It's In His Kiss - Julia Quinn

 It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn - 448 pages

Meet Our Hero . . .

Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth’s sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past . . . and the key to his future. The problem is—it’s written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine . . .

All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She’s fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won’t quite let go . . .

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart . . .

Or don’t. But rest assured, he’s spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual—and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other . . . and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss.

To Sir Phillip, With Love - Julia Quinn

 To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn - 416 pages

Sir Phillip Crane 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 perf
ect for her?

When He Was Wicked - Julia Quinn

 When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn - 448 pages

In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one’s life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London’s most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton.

After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca’s surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer—the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin.

But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets.

An Offer From A Gentleman - Julia Quinn

 An Offer From A Gentleman by Julia Quinn - 480 pages

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball—or that “Prince Charming” would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other—except, perhaps this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 296 pages

She was in the wrong place...

Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed…

He found her at the wrong time...

Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British goverment. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he's stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surley, his imaganation is getting the better of him.  But no, she is very real - and his duty to the crown means he's stuck with her.

Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?

When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal - though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent.  On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to intoxicating passion.  But when Andrew's secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart...?

The Girl With The Make-Belive Husband by Julia Quinn

 The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn - 291 pages

While you were sleeping...

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true...

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.

Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 289 pages

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places...

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday.

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should...

Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor...

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without...

First Comes Scandal; A Bridgerton Prequel by Julia Quinn

 First Comes Scandal; A Bridgerton Prequel by Julia Quinn - 275 pages

She was given two choices…

Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t against the idea of marriage. She’d just thought she’d have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she’s abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.

Enter Option #3

As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he’s close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time—or interest—to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton—his literal girl-next-door—is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.

A Marriage of Convenience

It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she’d say no. Georgie doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends… or could they?

But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love…

This is the 4th book in the prequel series to the Bridgerton series.  It is interesting reading the back stories of the aunts and uncles of the Bridgerton's.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

 Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn - 466 pages

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for… well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret… and fears she doesn’t know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the neverending sameness of his life, and, most of all, tired of everyone’s preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply… there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide… is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn - 358 pages

This is the third Bridgerton book.

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she′d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton′s famed masquerade ball - or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other - except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid′s garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love? 

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

 The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn - 352 pages

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry--he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's determined to protect her sister--but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

 The Duke and I by Julia Quinn - 408 pages

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable…but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule...

Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn

Dancing at Midnight by Julia Quinn - 378 pages

Lady Arabella is intrigue by Lord John Blackwood.  He's moody and mysterious, but yet kind and funny.  He is likewise entranced by the young beauty.  However, John is tormented by events from the war and determined to save Belle from himself.  Will Belle allow him to retreat away from her?

I found this book difficult to get through.  I started reading it nearly a month ago and finally finished it yesterday simply because I didn't have anything else to read.  While there were several laugh out loud moments, overall the book was very dark and depressing.

To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn

To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn - 377 pages

Caroline is running away from her odious guardian and his son when she is mistaken for a spy by English espionage agent Blake Ravenscroft.  However, this is fine with her as it will mean she's hidden away for a time and her guardian won't be able to find her.  Ravenscroft is horrified to discover the mistake and that she will then have to spend even more time his company -- horrified as he is starting to fall in love with her.

I found this historical novel to be fun and amusing.  Although the subject matter of espionage, treason, and rape are incredibly serious, the book was very humorous. 

How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn

How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn - 375 pages


Elizabeth Hotchkiss needs to marry a wealthy man to provide for her sisters and brother.  They are nearly penniless and will soon lose their house.  So when she finds a book titled "How to Marry a Marquis" she decides it might be the answer to her prayers.  The only problem is that she is practicing on her employer's estate manager and she's starting to fall in love.  Too bad he is the wrong man for her.

This is another humorous historical romance by Julia Quinn.  I really enjoyed this book as it featured one of the author's most interesting secondary characters -- Lady Danbury.  Although you know how the book will end, it is fun to read towards that ending.

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn - 374 pages

"Honoria Smythe-Smith, the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Earl of Winstead, plays the violin in the annual musicale performed by the Smythe-Smith quartet. She's well aware that they are dreadful but she's the sort who figures that nothing good will come of being mortified, so she puts on a good show and laughs about it. Marcus Holroyd is the best friend of Honoria's brother David, who lives in exile. Marcus has promised to watch out for Honoria, but he faces a challenge when she sets off for Cambridge determined to marry by the end of the season. She's got her eye on the only unmarried Bridgerton, who's a bit wet behind the ears. When her advances are spurned, can Marcus swoop in and steal her heart in time for the musicale. 

Four Weddings and a SIxpence by Julia Quinn, etc.

Four Weddings and a Sixpence by Julia Quinn, Elizabeth Boyle, Laura Lee Guhrke, and Stefanie Sloane - 407 pages

Four friends find a sixpence hidden in their mattress as children at school.  They decide that it will be their lucky piece that will help them find the husbands of their dreams.  So as adults entering society, they pass the sixpence from one to another as they search for true love.

This was a compilation novel by four historical romance writers.  I thought it was pretty well done.  I enjoyed all of the different writers' stories as each one wrote one of the girls' romances.  I also really enjoyed the narrator and her accents/dialects she used.  She did a great job of keeping the characters voices unique to them.

It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn

It's In His Kiss by Julia Quinn - 272 pages

Meet Our Hero ... Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past .. and the key to his future. The problem is -- it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine ... All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her -- something charming and vexing -- that grabs him and won't quite let go ...

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart ... Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual -- and annually discordant -- Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other ... and that there is nothing as simple -- or as complicated -- as a single, perfect kiss.

Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn - 372 pages

Seven years ago, vicar's daughter Victoria Lyndon and Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, planned to run away together and elope.  Unknown to them, their fathers ruined these plans causing both of them to think the other abandoned them.  Now they've discovered the truth about the past, but can they let go of their hurt feelings to make it work now . . . .

For a book about hurt feelings and estrangements, this was a truly funny read.  I really enjoyed both of these characters and their story of finding one another again.  I liked that it wasn't an immediate romance as it so often is in books.  It was more realistic in taking time to rediscover their feelings.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn

The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn - 371 pages

Lady's companion Grace Eversleigh was resting after a night out with her employer, when they are accosted by highwaymen.  While that is enough excitement, it turns out that her employer the Dowager Duchess of Wyndham recognizes the highwayman as her long lost grandson.  If it proves to be true, then he is the true Duke of Wyndham.

This is the first in a two book series by Julia Quinn.  I truly enjoyed this book.  It dealt with truly horrible situations with humor.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book.