Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Review -- The Lady Most Likely...

The Lady Most Likely...
A Novel in Three Parts
By Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, and Connie Brockway
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: December 28, 2010







I was anxious to read this book for two main reasons: one, because it is written by 3 talented authors who have written so many books that I love; and two, I had heard it touted as “sort of like an anthology, but different”. That, of course, had me wondering why it was different. After reading it, I would call it “three stories within a story”.

The Lady Most Likely... begins at the London home of Lord and Lady Finchley. Hugh Dunne, Earl of Briarly, is visiting his sister and asks her to help him find a bride. He has recently had a near fatal experience with one of his horses and feels the need to settle down and produce an heir. So, he asks Carolyn to compose a list of eligible ladies. The first two young ladies that come to her mind are Gwendolyn Passmore and Katherine Peyton. Since the Season has just ended and the household was prepared to leave anyway, Caro immediately starts planning a house party at Finchley Manor.

Julia Quinn’s contribution begins with Alec Darlington, the newly minted Earl of Charters and Hugh’s best friend, escorting his youngest sister to the house party. Octavia is fit to be tied when she sees that Gwendolyn Passmore is attending. According to his sister, no one will even so much as look at her if Miss Passmore is in the room. She considers Gwen, heralded as the undisputed beauty of the ton, as snobbish because of her refusal of no less than four proposals. But the young lady that Alec meets is nothing as Octavia describes. He learns that Gwen is painfully shy and does not like attention. He also discovers just how wonderful she is.

“I misjudged you.”

She was very quiet, then she said, “People often do. I—” She looked to the left and right, as if she were making sure no one else could hear. Which was absurd, because they were completely alone. But somehow it looked like the correct thing to do, and something about it warmed his heart. Because whatever it was she was going to say...

It was for him. Just for him.

She leaned forward, but just the tiniest bit.

Alec’s heart skipped a beat. That quarter inch... That tiny sliver of a space that she’d eliminated between them...

It took his breath away.


I absolutely adored that scene! Julia Quinn’s charm and wit shines through in this story with characters that you’re sure to love.

Connie Brockway’s story is next and starts as Miss Katherine Peyton is walking in the garden with Hugh, anticipating a kiss. Just as they are about to, they are interrupted by Captain Neill Oakes, a long-time friend of Kate and her family. The same Neill Oakes that she had loved all her life. The same Neill Oakes that pushed her away following a kiss they shared four years ago, right before he went into the army. Now he’s charged with watching over Kate after her brother takes off in fear of the matchmaking mamas. Neill does his job honorably and Kate realizes that the reckless boy has turned into a considerate man. A considerate man who very much would like to finally claim her as his own.

I love reunion stories and this one is delicious! Connie Brockway has quickly become a favorite author of mine and this short story only confirms it.

And finally, Eloisa James tells Hugh’s tale of finding love. Now that both of the prospective brides on his list have been snatched up by other men, Hugh must consider someone else. Preferably someone who won’t mind that he spends hours upon hours in the stables with his horses. But the only person on his mind is his childhood friend, Lady Georgina Sorrell. Georgina is a widow and though her marriage wasn’t a match made in heaven, she wasn’t unhappy. She just wasn’t completely...happy. She has no desire to marry again, but Hugh is determined to change her mind.

His eyes laughed down at her, and all that laughter was side by side with desire. For her.

That was what she never saw in all the days of her marriage. And what she saw in the eyes of other men, looking at the women they desired.


Eloisa James’s story is utterly romantic and it had to be since it featured Hugh and the whole objective of the house party was to find the lady most likely to capture his heart. It is a beautiful tale that will surely capture your heart!

I said earlier that I would classify this book as three stories within a story. I say that because the beginning, end, and the chapters in between each author’s own story give readers a glimpse into the happy marriage of Carolyn and her husband, Piers. Theirs is obviously a love match and Caro wants nothing less for her dear brother, Hugh. Each story plays right into the other and all of the characters are woven into each story. It was a concept that, in my opinion, worked in every way. Ms. Quinn, Ms. James, and Ms. Brockway planned out the perfect scenario and I sincerely hope that they try it (or something like it) again in the future. Fans of any or all three authors will thoroughly enjoy this delightful gem!

~Andrea


37 comments:

  1. Thank you for a very good review. I have been seeing this book and thinking I would like it. With three of my favorite authors, how could I miss? Now I have a better idea of what the story is like and it has jumped to the top of my Wish List. I read a similar style book by 3 suspense authors. I like this format and it works well.

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  2. I got it but haven't indulged yet, I was waiting for the 3 day weekend to read it, not sure if I will hold out til then now though.LOL

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  3. It sounds like a perfect read for me. I'm adding it to my shopping list and crossing my fingers in hope that my local Wal-Mart has it in stock.

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  4. Great review, Andrea! I've been so anxious to read this book and you've whetted my appetite even more.

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  5. Thanks, librarypat! Yes, this concept works soooo well. I hope you enjoy it!

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  6. Dianna, you have superior will power if you can hold out for the weekend!! ;-)

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  7. Hi, Misty Jo! I saw it at my local Target (though I bought it at B&N with a gift card), so I would think that Wal-Mart would have it, too. Enjoy!

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  8. Thanks, Gannon! Glad to hear it!

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  9. Great review, Andrea! I adored this book - gobbled it up in one sitting - and, like you, have my fingers crossed that these three talented authors will decide to collaborate again in the future!

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  10. Hey, Misty Jo! Great to see you over here! Hope you'll stop by often!

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  11. I just finished reading this book myself and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Julia and Eloisa are two of my favorites, but Connie was new to me. All in all, a very delightful book!
    Margay

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  12. Hi everyone!

    Connie, Julia and I are going to try to drop in once or twice today -- to say hi but also thanks for that lovely review. So if you have any questions, please let us know! I"m so happy to see this cheerful response to Lady Most Likely. We had a wonderful time writing it together. I'll stop in later, so please leave questions!

    hugs, Eloisa

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  13. Hi Eloisa! Thanks for stopping by. I really loved The Lady Most Likely. Your three voices meshed together so beautifully. Do you have plans to work together again?

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  14. Margay said, Julia and Eloisa are two of my favorites, but Connie was new to me.

    Margay, you have some great reading ahead! Connie has written some of my favorite historical romances and her two contemporaries are terrific.

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  15. Thanks, PJ! I think after lots of other people read this one, they'll join us in crossing our fingers for another one!

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  16. Glad to hear it, Margay! I "discovered" Connie this year and immediately ordered several from her backlist. I'm so glad I "found" her!

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  17. Hi, Eloisa! Thanks so much for stopping by. I loved Hugh. *vbg* I hope you, Julia, and Connie will consider doing something like this again!

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  18. Great review Andrea! I love Eloisa and JQ's books (they are both auto-buys authors for me)so I was excited about this book since I heard about it at Eloisa and JQ's BB. I have to admit I haven't read any of Connie Brockway's novels, but I'm sure I'll start once I read The Lady Most Likely!

    Right now I'm just waiting for my bookstore to call me to let me know the book is in!

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  19. Andrea, I live in a seriously lacking small town, and if it's not at my Wal-Mart, then I'm headed to the nearest B&N. After reading your review, I'm too impatient to wait for snail mail.

    PJ, thanks for the welcome. :) My days are free for an "undetermined" amount of time, and I'll be stopping by often to find out what books need to go to the top of my wish list.

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  20. Very nice review. It's unusual to have an anthology with three terrific authors.

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  21. Terrific review, Andrea! I can remember how excited we were on the EJ/JQ bulletin board when this book was still in the planning stages. We've been waiting eagerly for this one for a long time. I have to wait a bit longer because reading it tonight will be my reward for making my page quota for today. I'd better get busy. :-)

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  22. Great review Andrea I have been looking forward to this one as well. I will be putting my order in next week and it will be on it

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  23. Whether we write another one depends (alas) on whether our publisher wants us to do so--which is all about sales. The recession is hitting publishers hard, so let's all keep fingers crossed that this book sails off the shelves and Julia, Connie and I can dive into another one (We have a fabulous idea!). Eloisa

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  24. Eloisa, I'm doing my best to encourage that book sailing! :)

    You have a book coming out soon titled When Beauty Tamed the Beast. Will you tell us a bit about it?

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  25. Julia and Connie, do either of you have any new books coming out in 2011? What's up next from each of you?

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  26. Thanks, Lisa! You'll love Connie's books. ;-) I hope you get that call soon!

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  27. Thanks, Penfield! I hope you enjoy it. :)

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  28. Thank you, Janga! Me, too! I've had this one on my list when it was called "The List". Needless to say, it was worth the wait. Good luck with your page quota!

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  29. Thanks, Helen! I hope you receive it soon!

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  30. I'm doing my best to encourage the book sailing, too! I bought my "real" copy yesterday. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you all get to do another one!

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  31. Great review, Andrea! Can't wait to read this one. :)

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  32. Wonderful review, Andrea! I'm so looking forward to reading this one. And each story sounds romantic and filled with great scenes.

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  33. Trisha, use the gift card you got for Christmas and get this book! You'll love it!

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  34. Thanks, Buffie! These short stories are FULL of wonderful scenes! :-)

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  35. Hi all!

    I'm sorry to be chiming in so late! Julia couldn't get the blog to work at all, so we were all sort of missing in action. My explanation? vomiting children. In, fact, Luca is STILL throwing up. sigh.

    At any rate, Beauty & the Beast is a really fun novel (she said, trying desperately to remember what it's about--not much sleep here). I was inspired by Dr. House when it came to my Beast, so that was great fun!

    hugs to all, and the hope that your household won't be up all night... Eloisa

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  36. Is there a story for Carolyn & Piers...?????

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  37. IS there a story for Carolyn & Piers?

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