A Night Like This (Smythe-Smith Quartet, #2) in Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn

Jan 18, 2021 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, historical-romance, damaged-hero, forbidden-romance

After the ending of the first book in this series, I was dying to pick up Daniel's book. This book picks up right where the previous book ends off, but we also get a prologue of the duel that caused Daniel to flee and not return home to England for three years. Now, Daniel is back but he still fears for his life. He sees Anne and is immediately intrigued by her and wants her for himself. Anne is the governess to his cousins, so he hangs around his family in hopes of growing closer to Anne. Anne ...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Nana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the second Julia Quinn's novel I read in English (first was Splendid). Before, I always read the Indonesian version, whether it's from Dastan or Gramedia (there are 2 publishers for JQ's novels in Indonesia) and I have to honestly say that Gramedia translates better than Dastan in term of writing style.

I've always love JQ's novels because of the witty conversations between the main characters they had. And in A Night Like This, it seems like taking the most part of the novel. Not that it This is the second Julia Quinn's novel I read in English (first was Splendid). Before, I always read the Indonesian version, whether it's from Dastan or Gramedia (there are 2 publishers for JQ's novels in Indonesia) and I have to honestly say that Gramedia translates better than Dastan in term of writing style.

I've always love JQ's novels because of the witty conversations between the main characters they had. And in A Night Like This, it seems like taking the most part of the novel. Not that it's boring. Actually it makes this book enjoyable. I really love Daniel and Anne's conversations and I can truly feel the development of their feeling toward each other from the interaction they had. And the 3 Pleinsworth girls were hilarious. I love them all, especially Frances.

For the hot and steamy bed scene lovers, I have to say that this novel might be disappointing for you because it's not as hot as JQ's former novels but for my own taste, I love this better. I don't know but sometimes I find that too detail sex scene is boring and ruining the main story. I am okay with the scene as long as it is needed in the story but if it's not, please don't push to hard. Just because the genre is Historical Romance, doesn't mean you need to put sex scenes in every chapter. And glad that JQ didn't do it in this novel.

The one thing that restrain me on giving 5 stars for this book is because of the repetition of the plot. I mean, come on. JQ already have books with kidnapping/abducting scene on it. Let's mention them based on my memory: To Catch an Heiress, An Offer from A Gentleman (well, it's a jail actually but still.. Sophie was abducted), What Happens in London.. and.. Oh! On the Way to The Wedding!! So.. Yeah.. it kinda made me "duuh" when I read it. And I hope I could read more about Anne's relationship with her family after the incident but it wasn't told in the novel. So, 2 things actually, not one.

Overall, this one is an enjoyable book. Not my favorite though. I still love An Offer from A Gentleman, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, and How to Marry a Marquis more.

And now I'm gonna find Just Like Heaven. I don't even know why I can miss reading this one...

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Apr 22, 2012 Nana rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

1. LOVE the cover although I was lusting over the UK one, I can't afford to be picky now, can I rofl
2. I'll be curled up in my corner for the rest of the day [image error]
3. I'm glad for words invented like "elated" because that's what I feel right about now.
4. Crosses fingers this does not disappoint.

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ETA:
Thoughts after rereading:
Okay, I just really love Julia Quinn's characters. I love the bromance between the two earls and the son of a marquess against that one douchebag in the story. JQ is ...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Michelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical

I know, I'm shocked too. Three stars for Julia Quinn? It couldn't be helped, people. Daniel was just so immature, an insurmountable trait that defied my natural ability to gloss over, especially with him giving no consideration to Anne's status as governess. The plot seemed a bit done already, and there was no sparkling dialogue bw the hero and heroine to save it. It all seemed very shallow to me, like there was no depth to the characters. On the upside, Hugh seems like a promising character, so ...more

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Jun 22, 2012 Sylvain rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . .

But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge—in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder a

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Jun 02, 2012 Ada rated it it was amazing

Another stellar book by Julia Quinn. As per usual, witty dialogue, fantastic characters all make up a read that I had a hard time putting down. As the second installment of the Smith-Smythe, I found Daniel to be utterly charming even despite accidentally shooting Huge Prentice and causing his 3 year banishment but like Anne, I loved how he defended Honoria with Marcus when he thought his friend was triffling with his sister.

I can't wait to read Hugh and Sarah's book next! ...more

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