Because of Miss Bridgerton
The last thing Billie Bridgerton expects is to fall for the literal boy next door. Though George Rokesby is her opposite in every way – practical and careful to her wild spontaneity – they grew up together, and she’s always regarded him as the somewhat disagreeable older brother. But an incident pulls them unexpectedly together and, amid Julia Quinn’s signature banter, Billie and George begin to slowly and sweetly fall in love.
Because of Miss Bridgerton is the first in a new Georgian-set series that prequels Quinn’s popular Bridgerton series. Though I initially had trouble warming to Billie – who started out as such a typically rebellious historical heroine that she was climbing trees in breeches – she grew on me. She was such a good foil for George, the sensible heir resolutely carrying the weight of expectations on his shoulders. The development of their relationship was nicely paced and realistic, less a match of breathless passion and more one of intellectual equals. The book was light on steamy scenes, but, for this reader, the mutual respect shared by Billie and George was just as sexy.
