Customer Reviews

To Catch an Heiress (Agents for the Crown)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

While I wouldn't probably rank this as one of Quinn's best, it is certainly a book that I will keep on my bookshelf. I found it vastly amusing. I couldn't put the book down. The story caught my interest from the very first line. It was cute, funny, and sweet. The banter between the two characters (as well as James, the Marquis) was highly entertaining. This is what is meant by quick repartee (w/the occasional element of slapstick too, I guess). The book is mostly dialogue (in my opinion) and very humorous. I was especially struck by the amusing anecdotes regarding the servants. While it wasn't the most complicated of plots, I found it very original to have these characters together in each other's company throughout the entire book rather than the typical romance chapters in which the hero and heroine are separated and pining mournfully. This was a nice change of pace. In regards to the "dead" fiancee the other reviewers are mentioning, it was not THAT big a downer. It was necessary to understand Blake's character. While the book is certainly a "fluff" one, the death of Marabelle wasn't such a tragic element, but a necessary one. I'm keeping this book and when it's a rainy afternoon and I want to quickly AND enjoyably pass the afternoon, I shall read *Catch an Heiress* again.

I wasn't going to buy this book, due to the no so good reviews given. I ended up buying the book by mistake, then it took me 6 months to get around to reading it. I have to say I was pleasantly suprised. The comments about the hero's dead fiance had put me off, so I was waiting for all these comments. There aren't that many, and what is mentioned fits the hero's difficulty with loving again. It was no different from the explainations given for other brooding heros. I enjoyed the banter between the hero & heroine & their friend. And the servants where hilarious. I was laughing out loud in some spots.

I normally don't add to reviews, but this time I wanted to because the other reviews had given an impression of the book that I personally found to be exagerated. Please don't think I'm putting anyone down. What works for some, doesn't work for others. I just wanted to add my point of view. So if you want a fun, light read, this is a very nice book.

As a huge fan of Julia Quinn, I picked up this book out of sheer boredom and a desire for a light, entertaining read. Since this is one of her earlier works, I wasn't expecting the quality of the Bridgerton series. Overall, I wasn't extremely impressed or disappointed. The hero and heroine are sometimes funny and sometimes annoying and far lacking the depth of Colin and Penelope (of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton). Their personalities seem a little slapdash at times--Blake was about the least convincing spy I've ever seen. However, the plot moves fairly quickly and the secondary characters are, of course, delightful (JQ's specialty, I think). If you can pick up this book for a bargain and want a qucik diversion, go for it. Otherwise, wait for Francesca's story (JQ seems to be getting better with every novel).

From the day her father died when she was merely ten, Caroline Trent has been passed on from one guardian to the next. Barely six weeks shy from turning twenty one and be able to claim her inheritance, she finds herself at the mercy of her latest guardian's mercy when she foils an attempted rape. Knowing she must escape until she can claim her inheritance, she runs away only to be captured by an agent of the Crown when she is mistaken for a spy.

Blake Ravenscroft thought he finally had the ruthless spy Carlotta de Leon in his hands--only to find out that he has the wrong woman. Upon learning his captive's predicament, the gentleman in him couldn't say no to her request to stay at his manor until her twenty first birthday. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he is attracted to her--even though she sorely tests his temper! But if he would just look deep inside, he would know that the tempting chit has wound her way into his heart...

I have been a big fan of Julia Quinn since reading the Bridgerton series. Her writing is superb and her characters are always well-rounded. While TO CATCH AN HEIRESS is the least interesting book of hers that I have read, this was still an entertaining book and had its moments. Caroline is a clever and delightful heroine, full of life and passion. She is perfect for Blake who suffers the guilt over losing his fiancée, who was also a government agent. The way she brought laughter to his otherwise jaded existence provided some sweet and amusing reading. I did have a good laugh over some of their verbal sparring, though I felt that the plot could have been better developed. This was still an entertaining read, with witty dialogues and fun secondary characters (watch out for the marquis and Blake's butler) though not quite on par with some of Quinn's other novels, notably the first three books in the Bridgerton series.

I have the follow up book, HOW TO MARRY A MARQUIS, and hoping for a better story.

I loved her previous romances, especially Splendid and Brighter than the Sun, and appreciate her wonderful sense of humor. Unfortunately, the characters and plot were rather flat. This book did have many amusing moments, but it was disappointing in comparison to her best works.

Miss Caroline Trent is running away. Running away from the sixth guardian to view her fortune as something to better their personal future with. She figures she only has to suvive six weeks before she turns 21 and can legally spend her fortune and leave all guardians in the dust. However, she did not figure on being abducted in the middle of the night, by Blake Ravenscroft. Nor did she figure that he would mistake her for a Carlotta de Leon, a traitor to the Crown. But he did. And now she is tied to a bed post, coughing her brains out, as Blake (an agent in the War Office) interrogates her about the illegal doings of her guardian, Oliver Prewitt. What a muddle. To further complicate things, Blake and Caroline quickly develop feelings for each other. With nary a chaperone in sight.

