Splendid (Avon Historical Romance)

I read the author's note that this was her first effort at a book and felt it needed polished or something. She is too modest. I loved this book and will re read it again right away. I would not have known it was her first book had I not read the note. The story is delightful and the characters engaging. The author does not get caught in the quagmire of tension but allows the story to move forward. I highly recommend this book and am off to get more by this author!

This is the first Julia Quinn book I have read and I see it was also her first. It reads like the work of a beginner - underdeveloped characters and a mish mash plot with no one acting in character. I had trouble getting through it and it will certainly go on the donation heap. However Ms Quinn has had so much success that I will try another and see if she has developed - most do.

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!

As a longtime reader of romances, I rarely find a book which I think has a good balance of elements. This one does. The hero is in no way confused or fainthearted. He meets Emma when she is dressed as a maid and is intrigued by her, so he appears at the ball to introduce the "maid" to London society! From that point on, he is focused on the goal: make Emma his wife!Emma is also a strong character and not a prissy miss. She is an independent American who has had experience in helping her father run his shipping business. She doesn't wait to be rescued, but comes to the aid of her cousins when they are in need. This book is charming. It gives a wonderful picture of the times, the restrictions of society (which the hero uses to his advantage!) and most of all, humor. Life without humor is flavorless. Ms. Quinn has succeeded in showing the caring between the hero and heroine, the strong attraction they share and with humor mixed in in just the right time and proportion.Get this book! You will read it again and again. It will bring a smile to your face and sunlight to your heart.

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!

Julia Quinn's two books, Splendid and Dancing at Midnight are going to be republished.

This book is a must have. Not only is the herione Emma fiesty and headstrong, she is beautiful and knows how to handle an arrogant but sexy duke! The dialogue is amazing and the story never lets you go for a second. The first in a series of books about this family. A definite win!