The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever
by Julia Quinn
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Julia Quinn has a problem, and I don't know how to help her.
It's a good problem, I guess: She has created high expectations in her readership, thanks to the fantastic Bridgerton books. The down side, of course, comes when she doesn't live up to her own standard.
Don't get me wrong: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever is a fun read, better than most regencies on the market. The characters are likeable and quirky, her heroine is warm and likeable without that annoying too-perf...more
It's a good problem, I guess: She has created high expectations in her readership, thanks to the fantastic Bridgerton books. The down side, of course, comes when she doesn't live up to her own standard.
Don't get me wrong: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever is a fun read, better than most regencies on the market. The characters are likeable and quirky, her heroine is warm and likeable without that annoying too-perf...more
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Read in July, 2007
Let me begin by saying that I love Julia Quinn. Love her. She can do no wrong in my eyes and I'll recommend her books to anyone, which is why I'm so angry that she did what she did with this book. The Secret Diaries of Miranda Cheever had such potential. The beginning has been done before, heroine meets hero as an ungainly and awkward child and falls instantly in love when he makes her feel that she could grow out of it and become a beautiful woman some day. It's the twist that gives the book it...more
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Read in July, 2007
June 26, 2007
I'm lazy right now. This is from Amazon:
"Miranda Cheever fell in love with the aristocratic Nigel Bevelstoke, Viscount Turner, when she was 10 and he 19. Now 20, and still in love, Miranda's designs are thwarted by the indiscretions of Nigel's late wife—heartbroken. Nigel isn't willing to risk another shot at love, even if it means hurting his close friend Miranda. Quinn's pitch-perfect humor remains intact, but her latest relies too much on romance conventions, incl...more
I'm lazy right now. This is from Amazon:
"Miranda Cheever fell in love with the aristocratic Nigel Bevelstoke, Viscount Turner, when she was 10 and he 19. Now 20, and still in love, Miranda's designs are thwarted by the indiscretions of Nigel's late wife—heartbroken. Nigel isn't willing to risk another shot at love, even if it means hurting his close friend Miranda. Quinn's pitch-perfect humor remains intact, but her latest relies too much on romance conventions, incl...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Eva-chan by:
sweet romance seeking readers
I thought the plot of the book was rather hasty and abrupt but really, really charming; not to forget sweet...really, really sweet. I definitely adored Miranda's witty and firm standing character. While for...Turner? I just thought he was the sort of guy who conclude things too fast. But its not entirely his fault due to his wife's act of infidelity. >.< Sigh...this made him not clear of his judgements and most importantly his feelings for Miranda. However. I almost swooned when he coaxed ...more
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
regency romance fans
The writing style was really smooth, and characterization, at least of Miranda, glowed. I swear I know a Miranda or two: self-deprecating clever quiet women who really deserve a hero or two to give them the time of day. The point of the book, I think, was that if you hang around long enough, some day the hero is going to notice you. Maybe even sleep with you. And, if his family badgers him about it enough, he might even marry you.
I never really came to like Turner, but I understood him, and t...more
I never really came to like Turner, but I understood him, and t...more
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2 comments
Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
fans of romance, trashy or otherwise
I'll be upfront - I love Julia Quinn. I'm an AVID Julia Quinn reader. Her books, for the most part, are my comfort reading. I have probably read Romancing Mr. Bridgerton upwards of 30 times. Love it. So I was predisposed to like this.
But! Like it I did. Love it, actually. The hero was broken in a really understandable, believable way, and I loved that the heroine got it and wanted to fix it without being idiotic. Quinn's heroines are always so delightfully sensible, and Miss Cheever w...more
But! Like it I did. Love it, actually. The hero was broken in a really understandable, believable way, and I loved that the heroine got it and wanted to fix it without being idiotic. Quinn's heroines are always so delightfully sensible, and Miss Cheever w...more
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recommends it for:
Anyone
I have literally read this book 10 times. I think this is one of my all time favorites!
Miranda Cheever is plain. Okay, not so plain, but in the society she lives in, she's definitely not beautiful, or blonde. Although Mirand doesn't quite fit into the society in which she lives, she definitely has loyalty in her best friend Olivia, who not only tries to set her up with her brother, but stands up for Miranda no matter who bullies her. The problem? Miranda has fallen in love with the WRONG br...more
Miranda Cheever is plain. Okay, not so plain, but in the society she lives in, she's definitely not beautiful, or blonde. Although Mirand doesn't quite fit into the society in which she lives, she definitely has loyalty in her best friend Olivia, who not only tries to set her up with her brother, but stands up for Miranda no matter who bullies her. The problem? Miranda has fallen in love with the WRONG br...more
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Read in August, 2007
I was a little disappointed in this book. I love Julia Quinn; I find her novels engrossing, entertaining, funny, and romantic. They're generally just good reads. But The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever was just okay. It was one of the first novels she ever wrote -- she revised the manuscript when she needed a standalone novel to publish after the end of her Bridgerton series -- and it shows. It was mildly entertaining, but both Miranda and Turner lacked the spark that makes tr...more
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Read in July, 2007
I only read historical romances. And, even then, I read them rarely because there has to be something that intrigues me about the book. I bought this book at the airport and quite enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the development of the romantic climax (no pun intended).
Having never read a Julia Quinn book before, I had no preconceptions. But, after scanning some of the other reviews, this appears not to be one of her best efforts. So I look forward to checking out some of her ot...more
Having never read a Julia Quinn book before, I had no preconceptions. But, after scanning some of the other reviews, this appears not to be one of her best efforts. So I look forward to checking out some of her ot...more
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This was the first book I read by Julia Quinn and she quickly became one of my new favorite authors. I'm in the process of seeking out all of her novels.
I love the fact that Miranda is a diarist, as I'm someone who can't seem to consistenly keep a journal. We get to see some entries interspersed throughout the book and they continue the actual narrative. I enjoyed how Miranda makes references to the Jane Austen novels she is reading. This is an overall fun book with a sweet romantic storyli...more
I love the fact that Miranda is a diarist, as I'm someone who can't seem to consistenly keep a journal. We get to see some entries interspersed throughout the book and they continue the actual narrative. I enjoyed how Miranda makes references to the Jane Austen novels she is reading. This is an overall fun book with a sweet romantic storyli...more
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
romance readers
Julia Quinn is usually known for light-hearted love and witty banter in the splendorous Regency era. However, in The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, Quinn's characters and plot took a turn for the worse. Anger, sarcasm, and the always loomed large. This is an OK/disappointing read for those who are familiar/fans of her work. However, if you've never read a novel by Julia Quinn, I heartily suggest you choose another one to read first.
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Read in October, 2007
I usually love Julia Quinn, especially the Bridgerton series. But this book was really disappointing. The writing, as usual, is great, but this time the plot didn't keep me interested. I really dislike the trope of the heroine marrying the hero, who obviously loves her, only to whine and moan that he hasn't actually said "I love you." In this book that goes on and on for the entire second half. I hope her next one is more imaginative.
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Read in August, 2007
Ug. I never thought I'd have problems finishing a Julia Quinn. But, here I am--struggling and writing my review of it anyway.
The story started out fine. Miranda was a precocious ten year old and fine BEFORE Turner showed up. Then Turner shows up and any wit the woman had devolves into hitting and sticking her tongue out at him. She turns from this reserved, mature woman to this silly thing. Ick.
The story started out fine. Miranda was a precocious ten year old and fine BEFORE Turner showed up. Then Turner shows up and any wit the woman had devolves into hitting and sticking her tongue out at him. She turns from this reserved, mature woman to this silly thing. Ick.
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recommends it for:
Smutty Regency fans
Possibly I was unable to be objective about this book because I was just so happy to see it...Julia Quinn being like water in the desert to the thinking romance fan. I don't quite understand all the hate from long-time fans...sure, it didn't break new ground, but it was appealing and (I thought) sexy. I'm a sucker for a nerdy wallflower heroine.
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I Love JQ's voice-- she's witty, bouncy, fun-- and this new book didn't disappoint although it really bugged me that Miranda was described as having an owlish expression. LOL. don't know why but I actually jotted down a note for myself: don't write heroines with "owlish expressions."
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I am in love with this story. It is one of the most beautiful historical romances I've ever read (and I've read quite a lot of them). Even though there is so much to choose from this genre it felt so different, from the onset...and I was right. It was fabulous. Everyone should read.
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Read in January, 2008
My first Julia Quinn book and it was a nice greeting for a couple reasons. 1) It's not a Brigerton series book and 2) It's not her best book. Which means there are happy afternoons of reading by Miss Quinn that are yet to come.
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Read in October, 2007
recommends it for:
light historical romance fans
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The hero and heroine were fun. The secondary characters were well played. I loved that the heroine was smart. Also, I love a happy ending that starts when the H/H are children.
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Read in June, 2007
This was such a neat read. Miranda keeps a diary/journal when the man she was in love with (brother of her girl friend) suggests it. Years later, she does "grow into herself."
Wonderful book.
Wonderful book.
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Read in July, 2007
a sweet little romance...
the heroine is charming, but the hero can be irritating.
Julia Quinn's other books (Start with The Duke and I) have more meat.
the heroine is charming, but the hero can be irritating.
Julia Quinn's other books (Start with The Duke and I) have more meat.
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