The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

GENRE: historical romance

SUMMARY:
At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever. But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers.

THIS MISS REVIEWS:
When she was ten, Miranda Cheever fell in love with her best friend’s oldest brother Nigel, Viscount Turner. Now that she is nineteen, Turner has changed considerably. His wife turned him into a bitter, sarcastic man and at her funeral, he is a happy widower, surprising Miranda. Yet now, she can admire him without guilt, as he is once more a single man. Miranda is still very much in love with him. And so, Miranda’s love story begins.

This was a fun and sweet read, yet quite slow and boring at times. The whole focus of the story was on the romance developing between Miranda and Turner and nothing else happened, really. No surprising twists, no interesting revelations, no tension. Somehow, the novel lacked life.

Miranda is a lovely heroine. She is intelligent, warm and kind, yet also determined and proud. I became disappointed when she tossed her pride away for Turner. He behaved very badly towards her on several occasions and even disappeared after a passionate night, yet she allowed herself to be persuaded into forgiving him because he can touch her like no other man can. I do no respect a heroine who, although pretending to be strong, tough and stubborn, melts as soon as her lover so much as brushes his fingers against her skin. I don’t care much for spineless women. Turner, although charming and rightfully bitter, is not a hero I can admire, I’m afraid. He treats Miranda poorly, in a patronizing and even somewhat condescending way, yet he is forgiven his behaviour because he had a terrible experience with his first marriage. Which means, he doesn’t learn from his own experience – he hurts Miranda the same way his wife did.

A funny thing about Miranda that I have to point it is that, although she resembles a bluestocking (I like them), she was clueless as to who Mary Wollstonecraft was. Perhaps, that was why Turner could turn her so easily (pun not really intended).

I must also confess that I am not a fan of “childhood sweethearts”. Miranda fell in love with Turner when he was nineteen and she was ten. Ten years later, he is a completely different man, due to his unhappy experience. Technically speaking, she is in love with his version of ten years ago, which is why childhood romances don’t work for me. They are a form of nostalgia; we love something or someone that no longer exists. People change when growing into adults. Perhaps I am a nit-picker, but this is another aspect of the story I did not enjoy.

I have to point out that I love historical romances, but I need strong characters and a good story with some lovely twists tossed in. The characters of The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever were almost stock romance characters and although historical romances follow a certain pattern, it does not mean they cannot vary. The story is a bit mediocre and does not offer anything startling.

However, although I know I probably sounded quite negative in my review of this book, this was still a sweet and enjoyable read and there were certain parts that stood out and showed potential. A lover of historical romances should enjoy this novel.

THIS MISS RATES: