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Love in a Cold ClimateNancy Mitford

Classic fiction

Love in a Cold Climate

by Nancy Mitford

Book 2 of the Radlett and Montdore series

256 pages · First published 2010

Beautiful Polly Hampton has everything a young woman could want in interwar English high society: wealth, beauty, and a formidable mother determined to arrange a brilliant marriage. But while Lady Montdore parades her daughter before London's most eligible gentlemen, Polly remains strangely indifferent to every suitor. As her friend Fanny observes the endless parties, family quarrels, and aristocratic absurdities, Polly's secret attachment threatens to scandalize society and shatter her family's expectations. When a charming, unconventional relative arrives from Canada, the Montdore household undergoes an even more surprising transformation. Filled with sharp wit, eccentric characters, and thoroughly unpredictable relationships, Nancy Mitford's classic comedy of manners offers a delightfully irreverent portrait of love, privilege, and social ambition between the wars. Ideal for readers who enjoy British aristocratic satire, unconventional romances, and clever observations about human nature.

Paired for this story

London Fog + Lavender French 75

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At a glance

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Spice3 of 5
Suspense0 of 5
Creepy0 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Adultery, extramarital affairs, sexual innuendo, and references to inappropriate sexual advances toward young girls. A young woman marries her significantly older uncle by marriage, with whom she has been infatuated since adolescence. Pregnancy, childbirth, and infant death. Family estrangement, emotional neglect, manipulation, and disinheritance. Alcohol use and period racial, colonial, and class prejudice, including derogatory language. Includes same-sex relationships. Editor's Note: Despite its witty, lighthearted style, this classic satire includes mature relationship themes, inappropriate advances toward younger girls, and the death of a newborn. Its portrayal of aristocratic life also contains prejudices and attitudes associated with its historical setting.

Alcohol-Free Pour

London Fog

Earl Grey, warm milk, and vanilla provide a comforting contrast to the sharp tongues, elaborate manners, and romantic scandals of Mitford's aristocratic England.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Stir vanilla syrup into the hot Earl Grey. Add steamed milk and spoon a little foam over the top.
  2. Garnish: None.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Lavender French 75

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

Sparkling wine, bright lemon, and a touch of lavender capture the elegance and sharp wit of London's fashionable society, where every glittering party conceals another scandal.

What you'll need

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

How to mix it

  1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and lavender syrup with ice. Strain into a flute and top with sparkling wine.
  2. Garnish: Lemon twist or small lavender sprig.
  3. Glassware: Champagne flute.

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