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mrsmishler's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Infertility, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Death of parent
bzliz's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This installment is so different from the previous five. The majority of the action takes place outside of London and the rest of the Bridgerton clan play very small parts, if they’re mentioned at all. The only one who really gets supporting role credit is Colin and his appearance is more like a fairy godmother (or fairy of common sense).
I loved that because of her status as a widow, Francesca is afforded a pinch more freedom than the previous FMCs have been given. She also doesn’t have the same level of ignorance going into sex with Michael that creates such a power imbalance in the other books. (It also happens to be the steamiest of them, by a lot.) In addition, Francesca has bigger hurdles to clear: miscarriage, grief over her husband’s death, her own infertility, guilt over having feelings for someone else. The simultaneous timeline between Colin, Eloise & Francesca’s stories was fun. A lot less ‘okay, that’s done so now we can focus on the next child’ feeling.
There was still some ick around some of the scenes that honestly just feels inevitable for historical romances. And these men just can’t control themselves! (The creep in the garden, the creeps at the club, and even Michael as he’s trying to coerce Francesca into marriage.) I enjoyed it but I still prefer Colin’s story to this one.
I loved that because of her status as a widow, Francesca is afforded a pinch more freedom than the previous FMCs have been given. She also doesn’t have the same level of ignorance going into sex with Michael that creates such a power imbalance in the other books. (It also happens to be the steamiest of them, by a lot.) In addition, Francesca has bigger hurdles to clear: miscarriage, grief over her husband’s death, her own infertility, guilt over having feelings for someone else. The simultaneous timeline between Colin, Eloise & Francesca’s stories was fun. A lot less ‘okay, that’s done so now we can focus on the next child’ feeling.
There was still some ick around some of the scenes that honestly just feels inevitable for historical romances. And these men just can’t control themselves! (The creep in the garden, the creeps at the club, and even Michael as he’s trying to coerce Francesca into marriage.) I enjoyed it but I still prefer Colin’s story to this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Grief, Sexual content, and Infertility
Minor: Sexual harassment
nicollette_13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Death, Chronic illness, and Infertility
dagmar_gorter8's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Infertility
chrissandrapherlv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Alcohol
sleepy_stacey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
My favorite of the series so far! Loved every second!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Infertility, and Death
readyforit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
4.25⭐️3🌶️
This book is a lot spicier than the rest in the series, which I liked because it fit the narrative that Francesca is a more experienced woman, having been widowed, and she’s not expected to be a naive virgin. I liked this book a lot, but I liked pen and Colin’s story just a bit more. I’m surprised how much I liked it because we haven’t really gotten to know Francesca at all through the books or show. I’m excited for her season whenever it comes on netflix! This book is by far the saddest in the series. Francesca’s life is struck with tragedy when her beloved husband dies suddenly, then shehas a miscarriage after struggling with years of infertility. You can’t help but love the MMC. Michael is wickedly charming and a huge flirt, but underneath, he’s been pining for frannie ever since he met her years earlier when she married his cousin. Francesca battles the internal struggle of mourning her husband and feeling guilty about the passion she feels for Michael. I loved this book and I would probably reread before her season on Netflix comes out!
This book is a lot spicier than the rest in the series, which I liked because it fit the narrative that Francesca is a more experienced woman, having been widowed, and she’s not expected to be a naive virgin. I liked this book a lot, but I liked pen and Colin’s story just a bit more. I’m surprised how much I liked it because we haven’t really gotten to know Francesca at all through the books or show. I’m excited for her season whenever it comes on netflix! This book is by far the saddest in the series. Francesca’s life is struck with tragedy when her beloved husband dies suddenly, then she
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Classism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
abby_can_read's review against another edition
emotional
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
October 2023-⭐️⭐️⭐️
After re-reading this book and the series so far, I have to say that this book is rather dull. I liked the characters. The story just went on too long.
March 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book. It's not my favorite in the series I went back and further in trying to rate this one. Michael Stirling was the best character - and probably one of my favorites from the series.
This was another enjoyable book in the Bridgerton series.
After re-reading this book and the series so far, I have to say that this book is rather dull. I liked the characters. The story just went on too long.
March 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book. It's not my favorite in the series I went back and further in trying to rate this one. Michael Stirling was the best character - and probably one of my favorites from the series.
This was another enjoyable book in the Bridgerton series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility and Grief
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
terrywho's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
The streak continues and we’re going 3 for 3 on the bridgerton books read in as many days! .
There are sone aspects of this novel that I truly loved. Francesca is a wonderful main character and I do love a jealous (fictional) man and reformed scoundrel, however, it didn’t quite make it up there with “an offer from a gentleman” and “romancing Mr. Bridgerton”.
(mind spoilers ahead)
Michel changing his mind after the 2nd conversation with Colin felt a bit too sudden and I didn’t love how the topic of John wanting what was best for the two people he loved most in life only came up towards the end. The whole baby trapping plotline also felt a bit icky… you know?
That being said, I did love the discourse around grief, and Francesca’s conversations with her mother on what it feels like to lose the person you love were truly beautiful. I also like the way I fertility was tackled and how other people never made Francesca feel ashamed for not being able to become pregnant. I know a lot of readers don’t like pregnancy plot lines but I’m not one of them, and I did really appreciate this one a lot.
Anyways, all this being said: this was still fun as all of the other bridgerton books, just maybe not in my top 3.
On to the next sibling!
There are sone aspects of this novel that I truly loved. Francesca is a wonderful main character and I do love a jealous (fictional) man and reformed scoundrel, however, it didn’t quite make it up there with “an offer from a gentleman” and “romancing Mr. Bridgerton”.
(mind spoilers ahead)
Michel changing his mind after the 2nd conversation with Colin felt a bit too sudden and I didn’t love how the topic of John wanting what was best for the two people he loved most in life only came up towards the end. The whole baby trapping plotline also felt a bit icky… you know?
That being said, I did love the discourse around grief, and Francesca’s conversations with her mother on what it feels like to lose the person you love were truly beautiful. I also like the way I fertility was tackled and how other people never made Francesca feel ashamed for not being able to become pregnant. I know a lot of readers don’t like pregnancy plot lines but I’m not one of them, and I did really appreciate this one a lot.
Anyways, all this being said: this was still fun as all of the other bridgerton books, just maybe not in my top 3.
On to the next sibling!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
niamhrowanch's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
MICHAEL STIRLING THE MAN THAT YOU ARE THE MAN THAT YOU ARE. JULIA YOU OUT DID YOURSELF WITH THIS ONE I AM SPEECHLESS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Death, Sexual content, and Medical content