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If an author has done her job, I will be swept away into another world and introduced to people I would like to know in real life, and when I leave this fictional world I will have been moved in some way. With The Viscount Who Loved Me, Julia Quinn has most definitely done her job.
Anthony Bridgerton lost his father when he was eighteen. There was no one he loved or respected more. Sitting next to his father, trying to come to terms with his death, Anthony comes to the realization he can never be a better man than his father. This includes being incapable of living any longer than his father had, and Anthony decides that fate will cut his life short too. Therefore he decides to live life to the fullest, and never ever to fall in love.
Fast forward about a decade and Anthony, realizing time is short, decides he must marry and produce an heir. He asks his brothers who is the jewel of the season. They tell him that it is Edwina Sheffield. Anthony decides that Edwina would make the perfect viscountess. There’s only one little problem: Edwina has stated she will not marry without her sister Kate’s approval, and Kate detests Anthony based on his reputation as a rake and rogue. Anthony must woo Kate to win Edwina. The only problem is, before he knows it he’s losing his heart to Kate.
I absolutely adored Kate and Anthony. Both are intelligent, witty people, and it was a pure joy to watch their vocal sparring. Even though he’s trying to get in Kate’s good graces, Anthony cannot help but bait her, and Kate, no matter how she promises her mother and sister, can’t seem to stop herself from snapping at him. Yet they find themselves liking each other more and more, the more time they spend together. Even though it stands in his way of marriage, Anthony understands Kate’s protectiveness towards Edwina. Kate is touched by his devotion to his family, but what truly wins Kate over is when Anthony comes to rescue of poor Penelope Featherington. Penelope was being verbally tortured and Anthony gives her tormenter the cut direct and makes Penelope the center of positive attention. Right then Kate realizes that, though Anthony may be a rake he is truly an honorable man.
Of course the road to true love never runs smoothly. Anthony and Kate have more stumbling blocks in the way to happiness than his early determination to marry her sister. Anthony doesn’t want to fall in love because he doesn’t want to regret leaving someone behind when he dies and so fights it tooth and nail. Yet, not once did I feel the urge to yell at him “get over it.” His reasons, though apparently trite, were actually understandable. Especially since he does not become cruel in his attempts to put distance between himself and Kate. He always treats her with care and tenderness. He makes sure Kate knows she’s beautiful (something she’s always doubted because society compares her to her petite, blond, and dainty sister) and lets her know how much he desires her and has from the beginning. Even when he can’t tell her he loves her, she knows she’s important to him.
Once again we are treated to the notes from the mysterious Lady Whistledown first introduced in The Duke and I. Her identity is not revealed, but there are some clues. We also see the rest of the Bridgerton clan, as well as Daphne and Simon (from the previous book in the series) and their interaction provides for some wonderful laughs. Let’s just say not even familial love stands in the way of competitiveness when it comes to this group.
By the end I was in love with Anthony and wanted Kate for my best friend. I cannot wait for the next book to see which of the Bridgerton clan is next to end up at the altar. Not to mention I’m dying to know the identity of Lady Whistledown.
If you’re looking for a book that is light and witty, with characters you can actually respect and enjoy, then I recommend picking this up post haste.
Grade: A
Book Type: Historical Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 16/12/00
Publication Date: 2000
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
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I really really loved this book. I fell in love with Anthony <3 Ive started to read Benedict’s story and I think that Benedict and Anthony are my favourites <3
I just finished this last night and I loved it. It’s one book where the humor actually worked for me. I enjoyed the the humor and the drama.
I just had to make myself forget TV show Anthony and remember this is nice “book” Anthony.
My favorite Bridgerton!
A while back a discussion here prompted me to listen to this book on audio, and what a treat it was! I had a couple of quibbles with the story (one word about what she overheard to her mother would have stopped his pursuit of her sister, she didn’t need to tell anyone else), but that was minor. I laughed and felt all the emotions while listening.
This is definitely my favourite JQ book:) There were so many laugh-out-loud moments, and I loved the chemistry between the hero and the heroine.
It’s also a book that has a hero whose heroic nature is slowly revealed and developed. It’s not an angsty book but it goes from unlikely to utterly believable HEA in a lovely way.
Exactly, the hero’s journey was completely believable. I also thought the book did a good job in sensitively addressing traumas and phobias that may seem ridiculous to the outside world, but which can be extremely debilitating to the people who suffer from them.
I always wondered if Julia Quinn was inspired by the sisters in Georgette Heyer’s Frederica. This was one of my first romances and it is JQ’s best IMO. The mallet of death is one of the funniest scenes ever and Katherine still holds my affection all these years later, A great heroine!
This one is my favorite of all of Quinn’s books. It has the right balance of humor, emotion, and drama. I really liked both characters together and reread this one from time to time.
This was my first JQ and one of the first historical romances I ever read, so I have a soft spot for it for many, many reasons. It’s probably my favourite of the series.
I love the “oh-my-we-are-doomed-to-bee-married-now” scene (pun intended). Each time I read it I snort out loud. Plus the famous “mallet of death.” One of the best enemies-to-lovers stories, IMO.
The heroine in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton is my favorite of Quinn’s heroines, but this is my favorite book overall from the series. It’s hilarious, but also touching and tender in spots. Adore it many times over.
Totally agree! I love Penelope as the best heroine but this is my favorite book.
I love the scene in this book where Anthony finds Kate terrified during a thunderstorm. It is one of those scenes that makes a character so real–it changed the book for me.