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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
I was really torn between giving this book a 4.5 or 4.75-star rating. It had everything I was hoping for before opening the book. “Love at first sight” and “Being in love despite a class divide”.
It also went into detail about Daniel Smythe-Smith and his flight from the British Isles. Something I was already curious about during the entire first book of this series. Not to mention, Daniel is easily one of the most likable male leads of any Julia Quinn novel I’ve read. His charm and humor genuinely had it’s effect on me. Great guy.
I also quite enjoyed Anne as a character. Her background was interesting and tragic. It kept me engaged in her story and feud with George Chervil. I also, at times, appreciated witnessing her life as a governess to Harriet, Elizabeth, and Frances. It helped separate her a bit from the past she’s been fleeing. It was sweet to read, though I’ll admit that some of these scenes felt a bit repetitive for me. This, in part, kept me from giving it a full 4.75-star rating.
Anne and Daniel as a couple were quite satisfying for me, as well. Daniel’s clear pining for Anne was endearing, while Anne was held back by her past and her role as a governess to his younger cousins. She had to keep her feelings more guarded. Yet, from their first kiss, there was a lingering attraction between them. I especially enjoyed that Daniel fell so quickly for Anne; it reminded me of An Offer From a Gentleman, another Julia Quinn favorite of mine (which I rated 4.75 stars) that also has that “love at first sight” and class divide dynamic. I think that’s just a trope I really enjoy, I’ve learned.
The plot took me through a rollercoaster of ups and downs. On the whole, it was an entertaining read, but a few slow segments did pull me out of the story. And to be a bit nit-picky, I found it a little hard to believe that Daniel and Anne would randomly bump into each other twice in different stores and towns. I know coincidences are a staple of romance novels, yet it still slightly broke the suspension of disbelief for me.
Despite these minor criticisms, A Night Like This is a book I’d definitely recommend. It’s one of my favorites, even if it doesn’t quite reach re-read status like some of my other Julia Quinn favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood
Minor: Infertility, Infidelity
The book was good but it didn’t give what it was supposed to.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is very similar in structure to [b:An Offer From a Gentleman|9408584|An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)|Julia Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1346380157l/9408584._SY75_.jpg|846764], book 3 in the Bridgerton series. Both books have several elements in common: a wealthy, high-class hero, a heroine who grew up well but due to circumstances now has to work in the homes of the well-to-do, love at first sight, men acting inappropriately towards women (although this is just present in life), and a third-act . I'm not complaining, [b:An Offer From a Gentleman|9408584|An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)|Julia Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1346380157l/9408584._SY75_.jpg|846764] is my favorite Bridgerton book and I like the Cinderella influences. But I think Bridgerton book 3 is the more romantic and passionate of the two.
Now having read two of the Smythe-Smith books, I see that this series is lacking the steaminess of previous series/books. I know JQ books are not the steamiest in historical romance, but the Smythe-Smith books are even tamer than I have come to expect. The series so far has been very bland. Like lukewarm water. I'm going to keep reading, up next is Hugh and Sarah. Sarah might be the spunkiest heroine of the series; she can add in some spice that's been missing so far(?).
Spoiler
mad dash in a carriage by the hero and his mother to save the heroine from a desperate situationNow having read two of the Smythe-Smith books, I see that this series is lacking the steaminess of previous series/books. I know JQ books are not the steamiest in historical romance, but the Smythe-Smith books are even tamer than I have come to expect. The series so far has been very bland. Like lukewarm water. I'm going to keep reading, up next is Hugh and Sarah. Sarah might be the spunkiest heroine of the series; she can add in some spice that's been missing so far(?).
Rounded up from 4.5
If anyone can make me truly enjoy the love at first sight trope (which is a truly ugh one), it's Julia fucking Quinn.
If anyone can make me truly enjoy the love at first sight trope (which is a truly ugh one), it's Julia fucking Quinn.
lighthearted
relaxing
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes