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Series: Smythe- Smith Quartet #1
Publisher: Piatkus
Published: June 2nd 2011
Pages: 384 (print)
Goodreads Summary
Honoria Smythe-Smith, the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Earl of Winstead, plays the violin in the annual musicale performed by the Smythe-Smith quartet. She's well aware that they are dreadful but she's the sort who figures that nothing good will come of being mortified, so she puts on a good show and laughs about it. Marcus Holroyd is the best friend of Honoria's brother Daniel, who lives in exile. Marcus has promised to watch out for Honoria, but he faces a challenge when she sets off for Cambridge determined to marry by the end of the season. She's got her eye on the only unmarried Bridgerton, who's a bit wet behind the ears. When her advances are spurned, can Marcus swoop in and steal her heart in time for the musicale?
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I have only read the Bevelstoke series by Julia Quinn and I fell in love with them at once because of her witty writing and lovely stories. The Smythe-Smith’s are mentioned there, as they are in her other books. And I always felt so sorry for those poor girls. When I heard they were getting a series I just could not wait to read it. And it ended up being my favorite Quinn novel to date.
Honoria loves her big family who has more cousins then they can count, and because of tradition she performs in the quartet, like all single women of the Smythe-Smith family. And they are all just bad as the next one. She knows that the only way out of it is to get married but she can’t seem to catch a man. I liked Honoria, she was just so sweet, funny and lovely to be around. You can’t help falling for her in chapter one where she is just a kid trying to tag along with her brother and Marcus.
Marcus is looking out for her since her brother left the country. He spent all his free time from school with her family so there are no romantic feelings around…at first. Marcus is not your usual historical romance hero. No he is shy; he does not like crowds, parties or London at all. Now a hero like that I have to love, because when he falls in love he falls in love for real.
What can you expect from this book then? There is the hunt for a husband, failed attempts at doing that, taking care of family, getting into silly situations and misunderstandings. And of course a couple falling in love and realizing that they want each other.
I giggled here and there, and I sat there with this stupid grin on my face. This book was just so cute! I even ended it all with one big awwwwwwww! It is one of those books that just have you smiling all the way through. Her style is witty and clever.
The story is sweet and for newcomers to Julia Quinn this is a good book to start with. For those who already like her books I am sure you will enjoy this one too and there are characters you will have met before in it. That is another thing I like about her books. You will meet people again, but fear not. You do not have to have read any of her other books. They are all their own stories, but sometimes paths cross and I like that. You always feel at home.
I do recommend this book to historical romance lovers, you will not regret it.
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Thank you Blodeuedd for a fantastic review. I knew how much you loved Julia Quinn and I am so pleased this book worked for you too.
Keep a look out soon for another review from Blodeuedd soon!
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If anyone is interested in being a guest reviewer on my blog, please send me an email at vivienne_dacosta@hotmail.com and we can see if I have any books that might take your fancy!
You're so right,Vivienne, Blodeuedd
ReplyDeleteis a fantastic blogger. Great review! Glad you enjoyed the book so much. Ending with a grin on your face is always a good thing.
I haven't read any of Julia Quinn's books yet, but I have been meaning to for ages now!
ReplyDeleteGreat guest review and I'm off to check out her blog :)
Fantastic review by Blodeuedd :O) Both of you are on my favorite blogs list.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great, and I love the cover too.
Thanks for this wonderful review Blodeuedd.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a romance reader, but I do like books that make me giggle.
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd is one of my favorite reviewers!! She's so fun and good-humored. This is a great review -- sounds like an adorable book that is right up my alley -- I love giggly romance!
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you Viv! I love your blog too :D And I am so happy I got the chance to read this wonderful book
ReplyDeleteKaye
ReplyDeleteI know :D That grin said it all in the end.
And thank you for those nice words
Jules
You must try a Julia Quinn book :D
Naida
The cover is just so cute, love it! And the book was just as sweet
Thanks Petty Witter
Bermuda
Then this one might just do the trick
Audra
ReplyDeleteThanks :D
Adorable is the word, and I am sure you would like it if you want to read a giggly romance
A giggly romance...well... er...uhm...right. Lovely blog, though and a nice review. And I liked the name - Smythe- Smith. Cleverl ;)
ReplyDeleteI am so gonna make you read a giggly romance one day Ana ;)
ReplyDeleteOh I like Julia Quinn and it sounds so fun! Love to giggle!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this author, but this sure sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
ReplyDeleteThen I am sure you would like this new book too :)
Diane
It is :D I do recommend it
Lovely review Blodeuedd, and thank you for sending me to this blog, am going to check it out some more. And yes, high time I picked up a Julia Quinn novel again, that stack is almost toppling over!
ReplyDeleteI am so gonna make you read a giggly romance one day Ana ;)
ReplyDeleteRight. You might read one over my dead body. It will be a giggly funeral ;p.
I am glad I made you find her blog Aurian :)
ReplyDeleteIf the stack is that high then you must pick one up :D
You can actually make an adult romance sound good, nothing like a good giggling read :D I must admit that I always think of cheesy sex scenes when I hear the word adult romance. But I might be mixing up the genres?
ReplyDeleteMari
ReplyDeleteWell...cheesy not so much, hot yes, and sometimes a bit of eyerolling from my part. But this one had one, so that was good since I do like my historicals sweet