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marygg3's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
rosycheekks's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
alexcabanechevarria's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Death of parent
boundbyemily's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
bzliz's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism
astridrc's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was much better than the previous one but still, it's from 2000 and it shows. Anthony is incredibly sexist and arrogant at times and it's hard to pass that by. Kate was a bit disappointing with all the low-self esteem but I get it a little bit I guess.
I had a fun time anyway. It made me want to rewatch season 2 and yeah, there's no comparison there. They took the best elements from the book and made it a hundred times better. Maybe that's also why the book felt a bit underwhelming.
Something I really did enjoy was the discussion of love and mortality and how many times we're scared to lose things so we don't even let ourselves live fully.
All in all, a good read which might be better if it had been written in the past 10 years. Though I'm not sure if the saga is worth continuing.
I had a fun time anyway. It made me want to rewatch season 2 and yeah, there's no comparison there. They took the best elements from the book and made it a hundred times better. Maybe that's also why the book felt a bit underwhelming.
Something I really did enjoy was the discussion of love and mortality and how many times we're scared to lose things so we don't even let ourselves live fully.
All in all, a good read which might be better if it had been written in the past 10 years. Though I'm not sure if the saga is worth continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
itsoktobecalm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
It’s nice reading it after the series has come up and compare. The story is very entertaining and Kate is as, maybe MORE, loveable than in the series. Anthony on the other end… well let’s just say that Johnathan did an amazing job.
And the Lady Whistledown papers at the beginning of each chapter ? GOLD.
And the Lady Whistledown papers at the beginning of each chapter ? GOLD.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
abby_can_read's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
3.0
September 2023-⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧
I read the books last year and I remember enjoying them. My favorite parts of the audiobooks was Rosalyn Landor.
In re-reading this book, I find that I like it less than I did a year ago. I think it's still a simple book and I enjoyed Landor's narration. The characters were alright, I liked Kate more than Anthony. Their relationship is alright. The plot was predictable.
February 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
This was fun read. It was a simple book and an enjoyable read. It’s another typical Regency romance. This book is centered around Anthony and Kate. Anthony wanted a marriage of convience and he didn’t want to fall in love with his wife. I really liked the character of Kate, she’s straightforward and she wasn’t above telling Anthony off. I liked how protective Kate was of her sister. Beyond Kate, the book was decent. The plot was basic and the subplots were a little predictable.
🎧
I read the books last year and I remember enjoying them. My favorite parts of the audiobooks was Rosalyn Landor.
In re-reading this book, I find that I like it less than I did a year ago. I think it's still a simple book and I enjoyed Landor's narration. The characters were alright, I liked Kate more than Anthony. Their relationship is alright. The plot was predictable.
February 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
This was fun read. It was a simple book and an enjoyable read. It’s another typical Regency romance. This book is centered around Anthony and Kate. Anthony wanted a marriage of convience and he didn’t want to fall in love with his wife. I really liked the character of Kate, she’s straightforward and she wasn’t above telling Anthony off. I liked how protective Kate was of her sister. Beyond Kate, the book was decent. The plot was basic and the subplots were a little predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
maddysoup's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent
salma_175's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Light hearted romance with some substance, the characters felt very real and the story was lovable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent