Friday, April 29, 2016

Review: It Happened One Autumn

It Happened One Autumn It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lillian bowman, the second of the wallflower quartet, just bought a new perfume that only seems to attract the attention of the formidable Marcus, Lord Westcliff. While staying at Stoney Cross Park Lillian decides to use this to her advantage to blackmail Marcus into getting his mother to sponsor herself and her sister daisy. Little does she know she won't end up needing a sponsor for the season.

This book definitely shows Marcus' lighter side, in the previous two he was such a stick in the mud. I loved all of the trouble Lillian and daisy manage to get into, they are the definition of American 'savages' as the English thought.

Also Read In:
2010

View all my reviews

Review: Secrets of a Summer Night

Secrets of a Summer Night Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Annabelle Peyton is in dire states, she needs to marry for money to save her family since her father died. The problem is everyone knows about her situation and is waiting for the time when she becomes more than desperate to hope for marriage. Simon hunt, a self-made man, wants Annabelle for himself to but he isn't interested in marriage either.

I loved seeing the relationship develop between Annabelle, Lillian, Evangeline and daisy. They were a funny group of friends (especially when playing Rounders) and I liked the camaraderie that formed between them.

I also liked how Simon navigated everything behind the scenes. He really cared a lot longer than even he knew.

Also Read In:
2010

View all my reviews

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Review: Again the Magic

Again the Magic Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Aline Marsden is in love with John McKenna and he loves her back. The catch is that McKenna is a mere stable boy at the estate. When their affair is discovered the only way Aline knows how to protect McKenna from her father's wrath is to make him believe she does not love him so he will not come back to the estate. Twelve years later McKenna is back, a changed man and out for revenge.

I'm not big on second chance stories but I did enjoy this one. This book definitely took on a more serious tone than some of her others.

Livia and Gideon's relationship might just rival Aline and McKenna's. I found the secondary characters to be as lively as the main characters. For the strong love between Aline and McKenna I did think she should have been able to trust him more with what happened to her. That did upset me quite a bit about the love story.

Also Read In:
2010

View all my reviews

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Review: Because of Miss Bridgerton

Because of Miss Bridgerton Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

George Rokesby and Billie Bridgerton never really got along. While Billie Bridgerton was out running amuck with his younger brothers, George had to take responsibility as the heir to the Earldom. Being thrown together for a period of time just happens to change their attirudes towards one another.

Even though I knew this was going to be a prequel series to Quinn's original Bridgerton series it was still hard to grasp who the characters were supposed to be in the beginning. I think Quinn was able to bring back the levity and wittiness from the original Bridgerton series. It was a quick read and very entertaining. The hilarious banter between the characters made it worth the read.

For George growing up to be the serious one the shift in his attitude towards Billie is quite sudden for someone who is supposed to have been at least somewhat in her presence since she was born. It wasn't like they did not see each other on a somewhat regular basis. I think Andrew is more perceptive and a little less carefree than he chooses to let on. He was a great character to add tons of levity to the book, especially the parts between George and Billie.


View all my reviews

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Review: My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1

My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1 My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1 by Thom Zahler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun crazy stories about the ponies! I love how all of them have such varying personalities. I used to watch the original My Little Pony growing up but I really do like the new take they have on it. I think the newer version appeals to the kids of today while still being able to bring in the moral and ethical philosophies that the original stood for.

Note: I received this book through Netgalley.

View all my reviews

Review: Brighter Than the Sun (The Lyndon Sisters, #2) by Julia Quinn

Brighter Than the Sun Brighter Than the Sun by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charles has to marry soon or he will lose his title and inheritance to go with it. As luck would have it he fell, quite literally, at the feet of the most perfect woman for him.

This story was exceptionally better than the first one, I would even go so far as to put it on my favorites list. Ellie was so loving and full of life. I loved her positive attitude in the face of everything yet she wasn't afraid to let her temper show. Charles on the other hand was the epitome of a reformed rake. He had a certain idea in his mind about what he wanted but once he met the woman for him everything completely changed. He was so heartwarmingly loving and protective and understanding.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Review: Everything and the Moon

Everything and the Moon Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love at first sight did not turn out as Victoria or Robert had expected. Now seven years later they meet again and cannot possibly deny the attraction they still feel for one another.

Even though I don't believe in love at first sight (or have yet to experience such a phenomenon) I liked the instant attraction between Robert and Victoria. She had such a strong character, she knew herself and what she wanted.


View all my reviews

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Review: Mr. Cavendish, I Presume

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taking place roughly around the same time as the first book, I like how we got to see a whole different side of Amelia from the first book. She actually ended up having a lot more personality than I originally thought.

P.S. At the end I love how we got a glimpse of lady Whistledown's papers


View all my reviews

Review: The Lost Duke of Wyndham

The Lost Duke of Wyndham The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack is a highwayman who never thinking that he could be a future Duke until a well timed robbery put him in the path of the Dowager and Grace. From that encounter his life would change in more ways than one.

I liked both Jack and Grace's characters. Their interactions with the dowager were hilarious. I thought they fit really well together. The overall story was enjoyable and fast paced while not being too serious.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Review: Minx

Minx Minx by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Henrietta's guardian up and dies she has to try and convince the new owner, William Dunford, to leave her home alone. Misunderstandings ensure.

