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llorona's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
My perspective as a lesbian: as far as romance novels go, this is pretty okay! I enjoyed my time giggling and kicking my fit. A handful of misogynistic moments, as much as you might expect in a novel set in the 19th century with all British people. There was a few too many times where the male protagonist weird behaviors were excused or never addressed. Insulting words or gaslighting in the middle of arguments were never resolved and mostly never apologized for which was kind of annoying. I guess the inner monologue at the time was supposed to let us know he didn’t really mean them I guess? He also got angry so fast! He was kinda toxic not gonna lie and they tried to soften him up throughout the entire book. And he was wayyyyyyy too horny like all the time. And personally it teetered the line of “oh this isn’t right…” more than once.
I did enjoy both main characters backstories and the overarching theme of overcoming your demons and accepting that which you cannot control. Read it after watching the Netflix season and can’t say if one is a better story than the other but if I pieced bits from both I’d create something much better. Though, the diversity in the show made for a much richer story and they cut out a lot of the terrible bits of the main male lead.
I did enjoy both main characters backstories and the overarching theme of overcoming your demons and accepting that which you cannot control. Read it after watching the Netflix season and can’t say if one is a better story than the other but if I pieced bits from both I’d create something much better. Though, the diversity in the show made for a much richer story and they cut out a lot of the terrible bits of the main male lead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
There’s one line aboutfinnickdeservedbetter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
3.75
For readers who like:
• enemies/hate to lovers
• like attracts like
• witty banter
• "I hate you but I want you"
• like attracts like
• witty banter
• "I hate you but I want you"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Pregnancy
erica_reads_things's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
Pretty solid cute romance! I liked this one a bit more than the first book. Antony is sort of a dick for no reason sometimes but his behaviors and viewpoints that stem from his actual trauma were well done and I liked to see the character growth there. I loved Kate's writing and personality as well, she was fun to get to know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Fatphobia and Misogyny
kelly_e's review against another edition
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
3.25
Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 5, 2000
T H R E E • W O R D S
Readable • Entertaining • Chauvinistic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...
💭 T H O U G H T S
Regency era romance isn't a genre I'd typically have an interest in, however, after starting Julia Quinn's hit series, The Bridgertons, in 2022 I was pleasantly surprised and decided to continue with book two.
It's a tad difficult to take these books too seriously. At times they are downright ridiculous, and of course, require the suspension of reality, yet they are highly entertaining. I cannot say I was drawn into Anthony and Kate's story, although I did appreciate Anthony's hesitancy to marriage. There is so much vanity within these pages that eventually it gets redundant. Kate seemed like a likeable enough lady, and I was satisfied with her HEA.
For me, these books are nothing amazing, yet they are highly readable and always provided an entertaining experience. I can definitely understand why the Netflix adaption is so widely loved (even though I've been told it's very different). When I am in need of a quick, lighthearted read I'll likely continue with book three.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• Regency era enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You have to live each hour as if it's your last and each day as if you were immortal."
"You can't shun new challenge or hide yourself from love just because you think you might not be here to carry your dreams to completion. In the end, you'll have just as many regrets as did my father."
"It means that love isn't about being afraid that it will all be snatched away. Love's about finding the one person who makes your heart complete, who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It's about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing, all the way to your bones, that she's simply the best person you've ever known."
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 5, 2000
T H R E E • W O R D S
Readable • Entertaining • Chauvinistic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...
💭 T H O U G H T S
Regency era romance isn't a genre I'd typically have an interest in, however, after starting Julia Quinn's hit series, The Bridgertons, in 2022 I was pleasantly surprised and decided to continue with book two.
It's a tad difficult to take these books too seriously. At times they are downright ridiculous, and of course, require the suspension of reality, yet they are highly entertaining. I cannot say I was drawn into Anthony and Kate's story, although I did appreciate Anthony's hesitancy to marriage. There is so much vanity within these pages that eventually it gets redundant. Kate seemed like a likeable enough lady, and I was satisfied with her HEA.
For me, these books are nothing amazing, yet they are highly readable and always provided an entertaining experience. I can definitely understand why the Netflix adaption is so widely loved (even though I've been told it's very different). When I am in need of a quick, lighthearted read I'll likely continue with book three.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• Regency era enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You have to live each hour as if it's your last and each day as if you were immortal."
"You can't shun new challenge or hide yourself from love just because you think you might not be here to carry your dreams to completion. In the end, you'll have just as many regrets as did my father."
"It means that love isn't about being afraid that it will all be snatched away. Love's about finding the one person who makes your heart complete, who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It's about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing, all the way to your bones, that she's simply the best person you've ever known."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Car accident, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Body shaming, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Classism, and Pregnancy
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Blood, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Classism
Minor: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
haleysversion's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Classism, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
lovellb1tch'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? Yes
4.0
An enjoyable regency based romance, I personally enjoyed the more diverse aspects of the show however it was still an easy read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Fatphobia, and Classism
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Netflix took an adorable, funny, angsty, and emotional marriage of inconvenience and made it into an annoying love triangle. Basically, I’m so happy I read the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Sexism
kb33's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
This was very different from the Netflix series, from Kate’s entire character to most of the second half of the plot. Also, Anthony started the novel so completely unlikable that I didn’t think he’d be redeemable, but in the way of historical romances, his negative qualities were completely forgotten. He did improve in the second half of the book, but I still need a better love interest than Anthony.
The storm phobia and explanation added unnecessary, contrived drama.
Added TW: dubious consent kissing and groping.
The storm phobia and explanation added unnecessary, contrived drama.
Added TW: dubious consent kissing and groping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity
maryclaire92's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Lovely second book in the serious, and perfect for some summer fun reading.
Sometimes I find the rampant sexism inherent in period romances a bit too much and it takes me out of the book for a minute, but I think I may have liked this one better than the first Bridgerton novel.
Now to get my hands on the next! Should be no trouble to make my way through this series before more seasons of the show come out. Who doesn’t like a nice bit of fluff?
Sometimes I find the rampant sexism inherent in period romances a bit too much and it takes me out of the book for a minute, but I think I may have liked this one better than the first Bridgerton novel.
Now to get my hands on the next! Should be no trouble to make my way through this series before more seasons of the show come out. Who doesn’t like a nice bit of fluff?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Fatphobia