Lady Bridget's Diary: Keeping Up with the Cavendishes

Maya Rodale

Feb 2016 · Keeping Up with the Cavendishes Book 1 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

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.

Ratings and reviews

It's normal to want to fit in. Well, try to at least. That was Bridget. The differences between America and England were never more obvious to me as they were when seen through Bridget's eyes. Or, rather, her diary. Uprooted and brought across the ocean to a country she knew nothing about, Bridget found herself at odds with propriety and being herself. I admired her attempts at being British, though I loved and preferred the wild American woman she was at heart. Thrust into polite society, forced to learn its ins and outs, made this a comedic act from the beginning. But the romance made it heartwarming. Darcy's dislike of Bridget was amusing. He's the epitome of English gentry, his propriety and politeness at odds with Bridget's, um, untamed nature. I kept thinking, "Just wait, buddy. Your time's coming!" And how far the mighty fell. Bridget's friendship with Darcy's brother meant she was a constant thorn in his side. But that that thorn became less of a nuisance and more of an interest as the story went on. One thing I really appreciated, and I hope others do too, was the slowness of Darcy and Bridget's romance. It wasn't insta-lust (more like insta-hate) and it didn't happen one-third of the way in either. It burned slowly, ignited by tension already existing between them, then burst into love that consumed and encompassed. It was brilliant and amazing and a whole bunch of other adjectives I can't think of right now. *smiles* Ms. Rodale, this is an incredible beginning to your new series. It pulls from favorite books of mine to present a story that is rich and amusing and exhilarating. This is a keeper and a definite re-read for me. Received from Edelweiss via Tasty Book Tours for an honest review

It had been sheer torture waiting for a new book from one of my favourite authors, the mere title was so promising, that I did not even think to read the blurb until I picked up the book. Does it live up to my expectations? Did the sun come up this morning? The new Duke of Durham hails from the colonies, James Cavendish recently inherited the title much to his dismay, but he does have three sisters who will have to make their debut, so off they all travel to London for the Season. And Lady Bridget Cavendish becomes the scorn of the Ton, when upon her faux pas she earns the unenviable nickname of “The Girl Who Fell”. The charming and amusing Rupert Wright comes to her rescue, and Bridget is immediately smitten; Rupert is so unlike his equally good-looking but stern brother, Lord Darcy. And yet there is something about “Dreadful Darcy”… As the title implies, Bridget has a diary in which she laments her reducing diet, her lack of enthusiasm and talent for etiquette and deportment, which she had no use for in America. Nothing goes well, apart from her infatuation with Rupert, and it goes from bad to worse when her diary disappears. Said diary contains much more than unflattering remarks about Darcy, lives could be ruined if it is not found, and this is the third of a series of spectacular plot twists! LADY BRIDGET’S DIARY is filled with Ms. Rodale’s legendary sparkling wit, the writing is superb, the dialogues clever and amusing, the characters impeccably drawn, and the romance is absolutely lovely. Even though he is not a Cavendish, I am hoping to read more about Rupert; he is a wonderful character, and the possibilities are endless! This is one of the most solid stories Ms. Rodale has ever written, and I cannot wait for the next instalments in what promises to be another brilliant series! I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

this is a good book, I love reading what this author writes, but it is very similar to Jane Austen's pride and prejudice, I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, having just finished it, but the writing was good and I did lose myself in the book. I will continue with the series, because I want to know what happens with the other characters, and as I said before I like the author.

About the author

Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother's insistence. She is now the bestselling and award-winning author of smart and sassy romances. She lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own.