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Bevelstoke #2
What Happens In London
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B005CIWN6E.
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The second book in the Bevelstoke series: witty, irresistibly romantic and by the bestselling author of the global phenomenon Bridgerton
Rumours and gossip are the lifeblood of London . . . Olivia Bevelstoke, the only daughter of the Earl of Rudland, is beautiful, wealthy, twenty-one and unmarried, making her the subject of much gossip: 'What is she waiting for? A prince?' But Olivia isn't stuck up, and neither is she a hopeless romantic. However she is waiting for something - or someone. Enter Sir Harry Valentine, her intriguing new neighbour . . .
Sir Harry Valentine is not a spy, but he's had all the training, so when a beautiful but mysterious woman begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .
---
The second book in the Bevelstoke series: witty, irresistibly romantic and by the bestselling author of the global phenomenon Bridgerton
Rumours and gossip are the lifeblood of London . . . Olivia Bevelstoke, the only daughter of the Earl of Rudland, is beautiful, wealthy, twenty-one and unmarried, making her the subject of much gossip: 'What is she waiting for? A prince?' But Olivia isn't stuck up, and neither is she a hopeless romantic. However she is waiting for something - or someone. Enter Sir Harry Valentine, her intriguing new neighbour . . .
Sir Harry Valentine is not a spy, but he's had all the training, so when a beautiful but mysterious woman begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself . . .
334 pages, ebook
First published June 30, 2009
967 people are currently reading
13744 people want to read
About the author
Julia Quinn
198 books46.4k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,394 reviews
February 6, 2019
Julia Quinn
Recommended for migraines, headaches and all ailments of the mind and the soul. May cause stomach cramps due to excessive, belly-shaking laughter and a wave of fuzziness as side effects. Like this:
This is honestly one of the most delightful, amusing stories I have ever read! Julia Quinn always delivers on many levels, but What Happens In London is the epitome of fun, with the heartwarming feelings and the delectable tension complementing one of her best works. After many days of stress, anxiety and a permanent sense of incompetency, she managed to shower me with positivity, with sunny days, lavish balls and witty banters that left me with a smile and a satisfying feeling of contentment long after I finished it. So, without further delay, let me present you why you should grab a copy of What Happens in London in the fashion of Lady Olivia Bevelstoke.
Reasons I loved What Happens in London
By Ms. Katerina P.
1) Spies, secret services,a murdered fiancee, death by pigeons (hey it's a thing!), a horrible but surprisingly addictive gothic novel, a not-so-charming Russian prince and gossip.
2) The lack of drama. Julia Quinn's novels are mostly lighthearted, but misunderstandings and heartache are always bound to happen. Well, not in this one. There's the usual suspenseful event towards the end, but it had nothing to do with fights, stubbornness and all that jazz. The light tone that made the second instalment of Bevelstoke series a rare ray of sunshine didn't waver, and I am grateful for that.
3) The slow-burning romance, featuring one of the most beloved tropes: enemies-to-lovers. It all started with a rumor, and two neighbouring windows. Olivia and Harry disliked each other with a fiery passion. She was nosy and rude, he was infuriating and insulting. The transition from murderous glares and a race to outsmart each other to tender gazes and scorching looks that was fueled by buddy reads and conspiracies against a certain obnoxious prince was perfectly handled, and the reason their relationship was founded on understanding. The desire that came later and set them ablaze was also a treat.
4) The humour, whether infused in the narration or in the form of interactions laced with sarcasm, dry retorts or outright ridiculous incidents.
5) Sir Harry Valentine. He's such a low-key character, silent and observant, but at the same time he is burning with intensity, and the way Olivia rattled him was simply priceless.
I finished What Happens in London four days ago and I'm already planning a re-read. Because ladies and gentlemen, it truly was a gem that restored my faith in humanity, at least for those few precious hours I spent lost in its pages.
Recommended for migraines, headaches and all ailments of the mind and the soul. May cause stomach cramps due to excessive, belly-shaking laughter and a wave of fuzziness as side effects. Like this:
This is honestly one of the most delightful, amusing stories I have ever read! Julia Quinn always delivers on many levels, but What Happens In London is the epitome of fun, with the heartwarming feelings and the delectable tension complementing one of her best works. After many days of stress, anxiety and a permanent sense of incompetency, she managed to shower me with positivity, with sunny days, lavish balls and witty banters that left me with a smile and a satisfying feeling of contentment long after I finished it. So, without further delay, let me present you why you should grab a copy of What Happens in London in the fashion of Lady Olivia Bevelstoke.
Reasons I loved What Happens in London
By Ms. Katerina P.
1) Spies, secret services,
2) The lack of drama. Julia Quinn's novels are mostly lighthearted, but misunderstandings and heartache are always bound to happen. Well, not in this one. There's the usual suspenseful event towards the end, but it had nothing to do with fights, stubbornness and all that jazz. The light tone that made the second instalment of Bevelstoke series a rare ray of sunshine didn't waver, and I am grateful for that.
3) The slow-burning romance, featuring one of the most beloved tropes: enemies-to-lovers. It all started with a rumor, and two neighbouring windows. Olivia and Harry disliked each other with a fiery passion. She was nosy and rude, he was infuriating and insulting. The transition from murderous glares and a race to outsmart each other to tender gazes and scorching looks that was fueled by buddy reads and conspiracies against a certain obnoxious prince was perfectly handled, and the reason their relationship was founded on understanding. The desire that came later and set them ablaze was also a treat.
4) The humour, whether infused in the narration or in the form of interactions laced with sarcasm, dry retorts or outright ridiculous incidents.
5) Sir Harry Valentine. He's such a low-key character, silent and observant, but at the same time he is burning with intensity, and the way Olivia rattled him was simply priceless.
I finished What Happens in London four days ago and I'm already planning a re-read. Because ladies and gentlemen, it truly was a gem that restored my faith in humanity, at least for those few precious hours I spent lost in its pages.
May 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
Warning, this a is a non-review:
I am in such a reading slump lately, it's not even funny. Not a single book on my TBR shelf (currently 514 books) feels like something I am really excited to read. So instead of endlessly waffling on which book to pick up, I decided to just go for a silly/light historical romance, hoping it would get me out of my blah book reading mood. That really didn't work, but I did find this book cute and mildly amusing enough to round it up to 4 stars. But I don't really feel like reviewing books either, so here you go. This is my non-review, review.
Warning, this a is a non-review:
I am in such a reading slump lately, it's not even funny. Not a single book on my TBR shelf (currently 514 books) feels like something I am really excited to read. So instead of endlessly waffling on which book to pick up, I decided to just go for a silly/light historical romance, hoping it would get me out of my blah book reading mood. That really didn't work, but I did find this book cute and mildly amusing enough to round it up to 4 stars. But I don't really feel like reviewing books either, so here you go. This is my non-review, review.
February 27, 2017
Julia Quinn always delivers on the fun. And, she always does call-backs to her other novels. I like that the Smith-Smythe Quartet are here, along with a mention of Lady Bridgerton. It makes me feel like I have some sort of special inside knowledge. It's a heady feeling - all of this knowledge. It makes me have a little more insight to how God must feel.
This is the second novel in the series and it focuses on Olivia and her neighbor, Harry. She thinks Harry might have killed his ex-fiance, so she spies on him from her window. He wonders why some girl is spying on him so obviously.
He works as a Russian translator for the war office and is asked to keep an eye on a Russian prince who just arrived to town and the girl that this prince has his eye on. Guess who the girl is? I'll give you 20 guesses.... okay, you got in in one. Good job! So, he is forced to spend a bunch of time with this girl, and he doesn't exactly like her. At first. Because, we all know where this is going.
This book was fun, and they set us up for the next one by introducing us to Sebastian, who I loved. Bring it on!
This is the second novel in the series and it focuses on Olivia and her neighbor, Harry. She thinks Harry might have killed his ex-fiance, so she spies on him from her window. He wonders why some girl is spying on him so obviously.
