The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - by Julia Quinn
I've recently read two other books by Julia Quinn, The Lost Duke of Wyndham and Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. I loved both of those, so I was really looking forward to reading another of her works. After reading several negative reviews on Amazon, I was worried that The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever might be disappointing. But, I was wrong. I absolutely adored this story! I started reading it when I got into bed around 11 p.m. last night and I could not put it down. At 3 a.m. I finished the 370+ page book. I'm a sucker for a sweet love story with a dashing leading man and a sensible but clever herione. I also really enjoy stories set in this time period (1800's England). This book fit the bill perfectly.
Miranda Cheever is an unattractive, awkward girl of ten years old when she meets the handsome Viscount Turner - he is the older brother to her best friend. He treats her so sweetly, telling her that she will someday "grow into herself" and become as beautiful as she already is smart. He tells her she should start keeping a diary and indeed she does. Her very first entry is from the day she met him and it reads, "Today I fell in love." Years later, we find Miranda at the age of nineteen and Turner a hardened widower who was greatly wronged by a conniving, cheating wife. Miranda still has the same feelings for Turner and holds out hope that she can win his love.
I thought the story moved along at just the right pace. And, I enjoyed many "laugh out loud" moments. Miranda and Turner were both very likeable characters. You couldn't help but root for them to be together. If this sounds like your kind of story, I highly recommend it.
3 comments:
I'm sure it was a great book, but I was totally distracted by the fact that you started reading at 11pm and finished the WHOLE book by 3 am. ARE YOU INSANE? Wait, let me rephrase that...How impressive. Yea, thats better. I love to read too, but don't think i've ever read a book through the night. I want to come over and live with you so that I can do that too. Don't forget, I know your address..haha. Talk to you later friend.
Wow! I love when a book captures you like that and you can't put it down -- no matter what the time!
It sounds delightfully Jane Austenish; I should add it to my ever-growing list of summer reads.
:D
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