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76th out of 1,178 books
—
2,274 voters
Splendid (Blydon #1)
by
Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)
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 un...more
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 un...more
Paperback, 396 pages
Published
April 1st 1995
by Avon
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fantastic read ! loved the chemistry between our two leads ! :D (view spoiler) for a change i really did love the heroine-emma...she and i ?
we both share our love for climbing different windows just as much as both our brothers despise it too ;D
LOL
we both share our love for climbing different windows just as much as both our brothers despise it too ;DLOL
Julia Quinn's first published novel, Splendid, was quite Splendid actually! I enjoyed this book as it was funny, easy to read, and fast-paced.
Our Heroine...
Emma, an American, goes to London to visit her cousins for a season. She looks forward to just enjoying her time with Belle and Ned, and NOT looking for a husband. She has plans to take over her fathers shipping company in America one day and will not be tied down to some titled gentleman in London. Her aunt plans an elaborate ball to introd...more
Our Heroine...
Emma, an American, goes to London to visit her cousins for a season. She looks forward to just enjoying her time with Belle and Ned, and NOT looking for a husband. She has plans to take over her fathers shipping company in America one day and will not be tied down to some titled gentleman in London. Her aunt plans an elaborate ball to introd...more
11 likes · like · see review
May 14, 2012
Netha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance,
dastanbooks
buku pertama blydon trilogy.
bercerita ttg Emma Dunster, sepupu keluarga blydon yg tinggal di amerika.
Emma - ceria & ga kenal takut, malah ga ada takut2nya sama sekali - karna sikapnya yg seperti itu sang ayah memintanya untuk tinggal sementara bersama paman & bibinya - earl & countess worth - di Inggris.
untungnya Emma sangat dekat dengan keluarga bibi-nya bahkan Lady Arabella atau belle bagi keluarga & teman2nya adl sahabat karib.
dimana ada emma maka disitu ada belle. emma &...more
bercerita ttg Emma Dunster, sepupu keluarga blydon yg tinggal di amerika.
Emma - ceria & ga kenal takut, malah ga ada takut2nya sama sekali - karna sikapnya yg seperti itu sang ayah memintanya untuk tinggal sementara bersama paman & bibinya - earl & countess worth - di Inggris.
untungnya Emma sangat dekat dengan keluarga bibi-nya bahkan Lady Arabella atau belle bagi keluarga & teman2nya adl sahabat karib.
dimana ada emma maka disitu ada belle. emma &...more
Regency romance with sex. A Re-read for me.
This is JQ's 1st book published. Frankly, if her name hadn't been on the cover, I never would have known it was her! I didn't like it at all. The female lead was annoying. The male lead had the reputation as a rake. Usually in romance novels, a reputation as a rake isn't really justified. In this guy's case, however, it is. Emma is dressed as a maid to help in the kitchen when she save's Alex's nephew from death by carriage. While she's in the carriag...more
This is JQ's 1st book published. Frankly, if her name hadn't been on the cover, I never would have known it was her! I didn't like it at all. The female lead was annoying. The male lead had the reputation as a rake. Usually in romance novels, a reputation as a rake isn't really justified. In this guy's case, however, it is. Emma is dressed as a maid to help in the kitchen when she save's Alex's nephew from death by carriage. While she's in the carriag...more
This is the debut novel by this author and I enjoyed reading it. Good romance with a feisty heroine.
Back Cover Blurb:
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 unsuit...more
Back Cover Blurb:
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 unsuit...more
This was Julia Quinn's first regency novel and it's really telling from the style. It's full of cliches, annoying characters, absurd plot turns, douchey male characters, douchey male characters who want to have sex with the female protagonist in a way that almost borders on harassment, anachronisms, dialogue inconsistent with the time period, a female American character that may be self-insertion etc. I found it really hard to finish this book, but I stuck with it.
Luckily, Quinn's style has imp...more
Luckily, Quinn's style has imp...more
The blurb only describes the first few pages of the book.
