Saturday, June 15, 2024

Week 24 Reviews: Romancing Mister Bridgerton, Romancing Mister Bridgerton: The 2nd Epilogue, To Sir Phillip, With Love, To Sir Phillip, With Love: The 2nd Epilogue, When He Was Wicked, When He Was Wicked: The 2nd Epilogue, It's In His Kiss, It's In His Kiss: The 2nd Epilogue, On the Way to the Wedding, On the Way to the Wedding: The 2nd Epilogue, Violet in Bloom, Queen Charlotte












From Goodreads:
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for… well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret… and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the neverending sameness of his life, and, most of all, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply… there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide… is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?

We can't really say more without giving away a big, fat spoiler, but it turns out that Colin is a bit of a meddler, Hyacinth is more of a meddler, and the only time all of the Bridgertons stop talking at once is when Penelope has something really embarrassing to say. Hey, we never said it was easy to marry a Bridgerton, just that it was fun.

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?

Those cute kids from romance novels aren't actually supposed to grow up, are they?

When last we saw Amanda Crane, she was eight years old and (in her own words) a blight on the face of humanity. Now she's grown up, remarkably well-adjusted, and ready to fall in love. All she needs is the right gentleman...

Everything was so much simpler... when he was wicked.

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...

Do the best things really come to those who wait? Three years have passed since Francesca's and Michael's marriage, and they are still childless. And Francesca wonders, can a woman be truly and completely happy when a little piece of her heart remains empty? But just when she makes peace with her fate, something unexpected occurs.

Meet Our Hero . . .Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past . . . and the key to his future. The problem is--it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

Meet Our Heroine . . .All the ton there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her--something charming and vexing--that grabs him and won't quite let go . . .

Meet Poor Mr. Mozart . . .Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual--and annually discordant--Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other . . . and that there is nothing as simple--or as complicated--as a single, perfect kiss.

What happened to the diamonds?

If you've read "It's in His Kiss," you want to know. Don't miss this charming and passionate addendum, in which Gareth proves that some things get better with age, Hyacinth gains new respect for her mother (with a daughter like Isabella she'd have to, wouldn't she?), and everyone learns that while diamonds are lovely, sometimes tenacity is a girl's best friend.

A funny thing happened...

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...

She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...

Continuation of the original book about Lucy and Gregory.

Bonus story about Violet Bridgerton, included in Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn and television pioneer Shonda Rhimes comes a powerful and romantic novel of Bridgerton's Queen Charlotte and King George III's great love story and how it sparked a societal shift, inspired by the original series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, created by Shondaland for Netflix.

“We are one crown. His weight is mine, and mine is his…”

In 1761, on a sunny day in September, a King and Queen met for the very first time. They were married within hours.

Born a German Princess, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was beautiful, headstrong, and fiercely intelligent… not precisely the attributes the British Court had been seeking in a spouse for the young King George III. But her fire and independence were exactly what she needed, because George had secrets… secrets with the potential to shake the very foundations of the monarchy.

Thrust into her new role as a royal, Charlotte must learn to navigate the intricate politics of the court… all the while guarding her heart, because she is falling in love with the King, even as he pushes her away. Above all she must learn to rule, and to understand that she has been given the power to remake society. She must fight—for herself, for her husband, and for all her new subjects who look to her for guidance and grace. For she will never be just Charlotte again. She must instead fulfill her destiny… as Queen.

My Review:
I loved reading the rest of this series! I really enjoyed the first 3 books and the tv show, so I was thrilled to continue on and finish the series. It was just so good and I loved seeing the rest of the Bridgerton siblings find their happy endings!

It's funny that the show moved up Colin and Penelope's story, so I knew half of it going in, and then was able to watch the 2nd half. It was interesting to read because they didn't really have any interactions in the same time that the show covered, but I really enjoyed their story!

I'm not sure which sibling, and which story, was my favourite. They were all vibrant characters and I enjoyed seeing their love lives, though I think Francesca's story was pretty great! She was the only heroine who went to the hero's bed with experience (and even if that was because she was previously married, it still is more then all the rest of the ladies have with their guys, vs. the guys' experience.)

All the bonus material that we got, the 2nd epilogues, Violet's story, and Queen Charlotte, I just loved! I loved getting more, it's exactly what I want and dream for basically every book that concludes a story and I loved spending that time with them, they were all so great to read! Plus the mini-season Queen Charlotte is the first of this media that I consumed, so it was great to read the written word of her story! 

These were excellent reads and I can't wait to read more by Julia Quinn!

Author: Julia Quinn, Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes
Series: Bridgertons #4, 4.5, 5. 5.5. 6, 6.5, 7. 7.5, 8, 8.5, 8.6
Read: July 9th, 9th, 9th, 9th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 10th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 11th, 2024
Source: Ebook.bike, Bought
Reason Why: Love her writing and this series, and they're Historical Fiction 2024 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Books, and On the Way to the Wedding is a End of Series 2024 Book! 
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, Harper Collins, Avon
Published: July 2nd 2002, May 1st 2007, July 1st 2003, August 18th 2009, June 29th 2004, May 1st 2007, June 28th 2005, June 6th 2006, June 27th 2006, January 7th 2022, April 2nd 2013, May 9th 2023

Romancing Mister Bridgerton:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Romancing Mister Bridgerton: The 2nd Epilogue:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








To Sir Phillip, With Love:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








To Sir Phillip, With Love: The 2nd Epilogue:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








When He Was Wicked:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








When He Was Wicked: The 2nd Epilogue:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








It's In His Kiss:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








It's In His Kiss: The 2nd Epilogue:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








On the Way to the Wedding:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








On the Way to the Wedding: The 2nd Epilogue:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Violet in Bloom:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars








Queen Charlotte:
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

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