Just Like Heaven Book Review *Julia Quinn*

Julia Quinn is an author I can always rely on for writing comfort reads. Her latest, Just Like Heaven (Smythe-Smith Quartet #1) is one I’ve been waiting for not only because it’s the start of a new series, but about the Smythe-Smiths, the group of musically inept girls who have appear in what I like to call “cameos” over the course of Julia’s Bridgerton family series. Just Like Heaven features Honoria Smythe-Smith, who has a bit of the ennui. She comes from a loving family, especially an overprotective brother who had to leave the country unexpectedly after a scandal he was involved in. Honoria knows she must marry soon, and if she does, she’ll be released from playing an instrument in the Smythe-Smith musicals with her other unmarried female cousins. Honoria isn’t too thrilled by searching for a husband, but lately she feels so alone with only her cousins as friends, who tend to grate on her nerves, although she does love them.

The one man Honoria can count on is Marcus Holroyd. Honoria has known Marcus forever since he’s close friends with her brother Daniel. Marcus is very much a loner since his mother died when he was young and his father didn’t have much time for him. Marcus loved the times he spent with the Smythe-Smith’s and didn’t mind Honoria tagging along even though she was a pesky little girl. Marcus is known for being aloof and standoffish, but perfect for marriage. Honoria cares for Marcus, but since he treats her more as a sister, she has pushed aside her tender feelings for him because she thinks nothing can come of it. She asks Marcus to help her in finding a husband. What she doesn’t know is that Marcus has been working behind the scenes since he promised Daniel he wouldn’t let Honoria be taken advantage of by unscrupulous men. But then Honoria sets her sights on Gregory Bridgerton, who has a great reputation and is a perfect husband material.

Soon Honoria schemes to catch Gregory, but Marcus is there to stop her. And because of her somewhat selfish actions, Marcus ends up deathly ill. Guilt eats away at Honoria since she feels responsible for Marcus almost dying. She tries to help him recover in the hopes their friendship can become something more where she’ll always be there for him and one he can turn to for comfort and love.

Just Like Heaven has those trademark Julia Quinn moments her readers love, but I felt there was something important missing to make this latest by her an outstanding read. I don’t want to say Just Like Heaven was “meh”, but I found myself not as engaged as I have been with Julia’s past books. Honoria was a lovely heroine, but I was expecting more slapstick humor since she comes from the Smythe-Smith clan who has a reputation of being a bit ridiculous, especially when it comes to their lacking musical talent. Marcus is somewhat of an enigma, who for some reason is thought of as a lofty man who puts on airs, but nothing shown on the pages supports this at all. At least Marcus doesn’t brood too much or is filled with angst over her family woes. Watching him look out for Honoria and then courting her was the highlight of this book. He and Honoria do have nice chemistry as friends who become lovers.

I found myself chuckling a few times, mainly from Honoria’s introspective about herself, Marcus and life in general. I also enjoyed the way Julia wrote Honoria’s and her mother’s relationship that has become strained because of Daniel. The outcome between mother and daughter relationship was very satisfactory.

Just Like Heaven is sweet, warm and has some nice moments of humor, but unfortunately it’s the type of book that when you finish reading, you soon forget what you have read. Fans of Julia will most likely enjoy Just Like Heaven, but it’s missing a bit of that magic Julia usually inserts in her books. Just like Heaven is light reading with not more behind it. (Avon)

Final Grade: On the fence between a B or a B-.

A few other Just Like Heaven reviews:
Book Chick City
Book Pushers
Geeky Blogger's Book Blog