Sebastian Grey is in limbo. He is the heir presumptive to the Earl of Newbury, unless the current earl, a widower, can find a bride who will bear him a son. Newbury is in his sixties and somewhat portly, but as an earl he's considered quite a catch. Sebastian, on the other hand, is twenty-nine and devilishly handsome, but in no hurry to find a wife.
Annabel Winslow, a country girl through and through, has received an offer to go to London for the season. The eldest of a family of eight, she knows that a good marriage might be the only thing that will save her family from ruin. After a few weeks in town, Annabel attracts the attention of the Earl of Newbury. The thought of submitting to him makes her skin crawl, but she is practical and determined to do her duty.
But when Sebastian meets Annabel, sparks fly, and best laid plans look set to combust . . .
Genre: historical romance
Publication date: May 2010
Mature content: yes
Review: Ten Things I Love About You is actually book 3 in the Bevelstoke series by Julia Quinn but, in truth, all of the books can be read as stand alones. Other than the fact that Harry and Olivia, from book 2 (
What Happens In London) make appearances in this one as secondary characters, the story is completely separate.
I don't know I can list ten things I loved about this book - it's written in Julia Quinn's usual style, which means that the witty dialogues are always the best part and will ensure you are smiling throughout it all.
There were a few things I didn't like, though, and those are the main reasons I'm not rating it with five stars.
First, I really didn't like the fact that Sebastian kisses Annabel for the first time mere minutes after rolling in the hay (or, more precisely, in the heath) with a married woman (not his wife, obviously). I know the author was trying to make a point in relation to the fact that he's a rogue, but I felt that particular detail sullied their love story a bit right from the beginning.
Second, I understand the reason for Annabel's doubts about which man to marry, but there's just too much going back and forth on that. It just drags on the story.
And third, the scene where Sebastian, Annabel, her grandmother and the Earl of Newbury all end up together in the middle of the night in Annabel's room is just too unrealistic. True, it ties up the plot pretty well and paves the way for the happily ever after, but I don't think it's believable at all. Funny, for sure, but not believable.
Still - and emphasis on the funny side of the story - if you love Julia Quinn's books and historical romance in general, Ten Things I Love About You is still a great book to read.
Happy readings,
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