Series: Cavendish, #1
Published by Avon Publication Date: February 23rd 2016
Pages: 384
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In the first novel of Maya Rodale's stunning new series, an American heiress must learn to navigate London society and an infuriatingly irresistible rake . . .
Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman: wealthy, titled, impossibly proper, and horrified that a pack of Americans has inherited one of England's most respected dukedoms. But his manners, his infamous self-restraint, and his better judgment fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.
Lady Bridget Cavendish has grandβbut thwartedβplans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm. In her diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate into London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her disdain for the Dreadful Lord Darcy, and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.
It was loathing at first sight for Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy. But their paths keep crossing . . . and somehow involve kissing. When Lady Bridget's diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget must decide what matters most of allβa sterling reputation or a perfectly imperfect love.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Maya Rodale book and this one reminded me why I need to read them more often. I loved Darcy and Bridget and their unlikely romance.
Maya Rodale puts her spin on Pride and Prejudice with LADY BRIDGET’S DIARY. Β I loved Darcy and Bridget and their unlikely romance. Β Bridget, an American who’s brother has recently inherited a dukedom and Darcy, an uppity Earl who looks down his nose at the Americans, have an unlikely romance. Β The bluntness of Bridget and the high and mightiness of Darcy play well off each other. Β For as much as Darcy criticized Bridget and her family,
The bluntness of Bridget and the high and mightiness of Darcy play well off each other. Β For as much as Darcy criticized Bridget and her family, heΒ tended to come to her defense and found himself seeking out her company…even when his brother declares his intentions towards her.
This was a fun read. Β The verbal sparring between Bridget and Darcy and Β the conversations between the Cavendish siblings made this book enjoyable. Β By the time I got to the end of the book, I had a smile on my face and can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Prologue
Oceans crossed: 1
Sisters who plagued me the entire journey: 2
Brothers who suddenly became a duke: 1
Fearsome duchesses: 1
Lady Bridgetβs Diary
London, 1824
Durham Residence
The Ballroom
One would think that having oneβs brother inherit a dukedom was a stroke of good fortune that would transform their lives from ho-hum to utterly fantastic. One would think that until one was on a reducing diet, stuffed into a tightly laced corset, and forced to practice walking backward.
βOnce again, Lady Bridget,β the duchess said crisply.
She was Lady Bridget Cavendish now. Before she had just been Bridget Cavendish of Duncraven farm in Maryland. But then a letter had arrived one day, with the unexpected news that James was now a duke and they were all to leave everything behind and travel to England, immediately.
βYes Lady Bridget, once more please,β Amelia said with a smirk.
βDo shut up, Amelia,β Bridget said, under her breath. Younger sisters were quite annoying, on any continent.
βItβs βDo shut up, Lady Amelia,ββ Claire, the oldest sister, corrected. She found all the formality as ridiculous as the rest of their family, much to the despair of the duchess.
Somewhere about the massive houseβprobably in the stables, even though the duchess made it perfectly clear dukes were above mucking about in the stablesβwas her brother, James. Or, as he was now to be known, His Grace, the Duke of Durham. Dukes had many responsibilities, it seemed, but walking backward in a gown with an excessively long train was not one of them.
Before her, with sharp blue eyes and perfectly coiffed blond hair, was Josephine Marie Elizabeth Cavendish, Her Grace, the Duchess of Durham, widow of the previous duke, and aunt to the Cavendish siblings.
One did not call her Josie. Amelia had asked.
βRemind me why we are learning to do something as ridiculous as walk backward?β Claire asked. From a young age, she had spent her free hours devoted to the study of mathematics, otherwise known as Important Work. Bridgetβs head ached just to think about it.
βIt is for your presentation at court,β the duchess replied. βWhich is necessary before your debut in society, which you must do in order to find a husband, which a lady must do, lest she become an impoverished spinster.β
βWhat if we do not wish for a husband?β Amelia asked.
βWhat a silly question,β the duchess replied. βLady Bridget, once again.β
At the duchessβs request, Bridget sank into a curtsy. They had practiced this extensively on Tuesday afternoon. Then, with as much grace as she could muster, Bridget rose and began to elegantly glide backward. Or so she tried; feats of grace did not come easily to her (a point upon which their dancing instructor would absolutely agree). Nothing about being a True Lady did. Bridget had daydreamt through lessons on the order of precedence amongst members of the haute ton, how to properly pour a cup of tea, and all the other lessons on etiquette and deportment they endured morning, noon, and night.
βNow Lady Amelia, it is your turn.β
While the duchessβs attention was focused on her sisters, Bridget took advantage of her distraction to continue walking backward until she had crossed the length of the ballroom, then she continued through the large double doors and halfway down the corridor, at which point she turned, lifted her skirts, and proceeded to the kitchens. Reducing diet, deportment lessons, and True Lady-ness be damned.
Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her motherβs insistence and it wasnβt long before she was writing her own. Maya is now the author of multiple Regency historical romances. She lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.
Shannon
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I loved this book and went back and bought more of her titles. Thank you for hosting and reviewing LADY BRIDGET’S DIARY today!