To continue the celebration of the start of a new Bridgerton show, Queen Charlotte on Netflix, I am sharing another round of Bridgerton reviews. This time I am focusing on the Rokesbys series, which is the prequel to the much loved Bridgerton series. The Rokesby family are close friends and neighbors to the Bridgertons, so their paths are always crossing. I really enjoyed the Rokesby series as it's not only fun to be in the Bridgerton world, but also the Georgian time period is a nice change. Plus, the Rokesby series has a lot more adventure! If you missed my previous Bridgerton and Rokesby reviews, you can catch up on them here.
Goodreads says, "While you were sleeping ...With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie ...I told everyone I was your wife.When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is--even if he does not recall her face--and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.If only it were true ...Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself--completely--to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby."
Cecilia Harcourt is out of options. She has to either marry a foul cousin or move in with her aging aunt. She is orphaned and her brother, Thomas, is over in America fighting the Revolutionary War. When she finds out Thomas is injured, she decides to travel overseas to find him. She can't help but worry what will happen to their home if he doesn't inherit it? Once over in America, she doesn't find her brother, but instead finds his handsome best friend and their neighbor, Edward Rokesby. He is unconscious and is struggling. She decides to nurse him back to health, but in order to do that, she has to be his wife. So, when assumptions are made, she goes with it and even reinforces the idea, because how could she leave him there like that? When he finally wakes up, his memories are a bit foggy due to a head injury. Everyone is referring to Cecilia as his wife, so he assumes she must be, right? Edward thinks he knows her, but does he? Or does he just know of her from reading the letters that she wrote to Thomas? Meanwhile, Cecilia can't help but wonder what will happen if the truth gets out or his memory comes back completely? Julia Quinn's second installment in the Rokesby series, The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is a delight and reminiscent of While You Were Sleeping.
I really enjoyed Cecilia from the start even though I knew she should have been truthful. It's more fun this way, right? I also appreciated the new setting of America during the Revolutionary War. This was a nice change from England. As always, Rosalyn Landor was a delight and one of the reasons I keep coming back to this audio book series.
Goodreads says, "She was in the wrong place… Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers’ hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain’s bed. He found her at the wrong time…Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he’s stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real—and his duty to the Crown means he’s stuck with her. Can two wrongs make the most perfect right? When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal—though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew’s secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart…?"
Poppy Bridgerton, after an unsuccessful season in London, is visiting her friend in Dorset. While there, she is off exploring a cave and happens upon what appears to be a smuggler's hideout. Then that's when things go badly for Poppy. She gets kidnapped by pirates and brought aboard a ship. While there, she realizes that the captain is actually a gentleman, but despite his good upbringing, he won't let her go free. So, off they sail to Portugal with Poppy on board. Andrew James, the captain, tries to keep Poppy comfortable while enroute to Portugal, and he realizes who she is: his neighbor's cousin. She doesn't recognize his true identity as he is on a secret mission for the monarchy. The more time they spend together, the more sparks fly and they have such lively discussions whether it be about puzzles, history, architecture, and more. Julia Quinn's The Other Miss Bridgerton reads more like an adventurous romance and I was delighted by the ride.
I really enjoyed Poppy as she is spirited, independent, and doesn't shy away from an adventure. I also really enjoyed the banter between her and Andrew and loved how his identity was a mystery to her. I will say the time spent to Portugal and stuck in the ship's cabin lagged a bit at times, but once ashore in Portugal, the pace definitely picked up. The Rokesbys series is proving to be quite the adventure - kidnapping, pirates, bandits, and more! As always, Rosalyn Landor makes it all come to life.
Goodreads says, "She was given two choices...Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage. She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life. Enter Option #3 As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time -- or interest -- to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton -- his literal girl-next-door -- is facing ruin, he knows what he must do. A Marriage of Convenience It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends... or could they?But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love...
Lady Georgiana "Georgie" Bridgerton found herself in a compromising situation when she was trapped by a scoundrel, Freddie Oakes. This ruined her reputation and when her godfather got word of it, he found an immediate solution. He told his son, Nicholas Rokesby, to marry his childhood friend, Georgie. Both Georgie and Nicholas had hoped to marry for love one day, but they understand how this is a decent solution to a major scandal. Nicholas is in medical school and this consumes most of his time. However, Georgie is really interested in medicine, but women can't attend medical school during this time period. Nicholas teachers her as much as he can and supports her dreams. Slowly as their friendship blossoms into something more, they realize that this marriage of convenience may end up being something more. Julia Quinn's fourth installment in the Rokesby series, First Comes Scandal, features a delightful progressive couple that I enjoyed from the start.
It wasn't Georgie's fault with what happened to her with Freddie as she was truly a victim, so I was glad to see Nicholas, her life-long friend, step up to help her. I really enjoyed their friendship and the slow burn to something more. I also appreciated how Nicholas supported Georgie's dreams from the start.
Also, First Comes Scandal included a lot more humor than Quinn's previous novels. Rosalyn Landor excels at bringing to life all the scenes including one laugh-out-loud scene in a carriage with Georgie's cats on the way to Scotland, which was a nice change of scenery. Lastly, fans of the Bridgerton series will love seeing some of Georgie's young nephews make a cameo.
So, are you a fan of the Bridgerton series? Have you read the prequel series, Rokesbys yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
These sound so fun! And I love the covers that match the new Bridgerton ones.
ReplyDeleteI really loved the Rokesby series -- all the adventure was so fun! I hope you get to read them sometime. I love the new covers, too! Thanks for visiting, Angela!
Delete