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Rokesbys #4
First Comes Scandal
She was given two choices...
Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage. She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.
Enter Option #3
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time -- or interest -- to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton -- his literal girl-next-door -- is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
A Marriage of Convenience
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends... or could they?
But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love...
Georgiana Bridgerton isn't against the idea of marriage. She'd just thought she'd have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she's abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.
Enter Option #3
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he's close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time -- or interest -- to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton -- his literal girl-next-door -- is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
A Marriage of Convenience
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she'd say no. Georgie doesn't want to be anyone's sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends... or could they?
But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 31, 2020
About the author
Julia Quinn
139 books43k followers#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.
The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,086 reviews
May 3, 2021
Get the audiobook for this one just so you can hear the deranged cat noises. No seriously, the person who narrated the cat needs an award for most hilarious and yet accurate rendition of a pissed off cat.
The book plot itself is a little sparse. But I am still cracking up over that cat.
The book plot itself is a little sparse. But I am still cracking up over that cat.
April 21, 2022
There's this scene with Georgiana's cats.
All of them are trapped in baskets for a long carriage ride to their new home, and one of the scraggly bastards is making life miserable for everyone involved.
It makes listening to the audiobook 100% worth it.
Swear to god, Rosalyn Landor had me crying. She does the yowling, highly indignant cat to absolute perfection. In fact, she pretty much does every character in Julia Quinn's books to perfection. I honestly don't think I'd find her books half as funny without Landor reading them to me.
As for the rest of the story? It's cute.
Georgiana is compromised in the eyes of society through no fault of her own, having been 'kidnapped' and taken for a carriage ride by a fortune hunter. Her old family friend and neighbor, Nicholas, gets pressured into asking her to marry him to avoid her ruination, and she's out of options and has to say, yes. Well, sort of. Quinn does a decent job making that weird situation palatable.
He's studying to be a doctor and she is an intelligent young woman who would love to have the chance to travel and work in that field, as well.
Anyway. Like I said, it's cute and (due to the cats) one of the funnier and more memorable of Quinn's stories. <--for me
All of them are trapped in baskets for a long carriage ride to their new home, and one of the scraggly bastards is making life miserable for everyone involved.
It makes listening to the audiobook 100% worth it.
Swear to god, Rosalyn Landor had me crying. She does the yowling, highly indignant cat to absolute perfection. In fact, she pretty much does every character in Julia Quinn's books to perfection. I honestly don't think I'd find her books half as funny without Landor reading them to me.
As for the rest of the story? It's cute.
Georgiana is compromised in the eyes of society through no fault of her own, having been 'kidnapped' and taken for a carriage ride by a fortune hunter. Her old family friend and neighbor, Nicholas, gets pressured into asking her to marry him to avoid her ruination, and she's out of options and has to say, yes. Well, sort of. Quinn does a decent job making that weird situation palatable.
He's studying to be a doctor and she is an intelligent young woman who would love to have the chance to travel and work in that field, as well.
Anyway. Like I said, it's cute and (due to the cats) one of the funnier and more memorable of Quinn's stories. <--for me
May 30, 2020
I am struggling a little with how to come at this review. There were things I liked about this book. But in many ways it also left me wanting.
I enjoy Julia Quinn and absolutely adored the first book in this series. This is another Bridgerton prequel and it centers on Georgina and Nicolas Rokesby. These two were old family friends thrown together in marriage after Georgina was ruined.
Things started out well enough. I liked both characters. In fact, I continued to like them both throughout the book. Nicholas is a relatively serious guy who really only wants to be a doctor and despite his shock at his father's request to marry Georgina, he really takes it pretty well. And did I mention he’s a virgin?? Georgina, meanwhile, is looking to find her own place after a childhood plagued by illness and a well meaning family. Her ruination was in no way her fault... and though she doesn’t want to marry out of pity, she will never get a better offer than the one she got from Nicholas.
All of this is fine and they move into the marriage pretty easily. I kept waiting for the conflict. And waited some more. But there was none. And maybe that is a plus for someone looking for a really low angst romance. But for me it was kind of a letdown. Everything just flowed so long and it all works out so easily. No... It’s not that it works out… There is nothing to work out. It all just happens.
That’s not to say there were not a few cute diversions along the way. I loved the carriage ride and the cats. There’s some good banter too. But the ending felt terribly rushed. Maybe because I felt it was missing the second act— Missing something vital that never materialized. At least, it was missing something vital for me.
Your mileage may vary. It’s not a bad book, not at all. But it is not my favorite from this author.
*ARC provided by publisher
I enjoy Julia Quinn and absolutely adored the first book in this series. This is another Bridgerton prequel and it centers on Georgina and Nicolas Rokesby. These two were old family friends thrown together in marriage after Georgina was ruined.
Things started out well enough. I liked both characters. In fact, I continued to like them both throughout the book. Nicholas is a relatively serious guy who really only wants to be a doctor and despite his shock at his father's request to marry Georgina, he really takes it pretty well. And did I mention he’s a virgin?? Georgina, meanwhile, is looking to find her own place after a childhood plagued by illness and a well meaning family. Her ruination was in no way her fault... and though she doesn’t want to marry out of pity, she will never get a better offer than the one she got from Nicholas.
All of this is fine and they move into the marriage pretty easily. I kept waiting for the conflict. And waited some more. But there was none. And maybe that is a plus for someone looking for a really low angst romance. But for me it was kind of a letdown. Everything just flowed so long and it all works out so easily. No... It’s not that it works out… There is nothing to work out. It all just happens.
That’s not to say there were not a few cute diversions along the way. I loved the carriage ride and the cats. There’s some good banter too. But the ending felt terribly rushed. Maybe because I felt it was missing the second act— Missing something vital that never materialized. At least, it was missing something vital for me.
Your mileage may vary. It’s not a bad book, not at all. But it is not my favorite from this author.
*ARC provided by publisher
January 4, 2021
HISTORICAL ROMANCE FINALLY HAS A SUPPORTIVE MALE LEAD 🙏
Honestly, this is such a rare thing to find in HR (in my experience at least) and it really shouldn't be. A man who is supportive of his woman, who doesn't dismiss her or ask her to give up her dreams. Sure, often the guy becomes that. But not Nicholas. Nicholas was like that from the start. And that won me over.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Nicholas: Nicholas was so adorable. I liked how he genuinely wanted to help others. And I especially loved how supportive he was of Georgiana. He talked to her as an equal. Didn't try to belittle her or question her curiosity. He enabled her curiosity and pushed her further. It was so great to read a hero like that.
Banter: Nicholas and Georgiana had so much great banter! I actually laughed out loud at some of it, it was so great. It was a big part of their relationship and I really liked it.
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Honestly, this is such a rare thing to find in HR (in my experience at least) and it really shouldn't be. A man who is supportive of his woman, who doesn't dismiss her or ask her to give up her dreams. Sure, often the guy becomes that. But not Nicholas. Nicholas was like that from the start. And that won me over.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Nicholas: Nicholas was so adorable. I liked how he genuinely wanted to help others. And I especially loved how supportive he was of Georgiana. He talked to her as an equal. Didn't try to belittle her or question her curiosity. He enabled her curiosity and pushed her further. It was so great to read a hero like that.
Banter: Nicholas and Georgiana had so much great banter! I actually laughed out loud at some of it, it was so great. It was a big part of their relationship and I really liked it.
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March 14, 2024
This book might tie for first place as my favorite Julia Quinn novel. It was an absolute delight to read! Both main characters were immensely likable, their conversation and banter flowed very well. The tension and feelings between them felt natural, and delicious. There were cats! In carriages! I stayed up way past my bedtime reading it, and immediately wanted to turn around and start it again.
Julia Quinn knocks it out of the park again!
Julia Quinn knocks it out of the park again!
April 4, 2022
He looked at her. At her face, which was so familiar to him. Or rather, it had been familiar. Somehow it had become new. Her eyes were the same, blue, merry, but not quite as bright as his own. Her nose—it was the same nose she’d always had. Same for her lips, and her hair, and every little thing about her, except … She was new. He was new. They had just begun. “I love you,” he said. Her eyes went wide. “What?”“I love you.” He brought her gloved hand to his lips. “I just thought you should know.” Nicholas Rokesby is quite content with his life in Edinburgh. He is all set to pursue a career in medicine and with his studies almost at its completion, he has no interest in taking a wife any time soon. But when his father, The earl of Manston, sent a missive requesting his immediate presence, he had no choice but to put his studies on pause and go home. The reason for his father’s summon? His literal girl next door, Georgiana Bridgerton, is ruined in the eyes of society after someone abducted her for her dowry. Her only choice is either to remain a spinster or marry the man who kidnapped her…and the latter option doesn’t sound very appealing. Nicholas knows that he must ask for Georgiana’s hand in marriage to save her reputation…If only she weren’t so against the idea of marriage to him. But, as they begin their unconventional romance, the two will realize that, after the scandal, comes marriage, and then, possibly, just maybe, love…
First Comes Scandal is the fourth and last installment in Julia Quinn’s historical romance series, Rokesbys. This book tells the love story of Nicholas Rokesby and Georgiana Bridgerton. To be honest, I had no plans to read this one. I was okay with it being left unread because I’ve read book three last august and it’s been a while. But, I’ve been in a Bridgerton mood lately and I remembered I didn’t really finish this one so I finally decided to just pick it up and be done. I actually have no regrets! This is one of the few series I’ve read in order and finished.
