REVIEW: To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn

To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn

Series: Agents of the Crown, #1

Publication Date:September 4th 2008 (first published July 1st 1998)

Publisher:Piatkus

Paperback, 384 pages
Useful Info: Goodreads, Author's Website, Book Depository

When Caroline Trent is kidnapped by Blake Ravenscroft, she doesn't even try to elude this dangerously handsome agent of the crown. After all, she's been running from unwanted marriage proposals. Yes, Blake believes she's a notorious spy named Carlotta De Leon, but for six weeks until her twenty-first birthday, when she'll gain control of her fortune, hiding out in the titillating company of a mysterious captor is awfully convenient - and maybe just a little romantic, too.

Blake Ravenscroft's mission is to bring 'Carlotta' to justice, not to fall in love. His heart has been hardened by years of intrigue, but this little temptress proves oddly disarming and thoroughly kissable. And suddenly the unthinkable becomes possible - and this mismatched couple might be destined for love.

Review first published at Book Lovers Inc

I hadn't realised how much I had missed Julia Quinn's writing style until I picked up one of her novels! I mean she's among those authors that just can't fail me with their work and her stories are always a delight to read. So, it isn't really a big surprise that I absolutely loved To Catch an Heiress!

Most good authors have a distinctive quality, that certain something in their "voice" that makes the reader tell apart their writing style from that of any other. And in Julia Quinn's case, that certain quality is her humor. I mean her stories are so lighthearted and funny that are a pure delight to read! Her stories are not overly sensual, there's definitely some sex there, but it's not the main focus of the story. Her writing style is more playful and the romance is focused more on the constant bickering between the couple rather than their scorching hot encounters. And I had so missed that!

To Catch an Heiress is as good as one might expect from Quinn and then some! I loved Caroline and Blake's story, I loved their constant fights, Caroline's carefree personality and her ability to see good in every bad thing that happened to her in her life and Blake's wounded heart. To put it simply, I just loved everything about this book!

I really can't say anything about the character development or the quality of the writing style. They are impeccable, as one might expect from an author like Julia Quinn. She has a way around words and add to that her incredible humorous tone and you've got in your hands one hell of a story!

Honestly, I can't make that review long, even if I wanted. All I have to say about To Catch an Heiress is that every lover of Historical Romance should definitely give this title a chance. It's so fast-paced and funny and sweet that you won't even realise when you'll reach the final page!

REVIEW: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons,#4) by Julia Quinn

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Publication Date: July 13th 2002

Publisher: Avon

Mass Market Paperback, 370 pages

Buy via Book Depository

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 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 aboard, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same, especially Penelope Featherington, the girl haunting his dreams!


And 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?

Oh well,Romancing Mister Bridgerton must be my favorite book in the famous series by Julia Quinn up to now!Yes,it's that good!After Benedict's story,which was good,but didn't impress my all that much,comes Colin's story that just blew my mind!

Certainly,after having read 3 books in the series,I have made my mind about almost everyone in the Bridgerton family (except a few who aren't that fully portrayed until now,Francesca and Gregory mostly) and Colin was among my favorite characters from book one still!He, Anthony and Hyacinth were the characters that posed the most interest for me and up to now,their books haven't disappoint me in the least.

Penelope Featherington,Colin's love interest,is a well familiar character to the fans of the series and in more ways one could imagine...Seeing those two get together was more than delightful.

Both Colin and Penelope are two well developed and interesting characters and their romance and the way Colin slowly realizes he's falling in love with Penelope are wonderful to read!

Penelope is so much more than meets the eye and to be honest I have a feeling that Quinn focused more on her this time than in a Bridgerton sibling.Surely,Colin gets his share of attention but not nearly as much as Penelope who kind of reintroduces herself to the readers of the series.

And probably that exact ability of Quinn as a writer,to reintroduce her characters to her readers is what I love most in her writing,well,apart from her amazing sense of humor!

One thing is certain with Julia Quinn's books.No matter how many of them you read,you never get tired or bored and by each book you are only left eager for more!And that's exactly what I'm going to do: read each of her books in this series and then continue on to one of her other series!

READING: An Offer from a Gentleman (Bridgertons,#3) by Julia Quinn

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn

Publication Date: July 2001

Publisher: Avon

Mass Market Paperback, 358 pages

Buy via Book Depository

Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?


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 his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

An Offer from a Gentleman,although certainly not among my favorite in the popular Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn,was a pleasant read from the first to the last page!

The whole Cinderella retale this book deals with,at first made me feel a bit apprehensive,but thankfully my apprehensions were quickly gone.I'm not a huge fan of retales,since whatever I've tried reading with retales of stories wasn't that much impressive for me... But fortunatelly,this book has only a feeling of a retale of the Cinderella story,and soon after the first chapters,although the feeling of reading Cinderella remains,the whole story carries you away...

What I liked most in this story is Sophie's character.I liked the way Julia Quinn developed her as a character and how she was portrayed.I liked how she was strong,with high morals and no matter what life brought her way,she accepted it and dealt with it in the most dignified manner.

What I liked least,and I can't believe I'm actually saying that about a member of a Bridgerton family,was Benedict.He was a bit of a "lukewarm" character for me,and although there were times I found him irresistible,most of the times he went a bit unnoticed for me,even though he was the main hero.

As for the rest,Julia Quinn once again writes exceptionally and her story manages to grab her readers interest making it really difficult to put any of her books down!I like her sense of humor that is evident in every book of hers I've read up to now and I love the way the romance evolves in her stories.

So,although this book may not be one of my favorites,it still is a very good book,and one that you read it quite pleasantly!

READING: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons,#2) by Julia Quinn

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Publication Date: December 1st 2000

Publisher: Avon

Mass Market Paperback, 376 pages

Buy via Book Depository

The town is shocked when Anthony Bridgerton, confirmed bachelor and consummate rake, actually chooses a bride. His only obstacle is his intended′s stunning, meddlesome elder sibling, Kate. When Anthony closes his eyes at night, it′s Kate who haunts his increasingly erotic dreams. Kate is determined to protect her innocent sister from the handsome viscount whom all London considers the most wicked rogue of all. But she fears how own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony′s lips touch hers, she′s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible cad.

Should I say how much I love living in the Victorian England of Julia Quinn's novels???Well,I just adore it and I can't have enough of her books!After being completely fascinated by her previous book in the Bridgertons series,The Duke and I,I was trully eager for the next book!And I wasn't disappointed in the least!

This book follows the story of the oldest brother of the Bridgerton family,Anthony,who,as the first book promised,was a fascinating character!Well,Julia Quinn short of reinvents and reintroduces to her readers Anthony Bridgerton and creates a unique character who stays in your mind for a long time!Surely,from what I read about Anthony in the first book,I just couldn't wait to read about his story,but the result,just exceed my expectations!As was only logical,we got to know a lot more about him,and what we learned,well,all I can say is that one couldn't even imagine it from the previous book...Anthony is so much better, caring, insecure, strong and determined.

Katie on the other hand is a character with whom I can completely identify with,a female lead perfect for this kind of story!I loved her devotion to her family and her relationship both to her half sister and her step mother!The story follows more or less the same pattern with the previous installment of the series and the dialogues are hilarious!The witty exchanges between the lead couple are plainly delightful!

I just love Julia Quinns writing style!Her portrayal of the era reminds me that of Jane Austen's books,but she just takes her stories a step further adding all those spicy details an author of Jane Austen's time could never do!I love the language she uses,how real she can make her characters appear and the pace of her stories which never bore you.If not,you just don't want for the story to end,and when it does,you immediately want to sink in the next novel!

All in all,Julia Quinn was the author through whom I was introduced to the historical romance genre and for that I will always have a soft spot for her work in my heart!I just love those books!

READING:The Duke and I (Bridgertons,#1) by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Publication Date: January 1st 2000

Publisher: Avon

Mass Market Paperback, 371 pages

Buy via Book Depository

Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?
--- Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813


By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister, the lovely---and almost-on-the-shelf---Daphney Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth--it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke as declared her desirable.


But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her...but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke...for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love...

What can I possibly say about The Duke and I,other than I was totally and honestly obsessed with this book,not only while I was reading it,but after I finished it also and for the rest couple of days as well (not that my obsession is over now,it just subsided!).

First of all,I have to say that The Duke and I is my very first historical romance book (I don't take into consideration anything I've already read by Bronte or Austen,cause those books are classic and well,I just don't put these books under any genre,they stand on their own) and after finishing it I must admit that a new "love" has began for me...,that of historical romances!

There's not a single thing I didn't like about this book!Brilliantly written,with consistent and unique characters,with an evenly paced plot and a romance so sweet,I think about it and melt even now!

Julia Quinn's writing is exceptional,humorous and straight to the point.It doesn't bore or tire the reader and in more than one occasion while reading this book,I found myself stupidly smirking or laughing aloud with the dialogues and the descriptions.A smart read,portraying one of my favorite eras,that of Victorian England.That specific era always fascinated me and it's only natural I would immensely enjoy a book set in that time!

But there's more to love in this book apart from that!The romance is sweet and the set of characters is amazing!And I'm not talking about only the main characters but the secondary,in this novel, also!

From Violet,the mother of eight children,eager to start marrying her older ones to Hyacinth,one of the youngest kids of the family with the witty answers and iressistible personality even in the tender age of 10,this book has characters that stick in your mind!Should someone made me choose for my favorite one though,I would pick Violet without second thought!Even if she appeared in small portions of the book,you just can't help but remember and love the character who grabs her three eldest sons by the ear and command them to march!

Anyway,I can probably rumble on and on forever about this book and then some,but the bottom line is,that it's an amazing book that made me want to explore even more the -unknown for me- historical genre!And be certain I will!I already ordered the next two books in the series and they don't seem to arrive soon enough!