- Mass Market Paperback: 396 pages
- Publisher: Avon Books; Reissue edition (28 Nov 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0380780747
- ISBN-13: 978-0380780747
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 558,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Splendid: Blydon Series, Book 1
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"You realize, of course, that there will be hell to pay if my mother catches us." Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
"You realize, of course, that there will be hell to pay if my mother catches us." Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
All the hallmarks of future greatness,
By
This review is from: Splendid (Mass Market Paperback)
Alex Ridgely, Duke of Ashbourne, long ago learned just what it was woman saw when they looked at him: his fortune and his title. Oh, and that he was young and eligible. His looks helped, but in the scheme of things they weren't that important. When it came to his character, well, that was irrelevent.
That was until the day a serving maid threw herself in front of a carriage to save his nephew. When the maid turns out to be more than he expected, Alex faces the prospect that his beliefs might just be wrong. But Alex is stubborn, very stubborn and he's never wrong. He's almost as stubborn as Emma Dunster, sent to London for the season, when she'd much rather be back at home in Boston, learning to take over her father's business. Whether she likes it or not, however, no company could thrive with a woman at the helm, no matter how capable she is. It just isn't done. But although Emma might have agreed to a season with her aunt and cousins in England, that doesn't mean she has to like it. Nor that she's relinquished her dream. Until she finds herself unconscious in the Duke of Ashbourne's carriage, dressed as a serving maid. 'Splendid' is a light-hearted, thoroughly enjoyable romp, full of the wit that characterises all of Julia Quinn's novels. However, it is clear that this is a first novel, with the occasional slips into modern language. Alex himself is the typical rakish duke, too rich, good-looking and arrogant for his own good. Similarly, Emma is a head-strong, beautiful outsider, but JQ writes their encounters with enough reluctant romance and amusing flare for all to be forgiven. Besides, the supporting cast of secondary characters (Belle, Dunford, Ned etc) prevent 'Splendid' from ever becoming too boring or predictable. True, it lacks the smoothness of characterisation and frequent laugh-out-loud moments to be found in later JQ novels, but it's a book to be read with a smile on your face - one that stays even after the last page. If you're new to Julia Quinn, I recommend starting with the Bridgertons (The Duke and I), but once you're done with them, come back to this - it's worth it.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid read!,
By Woody Starr "romance addict" (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Splendid: The Blydon Family Saga Series: Book 1 (Paperback)
Julia Quinn is excellent at writing light romantic comedies and this book is no exception. I truly loved the characters in this book for Emma and Alex are perfect together and have a wonderful chemistry. Julia also weaves a great deal of excellent comedy into the plot and this keeps you entralled throughout. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to read a light historic romaintic comedy to lighten your mood or to relax you after a busy day!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really quite - well - splendid!,
By
This review is from: Splendid: The Blydon Family Saga Series: Book 1 (Paperback)
Splendid was Julia Quinn's first published novel, and in her brief introduction she does say herself that she thinks Splendid isn't as 'polished' as her more recent works, but she still has a special fondness for her first work, and who can blame her?
Like a lot of writers in this genre, especially American writers, there are some anachronisms and Americanisms that do slip into the text. I can more readily forgive this in Quinn's books as there is a great sense of humour and fun about them and the characters really come to life from the page. I still think the Bridgerton series is her best, but still, this is not to be sniffed at! Enjoy!
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