He works as a Russian translator for the war office and is asked to keep an eye on a Russian prince who just arrived to town and the girl that this prince has his eye on. Guess who the girl is? I'll give you 20 guesses.... okay, you got in in one. Good job! So, he is forced to spend a bunch of time with this girl, and he doesn't exactly like her. At first. Because, we all know where this is going.
This book was fun, and they set us up for the next one by introducing us to Sebastian, who I loved. Bring it on!
February 13, 2024
Charming characters (complete with a meet cute) and clever, witty repartee! And there’s a Prince, and a kidnapping and more!!
Dare I suggest I liked this more than some of the Bridgerton series? Yes— it was a delightful read.
(Reviewed 2/8/21)
Dare I suggest I liked this more than some of the Bridgerton series? Yes— it was a delightful read.
(Reviewed 2/8/21)
June 18, 2013
I'm not a blindly adoring JQ fangirl who automatically thinks that everything she churns out is literary gold (or, um, even literary stainless steel), but when JQ is at her best or even close to best, there are very few writers of any genre or era who can charm and delight me more.
I absolutely, unreservedly loved this book. There are more technically flawless, smoothly paced books I've read over the past year, but very, very few which elicited this degree of personal attachment and that "awww, see, THIS is why reading is my favorite thing to do on this planet" adoration.
I always struggle to discuss writing style since it's so wholly subjective and difficult to define: an author's style either works for you or doesn't, and JQ's just happens to work for me so very, very perfectly that I can merrily excuse imperfections in her plotting and pacing. It's eminently witty, sharp and brimming over with clever insights and unexpected jolts of poignancy. And suffice it to say that within the first 20 pages I found her characters far more vividly defined and root-worthy than many authors manage after 420 pages.
Harry emerged immediately as one of my very favorite Quinn heroes---which means he's one of my very favorite heroes, period. Because in addition to the writing style gushed about above, the thing I've always appreciated most about Quinn's books is that she (usually!) creates heroes who are genuinely kind, decent, and well-meaning men. Imperfect, of course, but in amusing, colorful and relatable ways. In a genre that seems to increasingly define the 'ideal' hero as someone who's vicious until the final ten pages, creepily controlling and in desperate need of both rehab and anger management, Quinn's heroes are remarkable for the mere fact that I'd genuinely like and respect most of these men in real life. They are (with a few very disappointing exceptions!) men I'd actually love to be with, men who you could adore and admire and, unlike far too many of today's extreme "alphas", never worry about having to obtain a restraining order against :)
Olivia, meanwhile, was one of my very favorite Quinn heroines: a woman who's smart, endearingly but not excessively quirky, and passionate about things other than just husband hunting. Like her wonderful hero, she's very relatably flawed but never to the point where she becomes more maddening than root-worthy.
As you've no doubt figured out, I absolutely adored Harry, adored Olivia and adored them as a couple. Adored them so deeply, in fact, that I'd be using a stronger verb than adored if my fatigued brain could think of one! If you like your H and h to have to endure tons of angst, internal conflicts and turmoil, this may not be the ideal pick for you: Harry and Olivia have a few obstacles en route to the sweetly inevitable HEA, but theirs is mostly a witty, warm, and, for me, refreshingly low anxiety journey :)
I ended up really liking the mild to moderate thriller elements in this one, though I'm admittedly partial to romances that are about something other than just the romance. But even if the 'Quinn tries to incorporate a splash of Hitchcock' idea makes you cringe, rest assured that there's still so much to love here: namely, some truly phenomenal dialogue, two of the more lovable and amusing H and hs I've come across, and ample amounts of the spirit-boosting warmth, cleverness and charm for which JQ is justifiably known.
I read and love many, many books, but of the two hundred or so that I've devoured this year (why, no, I DON'T have a life!), this was among my top five favorites. I totally get and respect arguments that it wasn't among JQ's very 'best', but it happened to be among my most personally beloved :) Enjoy!
I absolutely, unreservedly loved this book. There are more technically flawless, smoothly paced books I've read over the past year, but very, very few which elicited this degree of personal attachment and that "awww, see, THIS is why reading is my favorite thing to do on this planet" adoration.
I always struggle to discuss writing style since it's so wholly subjective and difficult to define: an author's style either works for you or doesn't, and JQ's just happens to work for me so very, very perfectly that I can merrily excuse imperfections in her plotting and pacing. It's eminently witty, sharp and brimming over with clever insights and unexpected jolts of poignancy. And suffice it to say that within the first 20 pages I found her characters far more vividly defined and root-worthy than many authors manage after 420 pages.
Harry emerged immediately as one of my very favorite Quinn heroes---which means he's one of my very favorite heroes, period. Because in addition to the writing style gushed about above, the thing I've always appreciated most about Quinn's books is that she (usually!) creates heroes who are genuinely kind, decent, and well-meaning men. Imperfect, of course, but in amusing, colorful and relatable ways. In a genre that seems to increasingly define the 'ideal' hero as someone who's vicious until the final ten pages, creepily controlling and in desperate need of both rehab and anger management, Quinn's heroes are remarkable for the mere fact that I'd genuinely like and respect most of these men in real life. They are (with a few very disappointing exceptions!) men I'd actually love to be with, men who you could adore and admire and, unlike far too many of today's extreme "alphas", never worry about having to obtain a restraining order against :)
Olivia, meanwhile, was one of my very favorite Quinn heroines: a woman who's smart, endearingly but not excessively quirky, and passionate about things other than just husband hunting. Like her wonderful hero, she's very relatably flawed but never to the point where she becomes more maddening than root-worthy.
As you've no doubt figured out, I absolutely adored Harry, adored Olivia and adored them as a couple. Adored them so deeply, in fact, that I'd be using a stronger verb than adored if my fatigued brain could think of one! If you like your H and h to have to endure tons of angst, internal conflicts and turmoil, this may not be the ideal pick for you: Harry and Olivia have a few obstacles en route to the sweetly inevitable HEA, but theirs is mostly a witty, warm, and, for me, refreshingly low anxiety journey :)
I ended up really liking the mild to moderate thriller elements in this one, though I'm admittedly partial to romances that are about something other than just the romance. But even if the 'Quinn tries to incorporate a splash of Hitchcock' idea makes you cringe, rest assured that there's still so much to love here: namely, some truly phenomenal dialogue, two of the more lovable and amusing H and hs I've come across, and ample amounts of the spirit-boosting warmth, cleverness and charm for which JQ is justifiably known.
I read and love many, many books, but of the two hundred or so that I've devoured this year (why, no, I DON'T have a life!), this was among my top five favorites. I totally get and respect arguments that it wasn't among JQ's very 'best', but it happened to be among my most personally beloved :) Enjoy!
July 30, 2015
This was a lovely book! Different than the previous one in the series but equally wonderful nevertheless.
Harry is a great hero. A bit more quiet than usual, the beta type, which I've really come to love during the past few years. He's also bookish, which is always a plus for me, and a translator!! How perfect?
Olivia is strong and quirky and beautiful. What I mostly loved about her is that she knew that she was very pretty and she realised how lucky she was for her good looks, but at the same time she felt a strong desire to be seen as something more than a pretty face.
This series, as well as the Smythe-Smith quartet, are not very popular among JQ fans. I really can't understand why. Yes, they are heavily focused on dialogue and are slow-burn, but they are so clever and funny and simply delightful I can't see what's not to like.
The previous book was probably the sexiest JQ book I've read so far. This one wasn't. It rather focused on building a strong and believable relationship between the H/h who strongly disliked each other at first, then became friends and eventually fell in love. The point is that however JQ chooses to handle her story, she always does a spectacular job. She is one of the few writers I completely appreciate and respect. Plus, I'm not in the habit of giving away 5-star ratings lately but she totally deserves it!
I'm typing this on my phone so I apologise if this review is rather messy. This book comes highly recommended from me and I think most JQ fans will enjoy it. Bravo!
Harry is a great hero. A bit more quiet than usual, the beta type, which I've really come to love during the past few years. He's also bookish, which is always a plus for me, and a translator!! How perfect?
Olivia is strong and quirky and beautiful. What I mostly loved about her is that she knew that she was very pretty and she realised how lucky she was for her good looks, but at the same time she felt a strong desire to be seen as something more than a pretty face.
This series, as well as the Smythe-Smith quartet, are not very popular among JQ fans. I really can't understand why. Yes, they are heavily focused on dialogue and are slow-burn, but they are so clever and funny and simply delightful I can't see what's not to like.
The previous book was probably the sexiest JQ book I've read so far. This one wasn't. It rather focused on building a strong and believable relationship between the H/h who strongly disliked each other at first, then became friends and eventually fell in love. The point is that however JQ chooses to handle her story, she always does a spectacular job. She is one of the few writers I completely appreciate and respect. Plus, I'm not in the habit of giving away 5-star ratings lately but she totally deserves it!
I'm typing this on my phone so I apologise if this review is rather messy. This book comes highly recommended from me and I think most JQ fans will enjoy it. Bravo!
November 4, 2009
"What Happens in London" has so many rave reviews, that maybe my expectations were a little too high. I do think Julia Quinn's writing style is excellent, so much thought goes into every single page. The main characters' witty banter and snappy inner dialogue were so much fun to read. I absolutely loved the supporting character, Sebastian! He was just too much fun to read about, especially his love for the silly "Ms. Butterworth" novel. He was such a vivid character who just jumped off the page for me. However, I was less than thrilled about the actual romance in this book. I just felt no connection between Harry and Olivia, and when they started to fall in love, I thought it came across as forced and cheesy. I know, I know, I'm in the minority in thinking this, but I really did think the book was funny and witty, just not very romantic. I can't wait for Sebatian to get his own book!
reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
January 5, 2019
Reread.
Review after 1st time:
This book made me laugh. I was reading it drunk and I laughed. I was reading it sober and I laughed. If you like things like...
"Unmarried Lady Sorts of Things
By Lady Olivia Bevelstoke, Unmarried Lady
Wear pastel colors
(and be quite glad if you possessed the correct complexion for such hues).
Smile and keep your opinions to yourself
(with whatever success you are able).
Do what your parents tell you to do.
Accept the consequences when you don't.
Find a husband who won't bother to tell you what to do."
...or...
"Reasons Why I Might Be Crawling About
on the Floor
AND Need to Avoid the Window"
...then this is the book for you. I definitely enjoyed it more than the first in the trilogy. Now on to the Third!
Review after 1st time:
This book made me laugh. I was reading it drunk and I laughed. I was reading it sober and I laughed. If you like things like...
"Unmarried Lady Sorts of Things
By Lady Olivia Bevelstoke, Unmarried Lady
Wear pastel colors
(and be quite glad if you possessed the correct complexion for such hues).
Smile and keep your opinions to yourself
(with whatever success you are able).
Do what your parents tell you to do.
Accept the consequences when you don't.
Find a husband who won't bother to tell you what to do."
...or...
"Reasons Why I Might Be Crawling About
on the Floor
AND Need to Avoid the Window"
...then this is the book for you. I definitely enjoyed it more than the first in the trilogy. Now on to the Third!
May 24, 2016
I so adored this book! I adored the h and them as a couple!
The reviews are mixed, but for me it was a winner. The humor goes into farcical but that was intentional, I felt. Well, I was smiling and chuckling so I am good with this one!
The h/H are next door neighbors in Mayfair, London. He is the new occupant to the south of their residence and the bored h’s interest is piqued. According to gossip, he is a recluse and a wife killer to boot. And her window is strategically placed with a view into his property.
The H is dry, academic almost crusty sort but don’t misjudge, he doesn't have a single beta bone in his tall dark black-draped bod. He works as a Russian translator for the War Office. He is a ‘Sir’ and not a ‘Lord’. And he’s colorblind.
The h is sweet, witty and restless. She is the toast of the season and the one before that, and few before that as well! She has turned down countless offers from all hierarchies of the peerdom and is almost on the shelf but, of course there is still no dearth of admirers.
We also have an impossibly handsome and lofty Russian prince as the wannabe om. The prince is under cloud as a ‘Bonnie’ sympathizer, and the War office deems that the translator should double up as a spy as well and keep an eye on his neighbor and her beau. The H starts out disliking the h but soon finds himself doing his job with more enthusiasm than warranted. Now our intrepid h has already been spying on the H from her bedroom window that looks down on to his office. All because she wants to see what a wife killer looks like. So they spy back and forth, or pretend to. The window rendezvous and parleys were the backbone of this book. They were entertaining, endearing and romantic. The reading of that ludicrous gothic novel Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron throughout the story, that conquers each and all who listens in, does it's bit for the lunatic tone of the book.
Add the Russian prince, a menacing bodyguard, a lady killer cousin, h’s aggravating brother and H’s drunk one, few silly gossipy friends, some maid/butler types behaving above their station, few evil types and we have the whole cast.
It is a very sweet and believable (window) romance. There is a lot of intrigue and drama in the story, but the romance and love bloom very simply and naturally. They are like any young couple in love-attracted, captivated, excited and drawn to each other and really not fighting it much.....and sadly we rarely see this kind of 'pure' romance in the ‘Romance’ books we generally read.
June 27, 2009
Do you like Cute?
If you do and find JQ funny, then you will love this fluffy, light, sweet romance which is nothing but one vignette after another of the H/H flirting and rolling their eyes and just being a-dor-a-ble.
If you dont find JQ funny (sacrilege!), then you might begin to notice that beyond the set-up to get the H/H to meet, this book doesnt have a plot and that the H/H act like they are 16 instead of 28/22. The H/H are next door neighbors and talk outside their windows constantly. The AAR Review likened this to a Romeo & Juliet vibe. Actually, it wasnt so much Romeo & Juliet as it was Drive Me Crazy, the teen romantic comedy in which a high school girl romanced her best friend neighbor, also through her window. This JQ novel only needed a Britney Spears soundtrack.
This is the spinoff of The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever and instead of diary entries scattered throughout at climatic moments as in the previous book, JQ has the heroine make up cutesy lists in her heads at inopportune moments. So in keeping with the spirit of the book, I will end with . . . .
List of things I'll much rather do than read another Julia Quinn book ever again since she is not my cuppa:
1. Vacuum
2. Pull weeds out my garden
3. Pull lint out of my belly button
4. Go to the dentist
5. All of the above, all on the same day
If you do and find JQ funny, then you will love this fluffy, light, sweet romance which is nothing but one vignette after another of the H/H flirting and rolling their eyes and just being a-dor-a-ble.
If you dont find JQ funny (sacrilege!), then you might begin to notice that beyond the set-up to get the H/H to meet, this book doesnt have a plot and that the H/H act like they are 16 instead of 28/22. The H/H are next door neighbors and talk outside their windows constantly. The AAR Review likened this to a Romeo & Juliet vibe. Actually, it wasnt so much Romeo & Juliet as it was Drive Me Crazy, the teen romantic comedy in which a high school girl romanced her best friend neighbor, also through her window. This JQ novel only needed a Britney Spears soundtrack.
This is the spinoff of The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever and instead of diary entries scattered throughout at climatic moments as in the previous book, JQ has the heroine make up cutesy lists in her heads at inopportune moments. So in keeping with the spirit of the book, I will end with . . . .
List of things I'll much rather do than read another Julia Quinn book ever again since she is not my cuppa:
1. Vacuum
2. Pull weeds out my garden
3. Pull lint out of my belly button
4. Go to the dentist
5. All of the above, all on the same day
April 18, 2024
4 stars
What a cute historical romance!
I’ve had mixed experiences with other books written by Julia Quinn, but I really enjoyed the “eeek, he knows that I know that he knows I’ve been spying on him!” vibe in this story. Olivia and Harry’s banter and the way needled each other made me smile, and I *loved* the proposal scene.
I have to admit that Sebastian (Harry’s cousin) really stole the show at one point though, that part had me crying with laughter!
What a cute historical romance!
I’ve had mixed experiences with other books written by Julia Quinn, but I really enjoyed the “eeek, he knows that I know that he knows I’ve been spying on him!” vibe in this story. Olivia and Harry’s banter and the way needled each other made me smile, and I *loved* the proposal scene.
I have to admit that Sebastian (Harry’s cousin) really stole the show at one point though, that part had me crying with laughter!
March 30, 2017
Russian spies + witty banter + sexual tension= the first five star Julia Quinn book for me. :)
November 5, 2020
3,5
Funny and romantic
Funny and romantic
August 3, 2009
When I read a JQ book, I know what to expect: a light, funny and fluffy read, filled with amusing banter between the H/h. That's what I got from this book, so I'm thoroughly satisfied.
Harry was adorable - really, I have no other adjective to qualify him - and Olivia was the typical JQ heroine, i.e., sassy, outspoken and a bit eccentric (she liked reading, gasp, newspapers!) Their inner thoughts and witty dialogues - not only with each other but with some secondary characters too - made me laugh out loud more than once, and that's what matters to me when I read a JQ book.
The suspense/thriller near the end was distracting and unnecessary, IMHO, and I admit skimmed through it. I mean, Harry and Olivia had already said their ILY and all JQ had left to do was to show the reader how Harry was going to propose - since he had made such a big deal out of it - so I couldn't care less about the last-minute added drama. Thankfully, that was quickly over and the story got back on track with Harry's charming marriage proposal, which made me close the book with a silly smile on my face.
All things considered, I really enjoyed this read. It wasn't enough to get JQ back to my auto-buy-authors list, but at least she's no longer on my authors-to-avoid list.
Harry was adorable - really, I have no other adjective to qualify him - and Olivia was the typical JQ heroine, i.e., sassy, outspoken and a bit eccentric (she liked reading, gasp, newspapers!) Their inner thoughts and witty dialogues - not only with each other but with some secondary characters too - made me laugh out loud more than once, and that's what matters to me when I read a JQ book.
The suspense/thriller near the end was distracting and unnecessary, IMHO, and I admit skimmed through it. I mean, Harry and Olivia had already said their ILY and all JQ had left to do was to show the reader how Harry was going to propose - since he had made such a big deal out of it - so I couldn't care less about the last-minute added drama. Thankfully, that was quickly over and the story got back on track with Harry's charming marriage proposal, which made me close the book with a silly smile on my face.
All things considered, I really enjoyed this read. It wasn't enough to get JQ back to my auto-buy-authors list, but at least she's no longer on my authors-to-avoid list.
October 11, 2009
SUPER fluffy. Even for a Quinn. But in a cotton candy delicious kind of way. Very much a comedy first, and romance second. The end has some ridiculous contrived issues to overcome (ransom, I don't even know who you are!) that were completely unnecessary.
Neither the title, nor the cover fits the book very well, which is frustrating, as I could imagine some fantastic replacements:
- The Benefits of Conversing Through Windows
By Lady Olivia Bevelstoke, Avid Window Fan
- How to Throw in Possibly Deep/Meaningful Story (such as a drunk dad, bro) with No Real Point at All
- To Provoke, then Befriend a Russian Prince
- Everyone Can Be a Spy!
- Funny Hats Can Be Chick Magnets
- Don't Bother to Read the First Book in the Series-I'm Much Better and Can Stand Alone!
- Spying on Neighbors is Intriguing and Sexy
(only if it's done by a gorgeous blond, otherwise, call the constable!)
- Lurid Gothic Novels: Do Men Secretly Love Them? Do They? Do They?
As for the cover it should involve windows and the book Miss Butterworth. Also, THE HAT SHOULD BE PICTURED.
I cannot believe I got this at the local bookstore for a dollar. Whoever was pricing that day must have been on crack.
Neither the title, nor the cover fits the book very well, which is frustrating, as I could imagine some fantastic replacements:
- The Benefits of Conversing Through Windows
By Lady Olivia Bevelstoke, Avid Window Fan
- How to Throw in Possibly Deep/Meaningful Story (such as a drunk dad, bro) with No Real Point at All
- To Provoke, then Befriend a Russian Prince
- Everyone Can Be a Spy!
- Funny Hats Can Be Chick Magnets
- Don't Bother to Read the First Book in the Series-I'm Much Better and Can Stand Alone!
- Spying on Neighbors is Intriguing and Sexy
(only if it's done by a gorgeous blond, otherwise, call the constable!)
- Lurid Gothic Novels: Do Men Secretly Love Them? Do They? Do They?
As for the cover it should involve windows and the book Miss Butterworth. Also, THE HAT SHOULD BE PICTURED.
I cannot believe I got this at the local bookstore for a dollar. Whoever was pricing that day must have been on crack.
December 29, 2020
I had my doubts about this one in the beginning because I thought it would be cuter but it ran a bit slow. I really liked how they're so silly with each other and I like him being super serious all the time. However, I wish we explored more about the fact that he worked for the war office and Olivia had no idea of his past and that he's basically a stealth agent. Anyways, I laughed. It was sweet when he realized he needed her in his life. I also felt sad that he had an alcoholic father but that wasn't too deeply explored too.
April 3, 2023
The first half of this book was very boring to me and I didn’t care for any of the side stuff that was happening that didn’t involve the couple interacting… and even around halfway through when we started getting more moments with them together and the romance aspect started to build itself up, I still found myself skimming a lot.
The romance in itself was cute enough, but it took a while for it to really start going somewhere… and once it did, it jumped too quickly into lust and love for my personal taste — and while I usually love a good slow burn and don’t mind waiting for it… the romance vs general plotline didn’t feel well balanced to me throughout the book as a whole.
It was fine enough to read when I didn’t care to be too invested in anything and just wanted to pass a couple of hours… but it’s not something I’m going to think about much in the future.
The romance in itself was cute enough, but it took a while for it to really start going somewhere… and once it did, it jumped too quickly into lust and love for my personal taste — and while I usually love a good slow burn and don’t mind waiting for it… the romance vs general plotline didn’t feel well balanced to me throughout the book as a whole.
It was fine enough to read when I didn’t care to be too invested in anything and just wanted to pass a couple of hours… but it’s not something I’m going to think about much in the future.
November 15, 2018
Severek okuduğum ve çevirdiğim bir kitap oldu :)
Karakterleri, JQ'in esprili anlatımını sevdim. Klasik bir JQ kitabıydı. İçinde bulunduğu seriye uygun, ancak diğer serisini de aratan bazı yanları vardı.
Konu ve çevresel özellikler fazla detaylandırılmadığı için 4 verdim. Yan karakterler, olaylar çoğu kitapta 500 sayfada anlatılır ama temiz anlatılırdı :)
Onun dışında güzeldi. Şimdi bir daha okuyacağım :))) Çünkü malum, son okuma yapılmalı :)
2nd time: Son okuma da yapıldı. Elveda güzel kitap :))
Karakterleri, JQ'in esprili anlatımını sevdim. Klasik bir JQ kitabıydı. İçinde bulunduğu seriye uygun, ancak diğer serisini de aratan bazı yanları vardı.
Konu ve çevresel özellikler fazla detaylandırılmadığı için 4 verdim. Yan karakterler, olaylar çoğu kitapta 500 sayfada anlatılır ama temiz anlatılırdı :)
Onun dışında güzeldi. Şimdi bir daha okuyacağım :))) Çünkü malum, son okuma yapılmalı :)
2nd time: Son okuma da yapıldı. Elveda güzel kitap :))
September 1, 2016
What Happens in London is lacklustre at best, and boring at worst. It's not abhorrent, like Eloisa James' The Duke is Mine, but it's not something that I would recommend for pleasure reading. After going through the entire book, though, I would have to admit that it did have a few entertaining moments, but alas, it had too many flaws against it for it to be considered enjoyable.
For one, I think Ms. Julia Quinn tried too hard to be funny that it backfired. The novel's prologue was agonizing to read; it was extremely long and had too many unnecessary details, which did not affect the story at all. I had to read about how Harry's father was a drunk who puked all over the place (cringe), and how Harry would mop after him for 126 times (yes, he counted--for no reason). This could have passed as an attempt for humour had it not been mentioned in almost every paragraph of the very long prologue. And oh, I had to read about how his grandmother preferred Russian over English; how he grew up in such a household; how his father lost a tooth; how his grandmother eventually died and all other worthless details. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ALL THIS?
So, I just read all that shit about puke for NOTHING? WHAT.
It didn't help that the characters were so... meh. Individually, there was nothing remarkable about Olivia and Harry. But surprisingly, they were entertaining together. I enjoyed some of their lighthearted banters and laughed a bit. But that's all there was, really. There was nothing about them that wheeled me in--nothing to get me invested in their story. While I appreciate how natural their attraction was, I couldn't really care one whit about them. The love scenes were lukewarm, as well. Sigh. The only person who was remotely interesting was Sebastian Grey, Harry's cousin, but even his presence was not enough to get me into the book.
Another thing that bothered me about this book was Ms. Quinn's writing. It was too excessive, too unpolished. I never really had a problem with her writing before, in her previous novels, so I was shocked that reading this somehow reminded me of EL James (cringe again). Well, maybe not as bad as EL James, but I really expected better from her. There were a lot of passages like this:
And, Harry's attempt at romance was so awful I had to facepalm myself:
Anyway, if you're simply an avid Julia Quinn fan who's on a quest to read all her books, then by all means, read this. But if you're like me who wants to actually enjoy reading, then keep moving.
For one, I think Ms. Julia Quinn tried too hard to be funny that it backfired. The novel's prologue was agonizing to read; it was extremely long and had too many unnecessary details, which did not affect the story at all. I had to read about how Harry's father was a drunk who puked all over the place (cringe), and how Harry would mop after him for 126 times (yes, he counted--for no reason). This could have passed as an attempt for humour had it not been mentioned in almost every paragraph of the very long prologue. And oh, I had to read about how his grandmother preferred Russian over English; how he grew up in such a household; how his father lost a tooth; how his grandmother eventually died and all other worthless details. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ALL THIS?
So, I just read all that shit about puke for NOTHING? WHAT.
It didn't help that the characters were so... meh. Individually, there was nothing remarkable about Olivia and Harry. But surprisingly, they were entertaining together. I enjoyed some of their lighthearted banters and laughed a bit. But that's all there was, really. There was nothing about them that wheeled me in--nothing to get me invested in their story. While I appreciate how natural their attraction was, I couldn't really care one whit about them. The love scenes were lukewarm, as well. Sigh. The only person who was remotely interesting was Sebastian Grey, Harry's cousin, but even his presence was not enough to get me into the book.
Another thing that bothered me about this book was Ms. Quinn's writing. It was too excessive, too unpolished. I never really had a problem with her writing before, in her previous novels, so I was shocked that reading this somehow reminded me of EL James (cringe again). Well, maybe not as bad as EL James, but I really expected better from her. There were a lot of passages like this:
“That presupposes that I want him in my sight for the rest of the day,” Olivia said tartly.
“Then you’re stuck with me, I’m afraid.”
She looked at him.
He looked at her.
She opened her mouth to speak.
He smiled.
She started wondering why she was fighting so hard.
“Very well,” she said, finally moving out of the doorway and into the room. “I suppose it can’t hurt.”
And, Harry's attempt at romance was so awful I had to facepalm myself:
“I can’t help it,” he said, his words ticklish against her skin. She could hear the smile in his voice. He sounded happy.
She felt happy. And more.
“You were there,” he said, one of his hands moving down her side, around her back. “You were there, and I had to kiss you, and that’s all there was to it.”
Forget the flowery words of Miss Butterworth’s mad baron. That was the most romantic thing Olivia had ever heard.
“You exist,” he said, his voice deepening with desire. “Ergo, I need you."
No, that was the most romantic thing.
Anyway, if you're simply an avid Julia Quinn fan who's on a quest to read all her books, then by all means, read this. But if you're like me who wants to actually enjoy reading, then keep moving.
March 6, 2019
O carte alertă, cu mult umor. O poveste de dragoste frumoasă, o intrigă alertă. Mi-au plăcut mult Olivia și Harry, două personaje drăguțe, sincere, amuzante; dar și serioși și hotărâți atunci când este cazul.
August 27, 2017
Love-hate relationship. Spies. Cute-funny bantering. Window-staring.
This is a delight. The romance is absolutely adorable with the nonstop cute bantering.
I find both Olivia and Harry to be sensible, sweet, and entertaining. Their romance is gradual and rather smooth-sailing, even with the dislike they had for each other in the beginning. I adore that they share a mutual distaste yet fondness for a silly Gothic novel that they both read together. I also love that they are neighbors who talk to each other through their own windows.
Just lots of cuteness here.
The ending is a bit rushed but still cute.
I would have liked to see more interactions with their family/best friends, but overall, it’s a fun, sweet romance. 4 stars (maybe 3.5)
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
------------
I literally never skip to a second book for a series, even for companion-books type series like this, but #no time for questionable books.
I'm hoping this will be filled with cuteness though.
This is a delight. The romance is absolutely adorable with the nonstop cute bantering.
I find both Olivia and Harry to be sensible, sweet, and entertaining. Their romance is gradual and rather smooth-sailing, even with the dislike they had for each other in the beginning. I adore that they share a mutual distaste yet fondness for a silly Gothic novel that they both read together. I also love that they are neighbors who talk to each other through their own windows.
Just lots of cuteness here.
The ending is a bit rushed but still cute.
I would have liked to see more interactions with their family/best friends, but overall, it’s a fun, sweet romance. 4 stars (maybe 3.5)
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
------------
I literally never skip to a second book for a series, even for companion-books type series like this, but #no time for questionable books.
I'm hoping this will be filled with cuteness though.
August 4, 2018
3.5 stars. I thought I'd try a Julia Quinn, even though I usually prefer a more serious tone in my HRs than the light and fluffy style I was expecting from Ms Quinn. My first book by her.
It started off promisingly. Ms Quinn can obviously write well, and I was liking the banter and interplay between the MCs. I quite liked the light and humorous tone too, even though it's not my usual. 4 stars, for the first two thirds of the book.
But then the last third of the book went downhill somehow. There was the slightly silly which didn't seem necessary to me, and didn't really fit in with the rest of the book. It just seemed to come from nowhere. There also seemed to be way too much slightly tedious detail about Olivia I got a bit sick of it and was almost starting to roll my eyes and skim.
The ending all seemed a bit rushed and unsatisfactory after that, which was a shame seeing as I thought the book started out quite well. So the last third knocked my rating down. I will still try the Bridgertons some time though, as everyone seems to think that's the best of Ms Quinn.
It started off promisingly. Ms Quinn can obviously write well, and I was liking the banter and interplay between the MCs. I quite liked the light and humorous tone too, even though it's not my usual. 4 stars, for the first two thirds of the book.
But then the last third of the book went downhill somehow. There was the slightly silly which didn't seem necessary to me, and didn't really fit in with the rest of the book. It just seemed to come from nowhere. There also seemed to be way too much slightly tedious detail about Olivia I got a bit sick of it and was almost starting to roll my eyes and skim.
The ending all seemed a bit rushed and unsatisfactory after that, which was a shame seeing as I thought the book started out quite well. So the last third knocked my rating down. I will still try the Bridgertons some time though, as everyone seems to think that's the best of Ms Quinn.
