Historical
What Happens in London
By Dottie
Jul 1, 2009 - 9:22:23 AM

By the age of twelve, Harry Valentine was unlike other children of his class in the early nineteenth century for two reasons; he was fluent in Russian and French and he was proficient in the task of cleaning up vomit.  The first was because his Russian grandmother came to stay with him and she only liked to speak Russian and the second was because his father was a drunk.  By the age of ten, Harry was cleaning up after him.  His mother tended to ignore the situation entirely and his older sister Anne could not wait to marry and leave home.  However, his younger brother Edward learned to adapt like Harry.  Though Harry felt guilty about leaving his siblings, it was a relief to go off to school.  At nineteen, he graduated with the rest of the class, including his best friend and first cousin Sebastian Grey.  Even though Harry had planned to go on to university, somehow he ended up purchasing a commission in the army with Sebastian.

It is not uncommon for Lady Olivia Bevelstoke to formulate lists in her mind, which is why she was often caught not listening when she should have been and why, at times, she said things that she should have kept to herself.  Miranda has been her best friend since birth and now that she has married Olivia’s brother, they are sisters.  However, they do not live close anymore, so she has no one to confide in except a few young ladies of the ton who specialize in gossip, some of which they make up.

Harry Valentine is working for the War Office and he has just purchased a home in Mayfair, next door to Lady Olivia.   Rumor has it that Harry murdered his fiancée, though Olivia does not believe it and despite the fact that he has never been engaged.  However, Olivia would not be able to live with herself if she did not find out as much as she could about her new next-door neighbor.  So, for the next five days, she surreptitiously watches him, since she can see right into his office window from her bedroom window.  Although she believes he is not aware of her actions, he knows her every move.  They meet at a local musicale, where he subtly insinuates to her about her recent activity, much to her embarrassment.  Though they seem to irritate each other at first, an attraction grows between them as they find a mutual person they dislike, Russian Prince Alexei Ivanovich Gomarovsky.  The War Office has ordered Harry to follow the prince and Olivia’s mother seems to be pushing Olivia at the prince.  Since the prince has taken quite a liking for Olivia, the three often find themselves in each others company.  Jealousy pits Harry against the prince.  Will Harry be able to win Olivia’s heart as well as her friendship?

Deliciously sensual and wickedly witty, WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON is an amusing, steamy historical romance.  Brimming with snappy dialogue, captivating characters, an intriguing plot, some surprising plot twists, tender romance and a terrific ending, this book is sure to be remembered long after the last page is read and the book is closed.  Julia Quinn is one of those authors that just seeing her name on a book is enough to put it on my ‘must buy’ list.  Run out and grab your own copy of WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON, you will be glad you did.