Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Avon Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

For those following the Bridgerton series by Ms Quinn, this tale is the fourth story about the seven Bridgerton series, but sibling number three, Mr Colin Bridgerton third child after Anthony, Benedict and before Daphne (The children have been named according to the alphabet from A to H). Penelope Featherington has been in love with the rather charming Colin for what seems like forever. Not that he noticed, having skipped out the country whenever he felt like it to get away from the label of third son of a viscount and his only chance of recognition is being mentioned in the notorious gossip column written by the mysterious Lady Whistledown as the most charming man in town - an opinion she often publishes! When Colin returns home to London after one of his many trips around Europe, he finds that nothing much has changed. Everything is still the same, society are still preocupied with the Whistledown papers, he is still metioned in them as the charming gentleman, but he begins to see Penelope in a new light. Then Penelope discovers Colin deepest secret and fear of being a nobody, but then Penelope harbours huge secrets of her own as Colin soon finds out! There is more to her than just the wall flower spinster and best friend of his sister, Eloise (subject of the next Bridgerton book). Then, just as Colin and Penelope's relationship begins to tenetatively blossom, Society is in an uproar as an influential society matron decides to offer one thousand pounds to the person who can unmask the mysterious Lady Whistledown to end the ennuii that has been fashionable of late and everything else is overshadowed by the frenzy of suspicions and rumours flying about who is Lady Whistledown. Can Colin and Penelope find their feet and feelings for each other admidst all the chaos? And just who is Lady Whistledown? Well you will just have to read the book to find out. This is a a refreshing and light historical romance and extremely entertaining. Its full of subtle wit and charm and for once the story is not overshadowed by murders or kidnappings or other dastardly dealings subplots that litter many recent romances published. Highly enjoyable and highly recommended, especially if you have read the previous Bridgerton novels.

A lot of wit and humour in the characters. I could not help rooting for the hero and heroine of the story; they were well-matched.

The first couple of paragraphs of this book are fantastic - light-hearted, amusing, witty - and I settled down for a gripping and brilliant read. Sadly I didn't get entirely that. This was a good book, like Ms Quinn's others, but it wasn't quite as good as some and because of that I was disappointed.

This is the fourth book in the series (following "The Duke And I", "The Viscount Who Loved Me" and "An Offer From A Gentleman") and is the story of Colin Bridgerton, third son, and Penelope Featherington. Penelope gets mentioned in most of the other books and in fact there is one scene in "An Offer From A Gentleman" which features Penelope and Colin and is repeated in this book.

In some ways I really liked the premise of this story - it's the good old friends who know each other for years and years and then somehow find themselves falling in love and getting married. It's so nice for the slightly dumpy and apparently dull woman to get the dishy man - most Regencies have beautiful debutants striding onto the scene and ensnaring wonderful men instantly. Penelope waits 12 years for her man - but she gets him!

Penelope is a great character in this book. She's not particularly beautiful but she has brains and wit and somehow in this book she discovers a bit more self-confidence or gumption to change her life a little. Colin also is trying to step out of the shadows of his two older brothers and find a purpose in life - these interactions were well drawn and believable. In fact it's in character drawing that Julia Quinn excels and I very much appreciate the way in which her large cast of characters all have their own behaviours.

A lot of this book is focused on Lady Whistledown - a plot device used well in most of the other books but probably rather outstaying its welcome. Fortunately Lady Whistledown is unmasked in this book - probably rather more of this was made than strictly necessary.

This book also sets the scene for the next ("To Sir Philip With Love") which features Eloise who was Penelope's best buddy. I like the way the books are interlinked and that we can follow on with the relationships of those who've been married off in earlier books.

Overall this is still a good book, much better than most Regencies on the market at the moment, but it's a little disappointing when compared with some of Julia Quinn's others in this series. However, an honourable mention goes again to the excellent new artwork on the UK edition - such a refreshing change for Regency books to have attractive and fun and non-cringeworthy artwork!