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chaotically_katie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical content, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Vomit, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Excrement, Infertility, Toxic friendship, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Blood
brookeharbula's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Infertility
Minor: Death
mattiedancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
- Readers looking for a fun, fluffy read
- People who love romance novels
- Those looking for a fake-dating, period novel
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, and Child abuse
Minor: Blood, Violence, Classism, Death of parent, Death, Bullying, Grief, and Abandonment
deeofbkb's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Miscarriage, Cursing, Death, Rape, Vomit, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Alcohol
saliwali's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Alcohol, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Death, and Death of parent
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: December 1, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Charming • Playful • Entertaining
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Daphne Bridgeton, the fourth of eight siblings, has formed friendships with many of London's finest, yet finds herself unwilling to play their romantic games. Everyone likes her for her kindness yet no one truly desires her.
Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, has recently returned to England and is dead set against marriage. After a difficult childhood, in thanks to his very own father, he has no intentions of fulfilling his royal duties.
After an encounter with Daphne (his best friend's sister), Simon thinks there may be another option, one that could deter the elite from parading their daughters before him. His plan: a fake courtship with Daphne that will in turn help boost her prospects.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Historical romance is a genre I tend to stay away from, yet I decided to see what all the fuss was about with this series. And of course, I was pleasantly surprised with this first installment and was not expecting the witty humour
I have to say it was surprisingly well-written and the Bridgerton family captured my heart from the very first page, their family dynamic felt so genuine and relatable, and the regency setting was enticing. I'm a sucker for books with a real sense of community, and The Duke and I certainly delivers on that front.
During the first half of the book, I appreciated Daphne's character development, but unfortunately for me things kind of fell apart in the second half with some of her questionable choices. When it comes to the romance, I enjoyed the playful banter, which helped make their romance feel genuine.
Overall, I picked this up looking for an escape, and it delivered. I'll definitely be looking forward to the next installment and getting to know each of the Bridgerton siblings' stories.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of Downtown Abbey
• historical romances enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Heartache, Daphne eventually learned, never really went away; it just dulled. The sharp, stabbing pain that one felt with each breath eventually gave way to a blunter, lower ache—the kind that one could almost—but never quite—ignore."
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Rape
Moderate: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Death, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
sillyduckie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Abandonment, Ableism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Infertility, Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, Body shaming, and Classism
Moderate: Stalking and Colonisation
Minor: Death and Vomit
saturnpersonified's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Death
jax00's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
2.25
This was a 4.5/5 star book until that scene. The characters were funny but still had darker parts. The build up was also nice.
However, Simon said he never wanted children and could never have children. Daphne agreed with this and married him. However, one nights after a fight, Simon gets drunk and is sleeping and Daphne decides to have sex with him. She then forces him to finish in her, even after he's stated (as much as a drunk man can) he does not want to. Then he runs off, which expected and good. However, he is the one to apologize and Daphne is never thought to be wrong.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Death and Violence
lisa_m's review against another edition
2.0
Well it's definitely problematic. Maybe even more problematic than the series.
I did enjoy parts of the story but the relationship is surely toxic and the representation as well.
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Infertility, Ableism, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Rape, and Toxic relationship