Review: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2) / Julia Quinn

First publication: December 2000/ Piatkus Books

Pages: 384.

Rating: 4/5

Blurb:

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, 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 consummate 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 even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield--the most meddlesome 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 to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's 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...

Quote:

"Before she knew what she was about, she was jumping about like a crazy woman, yelling, “Yes! Yes! I win!”

“You don’t win,” Anthony snapped.

“Oh, it feels like I’ve won,” she reveled."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

"The unexpected moment [is] always sweeter."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

"Sometimes there are reasons for our fears that we can’t
quite explain. Sometimes it’s just something we feel in our bones, something we know to be true, but
would sound foolish to anyone else."
— Julia Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2))

Review:

I read this soon after I finished reading The Duke and I. I'm almost forgetting Anthony's character in Bridgerton Series. Maybe because he's not charming enough? Or maybe I'm seeing him a protective brother that I will never have. By all means, he's said to be the famous rake (to Kate especially, since she's so against the idea of her sister marrying Anthony), but I can't picture him that way. Before reading this novel, I didn't know that human could die from a single bee sting and there are people who allergic to bee sting. I've only heard (read: watched documentaries) that a lot of bee sting will poison human blood, etc. I had to say Kate is the most stubborn lady I've met. This is the classic 'fall for your sister' story. Glad this story ends well without complicated 'jealous sister' drama etc. That is one of the reason I like JQ. 

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Review: An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3) / Julia Quinn

First publication: 2001 / Piatkus

Pages: 354.

Rating: 4/5

Blurb:Will she accept his offer before the clock strikes midnight?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning 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 whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Review:

I'm in the midst of sorting books in my library. There's a total of 1742 ebooks and counting in my TBR. I don't know when I have time to read all of this! Panic start to rush :) I have this weird addiction. Stacking piles of books to read.

The other day, I talked to Kak Mai about this book. She's just starting reading JQ series after months of us (read: Bonetarians) persuading her. Not really persuaded, but you understand... If 2/3 of us talking about this in group, who would've resist the temptation, right? Peer pressure is real. Anyway, she complained this book pace is very slow to the point it become so boring as compared to other previous two books. I said to her, for me, Benedict is not an alpha male. He's like the advisor in the Bridgerton, a very sensible second child, though I do not remember whether he's the second child or not. Haish~

Sophie & Benedict reminds us to the Cinderella story sets in 1800's, minus the fairy godmother. With Sophie as the Cinderella & Benedict as the Prince Charming aka the savior. Just like Cinderella, Sophie's life is a tragedy that unveils into romantic journey with a twist. I like the way Benedict solves Sophie's problem in jail. Reader might think Sophie is very indecisive (just like Cinderella) which make this novel a very slow burn indeed. Luckily we have moms. Who need a fairy godmother when you have Lady Violet Bridgerton? I think in this story, she is bad ass mother of all. 

Love,
S

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Review: The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) / Julia Quinn

Publication: June 2006/ Avon Books

Pages: 384.

Rating: 5/5

Blurp:

Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?

—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy sutiors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love. 

Quote:

"Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest will soon follow.

-Lady Whistledown"
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))

"Where is he? Bridgerton!" he bellowed.
Three chestnut heads swiveled in his direction. Simon stomped across the grass, murder in his eyes.
"I meant the idiot Bridgerton."
"That, I believe," Anthony said mildly, tilting his chin toward Colin, "would refer to you."
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))

"To say that men can be bullheaded would be insulting to the bull."
— Julia Quinn (The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1))

My review
The Duke & I gonna be adapted into Netflix series soon. This is the second book of Julia Quinn I've read. At the moment I'm in the mood of historical romance, sitting by the pool, quite posh weekend getaway with friends. What a bliss. It took a long time for me to start Julia Quinn series despite the abundance of recommendation and good reviews. Glad I did not abandon my intention reading this series after all. 
_____

 I think I did a great disservice to the book, considering I read the book for quite a few years before I actually write one review... I have read the book (again!) And liked it better.- 2019

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Happy ending.
S
   

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