How to marry a Marquis - Julia Quinn

Book review: 6/10
Published in:English
Binding:Mass Market Paperback
Pages:384
Date:1999-04-01
ASIN/ISBN:0380800810
Publisher:Avon



Product Description:

Setting: Regency England

Sensuality: 8

Elizabeth Hotchkiss needs to marry a wealthy man, and fast. The oldest child of four well-bred orphans, she's managed to keep the wolf from their door for years, but she's running out of options. The only marriage prospect in sight is her landlord, Squire Nevins, but his lecherous gaze makes Elizabeth's skin crawl. So when she discovers the book How to Marry A Marquis in her employer's library, she impulsively stuffs it into her reticule and takes it home. Encouraged by her insistent sister, Elizabeth reluctantly agrees to learn the book's rules well enough to catch a monied husband. But first, she must find a man to practice her wiles on. Enter James Sidwell, the Marquis of Riverdale. Posing as the new estate manager per his beloved Aunt Danbury's instructions, he just happens to arrive at the Danbury estate on the very day that Elizabeth discovers the book. Is it too coincidental that James's Aunt Danbury needs his assistance in catching a blackmailer at the precise moment that Elizabeth needs a guinea pig? Perhaps, but neither Elizabeth nor James have reason to suspect that they're being lovingly maneuvered.

James begins to search for a blackmailer, and Elizabeth is high on his list of suspects. While purposely spending time with her to explore her guilt or innocence, however, he's irresistibly drawn to her beauty and kindness as well as her practicality and sharp tongue. And when he learns that she's practicing to entice a husband, he can't resist offering to tutor her in courtship. Before long, the two realize their growing feelings for each other. But the course of true love never did run smoothly, and the lovers encounter a few obstacles along the way. Will the evil Squire Nevins easily give up his designs on Elizabeth and her sisters? What about the nefarious blackmailer? And how will Elizabeth react if she discovers that James is not who he pretends to be?

*****

This was a very hilarious book...once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. it was an emotional rollercoaster.

The way the book showed up to Elizabeth after she had decided that she needed to get marry was brilliant. Neither Elizabeth or James realized what was really behind the blackmail and why James aunt, Mrs Danbury was acting so strangely.

Although this book was not one of my favourites by Julia Quinn, it was delightful story. It really made me laugh a lot. And Ms Danbury is a unique character, very eccentric and hiliariously sarcastic. I loved the fact that Ms. Quinn added her in books about the Bridgerton family.

To Sir Phillip with love - Julia Quinn

Book review: 8/10
Published in:English
Binding:Mass Market Paperback
Pages:384
Date:2003-07-01
ASIN/ISBN:0380820854
Publisher:Avon

Synopsis:

Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he'd proposed, figuring that she'd be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except… she wasn't. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her…and more.

Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn't marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking…and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except…he wasn't. Her perfect husband wouldn't be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled…and when he kissed her…the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn't help but wonder…could this imperfect man be perfect for her?

Well,I didn't knew what to expect from this one...I really thought that after the previous two, that Julia Quinn could not do it again...but I mistaken. I really enjoyed this story. Finally the mystey envolving Eloise desappearance in "Romancing Mr Bridgerton" is revealed...She had travelled to met the man who had become her penfriend..and the man who had asked her in MARRIAGE BY LETTER!! yes, by letter...could you imagine this? and she went to met him without knowing him and without none of her siblings knowing...Wonderful story...I highly recommend!

Romancing Mister Bridgerton - Julia Quinn

Book Review: 10/10
Published in: English
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 370
Date: 2002-07
ASIN/ISBN: 0380820846
Publisher: Avon


Synopsis:

Setting: Regency England
Sensuality: 7

Penelope Featherington fell madly, hopelessly in love with Colin Bridgerton two days before her 16th birthday. Unfortunately, Colin has always seen Penelope as the plump, shy best friend of his younger sister. By the time Penelope is 28 and a seasoned member of the English ton, she's accepted that her love for Colin is destined to remain unrequited and she shall be a spinster forever. Fate, however, has other plans. When Lady Whistledown's Society Papers announce that Colin has returned from his nearly nonstop travels, Penelope is blissfully unaware that her life is about to change dramatically.

