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Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: There were Bridgertons before the eight alphabetically named siblings. In the third of the Bridgerton Prequel series, we go back to where it all began. . . from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn She was in the wrong place... Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers' hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain's bed... He found her at the wrong time... Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he's stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very realâ??and his duty to the Crown means he's stuck with her. Can two wrongs make the most perfect right? When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandalâ??though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew's secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart...… (more)
User reviews
It's a quick read, and honestly, a bit of a
I'm excited about the Netflix series for the Bridgertons and it's possible she was distracted by it, but most of this plot (what there was of it) just didn't make sense. Hopefully, the next book will be better.
Poppy Bridgerton is a woman who knows her own mind. She is independent and a bit impulsive, intelligent and forthright. She's had two Seasons, but none of the men she met have lived up to her exacting expectations. She escapes for a while to visit a friend, where she can take long walks and think about her future. On one walk she stumbles across a smugglers' cave filled with booty. Unfortunately for her, it also contained two pirates who were determined to keep her from revealing what she knows. They tie her up and take her aboard ship, where they leave her on the captain's bed for him to deal with.
I thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's encounter with Brown and Green, the two pirates in the cave. She talked rings around them, but it still wasn't enough to keep them from kidnapping her. Andrew's shock at finding her in his cabin was nothing compared to the shock he got when he found out who she was. He knew he was fortunate that they had never met, considering how close their families are - especially with her cousin Billie married to his brother George. I'm not sure why he didn't tell her who he was from the start, but it certainly made for some entertaining moments. He also knows that there is a good chance he will have to marry her to prevent a scandal.
I loved the development of the relationship between Poppy and Andrew. Poppy is, of course, upset about her abduction and worried about the effect it would have on her family, friends, and reputation. However, nothing she says convinces the captain to set her free, though he does allow her to send a letter to her friend with a story that will keep her family in the dark. I loved the back-and-forth between Poppy and Andrew as she pleads her case, and he counters every argument. I was impressed with her acceptance of her confinement, intelligent enough to realize that it was for her safety. I could also feel her frustration at being on an "adventure" and yet bored out of her mind. The only bright spots were meals with Andrew when their conversations ran the gamut of subjects. Andrew was impressed and intrigued by her intelligence and curiosity and finds that he wants to find ways to counter that boredom. Poppy responds as she realizes that he is a kind and decent man despite being a pirate and kidnapper. I loved watching them grow closer over that week.
Things look fairly promising between them since Andrew at least knows that they are a suitable match. But things go sideways when they reach Portugal. Andrew's attempt to give Poppy a pleasant interlude off the ship ends up with them both as captives. The situation is intense as Andrew bargains for Poppy's release, tells her the truth of why he is there, and sends her off to his contact for help. That scene was pretty funny as Poppy's stubbornness was no match for the needs of King and Country. I ached for Poppy, who was returned to England, not knowing if Andrew was safe or not. As a reader, you know very well that trouble is just around the corner when Andrew arrives at his parents' home, determined to stay only long enough to discover where Poppy is, not knowing that she and her family are coming to dinner that very night. That dinner scene was fantastic, with the soup incident being one of my favorites in the whole book. I loved Andrew's big moment and how they came together. The epilogue was terrific, too.
A charming romance in the Bridgertons prequel series. Poppy is an intelligent and charming character and her witty dialogue with Andrew is a delight. I also really appreciated how Quinn set up the novel so that all the intimacy only occurred when the power imbalance inherent in Poppy essentially being kidnapped is no longer in effect. The cast in this novel is pretty small and it really allows for the novel to dig into who these characters are, which makes the happy ending even more enjoyable. Recommended for historical romance fans.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.