What Happens in London – Julia Quinn

Genre: Historical Romance

Back of the Book: RUMORS AND GOSSIP ... THE LIFEBLOOD OF LONDON

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancee, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits ... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself ...

What’s it about?

She looks out of the window to spy on him. He knows she is spying on him. Thus begins a war of words between the two characters until it turns into something else. J

My review:

I picked up this book from an old bookstore and I’m really glad I did. I am on a mission to work through my TBR pile that I have already invested in and it’s safe to say that I’m doing really well, thank you for asking. J What Happens in London by Julia Quinn is the first of many such wonderful gems.

To begin with, I must warn you, I haven’t read too many historical romances. I think it’s just that I haven’t picked up too many of them in the past and there is no real reason for it. My favourite historical romance is Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot (Just in case you were wondering. :P) However I digress.

Julia Quinn is an author I am totally going to look out for from now on. She proves that she knows the old timey world of London like the back of her hand with the lovely use of rich language in this book. This was one of my favourite parts of the book. I found myself thinking in the same style as well even after I kept the book down. :P

I adored the dialogue between Olivia and Harry. Their conversation is what makes this book sparkle and their chemistry crackle. The characters have been written well. I like how Olivia knows that she’s pretty but doesn’t enjoy all the perks of being beautiful. She is also intelligent and well read. Harry is smart, teasing, and a loyal friend: all the characteristics you’d need to like a hero. J His friend Sebastian provides many a hilarious moment as well.

The storyline as such is fairly usual but has been written really well and that’s what makes the book fun to read. I laughed quite a few times and heard my friend who read the book after me do the same. J The book progresses really well until the end which I feel could have been slightly better. However, the first three quarters of the book more than make up for it.

I am certainly going to read more of Julia Quinn’s works and I’m glad to see that there are quite a few to be read. J

Favourite Character: Olivia Bevelstoke (Her mental lists are hilarious!)

I know it’s been a while. I hope the next review is sooner rather than later. J

Until then,

The Perennial Reader :)

The Rereader: The Zoya Factor – Anuja Chauhan

Back of the Book (Source Goodreads):

When the younger players in India's cricket team find out that advertising executive Zoya Singh Solanki was born at the very moment India won the World Cup back in 1983, they are intrigued. When having breakfast with her is followed by victories on the field, they are impressed. And when not eating with her results in defeat, they decide she's a lucky charm. The nation goes a step further. Amazed at the ragtag team's sudden spurt of victories, it declares her a Goddess. So when the eccentric IBCC president and his mesmeric, always-exquisitely-attired Swamiji invite Zoya to accompany the team to the tenth ICC World Cup, she has no choice but to agree. Pursued by international cricket boards on the one hand, wooed by Cola majors on the other, Zoya struggles to stay grounded in the thick of the world cup action. And it doesn't help that she keeps clashing with the erratically brilliant new skipper who tells her flatly that he doesn't believe in luck...

The Story:

The unusual, Cricket-inclined good luck of Zoya Singh Solanki, an advertising executive is discovered by the Indian Cricket team. For a Cricket worshipping nation, a good luck charm works wonders in cinching wins. But the Indian team captain, Nikhil Khoda doesn’t believe in luck. What happens next?

My Review:

It was a day like every other when I went strolling into a bookshop along with a friend and discovered Anuja Chauhan’s first novel, The Zoya Factor: A book about Cricket and luck. But that is the day I became an Anuja Chauhan fan.

It is difficult to choose the best part about an Anuja Chauhan novel. Whether it’s the fascinating plotlines, the laugh out loud humour, the stellar heroes, the strong supporting cast of characters or the smile-inducing romance, she knows how to get the reader’s attention and hold it till the very end. The Zoya Factor is no different.

The book revolves around Zoya Singh Solanki’s “lucky charm” status being put to test at the Cricket World Cup. The plotline itself is interesting and unique enough to make you want to pick up the book and read it. The author also comes up with charming analogies like “Boost Brown eyes” and Hinglish dialogues that make you like the characters even more.

The romance between the lead characters is warm and endearing with witty banter and adorable settings. Zoya is very relatable with her insecurities, down-to-earth hardworking nature, want for full on romance in her life and resolute self-respect. Nikhil Khoda is my favourite character of the book. His honest, confident, wry demeanour makes him super attractive to both Zoya and us. J

As amply spoken about on this blog, I highly recommend Anuja Chauhan novels. They’re pretty high on my reread list and quite likely to feature in my Rereader reviews. J

Favourite Character: Nikhil Khoda (Boost Brown Eyes. Nuff said! :D)

Favourite Phrase: “Thee eye of thee cupboard” :P

Until the next book,

The Perennial Reader J

Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Young Adult

Back of the Book: (Source: Sophie Kinsella’s Website)

Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house.

Then her brother's friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again - well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable.

Be prepared to laugh, dream and hope with Audrey as she learns that even when you feel like you have lost yourself, love can still find you...

What’s it about?

Finding Audrey is about a fourteen year old girl named Audrey who has social anxiety disorder. She views life through dark glasses thanks to a bad incident in her school. She has a loving family to support her in her time of need. She also meets Linus, cute note-writer and owner of an orange slice smile. Things seem better again.

My Review:

Finding Audrey is the first Young Adult book by one of my favourite authors of all time, Sophie Kinsella: Inventor of unique plotlines and writer of sweet and laugh-out-loud conversations. :)

The topic is something I, personally, haven’t read about in any other book before. Audrey is unlike other heroines her age. For me, despite what Audrey thinks about herself, she’s a brave person and puts herself out there when she’s ready for it. And I love that about her.

I also love how supportive her family is throughout the whole thing. They all have their own worries and issues but they never fail to pull through for her. Just the way she does for them when they need it. My favourite character is her older brother Frank who is equal parts comical and caring.

The conversations between Audrey and the other characters are sweet. I really enjoyed the simple exchange of notes in the book. In the era of text messaging and email, it is adorably charming. Sophie Kinsella has written another lovely book which joins my already full, specially dedicated “Kinsella” bookshelf. Looking forward to her next. :)

Favourite Character: Frank (Supportive, knows what he wants and is not afraid to go for it and funny!)

Favourite Quote: “I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”

I hope you like the improved version of my reviewing style. I thought I’d add a few elements that make me happy while I read a book like my favourite characters and quotes. :)

Picking up the next book from the TBR…

Until it’s done,

The Perennial Reader. :)