March 24, 2019
Şahaneydi, ne kadar özlemişim JQ okumayı fark ettim. Bu serinin ilk kitabını yüz yıl kadar önce okumuş olsam da çok sevdiğimden hiç unutmadım, azıcık Nigel ve Miranda görürüz dedim ama yanıldım. Yine de Olivia ve Harry’nin hikayesi de inanılmaz tatlıydı. Sırada Sebastian var, aslında Olivia’nın ikizinin kitabıdır dedim ama o da tutmadı, onu da okuma listeme aldım.
August 19, 2022
3,75⭐️
Me he divertido mucho con este enemies to lovers. Los diálogos entre los dos protagonistas estaban llenos de sarcasmo y pullas, por lo que se hacía muy divertido.
Me he divertido mucho con este enemies to lovers. Los diálogos entre los dos protagonistas estaban llenos de sarcasmo y pullas, por lo que se hacía muy divertido.
May 8, 2024
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
Cómo he disfrutado de este segundo libro de los Bevelstoke. Tiene todo lo que más me gusta de Julia Quinn: el humor (he vuelto a reírme como hacía tiempo que no me pasaba con sus libros), los sentimientos, La señorita Butterworth y el barón loco y hasta la velada musical de rigor en casa de las Smythe-Smith.
Por otro lado, este libro es la prueba de que Julia Quinn puede darnos historias de época con intereses románticos maravillosos y totalmente desprovistos de la toxicidad y el machismo de la época. Ojalá lo hiciera siempre.
Me ha hecho gracia que él sea traductor, porque no he leído ningún libro protagonizado por alguien que se dedique a lo mismo que yo y cuesta de creer que la primera vez haya sido en un romance histórico. Que no es que se hable demasiado del tema, pero igualmente ha sido un detalle que me ha hecho gracias.
Cómo he disfrutado de este segundo libro de los Bevelstoke. Tiene todo lo que más me gusta de Julia Quinn: el humor (he vuelto a reírme como hacía tiempo que no me pasaba con sus libros), los sentimientos, La señorita Butterworth y el barón loco y hasta la velada musical de rigor en casa de las Smythe-Smith.
Por otro lado, este libro es la prueba de que Julia Quinn puede darnos historias de época con intereses románticos maravillosos y totalmente desprovistos de la toxicidad y el machismo de la época. Ojalá lo hiciera siempre.
Me ha hecho gracia que él sea traductor, porque no he leído ningún libro protagonizado por alguien que se dedique a lo mismo que yo y cuesta de creer que la primera vez haya sido en un romance histórico. Que no es que se hable demasiado del tema, pero igualmente ha sido un detalle que me ha hecho gracias.
November 8, 2025
Leí Secretos en Londres con la idea de encontrar una historia ligera, divertida y con ese toque romántico tan característico de Julia Quinn. Y en general, siento que el libro cumplió con esas expectativas, aunque sin llegar a convertirse en uno de mis favoritos de la autora.
La premisa me pareció muy entretenida: Olivia Bevelstoke cree que su nuevo vecino, Harry, podría ser un asesino (gracias a los rumores del barrio). A partir de ahí, comienza a observarlo por la ventana… para terminar envuelta en una historia de coqueteos, tensión y malentendidos que tienen mucho encanto. Es un inicio que te atrapa con humor y un aire casi de comedia romántica clásica.
Harry y Olivia son personajes que funcionan bien juntos. Ella es ingeniosa y con un toque de picardía, y él, aunque más reservado, tiene una ironía sutil que me hizo sonreír varias veces. Sus diálogos son probablemente lo mejor de la novela —la química se construye con calma, sin forzar nada. Sin embargo, sí sentí que el ritmo no siempre era constante. Hubo momentos en los que la historia se alargaba más de lo necesario, especialmente en la mitad del libro, donde el conflicto principal parecía estancarse.
En general destaco precisamente ese equilibrio entre humor y romance, pero también creo que la trama no es tan intensa o memorable en comparación con otras novelas de la autora. Personalmente, disfruté la lectura, me sacó sonrisas y fue agradable acompañar a Olivia y Harry, pero no me dejó una huella profunda.
En resumen, Secretos en Londres es una novela romántica dulce, ligera y encantadora en varios aspectos, aunque no llega a brillar tanto como otras obras de Quinn. Mi experiencia fue positiva, un libro que disfruté sin llegar a enamorarme completamente de él.
Mi calificación: 7.75/10 — atractivo, divertido y cómodo de leer, pero no imprescindible.
La premisa me pareció muy entretenida: Olivia Bevelstoke cree que su nuevo vecino, Harry, podría ser un asesino (gracias a los rumores del barrio). A partir de ahí, comienza a observarlo por la ventana… para terminar envuelta en una historia de coqueteos, tensión y malentendidos que tienen mucho encanto. Es un inicio que te atrapa con humor y un aire casi de comedia romántica clásica.
Harry y Olivia son personajes que funcionan bien juntos. Ella es ingeniosa y con un toque de picardía, y él, aunque más reservado, tiene una ironía sutil que me hizo sonreír varias veces. Sus diálogos son probablemente lo mejor de la novela —la química se construye con calma, sin forzar nada. Sin embargo, sí sentí que el ritmo no siempre era constante. Hubo momentos en los que la historia se alargaba más de lo necesario, especialmente en la mitad del libro, donde el conflicto principal parecía estancarse.
En general destaco precisamente ese equilibrio entre humor y romance, pero también creo que la trama no es tan intensa o memorable en comparación con otras novelas de la autora. Personalmente, disfruté la lectura, me sacó sonrisas y fue agradable acompañar a Olivia y Harry, pero no me dejó una huella profunda.
En resumen, Secretos en Londres es una novela romántica dulce, ligera y encantadora en varios aspectos, aunque no llega a brillar tanto como otras obras de Quinn. Mi experiencia fue positiva, un libro que disfruté sin llegar a enamorarme completamente de él.
Mi calificación: 7.75/10 — atractivo, divertido y cómodo de leer, pero no imprescindible.
April 19, 2019
This is second in a series and Olivia features prominently in the first. This book doesn't rely on anything established there, though, so you're safe reading this one alone. Frankly, I encourage you to skip that first because the "hero" is such a raging jerk.
This was okay. Olivia is the unspoiled beauty on her third season because her parents aren't in a hurry and neither is she. I liked that she isn't critical or mean or dismissive of those who have courted her, she just doesn't feel like they're right. And I liked her self-knowledge, like knowing that she isn't terribly graceful and being okay with that and even being a little impatient with those who ascribe grace to her just because she's pretty.
Harry is okay as her match, though his background is overdone and his working for the War Office was silly. Indeed, the whole spy-guy plotline was an unwelcome intrusion as everything associated with it was half-baked when not outright stupid. The Russian prince, for example, has serious tone issues where we go from statements of crude intent when he thinks he isn't understood and a creepily insistent demand for kissing to enthusiastic gothic story connoisseur played for yuks. This culminates in the last bits where we have a couple of chapters of high melodrama that comes literally out of nowhere and includes deeply unlikely actions and actors.
Given all that, this is a 2½ stars that I'll round to 3 because Olivia was lovely and Harry a good match for her. So at least the romance works.
A note about Steamy: There's a deeply unlikely explicit sex scene that puts this on the low end of my steam tolerance. It felt rather tacked-on, frankly, and made zero sense in both time and place.
This was okay. Olivia is the unspoiled beauty on her third season because her parents aren't in a hurry and neither is she. I liked that she isn't critical or mean or dismissive of those who have courted her, she just doesn't feel like they're right. And I liked her self-knowledge, like knowing that she isn't terribly graceful and being okay with that and even being a little impatient with those who ascribe grace to her just because she's pretty.
