The Trouble with Being a Duke

by Sophie Barnes
3.5/5 stars
Avon Books, 2013
351 pages
Adult Historical Romance

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

When I read the summary for this book, I got a distinct Cinderella vibe. Being that Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale retelling and that two of my earliest and hence most beloved experiences in reading romance were retellings of that story (An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn and Once Upon a Dream by Katherine Kingsley), how could I resist?

This book dives very quickly into its central event: a masquerade ball hosted by the new duke of Kingsborough, Anthony Hurst who is on the lookout for a bride. He finds her in yellow under the cover of Miss Smith. In just a few short hours, both are smitten and Hurst knows that he must deepen the connection. For her part, Isabella has grown up dreaming of attending the ball and can scarcely believe she disobeyed her parents and potentially shamed her future fiance, the priggish Mr. Roberts only to fall for the duke himself!

My biggest problem with this book is the extreme lack of conflict. Both parties are quite certain they would like to pursue a relationship. Though Isabella is almost engaged to someone else, neither of them feels a strong passion. Isabella's mother does bear an extremely strong grudge toward the nobility...but that's it. Even the duke's mother isn't that disturbed by her potential daughter-in-law being not of the gentry. So there really isn't that much tension. I feel like this could have been cut down to be a short story, as a companion novella to the other stories at the Kingsborough Ball.

Another annoyance is that it is a case of instant attraction with the possibility of becoming love. Hurst is very definitive that it's not love, yet. But he is also equally certain that it could turn in to love very quickly and is determined to pursue that possibility no matter what objections Society might put up. The other problem revolves around Isabella's mother's dislike of the rich and titled. Her reasons are teased to us before finally being revealed but there are sufficient clues to put together an accurate guess beforehand.

Overall: Perfectly pleasant characters for an okay read; it's just not one that sparks for me. Another way of phrasing it is to say that it lacks oomph.

ARC Review: When the Marquess Met His Match

When the Marquess Met His Match by Laura Lee Guhrke
4/5 stars
Avon, 2013
363 pages
Adult Historical Romance
Scheduled to release October 29

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest (and quite early) review.

Guhrke wrote one of my favorite romances of all time, one of the few I've actually bought for my Nook (rather than waiting for a free copy to become available): And Then He Kissed Her, read pre-blog so no review. I haven't followed her writing super closely since then but decided that I'd like to check out this newest because of how pretty the woman's dress is on the cover (what a lovely color!) and because it was about rich Americans coming to London to snag British peers for husbands, which is just a fun storyline.

So our first character here is Lady Belinda Featherstone (awesome last name) who was herself a young rich American who fell head over heels for a British lord only to discover after the marriage was consummated that he only married her for her money. This disillusionment has sustained her in her widowhood, serving as a matchmaker for other young innocent Americans, to provide a happier fate for them. Meanwhile she lives a life of absolute propriety, content as the marriage broker without love for herself.

Our male lead is Nicholas, Marquess of Trubridge, a shameless rake whose reputation was spotted from a young age and has lived an indolent life unrepentantly. Until his domineering father cuts him off, forcing Nicholas to seek a mercenary marriage to restore himself to his former fortune. However he intends to be honest about his need for money and seek a bride he has at least some affection for even if love will not be the foundation.

The two are instantly at odds with Belinda particularly concerned about a young American friend and desperate to prevent other girls from falling into the same miserable marriage she had while Nicholas feels judged without understanding. Of course antagonistic sparks soon give way to friendlier passionate sparks as the two are powerless to fight their growing feelings for each other. This book had plenty of snappy banter and light moments to keep me easily engaged. I feel like it's a typical length for a romance and though I grew a bit tired of the baggage each character had, at least it is shed by the end for the HEA.

ARC Review: The Duke Diaries

The Duke Diaries by Sophia Nash
4/5 stars
Avon, 2013
384 pages
Adult Historical Romance Comedy
Scheduled to release February 26

Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As I mentioned in my review of first book Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea (I seemed to have missed book two), these books seem to be much more focused on comedy than on accurately capturing its purported time period. As someone who adores lighthearted stories, this isn't really a problem a for me although it bothered me more here than it did in the first book.

The biggest problem was the ultimate climax and resolution (revolving around the titular diaries) of the story, which I won't share for fear of spoilers. Suffice it to say that I was shaking my head at the utter ludicrousness and I know that I'm very gullible so if even I had difficulty swallowing the scenes, there will definitely be others who scoff at it.

But the plot is not the main reason to read. No, the main reason to read is for delightful characters and their quippy conversations. Our hero and heroine in this story have a history, being neighbors: Rory, Duke of Abshire and Lady Verity, sister to another duke. Their past is very complicated and that creates additional complications on their way to true love and happily ever after. 

As I mentioned, this is technically part of a series. I feel like some of the characters I should have known already from book one and I know some of the characters played a role in book two after reading the summaries so it was personally frustrating that my memory was failing me on how exactly they all fit together. I can't believe I'm saying this but maybe there were too many dukes! (How can there be too many dukes? I know but kind of felt that way.)

Overall: A pleasant afternoon diversion-I do recommend reading the series in order if you can just because the characters do pop up in each other's stories but can also be read as a standalone if you want to check out Nash's style in this series.

The Lady Most Willing

The Lady Most Willing...by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway
4/5 stars
Avon Books, 2012
384 pages
Adult Historical Romance

Source: Received an e-ARC through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Potential spoilers: the set-up for this book is that there are several eligible young people and you don't quite know who will end up with who; however I will be talking about that. I don't think it should be a big deal but fair warning to you.

I'm a total Quinn fan girl as I believe I've said on multiple occasions. But for some reason I've had a prejudice against Scottish romance stories. Basically I only seek out Regency London romances but when other Scottish stories have come my way, I have turned up my nose. I guess I have absorbed some of the characters' prejudices as there Scottish lords seem to be considered on a lower level than English. So the setting did briefly give me pause although that was soon assuaged.

Also giving me pause was the framing for these three stories which is that Lord Ferguson has two nephews and he is tired of waiting for them to get married. So he and his clansmen kidnap prospective heiress brides (and accidentally a duke) from a nearby house-party and let themselves get snowed in while magic happens. On the one hand, I'm super annoyed for these girls at their fate of being abducted but on the other hand, it strongly reminds me of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, an old musical I adore so I resolved to push past that to check out the stories.

First up is the Duke of Bretton with Catriona Burns, accidentally kidnapped as she is penniless. Nonetheless the two find themselves drawn to each other and quickly fall. As you might expect, there is a lot of wit and humor in this Quinn selection.

Second was probably my favorite coupling with Fiona Chisolm and the laird's nephew the Earl of Oakley. She is ruined in the eyes of society after her fiance died falling off the ivy on her tower while the earl was thrown over my his fiancee in favor of her dance-master. This is a second chance to do things right for the pair and they were so adorable. The earl was so upright and kind of a stick in the mud but I tend to prefer that kind of hero to the charming one who gets away with all sorts of wrong-doings.

The last couple was Cecily and Robin, the laird's other nephew. She has always been waiting for true love and as soon as they meet, she knows she's found it. Meanwhile Robin thinks he is insufficient due to his upbringing and his poverty while she is an heiress. Cecily has to be the aggressive one in this relationship in order to bring them to the altar.

There is also a fourth young lady, Fiona's half-sister Marilla who is shameless in her attempts to snag a lord for her husband. As each man falls for his partner, she simply moves on to the next guy. She was incredibly annoying, both to the characters within the book as well as to me. But she manages to get her own happily ever after so all's well that ends well!

Since these are short stories, the romances move incredibly fast (most over just one day before the snow thaws enough after maybe three/four days) and aren't as satisfying as a full-length story can be. However it did a great job evoking the cold and making me smile in time for Christmas! If you like these authors and/or Regency romance tropes, I think this will work for you.

The Scottish Witch

The Scottish Witch by Cathy Maxwell
2.5/5 stars
Avon, 2012
384 pages
Adult Historical Romance

Source: Received an e-ARC through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Earlier this year I read the first book Lyon's Bride, introducing the Chattans and their curse. Because Charles Chattan broke the heart of Scottish lass Rose, her witch mother Fenella cursed the male descendants. If they fall in love, they will die. Every one for generations has fallen before the birth of their first son except for the most recent generation which consists of two sons and a daughter. Although the three vowed to remain out of love, the eldest fell and started feeling symptoms. This is the second book with second son Harry traveling to Scotland, seeking a way to end the curse.

Of course he does not anticipate meeting Portia, poor plain spinster, sister to the beautiful Minerva and daughter of a snobbish mother. Portia is a delight-loyal to her family, strong, protective, fun. The pair meet when she pretends to be a witch in order to earn the reward he offers. Pretty soon the physical attraction between the two is bouncing off the walls but as Portia falls in love with Harry, they know it would be the death of him and he resists.

Although I was highly anticipating this book, I ended up feeling very disappointed. Harry is very flat here despite being charming and undergoing a great trial in the first book. Almost immediately after meeting, the two begin their physical relationship and while we are told about the talks they share, the reader isn't really privy to them. I felt like I was supposed to care about the characters either because of my previous experience reading about Harry or because that's what you do when you read romance. But I found the whole very unsatisfactory. Subplots of Portia's sister and mother's courtships were a nice addition to pad out the story but were insufficient to cover up the lack of depth in Portia and Harry's relationship.

On the other hand, I did like the supernatural elements. Possibly Fenella has been reincarnated as a cat and that is how she is keeping the curse strong. I love cats so I just like thinking about that sweet ball of fur lounging around and getting the better of everyone.

Overall: A disappointing sequel although I am still curious to find out how Margaret Chattan is going to break the curse as she must (and who she is going to fall in love with)!

 

Along Came a Duke

Along Came a Duke by Elizabeth Boyle
4/5 stars
Avon Books, 2012
362 pages
Historical Romance

Source: Received an ARC from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Boyle books are pretty much must-reads for me so the title, cover, and plot didn't really matter to me. I saw her name and that was sufficient. However if it did matter, I think the duke part would be very enticing. I once read that romance books with duke in the title sold better and I believe that; I know I like books when the man is of high rank, not that a mere mister can't be a good hero, of course...

Anyway on to the book itself: I suffered some confusion in the beginning just with the pacing and tone. On the one hand, there is Miss Tabitha Timmons, a confirmed spinster living with her cold uncle and aunt who assumed responsibility for her when her father died in exchange for a better position as vicar. They took the opportunity to improve their social standing while also gaining a free maid of all work. Yet Tabitha's spirits are bright especially because she has her two best friends Daphne and Harry. They are all spinsters and happily so in the small town of Kempton that is filled with many legends about the famous spinsterdom. Many names are thrown around but not all are important.

Then we meet her love interest, the Duke of Preston, although Tabitha does not realize this for a while. Because she does not know of his exalted status, she is fine lashing him with her tongue, immediately intriguing him. He is an awful rake, having ruined several ladies this season while also betting exorbitantly. My confusion stemmed from the relationships in his life. He has an aunt and uncle (twins) who are only about six months older than him as well as a friend Roxley. I was confusing the friend and the uncle, who I believe will be receiving their own stories with Tabitha's friends to complete the series (hopefully Preston's aunt will also receive a mate as she is widowed in this book).

The basic plot is that Tabitha must wed the eminently respectable Mr. Barkworth in order to inherit a sizable fortune. Problem is that she's in love with Preston and well he realizes he's in love with her. Tabitha's greedy relations will go far to keep Tabitha's inheritance in their hands but they are no match for true love.

