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blueskyreview's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
I read this in less than 24 hours, so it's probably safe to say this has been my favorite of the four Bridgerton books so far. No surprise since I love Penelope. Wanting to know her and Colin's story was the whole reason I decided to start the series before season 3 part 1 was released.
I have enjoyed the snippets of Colin throughout the books (and show). He's been funny, charming, and sweet. However, in his own book, he was quite angry (or jealous conveyed as anger) most of the time, and usually, it was directed at Pen. Seriously, what is with the MMC getting so irrationally angry and GLAD they are terrifying the FMC in each of these books???
Anyway, I enjoyed reading Pen's pov, and it was interesting to see how certain things were resolved. I'm curious/anxious how the show will handle it since they've gone a different route, which I'm not completely mad about since our Bridgerton boys are not nearly as angry in Shondaland.
I have enjoyed the snippets of Colin throughout the books (and show). He's been funny, charming, and sweet. However, in his own book, he was quite angry (or jealous conveyed as anger) most of the time, and usually, it was directed at Pen. Seriously, what is with the MMC getting so irrationally angry and GLAD they are terrifying the FMC in each of these books???
Anyway, I enjoyed reading Pen's pov, and it was interesting to see how certain things were resolved. I'm curious/anxious how the show will handle it since they've gone a different route, which I'm not completely mad about since our Bridgerton boys are not nearly as angry in Shondaland.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
emilygibbs's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Fatphobia
ghostmomxoxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Death of parent
katebee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Pregnancy
cicireadsinthedark's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Physical abuse and Body shaming
nightstitch96's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Pregnancy
jelkebooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
first read in 2021
reread 2024
I'm so glad I decided to reread this one, because when I originally read this I was pretty new to historical romances (it's not like I'm an expert now though, but I've read quite a few at this point), and I have wondered if I just loved this so much because I was still new to the genre. However, I still absolutely ADORED this book upon reread. Everything about this just really worked for me, and the romantic quotes were just absolutely everything. I swooned at several points. On top of that I also just think this book is incredibly funny, and a really addictive and engaging read.
Penelope is just the love of my life. I absolutely adore her. She is just such a delight of a character. She's really funny, incredibly kind, and just super smart. I also love how througout this book she just got so much more confident in herself and Colin barely played a part in it. It's just her getting older, and bolder. I just loved it!
Colin is also just a great character. He is funny, and the way he's just utterly obsessed with Penelope is just my everything. The way he praises her throughout this novel just has my heart. I do have to say that right after the Lady Whistledown reveal he does turn into a bit of an ass in a way that feels a bit out of character, but I do think ultimately he worked through those feelings, apologised for his behaviour, and changed. So I don't think I can blame him too much.
Colin and Penelope are absolutely everything together. Their relationship is just adorable, and is just the perfect example of why friends to lovers is the superior trope to me. On top of that they also just have a great steamy moments, and their banter is absolute top notch. Penelope also fits perfectly into the Bridgerton family, and I love how Colin strongwills the Featheringtons into respecting Penelope more. They just feel so incredibly made for each other. Ugh, I'm in love !!!!
reread 2024
I'm so glad I decided to reread this one, because when I originally read this I was pretty new to historical romances (it's not like I'm an expert now though, but I've read quite a few at this point), and I have wondered if I just loved this so much because I was still new to the genre. However, I still absolutely ADORED this book upon reread. Everything about this just really worked for me, and the romantic quotes were just absolutely everything. I swooned at several points. On top of that I also just think this book is incredibly funny, and a really addictive and engaging read.
Penelope is just the love of my life. I absolutely adore her. She is just such a delight of a character. She's really funny, incredibly kind, and just super smart. I also love how througout this book she just got so much more confident in herself and Colin barely played a part in it. It's just her getting older, and bolder. I just loved it!
Colin is also just a great character. He is funny, and the way he's just utterly obsessed with Penelope is just my everything. The way he praises her throughout this novel just has my heart. I do have to say that right after the Lady Whistledown reveal he does turn into a bit of an ass in a way that feels a bit out of character, but I do think ultimately he worked through those feelings, apologised for his behaviour, and changed. So I don't think I can blame him too much.
Colin and Penelope are absolutely everything together. Their relationship is just adorable, and is just the perfect example of why friends to lovers is the superior trope to me. On top of that they also just have a great steamy moments, and their banter is absolute top notch. Penelope also fits perfectly into the Bridgerton family, and I love how Colin strongwills the Featheringtons into respecting Penelope more. They just feel so incredibly made for each other. Ugh, I'm in love !!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Fatphobia
alexcabanechevarria's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
I was super excited for this book! & with the new season coming out of the show following them I wanted to read it beforehand & give me something to tide me over until then. There was a lot I loved, & a lot of scenes I can’t wait to play out in the show.
But I’m not going to lie & say Colin’s temper didn’t really bug me. I understand him getting angry, especially when he finds out about the Lady Whistledown secret or when she’s caught reading his journal. But what I don’t like is the physical abuse that goes along with it, & yes I know it’s nothing giant, he doesn’t hit her or anything that horrible, but the little things can be bad too. Like the scene at their engagement ball with him holding on to her to hurt her instead of letting his temper blow up to the whole room, that is not an okay reaction & I have loved Colin so much throughout the show & the books too, but reactions like that piss me off & Penelope doesn’t know that it’s not okay. What’s going to happen when they have kids & the kids make him angry, will the violence get worse through the years? It’s such a little thing, but it really gets me, & I hope they rewrote that for the show, I’d hate to lose my love for Polin in the show too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Bullying, Sexual content, Cursing, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Stalking
caitlaird'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
2.75
I liked it a lot. I wish she hadn’t had to lose weight to be seen as attractive but so it goes I guess.
Colin seems maybe a bit underdeveloped sometimes, he travels and writes and eats a lot. I guess that’s developed but compared to Penelope he’s a little boring sorry. But you know what sometimes fictional men are better when they’re not that interesting.
Colin seems maybe a bit underdeveloped sometimes, he travels and writes and eats a lot. I guess that’s developed but compared to Penelope he’s a little boring sorry. But you know what sometimes fictional men are better when they’re not that interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia