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Minx |
Author: Julia Quinn
Published: 1996-09-01 |
List price: $7.99
Our price: $7.99
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As of: January 08th, 2009 07:45:30 AM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 tomboy goes glam
I would like to give this 3.5 stars because it isn't by any means a bore or a waste of time, but I expected a bit more from Julia Quinn. (I'm giving 4 because if you want to read something sweet, Regency, and even a little funny...go for it.) I read it when I had a really lazy couple of weeks visiting someone and it was too hot to go out for much of the day. In that setting, this book was perfectly enjoyable.
basic, basic plot: Rakish man inherits property, tomboy girl attached to property becomes his ward. Crush on girl but decides to give her a proper season to show her to potential suitors. Girl loses tomboy look but is still pretty feisty and fun. If you don't know what happens next, you probably don't like romance novels.
It trotted along just fine until near the end - as in, more than 2/3s of the way through - a crisis came up that was probably added to give some semblance of suspense to the story. I didn't really like it because it brought out a nasty side to the likable heroine, and then it was resolved at the VERY end with very little development or a sense that the two now understood each other. This might not bother you as much, but I think the crisis should be something that gives the characters something to work on, not something tacked on at the very end.
At any rate, pick it up in paperback if you would like to read a standard Regency romance. As for the sex stuff, you get a lively description but still by no means crazy explicit.
 Not one of her best
I've enjoyed any number of Julia Quinn's books, but this one was just ok. A good read with a happy resolution, as you'd expect in the genre, but I was furstrated by the fact that the heroine herself generated all the drama that made the second half of the book necessary. There was one particular manipulative act that made me hard to like her for the rest of the book and overall, she herself seemed to be the biggest obstacle to her own happiness. Unless you've read then all, I would reach for one of her other books instead- better payoff!
I wish I could give this five stars!
I've read a huge number of Julia Quinn's books, but "Minx" was one that I'd somehow missed until recently. I loved the beginning of the book so much that I thought to myself it would be one to keep and cherish and reread. I'm sure I will reread and enjoy this story again, but sad to say the ending let me down a little.
The first portion of the book is brilliant. I come from Henry's part of the world so that added a little local interest for me. I adore Henry for being a slightly different type of heroine, having managed a farm she's capable, forthright and spirited, and although Dunford fits the more traditional rakish role he does have a surprisingly noble, selfless core under all the flashy smiles. Quinn excels at witty dialogue and I think this shows thorough the novel.
Things take a turn for the slightly predictable when we move from Cornwall to London, but even then Quinn managed to make what could have been a very cliché scenario interesting... BUT and here's where I had a problem (and as has been pointed out already), the final twist is unnecessary and carried on to the point of damaging the story.
I couldn't understand why Henry, who always speaks her mind, who we have been told countless times always speaks her mind, simply wouldn't confront Dunford, and Dunford- when did he become so cruel? It was as though their characters were completely changed for no apparent reason...
It disappoints me that the story was concluded this way because it could have been one of my favourite Julia Quinn books. I think when I do reread "Minx" I will have to follow the advice of the reviewer who suggested finishing at the proposal; up to that point I would have given it five stars.
I liked it but was also bored
I never really saw Dunford as a "rake". Henry was a little bit annoying. Overall only a passable read. I have probably read way too many romance novels. I probably would have like this one if it was one of the first that I had read. Since it's not, I was bored during parts of it.
Fun, engaging romance from one of my favorite authors
When he inherits a title and a country home from a distant relative, William Dunford is as surprised as he is appalled. He knows nothing about the country, has no idea how to run a farm, and has never even been to Cornwall--the home of this country estate. He goes to Stannage Park with every intention of finding someone to run the place, and getting back to London as soon as possible. What he doesn't plan for is that the estate manager is a charming girl who he might fall for.
Henrietta Barrett, or Henry as she prefers to be called, has been at Stannage Park since she was orphaned at the age of eight. Twelve years later, she acts as the estate manager for the land, and knows it better than anyone else. When she learns that some sissified London dandy is coming to her home, she believes that he will toss her out on her ear and let the land that she loves go to waste. She makes plans to get rid of him as soon as he arrives, but doesn't count on the fact that he'll be so handsome and charming.
Minx is the first Julia Quinn novel I've read that isn't a part of her Bridgerton series, and I have to say that I like it equally as much as those, if not more. Henry was such a breath of fresh air with her candid views and boyish charm. I can see why Dunford fell for her when he's so used to simpering London heiresses who fall at his feet. Alternately, I loved Dunford for his rakish charm and willingness to launch Henry into society before claiming her for himself. The two of them were an interesting, and engaging couple and I was glad when they finally admitted their love for each other. The inevitably twist at the end of the book that tests the couple's love also didn't go on for too long, which I've found can be annoying in most romance novels. All in all, this was a nicely packaged story from one of my favorite romance authors. I'd definitely recommend it to a friend.
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