From the Bookshelf of 2-3-4 Challenge…

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)

Julia Quinn

Start date: June 1, 2021

Finish date: June 30, 2021

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Discussion leader: Laura

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 49 topics — 1,724 comments total

Buddy Reads

* Cousin O'Dwyer / Nora Roberts (March 2024)
By Lauren · 61 posts · 10 views

last updated Apr 09, 2024 09:39AM

* Bishop/Special Crimes Unit - Kay Hooper - June 2024
By Michelle · 289 posts · 30 views

last updated Nov 15, 2024 02:32PM

showing 10 of 16 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Nov 10, 2011 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was looking forward to Anthony's story and it delivered. We find out here that he's a bit of a rake, or at least was a big one in his earlier years, which explains his overprotectiveness of Daphne. Anthony is also convinced he will have a short life based on his father's and uncle's premature deaths and his solution is to not get invested in a loving relationship.

The best scenes in this story are when Kate and Anthony are sparring. It's when we see Anthony coming alive and Kate's spunk. I'm f ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2018 Anita Reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, historical-romance, historical-fiction, storytel, read-2018, wheel-a-thon

If you’re new to the historical romance genre, I think this series will be a good place to start.

The Bridgerton series follows a new set of main characters with each book.
This book follows Anthony Bridgerton who is the oldest of the Bridgerton sons and daughters and bears the title Viscount. After years of living as a rake he has now finally decided to follow his duty and get married, but most importantly in a loveless marriage. He sets his eyes on Edwina Bridgerton as most suitable for him.
Kath ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 27, 2016 Quynh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adorable-pets, favorite-series, clever-banter, funny-dialogue, drool-worthy-male, funny-quirky-heroine, great-dialogue, admirable-heroine, favorite-hero, great-secondary-characters

4.5 stars

This second book follows the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings. Anthony has always loved being the oldest. He is the first born; first to know his parents, and the one to love them the longest. But when his father dies at 39, an age when his uncle also died, Anthony believes that it will also become his fate. Anthony is known around the London ton as a rake and a rogue. But believing that he will die early, he decides to marry, so that he can see his children born. Plus, he already has 4.5 stars

This second book follows the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings. Anthony has always loved being the oldest. He is the first born; first to know his parents, and the one to love them the longest. But when his father dies at 39, an age when his uncle also died, Anthony believes that it will also become his fate. Anthony is known around the London ton as a rake and a rogue. But believing that he will die early, he decides to marry, so that he can see his children born. Plus, he already has in mind who the next Lady Bridgerton will be.

Kate Sheffield has only made her debut to London society recently, and at the age of 21, it seems rather late. Her younger, more lovelier and beautiful sister, Edwina, is the one catching the eyes of many bachelors. Kate is quite protective of her sister, so any suitors must meet her standards and approval. So when Anthony comes calling, Kate decides he will need to pass the test before he can court her sister. Kate is well aware of his reputation and she knows there's no way Edwina will be his wife. But the more time she spent in his company and learning more about him, Kate find herself falling in love bit by bit. Perhaps he's not as bad as she assumed. But how can she fall for a man who's asking her sister for her hand in marriage?

Anthony and Kate are perfect together. They are funny, smart, and know how to push each other's buttons. They each carry a fear that must be overcome. Anthony comforting Kate during a scene of her phobia was heart-melting. *sigh*

What I love about this book:
Witty/funny dialogue and banter ✓
A heroine that I can respect and admire ✓
A hero that I can add to my book boyfriends list ✓
Characters who have family values ✓
Heartwarming moments between H/h but also with their families ✓
Romantic gestures ✓
Laugh out loud scenes ✓
Great writing and characterization ✓
Lady Whistledown's columns ✓

Really, there isn't anything about this book that I didn't like. I have two characters in mind that I suspect as Lady Whistledown, but only time will tell if I'm right (if she is revealed at all).

A lovely read! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 23, 2011 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: love-hate-relationship, forced-arranged-convenient-marriage, historical-romance, regency, tortured-hero, virgin-heroines, reformed-rake, kindle

The Viscount Who Loved Me
4.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Anthony Bridgerton has finally decided to marry but must first convince his chosen bride’s sister that he is worthy. Unfortunately, Kate Sheffield is under no illusions that he is anything other than a rake and has made it her mission in life to thwart his betrothal plans. Things get even worse for Anthony when Kate begins haunting his dreams and he realizes that he may have been focusing on the wrong sister…

Review:
A thoroughly entertaining sequel and The Viscount Who Loved Me
4.5 Stars

Synopsis:
Anthony Bridgerton has finally decided to marry but must first convince his chosen bride’s sister that he is worthy. Unfortunately, Kate Sheffield is under no illusions that he is anything other than a rake and has made it her mission in life to thwart his betrothal plans. Things get even worse for Anthony when Kate begins haunting his dreams and he realizes that he may have been focusing on the wrong sister…

Review:
A thoroughly entertaining sequel and it looks like I have become addicted to another series.

Quinn writes some of the best characters - Kate and Anthony have excellent chemistry, and their banter and arguing is hilarious. Kate is intelligent and witty. She speaks her mind and holds her own against Anthony in every conversation (and at Pall Mall too), which makes her one of my favorite historical heroines.

Anthony has is flaws, which is fine with me as I prefer my heroes to be less than perfect. He is an arrogant womanizer and falls short of being the ultimate gentleman, but does have many redeeming qualities such as his love for family and fundamental honor. While he is not as tortured or as gallant as Simon in The Duke & I, he is definitely a keeper.

Mrs. Whistledown’s gossipy comments are cute and funny. Upon reading them at the beginning of each chapter, I find myself considering who she may be and whether or not she is a character who has already been introduced. At this time, there are a number of good candidates and I really hope that her identity is ultimately revealed.

The story seems to lose a bit of momentum after the wedding but definitely makes up for it at the end. There are also one or two illogical notions, such as Anthony’s determination to not marry for love because this would make him fear his mortality when it is obvious that he already fears it, and Kate immediately overcoming her profound fear of storms once she realizes the underlying cause. Nevertheless, the writing is engaging and has several laugh-out-loud moments.

I rarely read books in the same series one after the other but I will definitely be making an exception in this case. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 18, 2021 Kris (My Novelesque Life) added it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, made-into-a-tv-series, romance, 1800s, historical-fiction, humour, elibrary, historical-romance, britain

RATING: I don't know.
**Don't read review if you LOVE Bridgerton**

I have had The Duke and I on my TBR list since I started reading historical romances, over a decade ago. While I have always been a romantic at heart, I am also cynical about HEA. I will cry at movies, commercials and books, and then roll my eyes afterwards. My overthinking brain is not cool with my vulnerable heart. And as a defence mechanism I shun before I even get any of the fun. A decade a bit ago, I let my guard down a bit wi RATING: I don't know.
**Don't read review if you LOVE Bridgerton**

I have had The Duke and I on my TBR list since I started reading historical romances, over a decade ago. While I have always been a romantic at heart, I am also cynical about HEA. I will cry at movies, commercials and books, and then roll my eyes afterwards. My overthinking brain is not cool with my vulnerable heart. And as a defence mechanism I shun before I even get any of the fun. A decade a bit ago, I let my guard down a bit with romance books. I have always read some type romance, but it is usually with another genre where the romance enhances the story instead of being the story. I did dabble a bit into contemporary rom-coms but the humour has to hit me right. Unfortunately, my humour is off-beat so I never seem to be into what is popular. I read the Shopaholic series and my anxiety was off the chart. A dear friend had recommended me a few HR authors, and I trust her judgment 100%, so I decided to try them. Lisa Kleypas really changed my thinking. It was like reading a saucier Jane Austen novel. With the sex scenes they are also probably a lot spicier in that sense. I skip over them, as sex scenes in books reminds me a lot of sex scenes in movies. Somehow it feels too mechanical and meh. I am in it for the romance, banter and witty humour. I know, you are thinking where is the review on the actual book...this is kind of a long story...long.

Julia Quinn, and the Bridgerton series has been recommended to me by many other readers and I just didn't get to them. No reason why it took me so long. Then the first book was made into a TV series, which definitely moved it up the list. It was my eLibrary getting the audiobooks that finally got it on my present day radar. I don't really have a preference of reading the book before or after watching the adaptations. I haven't watched the show as I haven't gotten to it yet. I will be watching it as I would love to support a colour-blind cast.

I love the idea of Lady Whistledown (think Gossip Girl) and it's one thing that will make me watch the series for sure as I would like to see who Lady Whistledown is. As for the books, I don't know. At the time I am writing this review I have read the second book. I am going to combine the reviews for both books because I had the same issues. Let's start with the good. I love the covers for these books...I like googling covers of a book as you see some great work of art and how the book changes over the years. The covers of these two are pretty, and something you would not be ashamed of reading on public transit. Kudos to Quinn for also taking the story beyond the wedding. You get to see how the couple does after getting married. Although, they do seem to only really work out the issues they have after marriage. Lady Whistledown is my favourite character, and she does not feature that much in the novels. I like the idea of the Bridgertons as this big boisterous family, but sometimes they come off too clique-y. I am on the fence if I like them...but I do like Kate, Mary and Edwina as a close family unit in the second novel. I am a sucker for a sweet family.

Now the bad. Well, it's not bad, it's what didn't work for me. Don't unfriend me, but I am not sure I buy Simon and Daphne as a couple. I want to, and I love the flowers for the mom bit, but I just don't find they respect one another enough. The biggest problem I had with book one was the sexual assault scene. It has stuck with me and overshadows the book for me. I was going to rate it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, but as I have thought about it, I am really not okay with how it was handled. Maybe the author thinks because of the times, it's acceptable, but I don't buy that either. When I think about the Duke & I now, I just see that scene. I am trying to be stronger in my own convictions and standing by them despite what comes from it, so I have decided to give this book no rating.

For the second book, it was a personal issue that triggered me a bit. It carries over from the first book, but just was highlighted a bit more in the second. Hearing about how the heroine looks from the hero's perspective just sounds like a backhanded compliment. She was plain and not attractive BUT she attracted him anyway. There is this long list why she is not suitable, for a great specimen like him, and it just brought up some stuff. I did like Anthony and Kate's banter, it just sucks that we hear everything wrong with her until he wants her.

I am guessing that the third book is either Benedict or Colin, and I don't know if I can stand another Bridgerton be an adonis rake who lowers himself for an meh looking girl that makes him fall for her. I don't even understand when that turn comes as no one seems to really grow as a character. The great things about books is that there is usually a reader for every book. There are so many different ratings on a book, as we all have different imaginations and come with our own perspectives. I am not trying to steer you away from reading the books or that you should. I am giving you my perspective on the book, which is in the minority.
...more

Like · see review