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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
pauline79's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Feels like it’s missing something but can’t put my finger on it. The series confuses me on how Phillip and Eloise will meet but have to forget it and go with the book. Interesting to see how the series will deal with this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Physical abuse and Death of parent
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
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
whatkatyread87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
True Review: 2.75
The One In Which Katy Actually Takes the Time To Write Words of Disgust on How Her Girl Eloise Was Done Dirty
This could’ve been so epic with the pen pal idea. But Eloise NEVER would have ran away from her family on a whim because she was jealous of Penelope? That’s silly.
Sir Phillip needs some self-work before he finds a mother for his children. And as a feminist, or at least someone who kind of bucks the system a little as a spinster with six engagement rejections, Eloise would never choose someone who just wants to marry someone so his children with have a mother and who doesn’t see her as something more than a baby tender.
Amanda and Oliver were desperate for attention and this book should come with trigger warnings for child abuse with the description of how that nurse was beating them.
The One In Which Katy Actually Takes the Time To Write Words of Disgust on How Her Girl Eloise Was Done Dirty
This could’ve been so epic with the pen pal idea. But Eloise NEVER would have ran away from her family on a whim because she was jealous of Penelope? That’s silly.
Sir Phillip needs some self-work before he finds a mother for his children. And as a feminist, or at least someone who kind of bucks the system a little as a spinster with six engagement rejections, Eloise would never choose someone who just wants to marry someone so his children with have a mother and who doesn’t see her as something more than a baby tender.
Amanda and Oliver were desperate for attention and this book should come with trigger warnings for child abuse with the description of how that nurse was beating them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
britishbelle's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse
waitwhathelp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcohol and Classism
maureenocal's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Child abuse
fenkje's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3,75⭐
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The previous Bridgerton books spoke more to me than this one did. Don't get me wrong: it wasn't bad at all, but it was just not completely what I expected. Eloise is one of my favourite Bridgerton siblings, so my expectations were a lot higher. I loved the beginning of the book, but I found it a bit boring after a while. The end made up for it in some way, but it wasn't enough for me.
Also: the s*x-scenes were so unrealistic, reading this as woman. Women don't 'explode', as described by Quinn, as easy or at all in the way the couple made love. I would have loved a more realistic representation.
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The previous Bridgerton books spoke more to me than this one did. Don't get me wrong: it wasn't bad at all, but it was just not completely what I expected. Eloise is one of my favourite Bridgerton siblings, so my expectations were a lot higher. I loved the beginning of the book, but I found it a bit boring after a while. The end made up for it in some way, but it wasn't enough for me.
Also: the s*x-scenes were so unrealistic, reading this as woman. Women don't 'explode', as described by Quinn, as easy or at all in the way the couple made love. I would have loved a more realistic representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Rape, Sexual content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Death, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship