Scan barcode
piaa157's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
nervouspink'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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Torture
saeruh's review against another edition
1.5
Hey bridgerton readers, you remember the guy who tried to rape our heroine in the third book? Well now he’s back and he’s mean, inattentive father with strong anger AND daddy issues. I think I know just what to do with this character. Let’s pair him with one of the beloved bridgerton sisters!
In all honestly, I think phillip crane should die in a horrible, gruesome death and then maybe his character would actually have some purpose. There is absolutely nothing romantic about this story, it’s referenced several times that the only reason he feels the need to get married again is to 1) have a mother for his children since he can’t be bothered to actually be a father 2) have a wife that he can have sex with whenever he wants so he can get his rocks off. Everything about the relationship in this story is gross. I felt so bad for Eloise, she actually had a good character but this book just butchered any chance at making me want to think again about her story.
I get that this book came out twenty years ago but the way Quinn treats mental illness is so disgusting. It’s clear that Marina was suffering from postpartum depression and then a generalized depression disorder but all of the story is focused on how much of a burden she was and how much Phillip blamed all of his problems on her. It was so toxic and honestly triggering to read as someone who suffers from depression. I guess the meaning Quinn was trying to say was that if you’re sad at all, you’re a constant burden on those you love.
There is also much misogyny in this book that it hurts my head. It’s referenced to several times that women are confusing creatures that men will never understand/that the two sexes are just so wildly different that they could never understand each other. Again I guess that’s a factor of both of this book being a historical romance that’s semi accurate and also being written twenty years ago but it just isn’t good to read now.
This book gets a 1.5 instead of just a 1 star because I did think the plot was sort of interesting, I liked the runaway plot and then the brothers storming in the house in the middle of dinner. I also thought that using Eloise’s letters as chapter openers was a good way to transition from the absence of lady whistledown’s commentary.
Will I be continuing this stupid book series? Yes I will. Because I want to hate review the rest of them and see if miss Julia Quinn can get any lower than she already has in my opinion.
In all honestly, I think phillip crane should die in a horrible, gruesome death and then maybe his character would actually have some purpose. There is absolutely nothing romantic about this story, it’s referenced several times that the only reason he feels the need to get married again is to 1) have a mother for his children since he can’t be bothered to actually be a father 2) have a wife that he can have sex with whenever he wants so he can get his rocks off. Everything about the relationship in this story is gross. I felt so bad for Eloise, she actually had a good character but this book just butchered any chance at making me want to think again about her story.
I get that this book came out twenty years ago but the way Quinn treats mental illness is so disgusting. It’s clear that Marina was suffering from postpartum depression and then a generalized depression disorder but all of the story is focused on how much of a burden she was and how much Phillip blamed all of his problems on her. It was so toxic and honestly triggering to read as someone who suffers from depression. I guess the meaning Quinn was trying to say was that if you’re sad at all, you’re a constant burden on those you love.
There is also much misogyny in this book that it hurts my head. It’s referenced to several times that women are confusing creatures that men will never understand/that the two sexes are just so wildly different that they could never understand each other. Again I guess that’s a factor of both of this book being a historical romance that’s semi accurate and also being written twenty years ago but it just isn’t good to read now.
This book gets a 1.5 instead of just a 1 star because I did think the plot was sort of interesting, I liked the runaway plot and then the brothers storming in the house in the middle of dinner. I also thought that using Eloise’s letters as chapter openers was a good way to transition from the absence of lady whistledown’s commentary.
Will I be continuing this stupid book series? Yes I will. Because I want to hate review the rest of them and see if miss Julia Quinn can get any lower than she already has in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Sexual content, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Child abuse
linkamarisa's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
2.0
Sir Phillip is probably the most unlikable love interest I have sver read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Child abuse
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Sexism
Minor: Mental illness, War, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
hayleyvem's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Grief
hmlongstreet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
2.75
After reading the four Bridgerton books prior to this one, I can say I was really disappointed with this one. The first thing I can point out is how short the book is and that the story felt very rushed with little time given to have the two characters actually get to know each other. We barely get to see any of these twos letters even though we learn they have been corresponding for a whole year. And the parts that were meant to showcase their growing connection seem so detached. The book follows the same "You are compromised, we mush preserve your reputation so you have to marry" which is getting annoying at this point. And there is always that reoccurring theme of a disagreement between the two leads followed by some sexual activity which does not sit well with me. These books are getting really repetitive which I cannot say is a bad thing as most romance novels are in fact the same, I just wish there were more of some things and less of others.
With everything bad out of the way, time to get to the things I liked, Oliver and Amanda were such refreshing characters who warmed my heart and the second epilogue was good too.
With everything bad out of the way, time to get to the things I liked, Oliver and Amanda were such refreshing characters who warmed my heart and the second epilogue was good too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy, Infidelity, and Medical content
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
Ah, yikes. The discussion of suicide, but most /especially/ the second epilogue, was...cringey at best. Phillip’s entire character had great potential, but his treatment of his children and inability to listen to /any/ feedback or have /any/ productive discussion, was an extreme turnoff. Yeah, sure, he had a lightbulb moment and changed his attitude, but that happened way too late and wayyy too quickly for the book to be any sort of enjoyable or even tolerable. Poor Eloise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
eleek0609's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Self harm, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Death of parent
brownieboo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death
Minor: Grief
bookreader02's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
At first, I thought the book was a little slow at the start of it. But as I read through it, I thought it was better halfway through and to the ending. There definitely were some parts that made me laugh a little bit. I enjoyed it. Now onto the next book..
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, and Suicide