Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Review: Lady Bridget's Diary (Keeping Up with the Cavendishes #1) by Maya Rodale

"I love your mouth. The way you kiss, the way you taste. all the shocking things you say." - Lord Darcy

Lady Bridget's Diary
Series: Keeping Up with the Cavendishes #1
Author: Maya Rodale
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Avon Books
Source: Publisher for Review

Buy Links: Amazon - B&N - Google Play - iTunes - Kobo
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In the first hilarious entry in her brand new series, USA Today bestselling author Maya Rodale re-invents a love story we all know and cherish.

Lord Darcy is the epitome of perfect

Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman: wealthy, titled, impossibly proper and horrified that a pack of Americans have inherited one of England’s most respected dukedoms. But his manners, his infamous self-restraint and better judgment fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.

Lady Bridget is the opposite of perfect 

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 in London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her loathing of the Dreadful Lord Darcy and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.

They cannot stand each other-and yet they cannot stay away

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.

If you've been here before, you'll know that I'm not the biggest fan of historical romance. When I became an Avon Addict, I started to pick up more books in the genre and one of the authors that I came to love was Maya Rodale. I adored Maya's Bad Boys & Wallflowers series. The combination of the historical romances paired up with contemporary novellas was brilliant. I loved how they played off each other and how they were connected as a series. Because I loved that series to much, I was excited to pick up the first book in her brand new series, Keeping Up with the Cavendishes. 

Before moving on with my review, I feel as if I need to clarify one thing. I actually enjoyed Lady Bridget's Diary. For the most part... It kept my attention from start to finish. I stayed up into the wee hours in the morning because I wanted to finish it. With the exception of one of Lady Bridget's sisters, I loved the characters. Darcy was infuriatingly dashing, of course. Bridget was intelligent and a little bit of a rebel. The rest of the characters were well developed and made me want to continue with the series to see what lies in their future. Maya's fabulous writing was evident throughout the book. She had me giggling and swooning as always. This portion of the book I loved...

Now I'm sure you can probably sense the but... Here it goes... Maya was groundbreaking with the Bad Boys & Wallflowers series and, to me, Lady Bridget's Diary didn't live up to that same originality. I'm not a big fan of the movie (or the book) Bridget Jones' Diary and, if I'm being completely honest, I think that played a part in how I felt about Lady Bridget's Diary. I wanted Maya to put her own spin on the book. While she does tweak some things here and there, it was too much like the original. Funnily enough, there was one scene that I loved and I thought "Yes! An original scene!" And then once I finished it, I realized that it too was in the movie. I guess what I'm saying is that I wanted more Maya and less Bridget Jones' Diary.

Overall, I did enjoy Lady Bridget's Diary. It did keep me up because I wanted to finish it. I just wanted more of Maya's originality that I fell in love with in her previous series. I'm a little concerned that the next book features the sister I didn't quite get along with, but since this is Maya Rodale and I want to see how she continues with the series, I'll will definitely read Chasing Lady Amelia shortly after it comes out.



Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence and it wasn’t long before she was writing her own. Maya is now the author of multiple Regency historical romances. She lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.



Coming June 28th.

2 comments:

  1. Ahhh Crystal!!! I know we talked extensively about this book and I'm happy that you liked it! Yes, we discussed the similarities with Bridget Jones' Diary... but TBH I haven't read or seen the movie. I don't have any plans to, btw. AND I haven't read Pride & Prejudice but I've seen a few of the movie/BBC versions. Again, not my favorite movie even though I am MAD for historical romance! Ehemm..

    I read Chasing Lady Amelia and.... let's just say it was a DNF for me. Sigh*

    However, I am waiting for my favorite brother's story! I have a feeling he will be paired with the Duchess' companion... hmmm now that I think about it.. there was a companion, right? I'm not getting my historicals mixed up, right?! 😂

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    1. I kind of wish the brother's book was next instead of Amelia's. She was the sister I didn't connect with and I'm scared that will stop me from liking the 2nd book.

      What is funny is that I used to love Bridget Jones' Diary, but after watching it so many times and knowing what happens in the 3rd book has really left a sour taste in my mouth now. LBD does have the charm that BLD had when it first came out. Funny characters, witty dialogue. Not to mention Huge Grant and Colin Firth. As Fat Amy would say, I'd like to be the brisket in that man sandwich. I don't even see Pride & Prejudice in LDB. All I see is BJD over and over again. Makes me sad because I wanted to love this book.

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