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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
3.5 not fiery but a good love story. Didn’t feel like quite the same Eloise, and I dont feel like Philip deserved her at all bc after the letters he seemed like a completely different person but overall pretty good
Okay, no.
Part of me was RELIEVED that there was no Penelope in this one because I'd get a break from the fat shaming. That much, anyway, was true. But then we get Sir Phillip.
CUT NOT ONLY FOR SPOILER BUT FOR POTENTIAL TRIGGERY TALK ABOUT SUICIDE, POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION
Ughhhhhh
Part of me was RELIEVED that there was no Penelope in this one because I'd get a break from the fat shaming. That much, anyway, was true. But then we get Sir Phillip.
CUT NOT ONLY FOR SPOILER BUT FOR POTENTIAL TRIGGERY TALK ABOUT SUICIDE, POST-PARTUM DEPRESSION
Spoiler
Sir Phillip's wife has died after a seven year struggle with post-partum depression. She walks into the lake, he fishes her out and she dies of pneumonia. Can we just... though... can we just NOT maybe use a fairly popular romance series to sort of underscore the very very damaging narrative that the survivors are better off in the long run when depressed people kill themselves? I don't know that's what Quinn INTENDED but the ongoing theme of Phillip being so much happier once his wife was dead and he could meet and marry Eloise who is actually a happy person rather than just sad all the time is... well it's horrible. It's a horrible message to put out there. Why the hell did nobody catch this and send it back to Quinn for rewriting? ALSO, if you all recall, in Bridgertons 2, there was a whole appendix about bee stings, so I was waiting for there to be something similar about post-partum depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. and how these things were handled poorly in the Edwardian era and the prior wife, had she been born a few hundred years later, might have been able to weather her depression with therapy and meds (and goddamn divorce, which probably would have helped her find someone SHE actually liked being married to) and that appendix could have included the suicide hotline phone number but nope, nothing like that. ALSO, I was REALLY REALLY irritated when Phillip gets SO MAD at Eloise for trying to discuss a problem with him. His defense was "My last wife was never happy so I need you to always be happy" and what kind of abusive bullshit is that? Never raise an issue with me because it reminds me about how my last wife was such a downer and now I need ONLY JOY IN MY PRESENCE."Ughhhhhh
This one was real disappointing. I guess I was tricked by the TV show, which set up Eloise as the sassy, rebellious Bridgerton. I was also keen on reading a Regency version of Love Hard or You've Got Mail.
Reader, despite a promising start, I was eventually let down on both fronts.
What follows is a story where, rather than two difficult characters being disappointed, learning to temper their expectations, and finally falling in love, we get two difficult characters who butt heads continuously until the magical power of dick convinces them that they're "made for each other" - oh, and they're forced to marry anyway to save her reputation.
Reader, despite a promising start, I was eventually let down on both fronts.
Spoiler
Eloise's reason for meeting Sir Philip has nothing to do with seeking independence or a different life than she'd get in London, and everything to do with "my best friend just got married and I'm panicking about being forever alone". He also doesn't want her because she's sassy or smart, he just needs a mom for his kids and as the only unmarried woman he thinks he has a shot with, "she'll do!"What follows is a story where, rather than two difficult characters being disappointed, learning to temper their expectations, and finally falling in love, we get two difficult characters who butt heads continuously until the magical power of dick convinces them that they're "made for each other" - oh, and they're forced to marry anyway to save her reputation.
When I first met Eloise’s character, upon watching the first season of Bridgerton, I knew she was going to be a favorite of mine. Reading about her across the series has not disappointed and reading her story has been even a better experience.
After believing wholeheartedly that Colin and Penelope’s story is the best of the books, I have to say I think Eloise’s is the most romantic of them all. Though she’s the practical, down to earth Bridgerton, matching her with the introverted and very emotionally damaged Sir Phillip Crane was complete genius and the way they come together is as unconventional as our heroine herself.
While Phillip chooses to hide from the things he can’t manage in his greenhouse, Eloise is a take the bull by the horns kind of woman and that’s how she ends up in his house, compromising both of them into a hasty marriage before she’s fully convinced whether or not they will suit. But everything about them, from the way they become aware of each other to her arrival at his doorstep and their life as a couple is moving and romantic, meant to give the reader “the feels” and I found marriage to a country gentleman was perfect for the free-spirited Eloise.
Needless to say, I loved this book and highly recommend it especially if you are someone who likes the old-fashioned, fine art of writing letters, talkative outgoing heroines and brooding damaged heroes.
5 very romantic stars
After believing wholeheartedly that Colin and Penelope’s story is the best of the books, I have to say I think Eloise’s is the most romantic of them all. Though she’s the practical, down to earth Bridgerton, matching her with the introverted and very emotionally damaged Sir Phillip Crane was complete genius and the way they come together is as unconventional as our heroine herself.
While Phillip chooses to hide from the things he can’t manage in his greenhouse, Eloise is a take the bull by the horns kind of woman and that’s how she ends up in his house, compromising both of them into a hasty marriage before she’s fully convinced whether or not they will suit. But everything about them, from the way they become aware of each other to her arrival at his doorstep and their life as a couple is moving and romantic, meant to give the reader “the feels” and I found marriage to a country gentleman was perfect for the free-spirited Eloise.
Needless to say, I loved this book and highly recommend it especially if you are someone who likes the old-fashioned, fine art of writing letters, talkative outgoing heroines and brooding damaged heroes.
5 very romantic stars
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was the book that made me give up the Bridgerton series. I will probably only read the Colin after this (most reviews say it’s the best). These books are just NOT good. Eloise was honestly my favorite character on the show and I’m sad this was the romantic partner they gave her. I think they’ll have to do some major plotline re-writes if they want to satisfy fans of the show.
Despite being set in the 1800s, the other books had a sense of feminism and modern touches that made you forget the time period. Unfortunately, Eloise wasn’t awarded the same considerations with problematic storylines containing misogyny, manipulation, and coercion. I have no idea how the novels were found by Shonda Rhimes, but thank goodness her writing team is 10x better.
Despite being set in the 1800s, the other books had a sense of feminism and modern touches that made you forget the time period. Unfortunately, Eloise wasn’t awarded the same considerations with problematic storylines containing misogyny, manipulation, and coercion. I have no idea how the novels were found by Shonda Rhimes, but thank goodness her writing team is 10x better.
I'm determined to finish this series, but these men continue to be TRASH. This is partially because they (the novels) are a bit older and follow old romance novel tropes, and also because I've read ACOTAR and no one will ever be more amazing than Rhysand and Cassian, so there's that.
Sir Phillip redeemed himself in the end, but ugh.
Sir Phillip redeemed himself in the end, but ugh.
Love this series
I absolutely love this series. Seriously though, I always love when a story tells of the feelings/reactions of their first child...it would just make the story that much better ❤️
I absolutely love this series. Seriously though, I always love when a story tells of the feelings/reactions of their first child...it would just make the story that much better ❤️
This book lacked the romance promised but I did shed a tear or two seeing the relationship between Phillip & his children improve.
Additionally: if single dad just wanting someone to marry so he can shirk his responsibilities does it for you, this is the book for you. (It was not the book for me)
Additionally: if single dad just wanting someone to marry so he can shirk his responsibilities does it for you, this is the book for you. (It was not the book for me)