Customer Reviews

I've read better - By: Ha. Manning, 15 Dec 2007
Miss Quinn has come up with a whimsical romance about Caroline Trent, a runaway who is mistaken for a notorious spy by Blake, a government agent. Sparks fly between them, & the story takes place mainlyin Blake's country manor. The jokes come fast, mainly due to Caroline's over-enthusiastic attempts to impress Blake & a surprise visit from Blake's sister. Now, I enjoyed this book, but why didn't I give it 4 stars or more? Well, I have a few problems with this book: The absence of "movement" of plot - the story never moves outside the country house & I feel "trapped" after a while, Sometime the story loses steam as Caroline pours something or falls over Blake for what seems the millionth time, A lack of chemistry between the two leads. By chemistry I mean heat & sexual tension. Here the sexual tension is at the minimum. Despite the faults, I still enjoyed this book. But I wouldn't consider it anything more than the light-heartedromp it is!!!!! And if you missed Tino Georgiou's--The Fates--I strongly recommend reading it.

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Ludicrous, but always funny - By: Becca Lusher, 09 May 2007
Caroline Trent is not having a good evening. Firstly her guardian's son, Percival, attacks her on his father's orders - for which she, quite rightly, shoots himin the shoulder. But no sooner has she escaped the house then she's accosted by a man who will insist on calling her Carlotta de Leon.

However, for Caroline this turn of events couldn't be more fortuitous. With just six weeks to go until she comes into her inheritance, she's more than happy to let this stranger keep her out of sight. After all, the last thing she wants is for her guardian to determine her whereabouts.

Yes, everything is going perfectly, until the Marquis of Riverdale arrives, takes one look at her & confirms that she is NOT Carlotta de Leon.

For Blake Ravenscroft, Caroline's captor, this news is both relieving & infuriating. Having worked for the War Office for nearly a decade the prospect of failing is gallingin the extreme, but nowhere near as bad as being attracted to a traitor.

But Caroline is no traitor, just a young woman unconsciously tangled up by circumstance. Even so, Blake fights the attraction, because he's sworn never to marry...

The plot of this book is really quite ludicrous, & the fact that Blake is supposed to be one of the War Office's top agents never quite rings true. However, who cares, because this book is hilarious. The exchanges between Caroline & Blake veer from childishly entertaining to laugh-out-loud funny, with poor James (the Marquis) either caughtin the crossfire, or doing his best to wind Blake up even further. And then there are the servants. Brilliant.

Too much of the plot remains hazy at best & unexplained (why Oliver is so desperate for Caroline's money, the traitor's plot & aftermath, etc), but to be honest it doesn't matter. Caroline is too amusing for such things to hold this book back.

Let your sense of humour loose, sit back & enjoy! (Then get hold of 'How to Marry a Marquis' because James is back, & he's wonderful.)

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Jula Quinn: Hilarious Author - By: CriticalThinker, 19 Apr 2007
When I read a Julia Quinn I read it as I would any romance, forget the regency historical aspect, she's just brilliant. She's witty & enchanting & her female characters are always strong & funny. Caroline Trent has got to be one of the funniest characters ever. She's bubbly & intelligent & is always delivering a speech which will have the reader doubled-over because of the sheer hilarity of her comments.

Of course the fact that it's a regency means who cannot love the time period & setting? The only thing is that I'd have liked the spy plot to be a little more developed; I'd have liked an earlier appearance of Carlotta... maybe an attack on the house or something... the romance really good as was the comedy. The plot concerning the spies... could have been better.

But aside from that, love it.

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Very funny tale - By: Ladybubbles, 11 Aug 2004
Caroline Trent is kidnapped by Blake Ravenscroft, who mistakes her for "Carlotta" a dangerous enemy of the crown. On the spur of the moment Caroline decides to play along as she needs to hide away from her relatives until she reached her majority & inherited her fortune.

Blake Revenscroft's mission was to bring this little temptress to justice not bed the wench!

Hilarious, I have never laughed so much. You will love what antics Caroline gets up to & Blake's reaction to her.

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Terrible - By: , 12 Oct 2000
I have been reading historical romance for years & i have to say this is the worst one i have read. I read the Duke & I a few weeks ago & really enjoyed it & when i read the reviews for this book i just had to get it. Usually i cant put a book down & would finsh itin a day, but this book took me three days. Now let me explain why

Firstly i could not see any attraction between Caroline & Blake.

Secondly I didnt like Blake, everytime he spoke he was just aggessive i found James a more attractive character.

Lastly the storyline was not well developed & frankly boaring.