You know that feeling of satisfaction, when you can't help but sigh with contentment. You have a little grin on your face and all is well with the world. Well, this is how I felt returning to one of my favourite authors, Julia Quinn. She has a knack for making her characters so likable and so very enjoyable. It's effortless. That is true talent. I am laughing frequently as I read, making passersby stare and question my sanity. I first enjoyed Ms. Quinn's tales in the Bridgerton series, gobbling them up like literary candy. It was with joy and a tiny bit of trepidation that I picked up the first book in her newly released series "Just Like Heaven". I wasn't sure if I would like the heroine she chose, one of the Smythe-Smith characters from the Bridgerton series. Boy was I wrong. Honoria Smythe-Smith is wonderful. She is an endearing young woman whose looks aren't overwhelming but whose sense of humour and honest love of family is heartwarming. Our hero, Marcus, also known as Lord Chatteris, isn't a rogue. He isn't even overly attractive! Gasp! He is your every day gentleman! A man with morals, a man who does the right thing. A dependable man. A man who longed for a family to love and for a family to love him. What's even better is the fact that this story is based upon two characters who have known each other for fifteen years. Yes, Marcus has known Honoria since she was six years old. Daniel, Honoria's brother, is Marcus' best friend. Hence Marcus' presence at the Smythe-Smith's home for many holidays, birthdays and special occasions. He was always there. Always the quiet, dependable Marcus. Honoria knew him like the back of her own hand. Marcus knew every quirk of Honoria's personality. Suddenly, each discovers they hold deeper feelings for the other, a realization that knocks them off their feet. I cheered for Lord Chatteris and his quest for a sense of belonging. I loved how his feelings began to take charge, overwhelming him in their urgency.
“He’d spent his life being a perfect gentleman. He’d never been a flirt. He’d never been a rogue. He hated being the center of attention, but by God, he wanted to be the center of her attention. He wanted to do the wrong thing, the bad thing. He wanted to pull her into his arms and carry her to her bed. He wanted to peel every last inch of her clothing from her body, and then he wanted to worship her. He wanted to show her all the things he wasn’t sure he knew how to say.”
This is a sweet love story that will make you smile. Yes, there are scenes that will make you laugh out loud. Yes, you will delight in the wonderful characters. Yes, you will want to fall in love all over again. Sigh.....I am feeling content again.
You know that feeling of satisfaction, when you can't help but sigh with contentment. You have a little grin on your face and all is well with the world. Well, this is how I felt returning to one of my favourite authors, Julia Quinn. She has a knack for making her characters so likable and so very enjoyable. It's effortless. That is true talent. I am laughing frequently as I read, making passersby stare and question my sanity. I first enjoyed Ms. Quinn's tales in the Bridgerton series, gobbling them up like literary candy. It was with joy and a tiny bit of trepidation that I picked up the first book in her newly released series "Just Like Heaven". I wasn't sure if I would like the heroine she chose, one of the Smythe-Smith characters from the Bridgerton series. Boy was I wrong. Honoria Smythe-Smith is wonderful. She is an endearing young woman whose looks aren't overwhelming but whose sense of humour and honest love of family is heartwarming. Our hero, Marcus, also known as Lord Chatteris, isn't a rogue. He isn't even overly attractive! Gasp! He is your every day gentleman! A man with morals, a man who does the right thing. A dependable man. A man who longed for a family to love and for a family to love him. What's even better is the fact that this story is based upon two characters who have known each other for fifteen years. Yes, Marcus has known Honoria since she was six years old. Daniel, Honoria's brother, is Marcus' best friend. Hence Marcus' presence at the Smythe-Smith's home for many holidays, birthdays and special occasions. He was always there. Always the quiet, dependable Marcus. Honoria knew him like the back of her own hand. Marcus knew every quirk of Honoria's personality. Suddenly, each discovers they hold deeper feelings for the other, a realization that knocks them off their feet. I cheered for Lord Chatteris and his quest for a sense of belonging. I loved how his feelings began to take charge, overwhelming him in their urgency.
