Review: The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

She was in the wrong place...

Fiercely independent and adventurous, Poppy Bridgerton will only wed a suitor whose keen intellect and interests match her own. Sadly, none of the fools from her London season qualify. While visiting a friend on the Dorset coast, Poppy is pleasantly surprised to discover a smugglers' hideaway tucked inside a cave. But her delight turns to dismay when two pirates kidnap her and take her aboard a ship, leaving her bound and gagged on the captain's bed...

He found her at the wrong time...

Known to society as a rascal and reckless privateer, Captain Andrew James Rokesby actually transports essential goods and documents for the British government. Setting sail on a time-sensitive voyage to Portugal, he's stunned to find a woman waiting for him in his cabin. Surely, his imagination is getting the better of him. But no, she is very real-and his duty to the Crown means he's stuck with her.

Can two wrongs make the most perfect right?

When Andrew learns that she is a Bridgerton, he knows he will likely have to wed her to avert a scandal-though Poppy has no idea that he is the son of an earl and neighbor to her aristocratic cousins in Kent. On the high seas, their war of words soon gives way to an intoxicating passion. But when Andrew's secret is revealed, will his declaration of love be enough to capture her heart...?

Review
I'll admit it - I was sold as soon as I read the words 'smugglers' and 'reckless privateer'. This is my first Julia Quinn novel, so I'm delighted to discover there's a substantial back-list to dive into next time I need a fix. Historical romance is my escapist genre - there's nothing like spiriting yourself away to another time and place when you've had a bad day, especially when there's dashing Captains involved! Andrew Rokesby, despite the reputation he tries to maintain, is actually a bit of a softie, and I fell for him as soon as he walked into the cabin. Poppy Bridgerton is a fabulous heroine. She's sassy and inquisitive, a combination that spells trouble. She and Andrew have chemistry from the off, and their banter and witty conversation is so much fun to read. There isn't as much action in the story as I was expecting, but this didn't bother me at all - I love slow-burn character driven novels, and it is conversation that really moves this story on. Andrew and Poppy's romance is a believable one that naturally blossoms - with a hint of that old hate to love trope that I'm an absolute sucker for.

Witty and charming, The Other Miss Bridgerton is perfect escapism for a cold winter's night. I can't wait to read more from Julia Quinn!

**Thanks to Clara Diaz at Piatkus for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for a review!**