Georgiana Bridgerton is our heroine. Georgie is the last unmarried Bridgerton sibling. As a child, she had always been sickly and due to this she was treated with utmost care. As a Bridgerton, of course her life is good. But her reputation is ruined when one of her suitors, Freddie Oakes, abducted her because of her considerable dowry. She does not want to marry the man who ruined her, and no one wants her to. Anyway, I wasn’t crazy about this heroine but I didn’t dislike her either! She was so-so. She can be a bit annoying at times but I think most of the time she was cute and cheeky. I think her interest in medicine is a nice but sad addition to her character because of course women could not pursue their academic interests during that time. I have nothing much to say. She does not really stand out from the rest of HR heroines but she wasn’t unbearable either so one can definitely sit through the book.
Nicholas is our hero. Now, I believe this is the man who made this book so much more enjoyable for me. I love this man. As a fourth son of an earl, he won’t inherit estates and responsibilities so of course he would have to work for a living. There is something attractive about a man who works and doesn’t just depend on his parents for income. Also, he’s an 18th century doctor. I don’t know about you but that’s pretty attractive to me! He was honorable and just an overall good person. Very different from the usual HR heroes we have. He’s just nice. Not a bad family life. Nothing. To be honest, I was worried that he would bore me but I am pleasantly surprised at how he managed to make me fall in love with his character when he should, by all means, be boring me to tears. A supportive and thoughtful hero who is not afraid of his own feelings. It was refreshing! I loved how he took care of Georgiana. Also I liked how he was a virgin. It’s a nice change from all the usual rakish heroes that get tiring after a while. And the reason why he hasn’t slept with anyone is very valid and logical too. Who doesn’t like an intelligent man? Anyway, all I know is that I loved this hero who managed to make me giddy no matter how boring the book is. He has such a big lover (Taylor Swift's song) energy and I love it!
The book itself was bland. This had no angst at all. It is just the story of two people who have been friends since they were young and now they have this opportunity to see each other in a new light. I prefer books with angst to keep me at the edge of my seat and shed a tear or two so I wasn’t sure at first at how this book would work for me because I’ve seen reviews saying there was no angst at all. But surprisingly, it kind of worked? The story wasn’t compelling but I really liked the hero so that’s what made me keep on reading. The problem with the book is that…there was no problem. If there had been some kind of conflict between the two it would have been so much more interesting. Anyway, this book was somehow tedious at points and that’s because the relationship is perfectly healthy and it may be boring but I kind of appreciated it. Just two people falling in love, no big conflict, just a warm and cozy romance that would be good for readers looking for something lighter after reading heavier books.
I enjoyed reading the Violet, Edmund and the Bridgerton brothers' younger version scenes. I just have so much love for the Bridgerton family honestly. Although the book lacked an actual plot to keep things interesting, there were moments when it managed to make me laugh, feel giddy and fall in love with the hero. A book this boring shouldn’t be enjoyable! But it kind of was, thanks to the main characters. Compared to other Julia Quinn books, this is definitely less fun but I somehow still liked it better than book 1 and 3 in the series. My favorite Rokesby is still Edward from book 2 but he is closely followed by Nicholas of course! Overall, this one was bland but still quite delightful with a cute childhood friends to lovers trope.
Some quotes:
“She beamed, and for a moment Nicholas stopped breathing. It was the dead of night, pitch black save for the lantern and the moon. And her smile. When Georgiana Bridgerton smiled like that, he wanted to reach into the sky and grab down the sun, just to hand it to her on a platter. If only to prove that it did not compare.”
“Well, then, Miss Bridgerton,”he said. “I suppose I will ask you again.”Her breath caught. It wasn’t a surprise. She’d known he would renew his offer; he was too honorable a man to refuse her. But she had not anticipated just how anxious she would feel, regardless. He took her hand. He had not done that the first time around. “Georgiana Bridgerton,”he said, “will you marry me?” (THIS IS THE MOMENT I FELL IN LOVE WITH NICHOLAS!)
“There was nothing romantic about the moment, nothing to make his breath catch or heart leap or any of that nonsense. Until she smiled. His breath caught. His heart leapt. And he felt all the nonsense.”
“He couldn’t believe he had waited so long to try this. Except he could. Because it would never have been like this with another woman. It was Georgie. There was only Georgie.”
“Everything about you makes sense,” she said. “That’s hardly true.”“Everything about us makes sense.” She was on to something with that. “Georgie?” he said. She looked at him. “I love you.” She grinned. “And I love you.”“Too?”“Always.” He smiled. That would work.
First Comes Scandal is the fourth and last installment in Julia Quinn’s historical romance series, Rokesbys. This book tells the love story of Nicholas Rokesby and Georgiana Bridgerton. To be honest, I had no plans to read this one. I was okay with it being left unread because I’ve read book three last august and it’s been a while. But, I’ve been in a Bridgerton mood lately and I remembered I didn’t really finish this one so I finally decided to just pick it up and be done. I actually have no regrets! This is one of the few series I’ve read in order and finished.
Georgiana Bridgerton is our heroine. Georgie is the last unmarried Bridgerton sibling. As a child, she had always been sickly and due to this she was treated with utmost care. As a Bridgerton, of course her life is good. But her reputation is ruined when one of her suitors, Freddie Oakes, abducted her because of her considerable dowry. She does not want to marry the man who ruined her, and no one wants her to. Anyway, I wasn’t crazy about this heroine but I didn’t dislike her either! She was so-so. She can be a bit annoying at times but I think most of the time she was cute and cheeky. I think her interest in medicine is a nice but sad addition to her character because of course women could not pursue their academic interests during that time. I have nothing much to say. She does not really stand out from the rest of HR heroines but she wasn’t unbearable either so one can definitely sit through the book.
Nicholas is our hero. Now, I believe this is the man who made this book so much more enjoyable for me. I love this man. As a fourth son of an earl, he won’t inherit estates and responsibilities so of course he would have to work for a living. There is something attractive about a man who works and doesn’t just depend on his parents for income. Also, he’s an 18th century doctor. I don’t know about you but that’s pretty attractive to me! He was honorable and just an overall good person. Very different from the usual HR heroes we have. He’s just nice. Not a bad family life. Nothing. To be honest, I was worried that he would bore me but I am pleasantly surprised at how he managed to make me fall in love with his character when he should, by all means, be boring me to tears. A supportive and thoughtful hero who is not afraid of his own feelings. It was refreshing! I loved how he took care of Georgiana. Also I liked how he was a virgin. It’s a nice change from all the usual rakish heroes that get tiring after a while. And the reason why he hasn’t slept with anyone is very valid and logical too. Who doesn’t like an intelligent man? Anyway, all I know is that I loved this hero who managed to make me giddy no matter how boring the book is. He has such a big lover (Taylor Swift's song) energy and I love it!
The book itself was bland. This had no angst at all. It is just the story of two people who have been friends since they were young and now they have this opportunity to see each other in a new light. I prefer books with angst to keep me at the edge of my seat and shed a tear or two so I wasn’t sure at first at how this book would work for me because I’ve seen reviews saying there was no angst at all. But surprisingly, it kind of worked? The story wasn’t compelling but I really liked the hero so that’s what made me keep on reading. The problem with the book is that…there was no problem. If there had been some kind of conflict between the two it would have been so much more interesting. Anyway, this book was somehow tedious at points and that’s because the relationship is perfectly healthy and it may be boring but I kind of appreciated it. Just two people falling in love, no big conflict, just a warm and cozy romance that would be good for readers looking for something lighter after reading heavier books.
I enjoyed reading the Violet, Edmund and the Bridgerton brothers' younger version scenes. I just have so much love for the Bridgerton family honestly. Although the book lacked an actual plot to keep things interesting, there were moments when it managed to make me laugh, feel giddy and fall in love with the hero. A book this boring shouldn’t be enjoyable! But it kind of was, thanks to the main characters. Compared to other Julia Quinn books, this is definitely less fun but I somehow still liked it better than book 1 and 3 in the series. My favorite Rokesby is still Edward from book 2 but he is closely followed by Nicholas of course! Overall, this one was bland but still quite delightful with a cute childhood friends to lovers trope.
Some quotes:
“She beamed, and for a moment Nicholas stopped breathing. It was the dead of night, pitch black save for the lantern and the moon. And her smile. When Georgiana Bridgerton smiled like that, he wanted to reach into the sky and grab down the sun, just to hand it to her on a platter. If only to prove that it did not compare.”
“Well, then, Miss Bridgerton,”he said. “I suppose I will ask you again.”Her breath caught. It wasn’t a surprise. She’d known he would renew his offer; he was too honorable a man to refuse her. But she had not anticipated just how anxious she would feel, regardless. He took her hand. He had not done that the first time around. “Georgiana Bridgerton,”he said, “will you marry me?” (THIS IS THE MOMENT I FELL IN LOVE WITH NICHOLAS!)
“There was nothing romantic about the moment, nothing to make his breath catch or heart leap or any of that nonsense. Until she smiled. His breath caught. His heart leapt. And he felt all the nonsense.”
“He couldn’t believe he had waited so long to try this. Except he could. Because it would never have been like this with another woman. It was Georgie. There was only Georgie.”
“Everything about you makes sense,” she said. “That’s hardly true.”“Everything about us makes sense.” She was on to something with that. “Georgie?” he said. She looked at him. “I love you.” She grinned. “And I love you.”“Too?”“Always.” He smiled. That would work.
September 17, 2020
1.5 stars rounded up, because, well. Nostalgia? It IS Julia Quinn, after all. But I am severely disappointed by this whole series.
I think my feelings about this book can easily summed up in one word- lackluster. I was mostly bored, never invested, and I don't think I even smiled. Which makes me wonder, have my tastes changed that dramatically, or has JQ's writing changed? Because I loved the first book in this series, but then it just went downhill for me, book by book.
Things that didn't work for me:
1) The structure
Basically, my biggest complaint is that everything interesting happened off-page. The book starts with Georgie Bridgerton already ruined, and Nicholas Rokesby going home from Scotland after being summoned to Kent by his father. Rokesby senior then informs him that he should marry Georgie, who is after all his godchild and one of Nicholas' oldest friends. Nicholas and Georgie talk about this. Get married off page. Travel back to Scotland together. Fast forward a few week, and they're in love. And that. Was. It. Seriously.
There also too much time spent on things that didn't interest me and I didn't find funny (cat humor, hammock-building (please don't ask), various medical emergencies that they just happen to stumble over, to name a few). There wasn't enough time spent on forging a connection, and going from kind-of-friends to more for me, they basically didn't spent enough time together talking about real things for me to believe their love.
2) Internal monologue
Because all the good things happen off-page, a lot of time was spent on the characters being in their own head, going over things that happened, analyzing things that happened off-page, and there was very little dialogue. This let to me not being invested in the characters, because I didn't feel like I ever knew them. I didn't feel their connection, and so I didn't believe they went from friends to more.
I also had a very big problem with Nicholas, who sounded so nice and sweet in his head, but would always say exactly the wrong things, or nothing at all, out loud. Case in point, after the disastrous proposal:
"I'm a grown man." She scoffed. "Some grown man. Your father sent for you and you came trotting down like a good little boy." "Stop it," he snapped. "Don't pretend any of this is your idea. You are doing nothing but your father's bidding." "I am doing you a favor!" Georgie gasped. "I didn't mean it that way."
3) The parents
I don't know what happened to the lovely, close-knit families of the previous books, but they were mostly absent here. Rokesby Sr. summons his son and announces his plan without speaking to anyone about it, the Bridgerton parents just stay out of it and wait what happens, and then both talk over their children's heads once they have decided to get married and dictate where and how they should live without consulting them. It was nothing like the sweet bickering and constant love and support I am used to from them.
All in all, I am disappointed. I thought I would like this, because at least the drama I loathed in the previous two books was absent, but. I just wasn't invested in the characters, I don't feel like I know them, and in the end, I just didn't care.
This breaks my heart a little, because Julia Quinn has written some of my all time favorite books. I may need to re-read some of my favorites now to get over this disappointment :(
This was a buddy-read, and here's
Kyraker's review
Heike's review.
I think my feelings about this book can easily summed up in one word- lackluster. I was mostly bored, never invested, and I don't think I even smiled. Which makes me wonder, have my tastes changed that dramatically, or has JQ's writing changed? Because I loved the first book in this series, but then it just went downhill for me, book by book.
Things that didn't work for me:
1) The structure
Basically, my biggest complaint is that everything interesting happened off-page. The book starts with Georgie Bridgerton already ruined, and Nicholas Rokesby going home from Scotland after being summoned to Kent by his father. Rokesby senior then informs him that he should marry Georgie, who is after all his godchild and one of Nicholas' oldest friends. Nicholas and Georgie talk about this. Get married off page. Travel back to Scotland together. Fast forward a few week, and they're in love. And that. Was. It. Seriously.
There also too much time spent on things that didn't interest me and I didn't find funny (cat humor, hammock-building (please don't ask), various medical emergencies that they just happen to stumble over, to name a few). There wasn't enough time spent on forging a connection, and going from kind-of-friends to more for me, they basically didn't spent enough time together talking about real things for me to believe their love.
2) Internal monologue
Because all the good things happen off-page, a lot of time was spent on the characters being in their own head, going over things that happened, analyzing things that happened off-page, and there was very little dialogue. This let to me not being invested in the characters, because I didn't feel like I ever knew them. I didn't feel their connection, and so I didn't believe they went from friends to more.
I also had a very big problem with Nicholas, who sounded so nice and sweet in his head, but would always say exactly the wrong things, or nothing at all, out loud. Case in point, after the disastrous proposal:
"I'm a grown man." She scoffed. "Some grown man. Your father sent for you and you came trotting down like a good little boy." "Stop it," he snapped. "Don't pretend any of this is your idea. You are doing nothing but your father's bidding." "I am doing you a favor!" Georgie gasped. "I didn't mean it that way."
3) The parents
I don't know what happened to the lovely, close-knit families of the previous books, but they were mostly absent here. Rokesby Sr. summons his son and announces his plan without speaking to anyone about it, the Bridgerton parents just stay out of it and wait what happens, and then both talk over their children's heads once they have decided to get married and dictate where and how they should live without consulting them. It was nothing like the sweet bickering and constant love and support I am used to from them.
All in all, I am disappointed. I thought I would like this, because at least the drama I loathed in the previous two books was absent, but. I just wasn't invested in the characters, I don't feel like I know them, and in the end, I just didn't care.
This breaks my heart a little, because Julia Quinn has written some of my all time favorite books. I may need to re-read some of my favorites now to get over this disappointment :(
This was a buddy-read, and here's
Kyraker's review
Heike's review.
March 9, 2020
Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series contains some of my all-time favorite historical romances, so when she started writing these prequel books I was completely on board. First Comes Scandal is the fourth book in Rokesby series, pairing Georgiana Bridgerton with Nicholas Rokesby. Georgie's reputation is ruined from a foiled elopement, and Nicholas is summoned from Edinburgh to deal with the situation.
The good: All the characters are very likable. Nicholas is training for a career. Georgie is so bright. Everyone banters in a good, intelligent manner. 10/10 on the banter front. Do you like cameos of little Bridgertons? We're up to C in this book, so you get scenes with Anthony, Benedict, and Colin.
The bad: I felt like there were chunks missing from this book. I just felt like there were plot points I would have liked to see addressed, that were instead completely glossed over. The ending in particular felt so abrupt.
For a friends to lovers story, there wasn't much development to either of those? We only know they're friends because JQ tells us so; they only interact once before Nicholas proposes. The travel section seemed designed to merely prolong the consummation of their wedding night, but they're immediately good and have no problems there. I think I would have preferred something where Nicholas proposed solely out of friendship, and only realizes that he wanted a more romantic relationship after some character development and plot progression.
There were also some weird sections where I felt like JQ had not done sufficient research. Nicholas is in medical school, training to be Dr. Rokesby, but it's the 18th century--I am an avid reader of Patrick O'Brian, so I'm pretty sure that he would have been called a physician. When the man runs into the inn shouting "Is there a doctor in the house?" my eye started twitching. He would have called for a physician, or even a surgeon, but a doctor??
Likewise, in Chapter 17, Georgie has an internal monologue complaining about corsets. First of all, it's the 18th century, and she would have been talking about stays: the Online Etymology Dictionary says that corset meaning "stiff supporting and constricting undergarment for the waist, worn chiefly by women to shape the figure" is from 1795. Second of all, stays did not severely restrict your movement! Prior Attire on YouTube has a lot of videos about how historic women dressed, and stays were designed to be supportive, not restrictive. If you have difficulty breathing while wearing them, you're not wearing them right!
In short: good characters, good dialogue, but the book as a whole felt rushed and incomplete.
The good: All the characters are very likable. Nicholas is training for a career. Georgie is so bright. Everyone banters in a good, intelligent manner. 10/10 on the banter front. Do you like cameos of little Bridgertons? We're up to C in this book, so you get scenes with Anthony, Benedict, and Colin.
The bad: I felt like there were chunks missing from this book. I just felt like there were plot points I would have liked to see addressed, that were instead completely glossed over. The ending in particular felt so abrupt.
For a friends to lovers story, there wasn't much development to either of those? We only know they're friends because JQ tells us so; they only interact once before Nicholas proposes. The travel section seemed designed to merely prolong the consummation of their wedding night, but they're immediately good and have no problems there. I think I would have preferred something where Nicholas proposed solely out of friendship, and only realizes that he wanted a more romantic relationship after some character development and plot progression.
There were also some weird sections where I felt like JQ had not done sufficient research. Nicholas is in medical school, training to be Dr. Rokesby, but it's the 18th century--I am an avid reader of Patrick O'Brian, so I'm pretty sure that he would have been called a physician. When the man runs into the inn shouting "Is there a doctor in the house?" my eye started twitching. He would have called for a physician, or even a surgeon, but a doctor??
Likewise, in Chapter 17, Georgie has an internal monologue complaining about corsets. First of all, it's the 18th century, and she would have been talking about stays: the Online Etymology Dictionary says that corset meaning "stiff supporting and constricting undergarment for the waist, worn chiefly by women to shape the figure" is from 1795. Second of all, stays did not severely restrict your movement! Prior Attire on YouTube has a lot of videos about how historic women dressed, and stays were designed to be supportive, not restrictive. If you have difficulty breathing while wearing them, you're not wearing them right!
In short: good characters, good dialogue, but the book as a whole felt rushed and incomplete.
November 11, 2020
On Kindle sale today 11th Nov 2020 for USD 2.99
(Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience)
It's Julia Quinn - what's not to like? It's charming, funny and easy to read. I read it in less than a day.
Buuuuuut, that said, while I enjoyed myself, I wasn't blown away. I found the characters young and incomplete - so a bit dull at times. While the banter entertained as always, the romance lacked.
Also, it was probably the least sexy book of JQ I have ever read.
(Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience)
It's Julia Quinn - what's not to like? It's charming, funny and easy to read. I read it in less than a day.
Buuuuuut, that said, while I enjoyed myself, I wasn't blown away. I found the characters young and incomplete - so a bit dull at times. While the banter entertained as always, the romance lacked.
Also, it was probably the least sexy book of JQ I have ever read.
May 10, 2020
1.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Georgiana was kidnapped by a fortune hunter but even though she managed to save herself, her reputation is in tatters.
Nicholas is called down from medical school in Edinburgh by his father who orders him to marry their neighbor and Nicholas' childhood friend, Georgiana.
It's a marriage of convenience but a close quarters carriage ride with a grumpy cat might turn it into a marriage of love.
“There is only one thing to be done,” his father said. “You must marry her.”
First Comes a Scandal is fourth in the Rokebys series but I think you could jump into the series here, it would probably be even better to read the Bridgerton series before this. Rokebys is a prequel to Briderstons and heroes from the first couple books in the Bridgerton series make an almost center stage showing in this. As much as I enjoyed seeing the heroes as little kids, it was too much. Instead of focusing on the leads of this story, the little Bridgertons got too much of the spotlight; it started to feel like a cheap trick to get readers to like this book, trading on the Bridgerton love. If you haven't read the Bridgerton series, you'd probably be bored and think a good chunk of the first half was filler.
“She doesn’t need your time. She needs your name.”
I'm a sucker for little sister/big brother's friend trope but this was a little different with neither having a hidden or long standing crush on the other and we don't get much of Nicholas and Edmund (Georigana's brother) friendship. Not getting much, unfortunately, was a problem I had for the majority of the story. I had a problem with feeling Nicholas and Georgiana were strangers, to me and to each other. It wasn't until after the 50% mark that our two get married and then it is a carriage ride to Edinburgh. However, instead of scenes of these two bonding and dialogue to provide emotional and relationship building blocks, we get pointless cat drama, medical dramas needing Nicholas, and the story just seemed to want to focus on everything but Nicholas and Georgiana.
He’d been married a day and he’d barely even kissed her. He was going to have to do something about that.
The sentence structure had a tendency to veer to shorter and this made a good amount feel choppy but even though I didn't feel engaged with the story or characters, the pace did ping pong through pretty quickly. There was also a couple times where Nicholas or Georgiana expressed themselves a certain way that felt too casual of verbiage, not creating the historical feel I tend to look for when reading this sub-genre. This was also set in the late 1700s and besides some talk of hoop skirts to visit the Queen, it was indistinguishable from Regency set romances.
She liked being near him. She liked his quiet strength, his sense of purpose. And when his hands had been on her hips, even just to help her down from the saddle, she’d liked the way it had made her feel like she was his.
Georgiana and Nicholas felt like strangers to me and therefore, I wasn't invested or felt any emotional attachment to the conclusion of their romance. If you like some slapstick humor, there were a couple scenes when they take their carriage ride that might help drawn you into the story more than I. There were couple moments where I felt a hint of the chemistry between Georgiana and Nicholas but they were so buried in the numerous insignificant scenes the author decided to add, that it couldn't save the story for me. I went into this anticipating more of a focus on exploring their marriage of convenience and instead got a grumpy cat in a hammock.
I buddy read this, for more quotes and comments while I read: First Comes Scandal buddy read
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Georgiana was kidnapped by a fortune hunter but even though she managed to save herself, her reputation is in tatters.
Nicholas is called down from medical school in Edinburgh by his father who orders him to marry their neighbor and Nicholas' childhood friend, Georgiana.
It's a marriage of convenience but a close quarters carriage ride with a grumpy cat might turn it into a marriage of love.
“There is only one thing to be done,” his father said. “You must marry her.”
First Comes a Scandal is fourth in the Rokebys series but I think you could jump into the series here, it would probably be even better to read the Bridgerton series before this. Rokebys is a prequel to Briderstons and heroes from the first couple books in the Bridgerton series make an almost center stage showing in this. As much as I enjoyed seeing the heroes as little kids, it was too much. Instead of focusing on the leads of this story, the little Bridgertons got too much of the spotlight; it started to feel like a cheap trick to get readers to like this book, trading on the Bridgerton love. If you haven't read the Bridgerton series, you'd probably be bored and think a good chunk of the first half was filler.
“She doesn’t need your time. She needs your name.”
I'm a sucker for little sister/big brother's friend trope but this was a little different with neither having a hidden or long standing crush on the other and we don't get much of Nicholas and Edmund (Georigana's brother) friendship. Not getting much, unfortunately, was a problem I had for the majority of the story. I had a problem with feeling Nicholas and Georgiana were strangers, to me and to each other. It wasn't until after the 50% mark that our two get married and then it is a carriage ride to Edinburgh. However, instead of scenes of these two bonding and dialogue to provide emotional and relationship building blocks, we get pointless cat drama, medical dramas needing Nicholas, and the story just seemed to want to focus on everything but Nicholas and Georgiana.
He’d been married a day and he’d barely even kissed her. He was going to have to do something about that.
The sentence structure had a tendency to veer to shorter and this made a good amount feel choppy but even though I didn't feel engaged with the story or characters, the pace did ping pong through pretty quickly. There was also a couple times where Nicholas or Georgiana expressed themselves a certain way that felt too casual of verbiage, not creating the historical feel I tend to look for when reading this sub-genre. This was also set in the late 1700s and besides some talk of hoop skirts to visit the Queen, it was indistinguishable from Regency set romances.
She liked being near him. She liked his quiet strength, his sense of purpose. And when his hands had been on her hips, even just to help her down from the saddle, she’d liked the way it had made her feel like she was his.
Georgiana and Nicholas felt like strangers to me and therefore, I wasn't invested or felt any emotional attachment to the conclusion of their romance. If you like some slapstick humor, there were a couple scenes when they take their carriage ride that might help drawn you into the story more than I. There were couple moments where I felt a hint of the chemistry between Georgiana and Nicholas but they were so buried in the numerous insignificant scenes the author decided to add, that it couldn't save the story for me. I went into this anticipating more of a focus on exploring their marriage of convenience and instead got a grumpy cat in a hammock.
I buddy read this, for more quotes and comments while I read: First Comes Scandal buddy read
May 22, 2024
August 2022 : i don't have better words than those i wrote in april 20. i love georgie and nicholas, they have such brilliant banter (all the carriage scenes are simply hilarious, although credit must be given to cat-head for being the funniest side character). their generosity and tenderness towards each other are perfectly written as well and bring the romance to the level of perfection.
April 20: A DELIGHT! so easy to read, it makes you smile and grin... it is a very short, simple romance story about a marriage of convenience, medicine and cats and it is just lovely.
bonus points: the family scenes in the first half were of course just brilliant and so funny.
June 19 : THAT TITLE
December 18 : GIVE ME ALL THE BANTER AND THE ELECTRICITY BETWEEN THOSE TWO ALREADY
April 20: A DELIGHT! so easy to read, it makes you smile and grin... it is a very short, simple romance story about a marriage of convenience, medicine and cats and it is just lovely.
bonus points: the family scenes in the first half were of course just brilliant and so funny.
June 19 : THAT TITLE
December 18 : GIVE ME ALL THE BANTER AND THE ELECTRICITY BETWEEN THOSE TWO ALREADY
April 17, 2020
I had read and loved some of the previous books, so I was more than eager to get to this one.
I liked Georgie and Nicholas. They’re both good, loyal people with a passion for knowledge and they’ve known each other for what seems like forever. I enjoyed their family background and there’s a scene with the two family butlers that was absolutely the best part of the book.
Plot wise, it was fairly non-existent. The so called conflict was their arguing about the proposal and after that was solved, I was nearly halfway through the book. The entire book was a gentle meandering. I did enjoy everyone’s lack of experience, but the chemistry was a bit lacking and the leap from friendship to lust to love was a bit telling instead of showing.
Overall, it was a great set up, with characters I did like; however I wanted a lot more from it.
**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Georgie and Nicholas. They’re both good, loyal people with a passion for knowledge and they’ve known each other for what seems like forever. I enjoyed their family background and there’s a scene with the two family butlers that was absolutely the best part of the book.
Plot wise, it was fairly non-existent. The so called conflict was their arguing about the proposal and after that was solved, I was nearly halfway through the book. The entire book was a gentle meandering. I did enjoy everyone’s lack of experience, but the chemistry was a bit lacking and the leap from friendship to lust to love was a bit telling instead of showing.
Overall, it was a great set up, with characters I did like; however I wanted a lot more from it.
**Huge thanks to Avon for providing the arc free of charge**
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 29, 2020DNF at 20%
I was in the mood for a historical and thought I'd try an upcoming JQ release even though I haven't read anything new by her in years. Well, apparently there was a reason for that. I have a ridiculous amount of nostalgia for JQ's backlist, but the magic just isn't here anymore. Either I've changed a lot as a reader or JQ has changed as an author. I'm not sure which is true, but it doesn't really matter. This was uninteresting for the first 20%, and I have no intention of forcing myself to finish the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was in the mood for a historical and thought I'd try an upcoming JQ release even though I haven't read anything new by her in years. Well, apparently there was a reason for that. I have a ridiculous amount of nostalgia for JQ's backlist, but the magic just isn't here anymore. Either I've changed a lot as a reader or JQ has changed as an author. I'm not sure which is true, but it doesn't really matter. This was uninteresting for the first 20%, and I have no intention of forcing myself to finish the book.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2020
Title: First Comes Scandal
Series: Rokesbys #4
Author: Julia Quinn
Release date: April 21, 2020
Cliffhanger: No
Genre:historical romance
This was my first read in the prequel series, and what fun it was! In First Comes Scandal, Georgiana Bridgerton meets her match with her childhood friend, Nicholas Rokesby. The Rokesbys have a neighboring estate and the two families are inseparable. Nicholas' father, Lord Manston is Georgiana's godfather, so when she is abducted by a fortune hunter and her reputation is ruined, he's not willing to sit by idly. He immediately summons his fourth child home from medical school to swoop in and save the day. I don't know if it's funny or sad that it never even crosses his mind that Nicholas would object to an arranged marriage. Probably a little of both. His heart was in the right place, but he could have been trapping his son in a loveless, passionless marriage for the rest of his life. When the idea is presented to him in fact, it was hard for him to wrap his mind around looking at Georgiana in a romantic way, let alone spending the rest of his life with her.
Georgiana has found herself in a horrible position through no fault of her own. She's always followed society's rules, and comported herself like a lady, but gossips were quick to shred her reputation to tatters after Freddie Oakes' abduction. Although she never particularly yearned for marriage or entering a season to find possible suitors, she's despondent over the choice being taken away from her. This is one thing the two main characters had in common-being trapped in a situation not of their own making where people play with their life like chess pieces. Georgiana is understandably sensitive and frustrated about people telling her how she must feel, or that she doesn't know her own mind. The last thing she wants is pity or duty from a man proposing to her, and that is how she views poor Nicholas' clumsy offer.
Nicholas thought he knew her pretty well considering how much time they spent together growing up. But shortly after they renew their acquaintance, her sense of humor and intelligence has him looking at her in ways he never has before.
“When Georgiana Bridgerton smiled like that, he wanted to reach into the sky and grab down the sun, just to hand it to her on a platter.”
Her curiosity for medicine rivals his, and they can have intellectual and often hilarious conversations about the subject most important to him. If women were afforded the same freedom of choice back then, Georgiana would have loved to get a higher education. Nicholas would answer all of her questions and treated her as an equal rather than patronizing her. When she told him how she felt about her own health issues he truly listened to her and trusted that she knew what was right for her own body. He was such an honorable and gentle man. I loved that both he and Georgiana were inexperienced in romance and physical intimacy because we got to see them discover passion for the first time together.
She had known him forever, but suddenly the whole world was strange and new. He was holding her hand, and she was suddenly full of emotion and confusion and something she couldn’t quite define.
The Bridgerton kids' parents from the main series are in this which was such a delight to me! We are gifted a peek into Edmund and Violet's relationship early in their marriage when the lovebirds were blissfully wrapped up in each other. Edmund is Georgiana's brother, and at the time of this story three of his eight children have been born. Julia Quinn gives us little snippets of insight, and of course hilarious moments to savor. They are just secondary characters here, so their page time isn't heavy, but it was wonderful to spend just a little bit of time with them from a new perspective.
I would describe this story as sweet and entertaining that lacks misunderstandings or drama. If you're looking for a romance with low angst this would be a great pick. For me, there wasn't much conflict between the couple, and the romance did feel rushed in the way that it moved from platonic to love in a short span of time. However, I enjoyed every minute with the Bridgertons! The cat scenes had me belly laughing, and Julia Quinn's fast-paced writing was such a comfort to ease into. There was zero difficulty engaging my attention, and never a moment of boredom. I can't wait to catch up on the rest of the series!
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April 12, 2020
****Thanks Goodreads & Avon for the ARC****
I am so happy that of all ARCs I could’ve gotten in a giveaway, I get it for one of my favorite series, especially because I seldom win any. This series has been such a delight! I feel like so far all the Rokesbys books have been super solid so far. While I adore the camaraderie and bantering in the Bridgerton family more, their books aren’t as consistently good as the Rokesbys books in my opinion. I hope this isn’t the last one.
Here are some of my thoughts:
• Sweet, all I have really to say it just that – it’s sweet. And I wouldn’t have thought so with the initial premise of Nicholas only proposing to Georgie out of duty, pity, and pressure from his father. However, I like that he soon choose to propose because he just genuinely like Georgie as a person and know that life with her would be a good one because she makes him laugh and they can talk about various things. At the core of their relationship is a friendship. Perhaps not best friends, but a friendship filled with fondness and childhood memories. Also, it is nice that they can talk to each other about anything.
• On that related note, I appreciate how respectful Nicholas is about Georgie’s intellectual interests. He actually responds back to her questions and doesn’t belittle her for her curiosity. While people during this time couldn’t fathom a woman wanting to go to university and having interests in medicine, Nicholas, after further thought, finds it believable and natural that Georgie would. He finds her capable. There is even one scene where she takes matters in her own hands to do things that a husband/father would usually do, and I am surprised that he doesn’t get annoyed, but actually finds her brilliant for it.
• The communication between Georgie and Nicholas is amazing. It’s straight-forward – they usually say what they are feeling – and that’s refreshing. Even when they confess their feelings to one another – it just comes right out without any suspense or uneasiness. There is no beating around the bush. If they argue, it pretty much happens on the spot. Everything feels natural, and I guess that again stems from their core friendship. Their relationship might not be as fierce and vibrant as some other relationships/romances, but I like the easiness and flow of theirs. It really is just two childhood friends who start seeing each other in a different light (after a little push with the scandal/proposal thing). Their relationship and the progression of it feel authentic. It is also refreshing to see them have so little drama in theirs. The only real problem is that initial skepticism of seeing each other as something more, and if their friendship can ever grow into anything more. Overall, they are a very non-problematic couple and their relationship is one filled with respect and open communication.
• The book gets a little slow/boring after the initial glow of the wedding and travel to Edinburgh. When they are settling in Edinburgh and we are reaching the conclusion, everything feels somewhat… anticlimactic. I appreciate that Nicholas is so accepting and nice with Georgie, but honestly, it would've been interesting to see him feel a bit more conflicted. At the beginning of the book, he is completely focused on his studies, so I thought he would struggle a bit with his feelings on that as he balances his work life vs. marriage life. He does struggle with balancing it, but he has no internal conflict about it, which I find surprising. Good on him for being amazing to Georgie throughout though!
• I also would’ve loved to see Edmund’s reaction to them being together because he left before they announced their engagement. (I just want to point out too that it is incredibly bittersweet to see him and Violet being so in love, and seeing Anthony and Benedict, knowing what’ll happen later in the Bridgerton series.)
3.5/4 stars for a romance that is sweet and refreshingly easy. I also appreciate that Georgie has interests in medicine, and Nicholas encourages her for it, despite society of that time shunning women being an intellectual.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
I am so happy that of all ARCs I could’ve gotten in a giveaway, I get it for one of my favorite series, especially because I seldom win any. This series has been such a delight! I feel like so far all the Rokesbys books have been super solid so far. While I adore the camaraderie and bantering in the Bridgerton family more, their books aren’t as consistently good as the Rokesbys books in my opinion. I hope this isn’t the last one.
Here are some of my thoughts:
• Sweet, all I have really to say it just that – it’s sweet. And I wouldn’t have thought so with the initial premise of Nicholas only proposing to Georgie out of duty, pity, and pressure from his father. However, I like that he soon choose to propose because he just genuinely like Georgie as a person and know that life with her would be a good one because she makes him laugh and they can talk about various things. At the core of their relationship is a friendship. Perhaps not best friends, but a friendship filled with fondness and childhood memories. Also, it is nice that they can talk to each other about anything.
• On that related note, I appreciate how respectful Nicholas is about Georgie’s intellectual interests. He actually responds back to her questions and doesn’t belittle her for her curiosity. While people during this time couldn’t fathom a woman wanting to go to university and having interests in medicine, Nicholas, after further thought, finds it believable and natural that Georgie would. He finds her capable. There is even one scene where she takes matters in her own hands to do things that a husband/father would usually do, and I am surprised that he doesn’t get annoyed, but actually finds her brilliant for it.
• The communication between Georgie and Nicholas is amazing. It’s straight-forward – they usually say what they are feeling – and that’s refreshing. Even when they confess their feelings to one another – it just comes right out without any suspense or uneasiness. There is no beating around the bush. If they argue, it pretty much happens on the spot. Everything feels natural, and I guess that again stems from their core friendship. Their relationship might not be as fierce and vibrant as some other relationships/romances, but I like the easiness and flow of theirs. It really is just two childhood friends who start seeing each other in a different light (after a little push with the scandal/proposal thing). Their relationship and the progression of it feel authentic. It is also refreshing to see them have so little drama in theirs. The only real problem is that initial skepticism of seeing each other as something more, and if their friendship can ever grow into anything more. Overall, they are a very non-problematic couple and their relationship is one filled with respect and open communication.
• The book gets a little slow/boring after the initial glow of the wedding and travel to Edinburgh. When they are settling in Edinburgh and we are reaching the conclusion, everything feels somewhat… anticlimactic. I appreciate that Nicholas is so accepting and nice with Georgie, but honestly, it would've been interesting to see him feel a bit more conflicted. At the beginning of the book, he is completely focused on his studies, so I thought he would struggle a bit with his feelings on that as he balances his work life vs. marriage life. He does struggle with balancing it, but he has no internal conflict about it, which I find surprising. Good on him for being amazing to Georgie throughout though!
• I also would’ve loved to see Edmund’s reaction to them being together because he left before they announced their engagement. (I just want to point out too that it is incredibly bittersweet to see him and Violet being so in love, and seeing Anthony and Benedict, knowing what’ll happen later in the Bridgerton series.)
3.5/4 stars for a romance that is sweet and refreshingly easy. I also appreciate that Georgie has interests in medicine, and Nicholas encourages her for it, despite society of that time shunning women being an intellectual.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
December 29, 2021
4 Estrellitas para cerrar ésta serie. Tenía ciertos reparos a leer éste libro porque le ponían como el peor de la serie, pero la verdad es que lo he disfrutado bastante y me ha parecido muy tierno. Quizás lo único que puedo echarle en contra es que carece de conflictos o giros argumentales que atrapen al lector, pero a mí personalmente no me ha importado, es una novela muy pausadita que se lee sola.
"Primero llegó el escándalo" es el cuarto y último libro de los Rokesby, y en él tenemos el romance de los hermanos menores, Nicholas Rokesby y Georgina Bridgerton. Aunque muchos pensaran en ellos como pareja, nunca se vieron así, ellos se criaron más como hermanos. Entonces, ¿qué ocurre para que dejen de verse como hermanos?
Han pasado doce años desde el inicio de la serie, Georgie tiene veintiséis años y sigue soltera, mientras que Nicholas está terminando de estudiar medicina en Edimburgo. Georgie lleva varias temporadas debutando, pero sus padres nunca la insistieron para desposarse debido a sus problemas de salud. Pero algo acaba de ocurrir, que ha destruido por completo la reputación de Georgie. Ha sido secuestrada por un canalla, Freddie Oakes, que solo la quiere por el dinero de su cuantiosa dote. Por suerte, lady Danbury estaba en el lugar indicado en el momento justo, pero nada es suficiente para devolver la buena reputación.
Nicholas debe volver a Kent de inmediato, según dice su padre en su nota. Lógicamente, Nicholas pensaba que algo malo debía ocurrir, lo que no esperaba es que su padre lo "obligara" a casarse con Georgiana Bridgerton ¿Por qué debía reparar él las faltas de otro? Aún es joven para desposarse y debe terminar sus estudios, además Georgie ha sido siempre como su propia hermana. Pero también es cierto que Nicholas es un caballero, y no querría ver a Georgie desdichada. Si lo único que puede reparar ése error es que él le dé su apellido, así será.
Georgie no quiere que nadie la rescate, ni que nadie se sienta obligado a casarse con ella, es más, del canalla que la secuestró, quiere saber menos aún. Georgie está cabreada, está furiosa, pero el matrimonio no es algo que anhele en lo más recóndito de su corazón. Aún así, cuando Nicholas le ofrece casarse con él, sabe de sus motivos y Georgie tiene su orgullo; pero quizás casarse con él no sea tan malo, si las mariposas que siente en el estómago cada vez que lo ve desde que ha vuelto, significan lo que ella cree.
Aquí tenemos una novela romántica de las que los protagonistas pasan de la amistad al amor. De ésta manera nos ahorramos el cómo se conocieron hasta pasar a la acción. Como dije arriba, el libro es bastante plano y pausado y carece de conflictos o giros argumentales, lo que a Julia Quinn le interesa es mostrarnos cómo Georgie y Nicholas se enamoran poco a poco hasta que el suyo es un matrimonio por amor.
Sí, quizás pueda ser tildado como uno de los libros más sosetes, pero admito que he leído algunas de las escenas más divertidas de Julia Quinn, sobre todo cuando el gato de Georgie sale en su rescate y se tira sobre Freddie Oakes; para mí eso ha sido memorable.
En contra de lo que pudiera pensar, la serie de los Rokesby me ha sido muy grata y me ha gustado mucho, pese a no ser lo mejor que ha escrito Julia Quinn, pero a mí me ha convencido. Al menos me ha gustado más de lo que me llegaron a gustar las Smithe-Smith, ésas pobres no me dijeron nada, pero los Rokesby me han hecho acordarme mucho más de los Bridgerton.
"Primero llegó el escándalo" es el cuarto y último libro de los Rokesby, y en él tenemos el romance de los hermanos menores, Nicholas Rokesby y Georgina Bridgerton. Aunque muchos pensaran en ellos como pareja, nunca se vieron así, ellos se criaron más como hermanos. Entonces, ¿qué ocurre para que dejen de verse como hermanos?
Han pasado doce años desde el inicio de la serie, Georgie tiene veintiséis años y sigue soltera, mientras que Nicholas está terminando de estudiar medicina en Edimburgo. Georgie lleva varias temporadas debutando, pero sus padres nunca la insistieron para desposarse debido a sus problemas de salud. Pero algo acaba de ocurrir, que ha destruido por completo la reputación de Georgie. Ha sido secuestrada por un canalla, Freddie Oakes, que solo la quiere por el dinero de su cuantiosa dote. Por suerte, lady Danbury estaba en el lugar indicado en el momento justo, pero nada es suficiente para devolver la buena reputación.
Nicholas debe volver a Kent de inmediato, según dice su padre en su nota. Lógicamente, Nicholas pensaba que algo malo debía ocurrir, lo que no esperaba es que su padre lo "obligara" a casarse con Georgiana Bridgerton ¿Por qué debía reparar él las faltas de otro? Aún es joven para desposarse y debe terminar sus estudios, además Georgie ha sido siempre como su propia hermana. Pero también es cierto que Nicholas es un caballero, y no querría ver a Georgie desdichada. Si lo único que puede reparar ése error es que él le dé su apellido, así será.
Georgie no quiere que nadie la rescate, ni que nadie se sienta obligado a casarse con ella, es más, del canalla que la secuestró, quiere saber menos aún. Georgie está cabreada, está furiosa, pero el matrimonio no es algo que anhele en lo más recóndito de su corazón. Aún así, cuando Nicholas le ofrece casarse con él, sabe de sus motivos y Georgie tiene su orgullo; pero quizás casarse con él no sea tan malo, si las mariposas que siente en el estómago cada vez que lo ve desde que ha vuelto, significan lo que ella cree.
Aquí tenemos una novela romántica de las que los protagonistas pasan de la amistad al amor. De ésta manera nos ahorramos el cómo se conocieron hasta pasar a la acción. Como dije arriba, el libro es bastante plano y pausado y carece de conflictos o giros argumentales, lo que a Julia Quinn le interesa es mostrarnos cómo Georgie y Nicholas se enamoran poco a poco hasta que el suyo es un matrimonio por amor.
Sí, quizás pueda ser tildado como uno de los libros más sosetes, pero admito que he leído algunas de las escenas más divertidas de Julia Quinn, sobre todo cuando el gato de Georgie sale en su rescate y se tira sobre Freddie Oakes; para mí eso ha sido memorable.
En contra de lo que pudiera pensar, la serie de los Rokesby me ha sido muy grata y me ha gustado mucho, pese a no ser lo mejor que ha escrito Julia Quinn, pero a mí me ha convencido. Al menos me ha gustado más de lo que me llegaron a gustar las Smithe-Smith, ésas pobres no me dijeron nada, pero los Rokesby me han hecho acordarme mucho más de los Bridgerton.
April 21, 2020
Review originally published at Romancing Romances
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.25*
Julia Quinn is one of my favourite authors, and I can’t tell you how ecstatic I was when I saw that I had been given the opportunity to read the last book in the Rokesby series, the Bridgerton prequel.
This is the story of Nicholas and Georgiana (Georgie). I like marriage of convenience stories, and I thought I would really enjoy this one, pretty much until I got to 98% of the book. Because that’s when I realized I had been waiting for the plot to move, for the twist, the drama, something. And there was none of it. I even went to check if this was a novella or something of such, because I couldn’t believe so little had happened and the book was now over. I’m pretty sure my flatmates think I’m slightly crazy as I was rambling around the house talking to myself about how this didn’t make sense, and I was confused, and not happy.
First things first. It has lots of banter, it’s a funny book, and has great Easter eggs. I mean… young Anthony and Benedict, and always hungry baby Colin. How adorable is that? I loved the glimpse into Edward and Violet’s wedding bliss, but it wasn’t enough to make me forget that in truth… there really isn’t a proper, full, complete plot in this book. And it breaks my heart to say this, as I love, love, love Julia Quinn’s books. But this one… it almost felt like she didn’t have much to give us, and so this is what was available…?
It probably isn’t as bad as you might be thinking, reading this. I loved getting to know Nicholas, a med student, and Georgie, a young lady who has a very clever mind, who just wants to learn everything related to Medicine. And cats, I loved the cats, but they disappeared after the carriage ride from Kent to Edinburgh. What happened to Cat-head, and Judith, and Blanche? Did Cat-Head ever warm up to Nicholas, and vice-versa?
We have a virgin hero and a virgin heroine in this book, and it’s adorable, and sexy, and romantic, to see them grow together as a married couple. But… that’s just it. There was no conflict. Maybe the beginning of the book was supposed to be the conflict? With Nicholas and Georgie being slightly reluctant to marry one another? But that was fixed from day to night, literally. And then… that was it.
I actually enjoyed the book, I just feel that it wasn’t complete. So… I’m giving it 3.5* but plot wise (and I can’t believe I’m saying this)… It probably wouldn’t reach a 3*.
Still funny, and romantic, but definitely not as good as the previous books.
I received an eARC at no cost from the publisher, and I am leaving a voluntary and honest review. Thank you.
3.25*
Julia Quinn is one of my favourite authors, and I can’t tell you how ecstatic I was when I saw that I had been given the opportunity to read the last book in the Rokesby series, the Bridgerton prequel.
This is the story of Nicholas and Georgiana (Georgie). I like marriage of convenience stories, and I thought I would really enjoy this one, pretty much until I got to 98% of the book. Because that’s when I realized I had been waiting for the plot to move, for the twist, the drama, something. And there was none of it. I even went to check if this was a novella or something of such, because I couldn’t believe so little had happened and the book was now over. I’m pretty sure my flatmates think I’m slightly crazy as I was rambling around the house talking to myself about how this didn’t make sense, and I was confused, and not happy.
First things first. It has lots of banter, it’s a funny book, and has great Easter eggs. I mean… young Anthony and Benedict, and always hungry baby Colin. How adorable is that? I loved the glimpse into Edward and Violet’s wedding bliss, but it wasn’t enough to make me forget that in truth… there really isn’t a proper, full, complete plot in this book. And it breaks my heart to say this, as I love, love, love Julia Quinn’s books. But this one… it almost felt like she didn’t have much to give us, and so this is what was available…?
It probably isn’t as bad as you might be thinking, reading this. I loved getting to know Nicholas, a med student, and Georgie, a young lady who has a very clever mind, who just wants to learn everything related to Medicine. And cats, I loved the cats, but they disappeared after the carriage ride from Kent to Edinburgh. What happened to Cat-head, and Judith, and Blanche? Did Cat-Head ever warm up to Nicholas, and vice-versa?
We have a virgin hero and a virgin heroine in this book, and it’s adorable, and sexy, and romantic, to see them grow together as a married couple. But… that’s just it. There was no conflict. Maybe the beginning of the book was supposed to be the conflict? With Nicholas and Georgie being slightly reluctant to marry one another? But that was fixed from day to night, literally. And then… that was it.
I actually enjoyed the book, I just feel that it wasn’t complete. So… I’m giving it 3.5* but plot wise (and I can’t believe I’m saying this)… It probably wouldn’t reach a 3*.
Still funny, and romantic, but definitely not as good as the previous books.
August 1, 2021
3,5⭐️
Ha estado muy entretenido y divertido, pero ha sido bastante light en trama. Hay un debate que se trata que me ha encantado, pero le ha faltado desarrollo. Eso sí, me lo he pasado genial leyéndolo.
Ha estado muy entretenido y divertido, pero ha sido bastante light en trama. Hay un debate que se trata que me ha encantado, pero le ha faltado desarrollo. Eso sí, me lo he pasado genial leyéndolo.
April 29, 2020
This romance was so gentle and cozy and comforting, like getting a warm hug. It's listed as Rokesbys #4, but it worked beautifully for me as a standalone. I was SO glad to find and read it this week, and I'll definitely be talking in more detail about it in my Dragons' Book Club column on Patreon (going out tomorrow), because for me, it was definitely a highlight of this month and exactly what I needed to get through a hard moment.
September 9, 2020
I always enjoy Julia Quinn’s books. This one is very sweet, funny friends to lovers story. This is a marriage of convenience of friends to lovers.(my fav. tropes)The couple was sweet. But First Comes Scandal doesn't hold quite the same magic for me as The Bridgertons'
September 13, 2021
¿Qué puedo decir? Una vez más, ha sido un libro que he devorado, de esos que empiezas y, antes de que te des cuenta, terminas del tirón. Y eso que, en realidad, parece que es siempre la misma historia: por el motivo que sea, de primeras, los protagonistas no se atraen o no piensan que puedan estar juntos como pareja, y al final... era la mejor decisión de sus vidas y estaban hechos el uno para el otro. Cualquiera podría pensar que me canso de leer la misma historia una y otra vez, pero lo cierto es que no. Imagino que la magia está en los detalles.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
December 3, 2021
Reseña completa: https://masromance.blogspot.com/2021/...
Y porque me sabe mal poner solo una.
Sigue el estilo de la autora, con escenas (para mí gusto demasiadas) que no pintan nada, gatos, ataques y un pretendiente malnacido.
Hasta ahí correcto, si no hubiera estado más de la mitad de la novela con eso, porque... ¿dónde está el romance? , es una historia bonita con una amistad muy grande pero no me ha convencido de que haya amor, al menos, no hasta que al final de todo: el amor está en el aire.
Lo mejor de la novela son las veinte últimas páginas, donde la autora se mete un poco en el tema de la medicina de la época y desarrolla de forma un poco más profunda los sentimientos de los personajes. Hasta ese momento es un amigo que salva a una amiga de toda la vida (y por imposición familiar) de vida en soledad alejada socialmente.
No es spoiler, es justo lo que comenta la sinopsis, que justo por eso, gran parte del libro ya sabemos por dónde va a ir
Una grandísima decepción
Y porque me sabe mal poner solo una.
Sigue el estilo de la autora, con escenas (para mí gusto demasiadas) que no pintan nada, gatos, ataques y un pretendiente malnacido.
Hasta ahí correcto, si no hubiera estado más de la mitad de la novela con eso, porque... ¿dónde está el romance? , es una historia bonita con una amistad muy grande pero no me ha convencido de que haya amor, al menos, no hasta que al final de todo: el amor está en el aire.
Lo mejor de la novela son las veinte últimas páginas, donde la autora se mete un poco en el tema de la medicina de la época y desarrolla de forma un poco más profunda los sentimientos de los personajes. Hasta ese momento es un amigo que salva a una amiga de toda la vida (y por imposición familiar) de vida en soledad alejada socialmente.
No es spoiler, es justo lo que comenta la sinopsis, que justo por eso, gran parte del libro ya sabemos por dónde va a ir
Una grandísima decepción
August 5, 2023
ugh, lo detesto a nicholas qué varón soso
por lejos de los peores libros de la saga bridgerton, no pasó literalmente nada el libro se basó en el mansplaining y ni siquiera me cayeron bien los gatos, el romance muy muy muy flojo
por lejos de los peores libros de la saga bridgerton, no pasó literalmente nada el libro se basó en el mansplaining y ni siquiera me cayeron bien los gatos, el romance muy muy muy flojo
April 19, 2020
1791. An unusual beginning!
Nicholas Rokesby has been studying in Edinborough to be a doctor. When his father calls him home urgently he little knew the proposal his father had in mind. He was imagining one sort of tragedy and was gob smacked by something quite different.
Local neighbor and his father's goddaughter Georgiana Bridgerton, whom Nicolas regarded as a sister, has against her will been placed in a compromising position by an impecunious admirer, Freddie Oakes.
This had a brilliant beginning, some truly funny moments, and a feisty heroine who had expected to marry for love. The various cat inclusions were delightfully different bordering on hilarious.
Our hero started off fabulously and then in my mind lagged, although he does keep reviewing his attitudes towards women.
We see enough of Georgina to understand she has a truly enquiring mind that could take action when needed. The last part of the book is a comment on women of the times, particularly medical aspirants, not being allowed to work equally alongside men.
So a few tropes came together; marriage of convenience, virgin couples (quite unexpected and nicely done--a five star inclusion), and women's place in 18th century England.
I just felt the last part of the book didn't quite live up to the fabulous beginning. A charming read however and a must read for those who love Quinn's Rockesby / Bridgerton series.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
Nicholas Rokesby has been studying in Edinborough to be a doctor. When his father calls him home urgently he little knew the proposal his father had in mind. He was imagining one sort of tragedy and was gob smacked by something quite different.
Local neighbor and his father's goddaughter Georgiana Bridgerton, whom Nicolas regarded as a sister, has against her will been placed in a compromising position by an impecunious admirer, Freddie Oakes.
This had a brilliant beginning, some truly funny moments, and a feisty heroine who had expected to marry for love. The various cat inclusions were delightfully different bordering on hilarious.
Our hero started off fabulously and then in my mind lagged, although he does keep reviewing his attitudes towards women.
We see enough of Georgina to understand she has a truly enquiring mind that could take action when needed. The last part of the book is a comment on women of the times, particularly medical aspirants, not being allowed to work equally alongside men.
So a few tropes came together; marriage of convenience, virgin couples (quite unexpected and nicely done--a five star inclusion), and women's place in 18th century England.
I just felt the last part of the book didn't quite live up to the fabulous beginning. A charming read however and a must read for those who love Quinn's Rockesby / Bridgerton series.
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
August 31, 2021
La he disfrutado como 4⭐, pero creo que analizándolo de forma más "objetiva" le falta un poco de chicha a la historia, en el sentido de que el conflicto es casi nulo, así que quizás la nota real sería 3-3'5⭐. Cuando llegamos al nudo de la historia, donde por lo general se produce un punto de tensión que tendrá que resolverse en el desenlace, todo es demasiado plano, ya no hay conflicto, si no que el mayor que hay se resuelve en la primera mitad.
Había que haber trabajado un poco más el desarrollo de la trama, que aunque sea una historia predecible, es una línea argumental a la que se le puede sacar más partido. Aunque el tema de estudiar medicina en esos años, y la imposibilidad de que las mujeres estudiaran ha sido un punto interesante de la trama, me habría gustado que tuviera algo más de peso.
Por lo demás, está en la línea de Julia Quinn en cuanto a risas aseguradas, agilidad y ligereza. A pesar de lo que le falta, es una lectura que me ha dejado con una sonrisa en la cara. Y la más grande me la provocaron Anthony y Benedict Bridgerton de pequeños. ¡Muero de amor!
Había que haber trabajado un poco más el desarrollo de la trama, que aunque sea una historia predecible, es una línea argumental a la que se le puede sacar más partido. Aunque el tema de estudiar medicina en esos años, y la imposibilidad de que las mujeres estudiaran ha sido un punto interesante de la trama, me habría gustado que tuviera algo más de peso.
Por lo demás, está en la línea de Julia Quinn en cuanto a risas aseguradas, agilidad y ligereza. A pesar de lo que le falta, es una lectura que me ha dejado con una sonrisa en la cara. Y la más grande me la provocaron Anthony y Benedict Bridgerton de pequeños. ¡Muero de amor!
April 22, 2020
This was absolutely adorable and reminded me why I first came to love Julia Quinn's writing so many years ago in my first encounter with her, the wonderful Bridgerton Series! As a matter of fact, this particular book had, what I believe is, the first look at Edmund Bridgerton as a young man married to Violet. By the time of the Bridgerton Series, Violet is a widow. Edmund and Violet only have three children in this book, little terrors Anthony and Benedict, along with baby Colin. Colin is already eating everything he can get his hands on. It is a kick to finally meet Edmund and visit a very much in love Violet and the first boys in what will eventually be a large family. Georgiana, our heroine, is Edmund's sister and very much a Bridgerton with all their delightful traits.
The actual story itself was very sweet and contained that smart, sublime dialogue that Julia Quinn is known for. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The actual story itself was very sweet and contained that smart, sublime dialogue that Julia Quinn is known for. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
April 23, 2020
Poor Georgiana, she got abducted, and that makes her ruined. Ugh the times right! Her choices are marry the guy, no way, he can rot! Or be the talk of the town, or...
Nicholas is studying medicin., and I am sure he will become a great doctor cos he sure has the touch.
I mean, honestly, nothing happened. They are neighbor, they talk, they marry since scandal and all, then they take a looong drive up to Scotland. There they get a house and the book ends. Yeah, no drama at all, not that I want silly drama, but it was rather emotionless at times. Nothing happened. Except for some silly cat business.
They do fit together, and they have been friends forever. And obvi they then fall in love. But yes no real hardship or anything scarier than a howling cat.
So I am a bit torn, I do love Quinn, but the two latest books by her have been a bit so and so.
Narration.
Ok so I must have neg feelings about the book cos now I do not remember one thing
Nicholas is studying medicin., and I am sure he will become a great doctor cos he sure has the touch.
I mean, honestly, nothing happened. They are neighbor, they talk, they marry since scandal and all, then they take a looong drive up to Scotland. There they get a house and the book ends. Yeah, no drama at all, not that I want silly drama, but it was rather emotionless at times. Nothing happened. Except for some silly cat business.
They do fit together, and they have been friends forever. And obvi they then fall in love. But yes no real hardship or anything scarier than a howling cat.
So I am a bit torn, I do love Quinn, but the two latest books by her have been a bit so and so.
Narration.
Ok so I must have neg feelings about the book cos now I do not remember one thing
March 31, 2021
3.5 stars. This book was somehow… youthful. A wee bit innocent if you will. I do like that no contrived conflict was randomly introduced near the end.
Scotland as a setting was also a change of pace, though it could have been set up and described more distinctly. I did not really feel like I was there.
It is a very straightforward story. I suppose I expected a little more in-depth coverage of them adjusting to marriage and falling in love as they got to know each other differently, that's my usual reason for favoring the marriage of convenience trope, but here we got no routine or daily life from them really, it was blink and they’re in love.
It still worked, but I would have liked to see more of them together as a married couple.
In sum I would call it a cute story.
Scotland as a setting was also a change of pace, though it could have been set up and described more distinctly. I did not really feel like I was there.
It is a very straightforward story. I suppose I expected a little more in-depth coverage of them adjusting to marriage and falling in love as they got to know each other differently, that's my usual reason for favoring the marriage of convenience trope, but here we got no routine or daily life from them really, it was blink and they’re in love.
It still worked, but I would have liked to see more of them together as a married couple.
In sum I would call it a cute story.
September 17, 2020
3.5 Stars
Julia Quinn is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I'll pretty much read anything she publishes, especially when the name "Bridgerton" is attached to it. I just love that family. This one, however, didn't wow me.
If we're using Colin Bridgerton from Romancing Mister Bridgerton (and why wouldn't we?) as our generational guide, this prequel series focuses on those feisty ladies who would eventually become the Bridgerton kids (Colin and his brothers and sisters) aunts. As much as I'm enjoying the series, it's lacking something when compared to the other Bridgerton books. Maybe a little playfulness or fun? I'm not sure, but as much as I enjoyed the writing, I still can't manage to give First Comes Scandal more than 3.5 stars.
Julia Quinn is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I'll pretty much read anything she publishes, especially when the name "Bridgerton" is attached to it. I just love that family. This one, however, didn't wow me.
If we're using Colin Bridgerton from Romancing Mister Bridgerton (and why wouldn't we?) as our generational guide, this prequel series focuses on those feisty ladies who would eventually become the Bridgerton kids (Colin and his brothers and sisters) aunts. As much as I'm enjoying the series, it's lacking something when compared to the other Bridgerton books. Maybe a little playfulness or fun? I'm not sure, but as much as I enjoyed the writing, I still can't manage to give First Comes Scandal more than 3.5 stars.
May 4, 2020
Short but sweet. I enjoyed this book. It was a quick easy read. I feel like it needed more though. More conflict, more pages. It was still a good book, just not quite enough. So 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
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