In my new found quest to explore the world of Romance, I’ve decided to sample the works of other recommended authors. Having started at the peak with Courtney Milan might have a detrimental effect on my opinions, but I’m committed to trying. I think I have to try a bunch of different things to figure out what I like and don’t like.
This one seems to be an “innocent girl saves Rake with her magical love” story, which I now know is not a story I particularly enjoy. This is the first book in the Bridgerton Family Series, about 8 siblings, alphabetically named, who look for love in Regency England. Daphne is the eldest daughter, who has the misfortune to be more likable than romantically interesting to the men of her class and is therefor having trouble securing a husband. Her three belligerent older brothers are not helping either. Enter Simon, the titular Duke, her brother’s friend and a known Rake who dramatically refuses to ever marry. Daphne and Simon enter into a plot contrivance to fake an entanglement in order to shield Simon from the wandering bands of unmarried girls and their mothers and to increase Daphne’s attractiveness to other suitable men. Of course they are attracted and end up together, but Simon has a tragic secret that he broods about until Daphne heals him with her loving love. I am being a bit snide, I know, but after the depth and complexity of Milan’s character’s I have to say that my patience for Simon’s extreme Emo and Daphne’s purity of heart was not great.
What I liked: The historical setting; I liked the balls and the dances and pretty dresses of it all. I liked the chapter framing device of the gossip sheets. The characters were engaging. Even when I was aggravated by them I wanted to know more. The Bridgertons are fun and I think further development of that family could be interesting. The book is well written. The banter and dialogue were terrific. When Simon and Daphne are getting to know each other in a friendly way, the book is light and fun and romantic.
What I didn’t like: There is literally no plot. Like, nothing happens that is not directly related to the main Romance plot. Interesting peripheral characters are introduced but never developed. Daphne is kinda too innocent and too loving for me. She’s mostly boring in a self-satisfied way with only small bursts of moxie. Simon is needlessly secretive and so dramatically emo about everything. He also displays a lot of sexily-presented possessive grossness. Simon rages about his ownership of his wife Daphne waaaaay too much when she defies him. It squicked me out, honestly. Both Daphne and Simon behaved reprehensibly to each other at points, which surprised me. I think her innocence and his arrogance were historically accurate but not enjoyable for me personally.
But still, I liked them? Mostly. But I don’t think I’ll read the others in this series.
Onward and upward!
Don’t use this as your basis of the Bridgertons! Books 3 and 4 are by far the best in the series. Daphne’s story definitely has some issues, but don’t let it keep you from the others. Those side characters are all getting their own stories as you go along.
Well that’s good to know. I enjoyed it mostly except for the parts I really didn’t.
Books 3, 4, and 7 are the best ones. Save the others for later and then, when you are desperate, you will enjoy returning to Quinn’s deft, witty writing. Or so I’ve heard.
I’m already enjoying Penelope soooo much more than I liked Daphne+Simon.
I also want to give a shout-out to book 7, Hyacinth’s book, which is also delightful. Yes, please don’t base your opinions of Julia Quinn or The Bridgerton series on book 1. Book 2 is better, books 3 and 4 are, as Beth Ellen says, classics of the genre and even the younger siblings’ books are very enjoyable. None of the others have anything in the way of problems with regards to consent, promise! Please give at least An Offer from a Gentleman and Romancing Mister Bridgerton a try before you write off the series.
You guys are great. I thought there must be something I was missing since Quinn is so popular here. I was enjoying this one until things went off the rails at the end so I’m willing to try again.
I liked Colin a lot so maybe I’ll just skip ahead to him. Someone is going to match up with the unattractive Prudence at some point, right? She was mentioned so much I feel like there something there.
Edit: I meant Penelope of course and looks like she is with Colin so I must be psychic! ;)
You are me in 2012. If you are working on Quinn, may I suggest Lisa Kleypas next?
I already read a couple of the the Wallflower series a couple of years ago based on your recommendation on the mothership, I think before I even started commenting. (Which makes me sound like a weirdo stalker, doh.) I liked Kleypas very much. She’s on the list!
YES. Try the Kleypas. Milan has probably the best overall complexity and depth to characters, but my personal favorite is Kleypas. I prefer just a little less realism than Milan and Kleypas fits the bill perfectly. Start with the Wallflowers then move onto the Hathaways (ignoring the 2nd in this series).
I can also heartily recommend all of Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove books, especially books 2 and 4.
I’ve now read 2 Bridgertons (love Penelope+Colin!) so I want to try a new author, I think I’ll go for Tessa Dare.
I’m doing a sample platter then I can go back and dive into the vast offerings by the authors I discover that I like. Thanks!
You could give Kelly Bowen a try – the newest book that I reviewed here, Duke of My Heart, is great. The heroine is definitely not the type to wait for the hero to save her. I’m in the midst of her Lords of Worth trilogy, and they are pretty good too.
I can also recommend Zoe Archer, who also writes under the name Eva Leigh. Her books are full of sexy men and smart women!
Zoe Archer! I’ve only read one of hers but really liked it — keep meaning to go back to her.
Zoe Archer’s Regency novels (written as Eva Leigh) are well worth checking out. Her heroines are all writers, making their own way in the world.
Oh boy my list is delightfully long. I wish I still worked at the bookstore. Fortunately ebooks are cheap!