Helpful Score: 6
Julia Quinn's debut novel is one of her best. Lovable and sensible characters meet and become friends, instead of unrealistically falling head over heels the first time they meet each other. Witty and unconventional, this book was a quick and fun read. I highly recommend it for anyone who's a fan of Julia Quinn.
Helpful Score: 3
Very funny book. I can't recommend this book highly enough. One of my favorites by Julia Quinn.
Helpful Score: 2
Best read before Dancing at Midnight and Minx, Alex and Emma's story..excellent
Helpful Score: 1
Alexander Ridgeley, the Duke of Ashbourne, has no plans to marry anytime soon. But when a redheaded American saves his nephew's life, he may have to rethink his plans. Emma Dunstan is everything Alex never thought a woman could be--smart, funny and brave. She's also a servant, completely unsuitable for a duke. Little does he know, but Emma is actually an American heiress visiting her cousins in London.
This is Julia Quinn's debut novel. The first half of the book was a little slow for me and tended to drag in places. The second half picks up the pace for an enjoyable story. My rating: 4.0 stars.
This is Julia Quinn's debut novel. The first half of the book was a little slow for me and tended to drag in places. The second half picks up the pace for an enjoyable story. My rating: 4.0 stars.
I've read about five Julia Quinn novels and enjoyed them all - both as entertaining reads and because of her writing craft. But this book is an exception. If I had known she had written it just after graduating from college, I might have thought twice about reading it. The writing style is very amateur (she obviously hadn't learned much about novel writing), much of the dialogue unnecessary and trite, and the characters stereotypical. It's embarrassing.........and disillusioning to know that novels this poorly written are published. But at least she learned from her early attempts and went on to become a much better writer.
I really liked this book, and Emma and Alex are a memorable pair. I would have liked to have seen more of Alex's teasing side -- he was a bit too posessive for my taste. But don't let that keep you away. This is the first in the series -- read Dancing at Midnight and Minx next.
Dancing is my fave, with John Blackwood a nicely-flawed hero. You get to hear Dunford's story in Minx, and he is playful and funny -- the most humorous of the three books.
Dancing is my fave, with John Blackwood a nicely-flawed hero. You get to hear Dunford's story in Minx, and he is playful and funny -- the most humorous of the three books.
Fun read with a high spirited young woman out for a fun season. Love the development of the characters and the tension between them. A great read.
Started with the Bridgertons, loved her books so started backtracking. This is one of her first books and it is good. Makes you want to read the others in this series.
Julia Quinn's first novel and it is indeed Splendid. Wonderful story of Emma and Alex.
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is determined to avoid marriage. Unfortunately, his family is just as determined to see him wed. Emma Dunster, in London for a season, is determined to return to Boston to run her father's shipping company. But Emma's British cousins are just as determined to see her settle in England. Sparks --and laughter-- fly when all these terribly determined people cross paths during one very splendid London spring.
*taken from the author's website
*taken from the author's website
Book Blurb:
American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more conventional ways than husband-hunting. But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation...
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love...until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent...and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress...and committed them both to a lifetime of splendid ecstasy.
American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more conventional ways than husband-hunting. But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation...
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love...until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent...and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress...and committed them both to a lifetime of splendid ecstasy.
There are two things everyone knows about Alexander Ridgely. One, he's the Duke of Ashbourne. And two, he has no plans to marry anytime soon...
That is until a redheaded American throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephew's life. She's everything Alex never thought a woman could be--smart and funn, principled and brave. But she's a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke--unless, perhaps, she's not quite what she seems...
American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen, but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one--even if she has agreed to participate in one London Season. When she slipped out of her cousin's home, dressed as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed she'd find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke...or that he'd be quite so upset when he discovered her true idenity. But true love tends to blossom just when one least expects it, and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.
That is until a redheaded American throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephew's life. She's everything Alex never thought a woman could be--smart and funn, principled and brave. But she's a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke--unless, perhaps, she's not quite what she seems...
American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen, but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one--even if she has agreed to participate in one London Season. When she slipped out of her cousin's home, dressed as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed she'd find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke...or that he'd be quite so upset when he discovered her true idenity. But true love tends to blossom just when one least expects it, and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.
this is an early quinn, showing lots of potential.
Her very first publication....SUPER!
Julia is a personal friend. I love her wit and clever dialogue. Hope you do too!
A fun, engaging read.
American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband-hunting. But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation...
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love...until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent...and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress...and committed them both to a lifetime of spendid ecstasy.
Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love...until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent...and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress...and committed them both to a lifetime of spendid ecstasy.
Loved this story. Laughed alot! A nice build up of the other characters to come in the next two books.
The book started well enough but lost its appeal in the middle. As much as I like strong willed women. I was really irked by the heroine. I've read many of Julia's books and I love the Brigerton series but I just felt like she rushed through this book.
Loved this story
a bit mushy but its good
There are two things everyone knows about Alexander Ridgely - One , hes the Duke of Ashbourne and two he has no plans to marry..That is until a redheaded American Throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephews life. Shes everything Alex never thought a woman could be, smart, funny, principled, brave, but shes a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke unless perhaps, shes not what she seems. American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one, even if she has agreed to participate in one of Londons season. When she slipped out of her cousins home, dresses as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed shed find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke or that he would be so upset when he discovered her true identity. But true love tends to blossom just when one least expects it and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.
From Back Cover: There are two things everyone knows about Alexander Ridgely. One, he's the Duke of Ashbourne. And two, he has no plans to marry anytime soon... That is until a redheaded American throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephew's life. She's everything Alex never thought a woman could be--smart and funny, principled and brave. But she's a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke--unless, perhaps, she's not quite what she seems... American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen, but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one--even if she has agreed to participate in one London Season. When she slipped out of her cousins' home, dressed as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed she'd find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke...or that he'd be quite so upset when he discovered her true identity. But true love tends to blossom just when on least expects it, and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.
Cover pic is different on my copy.
"American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage.She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband-hunting.But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation........
"American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage.She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband-hunting.But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation........
