A Night Like This: Number 2 in series (The Smythe-Smith Quartet)

This series was my introduction to J. Quinn's novels and I can't tell you how much I loved all three books . Each book has well developed characters, a great story line, just the perfect romance with a wonderful historical setting and it grabs your interest from the beginning to the end. If you are like me and haven't yet read her work, start here you won't be disappointed.I have now read ALL of Julia Quinn's books and there isn't one I wouldn't recommend, Give this book a read you will definitely enjoy it!!!

All of JQs reads are fab if you are into happy endings. They make you smile, they make you laugh, and you mightbcry in the middle, but you always get your happy ending, the one you have wanted since the first page. Smythe-Smith is at the same level as Bridgertons for sure!

I never thought I would have to say this about a Julia Quinn story, but this was really boring. I struggled through the first 70 pages and I have to say that they were filled with completely meaningless conversations. Even the conversations between Daniel and Anne lacked chemistry and excitement. I am truly sorry to say that I cannot motivate myself to continue reading this story at this point. The difference with the Bridgerton books, which I found to be each and every one of them gems, is huge.

This second book in the series was remarkably better than the first. It's a love at first sight kind of story, full of filtration, passionate kisses and cousins, of course. The Smythe-Smiths are a very large family, they love each other very dearly and I loved that this really transpired in the book.

It was good to get the background on how Daniel and Hugh fought over cards, had the dreadful duel experience with Daniel unintentionally shooting Hugh in the leg and being hounded out of England by Hugh's father. After 3 years Hugh visit Daniel in Italy and tells him that he has convinced his father to let Daniel return to England. He returns on the night that Anne Wynter (a Governess) relaxes Sarah on the piano at the String Quartet. Daniel arrives back quietly and see Anne through curtains and is quite captured by her. Anne, who was Analise Shorcross, is Governess to Daniel's cousins. That night is also upset by Daniel discovering his sister kissing his best friend Marcus. Anne has a secret similar to Daniel's she was double crossed at 16 to have a sexual liaison with a man called Charles she thought loved her and marry her, only to find that he was marrying someone else with better financial standing. He then proceeded to seduce her again which she resisted and in an attempt to defend herself picked up a pen knife which Charles rushed into resulting in his face being severely cut. Charles goes crazy and both his father and her father get involved and given women's standing in the world at that time Anne is blamed for at all and banished from her home, becoming and companion and then a Governess under another name. Daniel pursues Anne relentlessly including inviting the cousins to his country seat. Anne has a half day off and goes into the village and Daniel goes after her. It begins to rain he offers to drive her home in his cart. During their return they crash and it discovered to be sabotage. Daniel thinks it is Hugh father to blame and heads to London to check. Realising that is wasn't Hugh he begins to think that it was due to Anne's past. On return to London of Daniel's Aunt, cousins and Anne, Daniel's aunt tells Anne to watch out on Daniel's attentions. Anne has realised that Charles was behind the horse cart incident. She runs to keep the family safe and get away from Daniel. Into a poorer part of London with little money, no reference and no job prospects is discovered by Charles, his intent is to cut and murder her. She manages to escape and goes to Daniel who takes her back to his mother for safety. Daniel visits Charles' wife looking for him and during this time crazy Charles kidnaps the youngest cousin Frances luring Anne into the carriage to save her. They take off and Anne pushes Frances out to save her. Frances goes him and provides Daniel on the coach details and Charles posibble destination. Daniel, his mother, Frances' mother, Frances, Hugh and Marcus chase Charles and Anne to an Inn on Hamstead Heath. Charles is eventually apprehended and is forced to leave the country with his wife. Anne and Daniel are finally able to be together.