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A Bridgerton Prequel, Book 4
From the publisher:
She was given two choices…
Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t against the idea of marriage. She’d just thought she’d have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she’s abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.
Enter Option #3
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he’s close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time—or interest—to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton—his literal girl-next-door—is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
A Marriage of Convenience
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she’d say no. Georgie doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends… or could they?
But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love…
This is a terrific series, and I was so happy when Quinn extended it with these prequels. Quinn writes great, searing romances, and I love her books. This was, like all her books, unputdownable. In fact, I read it so fast I thought it was a novella. When I read an ebook, I really don’t have much sense of length. As I was putting together this review, I saw that it is a very typical, 384-page paperback romance, and I was surprised. The pages really flew by without sacrificing anything.
Georgie is a wonderful character who had something bad happen to her. In England, in the late 1700s, men ruled the world and society, and women were dependent on them for everything; their income, their homes, their reputations. So when a debt-ridden man kidnaps Georgie, her reputation is ruined. Even though she was the victim. Even though nothing happened. The very appearance of impropriety is enough to ruin a young woman, leaving her with almost no choice. Georgie is fortunate that her parents are well off, and more importantly, they love her and want her to be happy. Most young women in Georgie’s position would be married off to the kidnapper to save face at any cost. Luckily, Georgie is spared that end.
On the other hand, her godfather, their next-door neighbor and closest friends, want to help. Their youngest son Nicholas is away studying medicine when he is summoned home by a cryptic message. When he arrives, he is told what happened to Georgie and that his father, her godfather, wants Nicholas to make it right by marrying her. Nicholas is appalled; he and Georgie are childhood friends, and he almost thinks of her as a sister. But she is not. He is angry that his father is treating him as if he has no say in the matter. But when he sees Georgie again and spends a bit of time with her – like an hour – he realizes that maybe it could work.
As readers of romance know, the path to happily ever after does not run smoothly, and that is certainly the case here. But despite all the obstacles in their way, Georgie and Nicholas fall in love, and lust – Quinn, as always, writes great sex scenes. She also brings some feminism to her books, especially this series. In this case, Nicholas is studying medicine but Georgie thinks about it as well. The school won’t accept a woman, but she can read her husband’s books – and he approves.
This was a fun romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
4/2020 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™
FIRST COMES SCANDAL by Julia Quinn. Avon (April 21, 2020). ISBN 978-0062956163. 384p.
I can’t wait to see how the TV show measures up. I read this series many years ago, of course I’ve forgotten most of it, but I still remember all the FEELS!!