A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

June 11, 2012

Grab those ear plugs, it's time for another Smythe-Smith musicale!
http://www.juliaquinn.com/

It's time for the second installment in Julia Quinn's Smythe-Smith series, A Night Like This.  A Night Like This is written to run concurrently with Just Like Heaven, the first in the series.

I was a little apprehensive when I picked up the latest work by Ms. Quinn, because I've been sadly underwhelmed by her last few books, especially Just Like Heaven.  However, about half way through this story I began to relax because, as it turns out, this was a delightful book filled with charming characters, especially the two leads.  I was also glad that the secondary characters are being allowed space to develop, and for the most part those secondary characters added to the story.  I'm really growing quite fond of the younger Smythe-Smith's.

I do recommend this story.  It is filled with fun dialogue and an utterly adorable Beta hero, Daniel.  He is bedazzled - stunned - stupefied when he first sets eyes on our heroine, Anna.  From that moment onward, he is obsessed with winning her.

I smiled almost all the way through this novel.  Now, I'm sure that the narrative is filled with Ms. Quinn's 21st century vocabulary but if it was I didn't notice because I was enjoying the story w-a-y too much.

There are a couple of quibbles.  Aren't there always?  Our hero has two attempts made on his life.  We learn who is responsible for the second attempt, but I don't recall ever learning about the first attempt.  And, I have no intention of rereading the book to find out.

The other quibble was with the villain.  I don't believe his being in the storyline added anything to the plot or the romance.  In fact, his being there was a bit of a distraction from the lovely flow that Ms. Quinn had already created.

Next up (May 2013) in the Smyth-Smith Quartet is Hugh's story - I'm looking forward it!

Time/Place: Regency England

Sensuality Rating: Almost Hot