The Sum of All Kisses

( 108 )

Overview

He thinks she's an annoying know-it-all

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, even if Hugh did grow to enjoy her company, it wouldn't matter. A reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now, unable to run, ride, or ...

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The Sum of All Kisses

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More About This Book

Overview

He thinks she's an annoying know-it-all

Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, even if Hugh did grow to enjoy her company, it wouldn't matter. A reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now, unable to run, ride, or even waltz, he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

She thinks he's just plain mad

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought three years earlier, the one that forced her cousin into exile, nearly destroying her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But when the pair is forced to spend a week in close company, they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
09/09/2013
The already well-worked Bridgerton universe (subject of eight books, including On the Way to the Wedding) is attenuated by this novel linking it to Quinn’s Smythe-Smith stories. Lady Sarah Pleinsworth is 21, melodramatic, and tactless, so it’s not really a surprise that she’s on the shelf. Her nemesis is the lame mathematical savant, Lord Hugh Prentice, younger son of an insane, sadistic marquess. Hugh rouses himself from bleak self-recrimination over the long-ago duel that crippled him only to express how he despises Sarah in terms such as “fingernails on slate.” Romance, of course, is inevitable. Quinn’s verbal Punch and Judy performance has lost some of its charm in repetition, and these characters are little but mouthpieces for witty repartee. A last-minute inheritance plot tangled by homosexuality, insanity, suicide, and kidnapping leads to a dramatic denouement, but the conflation of lust and coercion among both the good guys and the bad guys makes it difficult to see how a happy ending is possible for Hugh and Sarah. Agent: Steven Axelrod, Axelrod Agency. (Nov.)
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2013-10-21
Sarah Pleinsworth and Hugh Prentice have good reasons for disliking each other, so neither expects the attraction that springs up when they're forced to spend time together; however, there are a wealth of secrets and obstacles they must overcome to win happiness. Sarah has nursed her antipathy toward Hugh for years. After all, he wrenched her family apart one horrible night when he forced her cousin into a duel that ultimately sent him into hiding. Now, Daniel is back, apparently due to some secretive dealings on Hugh's part, but that doesn't mean Sarah should like him. Daniel is getting married, and his fiancee, Honoria, asks Sarah to keep Hugh company during the reception, since Hugh's leg was injured during the duel, and he is now lame. To her extreme consternation, the more time she spends with Hugh, the more she likes him, and as the couple--not to mention most of London's ton--moves from Daniel's wedding to another wedding of mutual friends, Sarah and Hugh find themselves moving from rapprochement to affection to love. However, there is much more to the story of Daniel's flight after the duel, and dark shadows from that time will reappear once it becomes clear Sarah and Hugh may be headed for a match. Quinn brings her signature style and wit to yet another late-Regency romance, with some character favorites fans have met before in both the highly popular Smythe-Smith and Bridgerton series. Hugh's mathematical brilliance combined with a self-imposed wariness toward his companions make for an enigmatic hero. Sarah's and Hugh's overcoming of their mutual dislike as they open up to one another is a winsome choice that makes perfect sense for the relationship arc and works well for the storyline, especially once they face Hugh's dark past and the specter that threatens their happiness and Daniel's life. Charmingly romantic, with compelling edges of dark conflict and sexual tension.
Library Journal
10/15/2013
Ever since "The Duel" sent her cousin Daniel fleeing to France, Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has absolutely loathed Lord Hugh Prentice; after all, it was his fault that she couldn't make her come out on time and lost her chance at marrying any of the 14 men who became engaged that dismal season. Of course, Hugh doesn't think much of Sarah, either, especially since their first disastrous meeting. So when they find themselves at a wedding and are forced to spend time together (and behave) as a favor to the bride, they anticipate being vexed—a lot. They never imagine what will happen. VERDICT A fiercely outspoken heroine and a mathematically brilliant hero whose eidetic memory is both a blessing and a curse clash splendidly in an unstoppable romp that sparkles with enough hilarious situations, over-the-top characters, and laugh-out-loud dialog to keep the chuckles coming long after the book is closed. A lovely tale that is just plain fun! Quinn (The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After) lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780062072924
  • Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
  • Publication date: 10/29/2013
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • Sales rank: 103452
  • Product dimensions: 4.36 (w) x 6.78 (h) x 1.06 (d)

Meet the Author

The author of twenty-three previous novels for Avon Books, Julia Quinn is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 108 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(62)

4 Star

(30)

3 Star

(9)

2 Star

(3)

1 Star

(4)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 108 Customer Reviews

  • Posted Tue Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    I Also Recommend:

