Having made my way through all the Bridgerton books and most of JQ's newer offerings, I thought I'd go back and read her first books. This one was available to download from my library, so I read it on my phone (which wasn't as terrible as it sounds). The story was not my favorite, but I did love reading bits of all of the famous poems John tried to pass off as his own. And since I'm currently trying to plan my own wedding, I read the quickie wedding scene with envy (there's nothing like planning a wedding to make you want to elope). Really, reading this gave me hankering to go back and read my favorite JQ hit [b:Romancing Mr. Bridgerton|5500111|Romancing Mister Bridgerton The Epilogue II (Bridgertons, #4.5)|Julia Quinn|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ek8n-xclL._SL75_.jpg|3992049]. Oh Penelope! To me, you're worth a thousand beautiful blonde Belles. ( )

Molto bello ( )

Lady Arabella Blydon takes a break from the Marriage Mart when her latest suitor magnamimously anounces that he's willing to overlook her bluesstocking tendencies. She doesn't expect to meet Lord John Blackwood, who has earned his Baronetcy through his military career, a career that left him wounded both in body and mind. He doesn't want to marry or to be attracted to Arabella but he's finding that his deterimation is being eroded by her.
It was a good read with characters I genuinely cared for (including her Chaperons Persepone who does deserve her own story) and while the adctneures were sometimes a bit over the top it was still fun and the story pulled me in and kept me reading. ( )

since this is the first book of Julia Quinn that I read, I liked it but don't really fancy love at first week of acquaintance. the mood swings was quite much and uncalled for but all the same I give it 3.5 stars ( )

Lord John Blackwood has returned from the war scarred in body and mind. Lady Arabella Blydon has retreated to the country, tired of the Marriage Mart and men who only wanted her dowry. The two meet by accident but soon discover a comfort in each other's company. However, there wasn't really much of a plot. Just bad guy from the past trying to even the score threatening the woman in his life. Entertaining but not great. ( )