Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

Georgette Heyer

Cotillion | Regency Buck | Sylvester | The Black Moth | The Convenient Marriage | The Unknown Ajax | These Old Shades | Venetia

Cotillion

A Gentleman of Taste by athousandwinds

'"I don't like to say it," said Meg, not looking too sorry, "but this might be the only wedding of the year where the bridegroom outshone the bride."' Nothing profound here, but it's a lovely whimsical continuation of the novel, and the characters are spot on

[Added 07/08/2009; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Georgette Heyer – Cotillion]

Regency Buck

Gruesome that someone so handsome should care by Aja

'But Brummell looked, as always, as if radiant spring winds had crept into his room and slowly nursed him awake to the dewy glow of the sun only moments before. Still, upon entering the immaculate drawing room, Worth saw that his friend was tireder than he had first thought.' Aja injects a note of reality into the Heyer bubble in this moving tale of the Beau teetering on the brink

[Added 31/10/2017; Character Piece; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – Regency Buck]

Sylvester

Notes towards the antecedents of wicked counts by Betony

'It has often been said that those having been cursed with the burden of an infamous and illustrious name are doomed to live up to the expectations that accompany such a title; Ugolino, of a house drenched in sorrow and guilt, was no exception to this rule.' Clever & amusing short in which The Lost Heir is continued by Other Pens

[Added 09/08/2014; Humour; <1000; Georgette Heyer – Sylvester]

The Black Moth

Devil-may-care by Belmanoir

'He reflected that black and silver show to advantage in a candle-lit room, but black rarely looks well at dawn. The dye is never quite even.' A coda to The Black Moth that textualises all that Tracy/Frank subtext. The characters are all well drawn, but I particularly enjoyed the newly confident Dick

[Added 04/10/2013; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – The Black Moth; Crossover]

The Convenient Marriage

Inconvenience by Astolat

'The Earl's face did not change even now. He answered gently, “No, dear Robert; you only seem to have imagined me a fool.” Lethbridge paused, and drew back a little. There was still scarcely a handsbreath between them, but Rule drew out a snuffbox and took a pinch, delicately, without scattering so much as a grain upon either man's sleeve.' Well-characterised, psychologically insightful Drelincourt/Lethbridge, with a delightful Horry. If Heyer had written slash, it might have come out like this

[Added 05/07/2016; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – The Convenient Marriage]

The Unknown Ajax

Ajax Renown'd by Grond

Heyer fic is unusual enough, Heyer fic that avoids the usual suspects even more so. Grond manages to keep the character voices intact whilst taking their bodies in directions Ms Heyer wouldn't dream of

[Added 26/04/2006; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – The Unknown Ajax]

These Old Shades

Blind Man's Bluff by Bluestalking

'"I do not play there," Justin answered. "The proprietor could once have been of use to me, and is no longer. Let that queen bee buzz about its business with honey untapped."' LÉon gets to stay Léon in this enjoyable futurefic, and Bluestalking pulls off an improbable pairing for him very neatly. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of the defeated Avon, who gets to be more waspish than he ever is in the novelon gets to stay LÉon in this enjoyable futurefic, and Bluestalking pulls off an improbable pairing for him very neatly. I particularly enjoyed the characterisation of the defeated Avon, who gets to be more waspish than he ever is in the novel

[Added 28/05/2012; Romance/Erotica; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – These Old Shades]

Rome by Ishafel

'It was not Hugh's battle, but he could not stop himself from fighting.' Nicely written, with beautifully realised characters

[Added 26/04/2006; Romance/Erotica; 1000-2500; Georgette Heyer – These Old Shades]

Venetia

Five Years by SJ Kasabi

'Xenophon was an old friend, and his strictures on horseflesh and horsemanship were a considerable consolation in a city where the primary mode of transport was aquatic.' Written as a series of short scenes spanning the titular five years, this character study of Aubrey unfolds slowly & delicately. There's a welcome peek at Venetia & Damerel's happy ever after, too. Delightful

[Added 05/11/2008; Character Piece; 2500-6000; Georgette Heyer – Venetia]