    The Duke and I (Bridgerton Series #1)
    Born of Fury
    Then Came the Lightning
    Love That Transcends Time
    Love Returns Through The Portal Of Time

    I loved this book. THE SUM OF ALL KISSES starts with the most ri

    I loved this book. THE SUM OF ALL KISSES starts with the most ridiculous, melodramatic and irrationally entertaining first meet I have ever read. When Lady Sarah meets Sir Hugh, fireworks fly, words are swung like knives and feelings are hurt. And yet, I laughed. I laughed, giggled and chuckled through most of this book, but that opening is gold. Sarah's hatred for Hugh is melodramatic, but also legitimate and it seems impossible that these two people will ever fall in love. Loved this book! I read the whole book first night I bought it. I loved Hugh Prentice in A Night Like This, and was so happy to see him get his own story. Every book I read of JQ I say is my favorite, it'll take a lot to bump this one out of that title!  I was so looking forward to this novel because not only do you get a chance to see a new romance but you get to see how couples from past books are doing. I felt as though this story took forever to get going. I always liked Sarah in the other series (Daniel/Anne, Marcus/Honoria) but I found myself liking her a bit less after this novel. She was annoyingly dramatic and in my opinion not very funny. For me, the first half of the book was dull and flat. Sarah and Hugh both felt a bit whiny and there was way too much interacting with other random characters/cousins in the book. The second half was much better as the characters finally got around to interacting with each other and getting the story going but even still it was only okay. The big dramatic event for me was way too dramatic (Hugh threatening to kill himself?..) and I found myself rolling my eyes a bit. In all it was just okay but that's alright because Julia Quinn is still the best author when it comes to romance novels. Still a good read.   

    7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Anonymous

    This is her worst book. Really. I was a fan, have read all books, but this is the last one. I don't care about her characters anymore.

    3 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Oct 30 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Really good.

    Oh I loved this book. Possibly my favorite since When He Was Wicked--which is for sure one of my favorites, though really, so many are favorites....

    The world Julia Quinn has created is warm, funny, loving--and kind, actually. I miss it when I leave. These characters are folks we've known for a while, especially Hugh, and it was good to really get to spend time and know the man Hugh is. They're quirky people, and interesting--and my gosh I do love those little girls, too.

    Thank you Julia. It was wonderful.

    But here's the thing. I know it's hard work to write, even though it must also fun, and it obviously takes way longer to write the book than it does to read the outcome, and I really do re-read, and treasure the books I have. And I do know I'm a horridly demanding harpy...but...even so...

    who's next??? ;)


    (PS--but if you're sick of it and need a break--know you have blessings when you take it!! We want you whole-hearted and happy when you write. Spend some time in the south of France!!)

    3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Oct 31 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Bland

    Julia Quinn is one of my favorite regency authors. Although i preferred the Bridgerton series, ive enjiyed these books too. I was bored by this book. The main characters were not very likable. The storyline was bland. Really not much to recommend it.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Oct 30 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    Heartlifting

    I love Julia's stories...but this one might be my favorite. The hero is so broken but is such a good man. Our heroine has her flaws too...so when they really look at each other...sparks fly! MS QUINN you were born to tell us love stories. Thank you.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Dec 13 00:00:00 EST 2013

    mixed

    Liked Hugh's character but Lady Sarah Pleinsworth's was shallow and sometimes just annoying. Good read overall

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2013

    I don't really know how I want to rate this one. On the one hand

    I don't really know how I want to rate this one. On the one hand, I really liked the story. Probably better than the others in this series. But on the other hand, it was a let down, as far as Julia Quinn's typically go. It was missing the massive amount of humor that I'm used to from her, especially in the series. I guess I'll go with a solid 3 stars, but I'm not satisfied.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Verbal sparring

    Is about all that happens in this book. It could have been so much more. Hugh started out as an interesting character & I had so many questions about him unanswered. If he is the second son how does he support himself? & his future wife. Where is Freddie? What does he do? If he likes men does his father support him? If Hugh despises his father so much does he take an allowance from his father? Most perplexed by Hughs transformation in the first chapters of the book from a smart man to a piece of fluff. Found the end scenes with the father to be unrealistic and icky.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Nov 10 00:00:00 EST 2013

    Almost great!

