A Night Like This (Smythe-Smith Quartet)

Although this is the second book in a series, it is about different characters than those in the first book... kind of. Anyway, you don't need to have read the first book although it would help slightly with the characters.Anne Wynter somehow finds herself playing the pianoforte at the infamous Smythe-Smith yearly musicale. How, she doesn't really know as she is only a governess. However, while trying to get by as best she can, Anne sets eyes on Daniel Smyth-Smith, who was once banished from the country. She doesn't know who he is at the time but she cannot keep her eyes off him. Anne was a wonderful protagonist who is full of secrets. She knows that Daniel is off limits, due to her position as a governess but at times, she really doesn't care. Her first proper meeting with Daniel ends up in a quite passionate kiss and after that, she can't stop thinking about him.Daniel, the man who was exiled for accidentally shooting someone, was by far one of my favourite Julia Quinn characters. Even though he is an Earl, never does he act above himself and he isn't an arse like some of these Aristocrat characters are to begin with at times. There is no false personality with Daniel and that is what I loved about him. Daniel wears his heart on his sleeve and although he should stay away from Anne, he can't help himself. However, he is more than clear about how much he likes her and what his intentions are. He never treats her as a secret.The romance between Anne and Daniel was extremely sweet. While Julia Quinn does this well in the rest of her books, I think this was by far the nicest of the romances that she has written. I do think that a lot of that is because of Daniel's personality and he isn't like many of her other male characters. Anne's personality has a lot to do with it too though. She's feisty and while she is reserved at times, she is outgoing, funny and full of life. Due to her being a governess, Daniel and Anne's time alone together is quite funny due to the girls always getting in the way. I did love the girls as secondary characters though.A Night Like This also has a wonderful plot. With Anne keeping her own secrets and Daniel having only recently coming home after three years abroad, there is plenty of excitement and entertainment. With Daniel having enemies from the past, he is put into quite a few difficult and dangerous situations, some while Anne is with him. Although he is sure of who is behind these events, Anne is keeping some very important things to herself. It isn't until the last third of the book that it is revealed who is behind all of the drama. I loved not knowing who was doing what and what the exact reason behind everything was.A Night Like This is one of my favourite Julia Quinn novels and I can't wait to read the next in the series now and to see who that book concentrates on.

Loved the twists and turns. Characters are full of life and really descriptive. Another fantastic read. Julia Quinn really knows her audience

In my experience and extensive reading of this genre of books I have only discovered a handful of writers who can draw you into a story quickly and weave the action with distinction . Julia Quinn is one of those authors. She captures the characters and the essence of the play with humour creating a unique atmosphere whilst spinning the tale brilliantly. Their was less female chatter and detail of the musical mayhem which suited me well.

I keep buying Quinn’s books so I must be enjoying them - and I am, they are sweet, light and a guaranteed happy ending. But I truly wish she’d employ a Brit to sense check her books - particularly regarding food and drink! How hard would it be for someone to tell her that Cornish pasties aren’t routinely eaten with toast, marmalade, bacon, eggs and kippers for breakfast? Or that kippers aren’t slippery little fish that you eat in huge quantities? Or that during the regency period a lady wouldn’t be served tea in a mug! It’s not rocket science - it’s just a bit sloppy. But I no doubt will buy the next one in the series, enjoy reading it and groan every time she adds some daft detail that she’s not checked.

Another enjoyable book. I liked Anne and loved Daniel, which surprised me because I didn't expect to like him more than Marcus in the last book. I enjoyed the story and the fact they both had a past. Interesting that Anne has to be the first JQ heroine, apart from Francesca in "When he was Wicked" (who was a widow) to not be an innocent at the start of the novel, having been seduced as a 16 year old girl by the man she is now on the run from. Mind you, she does appear to be as inexperienced as all the other heroines in the obligatory sex scene with our hero. Well at least I found her reactions at first to be those of someone who was. I little thing I noticed in this and recent JQ books is the distinct lack of tongues in the kissing scenes. Has someone complained to Miss Quinn about them? I just found it odd because the love scenes themselves are as explicit as ever and tongues are certainly mentioned there. LOL!

'A Night Like This' is the second audiobook of The Smythe-Smith series by Julia Quinn.Daniel Smythe-Smith, newly returned from exile in Europe, arrives back in England on the night of the annual Smythe-Smith Musicale. He is amazed to find the beautiful and breathtaking, but unknown Governess of his cousins taking part in the musicale.Anne Wynter has her secrets and a past that she'd like to forget, but for the first time in many years, her heart has started to beat faster and she feels the pull and connection to Daniel, but she cannot risk her position as a Governess for anyone.A forbidden, cross-class romance. I was engaged and entertained from the very beginning of this audiobook. The author is a master of creating brilliant characters and excellent stories. This book is witty and charming, but also had some darker and nefarious characters who brought tension and jeopardy to the story. I found the two main characters to be charming, delightful, and likeable.This audiobook has lively dialogue, an enjoyable plot, and characters who have a sparkle and a frisson together. Amazing narration from Roselyn Landor really brought the different characters to life for me.

The second in the Smythe-Smith quartet of books which are a spinoff from Ms Quinn's Bridgerton books. It's the Smythe-Smith musicale again, and Daniel Smythe-Smith returns from exile to see an unknown pianist taking part. He's instantly smitten, but he's an Earl and Anne is a governess with past she would prefer to keep hidden. But Daniel is not to be put off, even though someone keeps trying to kill him. But who is the real target? Again, a witty and bright read. The same core characters reappear, but this time the focus is on Daniel.

Good read. Love the Bridgeton series

This series was my introduction to J. Quinn's novels and I can't tell you how much I loved all three books . Each book has well developed characters, a great story line, just the perfect romance with a wonderful historical setting and it grabs your interest from the beginning to the end. If you are like me and haven't yet read her work, start here you won't be disappointed.I have now read ALL of Julia Quinn's books and there isn't one I wouldn't recommend, Give this book a read you will definitely enjoy it!!!

All of JQs reads are fab if you are into happy endings. They make you smile, they make you laugh, and you mightbcry in the middle, but you always get your happy ending, the one you have wanted since the first page. Smythe-Smith is at the same level as Bridgertons for sure!

This second book in the series was remarkably better than the first. It's a love at first sight kind of story, full of filtration, passionate kisses and cousins, of course. The Smythe-Smiths are a very large family, they love each other very dearly and I loved that this really transpired in the book.

Boring, reads like a bad play. Other bridgerton novels and caracters fun, but besides the male not very interesting. Skip to next novel

It was good to get the background on how Daniel and Hugh fought over cards, had the dreadful duel experience with Daniel unintentionally shooting Hugh in the leg and being hounded out of England by Hugh's father. After 3 years Hugh visit Daniel in Italy and tells him that he has convinced his father to let Daniel return to England. He returns on the night that Anne Wynter (a Governess) relaxes Sarah on the piano at the String Quartet. Daniel arrives back quietly and see Anne through curtains and is quite captured by her. Anne, who was Analise Shorcross, is Governess to Daniel's cousins. That night is also upset by Daniel discovering his sister kissing his best friend Marcus. Anne has a secret similar to Daniel's she was double crossed at 16 to have a sexual liaison with a man called Charles she thought loved her and marry her, only to find that he was marrying someone else with better financial standing. He then proceeded to seduce her again which she resisted and in an attempt to defend herself picked up a pen knife which Charles rushed into resulting in his face being severely cut. Charles goes crazy and both his father and her father get involved and given women's standing in the world at that time Anne is blamed for at all and banished from her home, becoming and companion and then a Governess under another name. Daniel pursues Anne relentlessly including inviting the cousins to his country seat. Anne has a half day off and goes into the village and Daniel goes after her. It begins to rain he offers to drive her home in his cart. During their return they crash and it discovered to be sabotage. Daniel thinks it is Hugh father to blame and heads to London to check. Realising that is wasn't Hugh he begins to think that it was due to Anne's past. On return to London of Daniel's Aunt, cousins and Anne, Daniel's aunt tells Anne to watch out on Daniel's attentions. Anne has realised that Charles was behind the horse cart incident. She runs to keep the family safe and get away from Daniel. Into a poorer part of London with little money, no reference and no job prospects is discovered by Charles, his intent is to cut and murder her. She manages to escape and goes to Daniel who takes her back to his mother for safety. Daniel visits Charles' wife looking for him and during this time crazy Charles kidnaps the youngest cousin Frances luring Anne into the carriage to save her. They take off and Anne pushes Frances out to save her. Frances goes him and provides Daniel on the coach details and Charles posibble destination. Daniel, his mother, Frances' mother, Frances, Hugh and Marcus chase Charles and Anne to an Inn on Hamstead Heath. Charles is eventually apprehended and is forced to leave the country with his wife. Anne and Daniel are finally able to be together.