Splendid

I read this for “midsummer ball” on Ripped Bodice romance bingo - there's like four balls and a London Season, so one of them is probably in midsummer. Pretty standard Julia Quinn, lots of banter and everyone has a title or six. From the blurb, I thought the secret identity/dressed as a maid thing would be more of the story, but it's all resolved in the first hundred or so pages. Not bad, but not anything that's really going to stick with me, I think.

(2020 summer romance bingo: midsummer ball. Loosely “set on island,” would also work for secret identity, debut novel, meddling matchmakers, and violet eyes.)

This is definitely a debut novel, which is acknowledged at the beginning with an intro from the author. Having read the Bridgerton series and other Julia Quinn novels you definitely pick up the beginning of her style here, even if it is unrefined. Alex's dialogue initially put me off, especially with his constant use of “love” which felt very out of place, but I am glad I persevered and did end up enjoying the novel. Not necessarily one I would revisit but good if you are in the mood for a cheeky historical romance and not precious about historical accuracy.