Stefanie Sloane

Four Weddings and a Sixpence - Julia Quinn et al
Audio performance by Mary Jane Wells
3 stars

This was kind of fun. There were four linked short stories, written cooperatively by several authors. A ‘lucky’ sixpence found at boarding school connects a quartet of best friends as they seek love and husbands in the adult world. I enjoyed supportive friendships that connected the group. The husband hunting is filled with banter and humorous predicaments. The episodic nature of the stories made them perfect listening for errand-running trips in the car.… (mere)

I found this troubling for a couple of reasons:

First: the prologue sets up an enjoyable premise, but very clearly states that the first person must wed before her 25th birthday. Twenty FIVE. And they talk about how she's fourteen now and there's ages of time. Then when the story goes over to the next author, it's 10 years later, but she must marry before she's 21. And they go on and on about it. Do you have a copy editor? Because this is disappointing.

Second: annoyed how story 1 goes from a kiss (which caused consternation) to full on sex at the next meeting and everyone's totally casual about it. It's a short story, I understand that you want some action in it, but it just didn't seem emotionally consistent with anything else in the story.

On the whole, while the rest of the stories were stronger and were entertaining, it just wasn't a great read.… (mere)

Pretty good, but the title is not appropriate. Gorgeous eligible duke is assigned to protect gorgeous eligible titled miss from a French plot. Suspense, romance, danger ensue.

Male romantic lead: Duke of Claremont, leader of Young Corinthian spies,must protect Lady Lucinda from French plot, by his physical presence, so he pretends to court her.

Female lead: Lady Lucinda Grey,wealthy and unattached female, turning down all suitors, in favor of horse breeding with her aunts, allows Claremont's courtship for a chance to win his prize stallion.

Other characters of note: The Furies, otherwise known as the three aunts, all widowed, very protective of their niece.

Quirkiness: Lots of horse talk, everyone is into breeding horses and racing.… (mere)