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Book CoverBirdie’s review of Ten Things I Love About You by Julia Quinn
Historical Romance published by Avon 25 May 10
Original Review posted 22 Jun 10

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 her newer books.

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 two days (two because I do have to go to work and I can’t read there). The first fifty 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 feel about the book.

Because I have to, THREE THINGS I DID NOT LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK

  1. 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)
  2. I kept waiting for Sebastian to lose control and when he did, it was just “eh” for me
  3. Lord Newbury’s motivation was clearly lacking

TEN THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK

  1. Sebastian made me smile on every page
  2. Annabel’s “plain speaking”
  3. Louisa – please tell me she gets her own story!
  4. Lady Vickers – oh she comes through, don’t you worry!
  5. The lists of tens which usually turned out to be more or less than ten
  6. The scene in Lady Olivia’s drawing room
  7. Some plot points were tired plot points but the author gave them a good twist
  8. There was no big misunderstanding
  9. 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

  1. Sebastian Gray is a devilishly handsome rogue with a secret.
  2. Annabel Winslow’s family voted her The Winslow Most Likely to Speak Her Mind AND The Winslow Most Likely to Fall Asleep in Church
  3. Sebastian’s uncle is the Earl of Newbury, and if he dies without siring an heir, Sebastian inherits everything.
  4. Lord Newbury detest Sebastian and will stop at nothing to prevent this from happening
  5. Lord Newbury has decided that Annabel is the answer to all his problems.
  6. Annabel does not want to marry Lord Newbury, especially when she finds out he once romanced her grandmother.
  7. 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)