In our last book, Colin Bridgerton put his foot firmly in his mouth where Penelope Featherington was concerned. He blames this on his mother hinting at Penelope as a potential bride (sure…blame someone else for your boorish behavior.) Now years later, Colin is still going on his jaunts around Europe, and Penelope is firmly on the shelf. Of course, with Colin back home for a brief spell and Penelope no longer worrying about being in Society’s eye, can anything change? And will Lady Danbury’s offer of a large cash prize to anyone who uncovers Lady Whistledown’s identity help or harm Colin and Penelope’s chances?
It’s too hard to explain,’ he said in a petulant mutter.
‘If you want a new direction for your life,’ she said, ‘then for heaven’s sake, just pick something out and do it. The world is your oyster, Colin. You’re young, wealthy, and you’re a *man*.’ Penelope’s voice turned bitter, resentful. ‘You can do anything you want.’He scowled, which didn’t surprise her. When people were convinced they had problems, the last thing they wanted to hear was a simple, straightforward solution.
‘It’s not that simple,’ he said.
‘It’s exactly that simple.’ …
She stood, smoothing out her skirts in an awkward, defensive gesture. ‘Next time you want to complain about the trials and tribulations of universal adoration, try being an on-the-shelf spinster for a day. See how that feels and then let me know what you want to complain about.’And then, while Colin was still sprawled on the sofa, gaping at her as if she were some bizarre creature with three heads, twelve fingers, and a tail, she swept out of the room.
It was, she thought as she descended the outer steps to Bruton Street, quite the most splendid exit of her existence.
Okay, this book may have made me change my mind over not continuing the series; I’ll probably buy at least Eloise’s and maybe Francesca’s books (though the little I’ve read about them online does not sound promising), but I’ll wait and see how those two make me feel before committing to Hyacinth’s and Gregory’s.
I will say this book was simultaneously better than and worse than the Netflix show, depending on what scene I was reading at the time; I honestly can’t tell you if I prefer one over the other. In some ways, Colin was far less of a jerk (to put it mildly) in the books, in other ways far more. Less because even with Penelope being Lady Whistledown for ten years instead of the three of four in the show, Colin is less personally butthurt over it, worries more what it might do to Penelope’s reputation if it comes out. and seems to come to terms with his own jealousy earlier (and articulates it to her far better). More because while the show has them always as friends, the book seems to insinuate that for almost all of the eleven years they have know each other, Colin has viewed Penelope as the pitiable yet only slightly more noticeable than a potted plant friend of Eloise. Plus, we continue the horrible habit Julia Quinn has shown in previous books of the men thinking that almost-sexual battery is what all women look for in their men. (Aside: in my review of the last book, An Offer From a Gentleman, I mentioned how much these books share a lot of bad plot similarities with another bodice-ripper, The Flame and the Flower. In a subsequent NY Times interview, it came out that Julia Quinn’s favorite book and the one that inspired her to become an author was The Flame and the Flower. That now makes everything a lot clearer, and if I had known that going in I don’t know if I would have started reading the books, never mind watching the show.)
One thing that having seen the show first I was a bit surprised to discover reading this book is that apparently Colin Bridgerton was born with a hollow leg; everywhere he goes the first thing he asks is if there is food, and when will he be getting some. I swear Hobbits are less obsessed with the consumption of food than this man.
Mrs. Featherington, Phillipa & Prudence are even worse in the book than they are in the show; the show at least has moments of comedy and Penelope’s mother learning somewhat that her actions have hurt people. Book Featherington family? I would totally be going NC after the wedding. Only downside of TV family is the show cuts out Felicity, Penelope’s younger sister (and Hyacinth’s BFF), who is not only the kindest, but has taken the Featherington brain cells that Penelope left over. If no other scene proves this, I would point out when Colin goes to announce his and Penelope’s engagement. On the flip side, Eloise, Hyacinth, and Francesca are far more likable in the books than in the show, though part of that with Eloise is how much Lady Whistledown is not this big, dramatic betrayal plot point. Francesca is quieter than her family without losing the standard Bridgerton snark and fierce protectiveness, and Hyacinth is a born hustler; that girl is going to probably be running shell games when she gets older. Lady Danbury is a jewel that must be protected at all costs no matter the medium, and Cressida Cowper is the cu charmer that most of us thought she was originally. I think Penelope should have kept up Lady Whistledown, but that’s just me; though being the editor for Colin’s travel books (and planning to write one of her own) is admirable as well. Though one bone (out of the several I have) to pick, and one I have had since Book One: what is with Julia Quinn and having her leading men grope their partners’ posteriors while kissing them for the first time? Four books, four kisses, four derriere cuppings, with a quick move to pulling down the neckline for a more thorough nuzzling of the cleavage. Can these men not find new moves? I am glad Colin appreciates Penelope’s figure, even if she has dropped some weight (at times in this book in regards to Colin’s behavior, I had some ideas for how she could drop a lot more.) And I suppose that Colin’s opinion of Penelope and how it changed in this book is proving the point that in a Modern AU of the series, their first dance would probably be to Harry Connick Jr.’s I Could Write A Book. So if you like the Netflix show, or the book series, or even just Regency Romances, I would recommend this book. In some ways, I would recommend skipping the first three and just reading this one; it’s the best of the lot so far.
Hyacinth,” Lady Bridgerton said in a vaguely disapproving voice, “do try to speak in complete sentences.”
Hyacinth looked at her mother with a surprised expression. “Biscuits. Are. Good.” She cocked her head to the side. “Noun. Verb. Adjective.”
“Hyacinth.”
“Noun. Verb. Adjective.” Colin said, wiping a crumb from his grinning face. “Sentence. Is. Correct.