Once I had sorted out the relationships in this book, I was enchanted. My ARC has a blurb from Julia Quinn that is just so true, "Wit, passion, and adventure, Elizabeth Boyle has it all." I loved the humor so much-I feel so in sync with Boyle because she always brings it for me. In particular, I enjoyed Preston's mocking of Mr. Barkworth. However the main reason I fell for both of the main characters though wasn't because they said some great lines; it was the way both suffered from losing their family and wanting to build one together. Serious tragedy in their pasts helps them appreciate the importance of family and gave them a very real connection. I appreciate the balance of serious with humor.

Overall: Perfect for fans of Julia Quinn and lighter romance-this is a humorous sweet story with two people eager for a deep connection and who have to battle base knavery to achieve their happily ever after.

A Night Like This

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
4/5 stars
Avon Books, 2012
Historical Romance Comedy
Book 2 in the Smythe-Smith Quartet

Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I'll admit that I definitely have expectations when I pick up a Julia Quinn romance. I expect to laugh a lot, to love the main characters, and to be amused by the many secondary characters who surround the couple. Well, check plus on all three points for this book!

I feel like once you're familiar with Quinn's style, it is immediately recognizable. And that is the case here. I love returning to this London and to the great families she creates. There is so much love evident and for someone who prefers a lighter story, it is so comforting. I don't want angst-I want to have fun and Quinn always delivers!

This is the second book in the Smythe-Smith quartet and it overlaps with the end of the first book, Just Like Heaven, which I read last year but did not review. Daniel Smythe-Smith, Earl of Winstead, has returned from abroad where he had escaped after foolishly dueling with and injuring a peer with a powerful and protective father. It is supposed to be safe for him to return. However it is not exactly as he promptly loses his heart to his sisters' governess the lovely and mysterious Miss Anne Wynter. Anne has worked very hard to reach her current position and does not want to jeopardize it by flirting above her social stratum.

But as the book progresses, of course, she is charmed by Daniel and falls for him. Alas all is not well though with Daniel suffering several attacks that may have been orchestrated by his friend's father who still harbors a grudge and with Anne also threatened by someone from her past. Her story is an old one but not one any less worthy of compassion.  I especially liked the climactic ending because of course Anne's past has to haunt her and of course Daniel has to go after her. But happily Anne can be her own heroine and save herself with Daniel just providing additional support.

While I did miss Lady Danbury who I remember playing a role in the first book, it is more than made up for by Daniel's three younger sisters who dearly love each other. One is an aspiring playwright and another has an obsession with unicorns; just a few of the quirks that make them so much fun to read about. And of course we have the traditional Smythe-Smith performances that open and close the book and will probably never not make me smile.

Overall: I think I actually liked this book more than the first although warning to those who don't like love at first sight stories. I usually don't but Quinn is so masterly that I end loving them.

Lyon's Bride

Lyon's Bride: The Chattan Curse by Cathy Maxwell
4/5 stars
Avon Books, 2012
372 pages
Historical Romance

Source: Received an ARC from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

I was really nervous when I opened this book and saw the year 1632 listed as I had requested this under the impression that it was set during the Regency time period and I was really craving that. Happily this is only a prologue chapter that sets up the basic premise of this book (and the next two that will follow) and what a wallop it packed! See in 1632, Fenella's beloved daughter Rose handfasted with Charles Chattan; but he proved to be faithless, marrying an Englishwoman of title and power. For vengeance, Fenella curses his line that once a man falls in love, his death is imminent. He will father a son to carry on the curse but death will take him. And so it goes to the time of 1814 when our story proper begins.

The first character we meet is Thea Martin, a young widow and mother of two boys who had been disinherited by her duke father for marrying below her station. Now she scrapes by as a highly sought after matchmaker for the difficult cases of the ton. But she has never received a case so preposterous. Neal Chattan, Lord Lyon, wants her to find him a bride who he will not detest but with whom he will never fall in love. Complicating matters are Thea's own deep belief in the power of love as well as a youthful attraction between the two.

