A review by stories_of_the_soul27
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I never liked Colin much. After reading this book, I detest him even more. 

There’s a part in the book from Colin’s third person POV about how he had gone years without thinking about Penelope and now she had permeated his every last thought and every last desire. He asks himself, ‘How had this happened? When had it happened?’’And did it really matter?’ I would say yes it very much mattered. Because I simply fail to understand how this romance between them started. Not noticing Penelope for 12 years and now he cannot have enough of her without any rhyme or reason. I think Penelope deserves a better story. She deserves to have a whirlwind romance where the boy and now the man she has been in love with all these years, sweeps her off her feet. 

And let us talk about the most important thing - Colin Bridgerton’s temper. The man gets so angry at Penelope at various times in the book and on what grounds? His opinion that if the ton comes to know that Lady Whistledown is Penelope then it would ruin her is so derogatory and condescending. His anger had made Penelope cry and he has even hurt her by gripping her too tightly. His inner thoughts say that at that moment he was making a right choice. His fury led to him say he would kill her. All of this is written down as if ruination of Penelope would hurt him beyond measure as they are a team now, and Penelope should have consulted him before not doing this and her not doing so is betrayal. What is this narrative? The whole ballroom scene during their engagement read like a conversation between an abusive husband and his timid wife. Penelope says, “ if having to endure his anger and disdain at a time like this was to be a part of marriage as well, then that would be worth it too.” What a way to reduce the worth of such an amazing character like Penelope! 

Few moments later we read about Colin’s thoughts where he says that maybe love was being utterly furious and quite ready to tie her to the bed just to keep her from going  out and making more trouble. Is this kind of love to be celebrated and written about? What an absolute tosh! 

Colin majorly loses his temper at Penelope twice. In both times he doesn’t apologise to Penelope and Penelope meanwhile was alarmed with Colin’s behaviour but proceeds to forgive him without getting an apology. And then they have hot steamy moments. 

I understand that having a temper doesn’t necessarily make a person bad. But the way Colin’s emotions are written makes one fearful that how much his anger can turn him into a violent man. He gets so angry at Cressida that he wants to take it on anyone he can find, he wants to punch a wall and kick things. 

I couldn’t understand the need to highlight Colin’s temper like this. Was it to point out that Penelope had put Colin on a pedestal for 11 years and now that she gradually comes to understand that Colin is not the perfect man she thought he was but still she loves him with her whole heart? I feel showing Colin’s vulnerability regarding his legacy and his jealousy towards Penelope did a fine job. There was absolutely no need to glorify Colin’s temper (anger) in any way. 

It feels like this author is desperate to have at least one problematic aspect in her every book.