Splendid (Blydon Book 1)

Where do I begin. No depth of character, the story is ridiculous and I'll never get back the time wasted reading this. Honestly its as though the author lent her name to someone else's writing. Save your money, pass on this one!

I love this writer...have read most all her books about historical England and the aristocracy....He characters are interesting..and there is also humor included...Am on to Bk 2...Which I think is about Bella and her to be mate...Just enough romance included with the story...well balanced...

Just loved this book!, the storyline was interesting,made you laugh in parts and of course the romance flowed through. You really wanted to follow the characters through to the end. Julia Quinn does not disappoint with this story, am already ready Book 2 in the series.

Writing: 5
Excellent.

Characterization: 4
The heroine stood out but the hero did not.

Sex: 4
Full bedroom scenes and the correct amount but not very sensual.

Plot: 3
Thin.

I love Julia Quinn`s every book! They are the romantic books ever! Men are heroic and funny and realistic and manly. Women are realistic too and funny and they are not always described the most beautiful women ever existed which I had always find a little unconvicing because every women can`t be the most beautiful.

The characters were not loveable. I didn't feel the lead characters loved each other. It was pretty much a lusty relationship and I don't like my regency romances to be based on lust. Also, the story seemed to drag on and on, and the back drama with the two cousins (a 10,000 gambling debt and the kidnapping) was distracting. I LOVE reading about the Bridgertons. This was my least favorite Julia Quinn novel.

I was insulted by this book. It's just so annoying for me to read, and here are the reasons why: Robert, the male protagonist, is a terrible person. I adored Victoria for having found her independence and happiness on her own. I thought that was very well done of Quinn. However, it becomes increasingly obvious that Robert doesn't care at all about what Victoria wants. She tells him, time and time again, what her wishes are and he blatantly ignores them. He says that she won't lose herself in being with him, but it was painfully obvious that isn't true. Victoria herself becomes terrible and annoying as we get closer to the end. She just ignores all the independence she found for herself.

I kept wishing that she would just up and leave that infuriating man who clearly doesn't respect her one bit. this book was wonderfully written at the beginning, and I really thought I would enjoy it, but I did not. It was very romantic and sweet, but seeing how Robert treats her makes me feel sick. This isn't a personal preference for romance. I just cannot condone abuse, and this is very much an abusive relationship. Robert uses Victoria's attraction to him for his own good, and doesn't stop to think about what she wants. I think there were definitely several ways he could have won her heart without forcing it the way he did. He just wore her down until she accepted him, and I don't see how that is romance or love.

In fact, seeing him treat her in such a way in a romantic view - it's just disgusting. There is nothing romantic about ignoring what someone wants. Just because you think you know what they want doesn't make it okay for you to force them to change their minds. No means no, and dear god I'd freely say Robert VIOLATES Victoria.

I've read 7 of Quinn's other works and I've enjoyed those reasonably well, but this book made me want to punch her in the face. I can make some allowances as this her fourth published work, but her first book was better than this. I was very, very disappointed with this book.

SPOILERS

Robert kidnaps Victoria, and like after two nights and sex, she says she will only forgive him until she milks the situation as much as she can. After agreeing to marry him. Bitch when is abduction ever okay? You really think this is a great beginning to a marriage? The bastard clearly doesn't respect you one bit. He tricks you into safety and brings you away with the intention of 'winning' you. Ugh.

And if any of you say the abduction was okay because she was okay with it. She was not. She was angry, humiliated, insulted - for reasons I agree with. Briefly, she says she wants to keep her independence, Robert agrees, and proceeds to show he actually doesn't by KIDNAPPING her. Her feelings afterward, I believe, was completely out of character, and was written that way to move along the 'romance'. Romance my butt. I'd cut off my own foot before I let anyone treat me like that.

And if you say this is all okay and normal because that's 'how it was at the time', then just leave. I've read historical romances that doesn't disrespect women, so it is absolutely possible.

I've been enjoying Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series and wanted as much more of her as I could get, so I picked up Splendid and was honestly shocked by the difference in voice and characterization. Within a chapter I had to check, and sure enough, this was her first book. I stuck through it and enjoyed it, but it felt just full of every awful trope I can't stand (from violet-eyed heroines to "You've said no three times but I totally know what's best for you" to the most-hated line "you're beautiful when you're angry"). It was written with Ms. Quinn's funny and lighthearted style, which gets much better refined as she goes on, and I was pleased to see that after this book she does a full about-face on a lot of things and past then won't let a hero walk all over a woman or ignore her objections.

I'm very glad I read this out of order, because I might not have continued with Ms. Quinn's books past this -- and that would have been a huge loss for me indeed, because she is one of my favourite authors. Her anachronisms and lack of historical accuracy in this book were enough to bother even me, and generally I can ignore that sort of thing.

The story is still quite sweet (if you ignore the hero being an overbearing jackass) and the introduction to other characters is fantastic -- I've since read Arabella's and Dunford's books and they were fabulous. This book is a good introduction to that trilogy but definitely not to this author, as her writing becomes head and shoulders better by her next book.

The minute Robert Kemble, Earl of Macclesfield, set eyes on the raven-haired beaty that was Victoria Lyndon, it was love at first sight.

She was everything he never knew he had always wanted. And she would be his.

As soon as he let her know, that is.

Victoria couldn't be more suprised when the owner of the lands and the pond she was swimming in suddenly accosted her. That is, until he started to shamelessly flirt and kiss her. And promise her everything she could ever want. AND the moon.

Robert proposed and Victoria wants nothing more than to marry this wonderful, charming man she is rapidly falling for... but their fathers think differently on the matter. And thanks to them, a most horrid misunderstanding takes place, pushing the loving couple apart.

Seven years later, they meet again. Now they need to learn to forgive each other, and start accepting the old feelings that are now resurfacing. If only Robert can convince Victoria that this time he will, indeed, give her everything and the moon.

I just love Julia Quinn. It's very rare for me not to like the things she write... but when I read her introductory letter for this book, I somehow knew this would be one of those rare occasions.

How can an author expect us to believe in something she doesn't believe herself?

I've never been one for love-at-first-sight stories, but thinking this one would be like the others Quinn had so perfectly penned, I gave it a try. I don't know. Maybe if I hadn't read her letter saying she was writing about something she didn't believe, I would have enjoyed the story more. Maybe I still wouldn't have enjoyed it. My point is: I couldn't finish it.

Yup, that's right. I abandoned this book. The beginning was super cute, I'll admit it. And there were some great (and awfully characteristic of Quinn's works) amusing moments... but I just stopped caring for the characters around the middle of the book. I didn't even care enough to jump to the ending. I simply gave it up. They were juvenile. Plain silly. And not believable.

However, I am enjoying the second book in the series immensely. But Brighter Than The Sun is very much in line with my other Quinn's favorites. :P I still love Quinn, we just had a bad moment.

If you do like love-at-first-sight stories in a historical setting, then this will most likely be a hit for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Everything and the Moon by Julia Quinn

This was a wonderful historical romance book. I rated it as 5 stars. The following is my review but please beware that it might contain spoilers.

This book is the story of Robert and Victoria. This is the first of The Lyndon Sisters series.

The story starts out with Robert and Torie as young adults (according to Victorian times). They have a sweet passionate love that we all have experienced in our life. They fall in love and want to get married. But as usually there is problems.

Torie's father is the parish in the area where as Robert's father is the Marquess in the area. Neither one realize that there father is going to make sure that they do not see each other nor allow them to marry.

They decide to run away to get married but Torie's father decided to make sure that does not happen. To me Torie's father is an overbearing, arrogant, idiot. Robert's father is one of the aristocrats that does not believe love will ever prevail when money is involved. According to The Marquess money marries money it does not marry a vicar's daughter.

Torie misses the appointed time that she was suppose to meet Robert. Robert starts to believe everything he father was spouting off about Torie. The next day Robert leaves for London. Hours later Torie goes to see Robert. She learns that he has left for London. She speaks with Roberts father and hears that Robert was just using her as a plaything and not interesting in marrying her.

Torie goes home and finds a post as a governess after sending out numerous letters. After 7 years Robert and Torie meet by chance where she is the governess to a monster of a little boy where Robert is attending a house party.

Okay that is all the spoilers I will give about this book. It is a great read with a developed plot and interesting characters. If you have never read anything by Julia Quinn then this is a good first read for anyone to try.

Oh, the power of words! Their fathers vehemently disapproved of Robert Kemble's plan to marry Victoria Lyndon. They were too young, and the difference in their birth and wealth too vast. So what was this lovelorn couple to do but elope? Right before the elopement hard words were exchanged by each father to his child, and the truth in those words took root in Robert's and Victoria's mind. When Victoria did not appear at the meeting place, and when Robert fled immediately afterwards each felt heartbroken but convinced the words spoken by their father was true. Seven years passed...

Victoria and Robert are brought together in a most unexpected way, and feel guarded, and mistrustful of one another...and yet the spark is still there. Will they be able to overcome not only the differences in their birth and wealth, but also the deep sense of betrayal each has carried around for all those years?

This novel was well done, no loose ends were left hanging, but somehow it was just too much. Robert's behavior toward Victoria was over-the-top, and Victoria's behavior was inconsistent. She was generally a compliant person, but when she was in a desperate situation this rather passive woman (who was deeply in love with Robert) refused to fall in with Robert's honorable plans for her. I think if the novel had been about 100 pages shorter, or if Robert's courtship had been both less aggressive and taken place over a longer period of time it might have been just right.

Do you believe in love at first sight? Julia Quinn states in her introduction that she doesn't think that she does but she decided to write a book about it. Obviously this would be a very short book if hero and heroine fell in love at first sight and then lived happily ever after so in order to produce some more pages it couldn't go that smoothly; thus the "Big Misunderstanding".

Regency novels these days seem to fall into two groups - the "Big Misunderstanding" group or the "Pride & Prejudice" group (where the hero and heroine dislike each other at the start and have to slowly change their opinions). Generally I prefer the latter sort of book as there tends to be more character growth and variety whereas the former type can often get annoying in the lengths the author has to go to in order to keep the protagonists apart with the misunderstanding when one quick clear conversation would sort it out.

And that's my problem with "Brighter than the moon". Hero and heroine were about to elope but it was prevented and both then went through the next seven years assuming the other had been at fault and didn't really care about them. When they meet again, with Victoria working as a governess and Robert, the Earl of Macclesfield, living the life of a rake, they talk (or argue) at length about what separated them but neither explains their side of what happened. If they had done then the Big Misunderstanding would be over, as would the story. Eventually Robert finds out some of it from Victoria's sister but even when that is sorted he has rubbed her up the wrong way enough for her not to fall into his arms. Most of this book they spend bickering - Victoria in a decidedly unladylike way - and Robert also seems to spend a lot of his time stalking her and generally hassling her.

For me this book didn't really work. Aside from the historicity (Regency English people speaking modern-day American, Victoria's behaviour being completely inappropriate for her station, role, era, you name it) I found that I couldn't get into the story enough to really like the characters. By the end I was a bit bored with them both and it got monstrously soppy by the end - too cheesy for this English reader. There's a token baddie in the story who features in about four pages, various other minor characters who come and go, but most of it is about Victoria and Robert and for me there wasn't enough to their story.

Splendid was my first Julia Quinn book. Although I found it to be an interesting book - I did not think that it was outstanding. The writing follows many of the same old romance plot lines but it does give us a few surprises.
Alexander, the hero, was typically handsome, rich, sexy, and had no interest in marriage. He is the Duke of Ashbourne and is extremely sought after as a marriage candidate. Alex differed from the usual romance hero in that he tolerated some fairly immature antics from the heroine. Although he strenuously objects each time she is involved in one of her dangerous capers, he somehow sees past them. His reluctant acceptance of Emma's outlandish adventures appears more as a mature adult dealing with a rebellious child than two adults in love.
The heroine, Emma, was kind and beautiful as you would expect and a little atypical in that she was American and as inferred previously - very mischievous. She is a rich heiress and has been very involved in her father's shipping empire in America before her trip to England with her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. Emma doesn't want to marry although that is the hope of all her family. While she longs to run her father's business some day, he has informed her that it will never be possible for a woman to head such a large company and continue profitably. He doesn't think poorly of a woman's abilities - he just accepts that most men during this time period will not conduct business with a woman. So, it is with some reluctance that she begins her first season in London. She barely can tolerate all of the societal dictates she encounters in London and lives for the possible adventure (actually misadventures). Emma is presented as a fun loving young woman but her mischievousness made her seem immature and she had more than one TSTL (to stupid to live) moment.
It is during one of these misadventures that Alex and Emma first meet. She has sneaked out of her aunt's home, secretly dressed as a maid and running an errand when she first meets Alex. He is fascinated with this commoner and follows her home - a home that he and many other members of the ton have been invited to that evening for Emma's coming out ball. Alex, being the proper romance hero, detests balls and never attends them. However, his curiosity causes him to accept the invitation and he arrives that evening fully prepared to search out the intriguing maid. The fun begins when he discovers that Emma is not a maid at all and confronts her. The chemistry between the two is strong and Alex is rather bold and improper towards her. The book then mostly follows the romance between Alex and Emma. There are many moments to savor as we see these two develop their relationship. There are a few sensual scenes and they rate about a 3.5 to a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines).
I will certainly read more Quinn books. I have read many very positive reviews of her books. However, I was disappointed overall with Splendid. What I believe is most indicative of this book's appeal is the fact that I finished reading it only a few days ago and have a difficult time remembering what happened. If I really enjoy a book, I certainly don't forget it - no matter how many books I read. Since my memory of Splendid didn't last much longer than the next day, I consider it as average and only slightly entertaining. It did provide some fun moments but was not a book that I eagerly picked up to resume reading.

Victoria Lyndon, the seventeen-year-old daughter of the local vicar, is stunned to meet Robert Kemble, the young Earl of Macclesfield, and is even more stunned when he starts courting her. But when their fathers prevent them from eloping-and each thinks the other has betrayed him/her, they are both plunged into seven years of a bitter broken heart.
Victoria runs away from home and goes to work for the amazingly cruel and insulting Lady Hollingwood, as a governess to her impossibly bratty son Neville. It's been seven years since she's seen Robert, but she's been unable to forget him. When he shows up at a weekend house part Lady Hollingwood throws, Victoria is speechless.
Robert is furious: here she is in front of him-the woman who wanted him only for his money and title and whom he still burns for. He's spent seven years in other women's arms trying unsuccessfully to extricate Victoria from his heart. Now he vows to seduce and abandon her to get his revenge.
But as Robert forces his attentions onto a hesitant yet attracted Victoria, he soon realizes that he can never let her go. He won't marry her but he'll bind her to him forever. When he asks her to be his mistress instead of his wife, Victoria's heart is broken a second time, and all she can think of is escaping from the man she will never be able to banish from her heart.
This novel has a touching beginning-the courtship between Victoria and Robert is beautiful and refreshing. However, the subsequent rift between them is frankly implausible: there is no way the reader can believe that Robert would assume the worst when Victoria fails to show up for their elopement, even after he spies her asleep in her bed. He has no way to know her reasons, and to abandon her without finding them out reflects very badly on him. Even when the reader gets over this, Victoria then seems incredible when she is for awhile irritatingly prudish and churlish.
Yet despite this and despite the failure to fully develop Victoria and Robert's characters, Everything and the Moon is often fun and touching. It is especially delightful when Robert kidnaps Victoria and takes her to a deserted cottage on the coast where they must somehow work out their differences. The dialogue and overall sensibility is not as humorous as Quinn's earlier trilogy, but this is still overall an entertaining novel.

Let me preface this review by saying that I really like Julia Quinn. She is, in fact, one of my favorite romance authors ever. I discovered her with "The Duke and I," I devour each of the Bridgerton books as they come out, and now I've gone looking for her earlier books to tide me over until the next installment.
Unfortunately, "Everything and the Moon" is not one of her best works. It's not *bad*, by any means, but there's nothing particualarly memorable about it either. The plot doesn't flow very well -- each segment seems a little disjointed from the one that came before -- and it could have borrowed from any of a thousand other romance novels. The characters don't really stand out either; they're fairly generic, as if they were sent from Central Casting and not fleshed out at all. I've just finished the book, and I have a feeling that in a few days, I won't remember much about it at all.
Despite this middle-of-the-road quality, it does have its good points; I occasionally saw flashes of Ms. Quinn's trademark wit and style. Robert's reaction when he almost walked in on Victoria in the bath amused me to no end, and the way Victoria trounces the villain at the end of the book made me both laugh and cheer. But, on the whole, this book was rather flat.
This is one of Ms. Quinn's earlier efforts, and it shows -- she has greatly improved as writer since then, in my opinion. If you're just looking for a regency romance to read, there's nothing actually *wrong* with this book; there's just nothing really exciting about it. If you're looking for early Julia Quinn, I recommend reading "To Catch an Heiress" instead; it's much more lively and charming. If you've never read anything by Julia Quinn before, I recommend picking up a copy of "The Duke and I," the first volume of the Bridgerton series -- you'll be letting yourself in for a real treat!

Oh wow, i have read all of Quinn's books, i was missing this one, and oh what a lovely surprised. I loved the plot, the characters and the romance. Emma turned out to be the exact same heroine from beginning to end ( some authors tend to describe someone at the beginning of their book, as smart, charming witty, and by the end, they have lost all of their distinctive qualities) I was glad Emma was kept true to herself. My favorite "part" of the book was the hero. There was something about Alex, he was so well portrayed and described, *sight*. I believe that a very important part of a book is the likeness of their characters. Authors tend to give us a vague description of what the characters look like, we as readers and "heroines" tend to make up in our heads what a hero would look like, these stories, gives us ample opportunity to make up an imaginary perfect guy, and so it makes us enjoy the books even more. In this case, Mrs Quinn nailed it to the t, Alex was just how i imagined him to be. It was not disappointing. I must say, i even envied Emma a little, but with that being said, i must confess that these two characters were perfect for one another.
*SPOILERS*
I loved it at the end when Alex takes Emma to her uncle and aunt's house and says that he had throughly compromised her, because he wanted to marry her so bad, and she being "Emma" such a hard-headed girl!! was refusing to. It was just adorable.
I was very pleased with the story. I would most definetely recommend it.

Hierarchy, History, & Human Nature: The Social Origins of Historical Consciousness by Donald E. Brown ought to be assigned in every course dealing with historiography for undergraduates and graduate students in history and read by all professional historians. When the book was first published it did not get the traction that it should have because of the emergence of postmodernism and its critique of Eurocentric approaches within the field of history. Historians such as Hayden White were arguing that any kind of objectivity in history was impossible due to literary tropes and rhetorical narratives that influenced historical writing, a view that can be traced back to precursors of postmodernist history such as Friedrich Nietzsche in his On the Use and Abuse of History for Life (1874). Through an early existentialist position Nietzsche argued that historians should use history to develop their own political will and destiny and that all history was always subjectively constructed for shaping one's destiny. This existentialist position resonated with many historians during the development of identity politics in the 1960s and eventually became incorporated into the postmodernist position of the late 70s and 80s. However, most scholars in history and elsewhere tend to agree that postmodernism has reached an impasse and has been less influential at this time. Arguing that the history of Islam by a member of the Saudi ulama is just as valid as a Western historian of Islam does not have the resonance it once did in the heyday of pomo history, despite some hold-outs. Thus, now is the time for historians and students of history to discover the remarkable cross-societal research of Brown to illuminate why some societal factors are important in promoting more objective and critical forms of historiography than others. Steven Pinker's recent book The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined has a section on Brown's book, highlighting the relevance of his research in comparing different societies.

Taking his lead from Lévi-Strauss, Brown agrees that myth and history are two ends of a continuum and there is no sharp boundary between them. However, he draws on the judgments of historiography authorities such as Ranke and later historians to suggest that one can determine whole accounts of the past, or various parts of whole accounts, to determine sound from unsound history. Brown admits that all history is somewhat subjective based on personal judgments and styles of presentation. However, he asserts that an account of the past can be distinguished by `historical criticism' and judgments based on criteria that alert historians to the dangers of ethnocentrism, inaccurate chronologies, untrustworthy sources, inadequate psychologies, or illogical and incoherent realties. Historical criticism can distinguish valid accounts of the past from legend, folktales, myths, or falsehoods. Thus, sound history is not wholly subjective. In addition, Brown draws on the distinction between knowledge and ideology made by many social scientists including Maurice Bloch. Knowledge tends to develop in relationship to universal human practical activities such as production and reproduction, whereas ideology (including ritual) is linked to instituted stratified hierarchies and is more mythical. Bloch argued that knowledge tends to be more developed in societies that are non-hierarchical and ideology strongly correlates with those societies that are hierarchical or hereditarily-based. Refining Bloch's account, Brown argues that knowledge and ideology overlaps with the history and myth demarcation. Sound or more objective accounts of the past are based on knowledge, whereas unsound accounts are more ideological and mystifying.

In the final chapter Brown gauges the validity of alternative explanations that are proposed to explicate the lack of accurate history such as a subsistence system based on agriculture, civilizational decline, defective means of measuring time, cyclic concepts of time, illiteracy, poor economic conditions, lack of urbanization, war, peace, otherworldly religions, etc. He provides a summary and critical evaluation of why these explanations may illuminate some variation, but overall they are inadequate. In addition, Brown discusses different conceptions of human nature that have a bearing on patterns of historiography. The castelike stratified closed societies maintain racialist and hereditarian conceptions of human nature, and assume that there are multiple forms of human nature that differentiate individuals into various strata. This is obvious in the case of India and medieval Europe. These conceptions of multiple human natures are linked with unsound and myth-like historiographies. In contrast, conceptions of human nature that assume that the hereditary transmission of gross behavioral, mental, and spiritual traits are not the basis of social strata and are connected with more open societies such as in China and Renaissance Florence. This is the time for all students of history and professional historians to reflect upon Brown's hypotheses and determine why some forms of historiography become more objective and why historical criticism needs to be appreciated as a means of establishing more accurate views of the past. Also, a follow-up book needs to be written about why some historiographical traditions in areas such as India or the Islamic world have become the sites for competition between mythological or religious traditions and more objective histories imported and influenced by the West.

Raymond Scupin
Anthropology and International Studies
Lindenwood University

Apparently, this book was Ms. Quinn's debut novel. In the version I purchased (an August 2003 ship date), the author reveals the joy she experienced giving Emma Dunster and Alexander Ridley life. Incredibly, the reader shares this joy. The wonderful mood created throughout the book is the spontaneity of the story. The characters' impromptu reactions are both fun and refreshing. An amusing and interesting piece, no wonder the publishers reissued this paperback. I found myself chuckling over the silliest moment. This is lighthearted reading at its best.
Julia Quinn immerses the reader in the developing love story of a headstrong American heiress and a notorious English rake. Every secondary character in the book supports a master plan to bring these two charming people to the altar. These meddlesome players add to the richness of the novel's spirit.
Delightfully, Quinn displays an incredible female camaraderie between Emma and her lovely English cousin Arabella (Dancing at Midnight). Then the author enchants the reader with the delightful platonic friendship between these two ladies and Alex's dear friend Dunford (Minx). I realize these creative alliances set the stage for her sequel books. Still, Quinn successfully attracts the interest.
If this book has a weakness, I suspect it can be found in the contemporary feel in attitude and conversation. Overlook this flaw and enjoy an outstanding book for a weekend escape.
Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

Julia Quinn's first novel, Splendid, is unusual and entertaining. Unusual in its mixture of points of view and entertaining in its wry wit.
American shipping heiress Emma Dunster loves to help run her father's business and isn't pleased when she's shipped off to England to live with her Aunt's family for a London season.
Emma and her cousin Belle are both intelligent, strong-willed, vivacious and mischievous. When Emma dresses up as a kitchen maid so that she can go to market unescorted, she saves a child's life and falls into the arms of the child's uncle, Alexander Ridgeley, the Duke of Ashbourne.
A notorious rake, Alex has no intention of falling in love or of wedding. But he cannot resist spending more and more time with the spunky and charming Emma. Their relationship becomes deeper, but neither wants to admit that it's love-until it's unbearable.
Splendid has a simple, relatively uneventful plot but the vibrant characters and their sparkling repartee holds the reader's attention. Julia Quinn's comical Jane Austen-like perspective works, even though at times it is confusing when the point of view switches between characters or to Quinn's disembodied narrative voice all within a single paragraph. This head hopping took me out of the narrative and diminished some of the pleasure.
Still, Splendid is a witty, entertaining novel full of likeable characters and overall a joy to read.

As someone with a keen curiosity about Near Death Experiences, I found this book to be something of a disappointment.

On the plus side, Fox collects and examines a wide assortment of near-death narratives from a variety of sources, including the standard books on NDEs (near-death experiences) by folks like Raymond Moody and Kenneth Ring. In addition, Fox draws upon the files of the Religious Experience Research Centre housed at the University of Wales; these accounts provide a further means with which to identify the key elements of the particular type of religious experience known as an NDE, in contrast and comparison with the other types of religious-experience collected in the RERC files. For those who are new to this literature, Fox's book provides a helpful overview; he is to be commended for the thoroughness of his research.

I was less impressed, however, with Fox's attempts at walking readers through the complex maze of current academic conversation regarding NDEs. To his credit, Fox approaches each academic paradigm with a genuine spirit of openness; nevertheless, this reader was left with the impression that Fox was simply unwilling to engage these various academic paradigms with critical rigor, let alone acknowledge that they can't all be of equal validity. Those shortcomings would be less of an irritant, were Fox himself not so inclined to lecture theologians and philosophers over their reluctance to become more engaged in the whole area of NDE research. Indeed, Fox's book unwittingly provides powerful justification for their reluctance! Despite their considerable fascination, theologians and philosophers alike are wise to approach NDEs with considerable caution since they provide--Fox's assertions to the contrary notwithstanding--a thin foundation on which to build either a theological or a philosophical edifice.

On the whole, this is a volume I would recommend only to those deeply interested not only in Near Death Experiences, but in the multi-dimensional academic conversation that has grown up around NDEs over the past 25 years.

Can def tell this is the author's first book. Just read "Ten Things I Love About You" and can (gladly) tell the maturation of Julia Quinn. In bits and parts I could feel the beginnings of the usual Julia Quinn humor emerging, i.e. Bridgerton series.

Surface writing, not connected, and because of this I was never able to get into the story. It has all the cliché characters described in the first three chapters, plucky American girl, shy cousin, and the Duke. Now I can usually read about these characters all day long but it needs to feel fresh and the characters have to suck me in. This story read very general.

Book felt like it was written by an inspired romance fan. You know, when after you read an incredible romance book that stole you from your life for a couple hours and then after the magic of that story dies down you start to create a story in your mind and think 'I should write this!'. Level 1 writing.

The main characters Emma and Alex never endeared themselves to me and frequently were annoying. Emma was so 'gosh darn stubborn' and always leaping before she looked and Alex was incredibly autocratic and so angry at times with Emma that he could just "throttle her"! All the supporting characters were well written just very vanilla.

The baddie Viscount Woodside was the only one who was interesting and he wasn't even in the story very much.

The Big Misunderstanding was lame-o; in fact the whole story was filled with predictability. I don't even know if I will remember this story a week from now. Like I said before, obvious this was Julia Quinn's first book and I am so happy she has refined her skills since then.

So anyway, eek I found this story boring at times! This book did come out in 1995 so maybe it was a first of it's kind, humorous and amorous in the regency period, and that is why people rank it high on romance book lists. I however, have read much better. In fact I would recommend Olivia Parker's book, which I absolutely loved, "At the Bride Hunt Ball" #1 in Bride Hunt series (also loved the 2nd in the series) instead of Splendid. It has a Duke and a spunky gal (alas not American) and was way more humorous and amorous to me (it was a keeper!).

Seven years ago Victoria Lyndon, daughter of a vicar, and Robert Kemble, future Earl of Macclesfield, fell madly and deeply in love. To the point that they planned to run away and elope, no matter what their fathers say or think! However when Victoria's father catches her sneeking out of the house, he makes sure she isn't going anywhere; and Robert assumes that Victoria was nothing but a fortune hunter who just wanted his title and money! Whereas Victoria is positive that Robert was just using her as a summer fling to keep himself from getting bored.
Seven years later, Robert is the hansome, extremly wealthy , and powerful nobleman; and Victoria is now a governess to a spoiled rotten 5 year old. Both Robert and Victoria are furious with the other because they are still under the impression that one was using the other and never even loved them. What either of them can't figure out is why they just can't seem to NOT want to be with the other, and why their hearts always start to pound when the other comes into sight, after they meet again after 7 years!!
Julia Quinn is by far one of my favorite authors now. In every book that I've read of her's, she has done a perfect job with everything that makes a book great! Just after the first chapter I felt all giddy inside just like the characters! The characters were completely thought out and you could see how each of them were changing and growing as a person, and you could see the love grow again in each of them. I loved this book. I found myself actually laughing out loud throughout most of the book. The only thing it didn't make me do wascry. I've noticed in some of her other books, Mrs. Quinn has the most amazing ability to make he laugh and then 5 chapters later cry. I'm not saying that because I didn't cry it only deserves 4 stars, but it was just a suprise. I give this book 5 stars because it earned every single one of them and more!!

This is Quinn's first novel, and it shows. The lack of polish and maturity in her writing that she devlops by the Bridgerton series is why I give this book 3 stars. It is, however, worthy of the read.
The characters are fairly rote for romance, Alex is your hero, and is typically wealthy, titled, and bored with life. Emma is your heroine and is also typically wealthy, vibrant and independant. Although this book doesn't show Ms. Quinn's later flair for plot, it is an admirable job and doesn't get bogged down in too many balls or any other usual first novel quagmires. It is full of humor, and as typical of Quinn has several laugh-out-loud scenes that you have to re-read because you're laughing too hard to focus the first time through.
My only real problem with the plot is a weak villain subplot that seems like it was hastily added at the end to increase word count. The last scene with the villain could have been completely cut in my opinion, especially since he was effectively dealt with earlier in the novel.
Quinn fans who wish to complete their library will enjoy this novel, but I don't recommend it as an introduction to her work. For a reader new to Quinn, I suggest "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" instead.

What a wonderful book! Here is another novel that will be staying on my shelf just because I loved it so much! This was my first Julia Quinn story and I picked it in a rush rather randomly at the book store, and I was NOT disapointed!
Julia Quinn has an amazing talent, her characters were so real, as were their andventures and their love for one another. Not to mention that the story was full of humor. Laughter and tears were inevitable.
This book almost entirely revolved around their love and heartache. If you're looking for a romance novel that is heavily into the romance (some seem to have all plot and little to no romance) this is a must read! I do agree with another reviewer that Victoria did perhaps play hard to get too hard, but her heart had been broken for 7 long years, and, frankly, it makes things more interesting when the characters don't behave as we would like them to!! That's what makes the words on the pages become more than just "words" and somehow weaves itself into a wonderful adventure that keeps you turning the pages to find out what the characters will do next.
And awesome book!! I'm certain I will be rushing to the book store with an aim this time!

I finished reading this book in one sitting. I loved this book so much I wanted to read it again straight away!! I wanted to give this 100 stars!
This is a story that was light (but not shallow) in plot but heavy in love, which is wonderfully refreshing since most of the other romances I have read have many deep plots and misunderstandings that can sometimes be a little too much for us "gentle readers". I will not summarize this story since it has been done by other reviewers.
Robert Kemble's character (who has become one of my all-time favorite heroes) shone so brightly you could not help but fall smack bang in love with him. He is an original Hero, a man who was not so egoistic that he could not accept his mistakes. Instead, he put his whole life into making amends and never EVER hesitated in declaring his love for our Heroine, Victoria Lyndon, in both action and words. Over and over again in the story his love, adoration and loyalty was displayed. Just to melt the reader more, Robert has to rescue Victoria many many times in this novel and even when his own life was at risk, is only concerned for Victoria. His love/knowledge of science is not only endearing but caused me so much laughter, and who could resist a hero who is capable of being teary eyed? ~sigh~
Victoria Lyndon is a woman who brought the excitement, dispair/tears and frustration to the story. Her antics as she attempted to run away from the man she loved made me feel slightly annoyed (in an interested way) yet laugh at the same time, hold my breath from a kind of nervousness and anticipation, then read as fast as I could to find out what would happen to her. The traumas, trials and confusion she endured made me cry. The strength in her character both satisfied and frustrated me.
To achieve these emotions in a reader only proves that Quinn is indeed one of the top writers. Everything is described and rendered in such a way that you felt you were standing in the same room as the characters or sitting in ther mind, listening to their thoughts.
The side characters were beautifully placed and written about enough for the reader to feel that they knew these characters and were used to not just fill out the storyline, but to lift and support the hero and heroine along to the end.
For those of you who loves a romance that is dripping with love from front cover to backpage (unlike most novels that uses more ditches than rises to capture the reader) and a story that makes you go "awwwww" every other minute, "Everything and the Moon" is a must-read!!

Disclaimer - I didn't finish this book, because the further I read the less I liked anyone in it. Also, all the shouting.

This book started strong, but devolved very quickly into something that reads like a teenager's attempt at a "period romance". I didn't realize there was so much yelling/screeching/shouting/stomping going on in 19th century English polite society. No one acts in an appropriate or believable manner except, sadly, the spoiled 5 year old boy. But then, it's not that difficult to write a spoiled 5 year old.

The main problems with this story, in my opinion, is that for all their protestations of love, the main characters don't know each other very well, and they have absolutely nothing in common. Both of them have a hard time hearing the other's opinion, and neither is sympathetic - except possibly in a very shallow way - to their professed true love's doubts and fears. This is particularly true of Robert, who just cannot seem to understand why Victoria would want to try to live an independent life.

And, like I said, there's an awful lot of shouting happening. Even more than in other Julia Quinn novels - which, if you've read more of her work (especially the later Bridgerton books), you'll know is really saying something.

Not everyone who is resuscitated after reaching a point where they would be pronounced clinically "dead" has what has come to be called an "NDE"; but an awfully significant proportion do have such an experience - extraordinary both subjectively and objectively, as can be seen by the research reports.
The phenomenon refuses to be explained away in any simple or straight forward way. The thousands of cases analyzed to date offer scientists a lot of evidence to weigh, present theologians with challenges to long-established scriptural interpretations, and give any inquisitive mind a pause to re-ask fundamental questions about human consciousness and spirituality.
Mark Fox has done a fine job of pulling together the most current studies and the persisting issues surrounding the NDE phenomenon. He is level-headed and fair and writes with a pleasant, reader-respecting style (unlike some other strident volumes which are bent on sharpening some particular ideological or social axe).
The fundamental crux in resolving what to do with the NDE phenomenon seems to be: Why does a moment when PHYSICAL functioning is at its worst provide (more often than not) a CONSCIOUSNESS that is functioning peacefully, joyfully, and even with greater accuracy and more information than ordinarily?
If you read Fox's documentation of this phenomenon, I think you'll find the search for satisfactory answers to this mystery well worth your consideration.

American Emma Dunster is sent to London by her father to visit with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Emma wants to stay in Boston and learn all the aspects of her father's shipping business, which she intends to take over. Her father realizes people won't want to do business with a company ran by a woman so he sends her off to London for a distraction.
On the day of her introduction to the ton, Emma and her cousin Belle decide to sneak down to the kitchen so they won't have to arrange flowers. Once in the kitchen, Emma decides to run an errand for cook. Dressed in maids garb, she runs the errand and on the way back saves the live of a little boy, who happens to be the nephew of the Duke of Ashborne. Emma is knocked unconscious and wakes to find herself in a carriage with the Duke. They are both attracted to each other instantly. The Duke thinks Emma is a maid, not a member of the ton. He will find this out later that night at the ball. From then on he tries to catch her for himself. Of course he doesn't realize this until everyone tells him he's in love with her.
This book seemed to be a typical historical romance. The characters were typical of most romances. He doesn't want to marry except to obtain an heir. She doesn't want to marry either, but knows that when she marries she wants it to be a love match, not a marriage of convenience. I found the "romantic scenes" were rather routine. In fact, I could have read this book without reading the love scenes. They just did not get my attention. And as in most romance novels of this type there is the usual kidnapping. I would love to read historical romances where there is no kidnappings.
All in all this was an OK book to read. It was a fast, easy read. The characters for the most part were likeable, not stuffy. The plot seemed good. It was just too routine. I have read "To Sir Phillip, with Love" by Julia Quinn and liked it much better.

I do not know how I have missed reading this book before now. It is a classic Julia Quinn & I totally enjoyed it. The characters were smart & funny & were delightful to get to know. It is light on the plot - but that's exactly what I was looking for this time. I liked the fact that even though there were problems to solve, misunderstandings, arrogance & stubborness to get through - JQ did not take it overboard & make the characters childish, immature, or borish. I enjoyed watching them get to know each other & it was fun watching them enjoy each other; it's one of those that showed me why they fell in love. The love scenes were so very, very sweet (uh.... well... sweet & hot, if THAT makes any sense! lol) The secondary characters were just great & added a lot to the story; And I laughed out loud more than once at various ones antics. The villian was a tad stupid - but that's ok, I'm burnt out on evil right now - so stupid was good (lol lol). If you like simple, fun historicals, then do not miss this one. Guess I need to go & check to make sure I haven't missed any other JQ books.

Well I can't say I agree with two of the reviewers. I did like this book. Now I will admit I like her Bridgerton series a bit more, I still found this book to able to amuse me and make me forget about my day to day life,
Now in this book the heroine, Emma, is an American heiress who has come to London to enjoy a Season but she's not looking for a husband. She's just here to have some fun with her cousins. In one of capers she and her cousin Arabella dress up in maids clothes and help the cook with the meal for the party that is to happen that night. When the cook needs more eggs, Emma volunteers to get some. When Emma is on her way back she tries to save a young boy and the little dog he has run after, from the wheels of a carriage. Emma is knocked out and when she comes to she's in the carriage with the notorious rake Alexander Ridgely his sister Sophie. Alex is imediately attracted to the "maid" and has no way of knowing who she really is. When he sees her at the party that night, he decides to make her pay for her deception. They agree to be"friends" but soon find that they both desire each other to much to be mearly "friends". Both struggle with thier new found feelings.
There are some wonderful secondary characters who show up in other books. I look forward to reading Arabella's story.
All in all I found this to be a good book. It is on my "keeper shelf".I will continue to be a fan of Julia Quinn's.

I was dubious when I read that this was a first novel. But Julia Quinn is an good writer - and was from the beginning as this novel attests - and this is well worth your time. As she says in the prologue, it is not "polished" and there are some awkward wordings and the usual typos. But there is humor and energy and good character development. The plot is typical but avoids being trite.
I enjoyed this book.

A very enjoyable read that brings a smile to your face but nothing that gets your heart pounding in excitement. There are no side plots (e.g mysteries), the story focuses entirely on Robert Macclesfield's pursuit of his lost love, Victoria Lyndon. Julia Quinn romantically positions this novel with Robert's attempts to win over Victoria's heart after a cruel misunderstanding separated them for 7 years. Older in the ways of the world now, having lived independently as a governess Victoria is reluctant to trust Robert again and lose her independence. Quinn creates a sweet heroine but somewhat overdoes it with Victoria's overprotestations - "the lady doth protesteth too much!". The storyline may be too simple for some to enjoy as there is no real obstacles to Robert winning Victoria, just her objections over his courtship. Readers may just fall in love with Robert - he is a charming, intelligent and understanding gentleman and arduous in his courtship. However, if you enjoy tender romances this is one novel you should read. It cannot fail to touch your heart with its sweetness and true-love. While not her best novel, a very quiet and enjoyable read.

