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Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trop aboard he discovers notyhing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?
Matchmaking mamas are united in their glee -- Colin Bridgerton has returned from Greece!
For those gentle (and ignorant) readers who are new to town this year, Mr. Bridgerton is third in the legendary string of eight Bridgerton siblings (hence the name Colin, beginning, with C. he follows Anthony and Benedict, and precedes Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth).
Although Mr. Bridgerton holds no noble title and is unlikely ever to do so (he is seventh in line for the title of Viscount Bridgerton, behind the two sons of the current viscount, his elder brother Benedict, and his three sons) he is still considered one of the prime catches of the season, due to his fortune, his face, his form, and most of all, his charm. It is difficult, however, to predict whether Mr. Bridgerton will succumb to matrimonial bliss this season, he is certainly of an age to many (three-and-thirty), but be has never shown a decided interest in any lady of proper parentage, and to make matters even more complicated, he has an appalling tendency to leave London at the drop of a hat, bound for some exotic destination.
| LADY WHISTLEDOWN'S SOCIETY PAPERS, 2 APRIL 1824 |
"Look at this!" Portia Featherington squealed. "Colin Bridgerton is back!"
Penelope looked up from her needlework. Her mother was clutching the latest edition of Lady Whistledown's Society Papers the way Penelope might clutch, say, a rope while hanging off a building. "I know,"she murmured.
Portia frowned. She hated when someone -- anyone -- was aware of gossip before she was. "How did you get to Whistledown before I did? I told Briarly to set it aside for me and not to let anyone touch --"
"I didn't see it in Whistledown," Penelope interrupted, before her mother went off to castigate the poor, beleaguered butler. "Felicity told me. Yesterday afternoon. Hyacinth Bridgerton told her."
"Your sister spends a great deal of time over at the Bridgerton household."
"As do I" Penelope pointed out, wondering where this was leading.
Portia tapped her finger against the side of her chin, as she always did when she was plotting or scheming. "Colin Bridgerton is of an age to be looking for a wife."
Penelope managed to blink just before her eyes bugged right out of her head. "Colin Bridgerton is not going to marry Felicity!"
Portia gave a little shrug. "Stranger things have happened.""Not that I've ever seen," Penelope muttered."Anthony Bridgerton married that Kate Sheffield girl, and she was even less popular than you."That wasn't exactly true; Penelope rather thought they'd been on equally low rungs of the social ladder. But there seemed little point in telling this to her mother, who probably thought she'd complimented her third daughter by saying she'd not been the least popular girl that season.
Penelope felt her lips tightening. Her mother's "compliments" had a habit of landing rather like wasps.
"Do not think I mean to criticize," Portia said, suddenly all concern. "In truth, I am glad for your spinsterhood. I am alone in this world save for my daughters, and it's comforting to know that one of you shall be able to care for me in my older years."
Penelope had a vision of the future -- the future as described by her mother -- and she had a sudden urge to run out and marry the chimney sweep. She'd long since resigned herself to a life of eternal spinsterhood, but somehow she'd always pictured herself off in her own neat little terrace house. Or maybe a snug cottage by the sea.
But lately Portia had been peppering her conversations with references to her old age and how lucky she was that Penelope could care for her. Never mind that both Prudence and Philippa had married well-heeled men and possessed ample funds to see to their mother's every comfort. Or that Portia was moderately wealthy in her own right; when her family had settled money on her as a dowry, one-fourth had been set aside for her own personal account.
No, when Portia talked about being "cared for," she wasn't referring to money. What Portia wanted was a slave.
Penelope sighed. She was being overly harsh with her mother, if only in her own mind. She did that too often. Her mother loved her. She knew her mother loved her. And she loved her mother back.
It was just that sometimes she didn't much like her mother.
She hoped that didn't make her a bad person. But truly, her mother could try the patience of even the kindest, gentlest of daughters, and as Penelope was the first to admit, she could be a wee bit sarcastic at times.
"Why don't you think Colin would marry Felicity?" Portia asked.
Penelope looked up, startled. She'd thought they were done with that subject. She should have known better. Her mother was nothing if not tenacious. "Well," she said slowly, to begin with, she's twelve years younger than he is. "
"Pfft," Portia said, waving her hand dismissively. "That's nothing, and you know it."
Penelope frowned, then yelped as she accidentally stabbed her finger with her needle.
"Besides' " Portia continued blithely, "he's" -- she looked back down at Whistledown and scanned it for his exact age -- three-and-thirty! How is he meant to avoid a twelve-year difference between him and his wife? Surely you don't expect him to marry someone your age."
Penelope sucked on her abused finger even though she knew it was hopelessly uncouth to do so. But she needed to put something in her mouth to keep her from saying something horrible and horribly spiteful.
Everything her mother said was true. Many ton weddings-- maybe even most of them -- saw men marrying girls a dozen or more years their junior. But somehow the age gap between Colin and Felicity seemed even larger, perhaps because...
Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Copyright © by Julia Quinn. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Matchmaking mamas are united in their glee -- Colin Bridgerton has returned from Greece!
For those gentle (and ignorant) readers who are new to town this year, Mr. Bridgerton is third in the legendary string of eight Bridgerton siblings (hence the name Colin, beginning, with C. he follows Anthony and Benedict, and precedes Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth).
Although Mr. Bridgerton holds no noble title and is unlikely ever to do so (he is seventh in line for the title of Viscount Bridgerton, behind the two sons of the current viscount, his elder brother Benedict, and his three sons) he is still considered one of the prime catches of the season, due to his fortune, his face, his form, and most of all, his charm. It is difficult, however, to predict whether Mr. Bridgerton will succumb to matrimonial bliss this season, he is certainly of an age to many (three-and-thirty), but be has never shown a decided interest in any lady of proper parentage, and to make matters even more complicated, he has an appalling tendency to leave London at the drop of a hat, bound for some exotic destination.
"Look at this!" Portia Featherington squealed. "Colin Bridgerton is back!"
Penelope looked up from her needlework. Her mother was clutching the latest edition of Lady Whistledown's Society Papers the way Penelope might clutch, say, a rope while hanging off a building. "I know," she murmured.
Portia frowned. She hated when someone -- anyone -- was aware of gossip before she was. "How did you get to Whistledown before I did? I told Briarly to set it aside for me and not to let anyone touch --"
"I didn't see it in Whistledown," Penelope interrupted, before her mother went off to castigate the poor, beleaguered butler. "Felicity told me. Yesterday afternoon. Hyacinth Bridgerton told her."
"Your sister spends a great deal of time over at the Bridgerton household."
"As do I" Penelope pointed out, wondering where this was leading.
Portia tapped her finger against the side of her chin, as she always did when she was plotting or scheming. "Colin Bridgerton is of an age to be looking for a wife."
Penelope managed to blink just before her eyes bugged right out of her head. "Colin Bridgerton is not going to marry Felicity!"
Portia gave a little shrug. "Stranger things have happened.""Not that I've ever seen," Penelope muttered."Anthony Bridgerton married that Kate Sheffield girl, and she was even less popular than you."That wasn't exactly true; Penelope rather thought they'd been on equally low rungs of the social ladder. But there seemed little point in telling this to her mother, who probably thought she'd complimented her third daughter by saying she'd not been the least popular girl that season.
Penelope felt her lips tightening. Her mother's "compliments" had a habit of landing rather like wasps.
"Do not think I mean to criticize," Portia said, suddenly all concern. "In truth, I am glad for your spinsterhood. I am alone in this world save for my daughters, and it's comforting to know that one of you shall be able to care for me in my older years."
Penelope had a vision of the future -- the future as described by her mother -- and she had a sudden urge to run out and marry the chimney sweep. She'd long since resigned herself to a life of eternal spinsterhood, but somehow she'd always pictured herself off in her own neat little terrace house. Or maybe a snug cottage by the sea.
But lately Portia had been peppering her conversations with references to her old age and how lucky she was that Penelope could care for her. Never mind that both Prudence and Philippa had married well-heeled men and possessed ample funds to see to their mother's every comfort. Or that Portia was moderately wealthy in her own right; when her family had settled money on her as a dowry, one-fourth had been set aside for her own personal account.
No, when Portia talked about being "cared for," she wasn't referring to money. What Portia wanted was a slave.
Penelope sighed. She was being overly harsh with her mother, if only in her own mind. She did that too often. Her mother loved her. She knew her mother loved her. And she loved her mother back.
It was just that sometimes she didn't much like her mother.
She hoped that didn't make her a bad person. But truly, her mother could try the patience of even the kindest, gentlest of daughters, and as Penelope was the first to admit, she could be a wee bit sarcastic at times.
"Why don't you think Colin would marry Felicity?" Portia asked.
Penelope looked up, startled. She'd thought they were done with that subject. She should have known better. Her mother was nothing if not tenacious. "Well," she said slowly, to begin with, she's twelve years younger than he is. "
"Pfft," Portia said, waving her hand dismissively. "That's nothing, and you know it."
Penelope frowned, then yelped as she accidentally stabbed her finger with her needle.
"Besides' " Portia continued blithely, "he's" -- she looked back down at Whistledown and scanned it for his exact age -- three-and-thirty! How is he meant to avoid a twelve-year difference between him and his wife? Surely you don't expect him to marry someone your age."
Penelope sucked on her abused finger even though she knew it was hopelessly uncouth to do so. But she needed to put something in her mouth to keep her from saying something horrible and horribly spiteful.
Everything her mother said was true. Many ton weddings-- maybe even most of them -- saw men marrying girls a dozen or more years their junior. But somehow the age gap between Colin and Felicity seemed even larger, perhaps because...
Romancing Mister Bridgerton. Copyright © by Julia Quinn. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Anonymous
Posted April 27, 2008
I had waited a long time for this book and was disappointed when I finished it. I don't like how Colin suddenly realizes that she is actually attractive, but then always thinks back to how plain she is. I mean what is up with that? I enjoyed Penelope's character but was EXTREMELY dissapointed with Colin. Overall, an okay read but not the best one of Julia's novels.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2011
When she was 16, Penelope fell in love with her best friend's brother. Bravely pretending she didn't care, Penoelope seemed that she was destined to watch him from afar. For Colin Bridgerton, she has always been just Penelope, the extremely shy little sister's best friend who been a constant in his life, a permanent fixture at all Bridgerton gatherings. After traveling for 12 years, Colin finally wants to go home. Penelope just turned 28, and he starts noticing things about her like her wit and intelligence and how beautiful she has become. Penelope is no longer the awkward girl who simply happened to be "just there." Would Penelope's secret prayer be finally answered?
