Reviews with content warning for Sexism - The Viscount Who Loved Me

I love when the book is better! Just so many more details then a tv show or movie. But this book idk if I’d say it’s better or not. There are ALOT more details, & I loved reading them. & the storyline was different then the show, & I still loved the storyline. But what I do not like is Anthony’s personality in the first half of the book. He was very much an asshole. He shows very little respect for any women who he might make his wife, planning to have a mistress & all; I really was not a fan of his personality, I’m glad they died it down in the show, I mean he could be an ass at first, especially to Kate, but he wasn’t an asshole. I’m glad I only have 2 books to compare to the show, hopefully I’ll read the rest of the series before their seasons come out, & I won’t be comparing them to eachother anymore. 🤞🏻

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sophes282's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

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bzliz's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

3.5

This is a vast improvement to Daphne and Simon’s story. Kate and Anthony are more likable in general and they both have personal arcs independent of the other- Kate’s phobia and trauma around storms & Anthony’s preoccupation with his mortality- and they support each other during that growth.

My main gripes come from the genre itself, plus the book was written 20 years ago and society has evolved since then. I find entirely virginal FMCs paired with very experienced MMCs to be boring. I know it’s “historical” for men to be “superior” but they just suck so hard sometimes. Women to this day are always the ones who pay the price for men’s inability to control themselves and it’s exhausting. Possessive statements like “you’re mine” and “I own you” will never feel okay to me. The underlying threat of sexual assault is not cute or romantic and it’s always hypocritical. These men treat their wives like this but are horrified at the thought of someone treating their sisters like that. Make it make sense!

Anthony’s logic about not falling in love doesn’t track for me. If you’re convinced you’re going to die young, wouldn’t you want to spend your life with someone who values you deeply? Why would you want to die forgettable? Other than that, I enjoyed most of the dynamic between Kate and Anthony. Kate charmed the hell out of me as an oldest sibling. The Pall Mall scene was a delight and made me wish for more interactions with side characters. I want to see them really embed themselves in the other’s life.

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abby_can_read's review against another edition

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funny 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

3.0

September 2023-⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧
I read the books last year and I remember enjoying them. My favorite parts of the audiobooks was Rosalyn Landor.

In re-reading this book, I find that I like it less than I did a year ago. I think it's still a simple book and I enjoyed Landor's narration. The characters were alright, I liked Kate more than Anthony. Their relationship is alright. The plot was predictable.

February 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
This was fun read. It was a simple book and an enjoyable read. It’s another typical Regency romance. This book is centered around Anthony and Kate. Anthony wanted a marriage of convience and he didn’t want to fall in love with his wife. I really liked the character of Kate, she’s straightforward and she wasn’t above telling Anthony off. I liked how protective Kate was of her sister. Beyond Kate, the book was decent. The plot was basic and the subplots were a little predictable.

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j_schley's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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

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rafacolog's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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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

3.25

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 5, 2000

T H R E E • W O R D S

Readable • Entertaining • Chauvinistic

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

💭 T H O U G H T S

Regency era romance isn't a genre I'd typically have an interest in, however, after starting Julia Quinn's hit series, The Bridgertons, in 2022 I was pleasantly surprised and decided to continue with book two.

It's a tad difficult to take these books too seriously. At times they are downright ridiculous, and of course, require the suspension of reality, yet they are highly entertaining. I cannot say I was drawn into Anthony and Kate's story, although I did appreciate Anthony's hesitancy to marriage. There is so much vanity within these pages that eventually it gets redundant. Kate seemed like a likeable enough lady, and I was satisfied with her HEA.

For me, these books are nothing amazing, yet they are highly readable and always provided an entertaining experience. I can definitely understand why the Netflix adaption is so widely loved (even though I've been told it's very different). When I am in need of a quick, lighthearted read I'll likely continue with book three.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• Regency era enthusiasts

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"You have to live each hour as if it's your last and each day as if you were immortal."

"You can't shun new challenge or hide yourself from love just because you think you might not be here to carry your dreams to completion. In the end, you'll have just as many regrets as did my father."

"It means that love isn't about being afraid that it will all be snatched away. Love's about finding the one person who makes your heart complete, who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It's about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing, all the way to your bones, that she's simply the best person you've ever known."

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