Splendid

Rating:
Summary: STUNNING!!
Review: This book is a must have. Not only is the herione Emma fiesty and headstrong, she is beautiful and knows how to handle an arrogant but sexy duke! The dialogue is amazing and the story never lets you go for a second. The first in a series of books about this family. A definite win!

Rating:
Summary: More info on republishing
Review: This book is going to be republished and available in the middle of March. It is available through Waldenbooks for sure. This is the same for Dancing at Midnight.

Rating:
Summary: why not set the book in America?
Review: This book should be titled 'Dire' or 'Dreadful'. What is the point of setting a book in London if the dialogue and description are pure American. I love American romantic fiction, I think Jayne Anne Krentz is without equal, so why didn't this Author set her book in America. It is irritating and distracting to have so-called English characters using American English. A little research would cure the problem, witness Amanda Quick, and make the reading far more enjoyable. I gave this book one star because there isn't a no star option.

Rating:
Summary: As the title: SPLENDID!
Review: This book, the first of the series (Splendid, Dancing at Midnight and Minx) is witty, fast paced, charming, wonderfully written and a definite KEEPER! I read Minx first and was wonderfully surprised to find out that Splendid was the first of a trilogy. Alex is sexy and utterly male and Emma is funny and feisty. The story is true romance, with little misunderstandings and very fast paced. Julia Quinn writes so fantastic and makes you feel like you're part of the cast as well. The other characters, which you will soon meet in the other books are also great!

Another thing I like about Julia Quinn is that her characters keep coming back in her books. Check out Dunford (Minx, Dancing at Midnight and Splendid) with a small role in her book How to Marry a Marquis and Charles Wycomb, Earl of Billington (Brighter than the Sun) with a small part as well in Minx.

If you like light Regency romance you will like Splendid but be sure you have the time 'coz once you start reading this book you won't wanna put it down!

Anyway... enjoy reading Splendid!

Rating:
Summary: splendidly funny
Review: This is Quinn's first novel, and it shows. The lack of polish and maturity in her writing that she devlops by the Bridgerton series is why I give this book 3 stars. It is, however, worthy of the read.

The characters are fairly rote for romance, Alex is your hero, and is typically wealthy, titled, and bored with life. Emma is your heroine and is also typically wealthy, vibrant and independant. Although this book doesn't show Ms. Quinn's later flair for plot, it is an admirable job and doesn't get bogged down in too many balls or any other usual first novel quagmires. It is full of humor, and as typical of Quinn has several laugh-out-loud scenes that you have to re-read because you're laughing too hard to focus the first time through.

My only real problem with the plot is a weak villain subplot that seems like it was hastily added at the end to increase word count. The last scene with the villain could have been completely cut in my opinion, especially since he was effectively dealt with earlier in the novel.

Quinn fans who wish to complete their library will enjoy this novel, but I don't recommend it as an introduction to her work. For a reader new to Quinn, I suggest "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" instead.

Rating:
Summary: An good book from Julia
Review: Well I can't say I agree with two of the reviewers. I did like this book. Now I will admit I like her Bridgerton series a bit more, I still found this book to able to amuse me and make me forget about my day to day life,

Now in this book the heroine, Emma, is an American heiress who has come to London to enjoy a Season but she's not looking for a husband. She's just here to have some fun with her cousins. In one of capers she and her cousin Arabella dress up in maids clothes and help the cook with the meal for the party that is to happen that night. When the cook needs more eggs, Emma volunteers to get some. When Emma is on her way back she tries to save a young boy and the little dog he has run after, from the wheels of a carriage. Emma is knocked out and when she comes to she's in the carriage with the notorious rake Alexander Ridgely his sister Sophie. Alex is imediately attracted to the "maid" and has no way of knowing who she really is. When he sees her at the party that night, he decides to make her pay for her deception. They agree to be"friends" but soon find that they both desire each other to much to be mearly "friends". Both struggle with thier new found feelings.

There are some wonderful secondary characters who show up in other books. I look forward to reading Arabella's story.

All in all I found this to be a good book. It is on my "keeper shelf".I will continue to be a fan of Julia Quinn's.

Rating:
Summary: I Loved This Book
Review: What an exciting, strong heroine in this book. Emma Dunster, American export to England, decides (with prodding from her father) to visit her family in London for the season. Once there, her aunt throws a big ball in her honor, but Emma needs to escape the planning. To do so, she dresses up like a kitchen maid, and goes to market for eggs. At the market, she saves the life of Charlie, the six-year old nephew of the Duke of Ashford, Alex.

After a brief introduction, the "maid" is escorted home by Alex, who later that evening finds out that his nephews saviour is really Emma. From the start, sparks flew between the hero and heroine. I loved Emma not backing down from the "Duke" and I loved Alex's way of keeping Emma off-balance. These two characters and this book was simply SPLENDID.