The Sum of All Kisses

September 9, 2013
The already well-worked Bridgerton universe (subject of eight books, including On the Way to the Wedding) is attenuated by this novel linking it to Quinn’s Smythe-Smith stories. Lady Sarah Pleinsworth is 21, melodramatic, and tactless, so it’s not really a surprise that she’s on the shelf. Her nemesis is the lame mathematical savant, Lord Hugh Prentice, younger son of an insane, sadistic marquess. Hugh rouses himself from bleak self-recrimination over the long-ago duel that crippled him only to express how he despises Sarah in terms such as “fingernails on slate.” Romance, of course, is inevitable. Quinn’s verbal Punch and Judy performance has lost some of its charm in repetition, and these characters are little but mouthpieces for witty repartee. A last-minute inheritance plot tangled by homosexuality, insanity, suicide, and kidnapping leads to a dramatic denouement, but the conflation of lust and coercion among both the good guys and the bad guys makes it difficult to see how a happy ending is possible for Hugh and Sarah. Agent: Steven Axelrod, Axelrod Agency.

Starred review from November 1, 2013
Sarah Pleinsworth and Hugh Prentice have good reasons for disliking each other, so neither expects the attraction that springs up when they're forced to spend time together; however, there are a wealth of secrets and obstacles they must overcome to win happiness. Sarah has nursed her antipathy toward Hugh for years. After all, he wrenched her family apart one horrible night when he forced her cousin into a duel that ultimately sent him into hiding. Now, Daniel is back, apparently due to some secretive dealings on Hugh's part, but that doesn't mean Sarah should like him. Daniel is getting married, and his fiancee, Honoria, asks Sarah to keep Hugh company during the reception, since Hugh's leg was injured during the duel, and he is now lame. To her extreme consternation, the more time she spends with Hugh, the more she likes him, and as the couple--not to mention most of London's ton--moves from Daniel's wedding to another wedding of mutual friends, Sarah and Hugh find themselves moving from rapprochement to affection to love. However, there is much more to the story of Daniel's flight after the duel, and dark shadows from that time will reappear once it becomes clear Sarah and Hugh may be headed for a match. Quinn brings her signature style and wit to yet another late-Regency romance, with some character favorites fans have met before in both the highly popular Smythe-Smith and Bridgerton series. Hugh's mathematical brilliance combined with a self-imposed wariness toward his companions make for an enigmatic hero. Sarah's and Hugh's overcoming of their mutual dislike as they open up to one another is a winsome choice that makes perfect sense for the relationship arc and works well for the storyline, especially once they face Hugh's dark past and the specter that threatens their happiness and Daniel's life. Charmingly romantic, with compelling edges of dark conflict and sexual tension.

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October 15, 2013

Ever since "The Duel" sent her cousin Daniel fleeing to France, Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has absolutely loathed Lord Hugh Prentice; after all, it was his fault that she couldn't make her come out on time and lost her chance at marrying any of the 14 men who became engaged that dismal season. Of course, Hugh doesn't think much of Sarah, either, especially since their first disastrous meeting. So when they find themselves at a wedding and are forced to spend time together (and behave) as a favor to the bride, they anticipate being vexed--a lot. They never imagine what will happen. VERDICT A fiercely outspoken heroine and a mathematically brilliant hero whose eidetic memory is both a blessing and a curse clash splendidly in an unstoppable romp that sparkles with enough hilarious situations, over-the-top characters, and laugh-out-loud dialog to keep the chuckles coming long after the book is closed. A lovely tale that is just plain fun! Quinn (The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After) lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2013
For her cousin Honoria Smythe-Smith's sake, Sarah Pleinsworth will do her very best to hold her tongue, but asking her to be civil to Hugh Prentice really is asking the impossible. It isn't enough that four years ago, Hugh's alcohol-induced actions nearly ripped Honoria's family apart. The resulting scandal also cost Sarah the chance to participate in what turned out to be the best husband-catching season in recent memory. However, nothing is going to ruin Honoria's wedding to the Earl of Chatteris, and if that means Sarah must paste a smile on her face while talking to fellow guest Hugh, so be it. Of course, that smile becomes much easier to maintain with each additional kiss Sarah finds herself suddenly sharing with this impossible man. The third sparkling book in her Smythe-Smith quartet is quintessential Quinn: witty, whimsical, and wonderfully romantic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)