Mini-Comments

Two books I've read recently but, to be truly honest, both felt average to me so I confess I don't have much to say about either.

Annabel Winslow is in a pickle. Having newly arrived in London for her first season and being in possession of a voluptuous figure, is being openly courted the the Earl of Newbury, who is at least 75 and a nasty brute to boot. Annabel does not want to marry him, of course, but feels that she has no choice since her father has recently died and left the whole family, including Annabel's mother and her 7 siblings, almost destitute.
Then, while attending a party in the countryside, Annabel met Sebastian Grey, the Earl of Newbury's nephew. And suddenly she found herself not only courted by the lecherous uncle, but also the charming young nephew. Should she follow her heart so that she can be with the one she loves, or should she marry the loathsome earl just so she can put food on the table for her family and make sure that her brothers get to stay in school?

Ten Things I Love About You is the third installment in the Bevelstoke trilogy by author Julia Quinn. I admit I haven't read the others but since this can also be read as a stand alone, I don't think it was a loss not having read the previous ones. 

In this sweet story we meet Annabel and Sebastian, an unlikely couple that proves to be very well matched. Annabel needs to find a wealthy husband because her family is in a dire situation and the earl of Newbury seems to be the most likely candidate but the problem is he is old enough to be her grandfather. Sebastian is his nephew, whom he hates. 

The situation also provides funny scenes but although I liked how the protagonists slowly developed feelings for each other, I just didn't like them individually. Ok, didn't like is too strong, I didn't feel much empathy, even if their personal issues were important and relevant. Therefore, even knowing the plot made sense most of the time, I just didn't enjoy reading this one as much as I did others by the author.

Grade: 6/10

-//-

Vic Bronsen has a problem. He's stuck in a rut, uninspired by his job, and in love with a man who has

no clue. Thinking a change of scenery and company will do his aching heart some good, he goes off on a road trip with his best friend, only to find that the answers to his problems may have been right there in front of him all along.

Unrequited is a short story about two friends who go on a vacation together and how their feelings change from simple friendship to care and love. 

Vic is a busy man who has been in love with Owen for a long time but Owen never seems to get the notion Vic's feelings might be deeper...although Vic never told him how he truly feels. His friend Shane shows up because of their common job and somehow convinces Vic to go on holiday with him and that is the mote for new discoveries.

Interesting was how Vic felt his feelings were unrequited by Owen and Shane felt his were the same by Vic. I think there were too many similarities in such a small story so I couldn't go past that. The situation was solved in a way I thought difficult to simply accept and the friends to lovers scenario isn't one I appreciate much, it's too weird most of the time. This was a cute story but not my favorite by the author.

Grade: 5/10

Julia Quinn - The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. He knows he can't be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family's infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She's the type of girl you don't notice until the second—or third—look, but there's something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she's the one.
Iris Smythe–Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can't quite believe it's all true. When his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can't help thinking that he's hiding something . . . even as her heart tells her to say yes. 

Comment: Since I'm a fan of the author and have been enjoying the books in this Smythe-Smith quartet, it was no wonder I was so happy that this book finally arrived and I could read it. This is the last of the series but I'm very curious to see what comes next from the author.

This is Iris' story. Of all the Smythe-Smith music players that famously appear on the author's books, Iris is one of the few that actually knows how to play and is fully aware of the tragedy that each musicale really is. Iris is also used to not be the most sought after woman because she is pale and fair and others don't notice her that much. She doesn't really mind so when a man she doesn't know stares at her on the latest musicale she isn't prepared to react when he is introduced to her.

Richard Kenworthy need a wife as quickly as possible. He has a secret problem and only a wife can help him solve it. He didn't count on Iris being more than she looked like and more than someone to be with him through life, she ends up being someone he falls in love with, someone he respects and trusts and deceiving her isn't as easy as he first desperately thought...

With this book, the latest quartet series by ms Quinn comes to an end. The series, so far, have fallen into a certain pattern of average plots and characters. I can't say this is amazing and recently many readers have said her work has lost some of its truest appeal which was the specific connection between characters and voice, something that seemed perfect in some of her best loved stories on the Bridgerton series. In this new series, plots seemed to be weaker and more simplistic, which, although not a bad thing on its own, surely contributed to the general opinion that ms Quinn lost that special thing about her writing.

Now, I wonder, is this a sign her work has become predictable and not as good? Honestly, I can understand if some readers think so, but personally I still see the enjoyment and allure of her books. Her work might not be the most serious out there but it doe offer a reasonable amount of drama/angst that stops it from being silly or pointless. There's still an aura of aim, of a goal to achieve, of interest to be savored. Yes, there seems to be lacking some intensity but I can't say I didn't enjoy reading.

I'm saying these things to make it clear that, while I see why so many others start to loose faith in her stories, I can still like them, still see the appeal and still be interested, despite the unwitting comparison to her better things.

