Splendid by Julia Quinn

Cover: I like this particular cover a lot.  I love the purple flowers!  AAnd I like that it’s kind of a traditional looking mass market paperback cover- without a steamy scene on the front.

I’ve read a few Julia Quinn novels, but not many.  I decided to pick this one up on a bit of a whim, I and I didn’t realise at first that it was her first novel.

I really enjoyed it! Reading it in just under two days.

Emma is a fiery heroine, and Alex is an arrogant bachelor.  Neither one of them is prepared to fall in love, particularly with each other.

It’s definitely made me want to read more Julia Quinn novels in the near future.

4/5 stars.

W...W...W...Wednesday 26/10/2016

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Close To You by Kristen Proby

I recently finished reading How The Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell

I think my nect read will be Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

W...W...W...Wednesday 19/10/16

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is How The Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell

I recently finished reading Eternally North by Tillie Cole

I think my next read will be Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #1) by Julia Quinn

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Print Length: 437 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0062353594
• Publisher: Avon (28 April 2015)
• ASIN: B00UG8RP8Q

Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?

—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy sutiors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love…

Cover: Nothing to really like or dislike about this cover. Although I do like that this series doesn’t have models on the front so that you can actually imagine how the characters look based on the author’s descriptions and not what the publisher decided to whack on the cover (although don’t get me wrong I can sometimes love a bodice ripping cover).

I read the second book in this series first, and loved it, so was looking forward to picking up the first book. I’ve discovered a new favourite Regency author and am looking forward to devouring more books from her.

Simon was such a great character- his father was disappointed in him, because when he was small he had a stutter and so he thought he must be stupid, and unworthy of the title. But Simon beat his stutter, and the anger against his father drives him, motivating him to master control of himself. But as the ultimate revenge against his father he resolves never to marry and have the title die with him.

There’s only one problem with this plan- Daphne Bridgerton.

The chemistry between the two of them was undeniable. I found myself really rooting for them. I wanted Simon to come to his senses and see that he and Daphne were made for each other. That the ultimate revenge on his father would be to live a happy life, not being miserable.

Highly recommend picking this one up guys- I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

5/5 stars.

W...W...W...Wednesday 10/08/16

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Paper Princess by Emma Watt

I recently finished reading The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

I think my next read will be Romancing Mr Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons #3) by Julia Quinn

Format: Kindle Edition
Print Length: 421 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0062353659
Publisher: Avon (25 Aug. 2015)
ASIN: B00UG8RP2W

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?
 Cover: There's something about this cover that I really like.  Maybe it's the Cinderella-esqu image, but I just like it.

I recently reading The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn, and I fell in love with it.  So much so that after I finished reading it I immediately had to pick up An Offer From a Gentleman.  And I'm so glad I did.
I've discovered a new to me Regency author where I can just binge read book after book.
I enjoyed An Offer From a Gentleman just as much as The Viscount Who Loved Me, although with this one, I felt it was bit of a Cinderella retelling...and I FREAKING love them.  I read The Prince Who Loved Me by Karen Hawkins earlier this year, and this reminded me of that book as well.  Regency fairytale retellings are a favourite of mine.
An Offer From a Gentleman really reminded me of my favourite movie as well, Ever After: A Cinderella Story- a Cinderella story that maybe can't be described a wholly believable but a tad more realistic- no fairy godmothers or magic.
A fabulous Regency romance, and I can't wait to delve into more of these books.
5/5 stars.

The Viscount Who Loved by (Bridgertons #2) by Julia Quinn

Format: Kindle Edition
Print Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (28 April 2015)
ASIN: B00UG8RP22

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...
--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry--he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister--but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...
 
 

Cover:  There a few different covers for this book.  Fairly typical Regency Romance cover- nothing about it screamed ‘Read Me’ which is probably why it’s taken me such a long time to actually getting round to reading a Julia Quinn novel.

I’ve never read a Julia Quinn novel before, and I don’t really know why.  I would call myself a huge fan of Regency Romance.  I think because there are so many Regency novels out there, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of them.  I was aware of Julia Quinn, but I didn’t really know where to start really.

One day I was looking for some new Regency Romance authors to try, because I’d finished reading The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean- one of my favourite Regency Romance authors, and I was craving something similar.  So I Googled ‘Best Regency Romance Authors’, Which lead me to a list featuring ‘Julia Quinn’, which lead me to a top 5 list of someone favourite Julia Quinn books.  Long winded I know.

But at number one on that list was The Viscount Who Loved Me.  And even though it’s number 2 in a series, I decided to give it a go.

And I’m so glad that I did.  I loved it.

Anthony has decided that it’s time for him to get married and produce an heir.  He’s convinced, that like his father, he will die young.  So he wants to avoid romantic complications such as loving his wife.  He wants to marry someone he gets on well enough with, but not someone he’ll fall in love with. 

He decides on the Season’s belle of the ball Edwina. 

There’s one complication- Edwina’s older sister Kate.

Kate is a strong willed lady.  And she steadfastly guards her sister against Rake’s.  And the Viscount is definitely a Rake. 

With each interaction the banter and chemistry builds between them.  I loved their arguments.

Maybe the Viscount is as risk of falling in love after all.

This book was exactly my kind of read.  I absolutely fell in love with it.  I loved the quirky banter, it made me smile while reading it.

I didn’t feel that not reading the first book really mattered an awful lot as the story stands by itself, but I will definitely be going back and picking up the first book.  I will be picking up more Julia Quinn novels that’s for sure.

It’s nice to read another Regency Romance with substance to it, I feel an obsession coming on.

 5/5 stars.

W...W...W...Wednesday 27/07/16

To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish reading?

What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is In Debt to the Earl by Elizabeth Rolls

I recently finished reading The Land of Stories: An Author's Odyssey

I think my next read will The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn