Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series, Book 4)

The talented Ms. Quinn has produced another winner in her Bridgerton series. This book, as the others in the series, is lively and witty and written in a charming, frothy style that is convincingly period without being inaccesible. This was the perfect summer read -- the plot was entertaining and light, the characters likeable, interesting, and real.

And let me take a moment to congratulate Ms. Quinn on her choice of heroine -- the unpopular wallflower, Penelope Featherington. It was heartening to read a romance in which the heroine is not a great beauty, but rather a shy girl who tends to be either ignored or laughed at by her peers. The author gave Penelope real depth of character in this book, and made her someone the reader honestly cares about. I was cheering her on as I read.

And finally, the mystery of Lady Whistledown's identity is revealed! I thought I had figured out who it was, but I was completely mistaken -- and delighted to be so.

A lovely story, and a lovely book. If you're new to this series, I would probably start with the first book, "The Duke and I." You can understand this story without going back, but you'll probably enjoy Penelope and Colin's romance more if you do. (And you'll *definitely* enjoy Lady Whistledown's unmasking more if you've been pondering the question for three books!) If you've already read the rest of the series, then I urge you to snatch this book up without delay!

I waited forever for this book because I've read all of the others in this series and have been dying to know who Lady Whistledown truly was. You will find out if you read this book, but not from me!

Penelope Featherington has been in love with Colin Bridgerton since she was 16 and now she is heading towards spinsterhood at eight and twenty. Colin has been abroad and has come home from his latest jaunt. In that time, Penelope still loves Colin but has little hope that he will ever notice her as anything other than his sister Eloises' best friend.

Lady Whistledown can't seem to write columns without mentioning the very available and nice Colin Bridgerton - evidently nothing has changed since he left - or has it. The girl who was like a part of his family, now haunts his dreams. Could this be love?

This is one of Julia Quinn's classic love stories with her trademark humourous dialog. A charming story, and the mystery of Lady Whistledown, finally revealed! I never guessed it!

Probably a great many people will disagree with me when I say that prior to this book my favorite in the Bridgerton series was Viscount Who Loved Me. I don't think a great many will disagree with me when I say that Romancing Mr. Bridgerton has replaced Viscount as my favorite Julia Quinn novel and therfore my favorite romance novel, period. The dialouge between Penelope and Colin was even more snicker inducing than Viscount and this book had the added advantage of a slight mystery (Lady Whistledown's identity) to keep the reader entralled. Colin, always my favorite Bridgerton brother, is finally characterized as something other than the easy going, charming third brother that he is pictured as in the other books and Penelope grows from a tongue-tied wallflower to a woman with enough spine to suit anyone. The characters in this book are believable, likable and at times downright laughable. As for the identity of Lady W, never fear. All is revealed, but to mention her name in this review would deprive readers of the pleasure of finding out for themselves. A note to those who haven't read any of the other Bridgerton novels I would suggest you do so prior to reading this one. Not because it is vital to understand the story but because it will help you to understand the dynamic of the Bridgerton family and bsides, each of them is an excellent book well worth reading.

Romancing Mister Bridgerton is probably the most highly anticipated book in the Bridgerton series. Like everyone else, I have been antsy waiting for Colin and Penelope's story.

I am happy to report that it was well worth the wait!! Julia Quinn weaves a very mature and romantic story of the handsome, witty third Bridgerton brother and the wallflower who has adored him all her life.

As you read this tale, you will quickly see that there is a lot more to Colin and Penelope than anyone ever thought or suspected. Both of them possess secrets that will surprise and shock the other, as well as bond them in a way that is beyond either of their dreams.

To top that off, Lady Whistledown is at it again. But has her day of reckoning come? And, will we finally get to unmask the ton's worst nemesis?

I feel this book is for all the "unattractive" girls who got looked over because no one could see beneath the surface. And, it makes one believe that unrequited love can be fulfilled.

This is the best in the Bridgerton series so far. With 3 more unmarried Bridgertons and 1 widowed, I am sure Ms. Quinn will allow us to visit this prolific, warm, and loving family once again. I can't wait to find out where Eloise runs off to.

Sometimes, when an authour gets tied to a series, the later books become formulaic and a little boring. Fortunately, this was not the case with Julia Quinn's latest romance novel, "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton." This latest installment about the Bridgerton siblings was well worth the wait (I think that it took slightly more than a year for this novel to be published), and is, I think, the best book in the series so far. This novel is a wonderful mixture of romance, poignancy and whimsy. I fairly devoured the book, and was quite saddened to have finished it so quickly. I was also left with the fervent wish that there were more novels like this one out there for me to read.

Miss Penelope Featherington has been in love with her best friend's elder brother, Colin Bridgerton, ever since she was sixteen. Unfortunately, Penelope is not a raving beauty, or a gregarious, charming wit. Somewhat quiet and shy (and a little plump), Penelope is the sort of young lady that fades into the woodwork, and not at all the type to cause Colin's senses to swim. The years pass (about 12 to be exact) and Penelope has resigned herself to both remaining a spinster and having her love remain unrequited, when Colin Bridgerton, who has taken to traveling extensively in order to escape his managing mother's attempts to marry him off, returns from Cyprus. Now, Penelope sees Colin almost everyday, and at every social do. She discovers that she is as deeply in love with him now as she was all those years ago, and wishes fervently that she was the kind of woman who could ensnare his affections. However the Colin who came back is also slightly different -- restless, bored and a little discontented with the manner in which his life in unfolding. And while Penelope enjoys the time that they spend together, she cannot help but wonder how long she will be able to continue hiding her love for him?

After having spent so many years abroad, Colin Bridgerton returns to England, hoping to find something that will chase this ennui away. Who would have believed that his thoughts would be full of shy, quiet Penelope Featherington? And that he would enjoy her intelligence and dry wit to such an extent? Somehow, Penelope touches him in a manner that no other woman has before. And he finds himself wanting to protect her from the cruel and careless ways of the ton. His deep affection for Penelope, however soon begins to disturb him. Could he be falling in love with his sister's best friend? And does he even want to be in love?

Reading "Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" made me understand why so many other readers rave about Julia Quinn's talents. This was an entirely delightful and appealing read. I loved the manner in the authour made this novel to unfold. Julia Quinn took great pains to first allow for Penelope's and Colin's friendship to be reestablished by allowing them to have some really meaningful conversations, where they actually discuss things (like his boredom and her unhappiness over always being on the fringes of things), before she eased them into a romance. Ever so often, the hero and heroine barely share a thought before they begin their rather erotic encounters. So that it was a treat to have Penelope and Colin talk, and not about politics and social issues either. I also liked that although Penelope has loved Colin forever, she doesn't simply nod her head and agree with him on everything under the sun. Penelope has her own opinions. And even when she senses that her thoughts may not be the ones that Colin wants to hear, she doesn't shirk from sharing them with him. This is one romance that is, I think, really going to stand the test of time.

"Romancing Mr. Bridgerton" was a truly wonderful read about unspoken dreams and love. Mostly, however, eventhough this is a Bridgerton novel, this is a book that is actually all about Penelope -- about what life is like for a spinster who never 'took' and about the dreams and desires she never expected to be fulfilled. I found this novel to be an outstanding one, and one that was definitely worth treasuring.