Format Read: E-Arc
Number of Pages: 384 pages
Release Date: May 29th 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet #2
Formats Available: Paperback, ebook
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s Website, Amazon, Book Depository

Book Blurb:
Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is…

But she’s managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge — in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy—no one is sure), and tending to the wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he’s the first man who has truly tempted her, and it’s getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith might be in mortal danger…

But that’s not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family’s annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she’s a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending…

My Thoughts:

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Julia Quinn’s books. There’s something special about her books that always makes me come back for more. Even the books I didn’t love never really disappointed me. And for some reason I can always tell it’s a Julia Quinn and no one else’s.A Night Like This is the 2nd book in the  Smythe-Smith Quartet series.

If you’ve read the Bridgertons series you must know the  Smythe-Smith. If you don’t then let’s say they are pretty (in)famous for their annual musical recital, where every year 4 young girls from the family play (or try to play) in front of all the Ton. This leads to very hilarious scenes, because let’s be realist this recital is a torture for both the audience and the poor girls playing.

In the previous book we learned that Daniel Smythe-Smith, the Earl of Winstead,  has been in exile on the continent for years after a terrible incident  that left one of his best friends a cripple. Now Daniel has decided it’s time to come home but he’s not sure he’ll be safe from his past. Some people still want him dead.  I really loved that we finally learned why he was abroad and what really happened that night. I love Daniel and his easy smile. He dotes on his cousins and it was quite adorable.

When Daniel arrives home he meets his cousin’s new governess, Anne Wynter. Anne’s past is a mystery. She’s young and very capable but no one really knows her past.  Anne is very mature for her age.  She fights her attraction to the young and dashing Earl because she knows nothing good can come from this. She’s hiding from her past too and she knows she would loose her job if the scandal of her past was to be discovered. I loved Anne too, she’s a very patient governess with her her young charges.  She’s capable and reliable.  She’s had to fend for herself for years. Her past was really not easy and it explains a lot about her personality.

Daniel’s pursuit of Anne was very endearing. He never gives up, even when she keeps pushing him away.  The humor was there. Maybe not as much as in previous books but it was still there.  Both characters are in danger from their past and we don’t know what/who’s the threat . This is the big mystery…well ok maybe it wasn’t too hard to guess but still it had me riveted to my seat. The last 100 pages were action-packed.

A Night Like This will make you laugh and smile. It’s a very cute feel-good romance. While it’s not my favorite Julia Quinn book  it’s still a very good and enjoyable read. After all…you can’t  go wrong with a Julia Quinn!

I give A Night Like This  4 Stars.

About Caro The HEA Lover

Caroline is a HEA loving, yarn addicted French who's desperately hoping to get a HEA of her own. If she's not reading then she can be found knitting while listening to Audiobooks or watching Tv shows. Her secret addiction is reading websites that make fun at other people's expense (DYAC, Failbook)! Caroline also blogs at the Secret HEA Society with Susi.

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