Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

15 reviews

laerkefugl's review against another edition

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4.5

I was really torn between giving this book a 4.5 or 4.75-star rating. It had everything I was hoping for before opening the book. “Love at first sight” and “Being in love despite a class divide”.

It also went into detail about Daniel Smythe-Smith and his flight from the British Isles. Something I was already curious about during the entire first book of this series. Not to mention, Daniel is easily one of the most likable male leads of any Julia Quinn novel I’ve read. His charm and humor genuinely had it’s effect on me. Great guy.

I also quite enjoyed Anne as a character. Her background was interesting and tragic. It kept me engaged in her story and feud with George Chervil. I also, at times, appreciated witnessing her life as a governess to Harriet, Elizabeth, and Frances. It helped separate her a bit from the past she’s been fleeing. It was sweet to read, though I’ll admit that some of these scenes felt a bit repetitive for me. This, in part, kept me from giving it a full 4.75-star rating.

Anne and Daniel as a couple were quite satisfying for me, as well. Daniel’s clear pining for Anne was endearing, while Anne was held back by her past and her role as a governess to his younger cousins. She had to keep her feelings more guarded. Yet, from their first kiss, there was a lingering attraction between them. I especially enjoyed that Daniel fell so quickly for Anne; it reminded me of An Offer From a Gentleman, another Julia Quinn favorite of mine (which I rated 4.75 stars) that also has that “love at first sight” and class divide dynamic. I think that’s just a trope I really enjoy, I’ve learned.

The plot took me through a rollercoaster of ups and downs. On the whole, it was an entertaining read, but a few slow segments did pull me out of the story. And to be a bit nit-picky, I found it a little hard to believe that Daniel and Anne would randomly bump into each other twice in different stores and towns. I know coincidences are a staple of romance novels, yet it still slightly broke the suspension of disbelief for me.

Despite these minor criticisms, A Night Like This is a book I’d definitely recommend. It’s one of my favorites, even if it doesn’t quite reach re-read status like some of my other Julia Quinn favorites.
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lyricallit's review against another edition

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3.5

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johannakheinen's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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smuttymcbookface's review against another edition

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slow-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Normally, I can digest books like this over and over. However, there was just something about Daniel that gave me the ick.

After seeing Anne on stage, he does the only reasonable thing whilst she tries to escape, which is to manhandle her then kiss her. Then, suddenly he's all "consent" and "only if you say yes first". Anne is clear that a relationship with him could ruin her, beyond her already "ruined" life. But Daniel can't see past his own parts.

As if the ickiness of the love wasn't enough, it was also somehow dull? I found myself enjoying the conversations with everyone present more than the ones between Daniel and Anne.

Then, to top it all off, the spiel about
reclaiming her virginity, and him being "The first man she... The first man she..." was poorly executed. I don't mind reclaiming part of yourself, or understanding that your value is more than something that is more concept than reality, but it was done so poorly here.


All-in-all, this was just not for me.
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gemin1reader's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted

3.75

I really think everyone is sleeping on the Smythe-Smith series, they’re such a fun and loving family and there’s a great line-up of supporting characters. I love the little extra peek into the Bridgerton world too. 

This one was maybe a bit insta-love for me, and I really hate the ‘I must kiss this random woman I’ve never met without any indication she’s interested’ behaviour. But beyond that it was really sweet, funny with a bit of drama and adventure/danger thrown in too. 

I really liked Anne as a heroine, very pragmatic and endearing. 
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not_asha01's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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haley49's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I loved this Cinderella-esque story with its humor, ensamblé cast, and character depth—plus lots of cheesy cuteness. 

However, there were a few moments where it felt uncomfortable that he didn’t understand that he shouldn’t hit on his aunt’s employee and it felt a bit too imbalanced. They did rectify that with lots of consent but still…idk how he knew she was interested without a little audacity on his part. 
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itsgnat's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? No

2.0

I really didn't like this story.  There's no chemistry between the characters and it all feels forced. 
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littlewishling's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I didn't love this book. It starts off with a kiss where the consent is not all there so that soured me for the rest of the book.
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embla_v's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

4.0

Andra delen i Smythe-Smith-kvartetten, en serie av Julia Quinn. En bok full av spänning, dramatik och mycket kärlek. 

Huvudkaraktärerna är Daniel, greven som varit på flykt de senaste tre åren efter en olycklig natt och en ännu olyckligare morgon. Den andra huvudkaraktären är Anne som jobbar som guvernant till Daniels tre kusiner och har ett mystiskt förflutet. 

Som sagt en otrolig dramatisk och spännande bok med mycket kärlek. Rekommenderar till alla Brigerton-älskare eller om man vill ha en underhållande bok med historisk romans. 
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