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Splendid (Blydon Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Julia Quinn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,160 ratings
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Based on the phenomenal growth of Quinn's popularity, and her four-week stint on the New York Times bestseller list with Romancing Mr Bridgerton, it's the perfect time to revisit Ms Quinn's 'splendid' storytelling.

American heiress Emma Dunster has always been fun-loving and independent with no wish to settle into marriage. She plans to enjoy her Season in London in more unconventional ways than husband-hunting. But this time Emma's high-jinks lead her into dangerous temptation...

Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne, is a notorious rake who carefully avoids the risk of love...until he plants one reckless kiss on the sensuous lips of this high-spirited innocent...and condemns himself to delicious torment. Little does he know that his passion has touched the very soul of the lovely enchantress...and committed them both to a lifetime of splendid ecstasy.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Blydon
  2. Print length
    400 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    HarperCollins e-books
  6. Publication date
    March 17, 2009
  7. File size
    2377 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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  1. It’s far easier to shut yourself off from people than to love them. If you keep your heart surrounded by strong walls, no one can get close enough to you to break it.
    Highlighted by 165 Kindle readers
  2. If someone loved you—someone decent and kind, that is—you had a responsibility not to trample all over her heart.
    Highlighted by 136 Kindle readers
  3. “Well, my love,” he said, “I imagine my sister has just remembered that she doesn’t have a harpsichord.”
    Highlighted by 102 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

For those readers who enjoy a lighthearted romance, Splendid is their cup of tea...Ms. Quinn delivers a fast-paced romance with a delicious flair for humor.

-- "RT Book Reviews"

Our contemporary Jane Austen.

-- "Jill Barnett, author of Bewitching"

Smart, funny.

-- "Time Magazine"

About the Author

Julia Quinn is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels are perennial bestsellers. As a graduate of Radcliffe College and Harvard University, she loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance. She has been inducted into the Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame. There are ten million copies of her books in print in the United States alone.



Lucy Rayner is an Earphones Award-winning narrator and award-winning British actress. She has starred in numerous short and feature-length films, including English20 and Total Retribution. For her performance in Bolero, she was named Best Supporting Actress at the 2013 Madrid International Film Festival. She has worked on both sides of the Atlantic in a number of theater productions and films, many of which have screened at festivals around the world. She has a master's degree in history from the University of Edinburgh and is a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York City.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FC28BC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books (March 17, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 17, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2377 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0380780747
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5,160 ratings

About the author

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Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand fashion, appearing on the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code. Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame, her books have been translated into 29 languages, and she currently lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
5,160 global ratings
Printed poorly
1 Star
Printed poorly
Can’t read any of the left pages because the words run into the book fold. Maybe it was just my book hopefully the others are printed out properly I will be returning since I can’t read half of the book
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Top reviews from the United States

HermosaVidaLoca
5.0 out of 5 stars Calling all Bridgerton Lovers YOU NEED THIS ASAP
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023
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If you are a bridgerton/Julia Quinn fan you need this book. It is whimsical, romantic and sexy.
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Mag
4.0 out of 5 stars Laughed out loud
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
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I had forgotten how much I like her humor. Likeable characters also. Really entertaining read. I think it's time to reread The Duke & I.
2 people found this helpful
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A Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars SPLENDID by Julia Quinn (Blydon Family Series Book #1)
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2021
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First of all, the title for this book describes it perfectly! SPLENDID is Julia Quinn's debut novel which was originally released in 1995 and the first in her "Blydon" series. This was my fourth time reading it and I can honestly say that I still love it as much today as I did the previous three times. If you've never picked up a book by Ms. Quinn (where have you been hiding?) then this (or the famous Bridgertons) would be a perfect place to start. I personally think her earlier work is better than her more recent books anyway, but that's just my lone opinion.

SPLENDID was such a fabulous story and deserves much higher praise than anything I can put into words. Not only does it have a beautiful romance, but the humor was just too much fun to read about. The entire cast was fantastic including Alex and Emma, and I literally adored every single one of them. It was fast paced with never a dull moment, and I was hooked from the very first chapter. A must read for all historical romance or JQ fans and so worthy of this five star review. I re-read it every five years or so and enjoy every moment. I hope you do too 😊

Below is a list of the entire "Blydon" series and reading order for those who don't know:

Book 1 - SPLENDID (Emma Dunster & Alexander Ridgely, the Duke of Ashbourne)
Book 2 - DANCING AT MIDNIGHT (Arabella "Belle" Blydon & Lord John Blackwood) Belle is Emma's cousin
Book 3 - MINX (Henrietta "Henry" Barrett & William Dunford) Dunford is Alex's best friend
Book 3.5 - A TALE OF TWO SISTERS (A novella located inside the WHERE'S MY HERO? anthology, featuring Ned Blydon) Ned is Emma's cousin & Belle's brother
12 people found this helpful
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Cassie
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best romance novels ever written
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020
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This book may have been JQ’s first, but I hold that it just might still be her best. This book is wonderfully written, complete with plot twists, amazing and well fleshed out characters, and all the fun and romance one expects from a regency romance novel! I own 3 copies, 2 in paperback (one in excellent condition that is part of my collection of most of Julia Quinn’s books, one in rough condition that I carry to hospital appointments, and a digital copy on my phone.

I can’t recommend this book enough. Total comfort read, beginning to end!
11 people found this helpful
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Sheila M
3.0 out of 5 stars An Early Book By Quinn is Good But Not Up to Her Later Standard
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2016
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FINAL DECISION: A book that feels more formulaic than a normal Julia Quinn novel, SPLENDID has some madcap moments but after a while the number of dramas that had to be negotiated wore on the story.

THE STORY: Emma Dunster is an American heiress who intends on enjoying her season in London with no plans for marriage because she wants to return to America, marry and run her father's business. Masquerading as a kitchen maid, she goes out on an errand and ends up saving the nephew of Alexander Ridgely, Duke of Ashbourne, a notorious rake. Furious when he finds out her deception, Emma and Alexander begin a dance where neither wants marriage but yet they cannot stay away from one another.

OPINION: This book begins well. The twist of having Alexander believe that Emma is a kitchen maid and then discovering that she is actually an heiress is funny and brings the characters immediately together in an intimate fashion. Emma shows herself to be independent and determined as she wants to use her business sense. Alexander is a bit of a jerk about the whole thing. The two cannot seem to stop being attracted to one another despite each believing that they want something else.

This book just has too many dramatic moments and twists and turns to drive the story forward instead of fostering connection between the characters. For me that means that while I like the book, I found it somewhat forgettable. It's one of those books that I read, enjoyed but won't think to pick up again.

The good news is that Quinn has gone on to write some amazing books.

WORTH MENTIONING: This was Julia Quinn's first book and at times it shows.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SPLENDID is the first book in the Splendid or Blydon Trilogy.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3 stars.
10 people found this helpful
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ljensen
5.0 out of 5 stars It is Splendid!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022
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This is a great book!! There are a couple of issues that would be questionable in real life, but it is a good fast read & funny!!
2 people found this helpful
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Hss
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Emma os from Boston sent by her dad to her aunt whom is nobility. She wishes to stay unwed and run her dad shipping business. Upon being in London she geta into mischief with her cousin Bella and meets Lady Sophia and her brother whom is a Member of the ton Alex. Alex instantly os attracted to the minx and decides she is his . Even though hos thoughts on marriage are null. Good book witty and page turner
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PAA
5.0 out of 5 stars Great early Julia Quinn
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2022
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Early Blydon trilogy make for great reading. Leads nicely into the Bridgerton books! I’ve now read all of Julia’s books twice and can’t wait to see what she writes next. I’ve now been enjoying Lisa Kleypas’ “Wallflower” series.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Lindalou
5.0 out of 5 stars loved it
Reviewed in Canada on January 1, 2024
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Lots of exciting edge of your seat events to keep you entertained along with the hero and heroine’s clash of personalities which had to be sorted.
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Debashree
5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid
Reviewed in India on March 20, 2023
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It's splendid in name and truly splendid.
I enjoyed.
I would recommend it to everyone.
One of the best books of Julia Quinn.
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Anne
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it !
Reviewed in Germany on January 14, 2021
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Absolutely loved it ! Over the top and not really historically accurat, but still great tension, couldn't stop reading.
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Margaret Camilleri
5.0 out of 5 stars nice easy read
Reviewed in Australia on October 20, 2022
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A nice easy read. I have been enjoying this series. Not the usual read for me but a nice change.
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licia
2.0 out of 5 stars not for me
Reviewed in Italy on August 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
I think I came to understand that I don't quite relate to the brat-sort of heroin They all seem fake to me, more than other sort of characters, with the sole exception of Scarlett O'Hara. But she was mean and selfish, among other things, and that gave a great touch of realism to her character.
As for the rest of the book, I don’t know, I simply couldn't get anything out of it.
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