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phoebereads333's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
2.75
yazie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
deluciate's review against another edition
4.0
Cheerful story, lots of twists. Not as polished as Quinn's later books, but still fun.
cowahbull's review against another edition
I got the ick with the main guy and the main girl wasn't much better. There is no chemistry between them and everyone feels wooden.
Honestly I just got the ick and that's all there is to it
Honestly I just got the ick and that's all there is to it
justinkhchen's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
A solid debut, but the craft is not quite yet solidified, Splendid is fascinating from the perspective of its place within Julia Quinn's successful career, as many of her literary style and preference (the lighthearted tone, the witty banter, etc.) are already taking shapes in this first novel.
The lack of depth is perhaps where Splendid shows the author's greenness at telling an engaging love story; the romance between Emma and Alex feels weightless, like children throwing tantrum when all the critical decisions are made with the most broad, superficial reasoning. Splendid also contains strange pacing decisions, with the romance reaching its conclusion early, the last 80 pages struggles to come to a focus (as well as keeping my attention), particularly with its out-of-nowhere suspense subplot that is more ridiculous than thrilling.
Overall, Splendid already feels like a quintessential Julia Quinn novel we know to love, and there are plenty of scenes that simply ooze charm. But at its core the weak characters development, lack of chemistry, and recycled clichés mean I was never fully invested in the going-ons; for hardcore fans who want to complete the author's backlist, otherwise perfectly skippable and go for her later work instead.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | January 2022 Selection***
A solid debut, but the craft is not quite yet solidified, Splendid is fascinating from the perspective of its place within Julia Quinn's successful career, as many of her literary style and preference (the lighthearted tone, the witty banter, etc.) are already taking shapes in this first novel.
The lack of depth is perhaps where Splendid shows the author's greenness at telling an engaging love story; the romance between Emma and Alex feels weightless, like children throwing tantrum when all the critical decisions are made with the most broad, superficial reasoning. Splendid also contains strange pacing decisions, with the romance reaching its conclusion early, the last 80 pages struggles to come to a focus (as well as keeping my attention), particularly with its out-of-nowhere suspense subplot that is more ridiculous than thrilling.
Overall, Splendid already feels like a quintessential Julia Quinn novel we know to love, and there are plenty of scenes that simply ooze charm. But at its core the weak characters development, lack of chemistry, and recycled clichés mean I was never fully invested in the going-ons; for hardcore fans who want to complete the author's backlist, otherwise perfectly skippable and go for her later work instead.
***Historical Hellions Book Club | January 2022 Selection***
inessova's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked it except for one thing that seems to be in every historical romance novel
But I loved the ending. I love it when a woman gets to do what she loves
Spoiler
The kidnapping thing is so overdone.But I loved the ending. I love it when a woman gets to do what she loves
jilly_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Honestly wasn’t expecting that ending, what a choice 😂
sabine_beans's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
izzyrhine7099's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75