Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

20 reviews

superwhytheheck's review against another edition

slow-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? Yes

1.0

I hated it. it was fine until the third act when the big issues went down. It made me realize how much i hate when period books so cavalierly keep many of the sexist attitudes of the time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Rape, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Gun violence, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Vomit

Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent

meganalice98's review against another edition

emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Infertility, and Death of parent

lucys_library's review against another edition

lighthearted tense slow-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy

local_jobber's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Rape

Minor: Sexism

claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.5

I finally got around to reading this after bingeing the show in January, and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t rush to read it. The story was pretty different from the show—I assume they included plotlines from some of Quinn’s other Bridgerton novels—and I could see why the show chose to make some of the changes it did. Most importantly, the show left out Simon referring to Daphne as his property (not once but…many times). I know the story is set in the early 1800s, but we’ve suspended disbelief for a lot of other things, and I definitely could have done without that misogyny. Though Daphne and Simon’s romance was by far my favorite plotline in the show, the book felt a little flat without all the other characters and their adventures. Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d read the book first? One thing I liked better in the book, however, was Daphne’s relationship with Colin. In the show, his storyline is mostly tied up with Penelope and Marina, so I liked getting to see him with his family.

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe):

Happy! And far less dramatic than the show.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

02062000's review against another edition

fast-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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

liv_imler's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.25

I enjoyed a large potion of the book, however I was incredibly saddened by the last 3rd.

I despise that Daphne rapes her husband and it handled so poorly. It is never acknowledged as rape, she justifies it to herself, and he asks her to forgive HIM for not wanting a child. The Duke is also physically violent w/ Daphne and it is never addressed, which is quite upsetting.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting

kirbylover16's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.25

For me, there's really only one problematic scene. I like all the characters. I felt the things Netflix add and took away made sense and feel like it was adapted well. So if you loved the show there's something you will like from the books and vice versa. It's a solid intro into the big family through I wish we some more of them. The self-deprecating humor is actually funny.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Infertility, and Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Child abuse and Sexism

sofiya'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Problematic parts aside (because there are definitely a few), I don't understand why this book seems to be one of the least favorites over the series. Personally, I thought Simon and Daphne were a really lovely and cute couple. There were also some hilarious parts of this book that had me cackling, which is always nice. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexism

jadebear's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

3.0

I wanted to like this, but after learning about so many critical lenses with which to view texts, I just couldn’t enjoy it as I might have once done.  The overt ableism by the Duke’s father was reprehensible, but the covert ableism by the Duke and his new Duchess I found equally irritating.  Especially when his wife who is supposedly supportive and loving says something to the effect of “It’ll be alright if any children we have turn out to have a speech impediment or learning disability, because you overcame it and are basically cured, so we can make sure any child we have is basically ally cured too.” instead of “It’ll be difficult for that child, but we’ll be patient and understanding.  We need to work on society to remove the stigma by spreading awareness and educating the ton.” or something to that effect.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship