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mariskyjy's review against another edition
Thought I would grow to like Eloise's love interest after hearing more of his back story, but I can't stand him.
Tw: noncon, child abuse, mention of post partum depression below
• said he hadn't had sex in a long time and went to visit wife marina. "She didn't say no," (I think the implication was PPD) but seemed disinterested. He felt awful afterwards, which is a *great* excuse (sarcasm)
• the kids are terrified of him. "His" son asks, upon getting in trouble, "are you going to hit us?" And Philip is a menacing presence to them, and doesn't know how to parent them. Like even if you have never hit your kid(s) (which Eloise is convinced that she's *such* a good judge of character, despite only meeting this guy within the last week, that Phillip could *never* abuse his kids), they shouldn't be terrified that you're going to. End of sentence. No, wait: fuck this guy. Now end of sentence.
• spoiler, the "reasoning" for this is eventually that his father was horribly abusive towards him, and Phillip is trying not to be like him. Cool reason, bro. I get that therapy was not a huge thing back then (assuming) but my god. Work on yourself to not be like your father.
Tw: noncon, child abuse, mention of post partum depression below
• said he hadn't had sex in a long time and went to visit wife marina. "She didn't say no," (I think the implication was PPD) but seemed disinterested. He felt awful afterwards, which is a *great* excuse (sarcasm)
• the kids are terrified of him. "His" son asks, upon getting in trouble, "are you going to hit us?" And Philip is a menacing presence to them, and doesn't know how to parent them. Like even if you have never hit your kid(s) (which Eloise is convinced that she's *such* a good judge of character, despite only meeting this guy within the last week, that Phillip could *never* abuse his kids), they shouldn't be terrified that you're going to. End of sentence. No, wait: fuck this guy. Now end of sentence.
• spoiler, the "reasoning" for this is eventually that his father was horribly abusive towards him, and Phillip is trying not to be like him. Cool reason, bro. I get that therapy was not a huge thing back then (assuming) but my god. Work on yourself to not be like your father.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War
ballerinacat's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
I've never been really into romance and only read this because I enjoyed the show. I didn't enjoy some parts (like almost every time it switched to Sir Phillips point of view) but overall this was a really enjoyable read. I loved Eloise as a character and the bond she builds with Oliver and Amanda and the interactions with her brothers were priceless. I definitely plan on reading the rest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Child abuse
kristinamj's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child abuse
abby2503's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Death of parent, Suicide, Death, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse
codenamemomnextdoor's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Death of parent
Minor: Grief and Child abuse
godfrina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
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
2.0
Phillip, Sir, you're just a red flag.
It's a shame smart and outspoken Eloise got paired with such a dickish bore (or should I say boar...haa ugh)
She never struck me as a 〰 I can fix him 〰 gurl, more a "I can fix society" but here we are.
Two stars, because it was part of a series I want to finish, I guess.
It's a shame smart and outspoken Eloise got paired with such a dickish bore (or should I say boar...haa ugh)
She never struck me as a 〰 I can fix him 〰 gurl, more a "I can fix society" but here we are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Misogyny and Gaslighting
jestareader's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
Best Bridgerton book in the series yet (though I've heard good things about "When he was wicked.") I'm really looking forward to Eloise and Philipp's season in the show!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse
jessk349's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Rape, and Suicide
tlanereads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I would argue that the Bridgerton characters, specifically the men, are generally unlikable. It is one thing for characters to have flaws and hurdles to overcome, but the books don’t typically treat some of the more aggressive traits as flaws to be held accountable for. Phillips speaks demeaningly towards Eloise, and while Eloise is upset about it, some other big trauma occurs that allows excuse for Philip to not be held accountable. Eloise brings up a genuine concern that Philip refuses to hear acknowledge because he writes her off as being a woman and therefore beyond his understanding. The thing that solves this? They have a good sex life., Which somehow leads them to falling in love with each other deeply in a week, even though most of their scenes are spent arguing.
I was genuinely intrigued by the premise of the story – the two falling in love through their letter, writing, but that is such a minuscule part of the story. When the letters were alluded to in Penelope‘s story, I am immediately was excited to read Eloise’s, so the fact that it was mostly a preface was disappointing.
Lastly, they speak of Marina and her mental illness was offputting to say the least. She is treated as a failure and a disappointment for having postpartum depression. Tragic
I was genuinely intrigued by the premise of the story – the two falling in love through their letter, writing, but that is such a minuscule part of the story. When the letters were alluded to in Penelope‘s story, I am immediately was excited to read Eloise’s, so the fact that it was mostly a preface was disappointing.
Lastly, they speak of Marina and her mental illness was offputting to say the least. She is treated as a failure and a disappointment for having postpartum depression. Tragic
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
amyslaske022's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide