Title: Romancing Mister Bridgerton: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #4.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 7th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: “There really wasn’t an appropriate time.”
We can’t really say more without giving away a big, fat spoiler, but it turns out that Colin is a bit of a meddler, Hyacinth is more of a meddler, and the only time all of the Bridgertons stop talking at once is when Penelope has something really embarrassing to say. Hey, we never said it was easy to marry a Bridgerton, just that it was fun.
This wasn’t quite the epilogue that I was expecting. I had kind of thought that it would be much further into the future than it was (or at least further than the initial epilogue). And, I didn’t expect it to centre so much on Eloise and Penelope’s friendship.
Not that that’s a bad thing. Sometimes the most surprising moments are the ones that you enjoy the most. Sometimes it’s those small glimmers that make you go wow. I didn’t know that I needed this. And this second epilogue was kind of like that.
I can’t really say much in this review without giving away one of the big wow moments in Romancing Mister Bridgerton, but I can tell you that this is a great story. It highlights the Bridgerton relationships in a much more pointed way. It’s also made me love Eloise and Hyacinth even more. There is just something about these two meddlesome, troublemaking sisters that makes me grin like a maniac. Who wants a boring family anyway?
Title: Romancing Mister Bridgerton Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #4 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 5th – 7th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2002 5th sentence, 74th page: But Penelope had a feeling she wasn’t quite as firm in her convictions as her friend.
IEveryone knows that Colin Bridgerton is the most charming man in London…
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for… well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret… and fears she doesn’t know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same – especially Penelope Featherington! The Girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide…is she his biggest threat – or his promise of a happy ending?
I’ve been wanting to know how Penelope and Colin ended up together ever since their appearance in The Duke and I: The Second Epilogue. It was a bit of a hint as to what was to come, but, since these are romance books as soon as you read about the two leads, you know that they’re going to end up together anyway. But the way in which they do it? That’s the journey that I was excited about. And it turns out that the excitement was TOTALLY justified.
Of the two “spinsters” in this story, I’m more like Eloise than Penelope. I’ve never been the full centre of attention, but I also haven’t been a total wallflower with no attention. Yet, it was still kind of relatable reading about a woman who is like this. She’s not odious, she’s not ugly. But she also doesn’t get attention. She’s kind of invisible. Which is a little gut wrenching, but I love how Penelope isn’t bitter and snarky about it. She just kind of accepts that this is what life will be and continues to hold her loved ones close.
Colin is probably my favourite of all the Bridgerton brothers. He has been since he was announced as Daphne’s favourite in The Duke and I. Which made it incredibly nice to find out that he also gets an amazing happily ever after. Especially when the happily ever after has been in front of him for TWELVE damn years. Who said men aren’t just a little bit silly?
But, even though the romance in this was fun, witty and quite light… it was actually the shock reveal that was the best. For two people who have known each other for twelve years, you would think that Colin and Penelope have got a pretty good understanding of each other. They don’t. they both have secrets that they’ve kept hidden from everyone. And I just LOVED the jaw drop moment when these secrets are revealed… it certainly left me in my deliriously happy place.
Title: An Offer from a Gentleman: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #3.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 5th March 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2001 5th sentence, 74th page: “She said that Mr. Fibberly called.”
Did you wonder what happened to Posy after she finally stood up to her mother? Did she finally find her own happily ever after? Find out in this second epilogue.
At the end of An Offer from a Gentleman, all I could think was “I hope that Posy gets her happily ever after”. After all, she tried to be a good sister to Sophie for years. And, ultimately, stood up for her at the detriment of the possibilities of her own future. Which all made me exceedingly happy when I started the first sentence of the second epilogue…. And found out that it was about Posy.
Sophie and Benedict do make an appearance throughout this short story. Which is good, because it’s nice to know that a few years after their marriage, they are still happy and have a few boys to show for their nuptial delights. But, mostly it’s about finding Posy her own happily ever after.
I love that lightning strike, infatuation at first site moment that happens when Posy does find her true love. I love that Sophie and Benedict thought to set them up because he has a nice smile. And, I love that although Posy is finally happy in and of herself, she still has some issues of self image. Mostly through her eating habits. It shows that the damages of her childhood don’t miraculously disappear, but they do diminish and let her, too, have her happily ever after.
Title: An Offer from a Gentleman Author: Julia Quinn Series: The Bridgertons #3 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 23rd February – 5th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2001 5th sentence, 74th page: A rather attractive, extremely fashionable blond woman in her forties glided into the room.
Will she accept the offer before the clock strikes midnight?
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she’d be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton’s famed masquerade ball. Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, waltzing in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.
Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other – except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid’s garb. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. If he offers her his heart, will he sacrifice his only chance for a fairy-tale love?
I absolutely adored this little ode to Cinderella. One of the things that I’ve always questioned about the original fairy tale is the fallout when the prince marries a woman who is socially beneath him. In a time when class was very much an issue. Quinn deals with that question kind of perfectly. With a great sense of style and wit. A great dose of humour. And just generally, a great storyline. One that had me giggling and going to my happy place all the way throughout.
Sophie is completely adorable throughout this story. She is sweet and kind of innocent, less outspoken than the women in the first two Bridgertons books. But she’s also got a backbone of steel. A total knowledge of who and what she is. And a great ability to be who she is without apologies. The fact that she turns down the man that she loves because she knows what he is asking of her (even when he doesn’t) just made me love her all the more. She doesn’t think that everything will be okay just because there is love in their relationship, she knows that there is something more that is required for a happily ever after.
Benedict is kind of silly – especially when he doesn’t understand what asking someone to be his mistress truly entails. But, he’s also really sweet. And I love that he constantly wants to be something more than just the “Second Bridgerton”. He falls for the only woman who can figure out just who he is. And then accepts him, flaws and all. I also love that he is an artist and totally willing to follow his heart – even if it takes him a little while to figure out what his heart truly desires.
This is a great, humorous story. A especially loved the constant referrals to the fact that this wasn’t a romance novel… it had a great little turn of wit including those little comments that made the story seem both more realistic, and more fantastical. I finished this story with a giant smile on my face and a happily beating heart. Now I get to move onto the next beautiful instalment of this fantastic series…
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #2.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 16th January 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: She had sent his ball into the lake.
Fifteen years have passed, but the Bridgertons are as devious and diabolical as ever when it comes to life on the croquet field. Join Anthony, Kate, Simon, Daphne, Colin, Edwina, and (of course) the mallet of death, as Julia Quinn shows that happily ever after can still be a little bit wicked… and a whole lot of fun.
One of my favourite things about Kate and Anthony in The Viscount Who Loved Me was the fact that Kate and Anthony are constantly engaged in some kind of witty banter. This second epilogue highlights that aspect of their relationship. Through the game of Pall Mall. And the Mallet of Death. I love that they continue to play this game years after that first iconic game and continue their insane banter and competitiveness with each other.
Even after fifteen years together, I love the Kate and Anthony are competitive and aggressive. They’re so determined to win that they’ll cheat and scheme. Including fight each other over the right to collect the Mallet of Death.
Even though Kate and Anthony are incredibly competitive and spiteful within this story, they are still so very clearly in love. In fifteen years time, I would love to have this same fun and light spirit in my own marriage. One full of banter and witty arguments…
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 14th – 15th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Avon Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: Kate gave her hand a squeeze.
1814 promises to be another eventful season, but no, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And, in all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consumate rake, nobody does it better… – Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814
But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry – he’s also chosen a wife! The only abstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield – the most meddleseom woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate’s the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands – and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister – but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…
I’ve been trying not to go nuts and buy the rest of the Bridgerton series since I read The Duke and I. I even managed to last a far while before I succumbed. And then I read The Viscount Who Loved Me the moment that it arrived on my doorstep. There is just something so unbelievably sweet and unforgettable about this series that makes it impossible to put down. Something that means I really have to pace myself when picking up these books, because I tend to ignore everything else in my life.
The Viscount Who Loved Me definitely has a bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe. And, considering that’s one of my favourite classics, I thought that this was brilliant. There was a much more modern spin and tone to the classic (even though it is set in much the same time). And there were even moments that I thought of a few other Jane Austen books whilst reading it. There was just something undeniably fun, light-hearted and brilliant about this. Something which felt totally new, but also wonderfully familiar. Kind of like a good comfort food late on a winter’s night…
I’m the older sister of a girl who is undeniably, stunningly beautiful. I’m no slouch, but when compared to her… so I kind of understand why Kate is a little withdrawn from the pursuit of men. Yet, she’s also fiercely independent and strong willed. Loyal to her sister and unwilling to just let people take advantage. Again, eerily familiar. Yet, her love interest and counterpart in this story, Anthony, is not in the slightest bit familiar (although, rather reminiscent of Mr. Darcy). He’s kind of a self-centred moron for much of the story. All because he’s decided to “face” his mortality. Men who think they know best are annoying at the best of times, the ones who feel are like this and then refuse to communicate…. Yeah, I got really frustrated for a good portion of this story. Yet, I still absolutely adored him.
Title: The Duke and I: The Second Epilogue Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #1.5 In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 15th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: Avon Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: Her heart thumped, then flipped, and any facility she might have possessed for synonym retrieval flew right out of her.
Fifteen years have passed, but the Bridgertons are still just as happy and devoted to one another. Join Daphne and Simon as they discover yet another surprise is heading their way.
I read The Duke and Ibecause I needed a Q author for a reading challenge. And I very quickly became absolutely obsessed and just demolished the whole story. So it was really, really nice to revisit Simon and Daphne in this second epilogue. They’re just such a wonderful, cute couple and I loved every short moment of revisiting their happily ever after moment.
I like that whilst the epilogue in the actual novel is a little more immediate, this story takes place twenty years after the events of the main novel. Mostly romances provide a story, and then you get to imagine most of the happily ever after. This short story just ensured that you got confirmation that all the hopeful, happily ever after thoughts you may or may not have were actually spot on.
Children is something that has begun to be discussed a fair bit in my household (I’m approaching thirty), so it was fun to read a story in which that conversation is still being had twenty years after the first children, and moments of happiness have been achieved. It was a little intense… but, considering Daphne is only forty (although old for the time period), it may even be a discussion that takes place in my own household…
Title: The Duke & I Author: Julia Quinn Series: Bridgertons #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Historical romance, Regency romance Dates read: 17th – 18th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Piatkus Year: 2000 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Of course,’ Lady Bridgerton said politely.
‘Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest soon follow…’ Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, 30 April 1813
After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer naïve enough to believe she will be able to marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection?
Her brother’s old school friend Simon Basset – the new Duke of Hastings – has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands.
To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. There’s just one problem, Daphne is in very real danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality…
This novel is beautiful, sweet and romantic. It’s kind of like a Jane Austen novel with far more humour, and a more approachable, modern language. Quite possibly my favourite read of the year to be fair. There is just something about it which is kind of brilliant, and a lot of fun. There is also a sense of naivety to the storyline which really isn’t present in a lot of the romances that I read.
Although this is a romance, I was fully expecting the marriage to occur at the end point of the story. After all, that’s normally the “happily ever after” moment for most of these stories. But, instead it actually takes place just after the halfway mark. Actually, the couples biggest challenge is their own personal issues and the moments they have to face up to throughout the marriage, rather than actually getting to the altar. I completely loved this because it highlighted the fact that there is a story after marriage. That you have to continue working on the relationship, even after you have made that commitment. Something that I think sometimes needs to be highlighted a little more.
I couldn’t put this book down. It did take me two days, because I started it late at night and figured that I needed to actually sleep… but the next day, I decided to shun all people and only pursue the barest of responsibilities… I really, really had to see what happened. It’s been a little while since I was this happily engrossed in a story and I was just so damn grateful. My biggest frustration is the fact that I blew my budget over Christmas, so now have to save up before I’m able to buy more books in this series. But they’re at the top of the list!
As to the characters… Simon is incredibly stupid and angry at moments. But we still love him. There is a number of great redeeming characteristics about him, so it’s possible to forgive his stupid moments. Daphne is frustratingly naïve in many moments. But I think that it’s very true to the time, or our ideas of the time. I also love that although she’s a regency-era woman, she also has a modern rebellious streak… there’s a number of moments throughout where she actually punches the moronic men in her life. And haven’t we all felt the same desire at some point?
Earth and Skye 