Romancing Mister Bridgerton [Mass Market Paperback]

Julia Quinn (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Historical Romance; 1st Print/Original Cover Art edition (2002)
• ASIN: B001H96WGE
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (219 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,082,721 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julia Quinn started writing her first book one month after finishing college and has been tapping away at her keyboard ever since.

The New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels for Avon Books, she is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best in the series so far, I thought, July 3, 2002

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

Sometimes, when an authour gets tied to a series, the later books become formulaic and a little boring. Fortunately, this was not the case with Julia Quinn's latest romance novel, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." This latest installment about the Bridgerton siblings was well worth the wait (I think that it took slightly more than a year for this novel to be published), and is, I think, the best book in the series so far. This novel is a wonderful mixture of romance, poignancy and whimsy. I fairly devoured the book, and was quite saddened to have finished it so quickly. I was also left with the fervent wish that there were more novels like this one out there for me to read.

Miss Penelope Featherington has been in love with her best friend's elder brother, Colin Bridgerton, ever since she was sixteen. Unfortunately, Penelope is not a raving beauty, or a gregarious, charming wit. Somewhat quiet and shy (and a little plump), Penelope is the sort of young lady that fades into the woodwork, and not at all the type to cause Colin's senses to swim. The years pass (about 12 to be exact) and Penelope has resigned herself to both remaining a spinster and having her love remain unrequited, when Colin Bridgerton, who has taken to traveling extensively in order to escape his managing mother's attempts to marry him off, returns from Cyprus. Now, Penelope sees Colin almost everyday, and at every social do. She discovers that she is as deeply in love with him now as she was all those years ago, and wishes fervently that she was the kind of woman who could ensnare his affections. However the Colin who came back is also slightly different -- restless, bored and a little discontented with the manner in which his life in unfolding. And while Penelope enjoys the time that they spend together, she cannot help but wonder how long she will be able to continue hiding her love for him?

After having spent so many years abroad, Colin Bridgerton returns to England, hoping to find something that will chase this ennui away. Who would have believed that his thoughts would be full of shy, quiet Penelope Featherington? And that he would enjoy her intelligence and dry wit to such an extent? Somehow, Penelope touches him in a manner that no other woman has before. And he finds himself wanting to protect her from the cruel and careless ways of the ton. His deep affection for Penelope, however soon begins to disturb him. Could he be falling in love with his sister's best friend? And does he even want to be in love?

Reading "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" made me understand why so many other readers rave about Julia Quinn's talents. This was an entirely delightful and appealing read. I loved the manner in the authour made this novel to unfold. Julia Quinn took great pains to first allow for Penelope's and Colin's friendship to be reestablished by allowing them to have some really meaningful conversations, where they actually discuss things (like his boredom and her unhappiness over always being on the fringes of things), before she eased them into a romance. Ever so often, the hero and heroine barely share a thought before they begin their rather erotic encounters. So that it was a treat to have Penelope and Colin talk, and not about politics and social issues either. I also liked that although Penelope has loved Colin forever, she doesn't simply nod her head and agree with him on everything under the sun. Penelope has her own opinions. And even when she senses that her thoughts may not be the ones that Colin wants to hear, she doesn't shirk from sharing them with him. This is one romance that is, I think, really going to stand the test of time.

"Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" was a truly wonderful read about unspoken dreams and love. Mostly, however, eventhough this is a Bridgerton novel, this is a book that is actually all about Penelope -- about what life is like for a spinster who never 'took' and about the dreams and desires she never expected to be fulfilled. I found this novel to be an outstanding one, and one that was definitely worth treasuring.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lady Whistledown - REVEALED, July 3, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

I waited forever for this book because I've read all of the others in this series and have been dying to know who Lady Whistledown truly was. You will find out if you read this book, but not from me!

Penelope Featherington has been in love with Colin Bridgerton since she was 16 and now she is heading towards spinsterhood at eight and twenty. Colin has been abroad and has come home from his latest jaunt. In that time, Penelope still loves Colin but has little hope that he will ever notice her as anything other than his sister Eloises' best friend.

Lady Whistledown can't seem to write columns without mentioning the very available and nice Colin Bridgerton - evidently nothing has changed since he left - or has it. The girl who was like a part of his family, now haunts his dreams. Could this be love?

This is one of Julia Quinn's classic love stories with her trademark humourous dialog. A charming story, and the mystery of Lady Whistledown, finally revealed! I never guessed it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 out of 5, April 6, 2003

By 

R. Plaza-Gotay (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

Penelope Featherington has loved Colin Bridgerton (3rd of the Bridgerton clan) since she was 16. He never paid much attention to her and she knew that she could never have a man like him. She wasnt beautiful by society's standards and she was just a tad chubby when she was introduced to society in order to gain a husband. Unfurtunately, no one looked her way and Colin only danced with her in those balls out of pitty, and because his mother order him to (and you dont mess with Lady Bridgerton). 10 years later Penelope is 28 and used to the idea that she's a spinster and she will remain so. Colin has barely seen her in those 10 years since he spends too much time traveling, but when he returns he sees a different Penelope, because she is slowly starting to speak her mind instead of being so quiet as she used to. There's much more to the story. The plot is so entertaining I skipped a study session for a final so i could keep reading the book. I simply loved everything, the characters are well written, the plot is great, the dialogue is fantastic as well as funny and tender. In short this is my favorite JQ book! Highly recomend it! Plus there's a very interesting surprise as well! and Lady Whistledown is more superb than usual!