Mini Reviews: Bridgerton Edition

 

I am so excited to check out the new show, Queen Charlotte, which is set in the Bridgerton world. It comes out this Thursday on Netflix. I can't wait! Will you be watching? In honor of a new Bridgerton release, I am sharing a few Bridgerton related book reviews this week. If you missed the previous Bridgerton reviews, you can check them out here. Let me know what you think and if you'll be watching Queen Charlotte, too!

Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #5)

Genre: Romance/Audio Book

Pub. Date: September 26, 2017

Publisher: Recorded Books

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says,"My dear Miss Bridgerton, We have been corresponding now for quite some time, and although we have never formally met, I feel as if I know you. Forgive me if I am too bold, but I am writing to invite you to visit me. It is my hope that we might decide that we will suit, and you will consent to be my wife.—Sir Phillip Crane Sir Phillip Crane knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except… she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her… and more. Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking… and wondering… and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except… he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled… and when he kissed her… the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder… could this imperfect man be perfect for her?"

 

Eloise Bridgerton is 28 years old and considered a spinster. She finds herself on an adventure to visit her pen pal, Sir Philip Crane. He is a widow, a lover of botany, and she hopes a possible match for her. She plans to stay awhile visiting him with the hope that they will find themselves compatible. Once she gets there, she is deeply disappointed. Sir Philip isn't like she thought, nary a romantic bone in his body; plus, he is an emotionally distant father of twins. She plans on leaving and soon. However, the more time she spends with Sir Philip, the more she realizes that he does have a good heart. Perhaps there is a place for her here after all? 

Fans of the Bridgerton series will enjoy Quinn's fantastic use of witty banter and can count on appearances from all four Bridgerton brothers. That's my favorite aspect of the Bridgerton series - the family! I love how they all make appearances in each other stories; it's like revisiting a friend. While Eloise is my favorite Bridgerton on the TV show, her spunk and smarts didn't come through in Sir Phillip, With Love like they do in the show, so I was a bit disappointed. In fact, this is my least favorite Bridgerton book in the series despite my love for Eloise. However, Rosalyn Landor, one of my favorite narrators, made this audio book enjoyable despite my issues with it and I look forward to continuing with the Bridgerton series.  

 

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn (Bridgerton #6)

Genre: Romance/Audio Book 

Pub. Date: March 16, 2020

Publisher: Recorded Books

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "In every life there is a turning point. A moment so tremendous, so sharp and breathtaking, that one knows one's life will never be the same. For Michael Stirling, London's most infamous rake, that moment came the first time he laid eyes on Francesca Bridgerton. After a lifetime of chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, he took one look at Francesca Bridgerton and fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. Unfortunately for Michael, however, Francesca's surname was to remain Bridgerton for only a mere thirty-six hours longer -- the occasion of their meeting was, lamentably, a supper celebrating her imminent wedding to his cousin. But that was then . . . Now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still she thinks of him as nothing other than her dear friend and confidant. Michael dares not speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms, and passion proves stronger than even the most wicked of secrets . . ."

 

 

Francesa Bridgerton is a Countess and happily married to the John, Earl of Kilmartin. All is well until early into their marriage he dies from an aneurysm. This obviously rocks everyone's world, including John's first cousin, Michael Stirling, who reluctantly becomes the new Earl. The problem is that Michael has harbored feelings for Francesca for years and now he finds himself the new Earl. Instead of dealing with his problems and facing his feelings, he flees for India for four years. Once he returns, he finds he still has strong feelings for Francesca and a horrible case of malaria. As he spends time at the estate and learns the ropes of being the new Earl, he naturally spends more time with Francesca. Slowly they build their friendship back and realize that there's something more here. However, guilt over John's untimely death truly ways heavy on them both. Can they possibly have their happily ever after after all this sadness?

When He Was Wicked includes one of my favorite male protagonists, Michael Stirling. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed his story as well as Francesca, as it felt a bit more real. There was a struggle to happiness and it wasn't just like they flicked a switch. Francesca deals with guilt and grief, so it felt a bit heavier than the other Bridgerton novels, but in turn, it felt more authentic. As always, Rosalyn Landor, the brilliant narrator, brought the story to life and made it even more enjoyable. When He Was Wicked ended up being one of my favorite Bridgerton audio books.  

 

 

 

 

The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn

Genre: Romance/Audio Book

Pub. Date: April 2, 2013

Publisher: Recorded Books

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says,"Once upon a Regency time, an author created a family...But not just any family. Eight brothers and sisters, assorted in-laws, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, (not to mention an overweight corgi), plus an irrepressible matriarch who’s a match for any of them . . . These are the Bridgertons. Through eight bestselling novels, readers laughed, cried, and fell in love.But they wanted more. And so the readers asked the author...  What happened next? Does Simon ever read his father’s letters? Do Francesca and Michael become parents? Who would win in a Pall Mall grudge match? Does ‘The End’ really have to be the end?. This is a collection of Julia Quinn’s funny, heart-warming ‘second epilogues,’ which are included at the ends of each novel. This collection also includes plus a brand new novella about none other than the wise and witty matriarch: Violet Bridgerton herself. So get to know the Bridgertons all over again – because Happily Ever After is a whole lot of fun..."

 

 

 

 

If you are an avid reader of the Bridgerton series, you may have appreciated various characters cameos in the novels, but like me, you wanted even more. You may have been curious about Simon is doing or Colin or Benedict? Well, this is the answer to your prayers! Quinn's The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After includes eight "2nd epilogues" of each of her Bridgerton novels, including a bonus novella, Violet in Bloom. I really enjoyed revisiting all of my favorite characters and finding out what they were up to. It really added some closure to a few questions I had. I also really enjoyed Violet's novella. It provided some backstory to the Bridgerton matriarch and now I appreciate her more than ever. Violet in Bloom focused on her initial courtship with Edmund as well as how she dealt with his untimely death. I really enjoyed Violet and I hope that Quinn will give her more of a spotlight in the future.

Fans of Bridgerton should most definitely read all the novels before diving into this anthology for fear of spoilers. My only disappointment was that Rosalyn Landor wasn't the narrator. James Langdon, the narrator, did an okay job, but I think Rosalyn would have elevated it even more. Nonetheless, fans of the Bridgerton series shouldn't miss this delightful collection of novellas. It's like revisiting a long lost friend.

So, have you read any of these Bridgerton tales? Are you looking forward to the Queen Charlotte show on Netflix? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.