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Quinn, Julia - non-Bridgerton books
Sun, May. 23rd, 2010 10:05 pmHow to Marry a Marquis - Elizabeth Hotchkiss is working as a companion to Lady Danbury when she discovers the eponymous book in the library. Since she needs to marry well to support her siblings, she reluctantly takes it home. Meanwhile, Lady Danbury's nephew James Sidwell, Marquis of Riverdale, is posing as her estate manager to get to the bottom of a blackmail plot. This is the earliest Quinn I've managed to read. The plot is very obvious, but I forgive it because I think this may be the first appearance of Lady Danbury, whom I adore. Elizabeth and James are also very funny together. Unfortunately, the first book of the series butts in a bit too much when its main characters appear, and once more, the book is about 100 pages longer than necessary, with a superfluous Big Reveal thrown in that makes the main characters seem unintelligent and rather silly. Entertaining but definitely not Quinn's best.
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - Yet another Quinn about unrequited childhood love. Miranda Cheever has been in love with her best friend's older brother Nigel Bevelstoke, Viscount Turner, for forever. Years later, his bad marriage has made him into a bitter man, and after his wife dies, the romance kicks off. I like Miranda very much, as well as her friendship with Olivia Bevelstoke. Unfortunately, Turner sucks. I gave him a little leeway in the beginning, since he was a Quinn hero, and they're usually less obnoxious, but seriously. He sucks. I hate him and wish Miranda had a better husband and Olivia a better older brother. Also, the plot is terribly melodramatic, and once more, the book is 100 pages too long, with the addition of babies. Probably the worst Quinn I have read.
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume - The second of the Two Dukes of Wyndham duology, in which two men think they are the Duke of Wyndham. This book is about Thomas Cavendish, the current Duke of Wyndham, and his fiancee Amelia Willoughby, whom he has mostly been benignly neglecting. I read part of The Lost Duke of Wyndham before this, and I would not recommend reading the two books closely together. Many of the scenes are the same, only from a different POV, which is very boring back-to-back. Amelia isn't in love with Thomas, but she does rather wish he'd finally marry her, since they've been betrothed since she was in the cradle. When she finally starts making him take her less for granted, all the hijinks re: the lost duke start happening. I very much adore Amelia, who is very normal and not rebellious or whatnot, except for when she is. Thomas tends to try to make the honorable choice, even when it's not good for him, but his characterization isn't as good, and he sometimes turns into a jerk temporarily to suit the plot. Still, I like that much of the plot is about Doing the Right Thing, and I especially love Amelia and Thomas learning that they might actually like each other just as they also discover they may not be affianced anymore. This amazingly did not feel too long, and I especially love the resolution. One of my favorite Quinns for the interaction between Amelia and Thomas, albeit flawed in other ways.
What Happens in London - Olivia Bevelstoke (Miranda's best friend from The Secret Diary of Miss Miranda Cheever) is rather bored now that Miranda has married her older brother. Sir Harry Valentine moves in next door, and she starts to spy on him after hearing rumors that he may have murdered his fiancee. He spies her spying on him and introduces himself, and it's irritation at first (official) sight. Harry's actually a translator at the War Office, not a sexy spy, which I liked. Olivia is known for being beautiful and rich, but she'd much rather be known for being snarky. And gradually, the irritation between the two turns to friendship and teasing and flirtation.
This is a fun, fluffy read about two likable people learning to like each other, and it doesn't even feel like slow going because there are so many funny bits in the book. The Smythe-Smiths reappear, as does Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron from It's in His Kiss, but Quinn manages to keep the jokes from getting old. Also, Miss Butterworth sets up one of my favorite scenes in the book, which includes a table and a long death scene. I had thought while reading this and Mr. Cavendish that either Quinn had grown better at pacing or that I had simply gotten used to her, but after reading How to Marry a Marquis, I am quite sure it's her pacing that's improved. There are two angsty moments too many in the climax, but since they only span a few pages and involve only small amounts of foolishness on the part of the characters, it was not too bad. This is my favorite Quinn so far. Also, the window moments are adorable.
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - Yet another Quinn about unrequited childhood love. Miranda Cheever has been in love with her best friend's older brother Nigel Bevelstoke, Viscount Turner, for forever. Years later, his bad marriage has made him into a bitter man, and after his wife dies, the romance kicks off. I like Miranda very much, as well as her friendship with Olivia Bevelstoke. Unfortunately, Turner sucks. I gave him a little leeway in the beginning, since he was a Quinn hero, and they're usually less obnoxious, but seriously. He sucks. I hate him and wish Miranda had a better husband and Olivia a better older brother. Also, the plot is terribly melodramatic, and once more, the book is 100 pages too long, with the addition of babies. Probably the worst Quinn I have read.
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume - The second of the Two Dukes of Wyndham duology, in which two men think they are the Duke of Wyndham. This book is about Thomas Cavendish, the current Duke of Wyndham, and his fiancee Amelia Willoughby, whom he has mostly been benignly neglecting. I read part of The Lost Duke of Wyndham before this, and I would not recommend reading the two books closely together. Many of the scenes are the same, only from a different POV, which is very boring back-to-back. Amelia isn't in love with Thomas, but she does rather wish he'd finally marry her, since they've been betrothed since she was in the cradle. When she finally starts making him take her less for granted, all the hijinks re: the lost duke start happening. I very much adore Amelia, who is very normal and not rebellious or whatnot, except for when she is. Thomas tends to try to make the honorable choice, even when it's not good for him, but his characterization isn't as good, and he sometimes turns into a jerk temporarily to suit the plot. Still, I like that much of the plot is about Doing the Right Thing, and I especially love Amelia and Thomas learning that they might actually like each other just as they also discover they may not be affianced anymore. This amazingly did not feel too long, and I especially love the resolution. One of my favorite Quinns for the interaction between Amelia and Thomas, albeit flawed in other ways.
What Happens in London - Olivia Bevelstoke (Miranda's best friend from The Secret Diary of Miss Miranda Cheever) is rather bored now that Miranda has married her older brother. Sir Harry Valentine moves in next door, and she starts to spy on him after hearing rumors that he may have murdered his fiancee. He spies her spying on him and introduces himself, and it's irritation at first (official) sight. Harry's actually a translator at the War Office, not a sexy spy, which I liked. Olivia is known for being beautiful and rich, but she'd much rather be known for being snarky. And gradually, the irritation between the two turns to friendship and teasing and flirtation.
This is a fun, fluffy read about two likable people learning to like each other, and it doesn't even feel like slow going because there are so many funny bits in the book. The Smythe-Smiths reappear, as does Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron from It's in His Kiss, but Quinn manages to keep the jokes from getting old. Also, Miss Butterworth sets up one of my favorite scenes in the book, which includes a table and a long death scene. I had thought while reading this and Mr. Cavendish that either Quinn had grown better at pacing or that I had simply gotten used to her, but after reading How to Marry a Marquis, I am quite sure it's her pacing that's improved. There are two angsty moments too many in the climax, but since they only span a few pages and involve only small amounts of foolishness on the part of the characters, it was not too bad. This is my favorite Quinn so far. Also, the window moments are adorable.
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