There is absolutely nothing like a Julia Quinn novel to get me through a reading rut. I can literally pick up any Julia Quinn and be transported by the charming story, romance, and witty dialogue. I adore her Bridgerton books and the Rokesby books are a prequel to the main Bridgerton series. I read Because of Miss Bridgerton earlier in the spring, and I quickly ordered the other books in this series.
I actually meant to read this book while I was in Arizona but I forgot it at home and yes I could have downloaded it to my iPad but I already had a copy at home so I decided to wait until I got home to read it. I was sort of stuck in a reading rut and just not feeling excited about reading any of the books I had planned on for late summer/early fall.
But as I said, Quinn’s books always seem to pull me out of that rut. Her stories are always top shelf—-I describe all of her book as Jane Austen with sex—tasteful sex. Her novels can easily be read out of order and I always seem to find that after I read one Julia Quinn book, I immediately want ALL of the Julia Quinn books in said series so thankfully I was prepared because after reading this one, I had the other two queued up and ready to go!
Summary
While you were sleeping…
With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie…
I told everyone I was your wife
When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbor back in England.
If only it were true…
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
I have to say, I actually liked this one better than the first book in this series. While I enjoyed the first book, I liked the change of scenery and the troupe in this book. I thought that Cecilia and Edward were well matched and the first time they actually meet was just so cute and I instantly fell in love with Edward. While he was charming and his devotion to Cecilia prior to actually meeting her was sweet, there were some things about his personality that rankled. I found him to be petty at times with Cecilia and while it should have annoyed me, it didn’t. I actually found it more endearing and believable. It made his character more real for me and I just loved him all the more for his flaws. Edward won this novel for me. He was a great romantic hero and I loved it purely for him.
Some readers weren’t fans of Cecilia…..I thought she was fine. Yes she lied and should have come clean much earlier in the story, however it didn’t bother me overly much. I felt like her choice to not say anything was mostly justified and meshed with the time period and situation she was in. I could sympathize with Cecilia and her desire to eke out a few more moments with Edward and in the end she might have been wrong but it wasn’t an irredeemable wrong and I enjoyed watching her and Edward sort things out.
The romance is what always drives me when I pick up a romance novel. I love watching the ‘moment’ when they realize they are attracted to one another and ultimately the moment when they realize it’s something more than just attraction. Quinn never disappoints on that front. The only thing that I felt sad about with this one was that it had to end. The ending wrapped up a little too quickly, I would have liked to have seen that ending drawn out a bit more for a more complete resolution. As it was, it was fine, but I think there was a bit more that could have been written to make readers feel like it was more complete. Overall though, this was a solid historical romance and seriously there is no one better than Julia Quinn in the historical romance game. Always a wonderful read!
Book Info and Rating
Format 384 pages, paperback
PublishedMay 30, 2017 by Avon
ISBN9780062388186 (ISBN10: 0062388185)
Review copy provided by personal collection. All opinions are my ow and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: historical romance
The Lit Bitch 
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