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kamrynkoble's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
I really enjoyed this. I haven’t read much classic “genre” historical romance and while I still think I like the nitty gritty and ambiguity of romantic historical fiction—I think I’ve found a new series to return to often.
I’ve put off watching the show until I read the book, while I love the additions and wider scope of the show, this book was so endearing. I laughed out loud and truly enjoyed the dialogue especially.
I saw parts of myself in Daphne and Simon that I have never come across in any other novels. It’s a little frightening, honestly.
I’m not surprised that there’s controversy around one specific part of their marriage (if you know, you know). But I do respect stories where good people make wrong decisions and have to crawl their way back from it. It makes for good fiction, and does not surprise me within the context of the story.
There’s definitely sexual content (less than the show but still present), and murky consent within marriage. It doesn’t have sexual assault in the context of a stranger or some unwanted man brutalizing a woman (like Outlander), but tread carefully if you think that might upset you.
I’ve put off watching the show until I read the book, while I love the additions and wider scope of the show, this book was so endearing. I laughed out loud and truly enjoyed the dialogue especially.
I saw parts of myself in Daphne and Simon that I have never come across in any other novels. It’s a little frightening, honestly.
I’m not surprised that there’s controversy around one specific part of their marriage (if you know, you know). But I do respect stories where good people make wrong decisions and have to crawl their way back from it. It makes for good fiction, and does not surprise me within the context of the story.
There’s definitely sexual content (less than the show but still present), and murky consent within marriage. It doesn’t have sexual assault in the context of a stranger or some unwanted man brutalizing a woman (like Outlander), but tread carefully if you think that might upset you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Pregnancy
leexpenandpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Infertility, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing, Fatphobia, Murder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
totaldweeb's review against another edition
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pregnancy and Death of parent
britwalsh16's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I usually prefer reading the book before the movie or tv show adaptation, but with this series I fell in love with the show first & then decided to read the book, & usually I struggle to get through it, but overall I usually like the book more. This series is different. I definitely enjoyed the book, & I love all the little details we didn’t get in the tv show; but I miss all the side characters. Though season 1 focuses on Daphne & The Duke, you get to see all the side characters & learn a bit about everyone. In the book, you only learn about the other characters if they are interacting with Daphne or Simon. So I just really struggled to get through this book because of that. That being said, I’m definitely going to read the other books, just maybe not in order, I’ll come back to the Viscount since I know his story already. Lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Sexism, and Gun violence
Minor: Rape, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
kagoyo's review against another edition
medium-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
I somehow managed to live under a rock and not know about THAT Scene. It caught me completely off guard and ruined an otherwise decent book. The 1 star is for everything I read up until that point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Alcohol, and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infertility and Pregnancy
finnzebelle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infertility, and Rape
dremmavendetta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
Had to read this after enjoying the series but feeling like they handled the marital rape poorly. I think the book makes it even more clear that it was assault but handles it even worse, trying to walk the clear assault back from the character’s perspective.
I will say, I appreciate the emotionality of the writing and the female perspective on sex. And the necessity of sex education the book makes a case for. It, unfortunately, fell short of rising to its own standard.
Also i find Daphne a bit annoying and Simon a bit too melancholy. Not sure why either is desirable in their circles except that we presume they are good looking.
I will say, I appreciate the emotionality of the writing and the female perspective on sex. And the necessity of sex education the book makes a case for. It, unfortunately, fell short of rising to its own standard.
Also i find Daphne a bit annoying and Simon a bit too melancholy. Not sure why either is desirable in their circles except that we presume they are good looking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Cursing, Death of parent, Infertility, and Sexual assault
dulcyj's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
mutantfoodie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
spacehemy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I want to take a listen to this book on audible, because I have binged watch the whole entire Bridgerton series when it came out, so why not try the books. I wanted to read the books before the third season came out. The book did keep me interested in hooked, and it was a medium pace. There were some aspects of the book that was not included in the first season, but if it was added, it really wouldn’t make a difference.
There was a conflict in the story that was also in the series. When it was addressed in the series, it wasn’t made to be a big deal or maybe it was. But when, listening to it in the actual book, it kinda made me realize how wrong the main character was to do what she did no matter how much she desired the outcome. It was a boundary cross on her behalf. And her reason to be mad prior was valid but she still shouldn’t have done what she did.
Overall I did really like the book and enjoyed the second epilogue in the end. I guess it’s time for book 2!
There was a conflict in the story that was also in the series. When it was addressed in the series, it wasn’t made to be a big deal or maybe it was. But when, listening to it in the actual book, it kinda made me realize how wrong the main character was to do what she did no matter how much she desired the outcome. It was a boundary cross on her behalf. And her reason to be mad prior was valid but she still shouldn’t have done what she did.
Overall I did really like the book and enjoyed the second epilogue in the end. I guess it’s time for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse
There is mentions of neglect and verbal abuse in a character’s backstory (Simon Basset The Duke of Hastings)