Rating: 
Summary: Yes, disappointing
Review: I read this after Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, which was a mistake, and only highlighted how much better Julia Quinn has become since this early work. I agree with the reviewer who found Lord John boring, and a bit of a whiner. The 'horrors of war' that he experienced didn't seem to warrant the angst he was feeling. And I wasn't much impressed with Arabella's bluestocking-ness. I found myself skimming the book, just to get a sense of the story; this is one for the 'donate to library' pile.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved this book!!
Review: I really loved this book! The sequel to Splendid it really caught my attention and I read it so fast; I was sad when it was over. I really liked and cared for the characters in this book. I LOVED the hero John. He was dark,dangerous, and had a wicked sense of humor. I liked Bella too. I loved her determination to make him her man. I really believed that they loved and liked one another. They don't fight constantly between themselves and have too much conflict between them. They really cared for one another! It was great! Bella took what she wanted, and that is rare in romance novels. It was really great to read about Alex and Emma too! Please read Splendid first before you read this. Although I liked Splendid, I loved Dancing at Midnight! But Splendid introduces you to Bella (She is Emma's English cousin) and gets you prepared for the best book between the two!
Rating: 
Summary: I hate it when publishers do this...
Review: I remember really liking this book when I read it a few years ago, but the publishers have soured me on this book/author because they now take previously published books, add a new cover, and resell them. They should at least give a warning on the cover of these books. Now I have to check copyright dates inside each book before I buy from a well loved author because they are trying to get more mileage out of a book by duping the reader. It's in poor taste!
Rating: 
Summary: You can do better, Julia Quinn
Review: I was really disapointed after reading this book.
I really enjoyed Quinns other books and thought this one was just as good.
But it was not.
Belle is much more fun in SPLENDID and the "hero" John Blackwood is dull and oh so boring.
There is a lot of talk about Shakespear and poets and poetry. Belle even nags the poor boring John about writing her a poetry.
The best thing about this book is that it includes the people from SPLENDID. It's always nice "meeting" them again.
I'm so sorry, Julia Quinn, but this time you just lost your magic touch.
Rating:
Summary: Good Follow Up to "Splendid"
Review: I would HIGHLY recommend reading "Splendid" prior to this novel because you will understand the characters a lot better. However, on its own "DANCING AT MIDNIGHT" is a good novel.Lady Arabella "Bella" Blydon is searching for a love match. Fed up with London, she visits her cousin, Emma, at her country estate while her parents are touring Italy. During a quite moment, while she is reading, Lord John Blackwood comes upon her. The first meeting is not the best John could do. However, Bella is determined to make a better meeting with Lord John, and thus the romance begins. This book is well done. It is not Julia's best, but it is not bad either. However, like I said before, reading "Splendid" first will let you understand the characters in this book better.
Rating:
Summary: Good Follow Up to "Splendid"
Review: I would HIGHLY recommend reading "Splendid" prior to this novel because you will understand the characters a lot better. However, on its own "DANCING AT MIDNIGHT" is a good novel. Lady Arabella "Bella" Blydon is searching for a love match. Fed up with London, she visits her cousin, Emma, at her country estate while her parents are touring Italy. During a quite moment, while she is reading, Lord John Blackwood comes upon her. The first meeting is not the best John could do. However, Bella is determined to make a better meeting with Lord John, and thus the romance begins. This book is well done. It is not Julia's best, but it is not bad either. However, like I said before, reading "Splendid" first will let you understand the characters in this book better.
Rating:
Summary: This is a great story!!
Review: I'm a huge fan of Julia Quinn but this book was a huge disappointment. For one, I was so tired of reading about how the "hero" was tortured over something that, in my opinion, he had nothing to really do with. I wanted to pull out my hair and scream, "Get Over It Already!!!" I had struggle to read the last few pages...in fact, I'm not sure I did read the last few pages. The story started out okay but quickly went downhill.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing...
Review: I'm a huge fan of Julia Quinn but this book was a huge disappointment. For one, I was so tired of reading about how the "hero" was tortured over something that, in my opinion, he had nothing to really do with. I wanted to pull out my hair and scream, "Get Over It Already!!!" I had struggle to read the last few pages...in fact, I'm not sure I did read the last few pages. The story started out okay but quickly went downhill.
Rating: 
Summary: Tender and Fun But Runs Out of Momentum
Review: Julia Quinn's second novel Dancing At Midnight is smoother than the first (Splendid) in its transitions between various points of view, but it isn't able to sustain its momentum until the end. Lady Arabella "Belle" Blydon-the cousin and best friend of our heroine Emma from Splendid- is tired of trying to find a husband. Having rejected dozens of marriage offers (she's holding out for true love), she takes a much needed rest in the country, at the estate of Emma and Emma's husband Alex. Belle loves to walk in nature and to read, and one day she wanders onto the adjacent property where she meets Lord John Blackwood, a wounded war hero who's planning to farm the modest estate he's recently bought. Not only is John's leg wounded (he limps) but his heart is wounded from a trauma in his past. Feeling unworthy of Belle physically, socially, economically and morally, he keeps pushing her away. But Belle will not be thwarted now that she's found the only man she's ever loved. The development of Belle and John's relationship is nearly as entertaining as Alex and Emma's in Splendid, but it is not complex enough to sustain the whole book. So the subplot of a mysterious assassin determined to murder John is brought in, but this feels a little forced. In addition, John's big dark secret is so innocuous that the reader (and Belle) can hardly believe he is so affected by it. It would have been better had he been more responsible for the past event over which he agonizes. Worse yet, John doesn't solve his own main problem in the end-accidental interference by another person saves the day. Still, Dancing At Midnight is a tender and fun exploration of the relationship between a woman determined to have her man while he is equally determined-out of love for her-to spare her from him. Belle is extremely likable and almost able to carry the whole book by herself.
Rating:
Summary: Lacking.
Review: Just too much dialogue. Whether the chat was held between the lovers or their friends, there is just too much of it. There is no doubt Quinn can write a book. Her characters are likable and the reader wants to read about them; unfortunately, there is not enough story to hold this package together. Problem areas: Lord John Blackwood, possesses a black soul. However, Blackwood's dark secret is revealed far too early to keep the reader's waning attention. The "shocking" unveiling of Blackwood's so-called sin doesn't justify his colossal guilt. This reader wanted to shout, "Enough already -- Get over it!" I also found the storyline frustrating -- filled with too many loose ends. One such example: The reader and Lady Arabella take considerable time, to select the perfect seduction gown. Yet, when the evening arrives and Lord John Blackwood (our intended victim) appears at the ball, the author chooses to underplay (ignore) this titillating dress. Good grief -- nineteenth century England -- Belle's blue velvet dress has no back (bare skin is exposed) -- should not our harden Lord, or other men, be drooling? Commenting, leering, begging for dances -- men doing something! The huge build up over the dress selection and nothing -- the reader is left to flounder. The book's finer moments: I did like the poetry sprinkled throughout the pages. This was a delightful gesture by the author to plant romance. I appreciated the touch. Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.
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