Brighter than the Sun

"He wanted to kiss her, love her, surround her. He wanted everything from her, and he wanted to give her every last piece of himself."
-Julia Quinn in Brighter Than The Sun.

Julia Quinn's Brighter Than The Sun explores a marriage of convivence story where the protagonists go through a highly traumatic MONTH together in a mismatched storyline that struggles to fit in with each other.

I actually really enjoyed Ellie as a character. She started off strong being smart, independent, savvy, and intuitive but throughout the entire book she's talked down upon, which does nothing to make me like any of the other characters, and eventually her whole personality becomes diluted towards the end of the book and contradicted itself through the second show more half.

So much happens in the time span of this book, which is literally a single month, it's nearly comical; the characters aren't given enough time to fully get to know each other and instead they develop a trauma bond through a series of highly improbable unfortunate events. When they aren't going through trauma their fighting or she's swatting away unwanted sexual advances. I felt nothing for the characters and the whole book felt like watching simultaneous skits. The conversations seemed to go in circles which took away the fun of Julia Quinn's masterful banter and the plot devices used were so silly and happened so fast it was hard to take the book seriously.

Maybe it just aged very poorly but this has been by far my least favorite Julia Quinn novel. I'm very tired of these extremely unlikable characters. show less

This was a 5 star book till about 10% away from the finish. I didn't think there needed to be a killer after Charles. I understand why he was part of the plot but felt it just made it a bit "too much" That said.. I absolutely LOVED Charles. He and his lists cracked me up! Ellie and him had wonderful banter.

A take on the standard marriage of convenience story, with quite funny characters. I liked how the plot didn't hinge on misunderstandings, rather it is a sweet story of two people getting to know each other.
My goodness, what a rotten cover! Thank goodness this was an ebook, or I'd have had to fight off nausea while reading.

One of my major problems in many romance novels is the lack of a feeling that they're really rooted in a particular time. If I have to be told from elsewhere that it's a Regency Novel it does fail to impress. Also I don't really like the covers of these UK editions, but that's easily ignored.

Eleanor Lyndon had a problem, her step-mother-to-be who has decided that Eleanor is to marry or to serve as an unpaid servant. Eleanor is trying to work out what to do with herself when Charles Wycombe, Earl of Billington, falls at her feet, literarally. He needs a wife before this thirteeth birthday (which is soon) and she looks like she will do nicely.

This starts off as a marriage of convenience but they both find that they're more attracted than show more they really care to admit to. When accidents start to happen to them both they really have to wonder what is going on around them.

It's light, entertaining and kept me reading. Nothing earth-shattering but I will read more of Julia Quinn show less

Very, very enjoyable. I admired both of the lead characters and appreciate the myriad obstacles that Quinn puts in their way. It was a great read.

I didn't think that I would get to read about the Earl of Bllington getting a happily ever after. I felt kind when Henrietta Barret (Minx) turned him down. Charles Wycomde is a very charming and lovable man. He is also compassionate, honorable and loyal. I thought he was wonderful in Minx and he is even better in this story. I was able to see into his life and the things that have made him the man he is. I also think that he is much more patient than most men would have been in similar situations. Ellie runs him a merry chase and he seems to love every minute he spends with her. That is the best foundation for a long and happy relationship after all. Even with all the mishaps that hound both Ellie and him he keeps his sense of humor. show more Charles does have a temper though and it is provoked more than once before the end of the story.

Eleanor “Ellie” Lyndon is practical, intelligent, and talkative. She is also a caring person that loves child and can’t but help anyone in need. She is also more than a little unforgiving for the first half of the book. It takes a serious accident to make her realize that she is going to have to take steps to reform Charles’s rakish ways. I love how she goes about engaging Charles interest the first time. I wasn’t sure he was going to survive that encounter. Ellie is also very protective of those that she loves. She is also willing to learn something new which is a quality that is so rare in people.

This is another quick, easy, and fun read. There are a couple of small mysteries that are quickly solved and add some very funny moments to the story. There are also so some every terrifying incidents, luckily there weren't any serious injuries. Ms. Quinn continues to write wonderful characters that make you want to visit them or invite them home form tea. It is always a little sad when you finish a book like this one because you hate to leave such a lovely group. show less

The first page of this book is a note from author Julia Quinn in which she explains that this is a "marriage of convenience" story, the type of story she's always loved and wanted to write. I, myself, am a big fan of those stories, so I was looking forward to reading Quinn's take on a classic plot. The plot left me a bit deflated, and I'm sure if any other author attempted this story, it would have earned fewer stars.

Ellie is minding her own business when Charles Wycombe, Earl of Billington, falls out of a tree on top of her. Ellie doctors his ankle and helps him home. Along the way, he proposes to her. Why not? He must marry in the next two weeks, or he loses his fortune. Ellie, on the other hand, is being hassled by her soon-to-be show more stepmother, who gives her two choices: work to earn her keep or agree to marry one of the men she has doomed acceptable (a horrid list, to be sure). Both Charles and Ellie stand to gain much from a marriage of convenience, and so the two are soon married.

In the rest of the book, the two get to know each other better, discover a plot to kill Charles and steal his title and wealth, and of course, fall in love. In the end, it's very predictable and a bit frustrating. Charles and Ellie fight constantly. She behaves like a teenager instead of the independent woman she supposedly is. There are, however, beautiful moments that make it all worthwhile, along with Quinn's talent for witty dialogue. Fans of Quinn's will likely find it moderately enjoyable, but not quite on par with some of her better works. show less