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el_thegoblinwitch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
*some spoilers below*
I get that Simon's upbringing wasn't great, and he's obviously got trauma, but wow I hated him. His anger was often justified, but the way he kept threatening to kill/strangle people (including Daphne) was so not a good vibe. The sex scenes were so possessive and at times definitely not consensual, which obviously was very uncomfortable to read.
I honestly struggled to see the romance in their relationship at all and found myself struggling to root for them. I understand that the 1800s was a very different era, but as a modern book, I thought this series would at least be a little more progressive than classic regency novels.
The whole thing was just so problematic and uncomfortable that I don't think I'll be continuing the series 😬
Moderate: Infertility, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
rowlyreads's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
athird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse
phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
alexcooper88's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, and Miscarriage
adiloretto's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Rape
Moderate: Violence
nightstitch96's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Infertility
jj7twin's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
kkylezzz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
Passive suicidal ideation/intention briefly alluded tocertifiedplayerhater's review against another edition
- 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
0.5
take a shot every time simon murmurs.
In all seriousness, the story is a perfectly passable romance from 2000. The story is focuses purely on the romance between Simon and Daphne, which isn’t an inherent flaw but it means every other character is relegated to a single characteristic (ex. The three Bridgerton brothers are overbearing, Violet is motherly, etc.). Daphne and Simon were likeable enough characters and their developing relationship was fun to watch.
However, everything changed with Daphne sexually assaulting Simon. There’s no repercussions for that action and the author frames it as an act of passion as opposed to the horror that it was. Which is interesting considering the author spends just as much time highlighting how badly this affected Simon, like him regressing back into the worst stutter he’s had in years. It felt like a slap in the face to hear how Simon had been abused by his father only for his lover to turn around and exert the a level power and abuse over him. I can’t in good faith speak positively about anything that happens afterwards because there’s no consequences to the action.
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse