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beckyyreadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
I wanted to read this book because of the Netflix series that hit on Christmas Day a few years ago and now Netflix have announced we are getting Polin’s story and I'm hoping we get the full eight seasons for each sibling. I wanted to get ahead and know what is going to happen, so of course I bought all nine books. Overall, I have enjoyed this series and wanted to see what Happily Ever After was about and how the extra epilogue would help or hurt my heart.
This book is based on the Bridgertons, eight brothers and sisters, assorted in-laws, sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, an overweight corgi and an irrepressible matriarch who’s a match for any of them. These are the Bridgertons, through the last eight novels, the readers laughed, cried and fell in love, but we’ve wanted more. So what happened next? Does Simon ever read his father’s letters? Do Francesca and Michael become parents? Who would win a Pall Mall grudge match? Does ‘The End’ really have to be the end. This is a collection of Julia Quinn’s funny, heart-warming ‘second epilogues’, which are included at the ends of each novel. This collection also includes a brand new novella about none other than Violet Bridgerton herself.
My favourite things about this book were Julia Quinn’s writing style. It didn’t feel like I was back in time. I mean, obviously they weren’t going on about Snapchat, but it just felt like a modern-day story with a bit of mystery. The only thing that kept me from remembering that it was set in the 1800s was the references of letters and carriages and that they couldn’t text each other to say what was going on without people finding out what is happening. The best one out of the nine short stories were the second epilogue from Anthony and Kate’s book with them pranking themselves with Pall Mall and how the Bridgerton gang are just used to it by now. Also, Violet in Bloom where all the children and grandchildren are together and even though Violet missing Edmund every day, she is very content with everyone around.
Some of these stories, I didn’t want. For example, Benedict and Sophie’s story was to do with Posy, which I appreciate but would have liked it to be about Benedict and Sophie. I would have loved for Hyacinth's daughter to confess that she found the diamonds instead of putting them back for Hyacinth's to find.
I love the Bridgerton, I would love a series in ten to fifteen years with the Bridgerton grandchildren being on the marriage mart and having their own love stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Pregnancy, and Infertility
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: War, Vomit, and Death
rafacolog's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Infertility, and Pregnancy
lct's review against another edition
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Infertility
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This isn't a final story in the series, but rather a collection of short stories about the Bridgerton family, serving as 'second epilogues' to each of the eight novels. Plus there's an added bonus novella about the life of the Bridgerton matriarch, Violet.
These are all very sweet little additions to the main stories, but they're not strictly necessary as the satisfaction of 'happily ever after' is already there in the main novels. They're just nice little extra peeks into the lives of the characters, in most cases with very little at stake. The ones that stand out for me are Francesca, Hyacinth and Gregory's epilogues.
Francesca's goes a little deeper than the others, but is dealt with in such a lovely way that it doesn't feel like you're reading about a potentially difficult subject.
Hyacinth's does give you extra satisfaction as an outstanding plot point from the novel gets resolved, which rounds everything off nicely.
And Gregory's actually does have a little jeopardy, which again gives it a different feel.
I did enjoy reading the novella about Violet; it feels very much like the outline for a Bridgerton spin off TV series. And I'm assuming there might be a lead off into the prequel books, which are all sat on my TBR shelf ready and waiting! It was nice to get a glimpse into her life and what made her into the wonderful woman and mother she is. But where it is only short, it did leave me wanting; I'd love to read a full length story about her!
Fortunately none of my copies of the first eight novels include these epilogues, but I understand in some editions they have been included. So if you are thinking of getting this one, check whether it's actually necessary first!
I found this effectively a little bit of uplifting, fluffy filler, perfect for when you're having a bad day and just need something gentle to take your mind elsewhere.
These are all very sweet little additions to the main stories, but they're not strictly necessary as the satisfaction of 'happily ever after' is already there in the main novels. They're just nice little extra peeks into the lives of the characters, in most cases with very little at stake. The ones that stand out for me are Francesca, Hyacinth and Gregory's epilogues.
Francesca's goes a little deeper than the others, but is dealt with in such a lovely way that it doesn't feel like you're reading about a potentially difficult subject.
Hyacinth's does give you extra satisfaction as an outstanding plot point from the novel gets resolved, which rounds everything off nicely.
And Gregory's actually does have a little jeopardy, which again gives it a different feel.
I did enjoy reading the novella about Violet; it feels very much like the outline for a Bridgerton spin off TV series. And I'm assuming there might be a lead off into the prequel books, which are all sat on my TBR shelf ready and waiting! It was nice to get a glimpse into her life and what made her into the wonderful woman and mother she is. But where it is only short, it did leave me wanting; I'd love to read a full length story about her!
Fortunately none of my copies of the first eight novels include these epilogues, but I understand in some editions they have been included. So if you are thinking of getting this one, check whether it's actually necessary first!
I found this effectively a little bit of uplifting, fluffy filler, perfect for when you're having a bad day and just need something gentle to take your mind elsewhere.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Sexual content
aklovekorn's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Infertility, and Grief
Minor: Medical trauma, Vomit, Blood, and Sexual content
erikalv97's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, and Pregnancy
summerslittlelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infertility, Death of parent, and Blood
brownieboo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Moderate: Blood, Infertility, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Medical content
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and War
megatza's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.5
I picked up this version specifically to read Violet's story. I had already read each of the second epilogues in conjunction with each of their appropriate stories, so I didn't reread them each here. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the second epilogues generally (except Francesca's, which I loved). Violet's story was a sweet glimpse at her life, but nothing groundbreaking.
This is basically the lowest-angst book you can read, for couples who have already had one HEA, and get their second.
This is basically the lowest-angst book you can read, for couples who have already had one HEA, and get their second.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility
teachreadrepeat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.0
It was nice to see all the extra family interactions and get closure for most of my unanswered questions after each book. I also loved the little peek into Violet's life. Very fun read as a follow-up to the whole series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Blood
Birth complications in Gregory's 2nd epilogue