Rating: 
Summary: Not Julia's best
Review: I enjoyed reading this romance novel. Yet I think this one, though still above the average (after all it's a Julia Quinn), is much weaker than her other Bridgerton stories. Penelope and Colin whom we all know from her other books about the Bridgertons are both thoroughly likeable, the plot is suspenseful but there's something crucial lacking. Penelope is 28 and Colin 33 when the novel starts and they have known each other for 12 years. While Penelope fell in love with Colin at the very first sight he has never felt any spark of attraction for her so far, he has seen Penelope only as everybody else sees her: A nice, but infinitely plain, self-conscious old maid who is unpopular and lacks in social graces. His most outstanding feeling for her has unfortunately been pity until this novel starts. Unlike in other books Penelope doesn't undergo a great change when she gets older, she's still what she always was, thoroughly likeable, bright and capable of great feeling but also shy, plain and much too obedient towards her horrible mother. She now wears the clothes she has chosen herself but only because her mother has given up on her and thinks her daughter to be unmarriageable. I would have liked it better if Penelope had chosen her own clothes because she stood up to her mother at last. She's a bit of a doormat. Her blind adoration of Colin was somewhat annoying, too. Why he all of a sudden (after the first couple of pages!) feels passionately attracted to her remains a mystery. OK, this is a romance novel and I usually don't ask much for probability. But the authoress should have developed such a tremendous change of heart in a 33 years old man(Colin is no teenager whose feeling is likely to change quickly)in a more plausible and transparent way. The wonderful thing about romance novel authors is that they somehow make the improbable seem possible. Yet unfortunately not here. Colin should have been aware of his attraction to Penelope much later in the book, whereas she should have had a serious love crisis when her youthful infatuation collides with the sober reality. After that her shattered feelings could have developed into something deeper, corresponding with Colin's growing attraction to her. This would have added depth and complexity to an altogether nice, pleasant little story. I think the authoress could have been a bit more daring to her own and the readers benefit. Yet the beautiful and romantic end made up for the somewhat rushed love story.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, But Not Really Her Best
Review: Julia Quinn is an excellent writer, and I enjoy her books a great deal. However, this particular book, "Romancing Mister Bridgerton", is not her best.I'm not saying it's bad ... you won't put this book away unfinished. However, you may find yourself to be annoyed by this book along the way. She does a lot of cutesy (asides) in the first chapter. It was bad writing and I'm surprised it wasn't edited out. The dialogue in the book overall is too self-consciously precious, and the characters sound too awkwardly witty. It's simply not believable! The book is devoid of sensuality because Ms. Quinn is too busy trying to be cute. I liked the Whistledown stuff -- it's impossible not to like! --and it was fun how Ms. Quinn borrowed from other genre authors. However, the book is very light, self-conscious fare, and you don't really feel compelled to turn the pages the way you do with Ms. Quinn's other offerings. Ms. Quinn plays a cheap trick on the readers at the end, using the mysterious actions of one of her characters to keep her readers hanging. OK, I'll admit her dime novel technique worked -- I'll pick up the next book for sure -- but it wasn't really a shining example of good writing. I don't know ... I just expect more from Ms. Quinn. Better luck next time, I guess!
Rating: 
Summary: Penelope's Love
Review: I couldn't wait for this book to come out and I was not disappointed. I don't know what the readers who gave less than 4 or 5 stars were thinking. I liked the fact that Colin was human. He had insecurities and jealousies just like the rest of us.I also liked that Lady Whistledown was unmasked and best of all I liked that Penelope finally got the love she deserved. The second best event was at the end when Cressida Twombly got what she deserved. I can't wait for Eloise's book, Julia. Hurry up!
Rating: 
Summary: pleasant and humorous
Review: This is the second book I've read in the "Bridgerton Series" and although I did not find it as wonderful as "The Duke and I", I had so much fun reading this novel! It was so marvelous to explore and join with two endearing characters such as Penelope and Colin. Although the two of them getting together was a long time in coming, they certainly took us on a journey! The rapport that these two share lets us see their intelligence and sense of humor, while the attraction between them lets us see their beauty and sensuality. And in the surface, both Colin and Penelope seem to be all right with the world, but we find the secrets that they have kept show us who they really long to be. Julia Quinn did a wonderful way in making her characters come to life and leap out at you from the pages. I found Mrs. Featherington to be very superficial, but she certainly provided some comic relief. And Eloise gives out the impresssion of being tough, but still vulnerable. I truly enjoyed reading this book. Lady Whistledown's true identity was, despite my suspicion, truly a shock, but a delightful one. All in all, this is a story that will truly be enjoyed. I can't wait to see who manages to capture Eloise's heart!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous
Review: I really liked this book. I L-O-V-E-D Penelope's character..she was hiilarious andI loved Coin too. The beginning was so cute too. This is my first Quinn book and I hope to read more. I loved this book. It was funny and had a cute surprise was very happy whn thy revealed that.....Just Kidding I wouldnt dream of ruining the book for another reader :o)
Rating: 
Summary: So much for expectations.
Review: I have read all of Quinn's books on the Bridgerton family and have become a fan of hers as a result. This book was a long time coming and perhaps I've expected it to be the best of all the 'Bridgerton series'. Sad to say, I was disappointed with what I've read. I found Colin falling in love with Penelope too sudden and the chemistry between them lacking. It was as if the book's only purpose was to unveil Lady Whistledown and to let Colin find a partner like the rest of his siblings. These two characters seemed more interesting when they were mentioned as supporting characters in other Bridgerton books.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely fabulous
Review: I consider myself an avid romance reader. I would forget chores and homework to read a book. Now, I have read plenty books that could be considered Ok, bad, and a "you could not put this book down if your life depended upon it." This book was definately in the latter category. I felt such a bond with Penelope. How many of us out there aren't beautiful, aren't popular, but have a wonderful sense of humor, and an intelligent mind? I would definately call myself a wallflower(you'll have to read the book to understand). Colin is the typical boy next door that grows up while away, and comes home only to realize that his life could not be complete without the girl next door. He's charming, funny, and just about perfect. He's not these other men, who constantly contradict what he's feeling. He knows what he's feeling and will admit it scares, delights, or absolutely frightens him. I don't think anyone could have been a more perfect match for him than Penelope, or Colin for her. Lady Whistledown, of course, adds delightful wit and humor to the Bridgerton books, and I love who she turns out to be in the end. I could not have picked a better person. Reading the other Bridgerton books you think you have an idea who it might be, but no no no. I read this book in 2 1/2 hours. I literally could not put it down. Thank you Julia Quinn. I can't wait to see what has happened to Eleanor.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This story started out so wonderfully than it just crashed. Once the characters were married all the sizzle seemed to end.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment
Review: To sum up, this book was a disappointment. I am a huge fan of Quinn, in particular the Bridgertons, and I have been counting the days till the release of "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." Needless to say, this book did not live up to my expectations. It started off great but towards the middle the only thing that saved me from eternal boredom was Lady Danbury and her sharp wit. This book lacks the romance we have come to cherish in the rest of Quinn's novels.
The majority of the book deals with Colin and Penelope's insecurities rather than the love they supposedly find for one another. Colin reminds me of a whiny teenager, complaining because he has no purpose in life, rather than the witty character he portrays in the rest of the Bridgerton series. Their courtship played only a minor part in the book whereas unveiling Lady Whistledown and helping Mr. "Insecure" Colin were the main topics.
In addition, this book also lacks description, we are never really given the opportunity to understand Colin and Penelope's feelings. It's as if we are reading in the third person and observing tidbits from the outside. Overall, I would have to say that this book had great potential and didn't follow through. I hold out hope for Eloise though.
Rating:
Summary: Julia Quinn Delivers Again
Review: It wasn't too hard to discern from the other Bridgerton books to know that something must happen between Penelope and Colin. These two characters were constantly paired off because of Violet's (the Bridgerton mother) tendency to pity Penelope. It was hard not to miss the hints throughout the other books. However, this book contains a bit of a tease in trying to discover who is the Whistledown lady. Overall, I liked Colin and Penelope's courtship immensely. And after reading this book, I'm more interested in knowing what Eloise Bridgerton is about. The dialogue is witty and there's a tenderness about Colin that hasn't been seen in any of the other books. It makes him very likable and the match much more believable. Good charcterization in this book. You will definitely want it for the collection.
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