To Catch an Heiress (Agents for the Crown, #1)

by Julia Quinn

When Caroline Trent is kidnapped by Blake Ravenscroft, she doesn't even try to elude this dangerously handsome agent of the crown. After all, she's been running from unwanted marriage proposals. Yes, Blake believes she's a notorious spy named Carlotta De Leon, but for six weeks until her twenty-first birthday, when she'll gain control of her fortune, hiding out in the titillating company of a mysterious captor is awfully convenient - and maybe just a little romantic, too.

Blake Ravenscroft's mission is to bring 'Carlotta' to justice, not to fall in love. His heart has been hardened by years of intrigue, but this little temptress proves oddly disarming and thoroughly kissable. And suddenly the unthinkable becomes possible - and this mismatched couple might be destined for love.

• ISBN10: 0060819413
• ISBN13: 9780060819415
• Publish Date: 30 November 2004 (first published 30 July 2002)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Out of Print: 11 April 2013
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Amanda]

3.5

Man, I like this book for the heroine JQ gives us. Caroline Trent was smart, entertaining, and resilient. There were also glimmers of the family interactions that are so frequent in JQ's later books (BRIDGERTONS!). And I like To Catch an Heiress for those reasons.

But I wasn't very fond of Blake Ravenscroft. He was wishy-washy and at times, impulsive. To the point of not being all that honorable, which seems odd, since agent-type heroes often have a strong honor streak. And the switch from his grief over his long-dead fiancee to loving Caroline was too quick.

Of course, I thought Caroline fell in love too quickly, too, but the whole falling in love fast seems to be quite prevalent in JQ's earlier books because pretty much every one I've read have had it. I don't mind when characters fall in love fast... as long as I feel it. I wasn't totally feeling it here.

To Catch an Heiress has a fun setup, but it has a bit more potential than is realized. It wasn't very... agent-y. And it lacks a lot of the suspense you'd expect. BUT IT'S JQ. And I'm looking forward How to Marry a Marquis and JAMES.

[rakesandrogues]

Heroine: I loved Caroline. She’s witty and clever. I was so impressed by her actions in the first few chapters, and I knew immediately that I would like her character immensely.

Hero: Of course Blake has his flaws. He can’t quite let go of the guilt he feels for the death of his fiancee. Truly understandable, but after a while I just really wanted him to get over it already.

Supporting Cast: This book would be nothing without the supporting cast. Mrs. Mickle and Perriwick were not your stereotypical servants. They added so much humor to the story. And of course… there’s James, the Marquis of Riverdale. Charming and quite the matchmaker. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series when he is in the spotlight.

Plot: My only wish is that there was more spying and espionage! Truly.

Romance: I’m not a huge fan of instant attraction, but it worked out in this one. Though Caroline and Blake had an immediate attraction for one another, the progression of the romance was still slow. The tension built up between them for quite a long time.