Book Review: The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

Summary (GoodReads)

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

My Thoughts: 

On one hand... Julia Quinn can do no wrong. She's just that type of author who can write a grocery list and I would read it and it would be worth my while. Even the books that aren't GREAT are good and way better than the average. 

That's the case with Sir Richard Kenworthy: the plot is convoluted, the hero not entirely likable, but I loved Iris - her fortitude, the fact that she might crumble for a bit but then put herself together again and go on with her life - and for her I finished this book. She was the best part about it and I almost felt like Richard didn't deserve her. 

See, I get Richard, he's overprotective of his family to the point of foolishness, but he means well so there is that. His sisters were mostly insufferable though, so I couldn't see why he was trying so hard, though eventually I came to respect the older sister, the little sister was a big NO in my head. 

Still, I don't know how much of my lack of enjoyment on the plot came partially from the fact that I'm a reader and a writer and that I could see the 2 big reveals of the plot from miles away. There were very specific tales written in, which I could easily identity because I have both written and read them many times before. 

But, regardless, I neglected work and stayed up all night to read, because... well, its Julia Quinn and that's what I do when she publishes a new book. 

Also, that scene with Frances in "The shepherdess, the unicorn and Henry VII" was the best, most funniest scene I have read EVER. I was rolling on my bed laughing so hard. That's another thing, so far the books have relayed a lot in the connection between the girls in the quartet, and they just weren't around all that much this time around... and the book suffered from it, I think. Specially after two Frances heavy books as A Night Like This and The Sum of All Kisses because, believe me, there can never be enough Frances in a book.

She's like a puppy: makes everything better just by being there.

Anyway, did The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy usurp Just Like Heaven's place as my favorite book of the Smythe-Smith Quartet? Not even close, but it was a good read. 

2/3

Book Review: The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Okay, so I've been trying to write this review for almost two weeks, but somehow the worlds wouldn't come out or adhere to format, so I decided I'm just going to do another Free-Form review. 

The Sum of All Kisses start the week before Marcus and Honoria's wedding (from Just Like Heaven), where the whole Smythe-Smith Clan is gathered at Marcus' home in Cambridgeshire. Sarah, Honoria's best friend and one of her plentiful cousins is the designated maid of honor and she gets the dubious honor of keeping Hugh Prentice company during his stay. 

Which wouldn't be a problem, except that Sarah hates Hugh and blames him, among other things, for getting Honoria's brother Daniel exiled for three years, causing a huge scandal and ruining her own life. Hugh has never understood what her problem was, and the few interactions they have had during the last three years have been awkward, uncomfortable and hostile. 

But now they have to spend the week together, at Honoria's and Daniel's request, who are trying to show everyone that Hugh and Daniel have put the past behind them, even though neither Sarah nor Hugh is happy about it. 

Still, they spend the required time together and get to know each other a little better, particularly after Hugh shows Sarah a little kindness after a thoughtless remark from her cousin Iris sends her mind spinning and finally makes her question her motivations in life. 

Seeing Sarah with her family, particularly with her sisters, shows Hugh that her over-dramatic manner is just how she is with her large, loving group of siblings. Yes she is given to grandiose statements, and tact isn't her strongest suit, but she loves her sisters and her cousins and is actually pretty smart and funny. And the more he likes Sarah, the more aware Hugh is of his own limitations: his limp and ruined leg, which often make him feel like less of a man. 

The story follows them along as they go from Honoria's wedding to Daniel's, and how they have a little unorthodox courtship but fall in love none the less. And, for the most part, I liked this story, it was sweet and fluffy and the dialogue was amazing. I loved Frances - Sarah's youngest sister and the awesomest character of the book, honestly, who is unicorn obsessed - and her interactions with Hugh were really sweet. 

I was so rooting for this book and loving every second of it, and, deep down, I still think it was quite excellent... but then we get to the last quarter of the book... for which I'm entering spoiler territory, I'll try to keep it light, but never the less, high light if you wish to see. 

Okay, so in the last part of the book, Hugh is going to ask Sarah to marry him and then Daniel finds out and MAKES SUCH AN UNHOLY FUSS AND COMPLICATES EVERYTHING, and without a really valid, makes-sense reason. Hugh did something pretty extreme to get his father - who was the one who was pissed off about Daniel shooting Hugh, while Hugh understood he kind of brought it into himself - to stop trying to kill Daniel so he could finally come home. And Daniel is adamant that Hugh tells Sarah, for which I didn't see much of the point, it made me dislike Daniel and he wasn't my favorite character to begin with. 

