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cnannery19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
blissofalife's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Much more fun than I expected it to be! I liked that it was less enemies-to-lovers and more indifferent-to-lovers. Billy wasn’t the typical Tom-boy character, for once the rebelling against dresses and corsets made some sense for a character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
"The stakes have never been lower" is not something I usually have a problem with, because I like it when lower stakes leave room for more focus on the minutiae of the human experience and getting every detail of an emotionally charged interaction between characters. In this case I didn't feel like I really got any of the above. Billie and George never grew on me much. Billie is too much of a blatant "not like other girls" trope. That phrase is used literally in the text to describe her. George is your typical uptight heir who starts to think about his family friend Billie differently without much reason for why. The grounds for them being "enemies" is nonexistent and the animosity poofs away almost immediately. I don't think that was the right starting point for the relationship to grow from, because it didn't add any meaningful conflict or angst. Ultimately nothing really happens, and without an interesting emotional journey the book just kind of plods along slowly until a single mildly spicy scene at the end and a happily ever after.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
readyforit's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5⭐️0.75🌶️(one descriptive scene)
I gave this book a shot because I had finished the main 8 bridgerton books and this one was included in the last bridgerton vol 3. I’m glad they used Rosalyn Landor as the narrator for the audiobook as well, she is amazing for historical fiction!! Billie is a tomboy who lives at Aubrey hall in the country and grows up very close to her neighbors (the rokesbys). George is older than the rest of his siblings and the bridgerton siblings so he was never as close, but now that they’re adults he finds he and Billie understand each other better than they thought. I like that Billie is an intelligent and capable woman. She helps run the estate since her father is older and her brother Edmund, who will become viscount, is still in school. I will warn you that there’s a fair bit more misogyny in this book, as George is a very possessive man, but that doesn’t necessarily bother me in fiction books, and you expect some misogyny in historical fiction. They only haveone sex scene but it is more graphic than in the bridgerton books I think. But it’s not anything you would be shocked to see in a romance book. I liked it but I definitely liked most of the bridgerton books better. I might continue with the prequels but I don’t feel like I HAVE to, even though it did end on a cliffhanger. I likely won’t be rereading.
I gave this book a shot because I had finished the main 8 bridgerton books and this one was included in the last bridgerton vol 3. I’m glad they used Rosalyn Landor as the narrator for the audiobook as well, she is amazing for historical fiction!! Billie is a tomboy who lives at Aubrey hall in the country and grows up very close to her neighbors (the rokesbys). George is older than the rest of his siblings and the bridgerton siblings so he was never as close, but now that they’re adults he finds he and Billie understand each other better than they thought. I like that Billie is an intelligent and capable woman. She helps run the estate since her father is older and her brother Edmund, who will become viscount, is still in school. I will warn you that there’s a fair bit more misogyny in this book, as George is a very possessive man, but that doesn’t necessarily bother me in fiction books, and you expect some misogyny in historical fiction. They only have
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
savage_book_review's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Billed as the first Bridgerton prequel, this book tells the story of Billie Bridgerton who, if I've got my family tree right, should be Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne et. Al's paternal Aunt. Raised by liberal parents, she is commonly seen riding astride about the family estate, wearing breeches, and doing a better job of running the place than her father or his steward. Lifelong friends with the middle sons of the titled family next door, she can see herself perhaps one day accepting a proposal from one or the other. As long as she doesn't have to have much to do with the oldest brother and heir to the Rokesby fortune, George...
I bought this (and the others in the Rokesby series) on a whim, purely because they are described as prequels to Bridgerton. After reading that series, I had middling expectations; I just hoped for a gentle, happy, easy read in that familiar style. And actually, my expectations have been far surpassed; this is certainly my favourite Julia Quinn book to date. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the characters and relationships launch themselves off of the page and it's probably the most relatable. In some respects, I feel like it's the closest match in tone to the Bridgerton TV series; all of the Georgian grandeur you'd expect, brought right up to date to give a 21st Century audience the ability to understand their 18th/19th Century counterparts.
The constant back and forth between the three principal characters; Billie, George and Andrew, is an absolute joy to read. It's pitched perfectly; part banter, part good natured teasing, part flirtation, and the energy sparks from it with no effort from the reader whatsoever. And best of all it doesn't tail off - the bounce it brings to the prose is sustained and effective from beginning to end.
Similarly, the romance element is there all the way through, but it's kept quite subtle until fairly late on in the story. Now, it doesn't take a genuis to work out what happens partnership-wise, but it's quite a nice gradual realisation and development, rather than the 'thunderbolt' that quite often annoys me. As for the spice, it's fairly minimal and I'd say less detailed than a lot of the Bridgerton novels.
I loved the examination of Billie's character and the fact that she isn't a typical debutante. I'd say that Eloise in the TV series pulls quite a lot of characterisation from Billie (although not the breeches, at least not yet!) as that independent streak is definitely a shared trait. While I'm not entirely convinced that there were many aristocratic families that would have countenanced a daughter or wife acting as Billie does, I did enjoy the fact that it seems giving your children a long leash to discover themselves appears to be a Bridgerton family tradition rather than a reaction from Edmund (and Violet) to a restricted childhood of their own.
I was planning to put this in the local book swap when I finished, but have 100% changed my mind and it'll be going on my bookshelf as soon as I can make some space!
I bought this (and the others in the Rokesby series) on a whim, purely because they are described as prequels to Bridgerton. After reading that series, I had middling expectations; I just hoped for a gentle, happy, easy read in that familiar style. And actually, my expectations have been far surpassed; this is certainly my favourite Julia Quinn book to date. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the characters and relationships launch themselves off of the page and it's probably the most relatable. In some respects, I feel like it's the closest match in tone to the Bridgerton TV series; all of the Georgian grandeur you'd expect, brought right up to date to give a 21st Century audience the ability to understand their 18th/19th Century counterparts.
The constant back and forth between the three principal characters; Billie, George and Andrew, is an absolute joy to read. It's pitched perfectly; part banter, part good natured teasing, part flirtation, and the energy sparks from it with no effort from the reader whatsoever. And best of all it doesn't tail off - the bounce it brings to the prose is sustained and effective from beginning to end.
Similarly, the romance element is there all the way through, but it's kept quite subtle until fairly late on in the story. Now, it doesn't take a genuis to work out what happens partnership-wise, but it's quite a nice gradual realisation and development, rather than the 'thunderbolt' that quite often annoys me. As for the spice, it's fairly minimal and I'd say less detailed than a lot of the Bridgerton novels.
I loved the examination of Billie's character and the fact that she isn't a typical debutante. I'd say that Eloise in the TV series pulls quite a lot of characterisation from Billie (although not the breeches, at least not yet!) as that independent streak is definitely a shared trait. While I'm not entirely convinced that there were many aristocratic families that would have countenanced a daughter or wife acting as Billie does, I did enjoy the fact that it seems giving your children a long leash to discover themselves appears to be a Bridgerton family tradition rather than a reaction from Edmund (and Violet) to a restricted childhood of their own.
I was planning to put this in the local book swap when I finished, but have 100% changed my mind and it'll be going on my bookshelf as soon as I can make some space!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
littlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Yes!! Love the enemies-to-lovers trope as well as Billie's more independent attitude. Definitely my favourite Quinn romance so far
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Because of Miss Bridgerton is the first in Julia Quinn's Rokesbys series. It follows the Bridgertons a generation before the series we all know and love as well as the Rokesby family, neighbors and close friends of the Bridgertons.
This story is centered on Billie Bridgerton and George Rokesbys in a childhood friends/adversaries to lovers story. I absolutely LOVED the banter between the two of them, it was fun and fiery and frequently kept you on your toes. The romance is a slow burn as they begin to realize their love for one another but is SO worth the wait, and there's enough chemistry between them to carry you through the story. I also really enjoyed how Billie didn't care how she didn't fit into the mold of how a lady during the time should act and that she didn't feel shame because of it.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator is fantastic, so if you're going to read in highly suggest going that route!
This story is centered on Billie Bridgerton and George Rokesbys in a childhood friends/adversaries to lovers story. I absolutely LOVED the banter between the two of them, it was fun and fiery and frequently kept you on your toes. The romance is a slow burn as they begin to realize their love for one another but is SO worth the wait, and there's enough chemistry between them to carry you through the story. I also really enjoyed how Billie didn't care how she didn't fit into the mold of how a lady during the time should act and that she didn't feel shame because of it.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator is fantastic, so if you're going to read in highly suggest going that route!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail