On the Way to the Wedding [Anglais] [Relié]

This is the last book (Book 8) of Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series.

I must confess that I absolute love Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series. Her witty storytelling and wonderful storylines often make me feel as if I'm sitting across from her at a coffee shop, drinking whatever, and listening to her as she tells me this story, often punctuated with smiles, chuckles and roaring laughter. Julia Quinn is truly a gifted writer.

I was, however, left disappointed when I read On the Way to the Wedding, Book 8 of the Bridgerton series. Book 8 is about Gregory Bridgerton. Based on what's he's seen in the marriages of his older siblings, Gregory very much believes in love and is waiting to meet his "Ms. Right".

When Gregory spots Miss Hermione Watson, he believes he's found his match. The problem is that Hermione doesn't reciprocate his feelings. Hermione is a beauty and is busy enjoying the attentions of all the men who are fawning over her.

Lady Lucinda Abernathy (Lucy), Hermione's best friend, witnesses Gregory's failed attempts to woo Hermione and begins to feel sorry for him. She offers Gregory her help in winning Hermione but fate steps in and their plans go awry.

Hermione is caught in a compromising position with Lucy's brother and they are forced to marry. Gregory, in his grief, begins to realize that Hermione and him would never have suited. A passionate kiss shared between Gregory and Lucy chases all thoughts of Hermione out of Gregory's mind, and he begins to believe that he's in love with Lucy. Lucy, however, already knows she is in love with Gregory but doesn't trust his fickle affections (and I don't blame her in the least!).

Oh, one more thing: Lucy is engaged to marry the son of an earl and has been for years. Gregory is desperate to get Lucy to break off the engagement but she refuses. There is a dramatic climax toward the end of the book including the revelation of a devastating secret that binds Lucy to her engagement like nothing else could.

My biggest complaint over this book lies not in its prose, storyline or character development, but in Lucy. She lacked courage. Lucy blindly followed the demands of her blackmailer without questioning the truth of his words. I have to agree with Hyacinth (Gregory's sister) when she hissed to Lucy that she is weak and doesn't deserve Gregory. I can't reveal more than that without exposing the most exciting part of the story. I'm sure I'm probably judging Lucy a bit too harshly but I'm rather partial to the Bridgertons.

Despite that, I thought this was an okay read.

This is the eighth and final Bridgerton installment, and is a rather middling end to the series. It is the story of Gregory, the entertaining and carefree youngest Bridgerton brother. He becomes infatuated with the stunningly beautiful, much sought after, and aloof Miss Hermione Watson, but she is all wrong for him. Her best friend, the sharp-tongued and subtly appealing Lady Lucinda Abernathy, is clearly his perfect mate, but it takes him a little while to realize this, and then he may be too late.

This is a very short summary as my reviews go, and that is because there was not much to this story. Lucy and Gregory were pleasant enough characters, though Gregory a little lightweight, but I did not feel a strong connection with them or between them. I did not feel satisfied at the story's conclusion because I was never invested in the couple. Many of their ruminations and exchanges were amusing, but at some point the humor got in the way of the romance. Every thought was stated, and every move analyzed, in a humorous context. It seemed more like an episode of Gilmore Girls than a historical romance. I am a big fan of the Bridgerton series. This book as well as the seventh book, "It's in His Kiss," are OK reads as light comedy, but if you're looking for subtle humor and sublime romance, try the excellent first six books in this series.

I have followed the entire Bridgerton series since the very beginning. I fell in love with the whole family from the first four books of the series and then was extremely disappointed when Francesca and Daphne's story did not seem to measure up to the first four siblings. But when I purchased this story, I just could not put it down. I read the whole story in one sitting and absolutely fell in love with the series all over again. Gregory is a great hero because he is so different. He actually believes and wants to be in love. So refreshing from all the heroes in other romance novels who are so resistant to the idea of love and marriage, and the reformed rakes that infiltrate most of the historical romance novels. The heroine is also not what one would expect. Lucy is not the prettiest girl and is overlooked and overshadowed by her gorgeous best friend. She actually reminded me a lot of Kate, Anthony's wife, who is one of my favorite characters in the series. Fantastic dialogue and story. I loved it so much that it made me reread the whole series and was happily surprised by the great quality of Hyacinth's story. A great closer for the series.