Helpful Score: 6
Not one of the Bridgerton series and slightly more obvious plot than the norm for Julia Quinn. You can tell this was one of her first novels. But Julia Quinn on a bad day still beats Nora Roberts any day.
Helpful Score: 2
Julia Quinn is a goddess. This may not be her best effort, but then her mediocre is still a cut above.
Helpful Score: 2
I'm a huge fan of Julia Quinn but this book was a huge disappointment. For one, I was so tired of reading about how the "hero" was tortured over something that, in my opinion, he had nothing to really do with. I wanted to pull out my hair and scream, "Get Over It Already!!!" I had struggle to read the last few pages...in fact, I'm not sure I did read the last few pages. The story started out okay but quickly went downhill.
Helpful Score: 1
Lady Arabella makes Lord John want to live and love again after returning from the horrors of war. Even though his leg pains him and makes it hard for him to do many things he finds himself climbing trees for her and even writing poetry. Can he over come the idea that he is no good for her? Can she break through his doubts?
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of Julia Quinn's first books and it shows but it was still a worthwhile read when read as a part of the series. I really enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
Lady Arabella Blydon is staying at her cousin's home in the country when she meets Lord John Blackwood. Bella finds John intriguing. He is a wounded war hero who one minute is very cordial, and the next minute he is very cold. John, who blames himself for the death of an innocent girl, feels that Bella deserves a better man. Even though he finds himself falling in love with her, he keeps pushing her away.
I really liked both Bella and John and thought they were a great couple. The only drawback with this book was that I really didn't understand John blaming himself for the young girl's death. I think that is why I couldn't quite give this book 5 Stars. Otherwise, I found this book a quick, entertaining read. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I really liked both Bella and John and thought they were a great couple. The only drawback with this book was that I really didn't understand John blaming himself for the young girl's death. I think that is why I couldn't quite give this book 5 Stars. Otherwise, I found this book a quick, entertaining read. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this tale of two lovers who are thwarted by both fathers and finally get together.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book, the sequal to Julia Quinn's first ever novel Splendid. I looked forward to reading Belle's story and I wasn't disappointed at all. Be warned, once you read this you'll be dying to read Dunford and Ned's stories as well!!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a lighthearted romance that is just darn fun to read. Escape-ism at its best
Helpful Score: 1
Dancing is my favorite Julia Quinn so far, the second in the Emma / Belle series (Splendid first, then Minx is third) Belle's love John Blackwood is a very good, nicely-flawed hero. I would have liked his backstory to have been a little more tragic, or perhaps a little more fleshed out by the author, but Quinn was a new writer back then, so she may not have felt safe doing it.
Dont miss this one -- it is definitely my favorite in the series.
Dont miss this one -- it is definitely my favorite in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Lady Arabella Blydon is determined to discover Lord John Blackwood's darkest secrets, even if that means ignoring all of his warnings to stay away. Scarred by war, both in body and soul, John knows he can never be good enough for this beautiful bluestocking -- but Belle is will not rest until she returns joy and light to his life... and wins a place in his shuttered heart forever.
Helpful Score: 1
Best if read after Splendid, John Blackwood's story..excellent
Helpful Score: 1
Loved it! Great romantic love story with all the twist and turns. You will really enjoy the story line and how it unfolds for both of the main characters. A nice pace with no slow parts. A great read!
Julia Quinn doesn't disappoint. Great story. Loved it like all her other books.
Pleasant mix of romance book with a dash of humor and a mystery added for good measure.
Not as good as some of her others, but a quick, fun read nonetheless.
always a great read
Excellent Book!!
Everything by Julia Quinn is wonderful.
Loved this book! Belle is a strong heroine and never backed down from what she wanted or believed. John was wonderful-it was easy to love him.
I had read "Minx" previously which involves the characters that are in this book. So I read out of order which didn't matter at all, the characters are all fantastic!
I had read "Minx" previously which involves the characters that are in this book. So I read out of order which didn't matter at all, the characters are all fantastic!
When a suitor tells Arabelle he's willing to overlook her appalling bluestocking tendencies on account of her looks and forturne, she decides to take a break from the Marriage Mart. During an extended stay in the country, she never expects to meet Lord John Blackwood, a wounded war hero who intrigues her like no other man.
Lord John has lived through the worst horrors of war...but nothing could have been as terrifying to his tormented heart as Lady Arabella. She is intoxicating, infuriating...and she makes him want to live again. Suddenly he's writing bad poetry and climbing trees in the pitch-dark night...just so he can dance with her as the clock strikes midnight. And even though he knows he can never be the sort of man she deserves, he can't help wanting her. But when the harsh light of day replaces the magic of midnight, can this tormented soul learn to love again?
Lord John has lived through the worst horrors of war...but nothing could have been as terrifying to his tormented heart as Lady Arabella. She is intoxicating, infuriating...and she makes him want to live again. Suddenly he's writing bad poetry and climbing trees in the pitch-dark night...just so he can dance with her as the clock strikes midnight. And even though he knows he can never be the sort of man she deserves, he can't help wanting her. But when the harsh light of day replaces the magic of midnight, can this tormented soul learn to love again?
When a suitor tells Arabella he's willing to overlook her appalling bluestocking tendencies on account of her looks and forune, she decides to take a break from the marriage mart. During an extended stay in the countyr, she never expects to meet Lord John blackwood, a wounded war hero who intrigues her like no other man. Lord John has lived thorugh the worst horrors of war but nothing could have been as terrifying to his tormented heart as Lady Arabella. She is intoxicating, infuriating and she makes him want to live again. Suddenly hes writing bad poetry and climbing trees in the pitch dark night just so he can dance with her as the clock strikes midnight.