I started reading this book this morning on my way to work (I am a LIRR commuter) and I could not put the book down. Thankfully since I was able to finish my work in record time I was able to finish Everything and the Moon before lunch! I couldn't stop, I tried to slow down my reading (I tend to read really fast, only leaving myself to re-read the book after I've finished to learn of the things I might of missed) I even tried closing the book and waiting until my trip home, but I just couldn't. I loved Robert and I loved Torie (not to mention that I happen to love that nickname for a woman) and I especially loved the mention of the Duke of Ashbourne, which only served to remind me of Splendid (another one of Ms. Quinn's treasures)! This book, along with all of her other books, are delightful! Filled with love and laughter, wit and charm. If you do not read anything for the rest of this century, read her books. SPLENDID, DANCING AT MIDNIGHT and MINX, then EVERYTHING AND THE MOON and BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN, and finally TO CATCH AN HEIRESS and HOW TO MARRY A MARQUIS! You won't be sorry!

This book was not my favourite from Julia Quinn. This was her first novel, which you can tell by the writing in the beginning. I felt she jumped from person to person and then a sort of narrative type writing. It got better throughout the novel, or perhaps I just got used to it. The story itself was good. However I think she should have wrapped it up around 83% of the way in. I don't think she needed the last "event" that took place. Or if it was needed, I would have preferred it to happen before she gave the characters their "happily ever after." But this is just my opinion.

Julia Quinn is incomparable when it comes to dialogue. Her characters come across as real people saying and thinking things that real people say and think. They're funny, sad, gentle, sensual, loving, lovable and unforgettable!
This is the story of the star-crossed lovers who fall in love, get separated and then meet again.. he wants revenge, she wants to erase him from her history. They both fail.
You might find yourself feeling a little sorry for Robert by the second half of the book because Victoria does not give up.. she drives him to the edge, several times, but he never gives up on her. There a part when he is faced with 'eight hens' and his groom advices him that 'now might not be the best of time to be a rooster.." where I laughed so hard, people thought I was going crazy..
Lovely book, lovely read.. don't miss it and if this is your first Julia Quinn, don't hesitate, she'll get you hooked.

I love Julia Quinn, but this is her first book and it shows. I found myself skimming through pages to get through it. Unless you’re reading her entire library, skip this one and try any of her later works. They’re delightful.

With this work, Julia Quinn has tumbled into the writers' pond of thinking -- that the swells of conflict are the keys to remarkable reading. Ah yes, every romance reader's dream is to drag through three hundred pages filled with down and dirty quarreling all in the name of love.
Even with dry wit sprinkled throughout, the author's words are long and drawn. In this Quinn book, we find two people, who are the ages of 31 and 24, and they go at each other to the extreme.
Victoria is the nastiest. This little shrew is supposed to be a vicar's daughter. I guess she missed the lesson on forgiveness. On the other hand, Robert was absent the day his governess taught Life's Lesson 101-- "Believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see".
For more delightful reading check out Quinn's "The Duke and I" and/or "An Offer from a Gentleman" both are fun.
Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.

This book, the first of the series (Splendid, Dancing at Midnight and Minx) is witty, fast paced, charming, wonderfully written and a definite KEEPER! I read Minx first and was wonderfully surprised to find out that Splendid was the first of a trilogy. Alex is sexy and utterly male and Emma is funny and feisty. The story is true romance, with little misunderstandings and very fast paced. Julia Quinn writes so fantastic and makes you feel like you're part of the cast as well. The other characters, which you will soon meet in the other books are also great!
Another thing I like about Julia Quinn is that her characters keep coming back in her books. Check out Dunford (Minx, Dancing at Midnight and Splendid) with a small role in her book How to Marry a Marquis and Charles Wycomb, Earl of Billington (Brighter than the Sun) with a small part as well in Minx.
If you like light Regency romance you will like Splendid but be sure you have the time 'coz once you start reading this book you won't wanna put it down!
Anyway... enjoy reading Splendid!

I will have to work on the titles for my reviews, because I do not
intend to put people off [Julia Quinn's] work. She writes...well, and
far better than the majority of her peers. She uses humor well, which
is important to me, and her characters are generally
likable.
However, I am always somewhat disappointed when I read a
Julia Quinn novel, because I know that somewhere in her she has a five
star novel... she merely has not discovered it yet.
Miss Emma
Dunster was likable. She was everything that a heroine ought to be,
and there was nothing to complain of there. Lord Alexander Ridgely was
similarily likable and capable. The story was sweet, and she wrote it
well. There was nothing original in the book, but, [she] made
the most of what she had and wrote a good book. If you like Julia
Quinn, you should read this book. If you've never read Julia Quinn,
you should read this book. There is nothing "bad" about
it.
I wistfully await her next book, in hopes that her five star
novel will come, and leave me breathless. Until then, I shall enjoy
her better than average regular novels, as should everyone else.

What an exciting, strong heroine in this book. Emma Dunster, American export to England, decides (with prodding from her father) to visit her family in London for the season. Once there, her aunt throws a big ball in her honor, but Emma needs to escape the planning. To do so, she dresses up like a kitchen maid, and goes to market for eggs. At the market, she saves the life of Charlie, the six-year old nephew of the Duke of Ashford, Alex.
After a brief introduction, the "maid" is escorted home by Alex, who later that evening finds out that his nephews saviour is really Emma. From the start, sparks flew between the hero and heroine. I loved Emma not backing down from the "Duke" and I loved Alex's way of keeping Emma off-balance. These two characters and this book was simply SPLENDID.

In a way, I've been looking for this book for a long time. I've always wanted an in depth, impartial scholarly study of the Near Death Experience, and of the many books and research projects related to the field. This book is it. It's substantive, clearly written, very well documented and filled with important insights. I am in the midst of reading it, but can already recommend it whole-heartedly to those who are interested in this research. After reading many popular accounts of NDE's, I have not been able to understand why the general public is not more curious about them, and why so many skeptics buy into the rather flippant idea that the NDE is simply a chemical reaction of the human brain under stress. The popular accounts have always left me intrigued and wanting more. This book is providing the rigorous study that I've craved. Highly recommended.

Splendid was the book that started me on romance novels, so I will always have a special place for it. I love the idea of an American being introduced to the Ton. The storyline was entertaining and not frustrating like so many historical romances can be,for me at least. The characters didn't constantly moan and groan about falling for the other. The chemistry between the two main characters is some of the best ever! Quinn's descriptions are tasteful yet provacative. There was just enough action without it overtaking the main focus, which is the love story. This is one of those great books that get better every time you read it.

This book was absolutely wonderful. I started reading it at work during my luch hour and after four chapters I knew that I was in trouble. It was so good and so gripping that I knew I was going to have trouble putting it down. And you know what, I did. I came right home from work and sat down and finished the book. This book just captivitated me from beginning to end. In our own way, each of us is like Victoria. We all are a little scared after a bad experience at love. Especially if the person who hurt you is the same person who you love. But it is nice to believe that people can work things out and grow to love each other once again. You have just got to read this book. I promise you won't be disappointed.

I love Julia Quinn's work. She's a fantastic writer, and most of her books are wonderfully funny and fun to read. "Everything and the Moon" was an undeniably sweet book -- in the beginning. It's absolutely perfect, with the love at the first sight and the romance and then... kapow, throw in a completely misunderstood situation and the madly in love characters suddenly become overly suspicious aliens.
When Robert realizes the misunderstanding, that's when you get the non-alien Robert back. But unfortunately, Victoria insists on being completely stubborn and cliché up till the end of the book. It's a lovely story, but completely frustrating. You want to knock some sense into these characters that've NO idea what they're doing.
Beautifully written, though, and a very touching story. You can't possibly not enjoy Ms. Quinn's books. I definitely suggest reading this one.

I usually like Julia Quinn's novels, and I'm hunting down all the Bridgerton and Smythe-Smith books, but this one...I just couldn't finish. The beginning was sweet but it quickly became implausible and the plot contrivances irritated me. All the characters did was bicker and it wasn't as funny to me as others thought it was. I ended up setting it aside in frustration and then just not finishing it. I'd recommend her other books over this one.

One gloomy afternoon, I found myself reading "Splendid" by Julia Quinn and I forgot how gloomy the day was. That is how I felt about Alex and Emma's story. Alex Ridgely, Duke of Ashbourne, was London's most elusive bachelor; this was due to the duke's vow not to be trapped by women who were just enamoured of his title and wealth. Enter strong willed American beauty, Emma Dunster, whose rescue of Alex's nephew set the stage for the start of their passionate romance.
As Alex finds himself falling hard for Emma, his stubborn hold for his vow seemed kind of silly in some part of the story especially when Emma was telling him about her cousin Ned's problem and Alex did not even let her finish but jumped to his own conclusion. But this little quirk is negligible since the entire story was truly an enjoyable read.

As young lovers Robert and Victoria enjoyed life and their time together. But there fathers' interference caused them to lose each other. Seven years later they enter the same sphere of people and must work to again find the courage to join together in love.

As young lovers Robert and Victoria enjoyed life and their time together. But there fathers' interference caused them to lose each other. Seven years later they enter the same sphere of people and must work to again find the courage to join together in love.

I discovered Ms. Quinn after reading THE LOST DUKE OF WYNDHAM and JUST LIKE HEAVEN. Both were cute and witty, so I decided to check out the rest of her books. Boy, it was a great idea! I like the aforementioned books, but I absolutely LOVED her earlier work!!! I started at the beginning of her career with SPLENDID and was blown away. I enjoyed Emma and Belle's strong personalities, I loved the chemistry that Emma had with Alex, I loved Dunford's willingness to assist his friends, everything! I read this in a matter of hours and was so thankful that I had two more books in the series to read right away. I couldn't get enough. I have now purchased all of Ms. Quinn's books and am devouring them one by one in published order. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun and heartfelt historical romance. It's definitely on the lighter side, and I thought it was perfect.

