The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever

Title: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon Historical Romance

Copyright Date: 2007

Print Date: July 2007

ISBN: 9780061230837

Pages: 373

Series: 1st of the Bevelstoke series

Book Description (from back cover):

2 March 1810...
Today, I fell in love.

At the age of ten Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her — until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldy predicted on that memorable day — while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devestating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier — and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers...

Comments:

The blurb drew me into purchasing this from the book sale room at the local library and the story caught my interest from the very beginning. As it progressed, while it remained an enjoyable story, it went in a direction that I didn't enjoy quite as much as hoped. I hate to be too spoilerish, but it needs to be said...

The entire story became, "Why can't he say he loves me?"/"Why can't I say I love her?" Which is fine for a short period of time, but this streched through the last 1/3 of the story.

But I don't want to give the wrong impression. I still stayed up 'til 2:30a on a work night finishing it, I'm still glad I spent the $0.25 purchasing it, I'm still happy I chose to read it, and I am satisfied with it overall.

Side Note(s):

I tend to be hesitant about blogging when I read historical romance books, and I suspect this is why. They tend to be pleasant blurs. I read them, I enjoy them, and the most memorable part is the one drawback. It's really nothing overall, but the rest is so blurred it stands out.

I have to add, though, that this makes historical romance an excellent genre for re-reading. I can enjoy it as a fresh story every time, and those little flaws are less and less noticable as I grow use to them. =]