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readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition
Graphic: Rape, Ableism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Grief, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Racism, Murder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Medical content, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Blood, Terminal illness, and Death
chaotically_katie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Infertility, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Blood
lucyselim's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
And then they got married and ruined it. Even without mentioning 'that' scene, the plot was, in my opinion, ridiculous. I did not love those episodes of the TV show either, but as I was reading it I couldn't help but just laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. It was difficult to keep up with their constant mood swings and comings and goings.
Putting the plot to one side, the writing was honestly just meh. It was very jarring to find modern day slang and colloquialisms with regency-era settings. I assume Quinn was trying to make a period piece seem modern and more approachable for younger audiences, but using simple English would have sufficed. I am glad they managed to get a better balance in the TV show.
Another thing I did not like was the stark contrast between Quinn trying to write strong modern women in one moment, and then having them reduced to needing a man the next. 'Then he was completely within her, and she thought she would die from the pleasure. Never had she felt so full, nor so completely a woman,' in particular made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Despite this, I am going to read the next one (because I hate myself) but because I have heard it to be many people's favourites. Mostly, however, because I borrowed the first three books in a compendium from the library and I still have time left before needing to return it. Overall this book really wasn't that great for me, but I can understand the appeal and I hope the next one provides me with better luck.
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Classism, Infertility, Cursing, and Gun violence