Oh and I loved the blurb, by the way. But the book? Well, it was ok. Delightful even. But nothing spectacular. Definitely splendid though.
First, allow me to point out that it is far more exciting to read about a "to-be-couple" at constant loggerheads with each other rather than being really nice and sweet to each other. I mean, the latter seems so hopelessly common (in real life, I mean. Surely I've witnessed enough of the lack of drama in...more
Oh and I loved the blurb, by the way. But the book? Well, it was ok. Delightful even. But nothing spectacular. Definitely splendid though.
First, allow me to point out that it is far more exciting to read about a "to-be-couple" at constant loggerheads with each other rather than being really nice and sweet to each other. I mean, the latter seems so hopelessly common (in real life, I mean. Surely I've witnessed enough of the lack of drama in...more
bence Julia bu kitabı hayatının en mutlu anlarından birinde yazdı heralde :) kitap vahşi güzel emma nın , babasının istediği üzerine ingiltere de bir sezon geçirmeye gitmesiyle başlıyor. tabi kızımız evlenmemeye kararlı çünkü evlenirse babasının gemicilik şirketinin başına geçemez ve ömür boyu ingilterede kalır ama kuzenleri ve halasıda onun ingiltere de kalması için her şeyi yapmaya hazır.dükümüz alex ise her zamanki evlenmemeye meyilli yakışıklılarımızdan.ama dükün cana yakın kız kardeşi ve se...more
I like the heroine, Emma, immediately. I disliked the hero, Alex, almost immediately. And I quickly grew to detest the two of them together.
Emma starts off as intelligent, mischievous, cheerful, loving with a willingness to speak her mind. Alex starts off as careless of how his actions affect others, arrogant, controlling and at times downright mean. For example, (view spoiler)...more
Emma starts off as intelligent, mischievous, cheerful, loving with a willingness to speak her mind. Alex starts off as careless of how his actions affect others, arrogant, controlling and at times downright mean. For example, (view spoiler)...more
Ms Quinn has always been a favorite author of mine; and until recently I did not realize that I had missed her very first novel. So I picked it up and was rapt from the very first.
Ms Quinn has always used humor in her books. Sometimes with ridiculous action on the characters part, and sometimes with the characters themselves. In this book we see her use the humor in both manners and it works quite well.
I loved Ms Quinn's mixing of an American woman, with the new world sensibilities and somewhat...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I began purchasing Julia Quinn books from thriftbooks because of Lady Most Willing (she was one of the collaborators). This is the second books I've read by her, and I think this might be her earliest.
It was a fairly typical regency romance. Emma is an atypical heroine, American rather than English born, and far more interested in running her father's shipping company than finding a husband. Her family convinces her to travel to London to spend time with her mother's family, where she is introdu...more
It was a fairly typical regency romance. Emma is an atypical heroine, American rather than English born, and far more interested in running her father's shipping company than finding a husband. Her family convinces her to travel to London to spend time with her mother's family, where she is introdu...more
I am a fan of Julia Quinn's later books, at this one definitely shows a lot of her potential, but sadly falls far short. I enjoyed the cast of characters, and found the plot compelling enough to keep reading, but sadly both of those elements kind of careened off the rails toward the end, leaving a bit of a jumbled mess. The writing went the other direction, and improved a bit as it went on, despite an inauspicious start. Good writing is supposed to "show, not tell" and there was a whole lot of t...more
I liked this book. I was dreading reading it, because I've read books by this author where the beginning is spectacular but then the whole thing sort of fizzles out of life by the last third, or becomes too sitcom to be taken seriously.
It was a happy surprise that this wasn't the case here. Of course I was annoyed by the author's sense of humor, as I always am (several times Ms. Quinn went with the whole she mutters something under her breath and when they ask her what she said, she says she was...more
It was a happy surprise that this wasn't the case here. Of course I was annoyed by the author's sense of humor, as I always am (several times Ms. Quinn went with the whole she mutters something under her breath and when they ask her what she said, she says she was...more
Excellent awesome story,
Alex is a Duke and a rake, avoiding the TON parties as much as possible, tired of being pursued for his title and money,he is strong,arrogant,charming,sexy.He meets Emma when she is dressed as a maid and is intrigued by her, so he appears at the ball to introduce the "maid" to London society! From that point on, he is focused on the goal: make Emma his wife!
