The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)

by Julia Quinn

[kimbacaffeinate]

First, before reading the prologue, I recommend having a glass of wine or a few truffles at the ready. It made me cry! Second, the rest of the book had me laughing out loud, swooning, and wanting to knock a certain Viscount on the back of the head until he came to his senses. All of this made for an addictive listen!

Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest son of the Bridgerton clan, has reached the age of twenty-nine and decided to settle down and produce an heir. After his father's passing Anthony believes he will not live to see his children fully grown and decides to wed a good woman to raise his child. He has only one rule. It's simply really he will NOT marry for love.

Kate Sheffield is soon to be twenty-one and will be having her first season along with her half-sister, seventeen-year-old, Edwina. Kate is tall and ordinary while Edwina is considered beautiful. Finances have made them share a season, but Kate adores her little sister and plans to see her happily married. When that Bridgerton Rake sets his eyes on Edwina, Kate is determined to thwart his efforts.

There is nothing I love more than a bickering, snarky haters to lovers romance and Quinn delivered in spades. The Viscount has this plan, a selfish one to protect his heart, and while Edwina will suit perfectly as his wife, he has no feelings for her, but her sister Kate is driving him absolutely mad! I loved their chemistry, the debacle at the park and oh lord who knew lawn croquet could be so much fun!

At the beginning of each chapter, we get an excerpt from the notorious Lady Whistledown's Society Paper. This woman knows all, and I delighted on her reportings.

The Bridgerton family is utterly delightful from the brotherly shenanigans to the rivalries. You just want to spend time with them, and Quinn rewarded readers with a house party at their estate.

The romance was filled with wicked banter and a smidgen of angst as Anthony had to come to his senses. I loved how Kate exasperated Anthony and the way he eventually wormed his way into her heart. Their story felt genuine, and I rooted for them.

Rosalyn Landor continues to narrate this series, and while I am not one hundred percent on board with her male voices, she did capture the tone of the story. Her pacing allowed me to slip in and become caught up in the tale. I thought she did a splendid job with the banter and chemistry between Anthony and Kate. I enjoyed her accent as well.

THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVES ME was a delightful story and left me eager for the next Bridgerton romance.

The audio also contains, THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVES ME: The Epilogue II (Bridgertons #2.5) It gives us a follow up to Kate and Anthony's story some fifteen years into the future and had me laughing and smiling.

Audio provided by the publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer