Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - De verliefde graaf

Well, I enjoyed this one far more than the first (what with the lack of possible assault in this one and all). It was far less dramatic than I expected, but that was the show's fault.
That banter though, top notch. Especially that second epilogue with the other Bridgertons included? Amazing!
I spent a good portion of this book just laughing out loud and pitying poor Lord and Lady Bridgerton for having fallen in love with such maddening people. But of course, they're going to be so happy it also makes my heart go all squishy.
On to the next, and please never stop giving me Colin's cameos.

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rosycheekks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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lovely_aphrodite's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

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alexcabanechevarria's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

3.25

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boundbyemily's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.5

And then there was Kate Sheffield.
The bane of his existence.
And the object of his desires.
All at once.

I mean...Anthony is nothing if not a whore and I stand by that. This book had everything that the first book was lacking - the pining, the enemies-to-lovers, the tension, everything. If you've watched the show first, this book will provide you with a more in-depth view of the characters, their motivations and their traumas. The romance was everything and more.

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bzliz's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

3.5

This is a vast improvement to Daphne and Simon’s story. Kate and Anthony are more likable in general and they both have personal arcs independent of the other- Kate’s phobia and trauma around storms & Anthony’s preoccupation with his mortality- and they support each other during that growth.

My main gripes come from the genre itself, plus the book was written 20 years ago and society has evolved since then. I find entirely virginal FMCs paired with very experienced MMCs to be boring. I know it’s “historical” for men to be “superior” but they just suck so hard sometimes. Women to this day are always the ones who pay the price for men’s inability to control themselves and it’s exhausting. Possessive statements like “you’re mine” and “I own you” will never feel okay to me. The underlying threat of sexual assault is not cute or romantic and it’s always hypocritical. These men treat their wives like this but are horrified at the thought of someone treating their sisters like that. Make it make sense!

Anthony’s logic about not falling in love doesn’t track for me. If you’re convinced you’re going to die young, wouldn’t you want to spend your life with someone who values you deeply? Why would you want to die forgettable? Other than that, I enjoyed most of the dynamic between Kate and Anthony. Kate charmed the hell out of me as an oldest sibling. The Pall Mall scene was a delight and made me wish for more interactions with side characters. I want to see them really embed themselves in the other’s life.

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