Avon (June 26, 2007)
If you’re a historical romance fan and don’t mind a bit of detailed spice along the way you’ll probably enjoy Julia Quinn’s books. So far I’m finding them to be good light reading despite being a bit formulaic. They aren’t however pure formula plot as Quinn tweaks each one with her style and its own unique twists so that I still want to continue reading her work and don’t feel as if I’ve just picked up the same book over again.
Miranda has grown up with the neighboring titled family’s twins, sharing lessons and playtime while her father is distracted by his manuscripts and translating work leaving her mostly to her own devices. Olivia Bevelstoke has become Miranda’s best friend, chief confidant and adopted sister. By association her twin and their much older brother are “adopted†siblings as well though Miranda has never met Nigel who is destined to inherit the Bevelstoke estate and title from his father. Despite the decade of difference in their ages and the gap in their stations, Miranda fancies herself in love with him after meeting him the day of her playmates 10th birthday party. His kindness and friendliness toward her as he escorts her home, melts her heart and claims it forever. Life and trials change the eldest Bevelstoke through the years and when Miranda meets him again during her coming out season, he is no longer the gentleman and friend she fondly remembers from childhood. She tries to convince herself it was a childish crush and douse it while he is just beginning to realize that she is probably the only woman he wouldn’t feel trapped living with. Will her childhood connection with his family and the difference in their positions amongst society foil any chance of marriage? Will Nigel’s pain and troubles squelch any ability he has to recognize and make his feelings known to Miranda and will seeing him so changed aid in her putting her feelings and desires in the past and moving on or will their mutual attraction finally strike sparks that ignite a lifetime flame? (ISBN#9780061230837, 384pp, $7.99)
Codicil:
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