Dear Bridget, I Want You

by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

From the New York Times Bestselling authors of Stuck-Up Suit and Mister Moneybags comes a sexy new standalone novel.



Dear Bridget,

I’m writing this letter because it’s highly doubtful I’ll ever garner the courage to say this to your face.

So, here goes.

We’re totally wrong for each other. You’re the proper single mum with a good head on your shoulders. I’m just the carefree British doctor passing through town and temporarily living in your converted garage until I head back to England.

But here’s the thing… for some bloody reason, I can’t stop thinking about you in very inappropriate ways.

I want you.

The only reason I’m even admitting all of this to you right now is because I don’t believe it’s one-sided. I notice your eyes when you look at me, too. And as crass as I appear when we’re joking around about sex, my attraction to you is not a joke.

So, what’s the purpose of this note? I guess it’s a reminder that we’re adults, that sex is healthy and natural, and that you can find me just through the door past the kitchen. More specifically, it’s to let you know that I’m leaving said door cracked open from now on in case you’d like to visit me in the middle of the night sometime.

No questions asked.

Think about it.

Or don’t.

Whatever you choose.

It’s doubtful I’ll even end up sliding this letter under your door anyway.

—Simon

• ISBN10: 1682309800
• ISBN13: 9781682309803
• Publish Date: 2 November 2017
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 27 January 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Diversion Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Dear Bridget, I Want you is a fun and sexy read - and it was even more so because I buddy-read it with my blogger wife, Brandee @ Bookworm Brandee.

Lexxie: Hello dahling :) I loved Dear Bridget!!! And I’m happy you did, too! I’ll put my comments underneath yours ;)

Brandee: I'm so happy we decided to buddy-read this one, wifey. I really enjoyed it. I felt Keeland and Ward did well in fleshing out the characters, creating a compelling story, and combining humor with some serious-ness as well.

Lexxie : I loved that we were able to buddy-read this, too - FINALLY, right? They did flesh out the characters, and the humor had me laughing really hard - but I loved that there was something deeper going on as well.

Brandee: I was giggle-snorting over Bridget and Simon's initial encounter. But while there were other instances of humor, I liked that the story wasn't all fun and games. It made watching their romance blossoming more endearing.  What did you think about the story overall?

Lexxie: OMG! She had a fish-hook in her butt-cheek. You can’t even make that up, right? And how she asked Simon for a real doctor or a woman LOL. And the fact that it wasn’t all fun and games made it that much more realistic to me. Plus, as you said, their romance was very cute.
Brandee: I've had a fish-hook stuck in my finger...I can't imagine it being stuck in my butt! And I would be mortified to have a hunky young doctor be the one to treat me! bwahahahaha

Brandee: I liked the letters. Sometimes it is easier to say what you feel in writing rather than verbally. And they each had quite a few sexy thoughts for the other but I think they both felt liked they might be rebuffed for myriad reasons but they took a chance on putting their thoughts and feelings out there anyway. Did you like how the letters were done?

Lexxie: Yes. Writing things down can feel both intimate and give you more courage. Because you don’t have to watch the other person’s face while you’re writing a letter. And you might not even get any feedback at all. I think I loved Bridget’s first letter the most. Since she didn’t really plan on actually giving it to Simon. Ever. But I’m glad he got it. Because that’s just too cute.

Brandee: I liked the fact that Bridget and Simon shared a tragedy in common because they were able to really understand the feelings they each had because of those tragedies at a certain level. I also appreciated how Keeland/Ward had Bridget and Simon work through those experiences. I did NOT see that one curveball coming at me though. How do you feel about Bridget and Simon having a tragedy in common and did you see the curveball coming or were you smacked in the face with it as well?

Lexxie: Oh, the twists of their tragedies, and especially Bridget’s tragedy just cut my heart in two! I seriously felt like I had been stabbed at one point. Because *shakes head* that was just tough to read. And to see how they hadn’t really made peace with what they had been through, but finally found a way to do so was beautiful. I was totally smacked in the face with the curveball. Even if I expected *something* to be up with that - because that lawyer was just fishy. And I was SO angry at Bridget’s « friend «  and « colleague ». Like, why would she interfere like that?

Brandee: How did you feel about how the authors handled Brendan? I felt like he could have been a bit more of a presence but overall I liked how they wrote him. I especially loved seeing Simon with him. And I suppose that was important since it illustrated Simon's emotional growth.

Lexxie: I thought Brendan was awesome. And he was present enough - especially thinking about how Bridget wanted to shield him. And seeing Simon actually stepping up and being great with Brendan was heartwarming.
Brandee: I didn't think about it like that but you're right...Bridget was very protective of him. That makes sense. So yeah, he was present enough. :)

Brandee: Overall, I felt like this was a heartwarming, fun, sexy and sweet read. I hope you felt the same.

Lexxie: I totally felt the same, wifey! It was a great story :D

So, as you can see, we both really enjoyed Dear Bridget, I Want You - it was a great rom-com with some serious notes as well, and the characters were really well fleshed out.

[Lynn]

It always makes me nervous when non-British authors write British protagonists because more often than not they disappoint. Unfortunately, this novel falls into that category.

Whilst I liked both Simon and Bridget, the narrative isn't consistent in its overall appeal. There are some humorous scenes and poignant ones but it's Simon's Britishness that is totally off. There are plenty of overused English words to help validate his nationality but unfortunately, the narrative from Simon's POV is purely American. Therefore as gorgeous as Simon is, his flawed portrayal was too much of a distraction for me:-(

[Cocktails and Books]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

Once again, this writing duo has managed to create a story that completely consumes you.  I found it quite difficult to put down Simon and Bridget's story.  The need to find out if Simon could step up and be everything that Bridget needed him to be kept me on the edge of my seat.

Doctors and nurses is one of those tropes that don't read a lot of.  But this couple has me rethinking that.  Meeting when Bridget goes to a neighboring hospital for a bit of medical attention, you immediately know this cocky resident has met his match (even if he doesn't realize it yet).  Of course, as the story unfolds Simon does indeed meet his match in Bridget.  She calls him out on his BS.  Unknowingly has him thinking beyond himself when he's off-duty.  And awakens a protective instinct in him that he didn't realize existed.  

Simon and Bridget are fun and sexy.  They'll make you laugh and a few pages later giving you a pull at your heartstrings.  This is romance.  Sometimes it's easy and other times it's not.  But you can't help but be lost in small-town Rhode Island, hoping this Brit and his American nurse figure out how to make it all work.

Another steller book by one of my favorite writing duos.  Run and one-click this one!