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mik_kass's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I have not watched the show yet, but what a divine and heart wrenching love story. I very much devoured this book.
makaylaray's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_kaylinconn's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If my understanding of the writing process of this book is correct, Shonda Rhimes wrote the screenplay first and Julia Quinn wrote the book around the plot and dialogue Rhimes’ provided. And it shows.
I like the show and I like the story, but the writing is incredibly dry compared to Quinn’s typical works, especially in the Bridgerton world. Though they aren’t perfect, the Bridgerton books flow well and has an engaging writing style that is easy to fly through. It is why they are so addictive. But this was a slog to get through. I did not feel attached the characters (though I did in the show) and there wasn’t any humor in it like other books of Quinn’s have. I think it is a little too exact to the show, as it is obvious the idea and plot does not come from Quinn.
In the Bridgerton books, the writing does struggle with telling and not showing. Usually, it’s not enough of an issue that it takes me out of it or I dislike the book. For whatever reason, the telling the audience certain things without showing it was extremely irritating in this book.
I believe the reason the telling/not showing is so obnoxious in this book is the characters don’t match what we are informed. In other books when Quinn tells us, for example, Penelope Featherington is intelligent, we see at least a little of her intelligence shine throughout her actions.
When we’re told Charlotte is intelligent, she has no actions that show her intelligence. We see her being naive and young far more than we see her be intelligent, yet we’re consistently told how smart she is and how unique she is to everyone else.
It also doesn’t make a lot of sense to me how Princess Augusta would want to choose a bride who would be forgiving/patient with George’s madness, yet doesn’t seek to meet her and sense her temperament first? Because Charlotte’s personality is not what the Princess wanted. Why would the Princess not meet her first over something as serious as this?
Agatha and Brimsley are iconic though
I like the show and I like the story, but the writing is incredibly dry compared to Quinn’s typical works, especially in the Bridgerton world. Though they aren’t perfect, the Bridgerton books flow well and has an engaging writing style that is easy to fly through. It is why they are so addictive. But this was a slog to get through. I did not feel attached the characters (though I did in the show) and there wasn’t any humor in it like other books of Quinn’s have. I think it is a little too exact to the show, as it is obvious the idea and plot does not come from Quinn.
In the Bridgerton books, the writing does struggle with telling and not showing. Usually, it’s not enough of an issue that it takes me out of it or I dislike the book. For whatever reason, the telling the audience certain things without showing it was extremely irritating in this book.
I believe the reason the telling/not showing is so obnoxious in this book is the characters don’t match what we are informed. In other books when Quinn tells us, for example, Penelope Featherington is intelligent, we see at least a little of her intelligence shine throughout her actions.
When we’re told Charlotte is intelligent, she has no actions that show her intelligence. We see her being naive and young far more than we see her be intelligent, yet we’re consistently told how smart she is and how unique she is to everyone else.
It also doesn’t make a lot of sense to me how Princess Augusta would want to choose a bride who would be forgiving/patient with George’s madness, yet doesn’t seek to meet her and sense her temperament first? Because Charlotte’s personality is not what the Princess wanted. Why would the Princess not meet her first over something as serious as this?
Agatha and Brimsley are iconic though
up2nogood's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sillym's review against another edition
5.0
THIS RELATIONSHIP WAS EVERYTHING TO ME!!!! shonda n julia depicted having a partner with an mental illness SO WELL and I AM SOOOOO GLAD they didn’t make him MAGICALLY OKAY because that is not real and this book was REAL it showed the ugly but also THE GOOD ugh i love them sm
sloph's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just like the tv series, but without the future plot and the Agatha-affair side plot. I loved seeing a little extra into all our favourite characters. I love the couples in this and wish we could have more, I will just have to wait for more of the tv show.
lada_bu_joreads's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. Just the story you need for all love