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lncolgate's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Solid 3 stars. Entertaining and romantic and a little spicy (open
door 3-3.5 /5 heat). I like the amnesia trope but it dragged out too long. Also too long to get to the real “conflict” in the story and then it was a matter of stop being stupid and petty and just ask a question and talk it out or confess already. Wouldn’t have made for as dramatic ending with a big romantic gesture I suppose. Story just dragged a bit, so it took me quite a while to finish.
door 3-3.5 /5 heat). I like the amnesia trope but it dragged out too long. Also too long to get to the real “conflict” in the story and then it was a matter of stop being stupid and petty and just ask a question and talk it out or confess already. Wouldn’t have made for as dramatic ending with a big romantic gesture I suppose. Story just dragged a bit, so it took me quite a while to finish.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: War and Injury/Injury detail
laerkefugl's review against another edition
4.75
This book is a little "out there" compared to the previous book, and the Bridgerton series. But, I thought it was quite charming and refreshing. This book takes place in New York in 1779. That really did make a big difference for me, considering all the previous books took place in (Mostly southern) England. The new environment (Along with the fact that Edward and Cecilia are "married") also removed a lot of the pressure of the ton, leaving more room for relationship development. I know Cecilia lied to Edward for good reasons, but about halfway through and nearing the end of the book, I thought it became a bit silly to keep up the lying. But, I was really invested in their relationship and the search for Thomas, so I can forgive it. This book was definitely a page turner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Classism
leontyna's review against another edition
adventurous
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death
natfoster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.5
Not a bit fan of Edward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Racism, Death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Colonisation, Classism, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, Grief, Gaslighting, War, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- 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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Death, and Sexual content
rafacolog's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, War, Racism, Death, and Sexual content
wssh221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I now realise I've been suckered in a bit by the fact these are labelled as Bridgerton prequels... the first one (and clearly the last one too) has an obvious tangential link, but the series as a whole is definitely focused on the Rokesby family. While it doesn't matter a whole lot if you like the author generally, it is a classic case of the publishers rebranding books off the back of the success of the TV series. Fortunately, all I wanted tonight was some easy reading, so I'm not as worried about it as I might have otherwise been.
This one does revert to type and feels a bit more formulaic and trope-heavy than the previous books. It's just as chilled reading-wise, but somehow comes across as having had less thought put into the overall story. Amnesia, fake marriage, one bed and miscommunication abounds, but the overall plot feels based on quite thin foundations. I therefore didn't find myself enjoying this one nearly as much as book 1.
Similarly, the characters don't feel as developed. Our leading lady, Cecilia, starts off with a promising backstory and a familiar streak of modernity, but this is quickly diminished. While she is not simple subservient housewife material, she does lose her sparkiness and transforms into a more conventional period character. And her decisions to not impart certain information just drives me mad. Edward Rokesby is a little more rounded out and I generally liked his soft-in-the-centre character, but again there just isn't enough depth to them for me.
To me, the most impressive part of this is actually the backstory - set during the American War of Independence, it gives the reader something of an idea of the conditions and geography of the place, and an insight into what the soldiers' experiences might have been like. It's not overly detailed, and it does only explore one small corner of the conflict, but it's a decent introduction for someone who knows pretty much nothing about that era.
There is certainly nothing "wrong" with this book and it is an enjoyable read, but nor is there anything that really hooked me this time around.
This one does revert to type and feels a bit more formulaic and trope-heavy than the previous books. It's just as chilled reading-wise, but somehow comes across as having had less thought put into the overall story. Amnesia, fake marriage, one bed and miscommunication abounds, but the overall plot feels based on quite thin foundations. I therefore didn't find myself enjoying this one nearly as much as book 1.
Similarly, the characters don't feel as developed. Our leading lady, Cecilia, starts off with a promising backstory and a familiar streak of modernity, but this is quickly diminished. While she is not simple subservient housewife material, she does lose her sparkiness and transforms into a more conventional period character. And her decisions to not impart certain information just drives me mad. Edward Rokesby is a little more rounded out and I generally liked his soft-in-the-centre character, but again there just isn't enough depth to them for me.
To me, the most impressive part of this is actually the backstory - set during the American War of Independence, it gives the reader something of an idea of the conditions and geography of the place, and an insight into what the soldiers' experiences might have been like. It's not overly detailed, and it does only explore one small corner of the conflict, but it's a decent introduction for someone who knows pretty much nothing about that era.
There is certainly nothing "wrong" with this book and it is an enjoyable read, but nor is there anything that really hooked me this time around.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, War, Death, Colonisation, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, Rape, Blood, Alcohol, Drug use, Violence, Slavery, and Animal death
itsgnat's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and War
Minor: Death of parent
emilywemily6's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I don’t usually like tropes related to lying, but this story kept me hooked. Unfortunately, I feel like the ending was rushed and the consequences of the lying were downplayed.
Not sure if this is *spoiler* because I tried to be vague.
Edward is such a noble gentleman, I loved him so much! And I liked Cecilia too, though I felt a bit frustrated that she waited so long to tell Edward the truth. He’s such an honorable person I feel like he would have played along to get answers about Thomas but also kept them separate enough to prevent ruining Cecilia’s reputation. And they would have still fallen in love because they were half there already before the book began. So I am happy with how it all turned out, but I feel unsatisfied with the pacing of the story.
Not sure if this is *spoiler* because I tried to be vague.
Edward is such a noble gentleman, I loved him so much! And I liked Cecilia too, though I felt a bit frustrated that she waited so long to tell Edward the truth. He’s such an honorable person I feel like he would have played along to get answers about Thomas but also kept them separate enough to prevent ruining Cecilia’s reputation. And they would have still fallen in love because they were half there already before the book began. So I am happy with how it all turned out, but I feel unsatisfied with the pacing of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death