Then we get to the villain: Hugh's father. He's so mean and evil that he seems almost out of place in a Julia Quinn novel! The things he does are despicable and dark, and when is revealed what he did to Hugh's brother Freddie? Well, I felt like I was reading a book by whole other author, someone who likes torturing her characters, not Julia Quinn. 

Other than that, the dialogue and the rest of the story are fun. I even grew to like Sarah and I didn't think I would because she was a bit of a whinny brat in the previous two books. But, sadly, a book that could have been love, ended up in mere like.

Favorite Scene:
"Sarah doesn't believe in  unicorns either." Frances said. "None of my sisters do." She gave a sad sigh. "Im quite alone in my hopes and dreams."
Hugh watched Sarah roll her eyes, then said, "I have a feeling, Lady Frances, that the only thing you are alone in is being showered with the love and devotion of your family."
"Oh, I'm not alone in that," Frances said brightly, "although, as the youngest I do enjoy certain benefits."
Sarah made a snorting sound.
"It's true, then?"
"She would be quite dreadful if she weren't so innately marvelous," Sarah said, smiling at her sister with obvious affection. "My father spoils her abominably."
"He does," Frances said happily. 

2/3

Cover Love: The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

So, after a few years of books that were just OK but not super awesome (at least to me) I'm finally LOVING Julia Quinn again and her Smythe-Smith Quartet!! My favorite so far is Just Like Heaven though A Night Like This was very enjoyable as well.

So, when I found the cover for the third book: The Sum of All Kisses, I had to share it!!! 

US Cover

Summary (per GoodReads):

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 

Now, I LOVED Hugh in the last book, but I haven't particularly liked Sarah - she's a bit whiny in my opinion, but maybe seeing things from her perspective will change my mind. 

In any case, I can't wait to read this book!!! 

UK Cover

Speed Date: An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Current Cover

The Deal: Product of an affair between an earl and a lady's maid, Sophie Beckett was content enough living in her father's estate as his ward - as he could never acknowledged her openly as his daughter nor did he ever seem to want to - until her father decided to marry and bring home his new wife, who quickly realized Sophie's real identity. From then on her life became a little more difficult, until the Earl died suddenly, leaving Sophie at the mercy of his wife. 

Having spent the last few years as a servant in what used to be her home, one night Sophie has enough and in a single act of rebellion - with the help of the other servants in the house - Sophie decides she's going to go to a society ball. 

Benedict Bridgerton was attending his mother's masquerade ball as the dutiful son that he was when his life changed. As quick as lighting, he noticed a blond woman dressed in an old-fashioned silver dress, and he fell in love at first sight. Sophie knew she shouldn't be flirting with Benedict, and she told herself all she wanted to do was look around and enjoy herself, but she felt the same pull as Benedict and couldn't walk away... until the clock struck 12 and it was time for her to go home...

Original Cover

My Thoughts: An Offer from a Gentleman was the first Julia Quinn book I ever read and it remains one of my favorite. It's very much a Cinderella story, but one very well done. Both Sophie and Benedict are very distinct characters. Sophie is nice and fun, she has a good relationship with one of the earl's stepdaughters, and even though she knows her life could have been very different, she's not overly bitter about it. 

Benedict is part of a large and loving family, and he loves them all to death, but he also feels a little lost among their massive numbers. He's the second son - and some people actually do call him Number Two to differentiate him of his other siblings, and he's tired of being only number 2 or the Tall one, as his older brother Anthony is The Viscount, and his younger brother Colin is the Charming one. 

Sophie is the first person to see beyond that, and he feels such a connection to her and they really fall in love at first sight. But in romance novels nothing is ever easy, is it?

Many years since the first time I read An Offer From a Gentleman, it remains one of my favorite books. It's a lovely story to get lost in for a few hours. 

1/2

What's a Book Speed Date, you ask? It's a quickie review--about 150 words or so--of any genre book (variety is the spice of life, after all).

If you want to join in or just read other speed date reviews, check out The Book Swarm

Book Review: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

At First Sight: After three years in forced exile, Daniel Smythe-Smith, Earl of Winstead is quite happy to be back in England, and it just happens that his returns falls on the day of the infamous Smythe-Smith musicale, which is currently being held at his house.

Not wanting to draw all the attention to himself, he decides to wait and just watch the proceedings without being seen. And so, he ends up noticing the woman playing the piano at the musical, and he's very surprised to realize she is not one of his endless parade of female cousins. More over, it only takes him a heartbeat to be smitten with her. 

