The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown

For those of you who haven't read tha first Lady Whistledown book it has four shart stories by four different authors. The first Lady Whistledown book (Lady Whistledown Strikes Back) wasn't as good, but it was still definitly woth it. All of the stories in this book are well written and fun to read. Please read it! You won't regret it.

The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown is the most delightful romance anthology I've ever read. Full of passion, humor and expert storytelling, these four interconnected Regency stories should not be missed. The reader is treated to the incomparable, irrepressible Lady Whistledown-the wry, wise and compassionate gossip columnist created by Julia Quinn for her magnificent Bridgerton family series. Lady Whistledown shares her wonderfully entertaining observations at the beginning of every chapter of each novella. She is also mentioned in each narrative, her personality because one unifying force in the book, along with theme, place and time. All four stories take place during the last three weeks leading up to Valentine's Day 1814 in London-so dreadfully cold that the Thames freezes over and aristocratic families flee to town for winter festivities, some right on the Thames! The stories feature the same cast of characters and 3 common events that all characters attend: a night at the theatre, an ice skating party on the Thames and a Valentine's Day ball. Each story is told from the point of view of a different couple who experiences these events and in the meantime falls in love. In Suzanne Enoch's One True Love, the very independent and intelligent Lady Anne Bishop is enjoying a smashing social life when Maximillian, Marquis of Halfurst, suddenly appears all the way from his estate in Yorkshire to claim her. Having been betrothed to Max since she was an infant yet never before met him, the last thing Anne wants to do is marry him and move so far away from her beloved London. Max is anxious to return to his beloved Yorkshire but not without Anne, the woman who captures his attention and his passion in a way none other ever has. In the battle of wills that ensues, the reader and Anne come to love the sexy and strong-charactered Marquis, who is a breath of fresh air compared with the other man of Anne's close acquaintance who hopes to capture the beautiful and strong-willed Anne for himself. This is a lovely romance with a satisfying resolution to the couple's seemingly insurmountable dilemma. In Karen Hawkins' Two Hearts, the supremely confident and flamboyant Liza Pritchard decides it's time to marry so chooses a safe, reliable and boring man while her lifelong best friend, the quintessential rake Sir Royce Pemberley, is determined to stop her from making such a fatal mistake. The lively banter between the two is a joy to watch as each slowly realizes that there can be only one really passionate and happy match for them: what they could have with each other. The friendship between them is just as fun as the passion in this highly enjoyable, quick-witted romance. In Mia Ryan's A Dozen Kisses, Lady Caroline Starling accidentally meets and falls for Lord Darington, the apparently heartless aristocrat who ejected Caroline and her mother from their lifelong country home after Caroline's father died and he inherited the title. But Dare is actually

I read this anthology in just 4 hours, it was that good (well, I speed read, unfortunately). I have loved the mysterious Lady Whistledown all through the Bridgerton series. I was so disappointed with the loss of this wittiest of columnists society's foibles when she 'retired'. Then she popped back up to narrate these 4 stories - each with it's own flavor and just enough sensuality. Using Lady Whistledown to introduce chapters of stories by Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, Mia Ryan and Julia Quinn was genious. Each story is centered around Valentine's Day - the best time of year for romantics. The stories have intriguing characters who appear in each story briefly; their own stories entertwined. Suzanne Enoch has a betrothed-from-birth groom rushing to London to claim his bride when Lady Whistledown's column reports some rather indiscreet behaviour on the lady's part - I can only say that the story was very romantic. Karen Hawkins adds to the humor with her story of a rogue who begins to be disturbed when his life-long friend decides to marry, well, according to Lady Whistledown, someone comfortable. Mia Ryan's heroine kept me laughing with her habit of blurting out really odd observations - obviously says exactly what she is thinking at any given time. And her thoughts are chaotic as it is! But, finally, we have Julia Quinn's story, which can only be the best of the book. I can't spoil the surprise in this one, but it is one of my absolute favorite story lines, done in the way that only Julia Quinn can do to make it new, fresh and funny. This book is a must for your collection of keepers of the observations of Lady Whistledown and the 5* books she has narrated.

Normally I don't enjoy Anthologies because they tend to be uneven. I'll enjoy 2 of the stories, perhaps but sleep through the others. Not the case here!The Lady Whistledown column entries tied the 4 stories together nicely, and I have to wonder if the authors collaborated on their plots to have them fit so well?A great anthology for someone who likes a lot of humor with their romance. The sex scenes were racier than a Zebra Regency, but not too graphic.Definitely a light, quick read I'll keep on my bookshelf to enjoy again.