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readingwithkaitlyn's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Blood
Minor: Infidelity, Murder, Death, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Incest, and War
nightstitch96's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Pregnancy
jelkebooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
first read in 2021
reread 2024
I'm so glad I decided to reread this one, because when I originally read this I was pretty new to historical romances (it's not like I'm an expert now though, but I've read quite a few at this point), and I have wondered if I just loved this so much because I was still new to the genre. However, I still absolutely ADORED this book upon reread. Everything about this just really worked for me, and the romantic quotes were just absolutely everything. I swooned at several points. On top of that I also just think this book is incredibly funny, and a really addictive and engaging read.
Penelope is just the love of my life. I absolutely adore her. She is just such a delight of a character. She's really funny, incredibly kind, and just super smart. I also love how througout this book she just got so much more confident in herself and Colin barely played a part in it. It's just her getting older, and bolder. I just loved it!
Colin is also just a great character. He is funny, and the way he's just utterly obsessed with Penelope is just my everything. The way he praises her throughout this novel just has my heart. I do have to say that right after the Lady Whistledown reveal he does turn into a bit of an ass in a way that feels a bit out of character, but I do think ultimately he worked through those feelings, apologised for his behaviour, and changed. So I don't think I can blame him too much.
Colin and Penelope are absolutely everything together. Their relationship is just adorable, and is just the perfect example of why friends to lovers is the superior trope to me. On top of that they also just have a great steamy moments, and their banter is absolute top notch. Penelope also fits perfectly into the Bridgerton family, and I love how Colin strongwills the Featheringtons into respecting Penelope more. They just feel so incredibly made for each other. Ugh, I'm in love !!!!
reread 2024
I'm so glad I decided to reread this one, because when I originally read this I was pretty new to historical romances (it's not like I'm an expert now though, but I've read quite a few at this point), and I have wondered if I just loved this so much because I was still new to the genre. However, I still absolutely ADORED this book upon reread. Everything about this just really worked for me, and the romantic quotes were just absolutely everything. I swooned at several points. On top of that I also just think this book is incredibly funny, and a really addictive and engaging read.
Penelope is just the love of my life. I absolutely adore her. She is just such a delight of a character. She's really funny, incredibly kind, and just super smart. I also love how througout this book she just got so much more confident in herself and Colin barely played a part in it. It's just her getting older, and bolder. I just loved it!
Colin is also just a great character. He is funny, and the way he's just utterly obsessed with Penelope is just my everything. The way he praises her throughout this novel just has my heart. I do have to say that right after the Lady Whistledown reveal he does turn into a bit of an ass in a way that feels a bit out of character, but I do think ultimately he worked through those feelings, apologised for his behaviour, and changed. So I don't think I can blame him too much.
Colin and Penelope are absolutely everything together. Their relationship is just adorable, and is just the perfect example of why friends to lovers is the superior trope to me. On top of that they also just have a great steamy moments, and their banter is absolute top notch. Penelope also fits perfectly into the Bridgerton family, and I love how Colin strongwills the Featheringtons into respecting Penelope more. They just feel so incredibly made for each other. Ugh, I'm in love !!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Fatphobia
booked4adventure's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Loved listening to this audio book and just the thing I needed until the next season is released.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism and Bullying
britwalsh16's review
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
I was super excited for this book! & with the new season coming out of the show following them I wanted to read it beforehand & give me something to tide me over until then. There was a lot I loved, & a lot of scenes I can’t wait to play out in the show.
But I’m not going to lie & say Colin’s temper didn’t really bug me. I understand him getting angry, especially when he finds out about the Lady Whistledown secret or when she’s caught reading his journal. But what I don’t like is the physical abuse that goes along with it, & yes I know it’s nothing giant, he doesn’t hit her or anything that horrible, but the little things can be bad too. Like the scene at their engagement ball with him holding on to her to hurt her instead of letting his temper blow up to the whole room, that is not an okay reaction & I have loved Colin so much throughout the show & the books too, but reactions like that piss me off & Penelope doesn’t know that it’s not okay. What’s going to happen when they have kids & the kids make him angry, will the violence get worse through the years? It’s such a little thing, but it really gets me, & I hope they rewrote that for the show, I’d hate to lose my love for Polin in the show too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Bullying, Sexual content, Cursing, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Stalking
granolagrandma's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Penelope had a lot of personality at the beginning of the book but she seemed to lose it a bit as they went on. Also I love how much this man loves his wife <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Fatphobia
sudatot's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
Minor: Physical abuse and Pregnancy
mikaylawood's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
This one was a little disappointing for me! There were parts of the story I loved and then I felt like the booked dragged in places. Overall a good read but I think I was expecting more from the Colin/Penelope storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
meghanm404's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Animal death, and Body shaming
tinkerswiftie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
I LOVE this book!! This is my 3rd Read through and it is still one of my favorites in the whole series. The fast paced book really rewards the faithful series readers with this one building on the other. The anticipation going in is always so high and then the book truly delivers the best lighthearted love story that you will swoon over! I can’t gush about this enough. 💗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content