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mybookishdelights's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a run of the mill historical romance although I will say I enjoyed the banter as well as the Bridgerton family. I was expecting worse, I guess. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t terrible either. The controversial scene was pretty cringe though, I can’t lie.
CAWPILE Score: 6.71 = 3.75 stars
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 7
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 7
CAWPILE Score: 6.71 = 3.75 stars
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 7
Writing: 7
Plot: 7
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 7
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
lucyselim's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
I, like many others, read this book after enjoying the TV show. I had heard very mixed reviews about this book, but I figured I would give it a go, and I was pleasantly surprised with the first half. It seemed like it was going to be a fluffy romcom. The friendship between Daphne and Simon seemed natural and was enjoyable to read. He was kinder and more infatuated than his TV counterpart and she was wittier and smarter. They seemed like a genuinely good match.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Infertility, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
saturnpersonified's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
j_emerson18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Didn't expect to like this as much as I do, happily surprised and looking forward to the rest of the series. Significantly better than the show, also vastly different then the show for a multitude of reasons. Loved the character development and how much background and relatability I got from both Simon and Daphne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
agnesbebon's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia
hsmorgan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
littlemozart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As many others have said, this book would have been a much higher rating until that scene - outside of that it was a light and enjoyable historical romance. The way a very serious event was completely glossed over, however, brought my enjoyment right down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
superwhytheheck's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I hated it. it was fine until the third act when the big issues went down. It made me realize how much i hate when period books so cavalierly keep many of the sexist attitudes of the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Vomit, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
carolibrary's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent and Pregnancy
smblanc1793's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book started fine.
Yes, the language feel a little forced.
Yes, the language feel a little forced.
but if I recall, you were the one holding me over that fragrant receptacle
Chamber pot. He’s talking about a chamber pot. And this sentence is so shit that it belongs in one. Yes, the Lady Whistledown snippets seem to be a relatively lazy narrative device to explain banal exposition. Yes, the attempt at quippy dialogue and banter feels like something Jane Austen may have written had she been declared insane and lobotomized (this is to say, not particularly phenomenal, but about as well as I could do most of the time.)
But overall it was what I expected. It’s fun and lighthearted; similar in tone to the kitsch and joviality of the show. Daphne punches a dude. Groping in the garden. Simon’s a dickhead about having children. Daphne doesn’t know how penises work. The usual. Then, about 85% of the way to the end…BAM! KA-RAPE!
HOLY SHIT! I’d seen the show so I expected the scene (and yes, it it was despicable in the show too) but in the book not only does she forcibly attempt to impregnate herself, she does it while he’s unconscious. WHILE. HE’S. UNCONSCIOUS. And then they just…get over it…in about 40 pages. Daphne doesn’t even seem to understand that what she did was wrong…
But overall it was what I expected. It’s fun and lighthearted; similar in tone to the kitsch and joviality of the show. Daphne punches a dude. Groping in the garden. Simon’s a dickhead about having children. Daphne doesn’t know how penises work. The usual. Then, about 85% of the way to the end…BAM! KA-RAPE!
HOLY SHIT! I’d seen the show so I expected the scene (and yes, it it was despicable in the show too) but in the book not only does she forcibly attempt to impregnate herself, she does it while he’s unconscious. WHILE. HE’S. UNCONSCIOUS. And then they just…get over it…in about 40 pages. Daphne doesn’t even seem to understand that what she did was wrong…
…she’d assumed if she worked hard enough for something, treated everyone the way she would like to be treated, then she would be rewarded.
Did you really treat Simon how you wanted to be treated? Raped while drunk and passed out? Doesn’t sound like fun to me.
But even a class 1 felony can hardly be allowed to stop true love. So Simon takes a lil vacay, gets some fresh air, then goes back to his beloved rapist wife so he can finally get over his daddy issues and live happily ever after. Isn’t love wonderful?
But even a class 1 felony can hardly be allowed to stop true love. So Simon takes a lil vacay, gets some fresh air, then goes back to his beloved rapist wife so he can finally get over his daddy issues and live happily ever after. Isn’t love wonderful?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexism, and Death of parent