I don’t think I’ve read anything that new this year! I’ve certainly heard great things about The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, though…
Followers? How about you guys?
Mine is a toss up between Wicked Abyss by Kresley Cole and The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn. I have been equally obsessed with both of these authors for years now, so I can’t pick a favorite. They were both super amazing.
This month was a productive month for buying books. With the library sell and all the amazing new releases, my bank account has taken a bit hit this month. Totally worth it. The bolded are books I have finished reading, and the italics are books I have started reading. If you would like for me to discuss a book I have finished, just let me know
A Royal Affair by Nora Roberts How To Tame A Beast In Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks Defender by Diana Palmer The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak The Boy Next Door by Ella James When The Marquess Falls by Lorraine Heath The Scarletti Curse by Christine Feehan Lair Of The Lion by Christine Feehan Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern The Red Heart of Jade by Marjorie M. Liu Beneath The Thirteen Moons by Kathryne Kennedy A Hunger LIke No Other by Kresley Cole One Red Rose by Julie Garwood ( The Clayborne Brides ) One Pink Rose by Julie Garwood ( The Clayborne Brides ) Dark Symphony by Christine Feehan ( A Carpathian Novel ) Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak Beguiled by Arnette Lamb Heart Duel by Robin D. Owens Dark Demon by Christine Feehan ( A Carpathian Novel ) Crown of Crystal Flame by C.L. Wilson ( Tairen Souls ) Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking ( The Kanin Chronicles ) The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa ( Blood of Eden ) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater Underworld by Meg Cabot ( An Abandon Novel ) Insatiable by Meg Cabot Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl ( Beautiful Creatures ) Trickster’s Choice by Tamora Pierce Trickster’s Queen by Tamora Pierce Nightspell by Leah Cypess Hoodwinked by Diana Palmer Donavan by Diana Palmer Storm Over the Lake by Diana Palmer Nora by Diana Palmer Secret Fire by Johanna LIndsey His At Night by Sherry Thomas Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood Vision in White by Nora Roberts ( The Bride Quartet ) Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts ( The Bride Quartet ) Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts ( The Bride Quartet ) Born In Fire by Nora Roberts ( The Irish Born Trilogy ) Born In Ice by Nora Roberts ( The Irish Born Trilogy ) Born In Shame by Nora Roberts ( The Irish Born Trilogy ) Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts ( The Guardians Trilogy ) Bay of Sighs by Nora Roberts ( The Guardians Trilogy ) Island of Glass by Nora Roberts ( The Guardians Trilogy )
Notes: The literal Regency lasted from 1811-1820 (during which the future George IV acted as regent for George III, his incapacitated father), but here I’m using it to mean the period from 1803 (the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars) to 1832 (just before the passing of the First Reform Act). Again, this has more to do with the general feel and commonly used tropes of romances set during this time period than actual history. I have no opinion about actual history at this time. I am too tired.
1.A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh (2002)
Exact Setting: 1810s England.
Premise: After the heroic death of his perfect older brother, reckless Kit Butler is supposed to go home and assume his duties as viscount, but his mingled anger and guilt towards the folks at home make that an unpleasant prospect. Rather than marry the woman who ditched him for his late brother, as he’s expected to do, he proposes marriage to Lauren Edgeworth, a very proper lady whom everyone pities for being left at the altar. The trouble is that Lauren doesn’t want to get married at all now; she just wants her well-meaning friends and family to stop worrying about her. The two decide to enter a fake engagement so they can appease their concerned/disapproving loved ones (and maybe show the world how little they care about getting dumped). But then it becomes ALL TOO REAL.
Why I Like It: This was my favorite romance ever for a long time, and it’s still in my top five. Kit and Lauren have the same problem; they’re both incredibly hurt and angry, yet believe that they can’t express their feelings without coming across as bitter jerks (in Lauren’s case because no one was really at fault, and in Kit’s because his family is bad with emotions). They deal with the problem in opposite ways–he behaves badly, while she behaves toowell–but it all boils down to convincing others that they aren’t affected, which unfortunately leads to their loved ones not offering the support they need. United in a lie, though, they are able to be honest and influence each other to be more open with their friends and family. Kit is also the perfect amount of “bad, but not evil,” as the Shangri-Las once said. He likes a fast chariot and a bit of scandalously shirtless fighting in the park, but that just makes him fun.
Favorite Scene: Kit accidentally invents the word “sexy” while skinny-dipping with Lauren.
Its always “I love you” and never “I know I am imperfect, but I will humble myself before you because I cannot imagine my life without you, and that is why I wish to marry you”
The show never promised to be a loyal adaption to the books. Julia Quinn agreed when Netflix signed for the rights to allow them to change her story. None of this was a secret, all of this is old news. You all need to seriously relax and stop attacking cast and crew.
I enjoyed the change. There was no awkward “what’s a penis?” conversations. Just in general, it was nice place to start the book.
I think Quinn put just enough John into this. If there had been less than I wouldn’t have given a fuck that he dies, if there had been more than I wouldn’t have been as invested in Micheal.
I loved this side to Violet.
The infertility storyline was a great addition.
It taught me a lesson about Malaria, which was interesting.
The exploration of guilt was great. I loved the points when Micheal was terrified that he might of wanted John to die. Also the conversations about grief and the different ways we deal with it.
This really explained Francesca’s disappearance in the show. As someone who comes from a close but really fucking loud family, I sympathised with her.
Negatives:
I found it more difficult to get into this book than the earlier ones.
This is the first one where I thought there was too much sex. Like I get that thats the genre, but at the same time, it felt like it was stalling. But maybe that was the point???
Disclaimer: I watched the show before I read the book.
Positives:
BENEDICT!!!!!!!
Violet is once again the most observant person in the room.
Love the foreshadowing for Colin and Penelope.
I’m a sucker for Cinderella AUs.
More Bridgerton brothers being protective of Penelope.
Sophie is a genuinely good person. Her not telling Benedict she was the girl from the ball made me fall slightly in love with her. Like she really cares about him and knew that telling him would make things more difficult for him, even if she would benefit from him knowing.
Reads like a fanfiction of The Viscount who Loved Me.
Julia Quinn is on a winning streak.
ELOISE AND FRANCESCA!!!!
Negatives:
I get that they were in a rush, but why didn’t Benedict and Violet send someone to get Daphne. They knew the Countess would outrank both of them and Daphne was a Duchess. Even if they didn’t know it would have been helpful. Even Anthony would have helped because he’s a man (If we can’t break the patriarchy then we need to use it to our advantage.)
That’s my only issue with this one.
Oh, and no Kate.
4.8/5 Purely because of the lack of Queen Kate Sheffield.
i’ve spent the last two weeks binge reading the bridgerton books and despite the fact that they’re pretty much the exact same book eight times i actually really enjoyed them lmao**
i’m a simple girl and something about this bland, white bread, run-of-the-mill historical romance formula scratches an itch in my brain that isn’t quite reached by anything even vaguely intellectual.
i’m starting (and probably finishing) ‘on the way to the wedding’ today but here are my rankings so far:
1. an offer from a gentleman (benedict) 4.7 stars
2. it’s in his kiss (hyacinth) 4.5 stars
3. when he was wicked (francesca) 4 stars
4. the viscount who loved me (anthony) 4 stars
5. the duke and i (daphne) 4 stars
6. romancing mr bridgerton (colin) 3 stars
7. to sir phillip with love (eloise) 3 stars
** i must, however, point out that many parts of the books are quite problematic and ALL the love interests present a different flavour of misogyny. as julia cudney so eloquently pointed out in her youtube vid ranking the books, a lot of people’s rankings are literally based on what form of misogyny bothers them the least so take all of this with a pinch of salt lol