For his part, Neal grew up at a distance from his father, learning about the curse during the summer he met Thea and has tried to stay detached since. With his brother Harry and his sister Margaret, they have sworn to let the curse end with them. But Neal craves children and, although he doesn't want to admit it, he craves Thea. Thus enters their conflict. Her youthful marriage has left her scarred but still wanting to fall in love and be married. If he marries a woman he loves, he will father a child but die young.

I really liked the dance Neal and Thea went through as each pretended they were untouched by the other's presence especially because I as the reader got to see how much they loved each other. Both characters have strong senses of personal honor and are restrained, which tend to be my favorite characters as I feel I have similar attributes. It was easy to put myself in Thea's shoes despite our very different positions and that always makes me happy.

But what I probably found most interesting was how the story ends with Neal facing the first symptoms of the curse: a numbness on his left side. The group does not want to give up though so Harry is dispatched to search for Fenella. The next book is called Scottish Witch, due Fall 2012, making me think Harry might fall for one of Fenella's descendants, leading to another reason to end the curse as Chattan finally makes restitution for the wrong.

There is also a house party (I love Regency house parties), snobby leaders of the ton, adorable little kids, and plenty of threads for the future romances of Harry and Margaret with all of their flaws and virtues.

Overall: An intriguing curse premise hangs the entire trilogy together and I can't wait to read the next section!

Cover: Really not a fan of books where a model stares out at the reader but I still kind of like this especially with the gorgeous blue cover background.

Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea

Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea by Sophia Nash
Avon Books, 2012
371 pages
Romance; Historical
4/5 stars

Source: Received an ARC from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Some of the other reviews I've seen for this book classify it as a "mistorical", meaning a mistaken historical or that which does not take the historical part of its setting seriously. This can be good or bad in the eyes of the reader. For me, that is not usually too important although there were several elements of this book that did make me roll my eyes with disbelief. Overall I liked the humor and the characters enough that I was able to enjoy the majority of the book.

The book opens with a prologue as the newly minted Duke of Kress, Alex Barclay, and other dukes awaken from a drunken stupor, having enjoyed a most raucous night that caused great embarrassment for the crown. The Prince Regent orders everyone to get married, beginning with Barclay as the instigator of the night. He is exiled to his estate in Cornwall to rebuild a fortress and to marry an heiress.

The story proper begins with Roxanne Vanderhaven, Countess of Paxton, hanging from a cliff where her husband left her to die. Although she had grown disillusioned with him over the years from her elevation from tin miner's daughter to peeress, she could not fathom why he might want to dispose of her. Luckily Alex saves the day and is convinced to hide her until she can seek her revenge and make an escape.

This all sounds a bit ridiculous but as I was laughing quite a bit, it didn't matter to me. The humor continues to escalate as Alex attempts to avoid matrimony while tormenting Roxanne's husband and Roxanne tries to maintain her cover as a poor relation of Alex's. Of course, both are falling in love despite his hard shell and her married and presumed dead status. There are lots of other complications along the way.

But what really sold me on this book was the main characters. Roxanne is fairly sensible in the context of the story as well as headstrong and independent. I liked her immediately and loved that she was able to have some friendships with ladies who will presumably marry the other dukes over the course of the rest of the series. I also really loved Alex, a refreshing palate cleanser after the jerk in A Rogue By Any Other Name. Alex is far from perfect with unenlightened views about women but deep down, he's a softy with deep love and respect for his great-aunt as well as care for his ancestral lands.

There is a lot that is blipped over such as Alex's experiences in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars (we were only offered glimpses) and Roxanne's husband's precise motivation for killing her (arrogance over her common roots while being content to spend her money?) Additionally there were  a few too many characters with similar names that led to my confusion whenever many people were in the same scene. And the ending is a bit ridiculous with it's "I am Spartacus" aspect. Nonetheless this will probably be an enjoyable read for those who stress the comedy part of a "romantic comedy." I definitely want to read the rest of the series!

