BOTM- January, 2019 - Splendid

[Mariana]

Darbella wrote: "Great review Mariana. I am getting excited for February's book of the month:)"

Yeah, me too! Hopefully I will have more time for discourse in February.

[Mariana]

Darbella wrote: "Mariana, I am so happy that Feb. botm was one that your enjoyed! I know that the Smythe-Smith series by Julia Quinn is your favorite series of hers that you read so far. I soooo wish that Julia Qui..."

YES!!!

[☘Katie☘]

So, I'm a wee bit late on this one-- I just finished Splendid last night and I thought for a debut novel it was really well done. I could see Quinn's humor and excellent witty dialogue in it (which I love about her books).

I absolutely loved the idea of an American heroine, though it could be argued she's English as well anyway, because she had close family in London through her father's sister (and her mother's parents came from England too). I enjoyed how close she was to her cousins, Ned and Belle, and how her aunt was like a second mother--- it made it feel like Emma was already a part of the English ton. And I enjoyed the meet-cute with Emma dressed as a servant saving the hero's nephew.

I happened to like Alex from the very beginning just as much as I liked Emma. She balanced him very well I thought, as she stood up to his domineering nature. I believed in their friends to lovers route of their relationship. However, it did bother me a bit to see Emma propose to Alex, but the way Alex handled it initially was sweet- to see that he had been excited about proposing to her. It was sweet--- until he asked her what had prompted her. At her answer, I could completely understand when he turned viciously cold on her and it hurt to see Emma so heartbroken.

I kind of lost interest in the ending... it felt like a generic way to tie up the loose end of Woodside's plot with Belle. I didn't get a real sense of urgency or drama while reading it.

Overall, some descriptions were short and segues into new scenes sometimes felt abrupt. Some of the writing wasn't as polished, but for a debut novel, written just after the author left college, (from a favourite author of mine), I could overlook all that. I really enjoyed this one!

[Mariana]

♥Katie wrote: "So, I'm a wee bit late on this one-- I just finished Splendid last night and I thought for a debut novel it was really well done. I could see Quinn's humor and excellent witty dialogue in it (which..."

I also enjoyed how close she was to her cousins Ned and Belle and her aunt. The interactions with her family were my favorite.