Because of Miss Bridgerton

A Bridgerton Prequel (The Rokesbys, Book 1)

By: Julia Quinn

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Return to the world of the Bridgertons....

Before the Rokesbys, there were the Bridgertons.

Go back to where it all began in this dazzlingly witty new series from New York Times best-selling Author Julia Quinn.

Sometimes you find love in the most unexpected of places.

This is not one of those times.

Everyone expects Billie Bridgerton to marry one of the Rokesby brothers. The two families have been neighbours for centuries, and as a child the tomboyish Billie ran wild with Edward and Andrew. Either one would make a perfect husband...someday. 

Sometimes you fall in love with exactly the person you think you should. Or not.

There is only one Rokesby Billie absolutely cannot tolerate, and that is George. He may be the eldest heir to the earldom, but he's arrogant, annoying and she's absolutely certain he detests her. Which is perfectly convenient, as she can't stand the sight of him, either.  

But sometimes fate has a wicked sense of humour....

Because when Billie and George are quite literally thrown together, a whole new sort of sparks begins to fly. And when these lifelong adversaries finally kiss, they just might discover that the one person they can't abide is the one person they can't live without.

©2021 Julia Quinn (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK

Love love love

When I finished the Bridgerton series of books, I felt like I missed them, but with this book in the way, it was narrated and written it brought me back to the Bridgerton series. It is a very good book and I love the main character.

Incredible Narration

The story itself was engaging if a little repetitive. Each scene takes a considerable amount of time, as everyone has a million thoughts and makes a thousand little gestures between each line of dialogue.

Over several hours this can become slightly wearing, there are only so many times you can hear about someone tilting her head slightly, thinking the same thing they've already thought about someone for the umpteenth time, or wondering the same thing they've been wondering for 6 hours. I wonder whether the same story could have been told in rather less time.

However, despite this, it is largely well written and flows well. The characters are likeable, if slightly two dimensional. Much of the dialogue is amusing, and at least one part made me laugh out loud.

There's a small side story that never really goes anywhere, and feels as though it may have been curtailed in an edit.

The performance was absolutely perfect. The narrator switched between the voices of the different characters with such ease and consistency, and given how utterly convincing she was at portraying the voices of young women and old, I found it impossible to guess her real age. She performed the male characters so well I sometimes forgot it was a woman performing at all.

Absolutely 5 star voice acting.

Similar format “But”

Billy and George before Anthony etc,
I am glad to have heard this 9 books in, tedious, same old same old, less the phantom pens woman, giving us tit bits of gossip.
I didn’t finish this, if you want a better book go to the other Bridgeton or the fake husband both immeasurable in interest and storyline.
This is just my personal opinion

no more Julia for me...

as with everything nothing is everyone's cup of tea... I like clean stories and this certainly wasn't... probably should have guessed sooner considering the confusions in time period manners / styles and the language!!! I got half way through before I couldn't keep going.
I will say the storyline was going well though.

All tomboys cheer !

As a woman who was once rough and fearless and an eldest daughter I must say I loved this book! George and billy are tots adorable x

Least favorite bridgerton book

Cute story but they could have achieved the same thing in half the time. Looooved the Bridgerton books and was hoping this prequel would be just as amazing but it just went on and on and on.

Very Absorbing Listening.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audible book. Compelling listening, the story intrigues and yet one knows the ending will be what we want it to be, but on the way the writing of this book is amazing. I get so absorbed into these audible books, I cannot get enough of them.
Great listening.

Enjoyable but ...

Enjoyable enough but a little disappointing in content compared to the other Julia Quinn books . It did hold my attention in the same way .

A true Bridgerton epic

Somewhat spoiled by the narration in my view. The female narration was unable to convey a male voice, when needed and this somewhat spoiled the book for me. I think it would be better read as a book rather than narrated or a combination of male and female were needed

An enjoyable storyline

An enjoyable storyline, if you like older victorian/Edwardian stories you'll like this story line .

Flummery and piffle

One of the worst bodice-rippers I’ve ever read or heard. Terrible story, dialogue and writing. Cardboard cut-out characters. Hoped for improvement as it progressed but relentlessly awful throughout.