Anne Wynter is quite happy with her position as governess to the younger Pleinsworth girls -Harriet, Elizabeth and Frances - even if she's being forced to play the piano at a notoriously bad musicale. She isn't happy to discover she's being watched by an unknown man, and she's even less happy when she discovers the man is actually Lord Winstead, the Pleinsworth's cousin.

With quite a few secrets that she wants to keep to herself, Anne knows it's not a good idea to tangle with Daniel, much as she finds him rather handsome and his smile does funny things to her. But the more he endeavors to be around her, the harder is for her to resist.

Second Glance: I'm leaving a few thins out of this summary because I don't want to spoil the fun, though I kind of figure out who the bad guy was early on. But still, far be it for me to spoil.

Anyway, I loved A Night Like This. I found Daniel and Anne to be very likable, and lovable people. I so wanted them to be happy from the very beginning. They have both made mistakes in the past, so they don't hold the other's mistakes against them. 

And they are so smitten with each other. I really can't think of another word for it. Daniel gets all tongue-tied when he first sees Anne and I love how he gets to know her by actually spending time with her - and with his cousins. They talk and laugh together -and really some of their scenes together were just so funny, they were both such good sports. 

That being said, I have to admit I liked this book a little less than Just Like Heaven. And I had a few problems with it too. First, I found it odd how little time Daniel spent with his mother, sister and best friend - he has just come back from 3 years in exile and he barely spends time any of them - much as I loved seeing him spend time with Frances, Harriet and Elizabeth (even if she did get lost in the middle of her sisters personalities). 

Second, I didn't like the Sarah and Lady Pleinsworth. Sarah wasn't very nice and Lady Pleinsworth was annoying and flighty. And this bums me out because I'm pretty sure I'll see more of them both in future books - it's entirely likely Sarah will be a heroine in another book in the series. 

On the other hand, I loved seeing what little there was of Marcus in this book -I just love me a dependable guy who also happens to be a good friend. And I so loved Hugh Prentice, he's a bit nuts but I loved him. Oh, and Frances rocks! 

Bottom Line: When I think about A Night Like This the first word that comes to mind is "Lovely" because this truly was a lovely book. It was so much fun to read, and I genuinely cared for the characters. This book just made me so happy, and it had all the things I really love about Julia Quinn's writing. 

Favorite Quote: First one....

Miss Wynter regarded Harriet. Then she regarded Daniel. And then, as he began to feel rather like a lamb to slaughter, she turned back to Harriet and asked, “Did you bring your plays with you?”

“Of course. I never go anywhere without them.”

“You never know when you might have the opportunity to have one staged?” Elizabeth said, somewhat meanly.

“Well, there is that,” Harriet replied, ignoring her sister’s dig or (and Daniel thought this was more likely) simply not noticing it. “But the big fear,” she continued, “is fire.”

He knew he shouldn’t inquire, but he just could not stop himself. “Fire?”

“At home,” she confirmed. “What if Pleinsworth House burned to the ground while we are here in Berkshire? My life’s work, lost.”

Elizabeth snorted. “If Pleinsworth House burns to the ground, I assure you that we will have far bigger worries than the loss of your scribblings.”

“I fear hail myself,” Frances announced. “And locusts.” 

Second one:

“You are a bloody madman,” Daniel said.

“Or,” Hugh said plainly, “I’ve never been in love. It does leave one more clearheaded.” He motioned to his gun. “Better aim, too.” * 

*slightly edited 'cause of spoilers!

Speed Date: Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Original Cover (Love it!)

The Deal: Victoria Lyndon met Robert Kemble, Lord Macclesfield when she was just 17 years old and he 24, and they fell madly in love with each other.The only problem was that she was a vicar's daughter and he a young earl, and that both their fathers disapproved of the match.

Eventually, Robert and Victoria planned on running away together, but a few twists of fate - and their parents' interference- tore them apart, and each of them left believing the other had betrayed them.

Seven years later, they run into each other once more, and both of them are more than a little bitter about what they think was the other's deception. But when the truth comes out, Robert will do everything in his power to set things to rights and be with the only woman he has ever loved.

My Thoughts: Everything and the Moon is probably one of my favorite books by Julia Quinn. I love both Robert and Victoria and their story. They are both very likable characters and I like the way they deal with the stuff that happens to them. 

Current less Awesome Cover  

Plus, this is one of the few stories I've read where the Big Misunderstanding plot-device actually works. And then they both have to work to put things back to rights - Robert goes to great lengths in order to prove to her that really did love her, and loves her still, and Victoria needs to learn to trust again. 

Any way, this is one of those books that gives me warm fuzzies every time I read it.

What's a Book Speed Date, you ask? It's a quickie review--about 150 words or so--of any genre book (variety is the spice of life, after all).

If you want to join in or just read other speed date reviews, check out The Book Swarm

Cover Love #28 - A Night Like This

Well, I hadn't done one of these in a while and I decided to share the cover for Julia Quinn's A Night Like this.

US Cover

Summary (From Julia Quinn's site)

A Night Like This

Book #2 in the Smythe-Smith Quartet

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.

UK Cover

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…

I think I like the UK cover better, so I might splurge on Book Depository and buy it from them

A Night Like this is the follow up to Just Like Heaven, which I loved, and it comes out May 29th.

Book Review: Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

US Cover

At First Sight: Lady Honoria Smythe-Smith is just a little bit desperate to be married. Her once happy house has been rather quiet since her older brother Daniel had to flee the country after a duel gone badly; and she's just about done with the silence.

So, she sets out to get married this season, which brings her to Cambridge, which makes her stumble into her brother's best friend Marcus Holroyd, Earl of Chatteris.

Before Daniel left, Marcus used to be a fixture of the Smythe-Smith family, they are the only family he has ever known. In Daniel's absence, Marcus took upon himself to look after Honoria - partially because he promised Daniel he would- and he has done a good job of it, even though they haven't really talked in the last three years.

But now they are together again, and finally aware that they know each other best than anyone, that they might be each other's rocks and that maybe it's time to do something about it.

UK cover

Second Glance: Just Like Heaven is the kick off the the Smythe-Smith quartet, featuring the infamously bad musicians of the Smythe-Smith family -their annual musicale is a running joke through most of the Bridgerton books and other works of Julia Quinn - and I'm happy to say that I truly liked it. I hadn't liked one of JQ's books so well in quite a while.

I had already been warned that it was more of a character driven than a plot driven book, and I'm glad I knew this going in because it sort of got me in the mood of the book. 

Both Honoria and Marcus were lovely characters. Honoria was fun and loving, even though she always felt just a little left out of her family because she was the youngest she compensated by building bonds with her cousins. Marcus is sort of an understated hero, he's smart and nice and loves sweets but he's also very reserved and shy, which other people mistake for arrogance and aloofness, but Honoria never does.

The other girls in the quartet, well, I had my ups and downs with them. I liked Daisy, the youngest even though she was the type to say things without thinking them through (but she's 15, so it doesn't bother me much), Iris was a bit tiresome sometimes because she's actually a good musician and feels ashamed to have to play. Sarah was okay. 

Oh, another thing I liked about the book was when I realized that the ending took place around the start of Colin and Penelope's story Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. I just loved seeing it from a different angle.

Bottom Line: Just Like Heaven is a story about two people finally realizing just how much they mean to each other. It's sweet and funny and just a lovely relaxing read. And I definitely want to read the next ones in the series.

Favorite Scene: “Treacle tart is not an appropriate food for the sickbed.”

“I don’t see why not,” he replied. With utmost honesty.

“Because you’re supposed to have broth. And calf’s-​foot jelly. And cod liver oil. Everyone knows that.”

He forced his stomach not to turn at the mention. “Have any of those delicacies ever made you feel better?”

“No, but I don’t think that’s the point.”

“How is it possibly not the point?”

 Her lips parted for a quick reply, but then she went quite comically still. Her eyes tipped up and looked off to the left, almost as if she were searching her mind for a suitable retort. Finally, she said, with deliberate slowness, “I don’t know.”

"Then you’ll steal me a piece?” He gave her his best smile. His best I-​almost-​died-​so-​how-​can-​you-​deny-​me smile. Or at least that’s how he hoped it appeared. The truth was, he wasn’t a very accomplished flirt, and it might very well have come across as an I-​am-​mildly-​deranged-​so-​it’s-​in-​all-​of-​our-​best-​interests-​if-​you-​pretend-​to-​agree-​with-​me smile.

There was really no way to know.

2/3

Series Review - The Bridgertons by Julia Quinn, Part 3

The Meh

These are the ones that I didn't like-like, that were less than ok but not bad. You can check Part 1 and Part 2.

It's In His Kiss (Book 7)
Hyacinth Birdgerton, the youngest daughter of the Bridgerton family, finally meets her match thanks to the ever fabulous and outspoken Lady Danbury who introduces Hyacinth to one of her grandsons: Garret St. Claire.

Garret is one of the few men ever to make Hyacinth nervous and, in the past, Hyacinth always made sure to stay away from such men, but she just can't stay away from Garret.

Then he asks her help to translate a book left by his grandmother (written in Italian) which tells the secrets of his family and might finally unearth the reason why his father hates him so much.

On the Way to the Wedding (Book 8)
Gregory Bridgerton - the last man standing of the Bridgerton Clan - is a fashionable man about town, young and carefree, he has never worried too much about finding love, after all, all of his 7 siblings managed to find it. Gregory thinks that, when he meets the right woman, he'll know.

So happens that he 'knows' while at a party given by her sister-in-law Kate, when he sees Hermione Watson and he instantly knows. Since Hermione is swamped by suitors, Gregory forms an alliance of sorts with Lucy Abernathy - Hermione's best friend - to court Hermione, and, since he does like Lucy quite a bit, ends up forming a friendship with her.
But then the eternal question springs forth, what will happen on the way to the wedding? and, more important, Whose Wedding?


It's in His Kiss and On the Way to the Wedding were my least favorite books of the series for two very different reasons. It's in his Kiss was much awaited, because we had all seen Hyacinth grow up and she was the cheekiest most adorable girl of the B-Clan, but in her book, it just didn't come across. Oh, there are some nice moments in the book - like when Lady Bridgerton talks about when Hyacinth was born, a few weeks after her husband had died - but in the end it just wasn't as charming as I hoped it would be.

And, On the Way to the Wedding, well here what happened was that we never really got to know Gregory, he's 16 years younger than Anthony, so for the majority of the B-clan's series, he wasn't around, he was too young to hang out with his other brothers, and during the girls' books he was away at school or university and we never got to know him before his book. And you have to admit the plot is a bit convoluted.

Again, kudos to Mrs. Quinn because she has enough talent to pull the books off, and I did finish them - I don't think I would have finished them had they been by another, less talented author - but they weren't her better efforts, sorry to say.

And that's it!!
We are done with the Bridgertons! Honestly, most of the books are delightful reads and I do hope you pick them up.

Series Review - The Bridgertons by Julia Quinn, Part 2

The Okay - These are the books that, though they weren't as amazing to me as the ones for Part 1, are still pretty okay.

The Duke and I (Book 1)
Daphne Bridgerton is probably one of the best liked debutantes of her season, and that is precisely her problem. Everyone thinks she's nice, almost like one of the guys, the perfect girl to be friends with but not really the type to inspire great passion.

Enter Simon Basset, the Duke of Leeds. Simon is as big as catch as anything in the marriage mart, and he happens to be Daphne's brother's best friend. And since he doesn't really want to get married, now or ever, he and Daphne strike a bargain: they shall pretend to be courting, nothing serious, so Daphne's status goes up and so Simon is spared from being accosted by every marriageable girl in London, and her mother.

But, what started as a convenient arrangement might turn into so much more.

To Sir Phillip With Love (Book 5)
Eloise Bridgerton likes to write letters and she particularly likes to write letters to Sir Phillip Crane, a recent widower who was married to one of her distant cousins. What started as a sympathy letter turned into friendship, though they had never met. And when Sir Phillip asks Eloise to come visit him so they can see if they might suit well, Eloise is very tempted to go.

Phillip isn't exactly looking for romance, but he would dearly like some help in raising his unruly children - twins, boy and girl - and he does think he might like to be married to someone happy (unlike his first wife) as Eloise sounds in her letters.

What he doesn't know is that nothing is simple when it comes to Eloise Bridgerton

When He Was Wicked (Book 6)
Francesca Bridgerton thought she had her happy ending when she married John, earl of Kilmartin just a few months after they met. But John died soon after, leaving her alone save for Michael, John's cousin and her dear friend.

Michael has a secret though, he has been in love with Francesca since they first met, during her engagement ball.

Unable to cope with his cousin's death, Michael leaves for India, where he spends many years while Francesca stays in England -and Scotland - coming to terms with what she lost and deciding what she wants for the rest of her life.

And then Michael comes back...


Alright, it's not that I don't love these Bridgerton girls, it's just that for some reason or another, I didn't love their books, I just liked them. Oddly enough, the girls don't seem quite as close as the brothers, I don't know why but that's how I feel. Simon and Phillip are adequate heroes - I mean, they are heroic enough - but well, I don't know, they aren't as charming as the Bridgerton brothers. Michael is a very good hero though! I do have to say that.

So, there you have it. These books are okay, not remarkable but nice enough reads.