Just Like Heaven (Smythe-Smith Quartet) Paperback – May 27, 2021

What JQ does better than any other romance author I've encountered, excepting perhaps Lisa Kleypas, is the sense of community. JQ does family and friendship so delightfully, and it's because her heroes and heroines don't, as in so many novels, exist in isolation. She's really built up a ton of her own -- she has a cohesive universe, which is something that attracts me very much. All the stories I like best are those with real, complex worlds, that seem to extend outside of the immediate story. It's not something you get with a lot of romance novels, besides the generic historical world -- but JQ's an author who makes her society feel real and expanded, because of all the interconnections.The Smythe-Smiths have been a running joke in her books for, what, a decade now? But always in the shadows, always side characters, never even getting first names of their own -- till now. Finally we meet the notorious Smythe-Smith girls. JQ, wisely, I think, starts with the 1824 crowd, who are the set featured most prominently in other books -- this is, I believe, the set from Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, where Lady Danbury so wisely keyed in on the misery of the cello player.Honoria Smythe-Smith is not the miserable cello player. She's a cheerfully atrocious violin player. Contrary to popular belief, she's aware that the musicales are insults to the composers and painful to anyone with ears. But she doesn't mind. She participates with good spirit because it's family tradition. It's really sweet of her, and a good indication of just how important family is to her. And that, really, is what's driving Honoria in this book -- the need for family. She's the youngest of five, all of whom are married and out of the house, and she's finding her life a little too quiet and solitary lately. So, she's determined to get married, in her third season out on the market. Little does she know that Marcus Holroyd, a friend of her brother's (who is currently hiding out in Italy after an unfortunate duel), is "looking after" her in his absence -- which has thus far meant scaring off all of her suitors. They've known each other since she was six years old, when he visited her brother on school holidays. Suddenly, though, he's starting to feel something other for her than duty, and she's seeing him in a not-precisely-fraternal fashion.I don't know if it's because I'm older and more jaded these days or what, but I've started to become slightly annoyed by the Fourth Date Marriage trope. So I really enjoyed that Marcus and Honoria have known each other forever. I like that the relationship is something that's grown over time, not something that manifests over the space of a weekend. The friendship-to-romance story is a quieter kind of story, and in 'Just Like Heaven', it's quite lovely. JQ's always at her best when she gets to write quick, witty dialogue, and Marcus and Honoria get plenty of it. They banter with such an ease that it's not hard to imagine their continual married bliss, cheerfully teasing each other for decades to come.My only complaint about this book is that I feel like the middle section, where Marcus is ill, drags on a bit too long. I'd have liked to have seen more of them back in London, amongst other people -- since JQ does that so well. I wanted more of Honoria with her cousins, I wanted more out of the conflict with Marcus and Honoria's brother, I wanted drama surrounding Hugh and Ramsgate (perhaps they'll be back in another book?). Instead we got an awful lot of sickbed hurt/comfort inaction, and that's just not so much my thing. I could also do with a bit more heat. JQ's primary weakness, I think, as a romance author is that her books aren't always as steamy as they might be. I'd love it if she started taking a few more risks when it comes to the consummation.The HEA is adorable indeed, especially as Honoria sits down to next year's musicale. Her love for her family is just so palpable in that moment. I feel fairly certain that cousins Iris and Sarah will be getting books of their own, but I'm not sure about the frothiest and most deluded member of this year's quartet, Daisy. I sort of wonder if the 4th will be the governess who has to fill in when Sarah "takes ill" at the last minute, Miss Wynter; JQ spent what seems like an inordinate amount of time on her, and that sort of thing tends to be a hint for upcoming importance.Overall, 'Just Like Heaven' is a frothy good read. It isn't knock-out-of-the-park amazing, but it's solid and quite charming. This isn't a book if you're looking for epic plot, sweeping dramatics, or dark psychological complexity, but if what you're after is a warm, cozy read, something to take to the beach with you, or to curl up with while you're drinking a nice cup of tea, 'Just Like Heaven' is just the thing.

I read this quite awhile ago, but I'm only just now remembering to review it. (Suffice it to say that promptness is not my strong suit!)Have you ever realized while reading a book that most of the things you're enjoying abut it will be the very same things that many of your fellow bookworms dislike?! And that's what I love about sites like these: It's so much fun to see how we all have different preferences and pet peeves despite sharing a basic love of reading. So I'll try to sum up why this book really worked for me with the understanding that these may be the *exact* reasons why the book didn't work for others :)1) One consequence of devouring as many romance novels as I do is that you---(or at least I)---get a tad weary with certain traditional 'Alpha' heroes: angry, snarling and vaguely controlling men who have slept with half the females on the continent before being "tamed" by our ever so special heroine. Some are amusing, compelling and sexy. Others just start to seem like they're in desperate need of an anger management workshop. Marcus was a delightfully charming change for me: a genuinely kind, shy and smart man. Not yet another 'rake' who's slept with zillions of women or a dissolute, destructive lush who needs to be 'reformed.' Instead of the usual arrogance we get from our heroes, Marcus gives us endearing, quietly witty self-deprecation (though rest assured that he's not a neurotically insecure mess!) He's someone I'd genuinely adore and gravitate to in 'real life', which is certainly not a given for me. If you're among my many fellow book junkies who tend to find Betas dull, though, you probably won't be as pleased with either the hero or the overall book as I was!2) If you're looking for a passionate, sensual, dramatic romance...well, you should probably keep on looking :) Oddly enough, though, that's a large part of why I really liked this one. (I warned you that I have odd taste, right?!) I was feeling weary of intense (melo)drama and endless roller coaster-y conflicts and was instead craving exactly the fun, lighthearted feel that this book provides. And I'm not a big fan of long, frequent and detailed sex scenes, so for me the book's focus on the H/h's rapport rather than their physical connection was an asset. For those who prefer their romances to be very steamy, though, be forewarned that this book has far less sex (and even foreplay) than most current romance novels.3) As alluded to above, the characters in this book are generally...well, they're really nice and likable. And they're not, by romance standards, especially tormented or burdened by conflict and angst. And, fittingly, the storyline doesn't have much angst or conflict either. We get the heroine nursing the hero back to health, which is a trope I confess I'm kind of a sucker for, but there's not much suspense as to the outcome. I can very readily see how this might make for a dull, "so what?!" book for many, but for me it made for a charming, enjoyable read. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a rich, layered romance with plenty of substance and conflict, and if that's what you're currently craving, I'd stay away from Just Like Heaven. But if you're feeling like you want to kick off your summer with frothy, amusing sweetness and banter-filled fun, I'd recommend giving this one a chance.Julia Quinn is a talented writer, but her books are quite hit and miss for me. I didn't even enjoy most of the Bridgerton series nearly as much as most. (Blasphemy, I know!) Objectively, I know this probably isn't the 'best' book Julia Quinn has written, but I was so delighted to stumble across a lovable Beta hero and a light, funny and charming read that it's actually among my personal favorites. Happy reading!

If you're familiar with Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Novels you'll remember that they are occasionally required to politely turn up and applaud and the worst concert ever featuring the Smythe-Smith girls in what their fond mama believes to be a musicale, but which most people would call torture. Daniel Smythe-Smith, Marcus Holroyd's best friend, had to flee the country after an unfortunate duel leaving Marcus to make sure his little sister, Honoria, doesn't make a bad marriage when the time comes. It takes Marcus and Honoria some time to realise what's right under their noses, of course, which is half the fun, Ms Quinn writes witty dialogue with plenty of comedic moments. This is the first of a new four-part series, and I decided to read them all in one go. Highly recommended.

'Just Like Heaven' is the first book of The Smythe-Smith series by Julia Quinn.Honoria Smythe-Smith is one of the eponymous Smythe-Smith cousins who entertain the Ton every year with their famous musicale.The musicale, and the necessity for marriage, are two issues that occupy Honoria's time and thoughts, that is until Marcus (the Earl of Chatteris) - her absent brother's best friend - finds himself in a dire situation and requires her help.I found this book to be very entertaining, engaging, and witty. The author is a master of creating brilliant characters who are charming, likeable, and intelligent. This book has lively dialogue, an enjoyable plot, and characters who have a spark and a frisson. Honoria and Marcus made a perfect couple. This is a feel-good novel with a satisfying conclusion.

As someone who is obsessed with all things Bridgerton, I knew I needed to read the Smythe-Smith stories and I am so glad I got to read this!I would say though there is quite a bit of humour, friendship and love throughout. This one was quite series, especially in the middle. Though our two love interests have known each other since they were children, they didn't really grow that bond that lead to romance until tragedy almost strikes.I really loved how this deep rooted love grew and how I think they couldn't match well with anyone else and live happily.Also a special note for the guest star of two od the Bridgerton siblings, that appear to help push the story along, which was nice for continuity purposes. We were in the same time and world, so it would be natural that one or two of them would appearI cannot wait to carry on with this series!

This author really has to be one of my favourites, she describes things so well, you almost see them. But best of all, you get to know the characters in her books. For me, most important,she makes me laugh out loud. In this last year, the thing most needed in our lives.

What is it about Julia Quinn’s writing? I swear she has some sort of magic spell that she weaves into the narrative and so addicts the reader!Honours and Marcus are two adorable characters and following them as they fall into love was a delight.Read! Read now!