I was hesitant starting this one. I didn’t think I would like Anthony as much as Simon, but I do. In fact, I think I love him more! The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn is the second book in her series about the Bridgertons. This one is about the eldest as he comes to the realization that it is past time to fulfill his duty to his family. That means marriage and producing an heir. As with the first, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments with an emotionally driven romance. Rosalyn Landor’s narration is fantastic. The book comes to life on the pages as if you were reading a society paper, and I couldn’t help but love her.

Anthony Bridgerton is not an easy man to like. He’s bullheaded and the very definition of a rogue. However, with the POV chapters we are given by the author, I fell in love with him quite thoroughly. Losing his father at the cusp of becoming a man and having to step into a role he believed he wouldn’t fulfill for years broke something in him. That grief and anger became its own force. As a result, Anthony believes he is destined to die young like his father, and with the clock rapidly ticking away, he’s decided it is time to wed. His choice is the diamond of the season, but only one thing stands in his way: the girl’s older sister.

Kate Sheffield is determined to help her sister find a suitable husband this season. It is the only season they can afford to be in town, attending lavish balls. I love Kate. She is shrewd in her outlook and has a large, caring heart. Despite being the eldest sister, Kate has no intentions of marrying. With the death of her father, they do not have much money for a dowry and what they do have she wants saved for her sister. Kate is content to be a governess or teacher and not a wife. At least that is the lie she continues to tell her self.

I love how these two wind up in each other’s paths over and over again. Anthony is determined to get Kate to like him so that he can marry her sister, yet sparks fly between them. This is very much an enemies-to-lovers trope as the two cannot stand each other. But you know what they say, there’s a thin line between love and hate.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Viscount Who Loved Me. I liked it even more than the first book. This one is focused on two opposites, forced to marry who fall in love. It was so easy to root for Anthony and Kate, even when I wanted to reach through the pages and slap sense into one or both of them. If you are a fan of historical romance, I highly recommend it.