Splendid
By Julia Quinn  

     Emma Dunster, daughter of an American shipping tycoon, travels to England to visit her cousins and to spend a season amongst the ton. Though her family hopes she will find a suitable husband, Emma has no desire for marriage.

     Alex Ridgeley, Duke of Ashbourne, has become jaded by the fortune-seeking women of the ton. Much to his family's dismay, he has decided to forgo marriage for at least another ten years.

     Emma meets Alex after she saves his nephew's life. Their immediate attraction sets the stage for an engaging story of two people sparring with each other in their battle against love.

     Julia Quinn is a masterful writer. Her words invite readers to empathize with her characters' love, laughter, tears and fears. One cannot help but cheer for Emma and Alex to overcome their reservations and accept the inevitable. Not only an entertaining read, this novel is perfectly "Splendid".