Once again I liked the beginning of the book way better than I did half way through. It was just one thing after another. I liked the banter between the characters. Henry/Henrietta was really likable in the beginning but she got really annoying towards the end. I also did not much care for Dunford (also, his name is ridiculous).

View all my reviews

Review: Dancing at Midnight

Dancing at Midnight Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Bookworm Belle is taken by their new neighbor, war hero, John Blackwood. He knows the horrors of war and just how far a man can go so he pushes off the attentions of the lovely Belle thinking he is not good enough for her.

Once again I found this story to be quite fast. I thought I would really like belles character more since she is such a bookworm but I found her interactions with John to be quite lackluster. John I thought I would like too but he came off crude at times and flat.

Note: I was enamored with the cover!

View all my reviews

Review: Splendid

Splendid Splendid by Julia Quinn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

American, Emma, goes to London for the season but is not of the mind to get married, she has too much at stake and does not want to risk losing out on running her father's company back home. As her identity is mistaken for that of a maid by Alex, he is intrigued beyond belief by the girl and is lusting after her.

I am glad I did not read this as Julia Quinn's first book. While the story was not bad I found it to be quite bland. It also lacks her witty, hilarity between the characters that I've come to associate with her writing. Alex is overbearing and rude. I didn't like his character. The lust-at-first sight threw me off the story.


View all my reviews

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Review: How to Marry a Marquis

How to Marry a Marquis How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Someone is blackmailing Lady Danbury so James, the Marquis of Riverdale, disguises himself as her estate manager to ferret out the culprit. In the meantime he doesn't expect to be so taken with his aunt's lovey companion, Elizabeth Hotchkiss.

I thought it was really funny that James would want to teach Elizabeth how to hit someone (especially in the way it turned out). That was extremely broad minded for a man of his time and had me liking his character all that much more.

I liked the beginning of this book a lot more than the ending side of it. I thought the beginning flowed a lot better and I liked the mystery and intrigue. James' character was not quite doing it for me in the end. How lovely to see Lady Danbury again, I was quite please. She has such an intriguing way about her.

Note: the last sentence in the epilogue made me want to cry.

And you ARE loved, Elizabeth. Until the last breath leaves my body, and for eternity after that. . . .


View all my reviews

Monday, April 11, 2016

Review: To Catch an Heiress

To Catch an Heiress To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caroline wants nothing more than to escape her guardian and his nefarious plans but she doesn't realize that would come in the form of being kidnapped. Blake sees the lady fleeing the house under the cover of darkness and assumes it is the spy he has been searching for, little does he know he would grab the wrong woman and end up losing his heart in the process.

I thought the banter between Caroline and Blake was hilarious. She knew exactly how to push his buttons.

View all my reviews

Friday, April 8, 2016

Review: Ten Things I Love About You

Ten Things I Love About You Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Annabel is in a bind, she is the eldest of eight and her father past away leaving the family short of funds. She needs to marry someone with money but she is loath to marry the Earl of Newbury and even more so when she spends time in the company of his nephew, Sebastian Grey.

I liked how the story played out and I was really happy that Annabel was able to make the right decision for herself. It was also quite interesting how Sebastian was able to keep his secret up for so long. I though he had a winning personality and was quite the honorable man.

Lady Vickers was quite the surprise in all of this. She certainly did not mind being crass.

View all my reviews

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Review: A Wider Sky

A Wider Sky A Wider Sky by Talyis Ellison
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The aliens have taken over as the dominant species and they do not think much of humans. Kiowa is in a special position, she has received top scores to get into an alien university but she is human. Now she has to try and blend in with the aliens around her and not get caught.

I really was interested in the story when I first started reading but the plot went downhill for me pretty fast. Kiowa's opinions seem bipolar, 'the aliens are going to kill me, oh this alien boy caught me when I was falling I think I love this one.' I did not think the story flowed very well.

Note: I read this story free on swoonreads.com

View all my reviews

Friday, April 1, 2016

Review: Beguiling Trickery

Beguiling Trickery Beguiling Trickery by Chani Lynn Feener aka Tempest C. Avery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Kenna has been denying who she was since she was twelve, she gets little glimpses of things that are going to happen in the future and they always come true. When the arrogant Luka shows up life as she knew it changes forever. There are mystical forces working against her trying to destroy the world but this time she may be able to stop exactly what is happening to her.

I liked the characters, I was instantly caught up in the magnetism the author was able to exude from Luka, he definitely had the right kind of pull. Kenna was a super strong character, albeit, frustrating at times. I have to say all of the back and forth with the reincarnations threw me off a bit. It was confusing (Probably just as much to the reader as to Kenna), although she did not ask the questions or demand the answers that I would have.

I am really excited to see what more of the story brings. I want to know more about Kenna's past.

View all my reviews

Review: What Happens in London

What Happens in London What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Olivia Bevelstoke is being sought after by the Russian prince that Sir Harry has been tasked to watch. Now unfortunately, the two do not get along but as Harry is forced to spend more time with the feisty Olivia his opinions of her slowly start to change from his first impression.

I thought the banter between Olivia and Harry was quite comical. I liked Olivia's outlandish character for the time and her pure stubbornness. She really lightened Harry up.

The scene of Sebastian reading Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron In the library was the absolute best in the book. It was so hilarious and I loved how everyone joined in.


View all my reviews