The Bridgerton Series books 5-8 By Julia Quinn

Hello. Long time no see. Admittedly, I did not write as much as I had wanted to in February, but I promise I have been reading. Most recently, I finished Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series, which I started last year in preparation for the Netflix show. Quinn's series follows the Bridgerton siblings as they search for love in London society. Regency Era historical fiction is quickly becoming my cup of tea. extravagant balls? Beautiful dresses? Witty banter spoken in a posh British accent? Sign me up. Overall, I enjoyed all eight of Quinn's novels, with some clear favorites. You can check out my thoughts on the final four books below. Needless to say, I fell in love many times in February. However, after reading so many romances back to back, I believe I am ready for a change. Subscribe to see what I'll be reading in March!

To Sir Phillip, With Love

Rating:🌟🌟🌟

Read if you Like: Contemplating eloping without telling your family, writing and receiving letters

Reading Challenge: 10/100

Eloise Bridgerton, considered a spinster in London society at age 28, is content to accept that marriage is not in the cards for her. However, when her correspondence with Sir Phillip Crane, a man she's never met before but who she writes to often, ends in a proposal, Eloise decides to take a leap. Eloise runs away from home and to a man that she hopes will be her perfect match. What she finds is that Phillip is not exactly who she expected from his letters. As Eloise and Phillip learn more about each other in person rather than on the page, Eloise finds that, while he is imperfect, he may be the perfect man for her after all.

I enjoyed how To Sir Phillip, With Love diverted from the story lines of Quinn's other novels in several ways, particularly with how Eloise and Phillip met and developed feelings for each other. I loved their letters, which make up the first chapter or so of the book, and I wish more of their story was about their initial connection through the letters. I also liked Phillip's children, Oliver and Amanda, and the role they play in Eloise and Phillip's love story. I am going to say something *shocking* and admit that I liked Eloise in the Netflix series better than in the book. She's so outspoken and funny in the show, and truly is just a wildly entertaining character on screen that I expected more from her book. That being said, I did think that she and Phillip were likable characters and that their story was heartfelt. As a side note, this was the first book without Lady Whistledown's columns, and I missed her snark and gossip immensely.

When He Was Wicked

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Read if you like: Forbidden love, so much yearning

Reading Challenge: 11/100

Michael Stirling fell head over heels in love with Francesca Bridgerton the moment he laid eyes on her. Unfortunately for Michael, he was meeting Francesca for the first time at a party celebrating her engagement to his cousin and best friend, John. Throughout her marriage, Francesca grows close with Michael, seeing him as a friend and confidant. After the untimely death of Francesca's husband, she and Michael lean on each other for support. Michael must keep his love for Francesca a secret, but, as time passes and they grow closer, he finds she may return his love after all.

Going into When He Was Wicked, I was not sure what to expect because Francesca is barely seen in the rest of the series (or the show, for that matter) and I was worried she would not be as developed as some of the other Bridgerton siblings. However, she quickly became one of my favorites. I found both Francesca and Michael really lovable characters, and their relationship was complex and well developed. Even before the romance, they cared deeply for each other and there was love within their friendship. This book had so much yearning, and I loved it. It made me laugh, and cry, and stare off into space day dreaming long after I finished it. It was by far my favorite of the second half of the series, and one of my favorites overall (still doesn't beat Colin and Penelope, but it comes close).

It's In His Kiss

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Read if you like: Quick-witted and outlandish heroines, a little bit of mystery

Reading Challenge: 12/100

Gareth St. Clair's father detests him, and is set on ruining his inheritance. Gareth's only hope is an old family diary that holds the secrets of his family's past that could potentially save him in the future. The only problem is it's written in Italian, a language he does not speak. Enter Hyacinth Bridgerton. Hyacinth is intelligent, outspoken, and equal parts charming and annoying, and, luckily for Gareth, she speaks Italian... Kind of. Hyacinth agrees to help Gareth translate the diary, and the two set out to uncover the St. Clair family secrets and solve a decades old mystery, but it's no secret that they're beginning to fall in love.

Hyacinth and Gareth are delightful characters, they're funny, and dramatic, and over the top. They're dialogue is quick and entertaining, and their story is a lot more lighthearted than Francesca's or even Eloise's, which were both portrayed relationships that were a bit more complex and serious. It was a nice change of pace from the other two books. I was really intrigued initially by the mystery of the diary, and I wished it would've been more developed as the story went on and began to focus more on the romance between Hyacinth and Gareth. I know this is a romance novel and the mystery was only introduced to bring our protagonists together, but honestly there were times I was bored with the love and wanted more of the sleuthing. That being said, I thought this one was exceptionally cute.

On the Way to the Wedding

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟

Read if you like: When people actually speak now instead of forever holding their peace at weddings, messy drama

Reading Challenge: 13/100

Gregory Bridgerton believes in love at first sight, and knows instantly that he is meant to be with Miss Hermione Watson. Unfortunately, Hermione is madly in love with someone else. Hermione's best friend, the practical Lucy Abernathy believes that Gregory would be a better match for Hermione, and so she offers to help Gregory win her heart. It seems like a foolproof plan, until of course Lucy falls for Gregory. And Gregory realizes he's in love with Lucy. But Lucy is already promised to another man, and her uncle will not allow her to break the engagement. (are you following this?! it's like a love triangle but more complex. Like a love pentagon). Lucy must marry, but will it be Gregory at the end of the aisle?

This book adds drama with every turn of the page, which I sometimes rolled my eyes at, but mostly I adored. So many people were madly in love with someone who was interested in someone else it felt very much like either a Shakespeare comedy or an episode of Bachelor in Paradise (both of which I enjoy). I liked Lucy and Gregory, but they were not as memorable as some of Quinn's other heroes and heroines, and this was the last story in a long historical romance reading binge, so I was a little tired of the genre by the time I got here. This one did get points for including one of my favorite tropes, which is someone dramatically professing their love at the other person's wedding (great in books, absolutely mortifying in real life I'm sure). Overall, a solid ending to the series.