Splendid: the first ever Regency romance by the bestselling author of Bridgerton (Blydon Family Saga) Paperback – 27 May 2021

Have been reading this series of Julia Quinn books in quite a haphazard order but have found them all very entertaining. She has a lovely simple way of describing characters and scenes which instantly draws the reader into the story. Splendid was her first novel and I found it quite charming. It tells of an American lady who is sent to England to experience a London season. We are instantly introduced to the Blydon family who Emma is to stay with who also happen to be her cousins. The tale is of Emmas determination not to fall for an English aristocrat, which of course she does. Enter Alex, the Duke of Ashbourne,gorgeous,available and seemingly not in the least bit interested in finding a wife until he claps eyes on the American beauty. It is a lovely feelgood tale and I hate to admit, I was weeping at the end which for me is a sure sign of a very enjoyable novel! Highly recommended.

This is not the first Julia Quinn book I have read. I know this was her first and I find it not as polished as her later stuff. Still a lovely read.My one gripe is something I read in another review. At first Alex has no intention of marrying Emma and yet he pursues her intent on seduction. I could understand this if she was the serving maid he first thought but not the well bred wealthy young lady she is. What did he think would happen when he compromised her. Did he think her family would let him get away with not marrying her?

Funny, charming adventurous and entertaining and loveable main and secondary characters. There is a good pace to the story with plot twists and engaging events to keep their reader occupied. This story is definitely worth a read if you like Suzanne Enoch, Tessa Dare or Sarah MacLean.

I have read most of the Bridgerton books enjoyed them all, Splendid was I think my favorite so far, great read.

This is a difficult one as the part at the beginning of the book were a man follows her into her bedroom while she is unaware in bed happened to me and probably millions of other girls around the world it turned into rape not romance. I enjoy all her books but that chapter was terrible and if that ever gave someone the idea that’s ok then that really would put us back in time. I carried on reading and was good as always

Alexander Ridgely, Duke of Ashbourne versus Emma Dunster, American shipping heiress. This does feel like a battle – of wills if nothing else. Alex does not want to marry until he absolutely must to ensure the succession. He's 29 now and is quite happy to have at least anther decade of carefree bachelorhood. Emma has been persuaded to travel to England to enjoy one London season with her cousins, but she fully intends to return to Boston to (eventually) take over her father's shipping business (even though her gender will put her at a serious disadvantage). So when the two fall instantly in lust this creates a big problem. Alex is a controlling arse at first – all he wants is sex and doesn't deem to mind that Emma is an innocent. (There were times when I really didn't like Alex.) Emma is young (20) and inexperienced, and she lets her hormones turn her brain to mush. Both families are desperately trying to match-make. There's also a second half plot that seems a bit unrealistic… but what am I talking about? Is Regency Romance ever realistic? This was Julia Quinn's first published novel (1995) so it's perhaps not surprising that her later ones are better. This is a bit unsubtle, with a few historical missteps, but nothing dreadful. It's fun and interesting to see where she started out.

Really enjoyed reading this book would recommend it to friends and family

This would have to be my favourite out of the 3 book's, I could see myself in the character and found I was laughing till I cried in most section's, and then my heart would break in other's. Such a great series of well written novel's. Now I have to purchase the rest of Julia Quinn's novel's, just love them.