Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Viscount Who Loved Me

There is some really toxic and creepy stuff in these books to be completely honest. But I also read horror books so I can ignore a lot. The first half of the book was rough and I think the marriage of convenience or getting pushed into marriage trope is overused in these books but the last third of the book was much better and actually got really cute!

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kkylezzz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.25

Alright, this one was much harder to enjoy than the last two in this universe I've read. But, I think the banter was still pretty good between the characters - both between Anthony and Kate, and between Anthony and his brothers/family. There was still pretty good imagery - even still around more abstract/complex scenes like with Pall Mall. I liked that Kate was an outsider, you know? Not just in a sense that she was/there was a lot of POV from a (formerly) non-Bridgerton, but also that she had a poor background, an adverse family history, etc. I think the drama was still strong, and bringing in elements like

Kate's mother dying (largely unconnected to the marriage/plot all together) and Violet and Mary's connection was a good reprieve from the disaster of marriage life between Anthony and Kate. I also liked that Kate didn't fall helplessly at Anthony's feet, even after they were married. There was reservation on her part, but also a more realistic transition into love (on Kate's part, not so much Anthony's).

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jelavision's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

3.5

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hrtlss_grl's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

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sierranorgan's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad 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

3.0

These books are roller coasters that constantly jerk between being a toxic relationship to be the “ideal” love story and it gives me whiplash.

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kirbylover16's review against another edition

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dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.0

Definitely more problematic and less realistic than the first book. It's kinda weird that Anthony is the bad guy in the first book and this one (his own story) and I don't feel like he earned his redemption. Kate was a piece of work like Daphin and Simon but they never reached Anthony's level. I do love the two epilogues their so wholesome and sweet. Stand out parts for Colin and Newton.

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andmaggie's review against another edition

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emotional funny relaxing 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

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jules_cr's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

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

1.0

My library app offered this as an available audiobook when I was going for a walk so I decided to try it. I love a good historical romance where two people of different socio-economic backgrounds are thrust together with their flaws and enter into a steamy romance. This is not one of those books.
Anthony Bridgerton is a rake (the book spends the intro telling us he is and on reflection, he agrees with it.) He is also of an age to marry so he can sire a son before he dies (like his father and uncle). Kate is an orphan living with her step-sisters and step-mother (who we are constantly assured loves Kate like her real daughter) who has come to London for the season to find her pretty sister a husband.

The story is a very very long and uncomfortable recounting of how Anthony abuses his power over women (generally Kate) to get what he wants when he wants it, regardless of the cost to the women in his path. He kicks Kate in the stomach while she's stuck under his desk and then locks her in his study until she makes out with him a little. His terror of bees forces them to get married after he forces himself on to her to suck bee poison from her bosom in the presence of his mother, her step-mother and a gossip. Ultimately, the two fall in love because they're flat characters defined by their phobias and heavy handed machinations of the author.

Ultimately, the true hero of the book is Chonker, Agent of Chaos (aka Newton the overweight corgi) who attempts to kill or at least inconvenience most of the main characters.

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