Customer Reviews

Romancing Mister Bridgerton

5 star:		(98)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(38)
2 star:		(22)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

I have read and enjoyed all of Julia Quinn's previous books. The Bridgerton Series quickly became one of my favorites. But, I must say I was disappointed by "Romancing Mister Bridgerton." Colin and Penelope were more interesting characters in the previous Bridgerton stories. In "Romancing Mister Bridgerton" their characters are one dimensional and lackluster. They never really matured as a couple. Even the romance in this story has been glossed over and barely mentioned. Too much time was given to the history of the other stories and not enough time in developing a true love story for Colin and Penelope. Penolope's love for Colin never developed beyond the girlish infatuation of a teenager, nor did she ever become comfortable in her new role as Colin's love interest. I did not view Penolope as the "witty and clever" 28 year old woman she was supposed to be because she stammered throughout the whole book and always seemed unsure of herself.

What a fantastic story. I will admit that I stayed up past midnight, as I could not put the book down once I started it.

JQ does Penelope (and Colin) proud. From being an over ripe citrus fruit to an amazing young woman JQ shows how this has unfolded. While in some ways this book is more for Penelope than Colin I think it is a great. The story unfolds as Colin has come home after being in Cyprus... Penelope is now a confirmed "on the shelf spinster" but still a wonderful friend. And of course there is Lady Danbury as outspoken as usual. This time she even sets forth a challenge that has the entire Ton talking.

I will warn you this book will finally reveal the true identity of Lady Whistledown which will make for some surprising twists and turns. But, overall watching Colin realize what a wonderful woman the "wallflower" Penelope has become is some of the best reading I have had the pleasure of in recent months.

I can hardly wait for Eloise's book!

My oh my... after finishing the *excellent* "The Viscount Who Loved Me" I really didn't think that JQ can do any better than that. But she does. I can't quite make up my mind as to which of the two is better!

This is the story of love come true ever after. Penelope Featherington has loved Colin Bridgerton for more than 10 years. Alas, she is not the kind of girl who attracts his kind of man, she being of the sort who nobody notices, and he being quite the opposite. So she is quite resigned to keeping her feelings to herself and remaining "on-the-shelf" at the ripe age of 28.

But something happens. They have always been friends, but no Colin discovers, to his utter amazement, that there is more to the ugly duckling than meets the eye. She is funny and perceptive, and kind hearted. And while he wonders how come that nobody else sees this in her, he finds himself quite entangled with her.

While Colin is not exactly my sort of hero - I always go for the "dark, brooding type" :), Penelope is my perfect heroine. Perhaps because I can easily identify and symphatize with her. I always thought it unfair that only the most beautiful girls get to be heroines. I always felt that a true hero should see what the others do not, and Colin does this, so this redeems him completely in my eyes.

And Penelope, the eternal spinster, the wallflower, truly gets her revenge on society in a most satisfactory manner.

It is also very nice that this is not "love at first sight"; instead, the two of them are friend before anything else, and they really get to *know* each other before they fall in love. And it's also very nice that the two of them have many things in common and are not bound only by physical attraction (these arguments are also valid for "The Viscount Who Loved Me"...).

Oh, and I LOVE Lady Danbury. She is great. She is the one who eventually gives Penelope confidence in herself. I'm so glad that JQ decided to make her more of a central character in this book!

The final ball scene is among one of the best I have ever read. I could hardly keep reading, I was so excited what was going to happen next - kind of like Lizzy in reading Darcy's letter in P&P, which JQ is apparently so fond of, since there are several references to "young men of large fortune" in her books.

This book is wittier and funnier than "The Viscount Who Loved Me" and just as good. I can't wait to move on to Eloise's story!

This story started out so wonderfully than it just crashed. Once the characters were married all the sizzle seemed to end.

Colin and Penelope....finally! I read this book in one day. It was wonderful. Penelope has always been one of my favorite characters in the Bridgerton series because she was so ordinary. She wasn't a raving beauty or a duchess or countess(I never knew England had that many peers of the realm anyway!) but she went to the parties and muddled through, somehow. She was the butt of many jokes by a nasty, mean-spirited girl that I know reminded everybody of someone they knew in school. If not then YOU probably were that girl(for shame).
I can't say much more without giving away some major plot twists. But the Lady Whistledown mystery is solved to my everlasting satisfaction. Yeah!, Wow!, I knew it all the time! This is a good book and if you like all the Bridgertons as much as I do, don't pass on this latest but probably not the last installment. Thanks Julia Quinn for another enjoyable read and I guess I'll have to wait until(ulp) 2003 until the next book comes out.

The talented Ms. Quinn has produced another winner in her Bridgerton series. This book, as the others in the series, is lively and witty and written in a charming, frothy style that is convincingly period without being inaccesible. This was the perfect summer read -- the plot was entertaining and light, the characters likeable, interesting, and real.

And let me take a moment to congratulate Ms. Quinn on her choice of heroine -- the unpopular wallflower, Penelope Featherington. It was heartening to read a romance in which the heroine is not a great beauty, but rather a shy girl who tends to be either ignored or laughed at by her peers. The author gave Penelope real depth of character in this book, and made her someone the reader honestly cares about. I was cheering her on as I read.

And finally, the mystery of Lady Whistledown's identity is revealed! I thought I had figured out who it was, but I was completely mistaken -- and delighted to be so.

A lovely story, and a lovely book. If you're new to this series, I would probably start with the first book, "The Duke and I." You can understand this story without going back, but you'll probably enjoy Penelope and Colin's romance more if you do. (And you'll *definitely* enjoy Lady Whistledown's unmasking more if you've been pondering the question for three books!) If you've already read the rest of the series, then I urge you to snatch this book up without delay!

Romancing Mister Bridgerton is probably the most highly anticipated book in the Bridgerton series. Like everyone else, I have been antsy waiting for Colin and Penelope's story.

I am happy to report that it was well worth the wait!! Julia Quinn weaves a very mature and romantic story of the handsome, witty third Bridgerton brother and the wallflower who has adored him all her life.

As you read this tale, you will quickly see that there is a lot more to Colin and Penelope than anyone ever thought or suspected. Both of them possess secrets that will surprise and shock the other, as well as bond them in a way that is beyond either of their dreams.

To top that off, Lady Whistledown is at it again. But has her day of reckoning come? And, will we finally get to unmask the ton's worst nemesis?

I feel this book is for all the "unattractive" girls who got looked over because no one could see beneath the surface. And, it makes one believe that unrequited love can be fulfilled.

This is the best in the Bridgerton series so far. With 3 more unmarried Bridgertons and 1 widowed, I am sure Ms. Quinn will allow us to visit this prolific, warm, and loving family once again. I can't wait to find out where Eloise runs off to.