A for the plot of this book, it certainly offers a weird dilemma. I think Richard's secret is serious and I totally get his fear and desire to solve things. He is a wonderful man who only wants the best those he cares about. I can even accept the idea that desperate thought call for desperate (and silly) solutions in the heat of the moment, but when we get to know the reason for all the plot's secrets, everything seems overly dramatic and easily solved.

Of course one has to bear in mind the fact this is an historical and even for authors not so serious about their historical approaches as ms Quinn, some things are easier to work with in an historical setting rather than a contemporary. Nevertheless, in the end I think the solution was so simple, was so obvious and true communication was the key to solve it. Then, we wouldn't have a funny and interesting plot to present, but still.

I think Richard and Iris are interesting characters. Neither has a so called alpha personality and that was good to see, Richard is a man who has the family's control but he isn't all powerful and all mastering and it was different to see him act without being a alpha type while having serious things to deal with.

Iris isn't pushy, an in-your-face character but neither is she a shy TSTL creature. I think if there was one thing that really worked out well was the slow development of their relationship based on their characters. If one thinks about this as a possible reality, then many elements are troublesome but in terms of romance, it was funny and cute how things progressed between them. I liked that part a lot.

The plot reaches a solution at last and everyone got a deserved HEA. Throughout the book, many scenes and details were interestingly inserted by the author but yes, some flaws are obvious.

Despite everything I had fun reading and I confess I was eager to keep read when I had to stop. I think that, even if a book isn't perfect, if it works for us at that time, if we do feel like reading and not stop, then it has to be a success, no matter what others think, right?

Oh and isn't the UK cover gorgeous?

Grade: 7/10

Julia Quinn - The Sum of All Kisses

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.
Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...
New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn's enchanting third novel in the Smythe-Smith quartet is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and tug at your heartstrings in equal measures.

Comment: This book arrived last week, and it's the third in the most recent quartet by the author. Those who know her Bridgerton series certainly remember the Smythe-Smith musicale that happens every year and that mortifies those who listen and...always one of those who plays. This quartet is based on the players, those girls that perform and who dread the incoming year where they'll have to play again. But despite looking like all of the girls hate to play, it isn't so and the reasons why they do it even when they now they're not very talented are explained here.

This is the story of Sarah Pleinsworth, she is a cousin to Daniel and Honoria, the heroes fom the previous two books. Sarah knows they play badly. While Honoria didn't mind playing because it was for the family, Sarah focuses on how badly they crucify the listeners so she wants to marry as soon as possible for the only two reasons one doesn't have to play is death or marriage. Now that her cousins are both getting married within weeks of each other, Sarah is asked to make company with Hugh Prentice, the reason her cousin Daniel went into exile and why she didn't have a proper Season in her come out. Sarah hates Hugh - or she says - but for her cousin, she will endure his company...or aren't things as easy as that..after all, she doesn't have all the details, does she?

I liked this story. The author always makes a good job in her characterization, in mixing the funny moments and the serious ones. Still, I do think there's a slightly obvious attempt to make this look funnier than what it is and if this were to happen more smoothly I probably wouldn't notice, but considering that I do it seems to me, it's something not easily ignored and somehow I can't put it aside. This is my issue with the book, I don't mind that it has funny scenes and dialogs ans so on, but I also didn't want to be reminded of it so obviously, so...the funny is her trademark, but she used to be a bit more subtle about it.

Critics apart, I liked this story and the romance. Sarah and Hugh don't get along, they met years before and had a fight and now they have to bear each other. Their relationship doesn't start very well, but slowly they learn things about the other that are different from what was expected considering neither Hugh nor Sarah thought much about what it is to be in the other's shoes. The time they are spending together bridges not only their differences but their similarities and it's quite the pleasure to see them discover a soul mate.
Sarah learns Hugh's side of the story and she starts feeling he isn't the villain in all this. She also hurts her ankle and has trouble walking so she sees herself in Hugh's shoes for a while and she feels compassion and not pity. As time goes by, she starts seeing Hugh as someone she cares about and the more time she spends with him, the more in love the falls.
Hugh feels the same. After the misunderstandings from the past are dealt with, Hugh still has to bear Sarah's company because after Daniel forgave him, he still feels he has to do what he can to minimize his guilt over what he thing was the ruin of his friend. So he endures th weddings despite his leg because he feels he owns Daniel something. Being with Sarah starts as looking like she his nanny and he's uncomfortable, but soon he sees in her a person with a good heart and her soul isn't that bad 
either.

The romance was amazing. When they figured they loved each other was quite the scene and when they first kiss was a memorable scene as well. I liked the tone of the romance, from them not liking each other, from bearing the other, from seeing something special in the other until they only thought what it would be like to love the other. I thought it was a romance with many levels and all quite balanced. Their personalities an attitudes didn't feel out of sorts for what we were used to see and I liked the consistency.

