Hey fellow book charms!! If you have been following my posts you know I recently binge watched Brigderton and am now fully obsessed and throughly invested in the guilty pleasure reading world that is: Historical Romance. 

That being said after I stumbled upon this reading challenge on PeaceLoveBooksxoYoutube channel, I asked myself: why the heck not?

I’m already reading more Historicals than is heathy… mine as well take the obsession to the next level *thumbs up*

While I’ve never participated in a readathon before (I’ve always been too much of a mood reader to ever stick to the goals/guidelines) this one only lasts a week (starting tomorrow, January 15) which I figured was a safe amount of time for me to commit to considering this will be my first readathon of all time. 

The Details: 

• Read Historical Romances (kind of a given but didn’t want to leave any deets out 😉 )
• Follow the bingo board to help guide/choose your TBR
• The readathon runs from January 15-21
• The readathon is hosted by the following book tubers:PeaceLoveBooksxo, RemarkablyLisa, and LaceyBooklovers
• The buddy read chosen is: A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe

While my TBR is a little AMBITIOUS and OVERREACHING I am keeping in mind that I am trying to AIM HIGH here in the hopes that while my TBR may be exploding, the stack of books nearly toppling over will give me the encouragement I actually need to finish something (that something being some juicy addicting Historical Romances)

On to the TBR! 

The bookish stash I have accumulated – here to hoping it doesn’t topple over aha!

The Rogue of Fifth Avenue by Joanna Shupe

Challenges: New to You Author, Blue on the Cover, Different Social classes, Joanna Shupe, Used book 

When Beauty Meets the Beast by Eloisa James

Challenges: Stepback, Recommended to You, Damaged Hero, Used book

While the Duke Was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan

Challenges: New to You Author, Different Social Classes, Stepback

Daring and the Duke by Sarah Maclean

Challenges: Stepback

Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood

Challenges: New to you author, Published before 2000, Used book

The Seduction of an English Scoundrel by Jillian Hunter

Challenges: New to you Author, Stepback, Shirtless man on stepback/cover, Used book

Temptation and Surrender by Stephanie Laurens 

Challenges: New to you Author, Stepback, Ripped bodice on cover/stepback, Shirtless man on stepback/cover, Used books

— I may also read the third Brigderton book An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn but for simplicity sakes left it off the tbr —

Well thats all I’ve planned out for this weeks readathon! Have you read any of the above books? Heard of any of the authors? Have you ever participated in a readathon? Lets chat in the comments below!

-BubblyBooks

 

The Viscount Who Loved Me (The Brigertons #2) 

By: Julia Quinn

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary: 

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…

My Review:

Ok so I did a thing. I may have binge watched all 8 episodes of Brigerton on Netflix in a matter of days (and yes each episode is an hour long) (I know I am crazy ) (and why yes I am aware that I have absolutely zero chill factor when it comes to my shows). That being said of course I imediently had to read the books… because duh. 

I did complete book one in the series (Julia Quinns, The Duke and I), which I liked but didn’t feel passionately enough about to review on the blog. HOWEVER I finished The Viscount Who Loved Me a few days ago and I must say I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS ONE MY FRIENDS. 

The second book follows Daphne’s overbearing older brother: Anthony. Guys, guys, guys, we LOVE Anthony. Anthony is are temperamental, fight picking, endless bickering, older brother we simply cannot get enough of. I was obsessed with his thunder temper, phenomenal quick wit, and charming bruteyness.

Like yes give me all the sassy overbearing muffin attitude I cannot get enough of Anonthy!! Just keep it coming please. 

But I’m just getting started here. Because I also loved Kate. She was the star of the seasons older sister and was Anthonys absolute perfect match in every way possible:

Kate in a nutshell: more stubborn than a fierce headed chubby bull. Quick to jump to conclusions about Anthonys infamous rogue nature. And most importantly never let an opportunity pass where she could point out how Anthony was absolutely, terribly, completely wrong for her younger sister. Who ya, by the way happened to be the girl Anthony was dead seat on marrying (hey we like Anthony for his looks not his ability to make disastrous choices in all things)

Like guys, the enemies to lovers in this. The BANTER… *gasps* *swoons* *falls in love with said books ability to annihilate my in person romance expectations* 

The snarkiness between the two of them (#chefskiss). The heated conversations. The unexpected tender moments. SWOON. SWOON. SWOON. Did I say swoon? 

The irony in this book is also fabulous because it is crystal clear how perfect they both are for each other to literally everyone but them. Like I just wanted to smack both of these characters on the forehead and be like “Your in love with each other dimwits.” 

Safe to say this book had everything I adore in a romance and more. Fabulous banter. Amazing enemies to lovers. Great passion, tenderness, and burning for one another. This book consumed me like a forest fire and burned my heart down with its flames. I recommend this book to anyone with a pulse.

5 stars

So what do you all think? Adding this one to the TBR? Watch Bridgerton on Netflix? Comment below so we can chat all things Brigertons!!! I’m dying to know which character is your favorite (in the books and in the tv show!) 

-BubblyBooks

Hey my lovely reading friends!! How are you all? How has the New Year been treating you? Have you finished your first read of 2021 yet?

I’m not sure about you guys but I CANNOT believe it is 2021 right now?!? 2020 felt like the longest year ever and my little book reading brain simply would not have survived if I couldn’t slip down the rabbit hole into my never ending TBR of books.

While 2020 was a dumpster fire of a year (quite literally it burned up the past nine+ months of my life like a forgotten cigarette in a dry forest) I did manage to have a GREAT reading year! In fact the number of books I read nearly doubled (I somehow went from reading about 35 books a year to 71?! what in the parallel universe?!).

Seriously reading was my only saving grace this past year. So I just want to send a quick shout out to all the books that helped me get here (and by here I mean the end of this god awful time sucking year) and highlight some of my favorite books I read this last year:

And the Oscar goes to the following books….

Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

I mean are we surprised?? Are we really surprised? As a long time fan of SJM (her books are my fav and she has been my fav author for many years) it comes as no surprise that I fell in LOVE with Crescent City and am EAGERLY and IMPATIENTLY awaiting ACOTAR #4 this upcoming February!! 

The Winter King by CL Wilson

As I said before this book took me by SURPRISE. The world building in this was SO. GOOD. Also there was marriage of convenience in this book (which I am quickly beginning to learn is my shit weakness in terms of tropes). This book has a weather power princess and a brute ice king and their romance is so closed off, and back and forth, with infinite burning and denial of feelings for one another… just yessss!!

The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen

Oh would you look at that another marriage of convenience (this truly is a shocking turn of events). This book is great enemies to lovers. The level of angst and betrayal in this is on another LEVEL let me tell you. Also this book takes place in a Jungle which I think is pretty epic. Def recommend.

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

Two words: Slow Burn. The romance is this is so tender and slow burn and just ahshjdshs. Plus it has vikings. 

The Villain by LJ Shen

If you all have been following me for awhile you know LJ Shen is my QUEEN of all things romance and this book was TOP TIER LJ SHEN!!! One of my favorite couples she has ever written. I may have fallen in love with Cillian… (not me falling for book characters again). So freaking GOOD.

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah Maclean

This was one of the first historical romances I was blessed with reading and this book was EVERYTHING. I may have already reread it on multiple occasions… and I don’t reread books?!? The main lover boy reminds me of Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders on Netflix and thats all you need to know to start this. Loved it. 

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 

Some more fabulous enemies to lovers. This one was an office romance in a publishing house and I loved Josh and Lucy so dang much. The chemistry was achy and fire and ughhh I want a Josh in real life!!!

Fable by Adrienne Young

Another by Adrienne Young who I am quickly coming to learn may be one of my new favorite authors of all time!! This one took place on the high seas and is super gritty, dark, and grimy. I loved the characters in this one and no one does slow burn romance quite like Young. Amazing. 

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

This book has me hyped because I desperately ship Severin and Laila!!! I am so excited for book two because I want NEED more of them!!!

Rhapsodic by Laura Thalassa

Binged this whole series dangerously quick. An amazing Fae romance featuring a really dark hero and heroine. One is a dark Fae king the other is a messy dangerous siren. The banter and jokes in this will make you laugh out loud like NO OTHER. Book three was my for sure fav 😉 

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin 

I almost didn’t include this one because I read it last January (almost a year ago) but than remembered I simply HAD to because Serpent and Dove has one of my FAVORITE romances I have read in YA and I simply love love loved the marriage of convenience in this one. Reid and Lou are amazing!! This actually reminds me that I own Blood & Honey the sequel and should go read that…

 

Ok wow, did NOT mean to make this list this long…but what can I say I read some FIRE books this year and looking back there was some I just could not not include you know??

(also Honorable Mention to Angry God by LJ Shen, From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout, and Sweet Retribution by Siobhan Davis!!) 

Thats all for now reading bears!! What were some of your reading highlights from 2020? Are you just as excited for the New Year as I am? Read any of the books above? Lmk in the comments below!

– BubblyBooks