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higgy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
5.0
This is now one of my all-time favorite romance novels, primarily because it made me laugh out loud numerous times. Quinn's books are usually humorous, and this one now rivals Romancing Mr. Bridgerton for the title of My Favorite Romance Novel (Pride and Prejudice is just in its own category/league altogether). The scene in which Sebastian performs his reading of Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron while standing on a table had me laughing so hard, tears were pouring down my cheeks.
The premise of the book is that Olivia Bevelstoke's gossipy friends tell her Sir Harry Valentine--her new next door neighbor--is rumored to have murdered his fiancee. She doesn't believe them...really...but it makes her curious, so she spies on him from her bedroom window, thinking he doesn't see her. He does, which distracts him from his translation work for the War Office, and that irritates him. However, Olivia has caught the attention of a visiting Russian prince, so Harry is ordered to spy on her. He ends up paying court to her in public as a way to spend the requisite amount of time in her presence, and since this is a romance novel, they discover they actually might be able to stand each other after all.
The characters feel like real people. The writing is funny and quick-witted. And the story moved right along so that I was frustrated by any and all interruptions that forced me to stop reading.
My only quibble with it is that it ends a little too quickly. I wanted to find out more about Vladimir--like maybe he needs his own book to clear up the mystery that is his back-story.
Incidentally, this is the second in the new Bevelstoke series, which began with The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever.
The premise of the book is that Olivia Bevelstoke's gossipy friends tell her Sir Harry Valentine--her new next door neighbor--is rumored to have murdered his fiancee. She doesn't believe them...really...but it makes her curious, so she spies on him from her bedroom window, thinking he doesn't see her. He does, which distracts him from his translation work for the War Office, and that irritates him. However, Olivia has caught the attention of a visiting Russian prince, so Harry is ordered to spy on her. He ends up paying court to her in public as a way to spend the requisite amount of time in her presence, and since this is a romance novel, they discover they actually might be able to stand each other after all.
The characters feel like real people. The writing is funny and quick-witted. And the story moved right along so that I was frustrated by any and all interruptions that forced me to stop reading.
My only quibble with it is that it ends a little too quickly. I wanted to find out more about Vladimir--like maybe he needs his own book to clear up the mystery that is his back-story.
Incidentally, this is the second in the new Bevelstoke series, which began with The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever.
ladychubbyberry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ruby78738's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.0
l00u's review against another edition
4.0
non un capolavoro, ma per il suo genere molto ben scritto, abbastanza originale e veramente piacevole da leggere
marlijn's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
brfds_'s review against another edition
4.0
Depois da leitura do primeiro livro desta trilogia, comecei este sem qualquer tipo de expetativa esperando que fosse ser chato e muito inconveniente como o primeiro.
Nunca gostei tanto de estar errada como desta vez! É incrível, a escrita da Julia Quinn é impecável como sempre, as personagens são emocionantes e tão fáceis de amar, e o enredo nunca se torna aborrecido. A forma como se vão apaixonando é engraçada e amorosa, e tornou-se um dos meus preferidos.
Vai deixar muitas saudades.
Nunca gostei tanto de estar errada como desta vez! É incrível, a escrita da Julia Quinn é impecável como sempre, as personagens são emocionantes e tão fáceis de amar, e o enredo nunca se torna aborrecido. A forma como se vão apaixonando é engraçada e amorosa, e tornou-se um dos meus preferidos.
Vai deixar muitas saudades.
illusie's review against another edition
3.0
This is about Olivia who spies at her new neighbour before she gets to know him better. There were some funny scenes that made me laugh out loud. I especially liked the "Lady Butterworth and the Mad Baron" scenes. It was predictable and sometimes silly, but overal it was a enjoyable quick read.