Status
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Description
Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places... This is not one of those times. Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbors for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband... someday. Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should... Or not. There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest and heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying, and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either. But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humor... Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without....… (more)
User reviews
Billie Bridgerton spent her childhood running wild with the neighboring Rokesbys, Andrew, Edward, and Mary. Now she runs the family estate for her father and still runs as wild as she can. The eldest
The characters are delightful and well-rounded, and the romance charming. Another winner.
*This book was received for the purpose of an honest review.*
Every new release from Julia Quinn is a cause for celebration. Her impeccably written novels, filled with glorious romance, adventure, and brilliant wit, never fail to entertain, inspire, and satisfy. And, while I’ve greatly anticipated each of her past novels’ debuts, my
Admittedly, I was skeptical at first as Billie seemed a tad immature for a grand romance. Young, isolated, tomboyish, wild, reckless, and impulsive—men aren’t on her radar. Her time and energy is wrapped up in taking thoughtful care of her family’s estate. But, as the novel progresses and she and George grow to appreciate, understand, and confide in one another, everything fundamentally shifts for her. Still as impulsive as ever, she steadily matures and approaches her awakening sexuality and budding feelings for George like she does everything else in her life—boldly, with spirit, zeal, abandon, and pure joy in the moment. And I loved her for it!
Equally wonderful and perfect for Billie, I adored George so much. Having always frowned upon Billie’s britches and wildness, I loved his shocking realizations, again and again, as Billie, just by being herself, shakes him to his core with increasing lust and admiration. He begins to seek out and relish her unconventionality, strength, compassion, intelligence, drive, and dizzying beauty. The unkempt girl he’s known and dismissed his entire life is suddenly vital to his every breath and happiness. I loved reading his tantalizing POV as his rattling fascination with Billie turns into a red-blooded obsession. He has such riveting fire in him, and I couldn’t get enough!
Sigh…I so enjoyed this romance! What a fabulous start to the Rokesbys series! I simply can’t wait for Billie & George’s charming, boisterous, and hilariously incorrigible siblings to each find their own unique happily ever afters too!
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.
While I didn't like this quite as much as the Bridgerton series, I still enjoyed this first book in the Rokesby series very much. Billie and George are perfect for each other, even if they don't realize it for quite a while and the two families are very interesting. I hope that we get to see something of Edmund (and Violet) as the series continues though they're not strictly Rokesby family members as well as more of Billie and George.
If you're worried about reading all the Bridgerton books to get to this one (all though I highly recommend them. Great series) don't be. Because of Miss Bridgerton can be read as a stand alone.
What I love about this book, and what is so refreshing to me, was that this book is all about Billie and George falling in love. All the supporting characters are really around just as a foil for this growing love affair. I didn't have to be distracted by a mystery, scoundrel or even a horrid daily member. It's been awhile since I've read a historical romance that was just that.It was a pleasure to read about these two characters realizing they are in love and not just neighbors.
George is the oldest, and as the heir, spent most of his childhood in training for his future duties. He never really had the chance to run around like the rest of them. He is quiet, always aware of his responsibilities, but would do anything for his family. While he loves his home and the land, there's a small part of him that is envious of his brothers ability to join the military and fight for King and country.
I loved the beginning of the book. Billie has gotten herself into a predicament - she is stuck on the roof of a building and has sprained her ankle. She hopes that someone will come along soon who can help her get down. Unfortunately the first person to show up is last one she wants to see - George. The encounter is pretty funny, with each giving as good as they get in attitude. Through yet another mishap, George ends up stuck on the roof with her, until his brother Andrew comes along. It's during this forced time together that George comes to a rather startling realization. He is attracted to Billie, absolutely the worst person he could choose as a bride. But he starts to see that there's more to her than the hoydenish bane of his existence. Billie also feels something unexpected around him and isn't sure what to make of it. She's never paid attention to his features or his build before, but the kindness and sympathy that emerges has her looking at him differently. The usual banter continues between them that evening, but there is also something different about it.
I loved the progression of their relationship. They have spent so long as antagonists that both are a bit confused as to why they suddenly want to spend more time together. Their arguing and teasing continues, but there is a different feel to it. I also enjoyed how their fascination was demonstrated in the way they would sneak looks at each other, find ways to touch each other. Billie's mother's decision to have a house party threw them together even more. I loved seeing the jealousy that popped up, especially in George. For such a calm and normally reasonable man he had some pretty amusing reactions to the men who showed an interest in Billie. She wasn't too far behind in her reactions to other women, especially one. The Pall Mall (croquet) game she instigated was pretty funny.
