On Stutters: A Review of The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

I have been meaning to read Julia Quinn for awhile, and I mean a very long time. Every time I go to the book store I stare at the Julia Quinn section and wonder which one I'm supposed to read first. And then I picked up this one, which turns out to be the first in the Bridgerton series.

Daphney Bridgerton has been on the marriage market for longer than she'd like, and her well meaning mother is starting to get anxious and pushy. Meanwhile, Simon, newly arrived in London after a long absence, has sworn to never get married, and wants to avoid the ambitious mamas and their daughters at all costs. The two end up meeting by chance, and strike a bargain to pretend to be besotted with one another, Daphney so that she'll appear more desirable, and Simon so that he'll be left alone. But how will they handle in when the feelings start to become real?

Turns out, I love the way Julia Quinn writes. She's clever, light, and smooth--an excellent story teller. Her characters are fun, interesting, a distinct from one another, despite the fact that they are many. She managed to make me connect with the characters, particularly Simon, in a very short amount of time.

Simon's main hang up is that he stuttered when he was young, stuttered a lot. His father, something of an asshat, declared him an idiot because of it. He's never managed to get past that, and that's why he doesn't want to get married and start a family. It's a really good conflict, yes? Watching him fall in love with Daphne despite himself is highly rewarding. I also appreciated the fact that Daphney is no shrinking violet when it comes to going after what she wants. They make a charming pair, which of course is the formula for a good romance.

I struggled to rate this book because I enjoyed it so very, very much. Except for one thing. And I sort of thought I could ignore it, but it's a big thing. So I can't. I won't would rather not spoil it either, so let me just say this: Daphney does something to take advantage of a situation with Simon that was very, very unfair way. If you read it, you'll know it when you see it. And, you know, people make mistakes and bad choices, so I was willing to forgive it. But I felt that she should owe him a serious, serious apology. Well, that never really happens. The focus is on all what he did wrong and how he's going to change. I was forced, for this reason, to knock a full star off what could very well have been a five star book.

Don't let that one negative thing stop you, though. This is a very good historical romance, the perfect start to a series, and well worth your time. 4 stars.

On Handbills: A Review of The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

Courtney Milan surprised me with this one. I've had several experiences with her work now, and I've always liked it. This book, though, was just a little more special.

Minnie Pursling has worked hard to establish herself as an anonymous wallflower, beneath the notice of most people. No one would guess that she possesses a uniquely organized mind, capable of the most precise of tactical thinking. Minni's hopes to marry before her scandalous past comes to light and forever ends her future prospects. When she accuses Robert, the Duke of Clermont, of writing radical handbills stirring workers to strike, she is only trying to keep suspicion from falling on herself. Instead, she captures Roberts attention, and he is all to quick to conclude that he must have her.

I liked Minnie. I was surprised to like Minnie, because she is so mousey and seems dry at first. As the story went on, though, I really enjoyed being inside such a clever mind. I enjoyed the path that her character development took. I related to her discomfort when it comes to large crowds and the comfort that she takes in being anonymous. Yet, I felt proud of her when she faced and overcame some of her fears, or found ways to cope with them. She's a layered, well written character, and even if you don't like her you have to respect her.

Robert is, again, so much more complex than he initially seems. He's presented as having a major case of rich person guilt, where we see him trying to make up for his father's actions by seeking political and legal justice for the working man. It seems self righteous first, but he goes about it intelligently and with an honest sense of idealism. More importantly, in a story such as this, is the emotional journey he goes on in order to find, feel, and accept love. He's all too used to feeling love for others, but less used to people loving him back, and so he suppresses any hopes he might have for a real connection with Minnie.  As an idealistic person, he also struggles with the difference between his fantasies and reality, which is at first disappointing but later proves to outdo his imaginings. Again, I found him very easy to relate to in this respect.

The chemistry is between our characters is warm and sweet. I also noticed that this was a very sexually intelligent book. Instead of romanticizing the love scenes, the author allows for awkwardness and mild disappointment.  And then, she has Minnie explain to  Robert what she needs, matter-of-factly and without sugar coating. How novel.  Seriously.

If I had to name a flaw...Well, I guess the degree to which I felt informed or invested in the workers strike/handbills subplot was pretty weak. That's not saying that I didn't care a little bit, but the conflict could have been something different or not present at all and I wouldn't have noticed.

Overall... God, this was such a good book. Smart, easy to read, and romantic. I could not ask for more from a historical romance. 4.5 stars.

On Titian: A Review of What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long

Well, folks...I put off reviewing this book because it's book 5 in it's series, and I have in fact reviewed the first three books, but not #4, and I hate to review out of order...but I guess I'm going to, since it may take a week or two for me to actually get around to book 4. Book 4 will be reviewed here, fear not. I hope this doesn't confuse anyone. I will say that What I Did For a Duke stood very well on its own, and I don't think you necessarily need to read the series in order. Though I always prefer to. Anyway, on to the review!

The duke described in our title is Alexander Moncrieffe, and he's out for a little revenge sex. Because, you see, Ian Eversea almost slept with Moncrieffe's (now ex) fiance, and so Moncrieffe thinks that the perfect revenge will be to deflower and abandon Ian's beloved sister, Genevieve. Genevieve, however, proves to be more than a match for the duke in terms of intelligence and perceptiveness, and he finds he feels some real emotion for her. Not to mention that Genevieve is feeling a bit melancholy, and nursing a broken heart after Harry (her best friend, and the love of her young life), tells her that he plans to propose to another girl.

Positive Comments

 

There are a lot of good things to be said for this book, but many of them can't be said in a spoiler free review. What I can say, in general terms, is that I really loved the characters, and as a result I really enjoyed their romance. I loved Genevieve for her quiet wittiness. I loved how misunderstood she was--seemingly shy and plain, but secretly in possession of very strong and passionate feelings. We learn this when she describes her love for art, and for brightly colored flowers, and so forth. Her family and friends never see her in this light, but the duke does. Moncrieffe is an older hero, and he's loved and lost before. I loved how good he was at reading and knowing people.

I love the rest of the cast, too. I though Ian was rather hilarious. Like many very young men, he's all sex drive and no sense. Harry annoyed me a bit, but again much of his flawed character can be attributed to immaturity and inexperience, and I feel that he could easily be redeemed once he grows up a bit. Initially Harry seems like a good match for Genevieve, but once you get to know them you realize that they aren't quite on the same playing field. Genevieve is ready to be challenged by love and enter a commitment, while Harry is still dealing in crushes and mind games as one does in high school.

I liked the touches of humor in this book. From the witty thoughts of our main characters, to the silly behaviors of our side characters, there's a great deal to make the reader smile.

Critical Comments

 

My only frustration with the plot is one that I really can't mention, it being a huge spoiler near the end. What I will say is that I was frustrated with Genevieve and how slow she was to understand her own emotions. I was frustrated that she caused pain because of it. I guess a love triangle is a love triangle, and it generally annoys me no matter where it's found.

Recommendation

 

Who would like this book? Certainly and Julie Anne Long fan, because he style and talent with creating likeable characters shows through in this book. I'm confident that most historical romance fans. Of the readers that I discussed this book with, the one that didn't like it mainly took issue with the age difference between the hero and heroine. So that would be my only major caution--if you don't like older men, stay away. And the love triangle thing. Other than that, it's a wonderful novel. 4 stars.