    I used to really love Julia Quinn. With the last few books of her she has fallen short of my expectations. I didn't hate it, but it will not be going on my re-read list. I know that I will continue to buy and read her books, but not with as much enthusiasm!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    Friendship turn into hot romance! I love friendship as much as r

    Friendship turn into hot romance! I love friendship as much as romance and this book definitely delivers what I want between two characters. Did I mention how much I love the idea of Frances and unicorns in this story? Not only did I enjoy the scenes between Sarah and Hugh. I enjoyed the scenes between Hugh and Frances, as well as with the rest of the sisters.
    I admit that I was a bit tired of the whole sobbing-contract-evil-father-situation, the development between Sarah and Hugh was worth the reading and buying. Definitely one of my favorite books from Julia Quinn.

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  • Posted Sun May 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    I was so disappointed in this book. Julia Quinn seems to have a

    I was so disappointed in this book. Julia Quinn seems to have a hit and miss with me and her books. The characters in this book were not likeable, they were bitter and annoying. If you like the hero to be a hot-head and get his shot through and ruined, then you might enjoy this book.  I personally like my hero's to be able to dance, run and swope-up the heroine. His constant leg pains through out the book was draining.
    Julia Quinn's best books she's written is The Viscount Who Loved Me, The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cleever, Splendid.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Sun Apr 06 00:00:00 EDT 2014

    A great story

    I love reading all her books. Her books are funny and well written.

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  • Posted Mon Feb 17 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Julia Quinn writes delightfully funny romantic books. The Sum of

    Julia Quinn writes delightfully funny romantic books. The Sum of All Kisses being no different.  I love how she intertwines characters
    from not just other books,  but her other series as well into each book.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Feb 06 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Julie Quinn's The Sum of All Kisses is a well-written book. In f

    Julie Quinn's The Sum of All Kisses is a well-written book. In fact, I consider it the best in the Smythe-Smith series. The characters are well-developed so that the conflicting emotions that make stories interesting come out so well in this book. The plot is good and the descriptions made the flow of the story even smoother. Like in Splendid Comets and Anna Karenina, the reader anticipates something fascinating with every page and chapter.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Anonymous

    This book was not missing the elements that some of the reviewers have stated. The book was funny, had whit, and made my chest hurt with sadness. It had it all. I was really glad to get Hugh's side of the story...he seems like most upstanding guy. One I'd like to meet.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jan 30 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Must read!

    Quick read. Nice to see familiar characters again. Happy to read another historical romance by one of my favorite authors. I was very excited to see what happened to some of the characters from other stories and was not disappointed. I hope you aren't either.

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  • Posted Fri Jan 24 00:00:00 EST 2014

    more from this reviewer

    I had grown tired of the Bridgerton series and was a bit relucta

    I had grown tired of the Bridgerton series and was a bit reluctant to read Quinn again. BUT I was truly caught up by the story of mathematical wizard HUGH PRENTICE and the lasting effects of his father’s mad focus to secure a RAMGATE heir. BACKSTORY: Hugh is unbeatable at cards, but he seems to have lost when he was drunk, accused the winner of cheating and challenged him to a duel. The resulting fallout of Hugh’s drunken duel with his best friend DANIEL WINGATE during which Hugh was wounded, was that Daniel was forced to leave England lest Hugh’s father murder him. Yes, that's how crazy he was! Hugh’s leg wound was severe, causing lasting pain and lameness and effectively removing himself from society. Nevertheless, 3+years later: (1) Hugh has succeeded in making a pact with his father NOT to kill Daniel, (2) has found him living in Italy and (3) brought him back to England, etc., etc. THE STORY: Hugh has been prevailed upon by Daniel to come out of seclusion to attend the house party wedding of his cousins as a sign to his large family, indeed to all the ton, of the mended friendship of the two. BUT cousin LADY SARAH PLEINSWORTH has not forgiven the dueling incident and the ensuing loss of her first season (and her present state of spinsterhood). At their first meeting Sarah verbally dresses down the bewildered Hugh, causing mutual aversion. Hugh thinks she’s a loud, opinionated shrew and she thinks he’s an insolent whatever. Nevertheless when they’re forced to spend more and more time in each other’s company, during subsequent wedding parties they see very appealing traits in each other. Their budding romance is funny, sweet, sexy and captivating. Indeed, Sarah-in-love is the sole force that finally subdues the mad, brutal father – he has kidnapped Hugh - in a crazy confrontation when she comes to Hugh’s rescue.

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  • Posted Fri Jan 17 00:00:00 EST 2014

    As always

    As slways another great book in a long line of books.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Fantastic Series- the character development is so worth the read

    Love this series-

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  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2014

    Is this the origanal evervlan

    Is this the origanal evercaln cause if it is were is all the ppl who were in it-frozenblaze

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 108 Customer Reviews
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