TO CATCH AN HEIRESS by Julia Quinn
Series: Ex-Spies, #1
Publication Date: July 1st 1998 by Avon

Summary: Caroline Trent is fed up with her greedy guardian, Oliver Prewitt, and his nitwit son, Percy. With only six weeks to go until she can claim her inheritance and rid herself of them, Percy attempts to forcibly seduce her. Fortunately, Caroline has a pistol at hand and she uses it–wounding the annoying man just enough to allow her to escape. Fuming, she flees the dark manor house determined to find employment and hide from her guardian for six weeks. But a bad night turns worse when a tall, dark stranger accosts her. Blake Ravenscroft thinks Caroline is a female spy, part of Oliver Prewitt’s smuggling activities that include spying for Napoleon. He kidnaps Caroline, ties her to a bed at his nearby home, and grills her unsuccessfully before a friend arrives and tells Blake that he’s captured the wrong woman. Caroline explains her predicament and, given what he knows of the larcenous Oliver Prewitt, Blake has no option but to offer her shelter. Caroline isn’t a woman accustomed to sitting in the parlor sipping tea, especially while Blake’s investigation has him involved in far more exciting, life-threatening activities. Blake isn’t a man accustomed to having a woman ignore his commands. Sparks fly and passion sizzles between these two characters while a cast of endearing characters provide well-meaning assistance.

Heroine: I loved Caroline. She’s witty and clever. I was so impressed by her actions in the first few chapters, and I knew immediately that I would like her character immensely.

Hero: Of course Blake has his flaws. He can’t quite let go of the guilt he feels for the death of his fiancee. Truly understandable, but after a while I just really wanted him to get over it already.

Supporting Cast: This book would be nothing without the supporting cast. Mrs. Mickle and Perriwick were not your stereotypical servants. They added so much humor to the story. And of course… there’s James, the Marquis of Riverdale. Charming and quite the matchmaker. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series when he is in the spotlight.

Plot: My only wish is that there was more spying and espionage! Truly.

Romance: I’m not a huge fan of instant attraction, but it worked out in this one. Though Caroline and Blake had an immediate attraction for one another, the progression of the romance was still slow. The tension built up between them for quite a long time.

Love Potion Strength:

- Exceeds Expectations

I’m definitely looking forward to the second book in this series and in general – reading more Julia Quinn novels!

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Permalink Book Review, Four Stars - Amortentia Reviews, Audience: Adult, Author: Julia Quinn, Book: To Catch an Heiress, Genre: Historical romance, Publisher: Avon, Series: Ex-Spies | 598 words

A weekly meme on the books on the top of my list to read and books recently acquired, borrowed, or bought. Inspired by the Story Siren’s In My Mailbox.

So I haven’t been home for more than 24 hours in a while. Which means that I haven’t had the time to actually record an IMM vlog from my house. I’ve gotten quite the collection of books at home that I have yet to show you all, but I think I want to save it for when I can actually take a picture or record a vlog. Hopefully, I’ll find the time to cross the Hudson River in a few weeks. But for now, you’ll have to settle for my reading pile!

Top of the Shelf / Currently Reading
What’s next on my to-read list for the upcoming week. I’m doing a blast from the past. I doubt any of you [devoted] followers remember this mini-feature that I used to do along with my Top of the Shelf posts. But since I am somehow finding time to squeeze in reading in between all the school work, I decided to bring it back. Also, because I feel like I need a lot more variation in my reading.

To make my to-read list a little more interesting and varied, each of the books must fall under a certain category:

Young at Heart – Young adult novel. Well, it seems more appropriate if this was a middle grade novel…
Not Your Sister’s Book – Adult novel that a six-year-old wouldn’t touch
Market Fresh – Recently released or soon to be released book.

• Young at Heart – The Shadows by Jacqueline West. This is the first book in the Books of Elsewhere series. I heard about this book when I interned at a literary agency in the spring. I haven’t read a middle grade novel in a while so I’m really excited for the change of pace! Borrowed from the NYPL ebook library.
• Not Your Sister’s Book – To Catch an Heiress by Julia Quinn. This is also a first in a series. I have not read a Julia Quinn novel in a while ever since I finished the Bridgerton series earlier this year. I can’t wait to dive back into the work of one of my favorite authors, but this will probably be the last of the three that I will read. Mostly because I just requested it through my library. The good news is that I’m first on queue. Will also be borrowed from the NYPL ebook library.
• Market Fresh – The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The amount of positive reviews this one has is a bit worrying. Can it really be that good? I guess I’ll find out soon… Borrowed from the NYPL ebook library.

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Permalink Memes, Top of the Shelf - Author: Erin Morgenstern, Author: Jacqueline West, Author: Julia Quinn, Book: The Night Circus, Book: The Shadows, Book: To Catch an Heiress, Series: Books of Elsewhere, Series: Ex-Spies | 591 words