The Lady Most Likely

The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway
Avon Books, 2011
372 pages
Romance; Historical
3/5 stars

Source: Won

I just adore Julia Quinn; I think I've read all of her published novels and at some point I will read all of the Bridgerton epilogues. I've had mixed experiences with Eloisa James (problems with story choices) but the writing was enjoyable; and I'm not familiar with Connie Brockway but since I'm usually in the mood for a fluffy Regency romance, I figured why not?

The framework for these stories was delightful. Carolyn is requested to help her brother, Hugh, the Earl of Briarly to find a wife after an experience that might have left him dead. Hugh needs a wife and an heir, so that he can get back to his first love of horses. Consequently Carolyn arranges a house party with eligible young parties and starts matchmaking. Before and after the stories, we got to see Carolyn with her husband and what a great match they were! I liked them way more than I did the others.

The first story is between Hugh's best friend, another earl and the belle of the season, who Carolyn had hoped would marry Hugh. The belle is the beautiful but shy Gwendolyn whose demeanor comes off as snobby to jealous girls such as the earl's sister. When she begs him to distract Gwen so that she can have some suitors, he happily obliges. Thus do Alec and Gwen meet and fall in love. This was Quinn's story and I felt that it unmistakably had her signature on it. This was also my favorite of the collection.

The second story is from Connie Brockway and unfortunately features a trope I loathe. This is a trope of two young people who like each other and could move toward marriage. When he attempts this, her father deems him unworthy and said man leaves, never telling the woman why but leaving her to forever pine for him. In general the man also never apologizes for sucking. So while the writing was just fine and the shortness made this more bearable than other stories using this plot, I could not get over my loathing of it.

The last story was okay; it is about Hugh finally realizing that the woman of his dreams is his sister's widowed friend Lady Georgina, who seemed to be on the point of swearing never to remarry. What bothered me about this story was Hugh's sudden realization that Georgina was, in his words, "Mine." This was repeated and I just wanted to slap him and say that no, she was her own person.

Overall: In some ways this is the light fluffy Romance novel I wanted; there are lots of cute exchanges between all of the couples. But due to some personal pet peeves, I did not enjoy this.

Kate

Kate Middleton: Princess in Waiting by Claudia Joseph
Avon, 2009
268 pages
Non-fiction; Royalty
3.5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: A brief biography of Middleton's ancestors from the Victorian era to Kate's own life.

I really liked the concept of this book.  The first eleven chapters focus on Kate's ancestors, giving brief insight into the four main branches starting with the great-great-great-great grandparents and  even brief mentions of William's family especially to compare circumstances.  Those chapters were a little difficult as many names appear but they gave a brief peek at a particular time period and of people living under those conditions.

The rest of the book traces Kate's own life including the brief breakup and almost immediate reconciliation.  It really stressed the sacrifices Kate has made to be with William.  She looked for a low-key job so that she could be by his side at a moment's notice and support him at society events.  She's so patient and giving-I really do hope for the best for their marriage!

I hated the constant comparisons between the poverty of many of her ancestors and how Kate would be keeping much more rarefied company.  I also felt like Joseph thought that Kate and her family were social climbers.  The stress on Kate as a commoner when her family is worth millions and she went to private school seems bizarre to me over here in America. In my view, she's legitimately upper-class even if she doesn't have aristocratic blood, solely because of her financial situation-one of many differences between the US and the UK!

Read as part of the British Books Challenge.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
Avon, 2010
397 pages
Historical; Romance
First in trilogy
3/5 stars

Source: Bought

Summary: Callie is tired of being the perfect spinster and is spurred to try living her life anew after hearing some less than flattering comments.  To that end, she approaches the Marquess of Ralston, the man she's been in love with for ten years, in order to have her first kiss.  He sees an innocent who nonetheless provokes and intrigues him as well as the solution to the problem of his untutored sister.

