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fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I DID IT! I FINISHED THE SERIES! i’m freeeeeeee!!
um this was….fine! i guess? idk at this point, honestly. 2.5, rounded down.
As always, the base archetype is that the rake doesn’t want to be in love (this time because Anthony is 100% sure he’s going to die young like his father, which….okay but also bruh) plus the virginal, always overlooked beauty (but this time, she’s the older sister of the girl the rake first has eyes for). The general idea is that they hate each other - Kate hates Anthony exclusively due to his reputation, and Anthony hates Kate because she isn’t falling all over herself in his presence. And this continues for ages. There’s physical violence between the two of them, hate-lust, and so many arguments about the same things that my vision blurred.
Then, the infamous bee scene hits and they’re engaged because a man can’t put his mouth on a woman to suck out venom without it compromising the woman, i guess.
Anthony’s worst scene yet occurs right after the wedding, when Kate asks for a few days to get her bearings wrt being married and having sex, to which he replies “no.” And then proceeds to be a massive dick about his rights and how she doesn’t have a good enough reason (in his mind) to deny them.
There is more drama (as usual), she falls first (as usual), and then they have happily ever after.
i’m so glad to be done with this series, i cannot articulate this enough. i’m blaming my 2am brain for eyeing the smythe-smith series with anything other than resentment.
um this was….fine! i guess? idk at this point, honestly. 2.5, rounded down.
As always, the base archetype is that the rake doesn’t want to be in love (this time because Anthony is 100% sure he’s going to die young like his father, which….okay but also bruh) plus the virginal, always overlooked beauty (but this time, she’s the older sister of the girl the rake first has eyes for). The general idea is that they hate each other - Kate hates Anthony exclusively due to his reputation, and Anthony hates Kate because she isn’t falling all over herself in his presence. And this continues for ages. There’s physical violence between the two of them, hate-lust, and so many arguments about the same things that my vision blurred.
Then, the infamous bee scene hits and they’re engaged because a man can’t put his mouth on a woman to suck out venom without it compromising the woman, i guess.
Anthony’s worst scene yet occurs right after the wedding, when Kate asks for a few days to get her bearings wrt being married and having sex, to which he replies “no.” And then proceeds to be a massive dick about his rights and how she doesn’t have a good enough reason (in his mind) to deny them.
There is more drama (as usual), she falls first (as usual), and then they have happily ever after.
i’m so glad to be done with this series, i cannot articulate this enough. i’m blaming my 2am brain for eyeing the smythe-smith series with anything other than resentment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Sexual content
ojudge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I truly enjoyed this book - as I do most enemies to lovers reads. I enjoyed this Bridgerton book much more than I did the first. I believe this must be where the author truly found her footing and I am excited to continue my journey through the series. The book seemed to start out a bit slow, but at some point (and I didn’t even recognize at what point exactly) the plot and the characters took off and I found myself unable to put the book down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Death of parent
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 have tried my best to behave and read these before I watch season 2. So I have no idea what happens in the show (I say this because it seems like a lot of other reviewers compare this to the show).
Two very important things:
1) The banter/dialogue made me laugh out loud, multiple times
2) I was actually giddy over the early romance
The fact that the above two things are true forgives a lot. I love a romance that can do the above, and it’s so rare to find.
With both this and the first, I feel like it’s wrapped up too quickly. We scarcely get the emotional payoff and it’s straight to the epilogue. I appreciate both Kate and Anthony’s trauma they can work through together, but it still feels like it’s just lacking some meat. I don’t know. Still fun, and I’ll definitely read the next one.
Two very important things:
1) The banter/dialogue made me laugh out loud, multiple times
2) I was actually giddy over the early romance
The fact that the above two things are true forgives a lot. I love a romance that can do the above, and it’s so rare to find.
With both this and the first, I feel like it’s wrapped up too quickly. We scarcely get the emotional payoff and it’s straight to the epilogue. I appreciate both Kate and Anthony’s trauma they can work through together, but it still feels like it’s just lacking some meat. I don’t know. Still fun, and I’ll definitely read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Minor: Misogyny
britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
I love when the book is better! Just so many more details then a tv show or movie. But this book idk if I’d say it’s better or not. There are ALOT more details, & I loved reading them. & the storyline was different then the show, & I still loved the storyline. But what I do not like is Anthony’s personality in the first half of the book. He was very much an asshole. He shows very little respect for any women who he might make his wife, planning to have a mistress & all; I really was not a fan of his personality, I’m glad they died it down in the show, I mean he could be an ass at first, especially to Kate, but he wasn’t an asshole. I’m glad I only have 2 books to compare to the show, hopefully I’ll read the rest of the series before their seasons come out, & I won’t be comparing them to eachother anymore. 🤞🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Misogyny, Grief, Sexual content, Sexism, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Rape
picaresquedreamer'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
lovely_aphrodite's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
itsoktobecalm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
It’s nice reading it after the series has come up and compare. The story is very entertaining and Kate is as, maybe MORE, loveable than in the series. Anthony on the other end… well let’s just say that Johnathan did an amazing job.
And the Lady Whistledown papers at the beginning of each chapter ? GOLD.
And the Lady Whistledown papers at the beginning of each chapter ? GOLD.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
bookshelfhannah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Death of parent
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
lrowan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Grief