Author: Julia Quinn,
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Personal Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 5 stars)
Hyacinth, the youngest of eight Bridgeron siblings and the only remaining unwed daughter of Violet, does not settle. She’s proud to voice her opinions which drew her to the infamous scary elder of the ton, Lady Danbury. She’ll be constantly in the company of Lady Danbury and that would lead her to the path of Lady Danbury’s grandson, Gareth St. Clair.
Gareth St. Clair is the illegitimate child of his deceased mother and (initially) unknown father. Contrary to Hyacinth’s happy upbringing and supportive family, Gareth faces the wrath of his stepfather who’s willing to do anything to ruin his life so he mostly kept away. Lady Danbury was his only real family. When he came to possession of her grandmother’s diary, he needed a confidential translator. Coincidentally (or not), Hyacinth was there when he confided this desire to Lady Danbury and she was able to translate the diary with a rudimentary knowledge of the language.
From there they reached an agreement to work together. Hyacinth was consumed by the challenge; and when a potential treasure hunt for diamonds came to light as she was translating, her mind became razor sharped focused on the goal. It wasn’t for personal gain, it’s just that she loved the challenge. She wouldn’t let Gareth work without her and so sets the stage for how they’ll come to know each other and develop feelings.
Oh yes, it seems like the author is no longer content dealing with feelings… we’re going on a treasure hunt! It was an excellent plot device to round up all of the issues. It allowed Hyacinth to know Gareth and his family’s issues while her own drive made it hard for Gareth not to fall in love with her. Hyacinth might be tiring for the other gentleman of the ton, but to Gareth, she was relentless in a positive way.
Aside from the interesting plot points, there are of course a lot of things to love in this Bridgerton installment.
First, it’s really hard not to laugh and fall for Hyacinth’s competitive charm. She was gonna find those diamonds if it takes her years. There are moments when seriousness was called and she would just flip it and focus on the goal. For example, when Gareth came over to supposedly apologize for an awkward encounter with her, she shouted at Gareth to come in from her window and just excitedly told him details for the next clue on this treasure hunt. Even when they made love, Gareth was surprised that Hyacinth immediately jumped up with energy to get on with the treasure hunt.
Second, there was a moment where Hyacinth had a conversation with her mother, Violet, about her personality. Although Violet was doing poorly at explaining to her, as a reader it was an excellent insight into Hyacinth’s personality from another lens. Hyacinth might’ve thought that she was just being careful and did not want to be locked in a boring marriage so she refuses to engage with ‘boring’ men who only expect to have quiet wives, but her conversation with Violet made her realize (or, at the very least, me) that she was setting her own definition of ‘boring’ and ‘basic’ and that she was unknowingly but actively driving people away from her. She was uncompromising, which is a realistic trait to have for the youngest siblings, but she was also unaware of how it was affecting her relationships.
Third, of course, the Bridgerton siblings are here to be loved. It was fun to see Anthony feel relief about finally marrying his last sister, and see his multidimensional perspective of understanding how Hyacinth can be a difficult wife but he respected and loved her just the way she is. I found it endearing that when he commented how Hyacinth can be difficult, Gareth felt offended because he loved her wisdom and endless energy. It’s a true testament to how every one of us feels about our own partners and our own families.
Fourth, it was so satisfying to witness Gareth resolve his personal feelings about his ‘father’s’ wrath. In the end, he stood high and proud. I loved that for him.
The only thing I disliked about this is – SPOILER ALERT – Hyacinth not finding the diamonds. Her own daughter would find it but I think, given all those years she worked for it, she deserved to be the one to find it.
I’m starting to feel really sad that I’m approaching the end of the Bridgerton series. Gregory is the only one left and I’m not sure I can part with the Bridgertons just yet.
Favorite Quote(s):
The scene is the annual Smythe-Smith musicale, about ten minutes before Mr. Mozart begins to rotate in his grave.
― Julia Quinn, It’s in His Kiss
“You are so used to being completely comfortable with yourself and what you say.”
― Violet Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
“What’s wrong with that?” Hyacinth asked. Not defensively, just quietly.
“Nothing. I wish more people had that talent.” … “But what I think happens,” Violet continued, “is that when you don’t feel that way – when something happens to give you unease – well, you don’t seem to know how to manage it. And you run. Or you decide it isn’t worth it.” … “And that,” she finally said, “is why I’m afraid you’ll never find the right man. Or rather, you’ll find him, but you won’t know it. You won’t let yourself know it.”
“The men in my family are bullheaded idiots.”
― Gareth St. Clair and Hyacinth Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
She smiled. Slightly. “Yourself included?”
He should have anticipated that. “You could’t resist, could you?” he murmured.
“It seemed a wretchedly unfair conundrum to her. Men wanted their women chaste and untouched, then they mocked them for their lack of experience.”
― Hyacinth Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
“There were quite a few things in life a woman needed a great deal more than pride, but Hyacinth figured that as long as dignity was still an option, she might as well hang on to it.”
― Hyacinth Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
“My sister Hyacinth,” the viscount said slowly, walking toward the window, “is a prize. You should remember that, and if you value your skin, you will treat her as the treasure she is.”
― Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
“But while Hyacinth may be a prize, she isn’t easy. I will be the first one to admit to this. There aren’t many men who can match wits with her, and if she is trapped into marriage with someone who does not appreciate her… singular personality, she will be miserable.”
“If you don’t make my sister happy, then you will not be happy. I will see to it myself.”
“You silly child,” Lady Danbury said, brushing her eyes as Hyacinth walked to the door. “In my heart, I’ve been your grandmother for years. I’ve just been waiating for you to make it official.”
― Lady Danbury, It’s in His Kiss
“All right,” he said, his voice so low it was almost shaking. “We are going to lay out some rules, right here and right now.”
― Gareth St. Clair and Hyacinth Bridgerton, It’s in His Kiss
Her spine stiffened. “I beg your pardon.”
“When we are married, you will not exit the house without my permission–“
“Ever?” she cut in.
“Until you have proven yourself to be a responsible adult,” …
She let out an impatient breath. “When did you grow so pompous?”
“When I fell in love with you!” he practically roared. …
“You… You… You what?” …
“I love you, you idiot woman,” he said, his arms jerking and flailing like a madman’s. … “You are the most maddening, frustrating –“
“But–“
“And you never know when to stop talking, but God help me, I love you anyway–
“But, Gareth–“
“And if I have to tie you to the damned bed just to keep you safe from yourslef, as God is my witness, that is what I’ll do.”
…
“You love me?” she whispered.
“It will be the death of me, I’m sure, but yes.”
The Stray Reader 
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