Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
What a Book!, 4 Jan 2006
By A Customer
I have read this book so many times, I have actually lost count of how many times I have in fact read it! It is an amazing book, and the story is so believeable, how you can know a person for many years, yet not actually know them at all, God knows it's happened to me! I think this is a book that, in a way you can relate to (if like me you were an ugly duckling, who grew into being not that bad!), even if it is set in the 1800's! This has to be my faverouite book by Julia Quinn, she is an excellent writer, and I would urge anyone to buy this book, because believe me, you won't regret it! Well, unless, like me, you're shut off from the world while you read it!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
The Wallflower gets her man, 12 May 2007
Penelope Featherington fell in love two days before her sixteenth birthday, and over twelve years later she loves him still. It doesn't matter that he's her best friend's brother, or that there's never been the slightest chance he'll love her back. He's Colin Bridgerton, and that's all there is to it.
The third of the infamous Featherington sisters, Penelope has never enjoyed much success or popularity amongst the ton. Or even in her family. Despite her friendship with the Bridgertons she has always been a wallflower. Now, at eight and twenty, she's a spinster, but at least her mother had stopped dressing her in orange and yellow. It's not so bad being a spinster, especially as she has Eloise Bridgerton to keep her company. Besides, she hardly deems it fair to marry anyone when her heart already belongs to another. Not that anyone has ever proposed.
The object of her affections is newly returned from his travels abroad, and, at three and thirty, Colin is not impressed to have his oldest brother pushing him to marry. It's enough to make a man flee the country... again. And yet, despite his frequent travels, Colin feels restless and discontent. His life lacks meaning, he has no focus, nothing to show for himself except repeated mentions in Whistledown about how charming he is. And he is charming, not to mention goodnatured, good-looking and wealthy, but they're hardly achievements, and not what he wants to be remembered for in years to come.
Then one day Penelope discovers something about him that he's never told anyone before, and in the midst of their conversation he finds himself telling her how he feels. When she loses her temper with him, he realises he risks a friendship he never expected to find. One that means more to him than he realised. And something that threatens to turn into much, much more...
At last Colin Bridgerton gets a book of his own! And it is by far my favourite of the 'Bridgertons'. Unlike Daphne, whose love grew inspite of itself, or Anthony - which was more of a farce - or Benedict's fairytale, Colin's begins with friendship. He's known Penelope for years, he even swore once (loudly, publicly, causing mortifying embarrassment) that he would never marry her. However, the more he gets to know her, the more he sees, and the more precious their friendship becomes.
This is my favourite 'Bridgerton' book, probably my favourite JQ novel, because Colin is such a wonderful character, developed gradually over the previous tales - and returning regularly hereafter (except for in Hyacinth's tale). But, even better, Penelope is a delightful heroine, well worthy of her place amongst the Bridgertons. Her experience amongst the ton can be heartbreaking at times, and while it's lovely to see Colin stand up for her, it's even better when she stands up for herself.
This is a tale for every shy, ugly duckling and wallflower out there, and proves that occasionally (just occasionally) the heroes do the smart thing and marry the girl for her brains, not just her beauty.
Oh! And thanks to a challenge issued by the irrepressible Lady Danbury (she's back, huzzah!), Lady Whistledown is unmasked. Have you guessed who it is yet?
Brilliant and wonderful, I wish I had more stars, because five just isn't enough.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
A wonderful novel, 12 April 2008
I have been an avid reader of the 'historical romance' genre for quite a few years and after a while all the stories can seem to blend into one. Therefore it is such a delight to discover a book like this one, what a breath of fresh air. I really couldn't put it down.
Both the characters of Penelope and Colin are delightfully rounded (as Colin admits himself he is not the brooding hero) and the friendship between the two is brilliantly developed.
A must read for anyone who enjoys this genre and I would not hesitate to recommend this book a thousand times over.
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