What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2)

by Julia Quinn, Julia Quinn

mass market paperback, 372 pages

English language

Published Dec. 19, 2009 by Avon.

ISBN:: 978-0-06-149188-7
OCLC Number:: 262888261

(8 reviews)

Rumors and gossip-- the lifeblood of London. When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancee, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits-- and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something. Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped …

1 edition

govmarley reviewed What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2) by Julia Quinn

Review of 'What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2)' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

Book 2 in the Bevelstoke series. Not quite up to my love of the Bridgertons, but I'm not sure anything will take their place.

You see, I didn't think much of Olivia in [b:The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever|110387|The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (Bevelstoke, #1)|Julia Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1274212433s/110387.jpg|1790570]. I thought she was rather two-dimensional and a little unlikeable. Miranda seemed to be a much better friend to her than Olivia was back. However, we get more exposure to her inner thoughts and emotions, and she's better in this book. I mean, she's the heroine, so let's hope she's better. But Harry! And Sebastian! They were both divine. Julia Quinn writes a good hero, and an excellent HEA. That's why I love her so much. And I always love a good Russian spy storyline. Must be because I'm a child of the 80s Cold War.

Weird things that stood out to me: Olivia's parents, and especially her mother, are barely in this book. Which is strange, because her mother was all over Miranda's story and she isn't even related to her. And Winston was barely around as well. I know this is set after Miranda's story, so Olivia has had 3 seasons and is on the shelf, but I expected more family interactions like in the first book.

But it's Julia Quinn, and it's funny and sweet, and I'm a marshmallow so I loved it anyway. It didn't hurt that I loved Harry so much and the surrounding cast of characters were interesting and intriguing (I'm looking at you, Vladimir. Hope you get your own book soon). Excited to read Sebastian's story in book 3. I'm sure it will be entertaining.

NightDrake reviewed What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2) by Julia Quinn

Review of 'What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This is the first Julia Quinn book I've ever read. My initial thought was. "Why did it take me so long to read this author?" There wasn't anything that I disliked about either Olivia, or Harry, and for me, that's rare. There's usually something with the main characters that irritates me, but this didn't happen.
I also really enjoyed all the banter between the characters. I'll say that my favorite banter moment was when Harry was trying to get Olivia to read the Gothic novel.
Also, the fact that Harry asked Olivia's parents if he could marry her, right in front of Olivia, that was pretty awesome as well.
The only character I really disliked was the prince.

arr reviewed What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2) by Julia Quinn

Review of 'What Happens in London (Bevelstoke, #2)' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Ridiculously adorable and, at points, uproariously funny.

I imagine it's probably not super popular with a certain set of romance readers because the hero isn't an asshole and the protagonists actually like each other and have interactions involving things besides all-consuming lust, but it suited my tastes perfectly.