Emma is funny and feisty and a strong character and not a prissy miss. She is an independent American who has had ex...more
Alex is a Duke and a rake, avoiding the TON parties as much as possible, tired of being pursued for his title and money,he is strong,arrogant,charming,sexy.He meets Emma when she is dressed as a maid and is intrigued by her, so he appears at the ball to introduce the "maid" to London society! From that point on, he is focused on the goal: make Emma his wife!
Emma is funny and feisty and a strong character and not a prissy miss. She is an independent American who has had ex...more
So it's true I am not a die hard Julia Quinn fan, sure I find some of her books a bit charming but I will leave it at that.
I know this has been said before (STAY WITH ME FOLKS I SWEAR I HAVE A POINT) but I agree you can tell this was her first novel.
People told me about this book saying things like "The heroine is charming and witty!" but when I read it all I could think was
"I mean...she's okay?"
And the hero? I wanted to kick him in the shin, I get that he had a trust issue with the ladies bu...more
I know this has been said before (STAY WITH ME FOLKS I SWEAR I HAVE A POINT) but I agree you can tell this was her first novel.
People told me about this book saying things like "The heroine is charming and witty!" but when I read it all I could think was
"I mean...she's okay?"
And the hero? I wanted to kick him in the shin, I get that he had a trust issue with the ladies bu...more
I liiiiiiiiiiiked this novel so, so much! :)
There were two-three situations where I felt uneasy. Everything was FINE but there were many pages to come so I was expecting the conflicts, fights, arguments, tears, etc. without knowing WHAT to really expect.
If you ignore these, well, as I've said: I've loved reading Splendid. The heroine and hero are cute, funny and very Quinn-ish. I don't think it's been the best of her novels when it comes to the execution, but I like the story itself very much. (...more
There were two-three situations where I felt uneasy. Everything was FINE but there were many pages to come so I was expecting the conflicts, fights, arguments, tears, etc. without knowing WHAT to really expect.
If you ignore these, well, as I've said: I've loved reading Splendid. The heroine and hero are cute, funny and very Quinn-ish. I don't think it's been the best of her novels when it comes to the execution, but I like the story itself very much. (...more
Inti ceritanya tentang 2 orang sempurna yang menemukan cinta sempurna. Alex, Sang Duke Of Ashbourne, adalah bujangan yang paling diminati di Inggris dengan gelar dan kekayaannya. Alex yang anti dengan para Lady dan Mama yang terus-terusan mengejarnya karna gelar dan kekayaannya, tidak ingin menikah setidaknya sampai ia berusia akhir 30an, itupun hanya untuk mendapatkan pewaris.
Namun tiba-tiba saja jatuh cinta, walaupun tidak mau diakuinya, pada Emma, wanita Amerika cerdas dan berani sang pewaris...more
Namun tiba-tiba saja jatuh cinta, walaupun tidak mau diakuinya, pada Emma, wanita Amerika cerdas dan berani sang pewaris...more
Quinn's debut novel of Emma, an American who goes to England and saves the nephew of Alexander Ridgely, a duke who plans to never marry. Of course, he falls for her charms and thinks she is a kitchen maid (she dressed up to have anonymity before her debut). Soon he discovered that she is the one who can melt his heart and stubborness won't let her get away. This story has a sweet charm to it and inlcudes Danford from Minx (pre-Harry) and Belle, Emma's cousin, who helps her win over Alex in spite...more
Finally! I surrender to the beginning of a legacy- Julia's debut novel.
I admit that her voice is not entirely developed in this one. I am missing that lovely zing, if you JQ fans get my meaning. The dialogue isn't quite there.
But for all intents and purposes, it was a splendid novel. Yes, I did just use the title in my review. Much like Julia sprinkles in among the pages.
Emma is a wonderful heroine to follow. She has a backbone but is not so stubborn to be irritating. She is a wonderful red-head...more
I admit that her voice is not entirely developed in this one. I am missing that lovely zing, if you JQ fans get my meaning. The dialogue isn't quite there.
But for all intents and purposes, it was a splendid novel. Yes, I did just use the title in my review. Much like Julia sprinkles in among the pages.
Emma is a wonderful heroine to follow. She has a backbone but is not so stubborn to be irritating. She is a wonderful red-head...more
Oct 20, 2011
Lori McD
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
chick-lit,
easy-read,
favorite-author,
guilty-pleasure,
kindle-book,
regency,
romance,
series,
some-steam,
british-lit,
2011_read
Splendid is a good word for this book... it's the best of the Regency romance-formulas, except that the heroine is American! Imagine that! So the American sensibilities about independence are even more at home in our flame-haired heroine. The hero is a rake who, is of course, determined not to marry; his title, lands, and money seem to be all that the Marriage Mart is truly after, and he's steeled himself against any feeling if he's to become part of a contract. So there are definitely some diff...more
"¿Emma? "
"¿¡Um!? "
"No me abandones otra vez. "
"No te abandoné. "
"No vuelvas a irte intempestivamente de visita, entonces. La casa estaba muy sola sin ti."
Necesitaba tanto una lectura así... Londres, 1816, Duques, Condes, Señoritas americanas, y todo ese mundo de antaño que adoro.
Emma es una protagonista divertida, atrevida y para nada agotadora. Me encantaba cuando murmuraba por lo bajo(cosa que hacemos todos) aunque a veces creo que la autora abusaba un poco de ese recurso cuando tenía toda una...more
"¿¡Um!? "
"No me abandones otra vez. "
"No te abandoné. "
"No vuelvas a irte intempestivamente de visita, entonces. La casa estaba muy sola sin ti."
Necesitaba tanto una lectura así... Londres, 1816, Duques, Condes, Señoritas americanas, y todo ese mundo de antaño que adoro.
Emma es una protagonista divertida, atrevida y para nada agotadora. Me encantaba cuando murmuraba por lo bajo(cosa que hacemos todos) aunque a veces creo que la autora abusaba un poco de ese recurso cuando tenía toda una...more
Review taken from Blog November 2010:
Yes, I am reading a lot of her work, and I refuse to apologise one jot!!! Having bedded down to her style ~ I am completely at home. They move me to tears (of the happy variety) and frustration sometimes for a hero to get a bloody MOVE ON, but they always make my heart sing.
I should have been making the bed, doing more housework, or any number of other wifely duties, but instead I've had a "Splendid" time .............absolutely SPLENDID time reading this boo...more
Yes, I am reading a lot of her work, and I refuse to apologise one jot!!! Having bedded down to her style ~ I am completely at home. They move me to tears (of the happy variety) and frustration sometimes for a hero to get a bloody MOVE ON, but they always make my heart sing.
I should have been making the bed, doing more housework, or any number of other wifely duties, but instead I've had a "Splendid" time .............absolutely SPLENDID time reading this boo...more
This is the typical 'ultra-rich rake who dislikes women and considers them as playthings vs. unconventionally beautiful heroine who is not scared of men & is fond of putting them' down story. The only change is that our heroine is rich too. Emma, heiress to a shipping company in the US is on a long stay with her cousin Belle in London and is being introduced to the London society by her kind aunt. Alex is a uber rich rake who has relations with lots of women, but is scared that all women are...more
I hadn't read this Quinn book before and it's probably because it's only okay. Not like the early book in her Bridgerton series.
In this one, Emma Dunster impresses the Duke of something or another when she dives in front of a carriage to save his nephew. You see, he doesn't have a high opinion of women since they all tend to throw themselves at him. Oh, yes, it's hard to be handsome, rich and titled.
