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mangosugar's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
— 3.75 stars
i was really into this until about the 80% mark when we took a disappointing turn :/ it kind of cheapened the romance aspect and i feel like miss quinn really rushed the end to sort of up the romance value if this makes sense… if you read it you’ll know what i mean lmao.
all in all, definitely the best book of the series. the main guy, michael, still has the signature julie quinn toxic masculinity and bursts of anger that we’re supposed to find so hot. but i feel she at least *tried* to tone it down this time… although he does monologue about trying so hard not to kill someone every chapter so who knows, maybe i’ve just become desensitized to it from reading the series. that said, i like him way, *way* better than any of the bridgerton men which really says something about how damn bad julie writes them. i think it’s safe to say we’re all only here for the bridgerton women and we can watch the show to see the guys act normally.
francesca is… i don’t really know. i can’t put my finger on whether i like her or not, i never really gave her much thought in previous books and i started this one out rooting for her but she sadly got on my nerves sometimes. still, though, i think she and penelope are the easiest to empathize with and relate to in the series, so that’s something.
what really made this book fun for me, though, was the longing. i’m a sucker for longing, yearning, aching, unrequited love and all that good stuff. i think julie quinn did a fantastic job expressing that through michael. i also love the added layer of michael being john’s cousin and i think the entire situation and the grief theme was handled really well.
i was really into this until about the 80% mark when we took a disappointing turn :/ it kind of cheapened the romance aspect and i feel like miss quinn really rushed the end to sort of up the romance value if this makes sense… if you read it you’ll know what i mean lmao.
all in all, definitely the best book of the series. the main guy, michael, still has the signature julie quinn toxic masculinity and bursts of anger that we’re supposed to find so hot. but i feel she at least *tried* to tone it down this time… although he does monologue about trying so hard not to kill someone every chapter so who knows, maybe i’ve just become desensitized to it from reading the series. that said, i like him way, *way* better than any of the bridgerton men which really says something about how damn bad julie writes them. i think it’s safe to say we’re all only here for the bridgerton women and we can watch the show to see the guys act normally.
francesca is… i don’t really know. i can’t put my finger on whether i like her or not, i never really gave her much thought in previous books and i started this one out rooting for her but she sadly got on my nerves sometimes. still, though, i think she and penelope are the easiest to empathize with and relate to in the series, so that’s something.
what really made this book fun for me, though, was the longing. i’m a sucker for longing, yearning, aching, unrequited love and all that good stuff. i think julie quinn did a fantastic job expressing that through michael. i also love the added layer of michael being john’s cousin and i think the entire situation and the grief theme was handled really well.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
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
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
lms2014's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Death, Infertility, and Miscarriage
lauraetlabora's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual assault
abbyschafer's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Throuple vibes except the two guys are cousins and one of them dies
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Death
Minor: Racial slurs and Sexual assault
mheiling's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Medical content, Miscarriage, Chronic illness, Death, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
ashleyelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
HATE this book. The “relationship” the book is centered around is basically manipulation, coercion, and glorified rape.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Rape, Grief, and Infertility
mefrias's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is definitely a slow burn, which I feel is true of the regency genre overall. The premise of this books makes it inherently emotional and sad but I did enjoy seeing the Franchesca and Michael find joy after death and amidst their grief. Plus, the spice was on point. I think it’s worth the read even if you’re not particularly into regency, like me. You’ll still find a lot to love about their story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Miscarriage
Minor: Sexual assault