But just when things were starting to get interesting, disturbing news for the Rokeslys arrives, ending the house party. I ached for their pain, and George's worry about his father that put more responsibility on his shoulders. I loved how Billie was there for all of them, but especially worried about George. It was funny to see his mom find a way to get Billie to London with them. Billie is hoping to be able to just stay in the background and be support, but his mom has other ideas. Billie is terribly worried about making an appearance at the ball because of her lack of experience. George plans to be there to help her through it, something comes up that prevents it. While this could have been a huge misunderstanding to create drama, they deal with it quite differently, with the resulting realization that they belong together. The final scene is great, with George doing his best to keep Billie from another reckless action and discovering that all it takes is to tell her why. I loved the depth of his emotion as he expressed it and the effect it had on Billie. I loved his mom's reaction which honestly didn't surprise me at all. I had seen those wheels turning early on in the book.
I'm really looking forward to the rest of the books in the series. Georgiana especially intrigues me, even though she's still young. She has spent so long being somewhat ignored by the others that she's bound to make her presence known in some spectacular way. I'm also looking forward to Andrew's story. He is such a rogue and a flirt that he needs someone who will lead him on a merry dance.
Entertaining and funny, enjoyed the read and the realisations by the characters that there was an attraction there. I adored the game of Pell Mell (apparently an early precursor to Croquet) and the reactions to a variety of comments, it was an interesting bonding moment with several of the characters.
It has everything I've discovered I love about her writing. Above all, witty dialogue! There's a sense that it isn't just a Regency romance novel,
In this novel, the heroine, Billie, is an unconventional young lady. It was refreshing to follow a Regency heroine who wasn't overly obsessed about the season and husband hunting. Meanwhile, George is the uppity brother of Billie's best friends and neighbors. I don't normally jump for hate-turned-to-love plots, but this one worked out very naturally.
There's also the delightful sense of Regency community and family. Nosey somewhat meddling mommas. Best friend aka why-won't-you-just-be-my-sister-in-law-already? One brother who just wants to stack cards. Another brother who's fighting for King and country.
Ooo, that ending left me hanging! How much longer until the next book??? I have the feeling the setting will be very interesting.
4.5 Stars
Wild and spirited, Billie Bridgerton is always getting into one scrape or another and everyone finds her endearing except, that it, for George Rokesby. Despite the friendship between their families, Billie and George can barely tolerate one another, so when
Series Note: This is the first book in the prequel series to the Bridgertons. The heroine, Billie, is Edmund's (father to the Bridgerton siblings) older sister. It is not necessary to read the Bridgertons in order to enjoy this book. but I highly recommend doing so sooner rather than later.
An enchanting romance with all of the wit and charm that characterizes Julia Quinn’s writing.
Quinn is very skilled at placing her characters in unrealistic situations that somehow work despite the circumstances. This is certainly the case with the opening scene, which is laugh out loud funny as Billie and George’s arguing and banter set the stage for their sweet and passionate relationship.
As with the original series, the secondary characters are well-developed and the closeness of the Bridgertons and the Rokesbys add to the amazing sense of family and friendship established in the story.
Although the plot is lighthearted and humorous, the characters also deal with deeper emotions as George struggles with being the eldest sibling and all of the duties and responsibilities that being the heir entails. The Rokesby family must also cope with the dangers of their sons going to war and the inevitable consequences.
All in all, a lovely book and I look forward to reading Edward’s story, especially after the developments in this one.
This is the first novel in the Bridgerton Prequel series and it was just as good as its' predecessors! I had forgotten how much I loved Julia Quinn's novels until I read this one - so full of wit, adventure, and just great laughs! I ran out and bought the remaining 3 novels in the series and cannot wait to dive in!
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
An excellent romance novel filled with plenty of banter and a decidedly slow-burn frenemies to lovers plot. While the book (and its series) is technically a prequel to the now-universally well-known Bridgerton books, it stands on its own very well. That said there is a round of Pall Mall in this book that will delight readers of the previous series and isn't derivative either. Recommended for historical romance readers in general and Quinn fans particularly.