Lady Bridget's Diary
Keeping Up with the Cavendishes
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4.5 • 137 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
In the first novel of Maya Rodale's stunning new series, an American heiress must learn to navigate London society and an infuriatingly irresistible rake . . .
Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman: wealthy, titled, impossibly proper, and horrified that a pack of Americans has inherited one of England's most respected dukedoms. But his manners, his infamous self-restraint, and his better judgment fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.
Lady Bridget Cavendish has grand—but thwarted—plans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm. In her diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate into London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her disdain for the Dreadful Lord Darcy, and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.
It was loathing at first sight for Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy. But their paths keep crossing . . . and somehow involve kissing. When Lady Bridget's diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget must decide what matters most of all—a sterling reputation or a perfectly imperfect love.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Rodale's first Keeping Up with the Cavendishes novel is chock-full of romance and humor as it transplants Bridget Jones's Diary to Regency England. After James Cavendish learns that he is now the Duke of Durham, he and his sisters, Amelia, Bridget, and Claire, travel from America to England. Josephine Marie Elizabeth Cavendish, widow of the previous duke, assists the siblings with their entry into society, but their attempt to assimilate into the world of the British aristocracy isn't without mishaps. Lady Bridget falls onto her back at her first ball and is rescued by Rupert Wright, the handsome brother of insufferable Lord Darcy. While her diary reflects her gratitude toward Rupert, her comments regarding Darcy are scathing but their constant sparring becomes a prelude to their attraction, and soon a different side of Darcy is revealed. Rodale has deftly portrayed Bridget as a spunky protagonist who is the perfect antithesis for Darcy's stuffy persona. With a well-developed cast of engaging characters, this tale will appeal to Rodale's fans and newcomers.
Customer Reviews
Just loved it.
You can’t go wrong. I’ve tread so many regency books but just found this author. She ranks among the best.
Yes – I LOVED THIS BOOK
I loved this book. Yes – I LOVED THIS BOOK. From Bridget and her family, to her humor and her very real-feeling desires to ‘fit in’ and make a splash, and her staunch belief in love, it was wonderful.
An inglorious entrance to the first event for this newly titled young lady shows that Lady Bridget Cavendish is no simple miss: flat on her back in the middle of a ballroom, she has the sense to make light of the moment, ostensibly finding a better angle to view the frescoes on the ceiling. I was hooked and couldn’t help but like her. Raised in America, the daughter of an Englishman who tossed away the haute ton and all the responsibilities to raise horses in Maryland, she and her two sisters and elder brother have been summoned to London to take their rightful place in society, with her brother becoming the Duke.
There is a strong sense of a mix of Pride and Prejudice (Bridget’s reflections on the ‘way things are done’ as drilled into her and her sisters by the Dowager Duchess feel very similar to Jane Austen’s poking at polite society). And there is a Mean Girl, and several near slapstick blunders that Bridget makes that feel very Bridget Jones Diary. But truly, the gem in this story IS Bridget: her heart, her struggle to fit in and change herself to fit some mold, and the uptight, nearly straightjacketed and veddy veddy propah Lord Darcy. So Darcy does bend as much as a two by four in a toddler’s hand, but as we get to know him, and see just how difficult it was to be raised to ONLY the Duke, he starts to appeal. Even more intriguing is his inability to recognize and understand that he is not only intrigued by but NEEDS someone like Bridget in his life…….
There are too many moments to love in this story: from the good natured teasing and honest appraisal that Bridget makes of Darcy from her limited experience, to her constant teasing of him, her desperate desire to fit in contrasting with the realization that she won’t, and the lovely insets of the siblings as they all have different (and often humorous) observations and asides about the way things are done. This is a fun and lighthearted story that occasionally borders on the unrealistic but never loses the joy in the journey. The perfect pick me up read when things just aren’t falling into place. Bridget and her family will make you laugh, think and smile and Darcy’s stumble through the minefield that is emotions is a wonderful ride.
I received a Paperback copy of the title from the publisher via Avon Addicts for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Loved this book
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!! I have loved everything this author put out and this book did not disappoint. Ready for the next 3 in the series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!