Splendid is the first book of this trilogy: Splendid, Dancing at Midnight and Minx (plus a short story about Ned in the anthology "Where's My Hero"). It is also Julia Quinn's first novel! She wrote this in her early 20's and while the story is excellent, he execution is not as polished as her other novels. By the time Dancing at Midnight was published Quinn had a much better grasp of British English and Regency diction, etc. I do really really like the book, and Quinn is a natural story teller! Read it to start the series but know that it will only get better! Her other series are great as well, especially the Bridgerton series (which is my favorite)

I enjoyed the plot, but from the middle of the book to the end, I was actualy anxious to end the story once and for all. Though the characters are witty, too much of their talking, no real action, dragging from page to page will leave you exhausted. The hero said something, the heroin talks back, she doesn't dispense kisses until talking a mileage first, really the hero is just so patient to listen to her antics and no kisses before that, but I got so tired of her fears that I wished that the guy will just tell her to shut up or go find another more ardorous and quiet woman. At the end I didn't know if she being beautiful will make up for her being so shrew. The woman didn't ring as one sexy heroin. She is more the convent girl.

I came to this subject fairly fresh in that I have not studied this material before. I have heard stories in the media about near-death experiences (NDE) of course as have most people and have been curious about them. This book proved to be an excellent volume to gain some real insight into this fascinating subject.

Fox spends the first 2/3 of the book reviewing and discussing the various disciplines which have attempted to engage with the NDE phenomena. His style is to report what the leading thinkers in each area have said or proposed and then to ask questions of that view and compare it with the views from other disciplines. The result was that each chapter created fascination for me as each new area was explored, enriching what I had learned in the earlier ones with a new viewpoint and enabling me to see both the strengths and weaknesses in each area.

After this thorough grounding, in the final 1/3 of the book he embarks on his presentation of his research into a set of previously unpublished accounts found in the Religious Experiences Research Centre. With the knowledge gained in the first part of the book I found it easier to engage with these accounts. Contrary to the "standard wisdom" purported to exist elsewhere, these accounts demonstrate a great deal of variability. Fox chooses to present them using a series of themes, such as "light", "sound", "ineffability" and "meeting others", looking for consistency between accounts and demonstrating significant differences between them.

Overall I found this book an excellent introduction to this subject area and heartily recommend it.

I have never thought I would like a romance novel. I stumbled upon this and needed something to read I absolutely loved this. It will not make you think to hard and Emma and Alex are fun characters. I have tried reading Minx the third in this set cause I had my hands on it and skipped over the beginning of it and went to the end. I look forward to reading Belle's love story but so far of the trilogy this is my favorite and I will try and find more of her books.

How on Earth did Julia Quinn manage to get this horrible novel published?

It has absolutely no story. Alex and Emma are annoying brats who fight like Paris Hilton and her latest boy toy. He wants her, she wants to run her father's shipping company. Then she wants him to marry her so she can access her money, but refuses him when he doesn't ask her to marry her right. They marry, profess their love for each other, settle down into married life when she figures out she's incredibly bored. She goes to him with her boredom expecting him to figure out how to make her happy. She takes over the business accounts for the estate, but again she's bored. So she goes back to him to whine some more. The story just never seems to end.

Save yourself the aggravation. Don't even borrow this novel from the library. It's not worth the time to read it. The sequel Dancing At Midnight is just as bad. Only Minx is moderately interesting. If you want to begin with some Julia Quinn back story, I suggest you pick up with How to Catch An Heiress and How to Marry A Marquis. Those were written when she figured out how to properly construct a novel.

I thought maybe since it started off so fast it really had nowhere to go. The plot moved along just fine and the heroine seems to be a courageous young woman but Robert was sometimes downright sappy he said I Love You so many times it was anticlimatic. I do enjoy Julia Quinn's novels and found this to be amusing but not the can't but down variety. If it's a sappy regency you're looking for this would be it hot passionate lovers who are torn apart.. nah well I guess I'll give little sister Eleanor a shot in Brighter Than the Sun wish me luck :)

Although the misunderstanding was serious, the book did not warp itself into a tedious melodramatic tale! The characters were absolutely fantastic and the interaction between them just made you melt. I disagree with one the reviewers about Victoria "Torrie" being stubborn and cliche! I was glad that she did not give in right away! Even if they are both somewhat to blame for the misunderstanding, I think more of it should be heaped upon the hero! This was why I found it amusing that Victoria made him work for it a bit! It's great to see an arrogant man on his knees!

I love the Bridgerton and Whistledown books but this novel about lovers torn apart by misunderstanding didn't work for me. I thought that the things that drove them apart when they meet again 7 years later were not realistic and the hero didn't seem very understanding about the heroine's objections, basically just wearing her down instead of getting her point the first time she tried to explain it. His actions didn't seem so much like a lover as like a stalker.

I have only one word to describe this book: Splendid!

As always Julia delivers. I will read every single book she writes because she is the best writer. She gives her readers exactly what they want: romance, wit, and intrique and suspence. I absolutely love her characters and the way she will keep them with us by bringing them back again and again in other books. It's like revisiting old friends.

This book was one of her best. I couldn't put it down. Again... Splendid!

I liked this story. I love to see a strong female in the lead. I really liked Emma. This book also has strong supporting characters. Some of the plot line tended to drag & I probably would have cut some of it out but over-all it is a lighthearted romance with likeable people. This was not my first time to read it & if I had written a review after the first reading I probably would have scored it higher. After several years of reading these types of novels I find myself feeling like I am reading the same story over & over. Still it was enjoyable & a lot better than some I have read.

This had all the elements I enjoy in a regency era book. I loved the fact the heroine was American and full of spirit and spunk. I especially enjoyed the twist at the end. I can't wait to read the next book in he Blydon series.

I love Julia Quinn but this was not her best work... The beginning started out okay, but Victoria turns into Miss. Independent and it goes down hill from there. I mean I understand she wants her life but...a wealthy, handsome, and charming earl (to be marquess)or a life as a person who has to work for a living, and alone? Hmmm I know what I would do...And Robert is amazing but a little over the top, he needed to just let her go to see if she followed.

I have read all of Julia Quinn's books. This book is my all time favorite. I have read it a couple of times in the last couple of years. The characters are very lovable, the dialogue is witty, and the plot is quite funny. The book serves as a reminder that first love is always something to treasure and remember. In this case, the scenario is first love for both characters then an elopement goes awry and a big misunderstanding ensues. Seven years later, the two meet again, and love rekindles. The hero tries to make apologies for the misunderstanding via a courtship with sweets and pastries. The characters are both vulnerable to each other during the courtship. He is afraid she will never forgive him and she is afraid he will hurt her again. I have enjoyed all of Quinn's works with the exception of "To Marry An Heiress." If you enjoyed "Dancing At Midnight" and "Splendid" then you will love this book!

The first half was really great. I loved the chemistry of the characters. But once the misunderstandings are uncovered by the main characters, the book goes down the drain. Mainly because of Victoria's reaction and stubborn rejection of Robert. The whole misunderstanding was actually wrong on both sides. Robert misunderstood Victoria and Victoria misunderstood Robert. But I didnt know why Robert had to pay for it over and over again in the second half of the book. He was near groveling to win back her love while she was pretty cold and adamant about refusing him.

Julia Quinn is an excellent author but this book was just "eh".

She has some awesome books though like "How to marry a Marquis" and "The Viscount who loved me."

This is my favourite Julia Quinn novel, because it just has so much heart. It's a tale of star-cross'd lovers, to be sure, but what makes it intriguing is the number they do on themselves and on each other, even once the obstacles are out of the way. Robert and Victoria are both psychologically believeable, and the reader will want to sympathise with each of them. Aside from that, it's charmingly romantic and delightfully witty, as all of Quinn's works are.

Being a fan of Julia Quinn, I've read most of her novels. This has to be one of my all time favorites! It's one of those books that you read and can't put down until it's all over. What's even better is that it makes a great reread novel as well. This novel does use the typical plot (stubborn & bold heroine who doesn't want to marry meets bold hero who also doesn't want to marry for personal reasons---they meet and create fireworks). Somehow the story has its own magic. The novel is well paced and I love how the characters all have a little spunk to them.

Rating:
5 stars! I hope Julia Quinn can produce more novels like this one!

I saw so many positive words about this book that I was shocked at how much I disliked it. Not only was it written so simply that it makes most Young Adult romances seem complex, but the hero never stops being a jerk for the entire book. I could never see what our heroine is supposed to see in him. She's supposed to be this smart, capable heiress who has lived independantly and assists her father in business -- and yet because this guy is good looking she allows him to order her around like a child, scold her for "misbehavior", forbid her to do this and that because she's "his", etc. (I suppose it's because he's good looking, because we never learn of any other positive quality he has. He's not unususally generous, compassionate, brave, or smart.) She even says many times that she hates bossy men, and doesn't want to be talked down to, and yet that's ALL the hero does. That and sexual innuendo are basically the only interactions they have.

I really enjoy a good romance, but I didn't read anything to make me think these 2 people could honestly feel real love for each other. I think the Heroine will have a very unhappy marriage to look forward to.

I love JQ's books, but this one isn't up to par. The characters just didn't ring true, and worse there was NO tension in the book. If they called each other darling or sweetheart one more time..... And it didn't help that the whole plot was a big cliche and shouldn't have taken 300+ pages to solve.
Over all, it's not the worst thing I've ever read, but it's not a good example of Quinn's abilities. If you've never read her before, read one of her later books first.

I started w/ Quinn's newest book (an offer from a gentleman) and am working backwards through all her books. The newer books are definitely better written. Everything and the moon does have the witty dialogues but it tries too hard.
Some parts were too sappy and the characters weren't too developed. Probably cuz they had already found love in the beginning, and therefore are nice loving people, unlike the cynical rakes and supposedly un-interesting ladies one usually has. The plot moved along too quickly and it was hard to believe the lovers had become cynical of love.

