Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

26 reviews

juliaaaaaa's review against another edition

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3.5

“No,” he groaned, pulling her closer. “I want to be in your heart. I want—” His entire body shuddered when their skin touched. “I want to be in your soul.”

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tspice24's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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annahamburger's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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phillyhufflepunk's review

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dark lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

My problems with the book are the lack of stakes within Daphne's search for a husband which makes their whole plan kind of pointless, the Duke's entire personality in Chapter 17, the lack of any real fallout from the event in Chapter 18, and the lack of a presence of other characters in their lives. 

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kayleejanes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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kkylezzz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a good read. I thought the humor and banter and character back-n-forth in general was great. The first half was really good, I enjoyed the length of scenes and the dedication to detail and consistency with the characters and descriptions. There was tons of dialogue which I love. I really enjoyed the how the first half too felt them growing together.
Obviously in our timeline, "dating" for more than a couple weeks is conventional before even becoming a real couple let alone considering marriage, but for translatable purposes, this felt well told in that regard.
The second half was enjoyable too, but more so for the pitiable, dramatic love story elements.
I was alright with the separation and then pregnancy scare and the heart-to-hearts getting more in depth each time it was brought up.
The last couple of chapters and Epilogue(s) was (were) redeeming, I enjoyed them.
I liked that it ended on a positive note, the extended pregnancy brining in extra drama, and the possibility of Geogie being afflicted with Simon's same drama without actually confirming that.
The sex scenes weren't too terribly bad either.

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chaotically_katie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.5


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booksalacarte's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

The Duke and I- 3.75⭐️ 3🌶️

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince--while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable...but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.
Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society--just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend's sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm--at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London's elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule...

This novel includes the 2nd epilogue, a peek at the story after the story. 

✨My Opinion✨

This is just the best regency romance writing you can get. It’s so feel good and fluffy, you can’t help but love it. 

With my second re-read, I have to say that this just a really solidly good historical romance novel. The family dynamics are so well done and gave great insight to the bridgerton family as a whole.

Simon’s inner struggle was so much more compelling on page. I found the stutter to be a huge aspect in his struggle as a character. Something that wasn’t as present in the TV show.

Daphne’s character was a little less interesting, but I found the situational plot to be more interesting and held tension between the couple so much better. 

This is a comfort read/series for me, for sure.

Plot tropes: fake dating, ruined reputation duel, quick marriage

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livbugg's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

wow Netflix made a book better, that’s shocking

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mattiedancer's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Bridgerton: The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

Writing: 3.5⭐️/5 
The writing is manageable and succinct, but nothing outstanding. 

Characters: 3⭐️/5
I think the characters fell short for me. I wanted much more from each of the characters. Several characters felt flat during the course of the book when I feel like small moments could have been used to draw out various characters’ personalities. This might be a result of comparing to the show too much, but I felt like a lot of the characters didn’t have any personality that was deep and meaningful. 

Plot: 3.5⭐️/5 
While the plot was fun to read, parts of it were a bit less fleshed out than I would have hoped. It reads nicely and smoothly, but certain scenes could have been more detailed and thought out. In particular, I would have loved for the plot to explore Daphne and Simon’s connections. 

Post-Reading Rating:  4⭐️/5
Fun read. Easy read. Cute. 

Who Should Read This? 
  • Readers looking for a fun, fluffy read
  • People who love romance novels
  • Those looking for a fake-dating, period novel

CW: Misogyny, emotional abuse, violence, domestic abuse, pregnancy, sexual assault, rape 
 
Final Rating: 3.25⭐️/5


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