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floatingfish144's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Child abuse
Minor: War
now_booking's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 Stars! I had already read the 2nd epilogues in this collection as part of my Bridgerton re-reads but it was worth revisiting my favourites. I loved these second epilogues as much as I did the original novels to which they did such justice! Definitely and compulsorily, I can’t imagine this needing to be said, but just in case, you HAVE TO have read (even if not loved) the books for this to be meaningful in the way it is intended to be. This definitely contains heavier themes that one would expect from an epilogue but they were universally well-executed and absolutely delightful.
That said, the last novella/novelette, Violet In Bloom, featuring family matriarch Violet Bridgerton, mother, grandmother and organizer-in-chief of the 8, is what made me pick up this anthology in the first place. It’s the only one I hadn’t read. This bittersweet novella tells Violet’s story more or less from the age of 8 to the age of 75 and encompasses her childhood, romance, widowhood and her later years. It was a delight to read even if very... not sad, but not particularly happy either. It felt like real life and the way things actually are where romantic happy ending might be feeling at peace rather than resting in your lover’s arms. I would have read this if it had been a full novel as well. But I think it was a very nice ending to a fabulous series. Rereading this series and this ending has reminded me of my love for this author’s writing and I’ll definitely be re-reading more and hopefully discovering new work.
That said, the last novella/novelette, Violet In Bloom, featuring family matriarch Violet Bridgerton, mother, grandmother and organizer-in-chief of the 8, is what made me pick up this anthology in the first place. It’s the only one I hadn’t read. This bittersweet novella tells Violet’s story more or less from the age of 8 to the age of 75 and encompasses her childhood, romance, widowhood and her later years. It was a delight to read even if very... not sad, but not particularly happy either. It felt like real life and the way things actually are where romantic happy ending might be feeling at peace rather than resting in your lover’s arms. I would have read this if it had been a full novel as well. But I think it was a very nice ending to a fabulous series. Rereading this series and this ending has reminded me of my love for this author’s writing and I’ll definitely be re-reading more and hopefully discovering new work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Miscarriage, Infertility, Grief, and Death
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