Rating:  Summary: 10 out of 5 Review: 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!
Rating:  Summary: 3 1/2 stars If I could.... Review: Eversince the Duke and I, I've become an avid fan of Julia Quinn. I've read almost all of her books and all are not only romantic but full of laughs as well. She is definitely witty and knows how to weave magical stories. However....Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is the 4th installment of Julia Quinn's-The Bridgerton series. This may be my least favorite out of the four but mind you, it still merits 3 stars as it was an entertaining read. I noticed that Ms. Quinn didn't waste time retelling or even summarizing the previous book on this series. She updates you with the previous characters, and even uses them as secondary characters but none of those "skipping-pages-bec-i-know-this-part-already" on this book series. In fact, you can pretty much read these books as an individual without feeling lost. But I still suggest you read the whole series for an add-on smile on your face when you read the updates... I will not rehash the plot or the story anymore as most have already done it. I will just add that however entertaining this book may be, I find the romance between the H & H a little too light. I also find Colin's character lacking. I guess I wanted him to be the bold one in this story. Seems to me that Penelope sorta overshadowed him a little bit (and to think she was a wallflower!). He does show his manliness in some areas but I still feel a little unsatisfied. On the outside, Colin was an adventurer, carefree and playful but inside, he was filled with insecurities. Uncertain about himself... He hid himself by smiling coolly or playing the smoothie. Penelope however is an almost true-to-life character. Not very pretty, not so fashionable, not so rich and in fact a "wallflower" for so many years. But she compensated her imperfections with her intelligence. That I like. And her intelligence is what captivated Colin. That I like too. None of those superficial physical love-at-first-sight here, that's for sure. I also liked the idea of Penelope learning more about herself and what she can actually be. Sometimes, it takes TIME and another person to encourage us to be who we can be. So the beauty of this book is that both Colin and Penelope benefited each other by filling the hole on each other's soul and personality. I also do like friendship-first in my romance books but in this instance, the frienship-love-story was somewhat slow in the beginning. I'm also still skeptical as to how the love suddenly came in to both of them. Maybe not so much to Penelope because I know she always had her heart for Colin but Colin's love seems too fast to have happened. There wasn't any challenge in their love story either. A little effort on Colin's part in pursuing Penelope would be nice. I wished my heart skipped a beat once in awhile while I read on but it didn't. Even the marriage proposal was too facile. Colin and Penelope romance just didn't soar my heart. The revelation of Lady Whistledown was a complete surprise to me. Some people told me that they knew from the previous book who L.W. is... My, I didn't know! Didn't even know who it was until 1/2 of this book. I must say, It's not who or what I expected. I have to read The Duke and I, Viscount Who Love Me & An Offer From A Gentleman all over again... I want to see which clues have I missed. I would have given this book a 3 1/2 stars if I could. Overall, this book is entertaining though definitely not Ms. Quinn's best.
Rating:  Summary: A romance dedicated to readers and writers Review: This is my first Julia Quinn and my first romance novel. If there are more like this one, I'll keep reading - and buying! Romancing Mr. Bridgerton was witty and sweet and sexy while having a sound plot with a great deal of internal conflict that really brought the main characters to life. I guess not having read the previous three books, I can't really compare it as other reviewers have done, but I can assure you that as a stand-along novel it is definitely enjoyable. Penelope Featherington isn't beautiful, popular, titled, or rich. She has been unsuccessfully on the Marriage Mart for over a decade and has been shelved as a spinster, really only going to balls to chaperon her younger sister. Her dominating mother does not do much to bolster Penelope's self-esteem and a lifetime of maternal companionship awaits her. Penelope has good company as a wallflower, though. Her best friend, Eloise Bridgerton is also single. Although, Eloise has actually turned down offers, while Penelope simply hasn't had any. For almost as long as they have been friends (since their debuts), Penelope has been (secretly) in love with Eloise's older brother Colin. Colin still isn't married and has recently returned from a long trip abroad. He returns to find everything the same, exactly the same, which only feeds his wanderlust again. He is discontent with his position in English society, but isn't strong enough to give it up, and so he leaves to find purpose in his idle existence. Meanwhile, during his tenure in London, he has to put up with the social doings of the ton and the frequent mention of his name in the thrice-weekly gossip rag, "Lady Whistledown's Society Papers." The only thing making it bearable is, surprisingly, Penelope Featherington's sane, pleasant conversation, especially after she finds out his hidden ambition and encourages him in it. A challenge is issued from the prickly, but honest Lady Danbury: a thousand pounds to the person who reveals the true Lady Whistledown. She also takes an added interest in Penelope, recognizing her intelligence and drawing her out to receive some deserved attention. Penelope slowly grows out of her forced shyness to blossom before Colin and the rest of the ton. Of course, Colin is smitten, but he is plagued with doubts. Penelope also does not just fall at her hero's feet, especially since he hasn't done anything particularly heroic. I enjoyed their conversations, their individual personalities, and the cozy interiorness of their thoughts and struggles. It created amazing empathy (with Penelope in particular) and wasn't overblown or dramatic or chaotic to create something out of nothing. Quinn synthesizes a sensible, likeable heroine with an intelligent, honest partner within a relationship that will develop each partner in their chosen separate paths. I also loved the Bridgerton clan - they are such a *nice* family (admittedly, with superior verbal skills). Having looked through other novels subsequently, I was surprised how unpleasant many people and events are. Quinn has a light touch, without stepping into the realms of complete comedy or biting satire. She handles the funny and the intense with a sure hand. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton was a delight to read and I'm only sorry I finished it too quickly. I can't wait to find out about the other Bridgertons!
Rating:  Summary: Completely Adorable Review: I have read all of Julia Quinn's books and this one is my favorite. Colin and Penelope are great characters, perfect for each other, although it takes them awhile to figure it out. But when they do sparks fly! They are by no means perfect people which makes them all the more endearing to the reader. Their journey of discovery is fun to watch, and the end is satisfying, as we get to see one nasty character get her comuppance, (who I won't disclose here). I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a fun read and likable characters!
Rating:  Summary: Scrumbly good fun! Review: I thoroughly, completely, and utterly enjoyed this novel. I found myself wanting to laugh out loud many times, although I refrained as I was reading it in a public place. :) Still, I couldn't help but devour it and ended up reading it in two sittings. You should read it, if for nothing else, because Lady Whistledown is unmasked! This was my first Julia Quinn book and I've already started on The Duke and I. Highly entertaining, quick read.
Rating:  Summary: Romancing Mister Bridgerton Review: This is the best Whistledown novel out! Penelope, Eloise, Hyancinth, Felicity, Lady Bridgerton, and of course Colin make this book. It makes you laugh, cry and laugh some more. The characters really do come alive in this Julia Quinn novel.
Rating:  Summary: another masterpiece Review: I read this book not once, but twice. I was intrigued by Colin's wanderlust as it was made mention from the very beginning with The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer from a Gentleman. Although it is made mention in all these books of his wanderlust, he was always coming from some place, it sometimes showed his temper and, gentle readers, we always knew he was somewhat of a prankster and all around "charming" man. The book pretty much leaves out his goings on for over 10 years...I wonder what made him become the man he is in the book. However, I know you can't pack all that into a single book. To me, the book catchs up with him as he finally is settling and it seems to shock him that what he needed was right under his nose. I'm also very happy that Penelope became the heroine in this book. I did so like her after I read The Viscount Who Loved Me. The bringing of them together, who had already been introduced to us before, seemed like the icing on the cake. I can't wait for the next installment on the Bridgertons. Where did Eloise go on the night of the ball???? I await was baited breath for that one. If you have not read all the books in this series, you are truly missing a treat.
Rating:  Summary: ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON-Colin and Penelope-SPOILERS Review: favorite scene with penelope- being caught at the church by colin and confessing the truth. favorite scene with colin- upset with penelope about her reading his journal. favorite scene together- making love.
Rating:  Summary: A MUST read for any JQ fan Review: I REALLY liked this book. I have read every JQ book, and this one was just as delightful as all the previous. Colin and Penelope are an excellent pair! I won't give any details because I wouldn't want to give too much away, but despite what other reviews might say, this book is definitely a keeper. I have already read it twice!
Rating:  Summary: very enjoyable read Review: The newest edition in the Bridgerton series is really delightful. Poor Penelope, who has been on the marriage mart for I believe 11 years now and is 28 years old, lives with her mother, a notorious gossip who has absolutely no sense of fashion. At least where Penelope is concerned. Penelope is finally allowed to wear colors of her own choice, and she looks, finally, very well in them. Others are too used to how she looked before to really notice her now, but Colin, who has been away for a few years, does. Oh, he certainly does. Julia Quinn is one of my favorite authors, she has a very nice very humorous voice that I enjoy in an author. But something must be said about the conflict, in particular Colin's conflict. He wants to do something with his life and doesn't know what exactly that might be. He only knows that he wants to do something. This bit definitely got too much attention from Ms. Quinn, and at parts, I thought some rather mean thoughts about Colin and how childish he acted about it, but it was not enough to ruin the book. Indeed, it was a lovely story. And except for the problems I had with Colin, one of the most moving stories I have read in a long time. So, to all Quinn fans and to all those would-be Quinn fans, I highly recommend this book. In fact, when I look at my bookshelf for the next book to devour, my eyes inevitably come to rest on this one, and I can't wait for next year when I can read this book again, and things will be relatively fresh. I'll never be able to read this for the first time again, but for those of you who can, you would be seriously remiss not to.
|