Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

An Offer from a Gentleman: Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

9 reviews

cdoubet's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Classism, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, and Cursing

Minor: Sexual harassment, Violence, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Death, Rape, Death of parent, Confinement, Torture, Slavery, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault

annahamburger's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Classism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Body shaming

Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Rape, Alcohol, Violence, and Pregnancy

prashiie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

“It was strange, to find a woman who could make him happy just with her mere presence. He didn't even have to see her, or hear her voice, or even smell her scent. He just had to know that she was there. If that wasn't love, he didn't know what was.”

Very much like Cinderella, Sophie grows up with her stepmother and stepsisters who treat her very badly. Luckily, she gets the chance to go to a masked ball and takes it. This is where she meets Benedict and they fall in love. While she knew exactly who Benedict was, he didn’t know who the masked lady was who stole his heart. Years fly by and unexpectedly they meet again but under different circumstances. 

Unlike the lords and ladies, servants have no freedom to do as they please. This story shows how badly they get treated by some people. From rape to becoming a gentleman’s mistress. It’s not easy, especially if you’re a woman on your own.

I loved Benedict and Sophie’s story! Even though Sophie experienced many hardships in life, her heart remains pure and I was so happy that she met some good people through Benedict. Again Violet was such a pleasant character. The way she loves her children and supports them is amazing. Also Eloise is a lovely character. She stands up for herself and demands to be treated equally.

“Just because we of the female gender are not allowed to study at places like Eton and Cambridge doesn't mean our educations are any less precious,” Eloise ranted, completely ignoring her brother's weak “I know.”

“I am of the opinion that the reason we are not allowed access is that if we were, we would trounce you men in all subjects!”

Overall, an easy read. There were moments where Julia Quinn’s writing puts me off, for example when she writes: “He seized the moment, tasting her, drinking her, breathing her.” Okay, calm down…

I did enjoy the last part of the story where Benedict and Violet get Sophie out of jail. Violet goes against Araminta and the entire time I was cheering her on! Don’t mess with Violet Bridgerton. Then Sophie and Posy stand united against Araminta, ugh so wholesome. I do think Araminta got off too easy. I could never understand how one can be so cruel towards children. Araminta does explain why she hated Sophie so much, but I didn’t find that a satisfying reason.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, Death, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Misogyny, Bullying, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Alcohol and Rape

kb33's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Starts out as a Cinderella remake, which is fine. Then it turns into “man gets rejected and refuses to take no for an answer. Over and over and over.” Repetitive and overdramatized: every kiss is like no other kiss before, and at least three times she makes a reckless decision because “for once in her life she was going to do something wild and crazy.” Benedict goes from “be my mistress” to “you WILL be my mistress” to “I was going to ask you to marry me all along” real fast. And Sophie eats it up like a trope of a dumb romance heroine. Benedict has no compassion for Sophie’s struggle, or her desire never to become a mistress, until practically the very last page. This book was everything I hate about period romances. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Classism, Confinement, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Rape and Alcohol

jpbacik's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• 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

4.5

Sophie's story is so sad, but this book is so good. I couldn't stop reading their love story. By far my favorite Bridgerton thus far!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Alcohol, Classism, Cursing, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape

eglizmas's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Classism

Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Death, Bullying, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Misogyny

Minor: Fatphobia, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Grief

hmlongstreet's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.25

As I continue my journey to read all the main series Bridgerton books I find myself to be enjoying each book a little more than the last. I really liked this one in particular. And I know a lot of people did not.
 
I enjoyed the chemistry between Benedict and Sophie and the lack of "we must get married right now, as I have comprised you." Both main characters had very real and understandable fears and I found the book had a lot less talk about sexual desire (that doesn't mean there wasn't any) and more about quality time with one another which was a good break from the past two books. I was also quite surprised to learn how many ideas were taken from this book to be used for the second season of the Netflix show, which is Anthony's story. You'll see what I mean if decide to read this book and watch the show.

Again there were more questionable actions from the characters that make you go, "Ok wow that is like really not ok." But however, I think this book did a better job "making it okay" than the other two by having Sophie put up a bit more of a fight with Benedict and confronting him about his actions.

A strong opinion I still hold have briefly touched upon in my The Duke and I review is that these books are truly meant for a specific genre of people and if you are looking for a historical romance series without angsty male lead characters and timid female ones this series is really not for you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Body shaming, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

tessamcevan's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Slavery

Minor: Alcohol

ashleybeereads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content

Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Confinement, Grief, Death of parent, Classism, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Fatphobia, Slavery, Violence, Rape, Pregnancy, Blood, Body shaming, and Sexual assault