The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy (Smythe-Smith Quartet, #4)

by Julia Quinn

When Sir Richard Kenworthy takes an interest in the often-overlooked Iris Smythe-Smith, she agrees to marry him despite her suspicion of his motives, but he is hiding secrets that threaten the love growing between them.

Reviewed by Cocktails and Books on

4 of 5 stars

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3.5 Cocktails

I have hat a long standing love affair with Julia Quinn books. Turner, from The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheevers can still get me teary-eyed during his conversation with her newborn daughter and Colin Bridgerton, in any JQ book is my favorite hero. When I know a new JQ book is coming out, I become giddy with anticipation on what lies in the pages. So it saddens me to have not loved THE SECRETS OF SIR RICHARD KENWORTHY, the final book in the Smythe-Smith Quartet.

I liked Richard and Iris together. He may have had his plan in mind when he picked Iris, but I'd also like to think subconsciously he knew she was the woman for him. But their relationship lacked something. I know the weight of the secret Richard was carrying around was partly why he held part of himself back from Iris. But it felt like such a huge disservice to this couple. At times it seemed like Iris was nothing more than a lap dog to the Kenworthy family, since she was forced into Richard's little plan. I wanted her to stand up for herself. Not cave into Richard. To me, it shouldn't have taken a conversation with her youngest sister-in-law to finally snap out of it and gain some ground in her marriage.
The highlight of the book were the Pleinsworth cousins and their lovely showcase. While not quite as funny as other iterations of the cousins working on their play, it did have me laughing out loud...especially the unicorn with Henry VIII.

For any Julia Quinn fan, this is still a must read.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 February, 2015: Finished reading
  • 2 February, 2015: Reviewed