Lady Bridget's Diary

Keeping Up With the Cavendishes

By: Maya Rodale

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

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.

Good not Great

This was my first read by Maya Rodale. It was an interesting story but slow in some places. It was good enough for me to get the second book in the series

Disappointing

I was so looking forward to this book to the point that I'd had it on preorder for months. Rodale is usually a very fun writer, with clever plots and fleshed-out characters. This time...not so much. The story felt flat and contrived. Even though this wasn't her best effort, I would have liked it a great deal more if it had a different narrator.

Maarleveld needs to learn how to pronounce words that are common to regency romance. Words like Almack's (ALL-max), Viscount (VIE-count), Marchioness (MARSH-ee-on-ESS), valet (val-ETT) and about a dozen others. Her narration was lifeless and dull, and the constant mispronounced words yank you out of the story. It's her job to understand these words and how they are pronounced. (And seriously, Audible, aren't there editors or directors listening to these things?)

The sub-par narration really ruined this one for me, and Maarleveld is now on my lousy narrator watch list.

More on the Pride&Prejudice than Bridget Jones end

As the summary suggests, there are Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones’ Diary parallels. Lady Bridget keeps a diary that provides for some funny observations and for predictable hijinks when it goes missing. However, the story takes quite a while to heat up to the diary hijinks. In the meantime, the story follows more closely to Pride and Prejudice themes, with a precocious lady sparring a stuffy Lord Darcy and continuing in his orbit in connection with another gentleman as a potential love interest. Add in Ms. Maarleveld’s measured narration and I wasn’t as engaged with the first half as I would’ve liked for an enemies to lovers story.

I upped the speed, which gave the story a bit more energy and got invested halfway through. But, having stuck it out, I was disappointed that the slow burn paid out with a single scene that was so quick and indirect that it might as well have faded to black entirely. The two prior scenes at first and second base were the only other steamy bits. Those looking for bodice ripping in their regency should look elsewhere. Those who are happy with a solid regency romance, decent supporting cast (and two sisters who will feature in the next books), and even some LGBTQ positive points should find this worth the sale price.

Great story of Americans vs. British

Good story, a bit on pride and prejudice. But, will keep you laughing. A story of a family sticking together through thick and thin!

Good story

A mix of Pride & Prejudice, and Bridgerton with a steamy romance novel throw in. Enjoyed it.