The Sins of Viscount Sutherland

by Samantha James, 373 pages

Claire Ashcroft blames Viscount Sutherland for the death of her beloved brother.  Alone with nothing left to lose, she hatches a plot for revenge.  Grayson Sutherland has been in a downward spiral since the death of his wife.  He has a reputation for wild and reckless behavior with little regard for others.  Claire refuses to let fear of his reputation hold her back as she poses as a charming "widow" in and effort to capture and break his heart.

The appeal of romance, for me, has less to do with the revolutionary plot lines (can you think of a genre more open to recycled ideas?) and more to do with likable characters.  I wasn't sure I'd like this book based on the synopsis on the back, but I got hooked into the characters pretty quickly.  Both are strong-minded and set on their own purposes, but very desperate (even if they can't acknowledge it) for something more in their lives.  I couldn't wait for these two to find their happy ending!

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

2009/372pgs.



About the Book: Olivia Bevelstoke is spying on her new neighbor. Sure, he's handsome and a bit mysterious, but they say he killed his fiance.

Harry Valentine knows that the girl next door is spying on him and he doesn't like it one bit. He really hates it when he gets instructions from the war office that he is to spy on a visiting Russian Prince and finds out that the Prince has set his sights on Olivia.

As Harry starts to spend time with Olivia, he discovers he just might be falling for her himself.

Sarah Teenlibrarian Says: What Happens in London is a hilarious regency romance! When I was asking for suggestions for a romance to read for my adult reading materials class, I heard Julia Quinn's name over and over again. While the second book in the Bevelstoke series, I wasn't even aware that it was part of a series and the book can stand perfectly on it's own.

The characters are too much fun. Olivia makes lists in her head that pertain to the various situations she finds herself in, which often lead to a funny narration on her part. Olivia and Harry start out disliking each other but that doesn't last long and they soon form a friendship. They talk to each other through their windows and share in the reading of terrible literature with Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron, which adds another element of fun to the book. They have a witty banter and the book made me laugh out loud on several occasions. When I found out it was part of a series, I had to go back and pick up the first book-I was impressed with the author.

What Happens in London is a RITA Award winner for Best Regency Historical Romance and the Romance Winner on Rusa's 2010 Reading List. Even if you snub romance or historical romance, give this one a try. It's a fast read and full of humor that makes this a very enjoyable read.

What Happens in London

by Julia Quinn, 372 pages



Jenny already reviewed this, but I haven't read her review yet. So I will dive in on my own...



A Regency historical, What Happens in London brings together ex-soldier Sir Harry Valentine and his new nosy neighbor, Lady Olivia Bevelstoke. Sir Harry is a reluctant "intelligencer" (as Diana Gabaldon would say) so Olivia can't help wondering what the notorious man is up to in his study every day. What on earth is so absorbing about those piles of documents? Surely the man is up to something. And what about the bizarre hat he sometimes wears?



When Sir Harry catches Lady Olivia in the act of spying on him, he's justifiably annoyed. The two have a "cute meet" at a Regency party, and the sparks start to fly. What follows is an intricate dance of outrage, suspicion and intrigue. This is a romance, after all, so of course the couple reluctantly fall in love with each other despite their better judgment.



Malicious forces put the couple through heart-pounding danger. Can the new lovers survive brutish kidnappers, or worse: the disapproval of the ton?



While the plot was mostly predictable, Julia Quinn adds enough quirkiness and whimsy to her characters to make them likeable. Ms. Quinn also gently pokes fun at the Regency taste for outrageously bad Gothic novels. All in all, I found the story to be light, funny and entertaining. I would definitely pick up another of her historical romances when I am looking for romance, humor and a dash of adventure.



My only caveat: I don't think Ms Quinn ever explained the hat. Did anyone else figure out what that was all about?