Today I was a bad, bad girl. I spent $ on books. Bad me! *sniffle*
I bought and read What Happens in London and it was lovely. It's one of those books that makes your insides melt (in the best possible way). It was a light treat; kind of like ice cream on a hot day. Sweet and delicious and...well, when I finished it, I finished with a happy sigh.
This is the story of Olivia & Harry. Olivia is the beauty of the Season(s) and is bored with her life. Olivia may be a beauty, but she's also a thinker. Harry is the eldest son of a Baronet and as such, had to do other things to support himself. After 10 years in the military fighting against Bonaparte, he's now working for the War Office translating. See, Harry is super smart and is fluent in multiple languages.
Anyway, Olivia gets some juicy gossip about Harry and decides to spy on him. This is easily achieved because Harry is her next door neighbor and she can see his office from her bedroom.
Hilarity ensues once Harry "confronts" her.
As I stated up above, this is a very light and airy book. It's got some LOL moments and some sweet moments. There's not a lot to think about when it comes to this book. As always, Ms. Quinn specializes in her dialogue and I found myself tipping down numerous corners with the thought that I would use them in this review. However, I find that I've found too many and cannot settle for one.
My only quibble, and it's a minor one, is the "suspense" subplot that pops up at the end of the book and has no real use at all. I found myself scratching my head over that one.
All in all, this was a great book. It wasn't perfect (not enough substance), but it was a great read and a sweet treat.
Overall Rating: B
Showing posts with label julia quinn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label julia quinn. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
Amelia Willoughby has been engaged to the Duke of Wyndham for as long as she can remember. Literally. A mere six months old when the contracts were signed, she has spent the rest of her life waiting. And waiting. And waiting...for Thomas Cavendish, the oh-so-lofty duke, to finally get around to marrying her. But as she watches him from afar, she has a sneaking suspicion that he never thinks about her at all...
It's true. He doesn't. Thomas rather likes having a fiancee-all the better to keep the husband-hunters at bay-and he does intend to marry her...eventually. But just when he begins to realize that his bride might be something more than convenient, Thomas's world is rocked by the arrival of his long-lost cousin, who may or may not be the true Duke of Wyndham. And if Thomas is not the duke, then he's not engaged to Amelia. Which is the cruelest joke of all, because this arrogant and illustrious duke has made the mistake of falling in love...with his fiancee!
Ah, Julia Quinn. You know, I actually became acquainted with her writing with The Lost Duke of Wyndham, the first book in this duology. And that's when I fell in love with this wonderful, fantastic writer.
MC, IP, actually takes place at the exact same time as TLDoW, but told from the POV of Thomas and Amelia. And amazingly enough, it didn't confuse me in the least! How's that for amazing writing?! Usually, in circumstances like this, it's either very confused or makes no sense. Here's to Ms. Quinn's talents that that didn't happen at all.
At the beginning of the story, Thomas arrives at a country dance that his grandmother browbeat him into attending. He goes because he feels he has no choice and is expected to dance with his fiancee just like he does at every dance they both attend.
Amelia, on the other hand, is fed up with being the long-standing fiancee of a man who barely even acknowledges her existence, let alone the fact that they are to get married. Everything changes the night of the dance. Instead of saying yes like she usually does when he asks her to dance, she says no. One step towards independence! Yay!
Thomas is shocked by this completely unexpected turn of events and finally realizes that the woman he's been engaged to since he was seven years old, actually has a backbone. There's the obligatory a-ha moment (as there is in every romance), where he notices that she's a woman. And it's about time.
Things progress, she leaves and then everything changes.
As we found out in TLDoW, Thomas's future becomes unclear when his cousin Jack is found and forced into the family fold. Thomas's whole life has been dedicated to being the Duke of Wyndham, and in fact, that is what he bases his identity on. The idea of losing everything he holds dear and himself is almost more than he can bear...at first.
It is so fascinating to watch how Thomas and Amelia's romance progresses. They become friends first, which is something I really appreciate. There's no groping (well, a little bit) and it's quite entertaining to watch Amelia rip him a new one, especially when he deserves it.
It's also interesting to watch the romance between Jack and Grace grow via other perspectives.
Knowing what happens to Thomas, makes it especially interesting to see how he handles it all. In some aspects, he's almost a martyr, because he makes a really stupid decision when it comes to Amelia that could have ruined the entire story. Thankfully, he redeems himself, but it was still a head-banging moment for me.
And it's been said by numerous people that JQ is the queen of phenomenal dialogue. I'd like to share just a bit with you, to showcase this woman's talent. This is as they are on their way to Ireland. Thomas has come across Amelia on the boat and after apologizing about previous foot-in-mouth syndrome, they proceed to have this really amazing conversation. I'm dropping you right in the midst of it, but whatever. :~D
"We could have been friends," she heard herself say.
"Could?"
"Would," she corrected, and she was smiling. It seemed the most amazing thing. How was it possible she had anything to smile about? "I think we would have been friends, if not for...If all this..."
"If everything were different?"
"Yes. No. Not everything. Just...some things." She began to feel lighter. Happier. And she had not the slightest clue why. "Maybe if we'd met in London."
"And we hadn't been betrothed?"
She nodded. "And you hadn't been a duke."
His brows rose.
"Dukes are very intimidating," she explained. "It would have been so much easier if you hadn't been one."
"And your mother had not been engaged to my uncle," he added.
"If we'd just met."
"No history between us."
"None."
His brows rose and he smiled. "If I'd seen you across a crowded room?"
"No, no, nothing like that." She shook her head. He was not getting this at all. She wasn't talking about romance. She couldn't bear to even think of it. But friendship...that was something else entirely. "Something far more ordinary," she said. "If you'd just sat next to me on a bench."
"Like this one?"
"Perhaps in a park."
"Or a garden," he murmured.
"You would sit down next to me-"
I won't tell you the rest of that, because it's pretty important to the story & I don't want to spoil it. Just wanted to showcase why this woman amazes me with every book she writes.
And I've got to say, there are few authors who can make me laugh out loud and then sigh with either sadness or bliss right after the other, like this writer can. :)
So, all in all, I can't recommend this book enough. And even if you haven't read TLDoW, you won't be lost. I haven't read that since it first came out and I wasn't remotely confused. Another wonderful story, by an amazing writer.
My Rating: A
It's true. He doesn't. Thomas rather likes having a fiancee-all the better to keep the husband-hunters at bay-and he does intend to marry her...eventually. But just when he begins to realize that his bride might be something more than convenient, Thomas's world is rocked by the arrival of his long-lost cousin, who may or may not be the true Duke of Wyndham. And if Thomas is not the duke, then he's not engaged to Amelia. Which is the cruelest joke of all, because this arrogant and illustrious duke has made the mistake of falling in love...with his fiancee!
Ah, Julia Quinn. You know, I actually became acquainted with her writing with The Lost Duke of Wyndham, the first book in this duology. And that's when I fell in love with this wonderful, fantastic writer.
MC, IP, actually takes place at the exact same time as TLDoW, but told from the POV of Thomas and Amelia. And amazingly enough, it didn't confuse me in the least! How's that for amazing writing?! Usually, in circumstances like this, it's either very confused or makes no sense. Here's to Ms. Quinn's talents that that didn't happen at all.
At the beginning of the story, Thomas arrives at a country dance that his grandmother browbeat him into attending. He goes because he feels he has no choice and is expected to dance with his fiancee just like he does at every dance they both attend.
Amelia, on the other hand, is fed up with being the long-standing fiancee of a man who barely even acknowledges her existence, let alone the fact that they are to get married. Everything changes the night of the dance. Instead of saying yes like she usually does when he asks her to dance, she says no. One step towards independence! Yay!
Thomas is shocked by this completely unexpected turn of events and finally realizes that the woman he's been engaged to since he was seven years old, actually has a backbone. There's the obligatory a-ha moment (as there is in every romance), where he notices that she's a woman. And it's about time.
Things progress, she leaves and then everything changes.
As we found out in TLDoW, Thomas's future becomes unclear when his cousin Jack is found and forced into the family fold. Thomas's whole life has been dedicated to being the Duke of Wyndham, and in fact, that is what he bases his identity on. The idea of losing everything he holds dear and himself is almost more than he can bear...at first.
It is so fascinating to watch how Thomas and Amelia's romance progresses. They become friends first, which is something I really appreciate. There's no groping (well, a little bit) and it's quite entertaining to watch Amelia rip him a new one, especially when he deserves it.
It's also interesting to watch the romance between Jack and Grace grow via other perspectives.
Knowing what happens to Thomas, makes it especially interesting to see how he handles it all. In some aspects, he's almost a martyr, because he makes a really stupid decision when it comes to Amelia that could have ruined the entire story. Thankfully, he redeems himself, but it was still a head-banging moment for me.
And it's been said by numerous people that JQ is the queen of phenomenal dialogue. I'd like to share just a bit with you, to showcase this woman's talent. This is as they are on their way to Ireland. Thomas has come across Amelia on the boat and after apologizing about previous foot-in-mouth syndrome, they proceed to have this really amazing conversation. I'm dropping you right in the midst of it, but whatever. :~D
"We could have been friends," she heard herself say.
"Could?"
"Would," she corrected, and she was smiling. It seemed the most amazing thing. How was it possible she had anything to smile about? "I think we would have been friends, if not for...If all this..."
"If everything were different?"
"Yes. No. Not everything. Just...some things." She began to feel lighter. Happier. And she had not the slightest clue why. "Maybe if we'd met in London."
"And we hadn't been betrothed?"
She nodded. "And you hadn't been a duke."
His brows rose.
"Dukes are very intimidating," she explained. "It would have been so much easier if you hadn't been one."
"And your mother had not been engaged to my uncle," he added.
"If we'd just met."
"No history between us."
"None."
His brows rose and he smiled. "If I'd seen you across a crowded room?"
"No, no, nothing like that." She shook her head. He was not getting this at all. She wasn't talking about romance. She couldn't bear to even think of it. But friendship...that was something else entirely. "Something far more ordinary," she said. "If you'd just sat next to me on a bench."
"Like this one?"
"Perhaps in a park."
"Or a garden," he murmured.
"You would sit down next to me-"
I won't tell you the rest of that, because it's pretty important to the story & I don't want to spoil it. Just wanted to showcase why this woman amazes me with every book she writes.
And I've got to say, there are few authors who can make me laugh out loud and then sigh with either sadness or bliss right after the other, like this writer can. :)
So, all in all, I can't recommend this book enough. And even if you haven't read TLDoW, you won't be lost. I haven't read that since it first came out and I wasn't remotely confused. Another wonderful story, by an amazing writer.
My Rating: A
Saturday, May 31, 2008
The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
The Back Blurb-WILL THE REAL DUKE OF WYNDHAM PLEASE STAND UP?
Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine...until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duek, then he is the one man she can never have...
I have never read a Julia Quinn. Pick yourself up off the floor please. :) I know it's surprising, but it's true. I've heard wonderful things about her, especially her Bridgerton series, but as I've said, I'm just recently getting back into historicals after a long hiatus.
I decided to pick up this book when I was at B&N yesterday. I thought the blurb sounded interesting & I'm nothing if not adventurous, so I bought it. Boy am I glad I did!
TLDoW was a wonderful book! It looks like it's a new series & was wonderfully entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud quite often. At one point I got the snorts, which (I'm thinking) is a good thing.
The story starts out when Grace and the Dowager Duchess are coming back from a party. They are set upon by highwaymen. Things gets all haywire, identities are revealed & insanity begins. This is a very cut&dry version of what happens.
I love mistaken identity stories & at first, this book seems like a classic case of that. Jack has no interest whatsoever in finding out if he is the Duke or not. He's happy with the life he leads & he doesn't want anything to change.
Unfortunately, he has absolutely no control over anything that happens. His life is now in the hands of the Dowager Duchess, who is a complete & total psychopath.
It's hard for me to explain exactly why I loved this book so much. There were very few things about it that bothered me, which is amazing in & of itself. The humor, the people, the sheer insanity of the whole story captured my fancy from the beginning & I did not put the book down until it was finished. I think the better way to say that is I couldn't put it down!
What I loved:
Grace-Her life changed drastically 5 years ago when her parents were killed. She has been the Dowager's constant companion ever since & her life has not been easy. Instead of whining & feeling sorry for herself (or being a martyr), she does her job with a sense of humor and an ability to ignore the Dowager that I envy. She is intelligent, funny and not a bluestocking! Yay!
Jack-He is perfect! Funny, sarcastic, handsome and just all around entertaining. There are moments in this book that totally had me laughing out loud. He has his faults, but he's the kind of hero, especially in historicals, that I adore. I wish more heroes were written like him.
I'm not going to write excerpts of dialogue or any of that, though this one tiny little piece cracked me up! The Dowager is reading the newspaper and finds out there's been a fire at a neighboring estate...The dog perished. Oh my, that is a shame. Why that hit my funny bone, I don't know.
Page 137-138 had some very funny dialogue between the Dowager & Grace (who is thinking about Jack)
Pages 321-323...the joys of English swearing. Truly one of the funniest things I've read in a long time. :) Your opinion is always welcome! :)
Anyway, this book was just wonderful. Funny, sweet, heartwarming...I'm sure I could think of more adjectives, but you get the idea. Julia Quinn is now an autobuy author. In fact *wincing* I went and bought the entire Bridgerton series. I'm on The Duke And I right now, but already the trademark Quinn writing is there. :)
My Rating: A...definitely
Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine...until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duek, then he is the one man she can never have...
I have never read a Julia Quinn. Pick yourself up off the floor please. :) I know it's surprising, but it's true. I've heard wonderful things about her, especially her Bridgerton series, but as I've said, I'm just recently getting back into historicals after a long hiatus.
I decided to pick up this book when I was at B&N yesterday. I thought the blurb sounded interesting & I'm nothing if not adventurous, so I bought it. Boy am I glad I did!
TLDoW was a wonderful book! It looks like it's a new series & was wonderfully entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud quite often. At one point I got the snorts, which (I'm thinking) is a good thing.
The story starts out when Grace and the Dowager Duchess are coming back from a party. They are set upon by highwaymen. Things gets all haywire, identities are revealed & insanity begins. This is a very cut&dry version of what happens.
I love mistaken identity stories & at first, this book seems like a classic case of that. Jack has no interest whatsoever in finding out if he is the Duke or not. He's happy with the life he leads & he doesn't want anything to change.
Unfortunately, he has absolutely no control over anything that happens. His life is now in the hands of the Dowager Duchess, who is a complete & total psychopath.
It's hard for me to explain exactly why I loved this book so much. There were very few things about it that bothered me, which is amazing in & of itself. The humor, the people, the sheer insanity of the whole story captured my fancy from the beginning & I did not put the book down until it was finished. I think the better way to say that is I couldn't put it down!
What I loved:
Grace-Her life changed drastically 5 years ago when her parents were killed. She has been the Dowager's constant companion ever since & her life has not been easy. Instead of whining & feeling sorry for herself (or being a martyr), she does her job with a sense of humor and an ability to ignore the Dowager that I envy. She is intelligent, funny and not a bluestocking! Yay!
Jack-He is perfect! Funny, sarcastic, handsome and just all around entertaining. There are moments in this book that totally had me laughing out loud. He has his faults, but he's the kind of hero, especially in historicals, that I adore. I wish more heroes were written like him.
I'm not going to write excerpts of dialogue or any of that, though this one tiny little piece cracked me up! The Dowager is reading the newspaper and finds out there's been a fire at a neighboring estate...The dog perished. Oh my, that is a shame. Why that hit my funny bone, I don't know.
Page 137-138 had some very funny dialogue between the Dowager & Grace (who is thinking about Jack)
Pages 321-323...the joys of English swearing. Truly one of the funniest things I've read in a long time. :) Your opinion is always welcome! :)
Anyway, this book was just wonderful. Funny, sweet, heartwarming...I'm sure I could think of more adjectives, but you get the idea. Julia Quinn is now an autobuy author. In fact *wincing* I went and bought the entire Bridgerton series. I'm on The Duke And I right now, but already the trademark Quinn writing is there. :)
My Rating: A...definitely
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