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tlanereads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I would argue that the Bridgerton characters, specifically the men, are generally unlikable. It is one thing for characters to have flaws and hurdles to overcome, but the books don’t typically treat some of the more aggressive traits as flaws to be held accountable for. Phillips speaks demeaningly towards Eloise, and while Eloise is upset about it, some other big trauma occurs that allows excuse for Philip to not be held accountable. Eloise brings up a genuine concern that Philip refuses to hear acknowledge because he writes her off as being a woman and therefore beyond his understanding. The thing that solves this? They have a good sex life., Which somehow leads them to falling in love with each other deeply in a week, even though most of their scenes are spent arguing.
I was genuinely intrigued by the premise of the story – the two falling in love through their letter, writing, but that is such a minuscule part of the story. When the letters were alluded to in Penelope‘s story, I am immediately was excited to read Eloise’s, so the fact that it was mostly a preface was disappointing.
Lastly, they speak of Marina and her mental illness was offputting to say the least. She is treated as a failure and a disappointment for having postpartum depression. Tragic
I was genuinely intrigued by the premise of the story – the two falling in love through their letter, writing, but that is such a minuscule part of the story. When the letters were alluded to in Penelope‘s story, I am immediately was excited to read Eloise’s, so the fact that it was mostly a preface was disappointing.
Lastly, they speak of Marina and her mental illness was offputting to say the least. She is treated as a failure and a disappointment for having postpartum depression. Tragic
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
amyslaske022's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide
ariel_99's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m reading these because the show has me in its claws, okay? I know they’re not quite following the script, but i really can’t get enough rn and i had to do something.
I rated it a 4, thought about it, and am lowering to a 3!
Loud opinionated Eloise landing a man who likes to silently take care of his plants is the best choice Julia Quinn could make, honestly. Other than making her gay (which could def be the show getting to me).
Phillip and Eloise have a very interesting push and pull dynamic, they have incredible banter and physical chemistry. I also loved every interaction with Eloise and the twins - being able to immediately compare them when her own brothers came to look for her was hysterical to me.
On a more serious note, I think Quinn did a great job of describing Phillip’s own trauma informing his actions with his children. She handled it with grace and kindness, and when Eloise connects the dots, she does much the same.
That said, Phillip has a brain full of rocks! Literally he is such a moron, and god it's infuriating. Eloise is so clever and half of this book is her trying to talk to him about serious things and him being like "but what if...we have sex instead". Like focus up, bud! Your kids are being abused?? My god.
I rated it a 4, thought about it, and am lowering to a 3!
Loud opinionated Eloise landing a man who likes to silently take care of his plants is the best choice Julia Quinn could make, honestly. Other than making her gay (which could def be the show getting to me).
Phillip and Eloise have a very interesting push and pull dynamic, they have incredible banter and physical chemistry. I also loved every interaction with Eloise and the twins - being able to immediately compare them when her own brothers came to look for her was hysterical to me.
On a more serious note, I think Quinn did a great job of describing Phillip’s own trauma informing his actions with his children. She handled it with grace and kindness, and when Eloise connects the dots, she does much the same.
That said, Phillip has a brain full of rocks! Literally he is such a moron, and god it's infuriating. Eloise is so clever and half of this book is her trying to talk to him about serious things and him being like "but what if...we have sex instead". Like focus up, bud! Your kids are being abused?? My god.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
brookebartolovich's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Child abuse
whatkatyread87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
True Review: 2.75
The One In Which Katy Actually Takes the Time To Write Words of Disgust on How Her Girl Eloise Was Done Dirty
This could’ve been so epic with the pen pal idea. But Eloise NEVER would have ran away from her family on a whim because she was jealous of Penelope? That’s silly.
Sir Phillip needs some self-work before he finds a mother for his children. And as a feminist, or at least someone who kind of bucks the system a little as a spinster with six engagement rejections, Eloise would never choose someone who just wants to marry someone so his children with have a mother and who doesn’t see her as something more than a baby tender.
Amanda and Oliver were desperate for attention and this book should come with trigger warnings for child abuse with the description of how that nurse was beating them.
The One In Which Katy Actually Takes the Time To Write Words of Disgust on How Her Girl Eloise Was Done Dirty
This could’ve been so epic with the pen pal idea. But Eloise NEVER would have ran away from her family on a whim because she was jealous of Penelope? That’s silly.
Sir Phillip needs some self-work before he finds a mother for his children. And as a feminist, or at least someone who kind of bucks the system a little as a spinster with six engagement rejections, Eloise would never choose someone who just wants to marry someone so his children with have a mother and who doesn’t see her as something more than a baby tender.
Amanda and Oliver were desperate for attention and this book should come with trigger warnings for child abuse with the description of how that nurse was beating them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
ambrosiablue's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I read this book because I liked the Netflix show so much that I wanted to read ahead. I regret it, and hope Netflix does a better job with Eloise's story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Death
britishbelle's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse
lerl_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i think i can fairly say that reading this means i've also read men are from mars, women are from venus.
eloise deserved so much better than a man that sexually assaulted his suicidal wife and then neglects his children after her death.
eloise deserved so much better than a man that sexually assaulted his suicidal wife and then neglects his children after her death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
jcakelover's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Child abuse