Harry is okay as her match, though his background is overdone and his working for the War Office was silly. Indeed, the whole spy-guy plotline was an unwelcome intrusion as everything associated with it was half-baked when not outright stupid. The Russian prince, for example, has serious tone issues where we go from statements of crude intent when he thinks he isn't understood and a creepily insistent demand for kissing to enthusiastic gothic story connoisseur played for yuks. This culminates in the last bits where we have a couple of chapters of high melodrama that comes literally out of nowhere and includes deeply unlikely actions and actors.
Given all that, this is a 2½ stars that I'll round to 3 because Olivia was lovely and Harry a good match for her. So at least the romance works.
A note about Steamy: There's a deeply unlikely explicit sex scene that puts this on the low end of my steam tolerance. It felt rather tacked-on, frankly, and made zero sense in both time and place.
February 20, 2021
Y'all, I've been in a reading slump. A terribly, horrendously awful reading slump. I've been working 14-16 hours a day, I haven't been sleeping, and I've been subsisting on chocolate-covered almonds (do yourself a favor and INVEST IN THEM). Nothing can really keep my attention.
So what do we do when we're in a reading slump? We pull out an emergency Julia Quinn book and inhale it in a single sitting, my friends!!!!!!
What Happens in London was cute, improbable, full of random side plots, and overflowing with funny banter, and it's just what I needed tonight. Bless Julia for her contribution this evening. There were so many different things that happened in here that I couldn't keep track of and I don't even care. We love to see it!
Content warning: Alcoholism, kidnapping
So what do we do when we're in a reading slump? We pull out an emergency Julia Quinn book and inhale it in a single sitting, my friends!!!!!!
What Happens in London was cute, improbable, full of random side plots, and overflowing with funny banter, and it's just what I needed tonight. Bless Julia for her contribution this evening. There were so many different things that happened in here that I couldn't keep track of and I don't even care. We love to see it!
Content warning: Alcoholism, kidnapping
June 30, 2009
What Happens in London by Julia Quinn is one of the few books I have read this year that made me smile from beginning to end. I am in absolute love with What Happens in London. This is the type of book you will hold close to your chest and give it a big hug because it has brought forth such pleasure. I can say that this may be one of best books Julia has ever written. For the longest time her 1997 historical romance, Everything and the Moon held that honor.
Why do I have such happiness for What Happens in London? Could it be I was enthralled from the very first page to the very last? Or perhaps this is the only book I can think of where I want to list line after line, scene after scene here because they are just too good not to mention? It takes amazing skill from an author to write such a book where a particular scene or a piece of dialogue shines in such a way that it cannot be compared to any other. Julia has done this with What Happens in London. Feeling out of sorts or need a good laugh? BUY THIS BOOK!
Sir Harry Valentine is the son of a drunk. Growing up, he watched his father stumble around and vomit more times than he could count. Harry was always there to clean up after him. He also had a Russian grandmother who hated the English language. So what if she married into an English family? That is not the point. Because she refused to speak English, Harry became fluent in Russian and other languages. Harry loved to learn and read. That was his way of escaping his boyhood traumas of a father who was an embarrassment and a mother who was indifferent. By the time Harry was a young man of nineteen, he joined the army even though he wanted to go off to college.
Luckily Harry survived into adulthood and found “dull” work, as he thinks of it, with the War Office as a translator. Harry works out of his office in his new home. Harry is being spied upon. Not by enemies of England or someone he may have insulted, or some secret group that the lords of the ton join in order to fight crime. Harry is being watched by his next door neighbor, Lady Olivia Bevelstoke. Harry wants his peace and it irks him that some English miss keeps watching him from her home. Soon he is sick of it and will confront her.
Olivia finds her new neighbor to be very odd. There are rumors that Harry Valentine killed his first wife, even though no one knows if he was married to begin with. Or perhaps it was a fiancé? All Olivia knows as she watches him from one of the windows of her home is that Harry works almost ten hours a day, sitting at his desk writing. He also wears dark clothes and strange hats. (Harry wore the strange hat because he knew Olivia was watching him) It is something a gentleman does not do! Olivia must figure out who this Harry is and why.
Harry and Olivia finally meet at the legendary Smythe-Smith musicale. And if you have read Julia’s past books, you know very well about the Smyth-Smith reputation. It is pretty much a running gag in most of her books. They both come to the conclusion they dislike each other and are so proud they were able to expression their mutual dislike. But this does not end things between them. Circumstances that they are allow Harry and Olivia to come in contact time and again and from there a wonderful relationship forms between the two. Harry at first is forced to keep an eye on Olivia because the Russian Prince Alexei Ivanovich Gomarovsky has taken a liking to Olivia. The War Office believes that Alexei may sympathize with the defeated Napoleon. Because Harry has such a command of the Russian language he will make sure that the prince is on the up and up.
Harry goes out of his way to let bygone be bygones with Olivia. He is already attracted to her in ways he cannot explain. Olivia is not afraid to speak her mind and admit things to Harry such as she likes to read the newspaper and enjoys talking about current events. Harry has no complaints and because Olivia is a smart young woman, his mission, if you can call it that, is one Harry is now so happy to take on. He and Olivia become friends. She asks him questions and he responds honestly, even though he keeps his knowledge of the Russian language a secret. These two share ideas. They talk. They communicate, and from that these two friends grow into bosom buddies. Harry doesn’t want Olivia around the prince or become too close with him because Harry wants her all to himself. And when Harry figures out he is in love with Olivia, it is a wonderous thing.
The explanation of why Harry has fallen hard for Olivia is beautiful. “He was going to marry her. It was that simple.” And why? It all comes down to the way she affects him from her beauty, because she read newspapers instead of novels that he prefers, to her razor-sharp, and most importantly her, “look of horrified befuddlement when he bested her.” Again the pro that Julia is explains everything to perfection.
What Happens in London is a quintessential love story that has so much more to recommend. This is a bit of a historical screwball comedy because of the way the characters act and think. Olivia has a habit of making lists in her head that will bring forth even more laughs. One such scene that had me in stitches was where Harry is at that musicale and he is annoyed that he finds Olivia so attractive. His reaction is priceless:
“And now he was officially disgusted with himself. He knew he shouldn’t have read that book of poetry before he gone out for the evening. And in French too. Damn language always made him randy.” Harry gets horny from reading French poetry!!
.
Another such scene that had me holding my stomach because I was laughing so hard was when the Russian prince, Olivia and Harry are all in a room together. Harry is annoyed because the prince is one smooth fellow. Olivia wants prince Alexei to speak Russian to her because she is not familiar with the language. The beautiful words sprung from Alexei’s mouth anger Harry in so many ways:
“Say something more, “she urged. I can’t really hear the rhythm of the language from single- syllable words.”
“Very well,” the prince said. “Let me see…”
They waited patiently while he thought of something to say. After a few moments he spoke.
And Harry decided that he had never hated another human being as much as he hated Prince Alexei Gomarovsky of Russia.
What did you say?” Olivia asked with an expectant smile.
“Only that you are most beautiful than the oceans, sky and fog.”
Or, depending on the translation, I’m going to pump you until you scream.
I wish I could go on and on why What Happens in London had such an effect to this reader. Chapter after chapter is filled with such charm. The romance shines because of the engaging Harry and Olivia. Harry especially because of his endearing qualities and ability to love and allow this love to consume him in such a way he wants to spread it to all he comes in contact with.
And I failed to mention how Harry’s cousin Sebastian acts out a horrendous gothic novel to the delight of Olivia, Alexei, his bodyguard, and even the servants. Again another laugh out loud, not to be missed scene.
Delightful and amusing are only a few words to describe What Happens in London.
Why do I have such happiness for What Happens in London? Could it be I was enthralled from the very first page to the very last? Or perhaps this is the only book I can think of where I want to list line after line, scene after scene here because they are just too good not to mention? It takes amazing skill from an author to write such a book where a particular scene or a piece of dialogue shines in such a way that it cannot be compared to any other. Julia has done this with What Happens in London. Feeling out of sorts or need a good laugh? BUY THIS BOOK!
Sir Harry Valentine is the son of a drunk. Growing up, he watched his father stumble around and vomit more times than he could count. Harry was always there to clean up after him. He also had a Russian grandmother who hated the English language. So what if she married into an English family? That is not the point. Because she refused to speak English, Harry became fluent in Russian and other languages. Harry loved to learn and read. That was his way of escaping his boyhood traumas of a father who was an embarrassment and a mother who was indifferent. By the time Harry was a young man of nineteen, he joined the army even though he wanted to go off to college.
Luckily Harry survived into adulthood and found “dull” work, as he thinks of it, with the War Office as a translator. Harry works out of his office in his new home. Harry is being spied upon. Not by enemies of England or someone he may have insulted, or some secret group that the lords of the ton join in order to fight crime. Harry is being watched by his next door neighbor, Lady Olivia Bevelstoke. Harry wants his peace and it irks him that some English miss keeps watching him from her home. Soon he is sick of it and will confront her.
Olivia finds her new neighbor to be very odd. There are rumors that Harry Valentine killed his first wife, even though no one knows if he was married to begin with. Or perhaps it was a fiancé? All Olivia knows as she watches him from one of the windows of her home is that Harry works almost ten hours a day, sitting at his desk writing. He also wears dark clothes and strange hats. (Harry wore the strange hat because he knew Olivia was watching him) It is something a gentleman does not do! Olivia must figure out who this Harry is and why.
Harry and Olivia finally meet at the legendary Smythe-Smith musicale. And if you have read Julia’s past books, you know very well about the Smyth-Smith reputation. It is pretty much a running gag in most of her books. They both come to the conclusion they dislike each other and are so proud they were able to expression their mutual dislike. But this does not end things between them. Circumstances that they are allow Harry and Olivia to come in contact time and again and from there a wonderful relationship forms between the two. Harry at first is forced to keep an eye on Olivia because the Russian Prince Alexei Ivanovich Gomarovsky has taken a liking to Olivia. The War Office believes that Alexei may sympathize with the defeated Napoleon. Because Harry has such a command of the Russian language he will make sure that the prince is on the up and up.
Harry goes out of his way to let bygone be bygones with Olivia. He is already attracted to her in ways he cannot explain. Olivia is not afraid to speak her mind and admit things to Harry such as she likes to read the newspaper and enjoys talking about current events. Harry has no complaints and because Olivia is a smart young woman, his mission, if you can call it that, is one Harry is now so happy to take on. He and Olivia become friends. She asks him questions and he responds honestly, even though he keeps his knowledge of the Russian language a secret. These two share ideas. They talk. They communicate, and from that these two friends grow into bosom buddies. Harry doesn’t want Olivia around the prince or become too close with him because Harry wants her all to himself. And when Harry figures out he is in love with Olivia, it is a wonderous thing.
The explanation of why Harry has fallen hard for Olivia is beautiful. “He was going to marry her. It was that simple.” And why? It all comes down to the way she affects him from her beauty, because she read newspapers instead of novels that he prefers, to her razor-sharp, and most importantly her, “look of horrified befuddlement when he bested her.” Again the pro that Julia is explains everything to perfection.
What Happens in London is a quintessential love story that has so much more to recommend. This is a bit of a historical screwball comedy because of the way the characters act and think. Olivia has a habit of making lists in her head that will bring forth even more laughs. One such scene that had me in stitches was where Harry is at that musicale and he is annoyed that he finds Olivia so attractive. His reaction is priceless:
“And now he was officially disgusted with himself. He knew he shouldn’t have read that book of poetry before he gone out for the evening. And in French too. Damn language always made him randy.” Harry gets horny from reading French poetry!!
.
Another such scene that had me holding my stomach because I was laughing so hard was when the Russian prince, Olivia and Harry are all in a room together. Harry is annoyed because the prince is one smooth fellow. Olivia wants prince Alexei to speak Russian to her because she is not familiar with the language. The beautiful words sprung from Alexei’s mouth anger Harry in so many ways:
“Say something more, “she urged. I can’t really hear the rhythm of the language from single- syllable words.”
“Very well,” the prince said. “Let me see…”
They waited patiently while he thought of something to say. After a few moments he spoke.
And Harry decided that he had never hated another human being as much as he hated Prince Alexei Gomarovsky of Russia.
What did you say?” Olivia asked with an expectant smile.
“Only that you are most beautiful than the oceans, sky and fog.”
Or, depending on the translation, I’m going to pump you until you scream.
I wish I could go on and on why What Happens in London had such an effect to this reader. Chapter after chapter is filled with such charm. The romance shines because of the engaging Harry and Olivia. Harry especially because of his endearing qualities and ability to love and allow this love to consume him in such a way he wants to spread it to all he comes in contact with.
And I failed to mention how Harry’s cousin Sebastian acts out a horrendous gothic novel to the delight of Olivia, Alexei, his bodyguard, and even the servants. Again another laugh out loud, not to be missed scene.
Delightful and amusing are only a few words to describe What Happens in London.
July 19, 2009
Light-hearted fun with a bare wisp of a sideplot; "What Happens in London" concentrates almost 100% on the humorous story of a hero and heroine who dislike each other at first sight, very much so. But of course, once they spend time together they quickly realize they are perfect for each other.
Olivia is many things: titled, beautiful, intelligent, and curious. And it's her curiosity that first has her spying on her neighbor. She's sure the rumor that he killed his fiance isn't true, but still. She just can't figure out what it is he does all day at his desk...and what's up with the hat?
Sir Harry spotted his spying neighbor right away, but didn't bother to let on. Of course he did try to entertain her with the hat and a few other ludicrous actions. Upon meeting, she seems rather icy and snobby; truly not Harry's type. But the War Dept has asked Harry to keep an eye on a visiting Russian noble and that noble seems to have his eye on Olivia. Harry soon comes to consider Olivia HIS, and once Harry makes up his mind...well, you'll never look at a window quite the same way again.
It seems whenever I paused while reading this book, I had a silly grin on my face. Julia Quinn's stories are so very likeable not just because her characters are human with assets and foibles exactly like us, but also because she knows just how and where to add humor to her stories--from grins to giggles to outright laughter. And I must say the proposal scene in this book is one I've never encountered before!
Quinn's story rolls out with perfect pace and pitch and the light drama added by the Russians is spot on with little danger. I've known quite a few linguists in my time and I must say I never thought an author could make that character-type seem romantic, but Harry is just that. So for fun and a bit of steamy romance, pick up "What Happens in London"--you'll even learn a new word or two!
Olivia is many things: titled, beautiful, intelligent, and curious. And it's her curiosity that first has her spying on her neighbor. She's sure the rumor that he killed his fiance isn't true, but still. She just can't figure out what it is he does all day at his desk...and what's up with the hat?
Sir Harry spotted his spying neighbor right away, but didn't bother to let on. Of course he did try to entertain her with the hat and a few other ludicrous actions. Upon meeting, she seems rather icy and snobby; truly not Harry's type. But the War Dept has asked Harry to keep an eye on a visiting Russian noble and that noble seems to have his eye on Olivia. Harry soon comes to consider Olivia HIS, and once Harry makes up his mind...well, you'll never look at a window quite the same way again.
It seems whenever I paused while reading this book, I had a silly grin on my face. Julia Quinn's stories are so very likeable not just because her characters are human with assets and foibles exactly like us, but also because she knows just how and where to add humor to her stories--from grins to giggles to outright laughter. And I must say the proposal scene in this book is one I've never encountered before!
Quinn's story rolls out with perfect pace and pitch and the light drama added by the Russians is spot on with little danger. I've known quite a few linguists in my time and I must say I never thought an author could make that character-type seem romantic, but Harry is just that. So for fun and a bit of steamy romance, pick up "What Happens in London"--you'll even learn a new word or two!
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