This book isn't her best I think, but it was quite the romance, the storyline focused mostly on that and I loved it. I do recommend it.
A note for this edition...there's something whimsical about the British covers...I think they're so cute and romantic...when I can I do try to get my Julia Quinn's books from this publisher. Isn't this one lovely?
Grade: 8/10

Julia Quinn - A Night Like This

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .
But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge -- in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy -- no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.
Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .
But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . . .

Comment: The second book of the Smythe-Smith quartet brings us the story of Daniel. He has been in exile for three years due to an misunderstood between him and his friend Hugh over a game of cards while they were drunk.
After all this time Daniel was finally able to return home and it happened exactly during the musicale, where he met Anne for the first time.
Anne Wynter is a young governess just trying to make a living. She obviously hides things from her past and we get the feeling she's hiding herself as well.
These two are the protagonists in a very good story, very interesting and easy to read. It's like a candy we can't get enough of.

Daniel pursues Anne quite intensely because she seemed appealing and mysterious but he also felt she could end up meaning so much more to him. Contrary to some people's idea, Daniel is a honored men, he tries his best to help his friends and trusts people, his years of exile didn't change his nature or moods and when he realizes Anne is for him, he tries to woo her and make her see she's the one for him. Of course it's not that easy but we know he will succeed not only because its expected but also due to his sense of protection, he does try to protect the ones around him, the ones he loves and whether it happens in mad drive to save his beloved or in being playfully mocked by his young cousins, there's love there to make the reader want to see him reaching what we feel he deserves.

Anne has secrets, and we start seeing little tidbits of them as the story moves along. She is also fierce in her protection of others, trying to spare them bad feelings but she can't help trying to protect her too because she was badly treated in the past and people she thought were her allies were exactly the opposite.
Then, there's her beauty, that created some tough times for her during her jobs as governess, but she never gave in and tried her best to not cause trouble even when it meant she had to leave.
I liked how practical she was, but when she fell in love with Daniel she wanted to believe it could be better, but when an old threat showed up she let her practical side win and tried to avoid intimacy because it would mean the end for her but like in all fairy tales, love conquers all and I liked seeing her happy.

This author always delivers sweet, tender stories with several streaks of drama that are just enough to bring more feeling to the book without overpowering the story itself. I think there's always a good balance in the emotions in her books.
I like how she writes, easy and fluid and it's a writing I'll always feel compelled to came back to.

Julia Quinn - Just Like Heaven

Honoria Smythe-Smith is: A) a really bad violinist
B) still miffed at being nicknamed "Bug" as a child
C) not in love with her older brother's best friend
D) all of the above
Marcus Holroyd is: A) the Earl of Chatteris
B) regrettably prone to sprained ankles
C) not in love with his best friend's younger sister
D) all of the above
Together they: A) eat quite a bit of chocolate cake
B) survive a deadly fever and the world's worst musical performance
C) fall quite desperately in love It's Julia Quinn at her best, so you know the answer is . . . D) all of the above.

Comment: I like this author's style a lot. I've read her Bridgerton series and all the books were so funny and emotional, I loved them all, especially the 2nd one. Anyway, when I realized she was writing more books where those characters might show up I didn't stop to think and bought them right away.
This first book about the Smythe-Smith quartet presents us Honoria. She plays the violin and against popular belief, she does know they don't play well. But she does it because it's family tradition and she loves her family. Being part of the musicale is an honor to her because not only she respects her family but she has a great time laughing and being with her cousins. Marcus is Honoria's older brother best friend. The met in Eton and never separated, especially since Marcus' father wasn't very loving so Daniel Smythe Smith's family kind of embraced Marcus as their own and they stayed friends forever. Daniel, however, had a little problem and had to leave the country but he asked Marcus to help Honoria and drive away unsuitable suitors, which Marcus has been doing for quite a while. But this year, Honoria is determined to find a husband and maybe Marcus has to figure out the answer to both of them has been there all along.
Like I said, I love the author's style. I know she's not the best writer in terms of precise historical details, I know there are other authors whose work has more correct information, but to be honest I like her style and the fact she deals with intense subjects in a simple but sweet manner. She doesn't dramatize everything, she doesn't explore strange stuff or focus on her character's most awful traits. She writes and delivers an entertaining story, with romance and funny moments and seriousness all wrapped in the prefect package. To me it works and I'll keep reading her things. I love the fact her heroines aren't the most beautiful but they are honest and loving. And her heroes aren't impossible rakes or decadent men, they are funny and decent and perfect in their faults, although never arrogant. I love it. This book just proves it. Some might say it's a too easy book, but to me it's written well, the story is sweet and funny at times and I love there's love there, not only between the main characters but we feel the love in the Smythe-Smith family.
The romance is sweet and I liked they start falling slowly, it was always there but they realized slowly, it was fun. I liked how their personalities and choices didn't waver just because they started falling in love. This made the end so much better.
Now I can't wait for the next one, it's pre-ordered since last month and it is promising!
I picked up the UK covers since Bridgerton series and prefer them to the US ones. Those who know them...aren't they gorgeous?