The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn, Connie Brockway and Eloisa James

Setting: Regency

Summary:

Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife—so his sister hands him a list of the very best young ladies on the market. And then, because he refuses to tear himself away from the stables where he trains Arabian racehorses, she invites all those ladies to a house party, along with some other bachelors, of course. So who will Hugh choose? The Botticelli-esque, enchanting Gwendolyn? The outspoken, delightful Katherine? If he doesn’t work fast, he’ll lose those ladies to his closest friends, and then where will he look for a wife? Perhaps, just perhaps, toward a lady who’s not on a market at all, and would require a great deal of persuading…

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Review:

I adored this book! It was light, funny, touching and a true Regency romance! As a reader of previous anthologies, I was slightly cautious about touching this one. The thing is, it’s not really an anthology at all but a novel told in three parts by 3 authors and all connected to each other. A very unique idea and pulled off very well!

I loved the idea of a house party designed to find a suitable wife for the earl and I would love to be in this particular one! Everyone was delightful and nice and this is the kind of romance you’ll want to read if you’re feeling down cause it’s cheerful, charming and happy all the way through. There are no villains or any dark conflict-the only conflict is trying to find the earl a wife before they are all snatched! This is really three short romances in one book, naturally with Hugh’s story happening last.

The ‘guest list’ includes the shy but gorgeous Gwendolyn, the outspoken Katherine, the war hero Neill Oakes, the charming new Earl of Charters, the widow Lady Georgina, and of course the earl himself. The hostess is his sister who is a charming, witty and mischievous matchmaker. I really enjoyed every character in this novel, with my personal favourite being Gwen. I wished her story went on a little longer.

Though each author has their different style of writing, with Julia’s being the most distinctive, it still managed to work and not detract from the story. I felt the style of each author suited each story. My favourite was the first one and the last one. I felt the second one to be too predictable and wanted to race over it. The first story was cute and sweet, while the last one was deep and touching.

This book was over all cute and happy, and there were a lot of aww scenes. The sensuality in this book was slightly spicy which suited the mood. All in all, a very sweet and charming romance!

Sensuality Rating: Warm (Short and not explicit scenes)

Final Verdict: Warm, funny and sweet romance-perfect when you’re feeling down

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn

Setting: 1822, Regency

Summary:

Sebastian Grey is in limbo. He is the heir presumptive to the Earl of Newbury, unless the current earl, a widower, can find a bride who will bear him a son. Newbury is in his sixties and somewhat portly, but as an earl he’s considered quite a catch. Sebastian, on the other hand, is twenty-nine and extremely handsome, but in no hurry to find a wife.

Annabel Winslow, a country girl through and through, has received an offer to go to London for the season. The eldest of a family of eight, she knows that a good marriage might be the only thing that will save her family from ruin. After a few weeks in town, Annabel attracts the attention of the Earl of Newbury. The thought of submitting to him makes her skin crawl, but she is practical and determined to do her duty. Even when Sebastian Grey comes on the scene.

*Note-The aforementioned blurb comes from the UK paperback edition

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Review:

This is my first Julia Quinn novel, sadly way overdue. I’ve been meaning to read her since forever but was always distracted by other novels from authors I already knew and loved. It was only at last on the recommendation of a friend of mine who is a great reader that I decided to give her a try.

I’m so glad I did! I loved it! This is truly the definition of a Regency romantic comedy! This book made me remember why I love the Regency period and how I came to fall in love with it! I couldn’t help but laugh all the way through at the antics of the characters and the witty commentary and dialogue. I completely understand now why she is considered as one of the best Regency authors! Her writing flowed and kept me so well entertained, it did not matter that the plot was a relatively simple story of girl meets boy but is promised to somebody else. The ending was also a bit implausible but the story thrived on the writing alone, in my opinion.

Sebastian, the hero is wonderful all the way through. From the very start, you just love him for his charm, his easygoing nature, and his kindness. I also loved that he was secretly writing popular fiction for the masses-it just made him that more lovable.

Our heroine, Annabel, is adorable as well. She is a sensible, practical girl, but a girl who also knows how to laugh and have fun. Their romance is sweet and has the reader eagerly anticipating the happily ever after. The other characters were well-fleshed out and rounded and I particularly loved Annabel’s over-the-top grandmother! What a character! The ending was a bit implausible but that didn’t distract from the general loveliness of the novel!

I wish I could say more, but I might bore you with too many positive adjectives! Pick this lovely book up because you will not be disappointed-I’m putting Julia Quinn on my must-buy list!

Sensuality Rating: Warm (Love scenes are short and not explicit)

Verdict: Simply a treasure that every romance reader needs to read!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars