The Viscount Who Loved Me

Last week I read and reviewed the first Bridgerton book - The Duke and I - after enjoying the popular TV series on NetFlix. The first book was a light, fun read so I eagerly jumped into this second book which focuses on the eldest Bridgerton sibling - Anthony Bridgerton.

Anthony is not my favourite character and, unfortunately, this was not an easy read. 

The gist is that Anthony is a rake and Kate feels she's the ugly duckling sister who no one would want (spoiler: she's not), who hates Anthony before she even meets him. Her stubborn animosity towards Anthony continues through most of the story and honestly, Kate is not wrong. Anthony is an arrogant arse for most of the book and my main beef lies with him. I hate this guy! Cold, selfish, unlikable and misogynistic does not a leading man make (in my book, anyway). I couldn't stomach how aggressive he was towards Kate, both physically and verbally. Intimidation isn't romantic.

If I focus just on the romance, this is a typical, predictable light read. But it lacks the banter, sass and interesting characters of the first book, yet mimics its romantic trope almost exactly. There was nothing to pull me in, but a lot I was expected to accept, and I just couldn't do it. The bee incident, the storm scare, Anthony's preoccupation with death and the general drama between them induced some heavy eye-rolling, felt cringey and overly contrived.

Producer Shonda Rhimes has her work cut out for her to infuse energy in this dull story and likability into the characters for the highly anticipated upcoming second season of the NetFlix hit. I have no doubt that Ms. Rhimes is up to the task, but for now I'm done with the books and will impatiently await the TV show. Those are some sad words for this Bookworm to type.

My Rating: 2 stars

Author: Julia Quinn

Genre: Romance

Series: #2 in the Bridgerton series

Publisher: Avon

First Published: April 2015

Opening Line: Anthony Bridgerton had always known he would die young.

Book Description from GoodReads: 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 all truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

--Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But 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's the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes to not make the best husbands--and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate's 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.