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starcrossreverie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I waited for this book on Libby for a month, probably longer, and told myself to finish the book for that reason but one chapter after the rape scene I realized that finishing the book means I'll have to read Daphne get her happily ever after and that Simon would have to push aside his feelings in order to make HER happy. That is beyond fucked up.
And it wasn't just the rape scene that made me give this book a 1 star.
It's bland and boring. With a fake dating trope, it NEEDS drama. It needs more than just one scene where one becomes jealous at the romantic attention the other is getting, and that scene in Daphne's calling room was not it due to how soon into the fake dating it happened.
Daphne tells Simon that the fake dating wouldn't work on the Mamas as they'll continue pushing their single daughters at him but we don't get a scene like that! Even if it was just Daphne's self consciousness letting her say that, we still don't get to experience Daphne getting jealous of the attention he's getting.
They fall in love too quickly, which goes against the fake dating trope. They're supposed to have that realization that makes them go into denial over their feelings, only to realize that they can't escape how they feel, and then there's supposed to be a moment where they wonder how on earth are they going to turn this from fake dating into real dating, wondering if the other person even feels the same way about them.
The fake dating trope is supposed to come with drama and angst, but everything goes perfectly without any bumps in the road. I wouldn't even call the duel a bump because it was so dumb.
I knew she was going to rape him before I started reading but I liked her siblings and Lady Whistledown from the show a lot, so I read it for them and figured I'll push past this book to get to the other ones. Wasn't worth it, plus I've since learned that her brothers are trash to women.
My curiosity to see how bad the men in these books are makes me want to try reading the other books. I don't see myself finishing them either.
Overall, Daphne is a POS. I hate this book. And to the defenders who say "this is what happened in the 1800s.", this book wasn't written in the 1800s, and y'all aren't reading it in the 1800s. I would not be surprised if fans of these book also love Haunting Adeline. I am legit mad that the book fans talked about this dark romance series as if everything was sweet and wholesome, y'all really have people thinking these books are normal romances.
Graphic: Ableism, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Rape
nitsabean's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
krystalreadsstuff'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
This was my second attempt at reading this book; I decided to give the audiobook a try while waiting for the second half of season 4 to be released, and I actually quite enjoyed it!
Simon's character arc was charming and Daphne's growing understanding of the world was well-written and funny at times. There were definitely some gray areas concerning consent in this story, but I think it was done well and in as realistic a fashion as the rest of the book. I was a bit surprised at how Whistledown was portrayed, mostly just through short blurbs at the beginning of chapters and in character dialogue, because she is rather pervasive in the show.
Overall, I rather enjoyed this book, but am unsure if I will continue on with the series, as Regency-era Romance is not in my typical wheelhouse.
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism and Colonisation
pau0704'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
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Infertility
Minor: Miscarriage and Sexual content
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Abandonment and Ableism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Classism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence, Cursing, Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Violence
emkeplinger95's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
fromthefoxhole's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
I do think Simon's motivations sucked, but there is quite literally nothing that he could have done that would excuse Daphne's behaviors.
I did like Daphne's relationship to her siblings and the banter was fun, but god. I just can't get over how territorial every single man in these books is, and that they are constantly dick measuring about something. That with a literal spousal rape???? Count me OUT.
I'm finishing the series but only because I feel like I have to at this point.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage
kbio'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment, Rape, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol
gwenswoons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
emclougher's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Classism, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship