Bibliography: Scott, Regina. (2008). La Petite Four. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 978-1595142085
Plot Summary: Four best friends, La Petite Four, are determined that Lady Emily’s father, Lord Southwell, will not ruin their dreams of a lavish coming out ball and season in Regency London by forcing Emily to marry Lord Robert. So they set out through London to spy on him and find a reason why the marriage should not take place. Along the way they get into all kinds of mischief, and Emily finds someone she can love.
Critical Analysis: This is a jaunty, fun book that mixes Regency romance with girl power and much lighter in tone than many other recent titles in the same vein. I suppose the some would argue that girl power was not the thing in Regency England, but having recently reread Pride and Prejudice, I would disagree, seeing as how Elizabeth expresses some of the same ideas as Emily and her friends.
I have seen other reviewers argue that the four girls are somewhat indistinguishable, but I have to disagree with that. There is scandal in Priscilla’s past that she worries will come out, Ariadne lives to gossip, and Daphne longs too find love if she could only manage to have a conversation dance with someone of the opposite sex. Along the way, Emily learns something about her self, and it helps her in her other pursuit, becoming a well respected artist who is invited to join an esteemed group of other artists. In the end, Emily does exhbit the most growth and change.
I think it is easy to dismiss this book as shallow, because it seems like the girls are after one thing, having a lavish ball and they will not be denied. BUT this story is really about best friends and the bond they share and how determined they are that one of their own will not be forced into a marriage with someone that not only she doesn’t love, but whom they sense is not a very nice person.
I hope that there are plans for more books about La Petite Four, I would definitely put them on my to be read list.
Readalikes: The Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle in which two twin sisters have their coming out. But they have to be careful to hide their magic powers while uncovering a plot against the royal family.
The charming series of books featuring Kate and Cecelia by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia Wrede. The first one is Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Review Excerpts: “The language is often poetic, with words such as “reticule” and “puce” and old-fashioned phrases like “havey cavey.” The story line is predictable, with each of the La Petite Four resolving issues cleanly, but readers will push through and find the ending satisfying.”–School Library Journal
“…it contained mystery, suspense, and love. What more could a girl ask for? Regina Scott created a great story where the characters were three-dimensional and you felt like you were walking the cobbled streets of nineteenth-century England.”–TeensReadToo.com
Reviewed from library copy.
