Just Like Heaven
Julia Quinn

Avon
May 2011/ ISBN 978-0-06-149190-0
Romance/Regency England
Amazon

Reviewed by Carmen Ferreiro

Just Like Heaven was my first regency romance novel. My second, more exactly, but the first I never finished, so I was pleasantly surprised when I read this one in one sitting; First time ever.

Overall it was a sweet story with a sympathetic hero, Marcus, a rich Earl who also happens to be a gentleman, and a spirited, yet reasonable girl, Honoria Smythe-Smith, who knows her place in society and her need to catch a husband in three London seasons or less.

The two met in childhood when Marcus was best friend with Honoria's brother, but now said brother has fled the country over a duel gone wrong and has asked Marcus to prevent his little sister from marrying a loser. Marcus obliges and, while doing so gets a little too close to Honoria. Love ensues.

The plot is simple and you know how it's going to end, yet it is highly entertaining and the characters grow in you, like friends you have known forever.

It seems Julia Quinn is planning to start a new series with the Smythe-Smith family. In this story, we meet several of Honoria's younger cousins while they play (badly) together as a quartet in a hilarious evening performance that is a family tradition.

My guess is that these cousins will appear in the consequent books of this series. They were quite distinct and interesting and I will be looking forward to the next books so I can meet them again and get to know them better.

Just Like Heaven is a fluffy and charming romance that is perfect for a summer read.