Bridgerton Season 3 Part 2 Review

This review contains spoilers. Read at your own risk if you have not watched part 2.

A good romance gets the blood pumping and the heart pounding. Part of this is the barriers standing in between the lead couple’s happily ever after.

Part 2 of Bridgerton premiered last week on Netflix. Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) are engaged and looking forward to a lifetime together. But there is one major issue: Penelope’s secret alter ego, Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews).

If I were to give part 2 a score of 1-10, I would give it an 8. Kudos to both Newton and Coughlan for navigating the choppy waters of their characters’ relationship. I could feel the love between them. But they both have some growing to do.

I certainly related to Penelope’s journey of finding her voice and being comfortable in her own skin. It is a journey that is not easy and requires a lot of soul-searching. I admire Coughlan for her partial nudity at the beginning of the mirror scene and for standing up for every woman who does not fit the Hollywood/Madison Avenue mold.

The only issue is that, unlike past seasons, there was a lack of physical sexuality between Penelope and Colin. While I understand that it cranked up the tension, I wish that there had been a bit more.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

Part 2 of the third season of Bridgerton is currently playing on Netflix.

Falling for the Highlander Book Review

Warning: spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.

In the past, a woman’s virtue was her greatest asset. It often determined the course of her life and how she was perceived.

Falling for the Highlander, by Lynsay Sands, was published in 2017. It is the final book in the Highland Brides series. Lady Murine Carmichael has the unfortunate fate of being forced to live with her hated half-brother. Drowning in debt, he tries to sell her in return for a few Scottish horses. Unable to take it anymore, Murine decides to take a chance in the outside world. Her journey has barely started when she is assisted by an unforeseen escort.

Dougall Buchanan is a man of honor. He refused Lord Danvries’ offer of his sister. That does not mean, however, that he views Murine in the same light. Both brave and attractive, helping her reach freedom is only the beginning. He would love nothing more than to be her other half. But two things stand in the way: her reciprocating his feelings and an enemy that would be more than happy to tear them apart.

I have mixed feelings about Falling for the Highlander. Overall, it is a good book. I liked the sizzle and romantic chemistry between the romantic leads. The story itself is not bad. Murine is intelligent, has a backbone, and is unwilling to simply yes the men around her.

But I have two major pet peeves when it comes to specific narrative points: a fainting/rendered unconscious heroine and a damsel in distress who has to be rescued from the antagonist. Both are fairly common across all genres and specifically standard in the romance genre. Unless it is absolutely necessary for the plot, both should be avoided at all costs. By keeping them alive, they undo everything all of the work for equality that has been done over the generations.

In this novel, one is better than the other. I won’t say which one, but this choice by the author tainted my overall perspective of the tale.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Falling for the Highlander is available wherever books are sold.

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels Book Review

A well-written romance novel has the power to make the reader believe in the power of love. Whether it is set in the past, the present, in our reality, or a supernatural one, it takes the reader out of their day-to-day reality and into a fantasy.

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels, by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan, was published in 2009. It is essentially equal parts historical examination and lovingly satirical of the romance genre. The authors also ask why it is looked down upon, yet continually outranks all other genres when it comes to annual sales.

Beyond Heaving Bosoms is everything I wanted. It’s smart, it’s sassy, empowering, and points out the areas that need improvement.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels is available wherever books are sold.

Bridgerton Season 3 Part 1 Review

Mild spoilers abound. Read at your own risk if you have not watched the released episodes.

There is nothing like a well-written romance, modern or otherwise. It sweeps the audience off their feet, takes them for a ride, and leaves them wanting more.

The first half of Bridgerton, season 3, was released last Thursday. Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has been ignored by society at large and friend-zoned by Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) for years. While still hiding her identity as Lady Whistledown (voiced by Julie Andrews), Penelope decides that it is time for a makeover.

The result of this glow-up (after a bumpy start) is catching the attention of Lord Alfred Debling (Sam Phillips). Colin figures out that his long-term pal could be so much more. That is if he dares to reveal what is in his heart.

I never thought that the first two seasons could have been topped. I was wrong. The chemistry between Coughlan and Newton is on fire. Specifically when they get into the bumpy “will they or won’t they” stage. By the time the credit rolled at the end of the fourth episode, I was more than eager for more.

Kudos goes to the scriptwriting team that finally allowed Penelope to gain agency over her own life. And for Colin to ask for consent and being respectful of her needs. It was a landmark moment in the genre that should become commonplace in stories of this nature.

the way he backed off immediately and without any anger when penelope called them friends, the way he waited for her consent to go any further, the way he fixed her dress and hair (without using THOSE fingers)… colin bridgerton in a world full of boys you're a GENTLEMAN pic.twitter.com/X8WiGuBy5P

— kay (@clarkkentgf) May 18, 2024

The other kudos go to the costume designers. Penelope’s dresses after her complete wardrobe overhaul are beautiful. I would wear any and all of them.

Do I recommend it? Did you ever doubt that I would?

The first four episodes of Bridgerton season 3 are currently streaming on Netflix. The next four will be released on June 16th.

P.S. Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) reading Emma is meta in multiple ways. Technically, the timeline is off because the book was published in December of 1815. But that is a tiny detail that I am willing to overlook.

Forever Your Earl Book Review

Cross-class differences always make for a great story. Within the romance genre, this tale has been a staple for a millennium.

Forever Your Earl, by Eva Leigh, is the first book in the Wicked Quills of London series.

Eleanor Hawke is a self-made woman. While most of her gender are financially reliant on the men in their lives, she is proud to have built up her newspaper from nothing. Her life revolves around her work and her friends. The last thing she is expecting is to see Daniel Balfour, the Earl of Ashford walk into her office.

Ashford’s reputation is that of a rake. His exploits are legendary. But he is also on a secret mission that is of the utmost importance. The only way to hide his real mission is to offer her an opportunity to experience his world firsthand and then report back to her readers. Ashford has no idea that their relationship will become more than a professional one.

Their romance is an unlikely one. Eleanor had to raise herself. Though she is not a fresh out of the schoolroom virgin, marriage is far from her list of priorities. Especially to a member of the aristocracy.

Underneath the image of a man who has done it all and seen it all, Ashford is a man with conviction and heart. When he loves, he loves completely. Like Eleanor, he is not looking for a spouse. But fate has other plans.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely.

Forever Your Earl is available wherever books are sold.

Twice in a Blue Moon Book Review

Finding that person is sometimes a matter of fate. But love alone does not make a relationship last.

Christina Lauren‘s 2019 novel, Twice in a Blue Moon, takes place in two parts. Sam and Tate meet in London while on vacation with their respective grandparents. Their short relationship is the definition of young love. But it all falls apart when the secret about her megastar actor father is revealed, breaking Tate’s heart and her trust.

Nearly fifteen years later, Tate has put Sam firmly in the rearview mirror and is about to have her big break. The last thing she wants or needs is to have him back in her life. But there he is. Tate starts to question if it is possible to put the past behind them and open her heart again.

I liked this book. It is dramatic, funny, and romantic. It also speaks to the ability to forgive someone and perhaps, remind ourselves why we fell in love with them in the first place.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

Twice in a Blue Moon is available wherever books are sold.

Much Ado About Nada Book Review

Love is not easy. It requires sacrifices, hard decisions, and truths that may be hard to hear.

Much Ado About Nada, by Uzma Jalauddin, was published last year. Nada is at a crossroads. At 28, she is working in a day job that provides a good income. But it is not what she wants to do for the rest of her life. Her lifestyle app failed and she is shockingly single.

Coerced by her best friend to attend the annual Muslim conference in Toronto, Nada runs into her past via Baz. He is her friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Their reunion creates both sparks and opens the door to questions about a shared past.

Nada has two choices. She can either stay where she is or do what needs to be done to move on.

I loved this book. I was hooked from nearly the word go. I wanted Nada and Baz to get together so badly that I didn’t want to put it down.

This is not only my new favorite book of this author, but it is one of my favorite Jane Austen fanfictions. Jalaluddin expertly combines Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Much Ado About Nothing. My favorite aspect was the mouthdrop twist I did not see coming. It was the perfect homage to Persuasion while remaining true to Jalaluddin’s narrative.

Do I recommend it? Absolutely. The fact that I am still thinking about days after I finished the novel says everything.

Much Ado About Nada is available wherever books are sold.

The Ripped Bodice is an Amazing Bookstore

What was the last thing you did for play or fun?

A few months ago, I met a friend for lunch and a trip to The Ripped Bodice. After operating one location in California, they opened a second in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope earlier this year.

This store is so much fun. It was super crowded and slightly overwhelming with the choice of what to buy. Within the romance genre, every reader is served. Whatever narrative you are looking for, there is likely to be a book that fits that need. It’s the type of bookstore that requires multiple visits. It is a task which I am happy to undertake.

The Widow of Rose House Book Review

Haunted houses are both fascinating and scary (depending on who you speak to).

The Widow of Rose House, by Diana Biller, was published in 2019. In 1872, Alva Webster created a scandal on both sides of the Atlantic by leaving her abusive husband. After three years of getting comments and criticism, she returns to the States as a widow.

After purchasing a long-shuttered and supposedly haunted mansion in Hyde Park, NY, she hopes to rebuild both the house and her reputation. Despite hearing stories from multiple sources about the property’s spirit residents, she refuses to believe them.

When Professor Samuel Moore offers his services to solve the mystery, she turns him down. Alva ignores her attraction to him, not wanting to add another thing to her proverbial plate. But it soon becomes apparent that she will need Sam’s help to answer the questions that won’t go away. It doesn’t hurt that he is the scion of a well-respected scientific family.

Sam has two goals. The first is to figure out if the rumors are true. The second is for Alva to return his love.

I wanted to like this book. Both the narrative and the characters were intriguing. The problem is the lack of chemistry between Alva and Sam and that hook was lacking that made me put it down.

Do I recommend it? No.

The Widow of Rose House is available wherever books are sold.

Throwback Thursday: Punch Drunk Love (2002)

If I were to ask an actor about being pigeonholed into a specific character or narrative type, my guess is that they would tell me that they dislike being limited in the roles they play.

In the 2002 film, Punch Drunk Love, Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) is lonely and socially frustrated. To fill the void, he calls a phone sex line. What he does not know is that this opens the door to unwanted trouble and could be the end of his new relationship with Lena Leonard (Emily Watson).

Watson is obviously good at her job. At this point in his career, Sandler was trying to prove that he was more than the man-child that he played in the mid-1990s. I tried to watch this film. But I turned it off after a few minutes. I just couldn’t get into it.

Do I recommend it? No.