First Comes Scandal

When Nicholas Rokesby is called home from medical school by his father, he has no idea what is wrong and is less than pleased to find out that his father wants him to “save” Georgiana “Georgie” Bridgerton from ruin by marrying her. He has nothing against Georgie – he likes her, but he has never thought of her that way and is not sure he can…

Georgie is angry, she escaped Freddie Oaks, the dastard that kidnapped her and tried to force her to elope, but instead of praising her for her ability to save herself, the ton has deemed her ruined! Her choices are marry Freddie – not in this lifetime – or retire to the country and live out her life as a spinster. Neither option is appealing so she should be overjoyed when Nicholas proposes…

Georgie doesn’t want Nicholas’ pity proposal and makes her refusal crystal clear – but later when she has had time to think, she knows she has made a huge mistake. As luck would have it, Freddie decides to made a late-night visit to Georgie’s window and ends up in need of medical attention – good thing Georgie knows a soon-to-be doctor!! After helping him tend Freddie, Georgie confesses she made a mistake and asks if she may reconsider, Nicholas proposes again and this time she accepts. Could it be that a scandal was exactly what they needed to see what has been there all along?

This was a well written, very sweet, friends to lovers story. Nicholas and Georgie are very likable and their transition from friends to lovers is believable and entertaining. The book is filled with witty banter, has lots of cats, well-meaning parents, a slow burning romance that ignites into passion and a very satisfying HEA – it is a bit slow at points and there is not a lot of drama/conflict – but if you are looking for a light, amusing, uncomplicated, feel-good read – look no further, this is that book!! This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*

First Comes Scandal is yet another lovely book in this series. Even though it was my least favourite book in this series, I still loved Georgiana and Nicholas. Their story was unique and something refreshing to read.

I love anything Julia Quinn writes.

It’s from Julia Quinn – what more do you want?

This is a charming story about nextdoor neighbors finding in a very circulous route, that they were made for each other. Nicholas Rokesby, studying medicine in Edinburgh, is urgently summoned home, during exam week. He finds that his childhood friend and neighbor, Georgiana Bridgerton, had been kidnapped by a rogue, who is deeply in debt, and wanted to force her to marry him. She escapes from him but now is ruined unless she marries him anyway, which she refuses to do. Nicholas’s father is her godfather, and he summoned Nicholas home to propose to her. Nicholas is shocked, especially after Georgiana refuses his totally unromantic proposal, but after assisting him in setting a broken arm, she changes her mind and they embark on the greatest adventure of their lives. Enchanting characters, lots of humor and a sweet story about how love can sneak up on you when you aren’t looking for it. I really enjoyed this st

First Comes Scandal by Julia Quinn
Series: A Bridgerton Prequel – Rokesbys 4

3.5 Stars – This book had some witty banter and good characters, along with the typical Quinn humour. I enjoyed the first three quarters of the story. The remaining seemed to be focused on how Georgie was interested in all that becoming a doctor was and how women would one day be in medicine. Which seemed to mellow out the flow/fun of the book. Still worth the read of course, but perhaps this is just a personal preference, but lately I am finding lots of the historical romances are trying to push the female occupation boundaries, which is fine, but I miss the balls and such as that is one of the main reasons I read historical romances.. perhaps it’s time to revisit some old classics.

~Paragraphs and Petticoats~

I was all in for this beautiful story about young love. I’m never surprised to find myself emotionally attached to characters from a Julia Quinn novel.

Loved Georgie and Nicholas. They complement each other.

Nicholas Rokesby is the fourth son of an earl. He is studying to become a doctor in Edinburgh, Scotland. Nicholas learns of Georgie’s plight after his father summons him home. He is flabbergasted when she declines his noble proposal. However, after a midnight medical rendezvous, she agrees to become his wife. Their journey to Scotland brings about new discoveries and revelations. Can Georgie and Nicholas make their unorthodox marriage work? Will Nicholas be able to resume his medical studies with a wife in tow?
Georgiana “Georgie” Bridgerton is the youngest child of a viscount. Her reputation is ruined thanks to a foiled elopement-kidnapping. Georgie has few options for her future, until Nicholas Rokesby, a family friend, offers marriage. She refuses because she does not want him to sacrifice his future on her account, only to capitulate later. On their way to Scotland, Georgie starts to notice Nicholas in new ways. Can Georgie and Nicholas learn to love each other? Will their hasty marriage hinder his studies?
Nicholas is such a sweetheart! I adore the fact that he too is a virgin. It is a nice change of pace than the typical over-experienced hero. Nicholas’ lack of experience is due to missed opportunity than intentional. I love how selfless he is with his medical expertise. Nicholas may be the son of a nobleman; however, he is not afraid to provide help to whoever, including the working class. What I admire most about Nicholas is his views of women. He does not share society’s views on a woman’s place. Instead, Nicholas believes a woman has every right to be whoever she wants to be.
Georgie is such a delightful character. She is neither independent nor timid, but the right balance between the two. I like Georgie’s resourcefulness. She did not wait around to be rescued; instead, she kept her wits and escaped the first opportunity that arose. I admire Georgie’s bravado. She refused to marry the cad who ruined her reputation, even at the risk of being a pariah amongst her peers. What I love the most about Georgie is how she took initiative in Nicholas’ absence to find them a home. Even though she is limited by her sex, Georgie still manages to get what needs done without fear of her husband’s reprisal.
FIRST COMES SCANDAL is book four in Julia Quinn’s historical romance series, ROKESBYS, a prequel spinoff from her BRIDGERTON series. The story can easily stand alone, yet it makes several references to the couples and situations in the prior books. Unfortunately, I have not read the first book, something I need to remedy quickly.
I am a longtime fan of Julia Quinn’s books, especially her BRIDGERTON books. I love how this story allows fans to witness firsthand the relationship Violet Bridgerton shared with her husband Edmund. It is always alluded to in the BRIDGERTON series. What I adore the most is seeing Anthony, Benedict, and Colin Bridgerton – the heroes of THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME, AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN, and ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON – as children.
FIRST COMES SCANDAL is a cute yet humorous tale of boy and girl next door rediscovering one another. The storytelling is a little different than the author’s usual books but with her witty trademark. I wonder what else Julia Quinn has in the works. I cannot wait to see.
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

Fun friends to lovers romance. Nicholas and Georgie have known each other all their lives. They grew up on neighboring estates, and Nicholas was her brother Edmund’s best friend. Nicholas’s parents are Georgie’s godparents as well as her parents’ friends. So when Georgie ends up in the middle of a scandal, through no fault of her own, her godfather comes up with what he thinks is the perfect plan.

Nicholas is attending the university in Edinburgh, nearly through with his medical studies, when he receives an urgent message from his father. Nicholas is to return home immediately, though he is given no explanation. Expecting the worst, Nicholas hurries back to discover that his father has a most unusual request for him – marry Georgie and save her reputation. Nicholas is understandably stunned and none too happy. He has no time for marriage thanks to his studies, and besides, Georgie is almost like a sister to him. Well, okay, maybe not a sister, but he’s never thought of her that way.

Meanwhile, Georgie despairs of her future. Thanks to Freddie Oakes’ attempt to force a marriage by abducting her, her reputation is shredded. Her choices are to marry him or not marry at all. An unexpected third option is almost as bad. Married because a friend feels sorry for her is too terrible to contemplate.

I felt terrible for Nicholas during his conversation with his father. He has seen his two brothers marry for love and be happy, yet his father expects him to make a loveless marriage. He understands the reason, but he has other plans for his immediate future. However, he promises his father that he will think about it. That evening, the Rokesbys have dinner with the Bridgertons. This was one of the best scenes in the entire book. Thanks to that conversation with his father, Nicholas finds himself looking at Georgie differently. He notices her wit and beauty, and especially how easy it is to talk to her. He is surprised by her genuine interest in his studies, and their subsequent discussion was hilarious. It also made Nicholas think that maybe marriage between them could work after all.

However, marriage is not a foregone conclusion. Nicholas has accepted the idea, but now he has to convince Georgie. I ached for Georgie. Nicholas’s attempt at a proposal was awkward and wasn’t helped by the presence of her two young nephews. She was furious at being thought an object of pity, someone that Nicholas had to be coerced into marrying. She barely let him get a word in as he tried to talk to her before he stormed off in frustration. Georgie is an intelligent woman, though, and once she gets past her injured pride, she looks honestly at her options. Her decision is further helped along by the arrival of an unexpected and unwelcome visitor. This was another funny scene that showed how well Georgie and Nicholas were suited.

The development of their relationship is a slow one, rooted in their friendship, and without any significant conflicts. Georgie is fascinated by Nicholas’s work and endlessly curious about it. She is not the least bit squeamish and takes every possible opportunity to make herself useful to him. Nicholas is impressed by her intelligence and curiosity. Their journey from their homes in Kent to Edinburgh is full of laughter and growing attraction. There is a little strain between them when they reach their destination, thanks to their living arrangements. I liked how Georgie took matters into her own hands to solve the issue, and that Nicholas supported her actions. There is a bit of a scare at the end that highlights their love and trust in each other. The epilogue was a nice peek into their future together.

I also enjoyed the glimpse of Edmund and Violet’s marriage. It is a little bittersweet, knowing what the future holds for them. At this point, they have only three of their eight children, but the descriptions of those three show that their personalities formed early. I think I will have to reread the original Bridgerton series before the TV series begins.