Audible With Andrea…

…The last in the Bridgerton Series.

Honestly, I am glad this is my last in this series. I loved it, don’t get me wrong but I am bit a bored with it. It’s become rather predictable (and I expected Hyacinth’s book to more unpredictable given her character). I finished this book awhile back and just didn’t get around to writing this so I am a little fuzzy on the details – like her love interests name – how horrible is that of me? But I suppose that is how memorable he was. The Bridgertons seem to keep finding these woes to me members (or close to members) of the richy rich class and rescuing them from their social mediocrity. This book follows much the same story as the others. There was nothing new or exciting about it. I tire of the over described sex scenes that end in the women begging for it. Maybe I am being too harsh because I listened to them all in a row. probably should have mixed it up rather then binge the whole thing.

Audible with Andrea…

…On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn.

The Bridgerton series kick continues! I may have a break before Hyacinth’s book though. Sort of like it took me 3 weeks to watch the last few episodes of Schitt’s Creek. Not quite ready for it to be over. This book was trip into Gregory’s world. I believe this is my favorite of the series so far. There was more action and excitement which was nice. Like in the Viscount Who Loved Me it was about a love that grew with time familiarity. I can totally relate to Lucy. I wasn’t the prettiest girl (or woman now) in my friend group. I was often the ‘way in’ to my more attractive friends. I wasn’t ugly nor am I now, my friends are just really pretty. I loved the friendship between Lucy and Hermione. That was refreshing. I also loved that most of the characters first loves were more infatuations. They realized it wasn’t love based on anything other then first impressions with some lust mixed in. I also liked that one of the characters was gay and not afraid or ashamed to admit it (as much as a could for the time frame of the story anyway). The theme of Gregory not wanting to ask for help from his older siblings was relatable too. If he could do it on his own, he would always chose that path. But when push came to shove he wasn’t afraid to ask for help from his family, which they were very happy to give. I enjoyed Gregory as character a lot too. He is smart, funny and a little lost. He knew he was and he was mostly okay with finding his way. I have been loving the second epilogue in all the books too. I enjoy getting a glimpse into the characters futures. This was one I finished pretty quickly because I got sucked in (not true of all of them) which is my tell of a good book. Getting lost in their world for awhile is always a nice relief from the stresses of life.

Audible with Andrea…

…When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn

I ventured into Francesca’s world in this book. I have always been a bit curious about her and her story since I started the series. We don’t know much about her. She always seemed a little on the outskirts of the story. Overall I enjoyed spending time in her world. I was thinking the one thing I didn’t like was the premise you can change a man with just love, because you can’t (we all learn that the hard way). But Michael wasn’t really bad – just put on the facade of it to protect himself and I completely understand that. Of all the Bridgerton siblings, Francesca faces the most challenges I think. Heartbreak of a too soon death of a husband she loved and wrestling with the guilt that comes with moving on from that. Especially since she didn’t expect to find love again. It seemed relatable somehow. I am not really sure how – but it’s the best description I could come up with. As I get through this series and they way love is described, I can’t help but wonder if it really feels like that? The burning passionate feeling of not being able to live without the other person. If it is, I don’t think I have ever felt that – not sure I will or I am capable of it. I hope so. I also wonder if it’s a Victorian version of love that doesn’t exist today. Or just the stuff of fantasy. Who knows? I certainly don’t. I am halfway through Gregory’s story. I usually try to write these sooner so I don’t muddle the feeling and reaction to them but I just haven’t had the time.

Audible with Andrea…

… To Sir Phillip, With Love by Julia Quinn

This has been one of my favorites of the series which surprised me. Eloise hasn’t been one of my favorite characters (in the show) so I didn’t have super high hopes. I really enjoyed it though. It seemed more real and less fantasy, love and lust at first sight, of the other books. I do think Marina got the shit end of the stick on this one. I know they didn’t know much about mental illness int he 1800’s but they didn’t give her one redeemable quality really. Even in the epilogue it seems like her daughter is happy Marina died and Eloise was her mother. I don’t think that was entirely fair. But I enjoyed Phillip’s character a lot. He is flawed and aware of that. He worries about his flaws but sometimes takes the easier path like we all do sometimes. He felt more real and less princely then the other men in the series. Their issues with each other are pretty typical of a real relationship – just being different people learning to live together. No one was of ‘inferior birth’ or anything like that which is typical of love stories set in the time. Overall, I enjoyed it. Excited to get to know Francesca more in the next book.

Audible with Andrea…

…Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

I think most of us can related to Penelope Featherington. I know I can. For all my extroverted traits, I was never the bell of the ball. I was never considered pretty or popular in my school years. Like Penelope – that didn’t bother me most of the time. Like Penelope – sometimes it bothered me a lot. Loving someone from afar who doesn’t love you back is pretty relatable too. What isn’t is that person suddenly falling in love with you like Colin did with Penelope. Don’t get me wrong – it’s the romantic fairy tale thing I wanted to happen for Penelope – it’s just not what happens in real life. In my experience the person who doesn’t notice you tends to continue not noticing you in that way. the great thing is – I don’t think Penelope was waiting around for him to come to his sense and notice her romantically. She was out there building a life and a bank account for herself. LOVE that – work it girl. Even when she got her dream scenario she knew she had to stand up for her previous life and what was hers. She also recognized that Colin wasn’t this perfect person she built up in her mind and loved him for who he actually was. I liked that too. Over all a pleasant listen and trip into Penelope and Colin’s world. Of all the characters in the series I think I relate best to Penelope in a lot of ways.

Audible with Andrea…

…An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn.

I wanted to continue the story without waiting another year for another season of Bridgerton to come out. If you haven’t at least heard of the Bridgerton series on Netflix then you likely don’t read this blog. this book focuses on Benedict and was a nice break from Anthony’s sense of duty and whining about it (I love Anthony, it just got to be a bit whiny). Benedict has a little more freedom but is seen a little less. He isn’t in line to inherit any title but it still wealthy and well known as a Bridgerton rather then Benedict. That is until Sophie shows up. Being invisible herself as a bastard she gets it. It is very much a play on Cinderella (Big Ever After Vibes) which I think we are all kind of over, but the strong female character in Sophie helps. She never needed or asked to be rescued. She is savvy and smart – just dealt a bad hand. It was a satisfying listen and I recommend it. The only annoying part was how the narrator voiced Benedict. Kinda weird. But a small blip in an enjoyable read. LOVED the continuation of the story was the added chapter. I always want more of a book and to check on the character. I loved that Posey was the focus.