Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Daphné by Julia Quinn

76 reviews

walskishere's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

I have such mixed feelings about this. The writing of this was pretty good, and I was captivated for most of it. As for the characters and their miscommunication... it felt like the miscommunications were too big to look past. The way they "resolved" it wasn't even a resolution at all. They didn't talk about

Daphne basically sexually assaulting Simon when drunk. (I say basically, because to me, it was unclear if Daphne knew what she did.) Simon did not seem to be bothered at all by it; he was more bothered by his stutter than her not letting him pull out. I, like Daphne, think this could've been something that happened in the time period, given that women weren't taught about sex.

I don't know. I have very mixed feelings about it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Alcohol and Rape

sillyduckie's review against another edition

slow-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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Abandonment, Ableism, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Infertility, Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, Body shaming, and Classism

Moderate: Stalking and Colonisation

Minor: Death and Vomit

cdoubet's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Ableism, Violence, Sexism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Vomit, and Gun violence

Minor: Alcohol and Cursing

kittycuthbert's review against another edition

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Rape, Abandonment, Vomit, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy

hayleyvem's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-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: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Rape, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Violence

hmlongstreet's review against another edition

challenging lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

Having watched the Netflix show first, I found at times always comparing the show to the book and vice versa. I have also read serval other comments on multiple different platforms about peoples opinions on the book before I had finished it. Some love it some hate it and I would be lying if I said other peoples opinions on this novel didn't affect my opinion on the it. But putting that aside I will give MY opinion on the events of the book and to what others have said about it. 

Firsts things first I consider the books and shows as separate entities and did compare the two but only because I liked to see what the show added and what the book added to the overall story.

This whole section will be spoilers so skip to the bottom if you want my overall view.

One common thing I heard being said was the racist undertones which I have a bit to say about. Simon says "I am not some sacrificial lamb to be slaughtered on the altar of your mother" and Colin replies "You have spent a lot of time in Africa, haven't you?" It is just that one line towards the beginning of the book. This line could be taken as a racist remark, and I am not sure if this is actually the line everyone is referring to when they speak of the racism in the book. I will say it is off putting when you first read it, considering it has no significance to the story. It can also be taken two ways, 1. that actual humans are being sacrificed in Africa or 2. Colin is referring to an African tradition of slaughtering a lamb and it it most likely the latter. It is worded strange and if you read it fast it can come off as concerning.

The rape scene, the one everyone talks about. I heard about this scene long before I decided to read the books. The only thing that I didn't know is what lead up to it and the events after. I don't condone rape. However, I did hint at the authors attempt to rectify the situation by making both parties feel ponder their actions. That being said there was no strong repercussions to Daphne and she still got what she wanted in the end. I believe that along with the act itself this is the main reason I why people did not like. I am not trying to glancing over it, but it is just one aspect of the book that was a distasteful inclusion, which can be the case with any other book.

Finally the misogynistic and possessiveness of the characters. All I can say is that, some people like that and it is 1813. Woman were literally property of their husbands and it creates historical relevance.

With all that out of the way it was a pretty alright story. At times I found it cute, sweet and passionate and other times I had my nose turning and saying "This is awkward". However I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it weren't for the show, which I watched first. However I will be reading the whole series so If you care about my reviews there will be many more Bridgerton ones to come.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Ableism, Rape, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy

Minor: Violence, Alcohol, and Racism

cadybooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Sexism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Classism and Alcoholism

lucyselim's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted fast-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? N/A

2.5

I, like many others, read this book after enjoying the TV show. I had heard very mixed reviews about this book, but I figured I would give it a go, and I was pleasantly surprised with the first half. It seemed like it was going to be a fluffy romcom. The friendship between Daphne and Simon seemed natural and was enjoyable to read. He was kinder and more infatuated than his TV counterpart and she was wittier and smarter. They seemed like a genuinely good match. 
And then they got married and ruined it. Even without mentioning 'that' scene, the plot was, in my opinion, ridiculous. I did not love those episodes of the TV  show either, but as I was reading it I couldn't help but just laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. It was difficult to keep up with their constant mood swings and comings and goings.
Putting the plot to one side, the writing was honestly just meh. It was very jarring to find modern day slang and colloquialisms with regency-era settings. I assume Quinn was trying to make a period piece seem modern and more approachable for younger audiences, but using simple English would have sufficed. I am glad they managed to get a better balance in the TV show.
Another thing I did not like was the stark contrast between Quinn trying to write strong modern women in one moment, and then having them reduced to needing a man the next. 'Then he was completely within her, and she thought she would die from the pleasure. Never had she felt so full, nor so completely a woman,' in particular made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Despite this, I am going to read the next one (because I hate myself) but because I have heard it to be many people's favourites. Mostly, however, because I borrowed the first three books in a compendium from the library and I still have time left before needing to return it. Overall this book really wasn't that great for me, but I can understand the appeal and I hope the next one provides me with better luck.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Sexual content

Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Classism, Infertility, Cursing, and Gun violence

eddine's review against another edition

challenging funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

DNF-ed at 88% on my kindle

i have begun reading this book knowing there will be upsetting scenes but that did not mean i was prepared on how frustrating reading that was

the story leading up to that scene was good, i found their relationship cute but when i got to that part and the succeeding chapter on how our heroine behaved, i just dont find it in me to finish it

so i decided to dnf

i heard the rest of the series are better than this one so im still leaving hope for those

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, and Sexual assault

lunep's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, Abandonment, Cursing, Rape, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Infertility, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pregnancy, Blood, Sexism, Misogyny, and Fatphobia

Minor: Death of parent, Miscarriage, and Grief