(Review) The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Title: The Sum of All Kisses
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet, #3
Published: October 29, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...

One interesting fact: After reading the previous book in this series, A Night Like This, I mentioned in my notes the fact that I really wanted Hugh and Sarah to have a book together! But upon re-reading these notes a year later, I had no recollection of why I had wanted this, because I did not remember any interaction between the two of them. So I re-read the book. And I was right. Hugh and Sarah had virtually no interaction together at all. They were barely in a scene together. I guess I just thought the idea of their two vastly different personalities coming together was too good to resist.

I was, in fact, correct! Hugh and Sarah's book might just be my favorite of the Smythe-Smith books so far. I started it first thing in the morning and did not eat lunch or even speak a simple greeting to my roommate until I was done.

Hugh and Sarah's story was completely captivating. Hugh was a logical fellow who could do stunning amounts of math in his head. Sarah was a dramatic girl who set Hugh's teeth on edge, and he had the same effect on her. Oh, and there was also the fact that Sarah's cousin had shot Hugh in a duel (long story), leaving him with a permanent and painful limp. But over time, as they were forced together by circumstances, they began to see each other in a different light. Both still had qualities that made them less than perfect, but they acknowledged those flaws in each other and fell in love anyway.

While I do enjoy hate-to-love stories, unfortunately, many of them tend to rely on great sex for being the Magical Key to Falling in Love. And often, I just don't buy it. The Sum of All Kisses was more of a hate-to-friends-to-love story, and I found the development absolutely perfect and believable for Hugh and Sarah.

As another fun point, fans of Eloisa James would be pleasantly surprised to find a couple of her characters making guest appearances. They fit right in with all the wonderful characters from previous Smythe-Smith and Bridgerton books, who all together created an atmosphere that was impossible not to enjoy. Also, points to Julia Quinn for actually writing a romance epilogue I liked! It doesn't happen often.

I fell in love with Julia Quinn a long time ago, and she continues to deliver. Her books might not be full of stunning prose, grand adventures, or massive plot twists, but I don't always need those. When I pick up a Julia Quinn book, I know I am going to get entertainment, interesting characters, and a magnificent love story. The Sum of All Kisses delivered on all these fronts, and I cannot wait for the next installment of the Smythe-Smiths! I'm crossing my fingers for a book about Iris. Guess I'll have to wait and see!

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Friday Five: Historical Romance Edition (#06)

Book: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures, #2
Published: July 6, 2010 (Berkley Sensation)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Thoughts: The first book in this series, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is a favorite of mine, and I really enjoyed Mac and Isabella's build-up in it. Unfortunately, they did not quite live up to that in their own book, but they did possess a magic all their own. I loved how art was so big in this story, with Mac being a painter. I also appreciated how realistically Ashley addressed marriage, with it requiring things beyond simply love, such as trust and respect. By the end, I absolutely, 100% believed Mac and Isabella's HEA.

If you thought your dare would make me blush like a schoolgirl, then you do not know much about schoolgirls.

Book: Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa James
Series: Duchess Quartet, #4
Published: March 30, 2004 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: Perhaps my favorite thing about this book was the focus on music. I love how it provided a reason for Helene and and Rees to interact even when they did not desire to. I loved watching them grow together and discover they could make the marriage work. The low point was that it unfortunately had a pointless epilogue that weakened what would have been a hilarious, strong, and memorable ending. It was still good, though. Also, it should be noted that I listened to this on audiobook, and it was very well done!

And when the Reverend Holland brought himself to use a word like damn, he really meant it.

Book: Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
Series: Carhart Series, #1
Published: January 1, 2010 (HQN)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Thoughts: Jenny is one of my all-time favorite historical romance heroines; I love her spine and strong sense of self-worth. There were great twists, a fantastic side storyline with Ned (who had his own book after this one), and a beautiful romance. Garreth simultaneously broke my heart and made it beat faster, and he and Jenny were simply perfect for one another for myriad reasons. I loved this book so much!

I don’t care what your title is. When I see myself, I see a woman worth more than a modicum of your respect. And don’t you dare touch me if you disagree.

Book: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet, #2
Published: May 29, 2012 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: I love that I can always, always count on Julia Quinn for a fun historical romance that is guaranteed to make me giggle and swoon in nearly equal measure, and this one was no exception. It had great witty banter, and my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much. Also, I was begging for Hugh and Sarah's book while reading this one, so I'm happy to announce that it comes out this October!

Time stopped. It simply stopped. It was the most maudlin and clichéd way of describing it, but those few seconds when her face was lifted toward his...they stretched and pulled, melting into eternity.

Book: Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Published: February 20, 1989 (Putnam Adult)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: Oh, this book. Racquel made me read it after she fell in love with it, and I am so thankful! It was such a beautiful story. It moved incredibly slowly, but the friendship that formed as these two lived together was simply wonderful. I cried so often at this book, I honestly don't even understand it. Everything just moved me so much; it was that powerful. Rgardless, it was amazing. I highly recommend it, especially since it is set in such a unique time period.

You’re the first thing I ever had to come back to. How could I not come back to you?

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Friday Five: Bridgertons Series Edition |#02|

The blog has been dead but for a good reason! Sharon has found a new obsession: Doctor Who (and she just started school) and I started the Bridgertons series and I cannot stop. Absolutely cannot. So I'm sharing with you mini reviews of the first five books in the Bridgertons Series. Seriously, I'm OBSESSED with it.

The Duke And I by Julia Quinn 
Series: Bridgertons #1
Published: January 5th 2000 by Avon
Rating: B-
Thoughts: The Duke and I is well loved, even by non romance readers so I've been scared to read it because I usually dislike books everyone loves but *phew* I really, really loved reading The Duke and I. I didn't love the book but reading it was a blast. It's surprisingly laugh-out-loud funny, and the dialogue was just great. Daphne and Simon relationship was even better! They became friends and then more and I totally believed it. Anthony, who's Daphne's older brother and Simon's best friend was just the icing on the cake. He was the father figure to the Bridgertons so of course he wanted to protect his sister from everything, especially men and especially his best friend so the scenes with him made me laugh so hard, my face was hurting. What's keeping me from giving The Duke and I an A rating is Daphne's actions in the end. What she did really annoyed me and I felt like the resolution was tied up too nicely for my liking. Otherwise, this is a must read!

Favorite quote: "I think it's nice. If they're laughing now, they'll probably be laughing forever." 

 

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Series: Bridgertons #2

Published: December 5th 2000 by Avon

Rating: C+

Thoughts: I definitely started this book as soon as I finished The Duke And I because it's Anthony's book and I couldn't wait to see what Quinn had in store for him and I'm happy to report back that The Viscount Who Loved Me was delightful and I was really happy with it! The Viscount Who Loved Me was not as laugh out loud funny as The Duke And I but it really was delightful. I was wondering who Julia Quinn was going to pair Anthony with since he made a big impression in The Duke And I but Quinn knows her characters best and Kate Sheffield was just perfect for the "rake" Anthony. If possible, the relationship between Anthony and Kate had even more chemistry than Daphne and Simon's relationship. Don't let the mere C+ rating fool you, I loved reading this book and I can even say that I'll reread it in the future and it IS a must read but like I was telling Sharon, how obsessed I am with this series even though even though I'm not giving the books 5 stars. Her perfect reply?

They're not all even 5-star material by any means, but they're just fantastic. 

This is very true. This book doesn't have all the elements that make up an A+ rating but nevertheless, it's very, very, very much worth the read. P.s. did this book make anyone tear up? It made me tear up. Several times. Like a ridiculous amount of several times. I don't even know why.

Favorite quote: “The ranks of society are once again filled with Ambitious Mamas, whose only aim is to see their Darling Daughters married off to Determined Bachelors.”

 
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #3
Published: July 1st 2001 by Avon
Rating:  C
Thoughts: An Offer From a Gentleman is a Cinderella retelling and while I think all retellings are quite awesome, there is just something about Cinderella retellings that I love. The Cinderella plot is quite sweet and so is this story. Benedict has been the least mentioned Bridgerton brother so far and I even contemplated skipping this book to read book 4, Colin's story (Colin's appearance in the previous two books is made me fall in love with him. I already know I'm going to love his book). However, I'm sure Quinn did this on purpose because Benedict struggles with being just "Bridgerton Number 2" instead of having an actual identity like Anthony or Colin. 

Sophie was a lovely heroine and I was rooting for her from page one. Her and Benedict were very well suited (of course!) and this book possessed the charm and wit of the previous two books that is making me obsessed with this series. Also, kudos to Benedict for not going out and getting drunk when him and Sophie hit a rough patch. That truly made him a hero in my eyes and I dare say even better than Anthony and Simon (heroes who go and get drunk when they "lose" they're woman piss me off. Man up, you pussy! Hardy Cates is excluded from this though. Ha.)

Favorite quote: "His name was Benedict Bridgerton, he had seven brothers and sisters, was rather skilled with both a sword and a sketching crayon, and he always kept his eyes open for the one woman who had touched his soul.”

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Series: Bridgertons #4

Published: July 2nd 2002 by Avon

Rating: B-

Thoughts: Colin, Colin, Colin. I definitely was most excited to read his book from the moment he was introduced in the first book. Colin is just so charming (he really is despite the fact that he hates that title) and in my opinion, the brother with the most common sense (he doesn't jump into fights like Anthony and Benedict). Colin is paired up with Penelope who was introduced in the previous books as a shy girl who's dressed in the most ill suiting dresses for her and men go out of their way to avoid her and her Ambitious Mama. However Penelope is bestfriends with Eloise, Colin's sister and she and Colin have a friendship of sorts since he's one of the few people who are friendly to her. I loved Penelope. She might have been shy, men might avoid her but she knew herself.

"Deep inside, she knew who she was, and that person was smart and kind and often funny, but somehow her personality got lost somewhere between her heart and her mouth,"

I love confident and badass heroines but these shy heroines who don't pity themselves? They most definitely fall under the badass category. Colin and Penelope are perfect for each other and even though the book begun with Penelope describing the moment when she fell in love with Colin she always accepted the fact that it will always be unrequited love so it was nice to see the friendship between the two and Colin as he grew to notice Penelope more than a friend. It was quite sweet!

Favorite quote: "And so, on an otherwise unremarkable Friday afternoon, in the heart of Mayfair, in a quiet drawing room on Mount Street, Colin Bridgerton kissed Penelope Featherington. And it was glorious.”

One thing I didn't like about this book is the end and how perfectly it wrapped up. It was way too smooth and happily ever after especially after unnecessary drama and I would have liked the Big Secret to remain a Secret.

Also, there is a LISA KLEYPAS reference in this book. Penelope was reading Mathilda by S. R. Fielding which happens to be the book the main heroine, Amanda, from Suddenly You, wrote. I have no shame in admitting that I contemplated giving the book an A for that fact alone.

To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn 
Series: Bridgertons #5
Published: January 1st 2003 by Avon
Rating: B
Thoughts: To Sir Phillip, With Love is this far, my favorite Bridgertons book! I really liked the plot of this one and I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking of how Quinn will unfold this story. First of all: the reasons why this is not an A read is because I felt like some things just took place too soon. The first kiss was too soon. A scene with Phillip and his kids took place too soon and while I could understand why some of these things couldn't wait until the middle of the book, I was still annoyed. I also was not a fan of Eloise. I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her either which is odd because I adore the previous heroines. I love all of them but I couldn't muster up the same love for Eloise. Phillip really stole the show. He goes through a lot of change and lets go of a lot of things that were haunting him. I really, really loved him. He was taciturn (taciturn heroes are my favorite!). Preferring the company of plants and flowers over people and he also didn't sleep with all and every woman in the country of England which is refreshing in a hero in any romance novel. Phillip is also a father to twins which is another thing I love. And the end, my god, the end was beautiful. I was in class and I teared up and I didn't even care. It was a beautiful and perfect last chapter! I closed the book with a huge grin on my face after swooning a few times. Also, this quote is now one of my all time favorite quotes EVER. Actually, this whole speech from Phillip to Eloise broke my heart, put it back together, made me tear up, made me hug my Kindle and it's what made this book my favorite from the Bridgertons series:  

Favorite quote:  “Until you've lived through all that," he said, "don't you ever complain about what we have. Because to me... to me..." He choked on the words, but he barely paused before he continued. "This - us - is heaven. And I can't bear to hear you say otherwise.”

I have three books left in this series and I'm so excited to read them yet so sad because I have been reading and thinking of nothing else but this series. It will be so so so hard to say goodbye to this series! Also, I LOVE these cartoon/caricature or WHATEVER they're called covers. LOVE THEM. Do they have a specific name? You would save my life if you tell me!

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