Dearest Readers,

At long last, a new season of romance and scandal is upon us. Netflix’s hit series“Bridgerton,” in all its Jane Austen, meets “Gossip Girl” regency-era glory, and has made its much-anticipated return.

After it was announced the swoon-worthy Duke of Hastings, played by the charismatic Regé-Jean Page, would not be returning to the series due to his up-and-coming film career and James Bond speculations, many fans were left wondering if the second season was also to be a shining diamond, or a lackluster disappointment?

I can assure you, dear reader — this season is a diamond of the highest clarity grade.

Based on the second book of the “Bridgerton” series by best-selling romance author Julia Quinn, the second season focuses on the dashing Viscount Anthony, the eldest Bridgerton sibling, and his search for a wife not out of love, but to fulfill his familial duties. Miss Edwina Shwarma, the Queen-proclaimed diamond of the season, seems like the perfect match, but first, he must get the approval of her protective older sister, Miss Kate Sharma. That’s where things get… complicated. Enemies-to-lovers complicated.

I think I can speak for all the doting and strong-willed eldest sisters out there with a dog that’s an excellent judge of character (too specific?) — Simone Ashley played her role as Kate Sharma perfectly. And I must say, I do agree with Miss Sharma. If the dog does not like the man, it is, to describe it in contemporary terms, a “red flag.”

While there are not as many scandalous scenes that require an awkward walk to the kitchen for a snack if watching in company, there is an electric chemistry between Anthony and Kate that is present throughout. It’s a good thing Anthony got rid of those god-awful sideburns. Like the prose of a Jane Austen novel, a touch of the hand or the glance of an eye can be just as intimate.

There was also an added humor reminiscent of Austen’s work to Anthony’s entanglement with the Sharma sisters and the other plotlines that was much appreciated.

Speaking of plotlines, outside of Anthony’s search to find a wife, there are several other stories to follow. Some of which, especially after being continued from the first season, I do not particularly care for. There was far too much garishly garbed Featherington content for my preference.

Balls — of the dancing manner, for those of you with minds in the gutter — set to classical renditions of modern-day pop songs are a staple of this romance series, but I did find some of the music to be of poor selection. People want romance, relevancy… not to listen to an outdated, overplayed Pink song as if they’re shopping in a TJ Maxx.

Unfortunately, I, like many members of the Ton, watched the entire season this weekend, which means another agonizing wait until the next round of Queen of Genovia narrated drama.

Until then, my Lady Whistledown impression bids you farewell.