Just Like Heaven (Smythe-Smith, #1) - Julia Quinn This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.

Expected Release Date: May 31, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: Avon
Author’s Website: http://juliaquinn.com/
My Source for This Book: Amazon.com
Part of a Series: Yes, Book 1 Smythe-Smith Quartet (Spinoff of the Bridgerton Series)
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy

As the best friend of Honria’s brother, Daniel, Marcus has known Honoria since she was a little girl. Now that Daniel has been forced to run away to the Continent after a dueling mishap, he has asked Marcus to look after her during the Season.

Honoria is now in her second Season, and though there were several suitors last Season who seemed interested enough, she has yet to receive a formal offer.

An impulsive plan to gain the attention of Gregory Bridgerton ends with Marcus sustaining a badly sprained ankle and a cough (having been left in the rain while Honoria sought help for him), and he ends up deathly ill. Hearing of his illness from his housekeeper, Honoria and her mother rush back to his estate to literally find him on death's door. Through her mother's quick thinking and Honoria's determination, he is saved, and in the meantime, Marcus and Honoria discover that perhaps their friendship could come to be something much deeper.

And of course, the Smythe-Smith musicale does play a large part in the story, much to the amusement and consternation of everyone involved.

In the end, though I enjoyed it, I wasn’t blown away. While Marcus’ injury added a nice bit of tension to the story, and the inherent humor in the Smyth-Smith Quartet itself was of course entertaining, not to mention the situation that led to Marcus’ injury in the first place, the lack of deeper angst I think kept me from really feeling invested in the characters.

Recommended for fans of Julia Quinn, childhood friends finding a deeper connection, and a hero with a serious illness nursed back to health by our heroine. 3/5 Stars