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Maitrakh
Posted January 9, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Colin's story suprised me. I thought for sure it would be my favorite, but it ended up being my least favorite. It was still a good book, but I thought his story would be more exciting. I had a hunch he and Penelope would be together (and that she was Lady Whistledown). It was a good book but not my favorite in the series.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 7, 2012
I loved the book. It's not hard core romances but soft and beautiful love story. If you read the before series you kinda get scenes of who theses characters are if not it's OK.
The girl is plain who is in love with her best friends brother........ what more do a reader needs. while I was reading I got who theses characters are and found myself smiling and could not keep the book down.
HAVE FUN READING..
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 28, 2012
Love the series, Love Colin, Love Penelope, Love this book! Romantic, funny, and heartwarming :-)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 4, 2012
In all the Bridgerton books leading up to "Romancing Mister Bridgerton", Collin QUICKLY became my most favorite Bridgerton brother, even though he was barley in them. I was so excited to read his story!! ..BUT.. Wow, not impressed with this one! I always thought Colin would be more mischevious, clever, and funny (based off of what I had read of him thus far).. Colin ended up being just plain boring, and pairing him with the ever so boring Penelope did not help the situation at all! I never felt like Penelope was right for him. There was no connection. Penelope was still the same old boring Penelope throughout the whole book and I do not understand what Colin ever saw in her.. if you read the story you will understand this next bit, but I don't even think Colin knows why he fell for her.. he practically says so himself every 10 pages! He and everyone else pretty much question the matchh all the way until the very end of the book! UGH so frustrating!! Colin could have, should have, been given such a better story and love interest!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.There is so much to love about this novel. I already knew Penelope from the previous books but she was so much better than I expected. She was the shy and quiet debutante and is now evolving into a dynamic woman.
Colin is also more than meets the eye. I loved how Penelope helped Colin to want and achieve more for himself.
Theirs is a feel-good romance, you can't help but smile and cheer as the relationship progresses. It's also wonderful to finally have the Lady Whistledown mystery solved.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2011
It's not my favorite in the series, but worth reading to continues the series. I find Penelope a little weak.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kalira18
Posted July 25, 2011
My paperback copy of this is looking a bit ragged I've read it so many times. Colin and Penelope are two of my favorite people in the Bridgerton world and they make for a very entertaining couple.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Romancing Mister Bridgerton has a comic flair full of banter and laughter. I am sure it will please any lighthearted humorous reader. Contented spinster Penelope Featherington has had an unrequited love for her best friend's brother (Colin Bridgerton) since the age of sixteen. Furthermore, it does not help that she is somewhat plump, shy and fades among the ton. A refined quality of gracefulness, she wasn't. Colin now three and thirty discontented with his accomplishments has returned from his travels after spending years of escaping his matchmaking mother and avoiding responsibilities. Besides he is tired of being mentioned in Lady Whistledown's society column soley for his humor and charm. A challenge to unveil Lady Whistledown's identity has caused Colin and Penelope to join forces and reexamine a lifelong friendship. The reader is drawn into exploring a motivational story of a spinster and an unfulfilled aristocrat who takes a chance at overcoming their insecurities and finding their life's purposes. A perfect match where weaknesses are complimented by strengths. The conversational chemistry feels natural and the dilemmas are relatable. Well written characters and relationship development. Sensual scenes but worth a read and a keeper for any library.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OMG I absolutely loved this book! I have read all of the Bridgerton Series books from Julia Quinn, but I have to say, with all my heart, that I loved Colin and Penelope together! Starting from first of the series, I fell in love with Colin's charm and witty nature, but it is his love for Penelope Featherton (of all people!) that I was soooo happy to to have come about. I was lovestruck in the end with my fantasies running rampant (as with all of the Bridgerton males). I recommend all of the Bridgerton Series books from start to finish...you will definitely have them in your permanent library to read over and over again, as I have done.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 6, 2013
I LOVED THIS ONE! Favorite characters out of all of them! I think I've read this at least twenty times!!!
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Posted March 1, 2013
Absolutely lovely.
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Posted August 5, 2012
K!~|\/|istflower
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 5, 2012
Go to lut result 3. I will meet u there.
0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 23, 2012
Can i join in the party?
0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 23, 2012
Stops bored
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GalGrace
Posted October 4, 2011
This was my favorite story in this series! Of all the characters in this series, Colin and Penelope had the most 'realness' to them. They were not 'cookie-cutter' and were easy to become attached to.
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Posted September 30, 2011
Enjoyed this book in the Bridgeton series as I have enjoyed all of the series. Hate to put it down and get upset with myself for not reading it more slowly to make it last longer.
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Posted August 17, 2011
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Overview
Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.
Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't ...