Birdie’s review of Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
Historical Romance published by Avon 25 May 10
SIDE NOTE: I’m a JQ fan. Just getting that out there before I start the review. But if I say that I am a JQ fan, I also have to say that as of late I have found myself less than satisfied with the newer books. END SIDE NOTE.
Ten Things I Love About You stared out slow for me. And by slow, I mean it took me three weeks to read it instead of the usual 2 days (2 because I do have to go to work and I can’t read there). The first 50 pages sloughed along and then, suddenly, as if by magic, the story took off and I tore through the pages with my usual glee. I’m going to take a page from Sebastian and Annabel and use lists to describe how I felt about the book.
Because I have to, THREE THINGS I DID NOT LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK
- One time, at the very beginning, Annabel fell for a very stupid trick and I couldn’t quite get over that (although she redeemed herself nicely)
- I kept waiting for Sebastian to lose control and when he did, it was just “eh” for me
- Lord Newbury’s motivation was clearly lacking
TEN THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK
- Sebastian made me smile on every page
- Annabel’s “plain speaking”
- Louisa – please tell me she gets her own story!
- Lady Vickers – oh she comes through, don’t you worry!
- The lists of tens which usually turned out to be more or less than ten
- The scene in Lady Olivia’s drawing room
- Some plot points were tired plot points but the author gave them a good twist
- There was no big misunderstanding
- Turkeys and Rocks
10. Sebastian (‘nuff said – he’s adorable) (and yeah, I know he made the list twice, but he deserves it!)
Overall, Ten Things I Love About You did not disappoint. Sure the start was a little rocky, but once the plot hit a stride, it never slowed down.
Grade: B
Summary:
Ten Things You Should Know About This Book
- Sebastian Gray is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
- Annabel Winslow’s family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind AND The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church
- Sebastian’s uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
- Lord Newbury detest Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening
- Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all his problems.
- Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
- Is shocking, 8 is delicious, and 9 is downright wicked, all of which lead to
10. Happily. Ever. After.
Read an excerpt. (scroll way down)
I loved this book! Sebastian was definitely the star. He was so funny, and I adored him. And Annabel was such a great match for him in every way.
Heh, Lady Vickers was oh so awful, but oh so funny. She definitely pulled through at the end. The scene in her drawing room (and towards the end with Newbury) was hilarious :D.
I do hope that Louisa gets her own book also. If she does, I wonder if the hero will be Sebs’ cousin, Edward.
I enjoyed this book. Not a DIK, but very entertaining and really, how could JQ ever be bad?
I liked it, agree not a DIK. Loved Sebastian, he was definitely the star – him I give a DIK, lol.
Hi Birdie! I read your intro and… :X am not reading the rest because I’m not huge on reviews. (Shh … but Sybs knows. So it’s ok) – Sad! I’ve had this book but have been in a slump, but AGREE on the JQ trend, sadly. I really liked The Lost Duke of Wyndham but not Mr. Cavendish, I Presume – though Liv did 😛 And couldn’t get into the spy one either… which makes me SAD because I really enjoyed The Secret Diaries – but a B grade it still pretty good, so I won’t take it out of my pile 🙂