A light read with plenty of good humor. The plot is a forgone conclusion after the second chapter, but as I liked the characters so much, I didn't mind. And I was edified as I read the teaser line at the beginning of each chapter. (a good vocabulary builder ) A good book to pick up for a day at the beach.

Miss Quinn has come up with a whimsical romance about Caroline Trent, a runaway who is mistaken for a notorious spy by Blake, a government agent. Sparks fly between them, and the story takes place mainly in Blake's country manor. The jokes come fast, mainly due to Caroline's over-enthusiastic attempts to impress Blake and a surprise visit from Blake's sister.

Now, I enjoyed this book, but why didn't I give it 4 stars or more? Well, I have a few problems with this book:

(a) The absence of "movement" of plot - the story never moves outside the country house and I feel "trapped" after a while,

(b) Sometime the story loses steam as Caroline pours something or falls over Blake for what seems the millionth time, <c> A lack of chemistry between the two leads. By chemistry I mean heat and sexual tension. Here the sexual tension is at the minimum.

Despite the faults, I still enjoyed this book. But I wouldn't consider it anything more than the light-heartedromp it is.

I count myself a big Julia Quinn fan and have read almost all over her books. Some of my favorite romance novels are in her Bridgerton series so it was an absolute disappointment when I read To Catch an Heiress. Here I was, thinking how lucky I am to have let one of her books slip through so I could read it for the very first time.

Big mistake.

I was so fed up with this book and the main characters that I just had to stop reading it. And I never just abandon a book! But I couldn't take it anymore. Caroline was one of the most annoying characters I've ever read. As a heroine, there's not much redeemable about her! She's willful, stubborn, selfish, self-absorbed, self-involved... She always has to get her way, no matter if it hurts anyone else and she doesn't seem to have any tact or grace -- you would think that being around so many horrid foster parents that she would learn a little self-preservation but she seems to think convention and other people aren't worth her time -- not even Blake, the man she supposedly loves. I can't believe she hasn't managed to "grow up" yet despite her circumstances! Usually experiences like hers make people mature faster, not slower!

And what's worse is that Blake indulges her! I remember quite distinctly how Blake calls her a "plague," something that echoed what the son of her current foster father had said and because Caroline got upset at how it might be true (it so is), Blake takes it back! She should have gotten a clue then and it was almost like she did but JQ manages to yank it away to save her precious feelings.

Seriously, what a disappointment. I wish I had never even tried reading this book because it taints my thoughts of what a writer JQ is. Stick to the Bridgerton series -- you'll be glad for it. For the most part, at least most of those books are good and at the very least, even the bad ones are decent enough to be read. I wish I could say the same about this book.

To Catch an Heiress was a fast and fun read...I finished it within a day....The story was sweet and fast paced..and I enjoyed Caroline's word of the Day entries...My main complaint about this book was that the characters were somewhat 2 dimensional......While Blake and Caroline were endearing, I didn't really feel as if I knew them all that well....I did,however, enjoy it..and I would recommend it to anyone who was in search of a fluffy story to pass the time..To Catch an Heiress is definitely charming.

To Catch An Heiress is a funny, lighthearted comedy of manners featuring the witty dialogue that Julia Quinn has become known for.

Caroline Trent, orphan and soon-to-be heiress, is sick of her evil and greedy guardian's attempts to force her to marry his son, especially after an ill-conceived attempted rape! Fleeing her guardian's estate on horseback, she plans to hide out for six weeks (until her twenty-first birthday), at which time she will receive her inheritance. She doesn't plan to be kidnapped, but soon she's abducted by the handsome and honorable Blake Ravenscroft and whisked away to his estate.

Blake is sick of his work spying for the crown but has agreed to do this one last job to unmask a dangerous local spy ring believed to be associated with Caroline's guardian. Having never met the notorious Spanish spy named Carlotta De Leon, he mistakes Caroline for her and dismisses Caroline's protestations to the contrary. He holds Caroline prisoner pending a confession and is furious with himself that he's so attracted to the enchanting beauty.

By the time Blake's close friend James Sidwell (the hero of Quinn's subsequent novel How To Marry A Marquis) arrives and confirms that Caroline is not Carlotta, Blake and Caroline are in love but won't admit it to themselves or to each other. What follows is some great banter between Caroline, Blake and James as they plot together to bring the traitorous spy ring to justice while Caroline and Blake fall deeper in love. But all the joking about killing each other as well as the nonstop cursing gets to be too much. Still, Quinn creates a warm comraderie among the three and a fun character in Blake's sister Penelope.

There are no surprises or deep, moving scenes in this novel (okay, maybe one: when Blake and Caroline first make love on the beach), but it is an overall pleasant and absorbing romp that features action, danger, passion and love.