This is Quinn's first novel, so while it is entertaining and fun to read, it does not have the polish of her later works. I'm glad that I read it and the sequel, which was also a fun read. Quinn's romances include humor and suspense, so they are more interesting that the garden variety romance. She is one of my favorites along with Jayne Ann Krentz and Nora Roberts.

I really liked this book. I am an avid reader and would recommend adding this book to your must read list. Another book that really impressed me is Psychic Gifts in the Christian Life - Tools to Connect, by Tiffany Snow, pub. 2003. In this time of increasing awareness for the need to help our relationships, workplace, family, self and environment, these two books are at the forefront of giving us the tools to do so - not only by positive reinforcements, but in the case of "Psychic Gifts," showing we have a Divine birthright to access the supernatural in our lives, and how to tap into that. I encourage you to Keep Reading, apply what you learn, and be a force for good in your part of the world.

It's love at first sight for Victoria and Robert. Fine, you say, then where is the fun? Add in a pair of interfering fathers and a night of crossed signals and you have two lovers hopelessly ticked off at eachother for seven years. Can true love see through all the pain and distrust? Well, that's why you have to read it!

Lose yourself in this wonderful Regency romance that has all the fun you expect from Julia Quinn, but without an annoying murder subplot that is so typical of the genre. This story is simply about when it's meant to be. Read it!

You could tell immediately that this was an early effort of Quinn's and frankly, I am surprised it was published. It was that bad. The plot was too simple and she did not have the experience required to extend it into a full length novel. Boring, boring, boring. I never imagined I would tire of hearing a hero say "I Love You", but I definitely did as the over-worked phrase was repeated way too many times for it to carry the importance you associate with the words. None of the spirited, funny trademark dialog that we have come to expect from Quinn. Stay away from this one unless you just have nothing else to do.

I love Julia Quinn's books, but this is my favorite of all of them. Victoria and Robert, separated seven years ago by treachery and misunderstanding, meet again in much altered circumstances. Robert, the guiltier of the two in their past, suffers enough after he realizes his mistakes to satsify any reader. These are two very loveable characters, and watching them regain their love over the course of the book is simply magic. My only wish is that the sensuality would be have been a little hotter, but the lack doesn't detract from this funny and moving love story about two people destined for each other. Definitely a comfort read.

I love Julia Quinn, but this is her first book and it shows. I found myself skimming through pages to get through it. Unless you’re reading her entire library, skip this one and try any of her later works. They’re delightful.

I've recently discovered Ms. Quinn and have set out to buy and read everyone of her novels. This one had me practically falling off the chair with laughter. I'm glad I was in my home as I am sure I would have caused quite a sight if I'd been reading this in public.
American Heiress meets a confirmed bachelor of a Duke. The pages just sizzle at the spontaneous combustion these two make when thrown together.
Romance just doesn't get much better than this. A truly SPLENDID read!

Every once in awhile one needs to read a lighter more loving less dramatic kind of book. At least I do. That is the type of book this is. Robert and Victoria fall in love instantly at 17 and 24 - planning to marry their fathers keep them apart. Both think the other is at fault. When they accidently meet 7 years later Robert is still bitter and wants revenge and Victoria has decided to safe guard her heart forever. Robert soon realizes that it was not Torrie but his father and hers that kept them from eloping 7 years ago and he wants to win her back. Torrie who has decided to never allow herself to feel love again resists. And this is the only part I had difficutly with - she just seemed to resist too much. Robert was a very good and decent man - not like so many of the rouges we read about. He was kind, sweet, honorable and truly LOVED his Victoria. Finally she sees the light. This is not heavy reading but a love story about believing that you can fall in love at first sight and make it last forever.

Dull, two-dimensional characters, tiresome, overly-contrived plot....not the expected Julia Quinn fare! Long-time fans and first-time readers alike, beware, this is not a book that exemplies the author's many woderful quality story-telling abilities. If you are a Brigerton fan eagerly searching for more JQ be warned. Perhaps because this was her first novel, and she had not yet hit her stride, I don't know...The other book in the series that I have read-Minx- was my first Julia Quinn, and it was wonderful, so apprently she learned quickly, but I cannot recommend this book. It was almost frustrating to read, expecially after having such high expectations from all her other novels.

I love Julia Quinn's writing style and humor, so I always enjoy her books. Other people have problems with the fighting between Robert and Victoria, but that is when the story really picked up for me. I found the love at first sight beginning to be very unrealistic. But I think the humor in this book redeems the first 50 pages. Yes, there is a big misunderstanding, and yes, all this could be solved if the hero and heroine would actually talk instead of fighting, BUT the fighting brings us many funny moments. This is definitely a good escape from reality.

I love the sequel to this book, but this book I found slightly insulting. Don't get me wrong, Julia Quinn is definitely the author I look for in romance novels, but this book didn't have enough plot. I am insulted by Robert's distrust of Victoria in the beginning, not even asking why she was in bed that fateful night 7 years ago, but lays it down on her being an evil, mean, fortune hunter. It takes Ellie (one of my favorite characters along with Elizabeth in How to Marry a Marquis) to pop his view of Victoria and tell him what really happened. And then he acts all surprised as if, "Gee, I guess I was wrong all of this time and made my life and her life miserable for the past seven years, oops!" I am glad I read Brighter Than the Sun first or I would have lost interest in Ms. Quinn.

With "Everything and the Moon" Julia Quinn has created another distinctive blend of imaginative narrative and expressive characters. Her specialty has always been dialogue- and this tale of star-crossed lovers does not disappoint- her characters spar wittily and often made me laugh out loud. Victoria Lydon is a likable heroine, who, disappointed after a youthful but passionate love affair, grows to be a strong and independent woman. When after seven years, her path again crosses that of her childhood love, Robert, Earl of Macclesfield, she resolves not to fall under his spell again. But love will not be denied- and no matter how much Robert and Victoria try to suppress it, they are drawn together. Theirs is a dance of heartbreak and deception, romance and seduction- you will laugh, you will sniffle, and you will thoroughly enjoy "Everything and the Moon.

I love Julia Quinn. She always makes me laugh, and Splendid is no exception. Splendid did seem to have more errors about how regency era characters would behave than her books usually have. Historical inaccuracies like this would usually have me throwing the book across the room, but Julia Quinn is such a funny storyteller that I forgive her many things that I would never forgive a lesser writer. This is a light fun read that will make you laugh, nothing deeper than that. But Julia Quinn, even early unpolished Julia Quinn, is still a great writer.

Emma Dunster- a young, wealthy miss from America, is sent to London to spend the Season with her relatives. Bored with being a lady, she borrows her maid's uniform and goes to the market for eggs where...she saves a young boy from being run over and meets The Duke of Ashbourne. He declares that she is not just beautiful, she is splendid (sigh). The rest I will let you discover for yourself.

This was Julia Quinn's first published romance with Avon. It is not as polished as her later works, but it still contains that fresh and witty dialogue that she is so well known for. Give it a try.

Okay, okay, this book is a little predictable, but I really liked it. I really loved the hero Alex. He has a good sense of humor, and really puts up with some of the scrapes Emma gets mixed up in. I liked Emma too. She was young and full of energy, with the tendency to get herself into trouble. This is a lighthearted read, and if you don't want anything too deep, this is the book for you.

What happened??? I could barely get through this one! I can't for the life of me figure out how Quinn can write a book like "When He Was Wicked" (which is one of the best books I've ever read) and then have a novel like this in her name. I'm simply dumbfounded. Well on to her next one...I'm on a mission to like her work again!

a beautiful, funny and adorable story!!!!

Loved Emma and her antics with Belle are just too cute and funny.

Alex....is what most woman dream of. Perfect hero in every way.

The other characters were fantastic, and the plot keeps you interested till the end.

Emms's friend Dunford is also a great guy!!!

This is my favorite Julia Quinn novel so far (and I've read all the ones since Splendid, thanks to the reprint.) Love at first sight, romantic youthful courting, separation by misunderstandings and dastardly interfering fathers, tense reunion after years of yearning for each other, this book has got it all.
Julia Quinn has a wonderful sense of humor, and a talent for conveying romantic emotion. If you like fun, romance and a bit of history, give this book a try.

I know that romance novels often bleed into each other until it feels like they are all the same - and part of me joys that... But I love it when I find fabulous characters and the lead in this, Emma, is delightfully strong. Fun book!

I love this author but this book was just OK for me. It was somewhat entertaing, but for the most part it was predictable and the characters are unbelievable. And I really didn't find it very romantic. The characters really didn't show their tender side to each other very much, yet you were suppossed to believe they were madly in love. It just didn't ring true. The only reason I didn't give it 2 stars is b/c I've read the author's other books and she gets much better. From what I understand, this was one of her first books. Her later writing are much better. But I don't recommend this book unless you have absoultley nothing else to read and you need to kill some time.

I have been reading Julia Quinn since her first book came out, and unless she has a stroke or a total brain malfunction, her's will continue to be books that I snatch off the shelf the moment an unfamiliar title appears. I KNOW that it will be a good read. I dont' have to wait for reviews or friends' encouragement to read it.

Julia Quinn's novels are my 'keepers'... they're the ones I reach for when the flu hits me and I need an 'old friend' to keep me company through my misery. It's so easy to get lost in her world, so easy to lose yourself and be transported to another time and place.

Splendid is one of my absolute favorites, and will always have a place of honor on my 'keepers' shelf!

I could not put this book down. I lost a night of sleep reading this book. I kept telling my self i need to go to bed but i just couldn't wait to see what happend between Alex and Emma. This was my first JQ book and after i have read it i have become a fan. I liked how while reading this book you get to know more about the characters then you would in any other book. When you think its over and there is no more left you get surprized and happy when you get to read more. It goes farther into Alex and Emma's life then you'd expect and i like that alot. I read the book in a night and half a day and was not disapointed. I truly recommend this book.

This is the first book that I have read by Julia Quinn, it will not be the last !!!

