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mari1234's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Ableism
bzliz's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
I have conflicting feelings about this book. I have not seen the show (though I’ve seen a few spoilers on TikTok) but I decided to give the book a shot even though I’m not a huge regency romance fan. On one hand, I started the book enjoying Daphne and Simon’s banter and I really liked the over all vibe of the Bridgerton family. Once they got married though I was less charmed. I tried to take the “period appropriate” (written in 2000, set in the 1800s) sexism with a grain of salt but it’s hard to give grace when the main characters just start acting really abusive towards each other. And that’s without taking into account the sexual assault scene.
Even after those icks are taken into account, I still didn’t despise this as much as other readers seem to. It wasn’t revolutionary, nor was it the worst thing I’ve ever read. I may continue the series if I can get it from the library.
Even after those icks are taken into account, I still didn’t despise this as much as other readers seem to. It wasn’t revolutionary, nor was it the worst thing I’ve ever read. I may continue the series if I can get it from the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexism
irb0red's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a married man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of an heir."
Fake Relationship ✔️
Getting beat up by your best friend because he caught you with his sister ✔️
Everyone else realizing the main characters are in love before they do ✔️
Getting beat up by your best friend because he caught you with his sister ✔️
Everyone else realizing the main characters are in love before they do ✔️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexism and Gaslighting
rafacolog's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexism
random_37's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Racism
phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
2.75
My problems with the book are the lack of stakes within Daphne's search for a husband which makes their whole plan kind of pointless, the Duke's entire personality in Chapter 17, the lack of any real fallout from the event in Chapter 18, and the lack of a presence of other characters in their lives.
Content Warnings
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
nikogatts's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
I went back and forth between a 2-star score and a 2.5 or 2.75. I tried to be generous as possible with a certain scene and its aftermath, keeping in mind how long ago this book was written. But even accounting for that scene, there just wasn't enough that I liked about this book to push it to a higher score.
I did my best to judge this book on its own merits, but I feel like a comparison to the Netflix adaptation by Shonda Rhimes is warranted when discussing how sparse the story feels. Without the show's (in my opinion, much more interesting) side characters and B-plots, you're left with one mostly straightforward story and a handful of characters with one-word personalities. A lot of the witty banter felt like it went back-and-forth much longer than it needed to, and it feels a bit like the author was just padding out the page count.
Admittedly, this was the first book in the series, and presumably the author hadn't planned out many of the side characters or decided what to do with the other Bridgertons beyond the standard hallmarks of the genre (overprotective brothers, marriage-obsessed mother, etc.). Again, trying to provide the benefit of the doubt.
What I did like: Lady Whistledown as a scene-setting device, Daphne throwing hands with a creepy guy, Daphne and Simon's meet-cute involving them planning what to do with the body of the guy they knocked out, Daphne refusing to bow to the pressure of her three overbearing brothers. Judging this as a standard Regency romance with a few erotic scenes, it's pretty decent. But for me, this book didn't go beyond "just okay" and any memorable parts of it will be memorable for being horrific.
I did my best to judge this book on its own merits, but I feel like a comparison to the Netflix adaptation by Shonda Rhimes is warranted when discussing how sparse the story feels. Without the show's (in my opinion, much more interesting) side characters and B-plots, you're left with one mostly straightforward story and a handful of characters with one-word personalities. A lot of the witty banter felt like it went back-and-forth much longer than it needed to, and it feels a bit like the author was just padding out the page count.
Admittedly, this was the first book in the series, and presumably the author hadn't planned out many of the side characters or decided what to do with the other Bridgertons beyond the standard hallmarks of the genre (overprotective brothers, marriage-obsessed mother, etc.). Again, trying to provide the benefit of the doubt.
What I did like: Lady Whistledown as a scene-setting device, Daphne throwing hands with a creepy guy, Daphne and Simon's meet-cute involving them planning what to do with the body of the guy they knocked out, Daphne refusing to bow to the pressure of her three overbearing brothers. Judging this as a standard Regency romance with a few erotic scenes, it's pretty decent. But for me, this book didn't go beyond "just okay" and any memorable parts of it will be memorable for being horrific.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
joyfulfoodie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism
its_thekla's review against another edition
1.0
I'll preface this with knowing next to nothing about the series going in. Needed a light, fluffy book to come out of the trend I've been in recently and, being a human in possession of a Netflix account, was aware of this series and seemed to fit the bill. Picked it up from my local library and went to work.
The first bit was super formulaic, but fun and light and cheesey and everything I was looking for. The whole Bridgerton clan was super fun and I enjoyed them quite a bit. We get to MMC's hang ups, and cool, ok, whatever man, makes sense. It's a regency romance, not a Pulitzer Prize winner. The whole pacing of this book was like it was sthe byproduct of rote memorization. No real substance, but fun.
THEN
Well, I'm sure most people know by this point but what the heck???? How are people ok with that?? Say it with me: rape is rape is rape IS RAPE. what was the author thinking?? And then to treat it with such caviler attitude like it's part of their love story? No ma'am. </Spoiler> Sure, yes, suspension of belief, you can't modern scope historical ideologies/events/whatever but come on. COME ON. It was wrong then, it's wrong now. To add insult to injury and actively romanticize it? I have several choice profanities for that.
So yeah. That kind of settled it for me. Kept reading because, well, there has to be SOMETHING right? Nope. Nothing. Nada.
Won't read any of the others.
The first bit was super formulaic, but fun and light and cheesey and everything I was looking for. The whole Bridgerton clan was super fun and I enjoyed them quite a bit. We get to MMC's hang ups, and cool, ok, whatever man, makes sense. It's a regency romance, not a Pulitzer Prize winner. The whole pacing of this book was like it was sthe byproduct of rote memorization. No real substance, but fun.
THEN
Well, I'm sure most people know by this point but what the heck???? How are people ok with that??
So yeah. That kind of settled it for me. Kept reading because, well, there has to be SOMETHING right? Nope. Nothing. Nada.
Won't read any of the others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Miscarriage
kaseyvickers's review against another edition
The SA scene it was already sexist then he threatened to SA her then she SA’d him I’m appalled
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Sexual violence