This book is full of wonderful characters. Its strength is the very sweet story of Jenny, a woman who does not inspire passionate love in her gentleman suitor. Their marriage of convenience causes Jenny both pain and happiness. Over the first year of their marriage, Jenny and her husband build a marriage which, although not perfect, has a great deal to recommend it.

In the end, Jenny's husband realizes that his friendship and partnership with her is is worth far more to him than the romantic dream of a lost love.

One of the most endearing and well-conceived Georgette Heyer books. A strong and loving heroine, a kind husband worthy of respect, funny relatives... add Napoleon and fascinating historical detail and you have a really enjoyable book.

All the other reviewers here love Georgette Heyer. And I've been intrigued by her fan base for quite some time. Her books are simply raved about, here on Amazon's reviews and boards, and elsewhere. After reading the glowing reviews for A CIVIL CONTRACT, reputed to be her best book -- I decided to take the plunge.

Even though I admit to disliking most Regency-era romances. Actually, I should properly say, I dislike poorly written romance novels that are set in the Regency time period. (God knows there are plenty of these out there, and unfortunately I seem to have encountered more than my share of them.) So in one way, I am a biased reader. But a really well-written book, which A CIVIL CONTRACT is supposed to be, should be able to pull even ME, into its plot. Right? If I approach it with an open mind?

And I don't have a closed mind. I'm not completely biased. I like Jane Austen (PERSUASION being my personal favorite). I've read histories of the Regency period; biographies of Caroline Lamb; the Prince Regent, Napoleon, and the Duke of Wellington. I've read five or six of Mary Balogh's older, short Signet Regency novels, and a few by other authors, like Nancy Butler, that I have unreservedly liked very much. So I don't think in all fairness that my mind was closed to the experience of reading this novel.

Now as to my opinion of A CIVIL CONTRACT. Weeeeeeelll... goodness, I tried, I really tried, to enjoy this story, to find something taking about it. If only ONE of the characters had made me feel something, some sympathy, some affection, for him or for her, I might have been able to find that connection. But my mind remained stubbornly disenchanted -- disengaged from these people.

I felt that these people were stereotypes, not characters. I guess I've read more than enough Regency romances to recognize the down-on-his-wealth hero; the plain heiress heroine; the overbearing parent; the whiney martyr-like mother; etc., etc. Original characters? Perhaps they were, 30-40 years ago. Perhaps I've simply come to Ms. Heyer too late.

There was one other factor that particularly bothered me from almost the first pages of this story. Although I didn't live in 1815, I feel confident that not every person relentlessly spoke the lingo that certain of these fictional people did. Every slang expression ever used in the Regency period ("doin' it too brown", et al.) was contained within conversations; sometimes for paragraphs at a time. It was unreal. And rather awful.

Imagine yourself biting into a nice soft piece of Italian bread, but one with a full inch of butter on the top, and you have an approximation of what I experienced while reading this book.

I'm actually sorry I won't be joining Ms. Heyer's legion of fans. I would have liked to, but after reading A CIVIL CONTRACT, I can say that the qualities in her writing that appeal to her fans, just don't appeal to me.

Oh, this book! Wonderfully drawn characters, terrific research and a lushly romantic story...this book drew me in last evening and I couldn't sleep until I'd read it all. I was completely and fully immersed in this wonderful, sad, compassionate, funny, and incredibly generous novel. It stayed with me all day, and tonight, I start re-reading it! I can't get enough of Jenny or Adam and their families, friends and foibles.

I love all GH's books, but this was wonderful. It took me completely into Regency Britain and can't wait to read it yet again.

I read a few reviews from people who said this whas their favorite Georgette Heyer book, and that is true for me. This is the only Georgette Heyer I remember whose heroine is ordinary. Although the story is primarily told from the hero's point of view, my heart really goes out to the heroine. SLIGHT SPOILER: Before the book opens, she falls in love with someone she believes she cannot possibly get to even notice her. She has a chance to marry him and save him from finacial ruin, so she takes it. END OF SPOILER.

There are many ideas in the book. At least one other reviewer suggested that it was a good thing we don't marry our first love. That is true, but the book is also about making the best of what one has. The heroine is shy and average looking, but uses good sense to make the best possible life for herself and her husband. She succeeds, not to the levels of exalted love, but of caring and comfort. It is a book for realists, and Georgette Heyer succeeds with this story better than she ever has.

There are also a number of enjoyable characters, especially the heroine's father. There are also a couple of side stories that could make novels, if we saw more than glimpses of them.

As is often the case, Georgette Heyer gives the book historical context. As is a bit unusual for her, a plot twist revolves around a historical event.