. From Edinburgh Dr Graham is building his career and by helping his uncle he encounters clients such as the Eversleys. Now it was nice to revisit some of the family this way but Georgy and Viscount Pamyngton honestly behaved like over entitled children for a good portion of the book before both began to calm down a little.
And thank goodness they did. Pam we will see again in the final volume in Brighton but Georgy redeems herself inadvertently and by falling in love and realising she cannot continue how she is and by endangering others including her friend and Susan.
This also redeems this story and brings it from three to four stars as a read. I still prefer the other volumes however.
Our doctor hero, Dr Graham, is a far more interesting prospect though I feel sorry for his cousin Anne Hume as she doesn't get a look in. From Edinburgh Dr Graham is building his career and by helping his uncle he encounters clients such as the Eversleys. Now it was nice to revisit some of the family this way but Georgy and Viscount Pamyngton honestly behaved like over entitled children for a good portion of the book before both began to calm down a little.
And thank goodness they did. Pam we will see again in the final volume in Brighton but Georgy redeems herself inadvertently and by falling in love and realising she cannot continue how she is and by endangering others including her friend and Susan.
This also redeems this story and brings it from three to four stars as a read. I still prefer the other volumes however.
November 15, 2016
I only discovered this author this year and I have been enjoying her books enormously. However, this one is not for me.
I know it's a light fluffy type read but there was just too little in it. The heroine, Georgiana, is a pain at the best of times. Every man she meets falls at her feet because she is a beauty. Yeh!! One without any manners! She thinks she can snap her fingers and she can have any man she wants. But she despises most of them who fall for her. She's never satisfied.
Then THE man who is the exception and doesn't fall at her feet, (for about six seconds anyway), arrives on the scene.
This was a let down for me. I thought he was going to be the strong type who could see her for what she is. But no. There are some hiccups of course along the way before things get sorted.
I was disappointed in this one but it won't stop me reading her other novels.
I know it's a light fluffy type read but there was just too little in it. The heroine, Georgiana, is a pain at the best of times. Every man she meets falls at her feet because she is a beauty. Yeh!! One without any manners! She thinks she can snap her fingers and she can have any man she wants. But she despises most of them who fall for her. She's never satisfied.
Then THE man who is the exception and doesn't fall at her feet, (for about six seconds anyway), arrives on the scene.
This was a let down for me. I thought he was going to be the strong type who could see her for what she is. But no. There are some hiccups of course along the way before things get sorted.
I was disappointed in this one but it won't stop me reading her other novels.
August 19, 2016
In this Regency romance Georgiana Eversley captivates every gentleman, but her heart remains untouched. But when the young Dr. John Graham seems unaffected by her charms she partakes of a wager, but will the wager backfire.
An enjoyable read with likable characters.
a NetGalley Book
An enjoyable read with likable characters.
a NetGalley Book
January 5, 2017
Super cute
I find all the books by this author enjoyable. This one is a super cute romp with misunderstanding, wounded pride and, of course, a happy ending. Loved it!
I find all the books by this author enjoyable. This one is a super cute romp with misunderstanding, wounded pride and, of course, a happy ending. Loved it!
February 28, 2021
Three plus.
March 27, 2017
enjoyable story and one I have read about 3 times
Want to read
August 16, 2016* e-Arc provided by Netgalley *
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews