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joyfulfoodie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism
its_thekla's review against another edition
1.0
I'll preface this with knowing next to nothing about the series going in. Needed a light, fluffy book to come out of the trend I've been in recently and, being a human in possession of a Netflix account, was aware of this series and seemed to fit the bill. Picked it up from my local library and went to work.
The first bit was super formulaic, but fun and light and cheesey and everything I was looking for. The whole Bridgerton clan was super fun and I enjoyed them quite a bit. We get to MMC's hang ups, and cool, ok, whatever man, makes sense. It's a regency romance, not a Pulitzer Prize winner. The whole pacing of this book was like it was sthe byproduct of rote memorization. No real substance, but fun.
THEN
Well, I'm sure most people know by this point but what the heck???? How are people ok with that?? Say it with me: rape is rape is rape IS RAPE. what was the author thinking?? And then to treat it with such caviler attitude like it's part of their love story? No ma'am. </Spoiler> Sure, yes, suspension of belief, you can't modern scope historical ideologies/events/whatever but come on. COME ON. It was wrong then, it's wrong now. To add insult to injury and actively romanticize it? I have several choice profanities for that.
So yeah. That kind of settled it for me. Kept reading because, well, there has to be SOMETHING right? Nope. Nothing. Nada.
Won't read any of the others.
The first bit was super formulaic, but fun and light and cheesey and everything I was looking for. The whole Bridgerton clan was super fun and I enjoyed them quite a bit. We get to MMC's hang ups, and cool, ok, whatever man, makes sense. It's a regency romance, not a Pulitzer Prize winner. The whole pacing of this book was like it was sthe byproduct of rote memorization. No real substance, but fun.
THEN
Well, I'm sure most people know by this point but what the heck???? How are people ok with that??
So yeah. That kind of settled it for me. Kept reading because, well, there has to be SOMETHING right? Nope. Nothing. Nada.
Won't read any of the others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent and Miscarriage
racheleanne06's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
3.0
I feel very conflicted about this book. I enjoyed the first half a lot, the Bridgerton family are vibrant and interesting. And I really liked the relationship that formed between Daphne and Simon.
But I found the second half of the book toxic, I knew what to expect after seeing the TV show but it was no less easier to experience. I understand this is a historical romance and times were different but I just wish their actions had had more consequences rather than just being brushed under a rug…
I am still looking forward to reading the rest of the series though, especially since I enjoyed season two of the TV show a lot more than I did season one (and I am hoping this is the same for the book too!)
But I found the second half of the book toxic, I knew what to expect after seeing the TV show but it was no less easier to experience. I understand this is a historical romance and times were different but I just wish their actions had had more consequences rather than just being brushed under a rug…
I am still looking forward to reading the rest of the series though, especially since I enjoyed season two of the TV show a lot more than I did season one (and I am hoping this is the same for the book too!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent and Miscarriage
maddie_99's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an amazing love story and I recommend it to anyone in the mood for a light hearted book that you can laugh at
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Cursing, Sexual content, and Infertility
bat_1408's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Sexual assault
ejoymiller11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
I love how the quirkiness and whimsical world reads just like the show. This book made me laugh out loud, root for the main characters, but it didn’t feel like a stereotypical romance novel.
Unpopular opinion/spoiler ahead:
the one thing I didn’t like was the narrative surrounding not wanting children. I do think this book encourages the idea that people who don’t want kids feel that way because of trauma or another unhealthy reason. Just because someone doesn’t want kids, that doesn’t mean they are broken. Also… let’s call what Daphne did what it is. Sexual assault. She manipulated Simon into doing something sexually he did not feel comfortable doing. She knew this and did it anyway. Had the gender roles been reversed, I think this part of the book would have been perceived very differently.
Unpopular opinion/spoiler ahead:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Ableism
grace33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Miscarriage and Violence
chaotically_katie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Infertility, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Blood
camillarossi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Classism, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder, Sexual harassment, and Infertility
mhairi_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Fake dating
POV: Third person
Daphne Bridgerton is the oldest daughter of the Bridgerton bunch and all she wants is to find a husband who she can settle down with and have her own children. But it’s not that easy. Everybody in society loves her but in a friendly way with the only gentleman caller being someone she most definitely does not want to enter into marriage with.
Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings and well known rake, has retuned to England. He, unlike Daphne wants nothing to do with English society. Mothers forcing their daughters on him and so on. He has vowed to never marry nor does he want children and nothing is going to change his mind.
Or is it?
Daphne and Simon cross paths and devise a plan that suits them both. If they are seen to be a couple Daphne will become more sought after and receive more gentleman callers and Simon will be seen to be off limits to the ladies and their desperate mothers. It’s a win-win. They agree to show an interest in each other and everything starts to fall into place.
But what happens when the interest is no longer just a ploy?
I genuinely enjoyed this book, however I watched the Netflix series first and adored it so I’m not sure if that has swayed my interest in these characters. I loved the wittiness of Daphne and Simon. The banter between the two of them had me genuinely smiling on numerous occasions.
⚠️ Content Warnings: Miscarriage, stillbirth, abandonment, child neglect, death of parent, death during childbirth, dubious consent, misogyny
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Fake dating
POV: Third person
Daphne Bridgerton is the oldest daughter of the Bridgerton bunch and all she wants is to find a husband who she can settle down with and have her own children. But it’s not that easy. Everybody in society loves her but in a friendly way with the only gentleman caller being someone she most definitely does not want to enter into marriage with.
Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings and well known rake, has retuned to England. He, unlike Daphne wants nothing to do with English society. Mothers forcing their daughters on him and so on. He has vowed to never marry nor does he want children and nothing is going to change his mind.
Or is it?
Daphne and Simon cross paths and devise a plan that suits them both. If they are seen to be a couple Daphne will become more sought after and receive more gentleman callers and Simon will be seen to be off limits to the ladies and their desperate mothers. It’s a win-win. They agree to show an interest in each other and everything starts to fall into place.
But what happens when the interest is no longer just a ploy?
I genuinely enjoyed this book, however I watched the Netflix series first and adored it so I’m not sure if that has swayed my interest in these characters. I loved the wittiness of Daphne and Simon. The banter between the two of them had me genuinely smiling on numerous occasions.
⚠️ Content Warnings: Miscarriage, stillbirth, abandonment, child neglect, death of parent, death during childbirth, dubious consent, misogyny
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Alcohol