Anyway, this redheaded American immediately gets under his skin. I'm glad that the charade of E...more
In this one, Emma Dunster impresses the Duke of something or another when she dives in front of a carriage to save his nephew. You see, he doesn't have a high opinion of women since they all tend to throw themselves at him. Oh, yes, it's hard to be handsome, rich and titled.
Anyway, this redheaded American immediately gets under his skin. I'm glad that the charade of E...more
So I had just come out of a very confusing book, and I needed a break, something to relax my brain. So naturally, I came to Julia Quinn, and boy did she deliver. Splendid was not a mind-blowing read, and I could definitely tell this was her first book, but it was more brain candy than anything else. With that said, I honestly liked this book. I’m a total cliché lover, so this book didn't bother me unlike other readers. I didn't want something out of the ordinary. Sometimes people want to read so
...more
Jan 10, 2011
Calisto
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Longtime fans of Julia Quinn
Shelves:
easily-forgettable
2.5 stars actually. It's not bad when you consider this was written in 1995 and it was one of her earliest books. Having said that, it almost feels a bit dated.
As someone pointed out, it was a light bit of fluffy that became a bit of a chore when JQ had to add the madcap burglary 'caper' and the mustache twirling 'villain' with a kidnapping plot. It's almost like there are two different books mashed together and the second half just seems out of place with the first part of the story.
I kinda fe...more
As someone pointed out, it was a light bit of fluffy that became a bit of a chore when JQ had to add the madcap burglary 'caper' and the mustache twirling 'villain' with a kidnapping plot. It's almost like there are two different books mashed together and the second half just seems out of place with the first part of the story.
I kinda fe...more
Emma is a head strong American girl who is sent over to family in London for the season. She isn't looking to find a man, but ends up with one anyways. Emma meets her "Mr.Darcy", Alex under unlikely circumstances. Emma ends up dressing up in a maids outfit to fetch some eggs for Cook, when she saves Alex's Nephew. Alex ends up finding out that Emma is not a maid and on the market. He tries to run from the attraction but can't seem to get enough of Emma.
Great historical love story. I would recom...more
Great historical love story. I would recom...more
3 and a half I guess to be fair cause I enjoyed most parts of the book. But I somehow I managed to be bored at some parts...
I like AShbourne, well not at first when he was adamantly refusing marriage.. I mean u know u want her and u said urself that she will make love to him willingly but how did he think he would accomplish that without having to marry Emma? That part I didn't get. And yes, he was a total S for uttering that whole 'greedy little bitch' to her face. But he did soften at the end...more
I like AShbourne, well not at first when he was adamantly refusing marriage.. I mean u know u want her and u said urself that she will make love to him willingly but how did he think he would accomplish that without having to marry Emma? That part I didn't get. And yes, he was a total S for uttering that whole 'greedy little bitch' to her face. But he did soften at the end...more
This might have been the author's first book but you can barely see it. I've read a couple of her later published ones and she definitely has "evolved" but even from her first book you can see her brilliance.
The story of Alex and Emma may not be very original but it's very well written and a lot of fun to read! This book introduces us to the Blydon family and is focused on Emma, the American cousin in London for the season. Alex is the rich and unattainable bachelor/rake -- see comment above abo...more
The story of Alex and Emma may not be very original but it's very well written and a lot of fun to read! This book introduces us to the Blydon family and is focused on Emma, the American cousin in London for the season. Alex is the rich and unattainable bachelor/rake -- see comment above abo...more
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand style, competing on the the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British an...more
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“He wondered if she'd mind if he threw her down on the blanket and tore off her clothing. (..) She looked heartbreakingly innocent. Alex sighed. She'd probably mind.”
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53 people liked it
“I have thoroughly compromised your niece," Alex declared. "Will you plase insist that she marry me?"
Caroline didn't bat an eyelash. "This", she announced, "is most peculiar.”
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18 people liked it
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Caroline didn't bat an eyelash. "This", she announced, "is most peculiar.”
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