Friday 23 November 2012

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn

PLOT
Julia Quinn writes historical romance novels and has received a number of RITA’s for the best regency historical romance. ‘Just Like Heaven’ is the first book in the series ‘The Smythe-Smith Quartet’. Honoria Smythe-Smith is the youngest daughter of the eldest son of the Earl of Winstead. Honoria is still single and knows she must marry in order to escape her family orchestra quartet. She is aware that they are dreadful and freely admitts that she thinks she is the worst of them all!  

Marcus Holroyd, is Honoria’s brothers best friend, however Daniel lives in exile out of the country leaving Marcus to look over his family. However, once he learns that Honoria is determined to marry by the end of the season- he knows he needs to take extreme caution when allowing her to pick an honourable husband.    

Will Marcus be able to swoop in and steal her heart before the end of the season?

Rating 3*- It is the first time I’ve read an historical novel and this book surprised me! Julia gives a good insight into the Regency period and her characters portray the period very well. Honoria is what you would typically expect from a character; however both she and Marcus surprised me throughout the novel. They are, on the outside, as reserved as expected, but Quinn uses internal monologues which delve into Honoria’s and Marcus’ thoughts. The interchanging chapters switch between the two characters giving the readers to chance to get to know each character on a more personal level.

Although I have not given the book the highest of stars, the main enjoyment I got from this novel was from Quinn’s humour. Very subtle and hilariously placed, Quinn is  a great and entertaining writer. While it was not the most of gripping of reads, I finished the novel and the humours aspect made it all the more enjoyable!

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