This is about an American heiress, Emma who gose to London to have a season at her fathers request. However she dose not intend to marry even if her family wants her to. The Duke of Ashbourne Alex is a dangerously handsome who has no plans to marry anytime soon..... This is untill he meets Emma, the attraction between is intense. You will want to see how their story plays out. Once you pick up the book you will not be able to put this down.

I will be reading more of Julia's books!!

First, let me say I LOVE Julia Quinn. So I was very disappointed when I was only to the end of the first chapter and the two main characters had already fallen in love (a really unbelievable love-at-first-sight situation). Of course, the rest of the book takes place seven years later, but the beginning of the story, the background, was so rushed that you really don't even get to know the characters. I really didn't like either of them.

Really, this book reads like something a high school student put together. I can hardly believe that Julia Quinn, who exhibits (in my humble opinion) near genius in most of her writing, wrote this!

I love the works of Julia Quinn and was delighted to see this rerelease. Unfortunately, it shows the inexperience of the writer. Characters and their dialogue are a little wooden, the plot is predictable and the language itself isn't the rich delight of Ms. Quinn's usual works. If you are a fan, by all means give it a try.

I don't get it. I read the reviews, which were great, and decided to try a new author and I'm so disappointed. This book was just plain boring. Emma was very appealing, but gave up her supposedly lifelong dream at the slightest resistance. Alex was just plain uninteresting and nobody a normal woman would be fascinated by. I would have liked to see her get him to move to America, instead of the other way around. I felt like the story just sort of petered out. I won't be tempted by this author again.

Julia Quinn is such a master storyteller, you won't be disappointed when you read this gem. This wonderful narrative about Emma & Alex is truly an excellent love story between two very strong characters that will fully capture your attention & imagination.

Other Julie Quinn books are entertaining, but Everything and the Moon was boring, redundant, and full of cliches. Usually she comes up with a somewhat original story line, but this one has been written over and over again. Don't waste your money.

This is the best romance novel i have read since I read Romeo and Juliet. Victoria and Robert are the ideal couple. If I could have any romance I would want it to be like theirs. It was so romantic how they first got together and how he showed up at her window at night and they took a walk around. I have never been in to romance novels but after reading this one I cant put tem down. Expecially not the books by Julia Quinn. She is a wonderful author, and she has a wonderful talent.
thank you Julia for sharing your talent with the world of romance novels.

I enjoyed this tale of star-crossed lovers, but I thought it dragged on too long and there was too much fighting between the hero and his lady. Victoria Lyndon and Robert Kemble, earl of Macclesfield, fall in love but are kept from eloping by their small-minded fathers. Seven years pass, and Victoria has become a governess who encounters a much-changed Robert at a party. It becomes a bit of a complicated tale of love and revenge from then on, and would have benefited from being 50 pages shorter.

Robert Kemble & Victoria Lyndon met, fell in love and decided to elope.
On the night of the elopement Victoria failed to appear and Robert assumed she'd changed her mind, while Victoria believed Robert did not show up at the elopement either. Seven years later they meet again and although each thought the other had shunned the elopement, they were still attracted to each other. In the rest of the story, they fall in love all over again.

I read this book in 2 days. I absolutly loved it. The charecters were well developed, the plot was good, it was a really good book.

It reminded me a lot of Judith McNaught, who is my favorite author. I deffinitly suggest this book!

Circumstance, misunderstanding and outside deceit keep Victoria and Robert apart but neither can deny the need they share for one another when fate brings them together again seven years later.

A great angsty read! Well-written with incredible dialogue; a Julia Quinn staple.

I have read this book many times and plan to read it many more!

Robert is next in line for the earldom. Victoria is a vicar's daughter. Man see's girl by a pond. They fall instantly in love. The father's of said boy and girl get in the way. Seven years later boy and girl reunite, get married and live happily ever after.

Blah!

Believe it or not my 6 sentence summation was more entertaining that JQ's 372 pages.

I have always been a fan of JQ, but I have to be honest here...This book was just awful! The characters were bland, and the love at first sight plot between these two wasn't believable in the least bit; that's were I think Quinn dropped the ball on this one. As a loyal fan that's read almost every book she's written I know she had the talent to pull this one off, but obviously she didn't use it.

This book contains all the cliches imaginable. It's supposed to be funny and witty, but it just isn't. All it has is a bunch of annoying know-it-all brats who think they can control everyone around them. Blah.

Once in awhile you come across a book that makes wading through all the others worth it. Everthing and the Moon is it. I loved the joyful innocence, the heartbreak, and later the pursuit. I want to read stories where the romance is the center of the story. It is my all time favorite of the many romances I have read. Please write more like Everything and the Moon, Julia.

I'm surprised Julia Quinn found a publisher for this novel. It's an amateurish piece of work with some small moments of brilliance. The novel begins with an impetuous love fest between two relative teenagers who fall in love at first sight then sneak off to court. The beginning chapters suffer from a Novice Writer's penchant for telling instead of showing. Robert falls instantly in love with Victoria. SO much so he proposes after knowing her all of 10 minutes, then he sneaks into her cottage that night to convince her to run off into the woods with him. But the author can't have the story end there so now we're told they actually courted for 2 months learning and loving everything about each other. And again the author realizes that can't happen in a historical setting so now Victoria's father knows all about the courtship but demands her sister tag along as a chaperon.

That's when Quinn stumbles on a good idea for a novel. Young idealistic lovers are driven apart by their overbearing fathers. Robert's assumes the vicar's daughter is a fortune hunter and threatens to cut off his son if he marries her. Victoria's father assumes the young earl is out to seduce her and tries to end their courtship. Each father sows the seeds of doubt in their children. Victoria's father goes further by stopping their elopement with force (i.e. smacking her and tying her up to prevent her from running away); Robert's father lies to her and tells her that his son was only out to seduce her and became bored when he left town.

Fast forward 7 years and we find both Robert and Victoria have struck out on their own making a life for themselves but not being happier for it. That's when they meet again. He an earl, she a governess. There are shades of Ms. Quinn's later work "An Offer From A Gentleman" but alas the story descends into a disjointed mess with implausible ideas that wreak of first timer mistakes. There's drama and the inevitable realization of how they've wronged each other but then another senseless drawn out prolonging of their conflict that boils down to two very willful children arguing over who blinks first.

I only read this novel because I'd plowed through Ms. Quinn's other works including her latest releases in 2012-2014 (which have been lackluster themselves). I was bored and wanted to see how she began. I'm sure she must be a bit embarrassed this and it's sequel "Brighter Than the Sun" remain in print. Do yourself a favor and skip them. Begin with her "Minx" series, or better yet the "How to Catch A" series. That's when she settled down into the experienced writer fans loved. "How to Marry A Marquis" has a somewhat similar premise with an impoverished gently bred servant falling for a wealthy aristocrat, but in that story we see how they transition from strangers to friends to lovers and each deals with their obstacles in realistic mature ways.

A most delightful read indeed! I would say Alex is one of my favorite male protagonists so far. He just steams up the pages as the story progresses. And Emma is such a treat! I can't wait to read Arebella's story in Dancing At Midnight.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone! There are some of Julia Quinn's books that are wonderful, but this one is not one of them. The writing, the dialogue and the storyline is pathetic. She has so many excellent books it is hard to believe she wrote this one!

I thought this was a pointless book. I couldn't empathize with the heroine, even though I understood intellectually what her issue was. There was no real emotional development; instead the book was filled up with repetitious, empty, fairly whiney dialog. I LOVED the last J Quinn book I read - this was a great disappointment. Skip it and try another one of her novels...

A most delightful read indeed! I would say Alex is one of my favorite male protagonists so far. He just steams up the pages as the story progresses. And Emma is such a treat! I can't wait to read Arebella's story in Dancing At Midnight.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone! There are some of Julia Quinn's books that are wonderful, but this one is not one of them. The writing, the dialogue and the storyline is pathetic. She has so many excellent books it is hard to believe she wrote this one!

I thought this was a pointless book. I couldn't empathize with the heroine, even though I understood intellectually what her issue was. There was no real emotional development; instead the book was filled up with repetitious, empty, fairly whiney dialog. I LOVED the last J Quinn book I read - this was a great disappointment. Skip it and try another one of her novels...

Nope, didn't like this one very much either. The lovers were just too impetuous and unbelievably annoying. I usually never stop reading a book, but this one. . .well I just couldn't finish it. Didn't do anything for me.

I love Ms. Quinn's books, but this one didn't hold my interest. Like the other review stated, it started out good, but fell flat about a third of the way in. The heroin sounded like a harpy, screechy witch. There really was no plot. I'm sorry I paid for this one.

Julia Quinn has an amazing ability to make the characters real and engaging. They are honest and funny. Emma, Alex, Belle, and all the others make the reader feel as if they are really there - witnessing the entire wild romance. You can't wait for the next book so that you can find out how everyone is doing. A definite must read!

I have always loved Julia Quinn's books but this is one of my favorites. If you love to read light and funny romances, this is the one for you! I caught myself laughing out loud while reading this book and I still go back to my favorite parts and reread them. This book is not to be missed!

I absolutely love love love this book! I recently lost my copy that I have read more than 100 times in a move and had to go buy another one because I miss reading it so much. I love Julia Quinn. A lot of people say this isn't her best work and maybe that is true in comparison to all the others in her collection but I still truly love this book!!

I read about a book a week. I have a rule when I start a book I will finish it. No exceptions! I had a hard time continuing this book.
It was too predictable. I did read it until the end- so I guess that's one accomplishment?

After having read the "Duke and I", I searched for some more Julia Quinn novels. I found "Splendid". There was nothing splendid about it. (Please pardon the cliche!) I think it is very sad when an author attempts to write a story with silly cliches simply to fill the pages. Its also a sad testimony to romance readers when an author thinks we will be happy with just any old story-line. Please we need some better story-lines and authentic characters. I am so upset with this purchase, I also have "Dancing at Midnight" left to read. I am not looking forward to it, but I don't want to waste my money, I will force myself through it.