Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Series: Rokesby, #1
Historical Romance
March 29, 2016
Avon

Reviewed by May

“Come now, Billie,” he mocked. “Why so hesitant? That’s not like you.”

“This isn’t like you,” she countered.

“You have no idea.” He came even closer, his eyes glittering with something she was terrified to define. He reached out and touched her arm, just one finger to her flesh, but it was enough to make her tremble. “When have you ever backed down from a dare?”

Her stomach was flipping and her heart was pounding, but her shoulders fell into a stiff, straight line. “Never,” she declared, staring him straight in the eye.

He smiled, and his gaze grew hot. “That’s my girl,” he murmured.

“I’m not-”

“You will be,” he growled, and before she could utter another word his mouth captured hers in a searing kiss.

Nobody ever expected neighbors Sybilla Bridgerton and George Rokesby (heir to the earldom) to become romantically involved. It’s practically impossible to imagine! She was always great friends with his younger brothers growing up, always into trouble. George, on the other hand, always  the serious son. So it just figured that when Billie (who doesn’t use her given name Sybilla) finds herself trapped on a barn roof it is George who comes walking by…

Thus opens the newest of the Bridgerton series, though it is one that can easily be read as a stand-alone. Billie is the aunt of the Bridgerton siblings fans know and love – but this story is told before her eldest brother even marries I believe, so I really do feel like this is an entirely different series with characters we don’t know.

Billie has been allowed to run completely wild despite being a lady from a good family. She manages her father’s estate, dreads the day when her brother will take over those duties, and runs around the country riding astride and wearing breeches. While I love a unique heroine, I could never quite wrap my mind around how she managed such total freedom in every way.

George, on the other hand, was entirely unremarkable. He’s the eldest, the heir, and does everything just right. He seemed a nice enough fellow, but entirely forgettable.

I will say that while any Julia Quinn book is still better than most any other historical, that doesn’t mean that this book was great by default. I had a really hard time with the conflict that was thrown up towards the end (and left totally unresolved) and felt like the whole story was clumsily crafted.

Are my expectations of a Julia Quinn novel high? Sky high. She’s written at least five of my all-time favorite historicals and can make me laugh, cry, swoon, and be delighted all at the same time. While I wanted to like the quirky Billie, and I wanted her to find some true love and happiness, I never did really love this book.

The best thing I can say about this book is that the romance itself is very sweet, and I really loved watching how these two opposites found their happily ever after. I could easily see them growing old together and being so very blissfully happy with one another. It grows quickly but believably given the pair’s history.

The worst thing for me about this book is that it had huge holes just sitting around. Why is Billie running the estate and why doesn’t she tell her family how happy she is in that role? What is going on with the mystery/drama towards the end and will we ever get a resolution? Why does the mother allow her daughter to randomly be whisked off to London? There are just big question marks dotting the entire story, and instead of weaving a rich tale where all is explained so that I’m not constantly wondering, things felt more patched together and inconsistent.

If you’re looking for an unlikely pairing, not even quite friends but long time acquaintance to true love – this may be a good book for you.

Grade: C+

Prior Julia Quinn Reviews

Recent Reviews:
Harlequin Junkie
Escapism From Reality

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