Historical Romance published by Avon 21 Apr 20
I’m always irritated with myself when I get behind reading a series that has a lot of books and that I love. The Bridgerton family is one of those for me that got left behind. It’s all because there’s just not enough hours in a day, enough days in the week, enough weeks in a month – yeah, you get the idea. So I thought it was time to revisit this family with First Comes Scandal. I am certainly very glad I did. I absolutely love Georgiana and Nicholas.
Georgie is learning the hard way what it’s like to be in the middle of a scandal, all through no fault of her own. She was kidnapped by the “gentleman” who had been courting her. He doesn’t give a whit about her, it’s her dowry he wants to get his hands on. Fortunately she escapes before anything horrible happens, but, of course, she walks head on into a society that now considers her ruined, taking her chances of a happy marriage with children off the table for her future.
Nicholas Rokesby is a lifelong friend of Georgie’s and her siblings. Their family estates border each other, and they had plenty of adventures growing up together. He’s perplexed when he receives a summons from his father to return home as soon as possible, with no explanation whatsoever. Upon arrival Nicholas can’t believe his father asked him to leave his medical studies to do his duty in marrying Georgiana Bridgerton so she will regain her reputation. Demanding time to think about such an idea, he and his family have dinner with the Bridgertons, and for the first time there’s an awkwardness between himself and Georgie – and she has no idea why.
I really love Georgie’s straightforward look at life, even amid her reputation being torn to smithereens. Oh, yes, she has her moments when she’s overwhelmed, but once done, she’s still a happy gal who loves life and is curious as all get-out. As much as the scenes between her and Nicholas before she learns the truth are such fun, those afterward are even better, especially once she decides to take back her proposal rejection and marry Nicholas.
Since Nicholas’ studies are in Scotland, the couple head out after the wedding, having a hell of a time with Georgie’s cats and not realizing how life will be once there. While this time is frustrating for both of them, it’s plenty of fun for the reader as they travel through their honeymoon stage. Georgie’s curiosity when it comes Nicholas’ studies is also fun, as she asks question after question and wants to be in the thick of things as they happen. And the scene when her footman doesn’t do well listening to a medical lecture is both funny and heart-rending. There’s a lot of special moments between these two characters as the story moves along.
Julia Quinn is a favorite of mine, and I need to get back to reading her more often, especially since I’ve been a bit disillusioned with historical romance lately. This book only cements that fact for me. So I might just start at the beginning of this series to get reacquainted with all the Bridgertons, and this time I will continue until I’m caught up.
Grade: A
Summary:
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…
Read an excerpt.
