summerpearlgirl

[summerpearlgirl]

I love Tempting Scandal by Stillpink. It is the best! Colin gives Penelope increasingly naked "lessons" on marital relations as a friend. Regency setting. https://archiveofourown.org/works/36338452/chapters/90594055

[𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭]

[summerpearlgirl]

[summerpearlgirl]

This one is my favourite 💛 Gorgeous golden yellow Rococo Chinoiserie room 💰 Manhandling the chandelier 🔥 Two flicks of the jacket's lapel 👀 Sliding hands into the trouser pockets 🌶 Hip movements 🫠 Parting lips 🫦

I am only relatively calm in this post because I am already +5 chapters deep into my next Polin fic’s outline. And my beta's been too kind and given me the green light to go completely feral 😈🥰

[summerpearlgirl]

Her fingertips grazed the deep, rich crimson of his velvet trousers. The velvet was smooth as satin, yet with a subtle texture, like a thousand tiny kisses against her hand. As she traced the seam of the trousers upwards she felt the promise of the heat growing within, arousing a sense of anticipation. With a mischievous tug, she loosened the drawstring, the velvet fabric sliding down to reveal a tantalising glimpse of…

[summerpearlgirl]

My Writing - Polin Fic - My Mastermind

I bit the bullet and wrote my first ever fanfic! It is a Polin fic, naturally. I'm smitten with my Polin dorks 💛 🌼

Several lovely people have left me encouraging comments on AO3. I would love if you would give it a read 💙💛💚

My Mastermind by summerpearlgirl

Explicit. Modern setting. Complete. 7,156 words.

Summary:

Penelope Featherington decides to take action to stir the feelings of her long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton. With an elaborately crafted plan, she successfully seduces him. Only to later discover he was aware of what she was trying to achieve the entire time and was 100% onboard. This story explores Colin's demisexuality, Pen’s coping mechanisms, and their love for each other.

Notes:

This story was inspired by the song Mastermind by Taylor Swift.

[summerpearlgirl]

Morally Grey Characters

I don't understand why people think a character being morally grey or dark is something a writer should not write. If you don't want to read it, please exit the page and leave. No one is keeping you reading. Let the writer write.

I wish more people would question the origins of their moral judgments. After all, each individual's definition of 'good' and 'bad' is different, suggesting that these terms lack universal consistency. If morality is so varied, can it ever be objective, or is it a reflection of an individual's prioritisation of certain values over other values?

If the values you are prioritising are something you have not personally interrogated and instead you use the dominant social norms as your definition of acceptable values, then I have something to share: The dominant social norms are ableist, racist, classist and sexist. The dominant social norms are deliberately structured to enforce the dominance of white, cis, male, non-disabled, rich people.

I am passionate about human rights in everyday life, and believe everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. I am also passionate about writers experimenting and pushing the envelope, exploring alternative universes.

I want to read and write characters who bend the rules, who stay out past their bedtime, who act on thoughts that are not spoken of in polite society, who surprise the reader, who think outside the box, who defy expectations, who interact with people rejected by society, who have unconventional relationships, who use their weaknesses as strengths, who use their power to influence for change, who express their yearnings, who risk it all, who push through discomfort to try something new, who just go for it.

So yes, I want to see more morally grey characters. I think morally grey characters have value.

[summerpearlgirl]

Anyone from anywhere in the world can vote. You just need to write your email address, and then you can unsubscribe from the email list at the bottom of the first email.

Please vote for Luke in Drama. This is our best chance to get him an award by popular vote. He gave Colin so much depth and worked tirelessly to deliver such an emotional performance.

Nicola is promoting only Big Mood on her socials for this TV award. That is a clear indication that she wants her work in Big Mood to be recognised in this award, so let's vote for her in the Comedy category for Big Mood.

Voted for Luke in Drama and Nicola in Comedy! 💙💛

[summerpearlgirl]

Oh, that is interesting. In his journal Colin says about the women in Paris "How lucky I am to be surrounded by them" and at the Butterfly Ball he says to Pen "How lucky I am to stand by your side". Colin baby, your repeating turn of phrase is showing. But also, it shows what Sammy Bates explained in her YouTube video that S3 showed all of Colin's slut era interactions with women as being with multiple women and lacking a 1:1 connection. And by S3E8 with Pen he is 1:1 and standing by her side. Aww. Character arc!

Also the word "surrounded" feels like the women/society are imposing on him, rather than "stand by your side" feels like Colin is showing agency and an authentic want to be with Pen.

Colin is such a sweetheart, gratitude journaling his appreciation of the French prostitutes showing him attention and pleasure. And then later expressing his gratitude for Pen choosing him as her husband. Colin's respect for all women, regardless of profession or social status, is so hot.

(almost) every penelope featherington scenes (231/???)

[summerpearlgirl]

My Writing - Polin Fic - My Mastermind

I bit the bullet and wrote my first ever fanfic! It is a Polin fic, naturally. I'm smitten with my Polin dorks 💛 🌼

Several lovely people have left me encouraging comments on AO3. I would love if you would give it a read 💙💛💚

My Mastermind by summerpearlgirl

Explicit. Modern setting. Complete. 7,156 words.

Summary:

Penelope Featherington decides to take action to stir the feelings of her long-time crush, Colin Bridgerton. With an elaborately crafted plan, she successfully seduces him. Only to later discover he was aware of what she was trying to achieve the entire time and was 100% onboard. This story explores Colin's demisexuality, Pen’s coping mechanisms, and their love for each other.

Notes:

This story was inspired by the song Mastermind by Taylor Swift.

[summerpearlgirl]

Polin Fic Recs - One Tree 🌳 & Sex Pollen 🐝🌼

Pen wants to climb Colin like a tree. However, in these fics, Colin is the one doing the tree climbing to reach Pen's bedroom. Much like the One Bed fics, we all know where this is going.

I may have gone on a sex pollen (#sex polin?) tangent when making this list 🐝🌼. The pun is right there! Gold stars to all the Polin fic writers who go hard with the puns 🌟

1. My Heart Is Thrilled By The Still Of Your Hand by ShirlyGallagher

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,722 words. Under 1 hour read. Classic Book!Colin climbs the tree fic with a steamy late night rendezvous in Pen's bedroom for the engaged couple.

2. Foolish One by LeighAnne_Balsdon

Mature. Regency. Complete. 43,498 words. Set in S1. This fic has got a runaway Pen and Colin & Eloise Bridgerton as the search party. Thank goodness Eloise is along for the ride because this is full force Chaos Colin. Slow burn with eventual tree climbing smut.

3. Dishonest Conquest by lilyeval

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 21,960 words. Set S3. Flirting coach Colin Bridgerton gets very jealous of his excellent student Pen's suitors. The flirting train is off the rails. Pen has no filter and may be more oblivious than Colin for once. Colin has climbed into her bedroom at night and she still thinks this is a friendly flirting lesson between friends.

4. Loudly and Fervently and canyonoflight

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,369 words. Under 1 hour read. Set post-S2. The whole of London are overcome by a mist of sex pollen 🐝🌼. Colin tries to be a gentleman, but Pen naughtily displays her breasts at her window towards Colin’s bedroom which gets Colin climbing that tree speedily.

5. Love Is Merely A Madness by Sea_Dragonfly

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 6,900 words (Perfect word count for the amount of smut). Set post-S2. Pen is sequestered in her bedroom because of a mystery fever (sex pollen 🐝🌼) and Colin climbs the tree to Pen's bedroom to check on her. The sex pollen debauchery is offset by lots of trust, consent and tenderness.

6. Bonus sex pollen fic with no tree climbing. Love in Bloom by LillyWhitefield

Explicit. Regency. Complete. 5,250 words. Under 1 hour read. Book!Polin get sex pollened in a greenhouse by a mysterious flower 🐝🌼. Sweet & savvy Book!Pen deserves a sex pollen shag too.

[summerpearlgirl]

You do not understand Colin "My Wife" Bridgerton until you have read Eloise's book. He is adorably pathetic(affectionate). He won't stop declaring - "I am a newlywed, I miss my wife". We get it Colin - you only want to be doing one thing with Pen 🙄 If you want a quick fic, Chapter 12 of gold by Lightleadingme is perfect 👌 newlywed Colin https://archiveofourown.org/works/39566337/chapters/101974119#workskin

I’ve been trying to think about the difference between married Anthony and married Colin and it all came down to the scene in Eloise’s book, where we get full forced Colin ‘my wife’ Bridgerton. Colin could not spend more than a week without Penelope before going insane.

(I’m not saying Anthony doesn’t love Kate and worship the ground she walks on. Rather, they had lives before they married)

But Pen and Colin have known each other since childhood. They grew into adulthood with each other. They are constants to each other. And He almost lost her more than once.

So, now anytime he has to leave her side, he throws a hissy fit and complains to anyone who listened. Because Penelope is his wife and she’s perfection and he wants to spend all his time with her!

[summerpearlgirl]

Working on my Polin getting sex pollened fic recs list as we speak. What a beautiful world, indeed 🌼🤭

[summerpearlgirl]

Yes 💯. Apologies for the lateness of this reply, but this unhinged rendition of the S3 Modiste Bitch-off came to me at 3AM.

COLIN (mad): What were you thinking then?PENELOPE (earnest): I was thinking that I simply wanted the hair that I know back. Not that reshoot wig, which was thoroughly distracting and an atrocity to behold. It's this…thick, curly, occasionally excitable, long hair that I love.

PENELOPE starts desperately fingering Colin's hair. COLIN moans loudly. They abruptly get interrupted and stay still as a man on a horse passes by.

[summerpearlgirl]

Why is everyone not talking about Luke's hair? Thank the Lord, his hair looks fantastic.

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Character Traits of Penelope Bridgerton (nee Featherington)

I have already posted about the strengths and challenges of the character traits that Colin and Penelope share.

Here I will discuss Penelope's character traits of bravery, curiosity and comfort. Spoilers throughout.

1. Bravery

Strengths:

Overcoming obstacles: Bravery allows people to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Penelope is brave when she stands before the Ton at the Butterfly Ball to reveal herself as the writer of Lady Whistledown and beg for the Queen's mercy.

Effecting change: Bravery can lead to positive change and inspire others. Penelope is brave asking Colin for a kiss in S3E2. Penelope also uses Lady Whistledown to help people who have less power in society to make change such as when she saved Daphne from marrying Berbrooke S1 and it is how she intends to write going forward.

Challenges:

Recklessness: Penelope puts herself and those closest to her at risk of ruin by continuing to publish Whistledown. The articles she wrote about the royals (especially in Queen Charlotte) are treasonous and punishable by death. Colin is rightfully terrified of Pen being executed and his family having their assets stripped when the Queen arrives at the wedding breakfast to reveal she suspects a Bridgerton is Whistledown.

Emotional toll: Facing fear and danger takes a toll on emotional wellbeing, leading to stress. Pen has a panic attack and faints at the engagement ball in S3E5 at she faces the fear of Colin not wanting to marry her when attempting to tell him she is Whistledown.

Arrogance: Bravery requires a certain level of belief that you know better than others who have tried before. Pen influencing the Ton to direct business away from the new modiste towards Madam Delacroix was arrogant and negligent. Nicola Coughlan commented that she portrayed Penelope as arrogant in S2.

Nicola Coughlan in Teen Vogue: “I always thought of her like a little like a yo-yo in S1, that she'd kind of go out to say something, but then she had to pull it back. She'd try and be crafty and try and do this, but it was like I've gotta bring it in, and then in S2 I wanted her to have a little bit more of an arrogance about her but misplaced maybe a little bit because she's like the most famous person in London. Nobody knows that she is, and she sort of then convinced herself that her and Colin are having this love story, which they're really not in S2. But in S3, I wanna drift to feel more grounded, more like a young woman and more becoming comfortable with herself.”

2. Curiosity

Strengths:

Learning and growth: Curiosity drives individuals to seek knowledge and experience, leading to personal and intellectual growth. I really enjoyed reading a fanfic where Colin has a long inner dialogue about Pen's curiosity being really sexy. I cannot find it, if anyone knows please comment below.

Challenges:

Social ostracism: Curiosity can be interpreted as intrusive, leading to potential social rejection. Penelope's use of the Lady Whistledown pen name is demonstrative of her fear of people judging her.

3. Comfort

Strengths:

Nurturing: Comforting people create a nurturing and supportive environment, promoting emotional wellbeing in those around them. What Pen says to Colin after Francesca's wedding S3E8 is one of the most comforting things I have heard: “It's not what you do for me that makes me love you. It is your kindness, your empathy, how much you care. Just being you is enough, Colin. I do not need you to save me. I just need you to stand by me, to hold me, to kiss me.”

Challenges:

Dependency: Penelope and Colin's dynamic can be codependent at times. I read Polin fics to indulge my codependency loving heart, but I try to be more pragmatic in real life.

Neglect of self: In an effort to comfort others, comforting individuals may neglect to advocate for their own needs. Penelope flip flops on this aspect, sometimes she is selfless and sometimes she is selfish. It resonates with the argument that Alfred Adler and other psychology texts make which is that a strong need for control could be a maladaptive coping mechanism to compensate for feelings of inferiority, neglect or lack of control in other areas of one's life.

Quote of Colin appreciating Penelope's bravery S3E8:

Colin: “I simply cannot believe that a woman with such bravery loves me. How lucky I am to stand by your side and soak up even a little bit of your light. If my only purpose in life is to love a woman as great as you, then I will be a very fulfilled man indeed.” 💛

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Character Traits of Colin Bridgerton

I have already posted about the strengths and challenges of the character traits that Colin and Penelope share.

Here I will discuss Colin's character traits of charm and sensitivity. Spoilers throughout.

1. Charm

Strengths:

Empathy: He has a strong intuition for what other people crave with the briefest of interactions. Colin understands the debutantes feel insecure about their looks and ability to secure a husband, so he compliments their beauty and suggests many men will be competing for them S3E1.

Ease at social occasions: Colin was involved in the Marina pregnancy scandal and the Featherington ruby scandal, yet at the start of each social season he walks “back into society with such ease”.

Challenges:

Superficiality: Charming people may be perceived as rakish or uncaring. The S3E1 Lady Whistledown article about Colin is an example of this.

Difficulty building deep connections: Charming people may find it challenging to form meaningful relationships. Colin is disappointed by the shallowness of the rakish Lord Squad in S3E4.

2. Sensitivity

Strengths:

Compassion: His sensitivity leads to a compassionate nature, making him a caring and supportive friend and family member. When Colin is informed by Pen of the hurt she felt when she overheard him declaring he would never court her at the Featherington Ball, Colin is quick to give her a very compassionate apology and offer to help her feel more at ease at social occasions. This post by rainybraindays inspired me to write this post today.

Creativity: His sensitivity fuels his creativity, allowing him to express himself in imaginative ways. For example, Colin’s sensitivity to his travel experiences fuels his journal writing.

Challenges:

Overwhelm: Sensitivity can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed by strong emotions or negative experiences. Colin was an overwhelmed wreck after seeing Pen dance with Debling at the Innovation Ball.

Difficulty setting boundaries: Colin struggles to set boundaries, leading to people-pleasing and overgiving behaviour. Colin tries to please Anthony and society by “trying to feel less. Trying to be the kind of man society expects me to be.” Violet’s talk with Colin on the stairs in S3E4 warns him that he should not allow the people-pleasing armor to rust or he will be trapped and miserable forever.

Ruminating: Sensitivity can lead to overthinking and ruminating on negative thoughts or experiences. Colin ruminates for over a year after Marina’s pregnancy was revealed in Whistledown.

Quote of Pen appreciating Colin's charm and sensitivity S3E7:

Penelope: “I was thinking that I simply wanted the Colin I know back. Not this stoic man you returned as. Acting as if you care for no one and need nothing. It's you, kind and feeling, occasionally excitable, good-hearted man that I love.” 💙

[summerpearlgirl]

Analysis of the Shared Character Traits of Colin & Penelope Bridgerton

I love how Bridgerton explores both the strengths and challenges of Colin and Penelope's character traits. Spoilers throughout.

My personal viewpoint is that all character traits have strengths and challenges. And that good storytelling explores both aspects.

I believe that if you find only the positive aspects of a person's character trait acceptable, you're likely to become frustrated over time. We all make mistakes from time to time. The challenging aspects of character traits will inevitably show up.

A key takeaway from Bridgerton S3 is that a long-term relationship is strongest when both parties appreciate and accept their partners' character traits in their entirety.

In this post I will discuss character traits Colin and Penelope share: spontaneity and romantic natures.

Sidenote: I am a romance girlie with ADHD. I empathise with their struggles and indulgently revel in their triumphs

1. Spontaneity

Strengths:

Adventurous: Both are risk-takers. Colin enjoys his travels. Penelope earns her own money, which is unusual for a noble lady during the Regency period.

Creative: Both have innovative ideas. Colin pilfers Cressida's necklace to prove Lord Featherington's rubies are fake. Penelope writes the Whistledown pamphlet to discredit Cressida in a single carriage ride S3E6.

Quick Decision-Making: Both don't faff around. Colin decides on a wife, house, and baby-making within 24 hours in S3E4-5.

Challenges:

Regret: Impulsive actions can lead to regret. Colin regrets going to see Cressida without making a better plan first with Eloise and Penelope in S3E8. Penelope regrets writing about Marina and Eloise.

Relationship Issues: Impulsive behaviour can strain relationships due to a lack of consideration and time given to others. I believe that if Penelope was aware of Colin's intent to marry her and they had had a longer courtship with more opportunities for safe communication, she would have told him about Whistledown before the engagement.

Difficulty Planning: Impulsive people may struggle with long-term planning and goal-setting. Colin often expresses his struggle to find a purpose, such as when he was feeding the ducks S2E5. Penelope did not plan for the long-term when she started writing Lady Whistledown and finds herself being hunted by the Queen.

2. Romantic Nature

Strengths:

Imagination: Both possess a vivid imagination. Colin's dream about Penelope at the start of S3E3 is epic. Penelope's writing about Cressida being a succubus is hilarious.

Resilience: Despite the Lady Whistledown conflict, both maintain their determination to marry. Colin's talk with Kate is enlightening on this aspect too S3E7.

Challenges:

Unrealistic expectations: Both have idealised visions of love, which leads to misunderstandings. Colin is blind to his love for Penelope because he expected it to feel like a thunderbolt striking him. Penelope thinks Colin has romantic intentions towards her when he says he will always look out for her and is heartbroken when she hears he does not want to court her in S2E8.

Vulnerability: Romantic individuals may be more susceptible to manipulation because of how powerfully they feel love. Colin is manipulated by Marina's exaggerations and love bombing in S1. Penelope is manipulated by Portia to give up her dreams because Portia says that ladies do not have dreams and serve their husband's dreams S3E6.

Difficulty with casual relationships: Romantic individuals may find it challenging to navigate casual or less romantic intimacy. Colin forlornly describes a casual encounter in his journal as “distant”. Penelope looks disappointed when Portia tells her that Debling will propose because Penelope desires a love match.

Loneliness: Without love, they experience feelings of loneliness. Colin exclaims at the Lord Squad, "Do you not find it lonely?" regarding their shallow relationships. Penelope looks very lonely when sitting at her bedroom window after the Lady Whistledown article about Colin tutoring her was published S3E4.

Quote of Pen appreciating Colin's spontaneity and romantic nature S1E8:

Colin: “I must apologise. I did not see it at first, but I know you were only trying to prevent me from heartache with Miss Thompson…But I was a fool.”

Penelope: “You were not a fool. You merely believed yourself in love. One should never apologise for that. If one finds themselves in such an incredible position. One should declare it: assuredly, fervently, loudly.”

It is beautiful that they understand and appreciate these aspects of each other 💛💙💚