Colin is equally unaware of the turn his life is about to take. He's not surprised that his beloved mother is determined to marry him off, but he's rather astonished to find himself inexplicably drawn to Penelope. Her dry wit and intelligent mind are delightful, and Colin soon finds himself joining forces with her to deflect his matchmaking mama's good intentions. Together, the two will thwart their mothers' iron wills, face the formidable Lady Danbury, confront the gossips of London society, and resolve the lovely dilemma of falling in love. And, oh yes, there is that matter of the true identity of Lady Whistledown. Will the twosome unmask the elusive journalist? Or will their efforts be doomed to failure like so many others' before?

My review:
Well, I was really anxious to read this one...I had already read the previous books so I was wondering how Colin's story was going to be...and I wished that he would end up with Penelope, the one who was secretly in love for him...And the most important is that the mystery that involves Lady Whistledown is finally reveled...what I can say about this book is that it's a LOVELY romance...don't miss it :)

An offer from a gentleman - Julia Quinn

Book review: 10/10
Category: Historical Romance
Published in:English
Binding:Mass Market Paperback
Pages:384
Date:2001-07-01
ASIN/ISBN:0380815583
Publisher:Avon



Synopsis:

Setting: Regency England
Sensuality: 7

Miss Sophie Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of the earl of Penwood. Raised in his home, Sophie has a tolerable existence until the earl marries, when her life takes a distinct turn for the worse. Sophie's new stepmother hates her, and when the earl passes away, she relegates Sophie to the role of servant. Sophie's days are pure drudgery, until one night her fellow servants conspire to help her attend a masquerade ball.

Her life changes irrevocably when she meets handsome Benedict Bridgerton and falls head over heels in love. Benedict is equally smitten, but when the clock strikes midnight his beautiful mystery lady runs from him, leaving only her glove in his hand. He searches London for her, but she seems to have vanished. What Benedict doesn't know is that Sophie's stepmother has discovered her outing and thrown Sophie out of their London townhouse. Sophie leaves London, and it isn't until three years later that Benedict and Sophie's paths cross once again, when he saves her from the unwanted attentions of a drunken lord. Sophie recognizes Benedict immediately, but much to her dismay, he doesn't know her in her maid's dress. Soon, however, Benedict falls in love with Sophie all over again. Believing her to be a servant, he cannot conceive of a way to make her his, as she adamantly refuses to become his mistress. Both struggle with their feelings for each other, their unwillingness to compromise their principles, and the seemingly insurmountable wall separating a member of the nobility and a servant. To add to their difficulties, Sophie's vindictive stepmother discovers her presence in London and sets out to make her life even more miserable. It will take the combined force of the large Bridgerton family to help these two stubborn people realize a happy future together.

This is the best of the Bridgertons novels!...It's a very interesting book with a very emotional a sensual story...It's a kind of Cinderella story with a beautiful happy ending...*sigh*

The Duke and I - Julia Quinn

Book Review: 8/10
Category: Historical Romance
Published in:English
Binding:Mass Market Paperback
Pages:384
Date:2000-01-01
ASIN/ISBN:0380800829
Publisher:Avon


Synopsis:

Setting: Regency England
Sensuality Rating: 7

Relentlessly pursued by match-making mamas and their charges, Simon Bassett, the handsome Duke of Hastings, has grown tired of the societal chase. Tired too is the lovely Daphne Bridgerton, whose matrimonially minded mother is set on finding her daughter the perfect husband. Neither Simon nor Daphne is happy with this annoying state of affairs and both would give anything for a little peace and quiet. Their mutual wish for a respite from the ton's marriage mart leads to a pretend engagement--a scheme that is threatened with exposure by Daphne's suspicious older brother, who happens to know Simon's way with women very well.

The two never anticipated that a mutual attraction would lead to the very thing they set out to avoid--a wedding. But Simon fears that his painful past may keep him from being able to truly love anyone. And though Daphne cares for him deeply, she won't settle for anything less than his heart.


Well,I was really hoping to read this book because I've read many positive reviews about it...This is the first book about the Bridgerton family and it tells the story of Daphne, the 4th Bridgerton "child"...It was very funny to read it...Both Daphne and her older brother Anthony had lists maid by their mother Lady Bridgerton of possible suiters for getting married...But neither of them wanted to think of marriage and they always tried to escape...But that was until Daphne met Simon, Anthony's best friend...Simon became everything that she always wanted and so after some funny atempts of protection by her 3 older brothers Daphne got married to Simon...but with their marriage came Simon's problems...Problems that only Daphne could help him to resolve.