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lauryn_with_a_y's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.75
overall: i think i liked it? i love francesca as a character and parts of the romance worked (namely the Yearning on michael's end) but christ alive the casual misogyny and not-so-veiled rape threats got to me. most of the romance didn't work for me for precisely that reason; michael wants to marry francesca, and instead of telling her he's been in love with her for six years and that her late husband would want her to be happy, he decides to seduce her in an attempt to manipulate her into marriage. he threatens to continue having sex with her (implied to be with or without her consent, at one point even threatening to tie her up so she can't get away) until she gets pregnant and is FORCED to marry him. romance!
after all that, i almost didn't finish the book. but then ms quinn hit me with a truly poignant and moving portrayal of grief, trauma, and moving on and allowing yourself to be happy again after the unthinkable has happened. that, combined with the really fun and heartfelt relationship of the bridgerton family, almost made it worth it for me. almost.
after all that, i almost didn't finish the book. but then ms quinn hit me with a truly poignant and moving portrayal of grief, trauma, and moving on and allowing yourself to be happy again after the unthinkable has happened. that, combined with the really fun and heartfelt relationship of the bridgerton family, almost made it worth it for me. almost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Grief, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Medical content, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Rape
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, and War
jmelauren's review against another edition
I was shocked by how many reviewers said this was their favorite bridgerton book!
This is the most unromantic romance novel ever!
The timeline is a little wonky too. Colin was married in book 4 and Eloise in book 5, but here in book 6 they are both unmarried.
This is the most unromantic romance novel ever!
The timeline is a little wonky too. Colin was married in book 4 and Eloise in book 5, but here in book 6 they are both unmarried.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Chronic illness
nicollette_13's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Death, Chronic illness, and Infertility
readyforit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
4.25⭐️3🌶️
This book is a lot spicier than the rest in the series, which I liked because it fit the narrative that Francesca is a more experienced woman, having been widowed, and she’s not expected to be a naive virgin. I liked this book a lot, but I liked pen and Colin’s story just a bit more. I’m surprised how much I liked it because we haven’t really gotten to know Francesca at all through the books or show. I’m excited for her season whenever it comes on netflix! This book is by far the saddest in the series. Francesca’s life is struck with tragedy when her beloved husband dies suddenly, then shehas a miscarriage after struggling with years of infertility. You can’t help but love the MMC. Michael is wickedly charming and a huge flirt, but underneath, he’s been pining for frannie ever since he met her years earlier when she married his cousin. Francesca battles the internal struggle of mourning her husband and feeling guilty about the passion she feels for Michael. I loved this book and I would probably reread before her season on Netflix comes out!
This book is a lot spicier than the rest in the series, which I liked because it fit the narrative that Francesca is a more experienced woman, having been widowed, and she’s not expected to be a naive virgin. I liked this book a lot, but I liked pen and Colin’s story just a bit more. I’m surprised how much I liked it because we haven’t really gotten to know Francesca at all through the books or show. I’m excited for her season whenever it comes on netflix! This book is by far the saddest in the series. Francesca’s life is struck with tragedy when her beloved husband dies suddenly, then she
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Classism, Sexual assault, and Vomit
allison87's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
There are so many plot elements that are just told to us rather than explored/experienced alongside. I think Netflix will have an easier time with this story, though. Rather than make whole new plot lines up, they just have to actually write the experience of them.
As Francesca's storyline begins in what will be season 3, I hope we get to meet both of the Stirlings in it.
As Francesca's storyline begins in what will be season 3, I hope we get to meet both of the Stirlings in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Chronic illness, and Infertility
amotoquinha's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Infertility, Death, and Miscarriage
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This got off to a good start, but gradually went downhill. I didn't like Michael's entitlement or the way he lost his temper with Francesca over small things. It felt like he seduced her into having sex with him and then coerced her into marriage, so the second half of the book was a real miss for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Chronic illness, Blood, and Pregnancy
debbitomsk's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual assault, and Death
theabee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Rape, and Chronic illness
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.0
I wanted to read this book because of the Netflix show that hit two Christmases ago and now Netflix have announced that we are getting Polin’s story so I'm hoping it gets renewed, so we get to see all the Bridgerton siblings be happy. I wanted to get ahead and know what is going to happen so of course I bought all nine books. I enjoyed the first two books in this series. I really struggled with Benedict’s and Eloise’s story, and I didn’t mind Colin’s story. Francesca hasn’t really been a big part of the family and she’s only been mentioned every now and then. I was excited to see her story and I knew she had a bad back story from what had been mentioned in previous books, but this book was adorable.
This novel follows two main characters. The first character is Francesca Bridgerton. She is sixth born in the Bridgerton household. She has gone through some heartbreak. She met her husband John and was living happily in Scotland with her husband and her husband’s cousin Michael. One day, Francesca and Michael went on their daily work as John wasn’t feeling too well – but when they got home, John had died in his sleep. At the age of twenty-three Francesca is now a widow. The second character is Michael Stirling. He has spent his whole life chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, however he took one look at Francesca and he fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. However, when he first met her, she was engaged to marry her cousin who have been raised like brothers. But now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still, she thinks of him as nothing other than a dear friend and confidant. Michael has dared not to speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms and passion proves stronger than the even the most wicked of secrets.
My favourite bit of this book was Julia Quinn’s writing style. It didn’t feel like I was back in time. I mean, obviously they were going on about Snapchat but it just felt like it was a modern story. The only thing that kept me from remembering that it was set in 1820 was the referring to letters and horses. This storyline was heartbreaking and made me want to hug Francesca all throughout the book. Michael was a sweetheart who just wanted his dream girl and didn’t want to step on his cousin’s toes. Damn, Michael can also dirty talk and Francesca isn’t as innocent as everyone thought. Also, Michael pinning over everything this girl does, made me weak at the knees.
This novel follows two main characters. The first character is Francesca Bridgerton. She is sixth born in the Bridgerton household. She has gone through some heartbreak. She met her husband John and was living happily in Scotland with her husband and her husband’s cousin Michael. One day, Francesca and Michael went on their daily work as John wasn’t feeling too well – but when they got home, John had died in his sleep. At the age of twenty-three Francesca is now a widow. The second character is Michael Stirling. He has spent his whole life chasing women, of smiling slyly as they chased him, of allowing himself to be caught but never permitting his heart to become engaged, however he took one look at Francesca and he fell so fast and hard into love it was a wonder he managed to remain standing. However, when he first met her, she was engaged to marry her cousin who have been raised like brothers. But now Michael is the earl and Francesca is free, but still, she thinks of him as nothing other than a dear friend and confidant. Michael has dared not to speak to her of his love . . . until one dangerous night, when she steps innocently into his arms and passion proves stronger than the even the most wicked of secrets.
My favourite bit of this book was Julia Quinn’s writing style. It didn’t feel like I was back in time. I mean, obviously they were going on about Snapchat but it just felt like it was a modern story. The only thing that kept me from remembering that it was set in 1820 was the referring to letters and horses. This storyline was heartbreaking and made me want to hug Francesca all throughout the book. Michael was a sweetheart who just wanted his dream girl and didn’t want to step on his cousin’s toes. Damn, Michael can also dirty talk and Francesca isn’t as innocent as everyone thought. Also, Michael pinning over everything this girl does, made me weak at the knees.
However, I didn’t rate it five stars due to the lack of appearances from the Bridgerton gang. Expect for Colin, no one seemed to care for Francesca – if it was Eloise or Daphne or even baby Hyacinth, Anthony and Benedict would have been killing the guys involved with his sister. But no one threatened Michael even though everyone was guessing that they were sleeping with each other. I just wanted all the sibling banter. Also, all the Bridgerton siblings are all dickheads for leaving Francesca out of Eloise and Colin’s wedding. She is a valid member of the household, and they couldn’t wait a week until Francesca got back to London.
I can’t wait to read the last two books and see the babies of the family with all the overprotective siblings try and marry them all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Infertility, and Chronic illness