The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons #2) by Julia Quinn – book review! (aka my new favorite romance novel)

Hello lovelies!

I just finished this book and my heart hurts. It is so full of light and happiness and dare I say love?

Just like the whole world I watched the Bridgerton tv show and I loved it. The story featured some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, and fake dating. I also cannot tell you how much the representation meant to me. People of color in Regency-era?? Yes yes yes.

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons #2)

Author: Julia Quinn

Synopsis:

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.
And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better…
—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself… (Goodreads)

5 stars: Persephone – Queen of the Underworld and Goddess of Spring. Persephone is my favourite goddess because she is full of contradictions – she represents both strength as queen of the underworld and a softness as a floral maiden. She teaches me how it’s okay to be both. If Persephone appears, that means that the book was one of the best books I’ve ever read, that it holds a particular place in my heart and that it is now part of my favourite books ever.

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It has been announced that there would be a second season of the Bridgerton TV show and I couldn’t be happier because I adored this book.

This book feels as if the author looked inside my head and wrote everything I loved. When I read the synopsis I was hooked right away and now that I read it I can’t stop thinking about it. I didn’t know I needed Sexy Pride and Prejudice books in my life but here we are; I will only be reading Rake (aka Regency-era fuckboys) romances from now on.

The writing style was fantastic. It was fluid, swift and easy to read. The author flawlessly alternated between dialogue, plot and description. I couldn’t get enough. I wish this book were 800 pages long and even then it wouldn’t be enough.

The romance was OFF THE CHARTS. The chemistry was insane and instant; This is classic enemies to lovers and what I love most about this trope is the yearning and banter; when everyone can see they love each other except the protagonists. I got all of that and even more. Their interactions were always electric and it made me believe in love; I want to experience that and I feel like this is what romance novels are about.

I loved all the 19th century elements from this book. I loved reading about their traditions and way of life. The focus on appearances and manners were so interesting and I loved the irony used by the author. I think the dual perspective was so well-done and different from anything I’ve read. We got to glimpse each of their thoughts and see how they each felt during an event. It was so good. I highlighted so many quotes and passages! I repeat: I cannot get enough.

One thing I really liked about the tv show and that was present in this book is the family aspect. I loved the bond that Kate shared with her sister Edwina, how sincerely she cared for her. I also loved the way she was close to her stepmother Mary. Their bond was so beautiful to read about and I nearly had a tear in my eyes. The Bridgertons were also fun to read about; I loved how they teased each other and their whole loving and chaotic dynamic; especially during The Pall Mall game (which was my favorite scene of the book).

I think I cannot give this book justice if I don’t talk about the smut. I have no words. The wedding night scene was one of the best smut scenes I have ever read; it was sincerely wonderful; it was explicit but not crude and I loved the way it was written. This scene will live in my mind forever.

I also liked the fact that we explored different aspects of the story; Kate and Anthony each had issues that they needed to overcome and their personal journeys were wonderful.

But I gave this book 5 stars because of all the little things that made this book great: Kate’s dog Newton, Lady Whistledown’s columns, Anthony’s thoughts when he was falling for Kate, the mallet of death, the second prologue, the intimacy from little acts of service like when Anthony helped Kate with her bonnet and so many little things that went unnoticed. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Have you seen the TV show or have you read the books? Let me know in the comments!

Karla xx