Reviews with content warning for Confinement - The Other Miss Bridgerton

Reviews tagging 'Confinement'

The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

6 reviews

readyforit's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

2.5⭐️.5🌶️ (was going to give it a .25🌶️ if not for one sex scene thrown in at the end, which is literally only 2 pages)

I really hate to give this a bad review bc it’s not like I hated it. I didn’t dislike it for the same reasons I did Eloise’s book. But after reading the last book, which I surprisingly really liked, this one fell flat. When I read the description about the FMC being kidnapped by pirates, I was ready for adventure, some steamy tension between Andrew and poppy since they literally shared his captain’s quarters and there was only one bed and he TIED her to it!! But no. The most tension they had was over completing a freaking puzzle. I had such high hopes for poppy’s character being so intelligent, inquisitive, and having a thirst for knowledge (as I can really relate), and I was expecting her to take some time to read through Andrew’s library on the ship, maybe ask him to teach her astronomy since they shared interest about the stars. But no, they only shared one kind of romantic night on deck, and then it was over. They had all of this forced proximity, one bed, shared curiosity about the world, and no moves were made! What a waste. She also started out as such a strong, spitfire character, then kind of morphed into this meek and agreeable woman. She was like well I guess since I can’t escape I may as well make the best of it🤷🏻‍♀️ HUH?! She gets Stockholm syndromed so badly. The worst part is I think if Andrew had come clean about who he was from the beginning, poppy would’ve understood, and kept his secret.

Also, why did the author name a main character of this book Billy when Billie bridgerton is mentioned also? This was completely unnecessary and really confusing for audiobook listeners.

Ch 16 with its long descriptions of Lisbon reeeally dragged on. I fell asleep several times during these middle chapters. This book could be been 100 pages less I think. The whole second

kidnapping plot seemed rushed and lazy. It was just meant as a plot device to push Andrew and poppy together, but they were already falling in love! I really don’t think it was necessary.

I’ve read others’ complaints about this as well but I was hoping it wasn’t true: Andrew’s character between book 1 and this book is starkly different. He briefly mentions that his family only thinks of him as a jokester but baby that was your whole personality in the first book? I know the stories are a few years apart but I wouldn’t think this would be enough to change his humor. I was expecting some A+ flirting and banter but we really didn’t get it. I’d say we got more of that from Edward’s book. Overall, if you’re expecting anything close to will and elizabeth from pirates of the Caribbean, I’d skip this one. Rosalyn landor was an amazing narrator as always though. I won’t be rereading.

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jackiepreston's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? No

4.5

Content Warnings

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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? No

3.5

Returning to the links between the Rokesby and Bridgerton families, this book tells the story of Poppy Bridgerton, a cousin of Edmund Bridgerton and so second cousin to the protagonists of the original series. While out exploring, she finds herself kidnapped by pirates (or privateers, as they are properly known) and left at the mercy of the ship's captain, who might just be more than he seems.

I have to firstly say that the setting at the beginning of the book made me smile; I've not long been to Charmouth! So it was incredibly easy to picture the beach, the cliffs, the caves etc. and Poppy wandering along. But even if I hadn't been there, the images invoked by the author almost have an Enid Blyton-esque feel to them, particularly when you add smugglers into the mix. However, I'd say about 75% of the story takes place in a single room; the captain's quarters on the ship Infinity. As you would expect, this quite severely limits the exploration of setting, but nevertheless compliments the plot. Because of this static scenery, I was able to visualise the story more as a stage play in my mind.

When you do leave the ship, however, the author demonstrates her ability to allow her reader to feel as excited and transported as her characters. Poppy's exploration of a foreign land is portrayed in such a way as to make you feel like you're right there with her, seeing this new culture for the first time and not always fully understanding the tour guide who waxes lyrical about the buildings, architecture, history and so on.

Poppy is certainly a strong character, fairly typical of the modern yet era-appropriate women Quinn writes. However, she doesn't come across as such a 'distinct' character as some of the other girls; her concern for her reputation is referred to throughout, which does become a little tedious. The flirty trading of insults is lighthearted and a little funny, but it just doesn't quite hit the mark in the same way as the brotherly/sisterly banter familiar from the other books.

I also wasn't as enamoured with the development of the characters' relationship in this book; because of the limited setting, there's actually very little for their relationship to be 'hung' on and effectively feels like it's only come about because of the forced proximity. I just wanted a bit more from that strand of writing.

In some ways, the plot reminds me of a farcical comedy - the repeated kidnappings being a major highlight of this. Except there aren't that many laughs and it's taking itself just a little too seriously to properly work. I'm just not sure that the plot couldn't have developed a lot more to give the story more depth and substance. As it is, it feels very single stranded and, while readable, not overly enjoyable.

It's not terrible, but I have read better.

Content Warnings