Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 2/20/2020 + 2617 more book reviews

Good continuation of the adventures of the Rokesby and Bridgerton families. In this book, third son Andrew meets his match in the form of Poppy Bridgerton. Andrew appeared in the first book (Because of Miss Bridgerton) as a rogue and a flirt. He's light-hearted and cheerful, and no one in his family suspects that he is a spy/courier working for the British government. In this book, Andrew has a time-sensitive mission to Portugal. Beneath the cheerful exterior is a man who is deadly serious about carrying out his duties. There is also a small part of him that is weary of the demands that keep him away from his family, and he ponders the idea of giving it up and moving on to a more settled life.

Poppy Bridgerton is a woman who knows her own mind. She is independent and a bit impulsive, intelligent and forthright. She's had two Seasons, but none of the men she met have lived up to her exacting expectations. She escapes for a while to visit a friend, where she can take long walks and think about her future. On one walk she stumbles across a smugglers' cave filled with booty. Unfortunately for her, it also contained two pirates who were determined to keep her from revealing what she knows. They tie her up and take her aboard ship, where they leave her on the captain's bed for him to deal with.

I thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's encounter with Brown and Green, the two pirates in the cave. She talked rings around them, but it still wasn't enough to keep them from kidnapping her. Andrew's shock at finding her in his cabin was nothing compared to the shock he got when he found out who she was. He knew he was fortunate that they had never met, considering how close their families are - especially with her cousin Billie married to his brother George. I'm not sure why he didn't tell her who he was from the start, but it certainly made for some entertaining moments. He also knows that there is a good chance he will have to marry her to prevent a scandal.

I loved the development of the relationship between Poppy and Andrew. Poppy is, of course, upset about her abduction and worried about the effect it would have on her family, friends, and reputation. However, nothing she says convinces the captain to set her free, though he does allow her to send a letter to her friend with a story that will keep her family in the dark. I loved the back-and-forth between Poppy and Andrew as she pleads her case, and he counters every argument. I was impressed with her acceptance of her confinement, intelligent enough to realize that it was for her safety. I could also feel her frustration at being on an "adventure" and yet bored out of her mind. The only bright spots were meals with Andrew when their conversations ran the gamut of subjects. Andrew was impressed and intrigued by her intelligence and curiosity and finds that he wants to find ways to counter that boredom. Poppy responds as she realizes that he is a kind and decent man despite being a pirate and kidnapper. I loved watching them grow closer over that week.

Things look fairly promising between them since Andrew at least knows that they are a suitable match. But things go sideways when they reach Portugal. Andrew's attempt to give Poppy a pleasant interlude off the ship ends up with them both as captives. The situation is intense as Andrew bargains for Poppy's release, tells her the truth of why he is there, and sends her off to his contact for help. That scene was pretty funny as Poppy's stubbornness was no match for the needs of King and Country. I ached for Poppy, who was returned to England, not knowing if Andrew was safe or not. As a reader, you know very well that trouble is just around the corner when Andrew arrives at his parents' home, determined to stay only long enough to discover where Poppy is, not knowing that she and her family are coming to dinner that very night. That dinner scene was fantastic, with the soup incident being one of my favorites in the whole book. I loved Andrew's big moment and how they came together. The epilogue was terrific, too.

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