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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
4.0
I now realise I've been suckered in a bit by the fact these are labelled as Bridgerton prequels... the first one (and clearly the last one too) has an obvious tangential link, but the series as a whole is definitely focused on the Rokesby family. While it doesn't matter a whole lot if you like the author generally, it is a classic case of the publishers rebranding books off the back of the success of the TV series. Fortunately, all I wanted tonight was some easy reading, so I'm not as worried about it as I might have otherwise been.
This one does revert to type and feels a bit more formulaic and trope-heavy than the previous books. It's just as chilled reading-wise, but somehow comes across as having had less thought put into the overall story. Amnesia, fake marriage, one bed and miscommunication abounds, but the overall plot feels based on quite thin foundations. I therefore didn't find myself enjoying this one nearly as much as book 1.
Similarly, the characters don't feel as developed. Our leading lady, Cecilia, starts off with a promising backstory and a familiar streak of modernity, but this is quickly diminished. While she is not simple subservient housewife material, she does lose her sparkiness and transforms into a more conventional period character. And her decisions to not impart certain information just drives me mad. Edward Rokesby is a little more rounded out and I generally liked his soft-in-the-centre character, but again there just isn't enough depth to them for me.
To me, the most impressive part of this is actually the backstory - set during the American War of Independence, it gives the reader something of an idea of the conditions and geography of the place, and an insight into what the soldiers' experiences might have been like. It's not overly detailed, and it does only explore one small corner of the conflict, but it's a decent introduction for someone who knows pretty much nothing about that era.
There is certainly nothing "wrong" with this book and it is an enjoyable read, but nor is there anything that really hooked me this time around.
This one does revert to type and feels a bit more formulaic and trope-heavy than the previous books. It's just as chilled reading-wise, but somehow comes across as having had less thought put into the overall story. Amnesia, fake marriage, one bed and miscommunication abounds, but the overall plot feels based on quite thin foundations. I therefore didn't find myself enjoying this one nearly as much as book 1.
Similarly, the characters don't feel as developed. Our leading lady, Cecilia, starts off with a promising backstory and a familiar streak of modernity, but this is quickly diminished. While she is not simple subservient housewife material, she does lose her sparkiness and transforms into a more conventional period character. And her decisions to not impart certain information just drives me mad. Edward Rokesby is a little more rounded out and I generally liked his soft-in-the-centre character, but again there just isn't enough depth to them for me.
To me, the most impressive part of this is actually the backstory - set during the American War of Independence, it gives the reader something of an idea of the conditions and geography of the place, and an insight into what the soldiers' experiences might have been like. It's not overly detailed, and it does only explore one small corner of the conflict, but it's a decent introduction for someone who knows pretty much nothing about that era.
There is certainly nothing "wrong" with this book and it is an enjoyable read, but nor is there anything that really hooked me this time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, War, Death, Colonisation, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Rape, Blood, Alcohol, Drug use, Violence, Slavery, and Animal death
carlyjoann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and War
itsgnat's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and War
Minor: Death of parent
haley49's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
I loved everything about this romance from the start of the relationship to the spice scene to the individual characters—even the third act was well-done. It was such a fun read. The grief could’ve been done better but there are worse flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Grief
Minor: Classism, Alcohol, Misogyny, Blood, Racism, Slavery, and Abandonment
littlewishling's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm loving this series' stronger female character's. It did frustrate me how long it took for the main lie of this book to be revealed but otherwise did really enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and War
cepbreed's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This has to be my favorite Bridgerton book. I know I haven't read enough of the series to even say that, only two books. Also this isn't even a part of the main series, its a prequel, but DAMN. The miscommunications, the deception and the romance above all! All of it was perfect. One of my favorite tropes is fake marriage or marriages of convenience and the amnesia piece just took this to a whole other level. I swear I was hooked from the first word. Cecelia is messy. She's a slob kebab, but this girl has a heart of gold. Edward is everything. A man of honor who falls in love so deeply that it makes him irrational is my favorite genre of man. Julia Quinn is a godsend. There are so many Bridgerton adjacent books I have no clue how she does it. Regency era must get boring to write at some point, yet each of her books are set apart from the rest.
5/18/23 reread:
I didnt think it was possible for me to reread a book this soon after my initial read but somehow the universe told me to pick this up again. Against all odds it wasn’t only just as good, it was better. I was never once bored rehashing the same details between Cecelia and Edward in fact I was literally clenching my teeth in stress over the lies and miscommunication. All of that anxiety over a story I knew had a happy ending.
Song:
5/18/23 reread:
I didnt think it was possible for me to reread a book this soon after my initial read but somehow the universe told me to pick this up again. Against all odds it wasn’t only just as good, it was better. I was never once bored rehashing the same details between Cecelia and Edward in fact I was literally clenching my teeth in stress over the lies and miscommunication. All of that anxiety over a story I knew had a happy ending.
Song:
- All My Love - Noah Kahan
- False God - Taylor Swift
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: War
Minor: Pregnancy, Medical content, and Mental illness
izzyf16's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
Minor: Gun violence and Death of parent
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Didn’t love it, but certainly didn’t hate it. I did hope that the miscommunication would have been cleared up earlier, but it did make for a bit of a fairy tale ending which was nice. The characters were excellent per usual and I’ll happily continue the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War
kkalicky94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: War
kabrahams's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and War
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