Julia Quinn

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 2)
$7.99
This is definitely a 5 star pick book. The Bridgerton family series is one of my favorite series and I've read all of Julia Quinn's books. This book is actually second in the series but was the first one I read. If you doubt me, I have to say this one was so good that I lent it to someone, never got it back and went out and bought a second copy because I love re-reading it so often.

Here is the short blurb from Julia Quinn's website:

Kate Sheffield is determined to keep Anthony Bridgerton from seducing her sister. But what if the notorious viscount decides to seduce her instead?

A few of the things I love are that this book makes you laugh. I'm not one of those into romance books that are mostly sex scenes. I like to have some story and a little extra something. If the book makes me laugh then it's usually one that makes it onto my keep shelves (Julie Garwood's historical romances are other books that do it for me too). I love Kate, the heroine in this book, because she isn't the beautiful woman, she isn't graceful and she can't play any instrument beautifully. She's also been known to leave her dancing partner with aching feet so how can you not love it when she catches the interest of the wealthy and handsome viscount who could have almost any woman he wants?

After reading this one I quickly went and bought up the rest of the books that were out at the time and anxiously awaited each new book. I will admit I didn't find the newer ones as good but it could be because my favorite siblings were Anthony, Colin and Benedict so of course those were my favorite stories in the series. If you love a good romance story and want some humor tossed in this is definitely one to pick up.

Brighter Than the Sun
$7.99
"Brighter Than the Sun" was as cornballish as they come. The whole book went pretty much like this "Yes you do...No you didn't...Ohhhh why I never! You want to kiss me?!" Save yourself some time, reread the last sentence but let Ellie and Charles take turns saying it and abracadabra, you've just read a novel in record time.

I'm a big fan of Quinns; 5 of her books are included in my short list of only 44; 5 Star "All-time favorite reads", but goodness the last 2 or 3 I've read by her have been snoozers with a capital S, and with only a few in my Quinn collection left to read I have to say I'm really not looking forward to them.

Instead of this one, try...

*The Viscount Who Loved Me
*The Duke And I
*Romancing Mister Bridgerton
*When He Was Wicked (My Favorite!!!)
*How to Marry a Marquis

Dancing at Midnight
$7.99
Let me start by saying that I am a fan of Julia Quinn's novels. Typically they have strong female characters, dashing rakes/scoundrels that turn good, humorous banter from all characters, and within the plot the leads experience some kind of personal growth. This book started promising since the main female character Arabella was an interesting sub-character in "Splendid." However in this book "Dancing at Midnight" it must have stroked midnight and she just fizzled! Trust me: read "Splendid" skip this book and go straight ahead to read "Minx" which follows the other sub-character from "Splendid" William Dunford.

When He Was Wicked (Bridgerton Family Series)
$7.99
I found this book to be very annoying. It has a plot that has been done so many times and there wasn't really anything original to make it stand out. The plot in a nutshell: Francesca marries John, the love of her life. John cousin Michael, who is more like a brother to him, is also head over heels in love with Francesca but hides it by being a very accomplished rake. John dies young, Michael feels it is his fault because he was secretly in love with Francesca. He runs off to India, Francesca is upset with him and mourns her husband for six years. When Francesca comes out of mourning and decides she is ready to remarry, Michael happens to have come back to London. Both of them fight their attraction for each other but of course, eventually give in. They end up a happily married couple.

There are some very uncomfortable moments in the book where Francesca compares Michael's lovemaking skills with her deceased husbands. Of course Michael is better. I honestly feel that we all would have been better off if the author had simply given us a love story with John as the main character or simply never mentioned Francesca's story at all.