Thoughts: I mostly enjoyed MacLean's The Season and I saw largely positive reviews of this book so I thought I'd try it.  Once I got past the insanely long title, I was not enchanted.  I expected a lot of humor after enjoying the Austenesque Season but it was not really funny.  I was intrigued by the concept: a confirmed spinster decides to start pushing the bounds of propriety, including brazenly romancing a rake.  And I liked Callie a lot.  I also appreciated her points about the sexist society in which they live-very different fare than I usually see in romance novels. I somewhat liked the hero, Ralston.  He was very devoted to his brother and newfound sister.  That sister Juliana will be the heroine of the third book and she was lovely.  She was raised in Italy and shares a mother with the brothers; all of them were abandoned by the mother.  Because of that, Ralston has vowed never to love (see where this is going?) while Callie is adamant that she will have only a love match.

I didn't enjoy Callie's adventures as much as I wanted to because Ralston kept interfering in a patronizing way.  His slowness in not realizing that he loved her was infuriating and after he compromised her, his proposal of marriage sucked majorly.  There was also a lot of kissing and sex scenes which despite my love of romance novels is my least favorite part (I know for some (many?), that is the main reason to read them but I prefer humor and the clean ways they spend time together.)  However if you like that, you would probably enjoy this.

Overall: Two idiots (eventually) in love and a severe lack of humor hamper my enjoyment.

Cover: I really love the heroine's dress although there is again a cut-off head.

Ten Things I Love About You

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
Avon, 2010
377 pages
Historical; Romance
Third in Bevelstoke Series
3/5 stars

Source: Bought

Summary: Sebastian Grey is the presumptive heir to his uncle's earldom but said earl hates him and is trying to find a bride to bear him a new heir.  That young lady is Annabel Winslow who despises the earl but feels responsibility for her seven younger siblings and recently widowed mother-what's a girl to do?

Thoughts: I really loved the book trailer (and I usually avoid them like the plague) so I picked this up.  I wanted to love it because Sebastian is soooo charming and it's always great when the womanizer is finally bested and falls in love with just the one woman.  I also the idea of top ten lists.  However this was such a jolting experience.  First it would be charming Sebastian Grey; then the vulgar desperate earl; then more Sebastian; then Annabel being somewhat mopey.  Instead of Quinn's usual polished style, it jumped and left me feeling disoriented.  Every character was too exaggerated.  The earl was too pervish, Annabel's grandparents were too mean and openly accepting of adultery to an innocent, Annabel had little personality.  For one thing, if she loved her siblings so much why do I only know one sister's name?  I would have appreciated diving more in to her family life and how that impacted her decisions.

The romance was okay-they said a lot of funny things to each other but it don't cohere in to a whole and it wasn't as deep as I would have liked.  I guess I was expecting more from Sebastian, who utterly charmed me in What Happens in London but I was let down.

Overall: Disappointing story of a charming rogue.

Cover: I don't really like the girl's face (and I'm not sure she's curvy enough) but the white of the background looks good with the purple of the title and Quinn's name.

What Happens in London

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
Avon, 2009
372 pages
Historical; Romance
2nd in Bevelstoke series
4/5 stars

Source: Bought

Summary: Olivia Bevelstoke hears some ridiculous gossip about her new next door neighbor Sir Harry Valentine but she still can't help spying on him.  Harry can't figure out why that gorgeous blonde is spying on him but he is not displeased to be assigned by his employers at the War Office to look after her and the suspicious Russian prince who may be wooing her.  He will just keep an eye on her and report back because he couldn't possibly be falling for her, could he?

Thoughts: Julia Quinn and I had a bit of a falling out after she finished her Bridgerton series.  The last one On the Way to the Wedding made me cry and I absolutely loved it.  Then I tried the first book in the Bevelstoke series called The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever, which I'm pretty sure I finished although I didn't much like it.  Then I tried The Lost Duke of Wyndham and Mr Cavendish, I Presume and I couldn't finish either.  But I really wanted to read 10 Things I Love About You (check back tomorrow for my review) and I figured I would try to read it in order to get back in to her world.

Luckily I loved it!  It was so funny especially the scene where Sebastian reads aloud from a lurid gothic novel; I can see why he got his own book because he's absolutely charming and seemingly happy-go-lucky.  Harry is quite good with an interesting background that could have been expanded on more. Olivia is mostly delightful although I lamented her disinterest in reading fiction (luckily she loves newspapers.  I mean can you imagine a heroine of a romantic novel who despised reading?)  Their banter made me laugh a lot.  It was just what I needed in a book.

One part I loved was when Harry talked about romance novels: if they're written by a man, the woman dies; if they're written by a woman, they have a happily ever after (page 185).  I immediately thought of A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks and then the complete list of works by Julia Quinn and it seemed rather true!

The biggest problem was an injection of intrigue as Olivia is kidnapped for poorly defined reasons and rescued in somewhat of a ridiculous manner, leading to a loss of trust between the couple and a quick restoration.  I also did not like the big romance scene (because of the setting) nor did I like the marriage proposal (absolutely ludicrous).  There were also some loose threads relating to Harry's career and his relationship with his brother (who may grow up to get his own book?)

Overall: Not as good as the Bridgertons, I would say this was much closer to form for Quinn.

Cover: Kind of boring-the red's pretty and I like the rose but it doesn't stand out.

How I Met My Countess

How I Met My Countess by Elizabeth Boyle
Avon, 2010
345 pages
Romance; Historical; Series
4/5 stars

Source: Picked up cheap in a thrift store.

I've never read a romance that had so many chapters set in the past but it's necessary in order to fully tell the love story of Lucy and Clifton (His name appears to actually be Justin Grey but he's never called that.)  Seven years earlier, he and his brother Malcolm arrived at her father's home to be inducted in to the world of spies.  Along the way, they fall in love.  But Lucy is illegitimate and Clifton is an earl so her father tried to manage her expectations.  Seven years later she is widowed after marrying in desperation and thinking Clifton had forsaken her.  He in turn believes her to have been untrue.

I really loved Lucy, a vibrant and exciting woman.  She has a mean right hook and a tart tongue  She did not seem of her time but I didn't mind.  I was less enthused about Clifton, mostly because he was sometimes too intent on dominating her.  He also has trust issues (see Spoiler).  But he is genuninely heroic, having faithfully served England as a spy all these years.

SPOILER: I don't believe this is really a spoiler but better safe than sorry.  Mickey is obviously Lucy's nephew and Clifton's as well for while Clifton hearts Lucy, his brother Malcolm loves her sister.  But when Clifton meets Mickey, he jumps to the ludicrous conclusion that Lucy and Malcolm had produced the child.

I believe this marks the start of what I'm calling the Lady Standon series as Lucy, Elinor, and Minerva are all called by that name.  They all married men they didn't love and this is now their chance to get their happily ever after. Check out Elizabeth Boyle's website for more info.

One interesting aspect is toward the end where Lucy takes a rather philosophical approach to life that such a thing had to happen in order for other things to happen.  The second book, featuring Elinor, is also set up.

My big problem with this book is how problems cropped up and were quickly dispensed with.  There were a lot of problems but they never lasted for long. However I liked that the couple were pretty much always in love and were eager to resume their relationship after those misunderstandings were cleared.

This is all set in Elizabeth Boyle's Regency World with references to spymaster Pymm, spy Temple (hero of my beloved Stealing the Bride), and Felicity Langley (from Love Letters from a Duke) in a rather unsympathetic portrayal.  There are also two hilarious dowagers who come to help the Lady Standons remarry and who will hopefully be in the next two books.

Overall: A perhaps too fast-paced romance spy novel with an amazing heroine from the ever-delightful Elizabeth Boyle.

Cover: Why hello Miss Cleavage-pretty necklace!