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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
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
brownieboo's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Blood, and Infertility
ashesmann's review against another edition
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
Some spoiler-ish things ahead. I knew it was unlikely I would enjoy this book. The thought of my husband dying suddenly strikes terror to my heart and I could never recover enough to find love again. I don't judge those who can, I just can't connect with that. So it was going to be a challenge anyway. But that was just the start of it.
It was sad enough when John died, but when Francesca also lost her baby it was so frustrating. Especially because for almost the entire rest of the book the child is hardly mentioned. I was disgusted by Michael's complete inability to comfort the woman he claimed to love. There is no right thing to say in that situation, but showing up is important. He not only didn't show, he ran. I don't think I ever forgave him for that. It's beyond cruel. If I was to tell the story I would have had Francesca not lose the baby, but for it to be a girl. So the Earldom did pass to Michael, but he'd stay and help with the child.
I also found Michael to be quite cruel in other ways. He grabs her shoulders roughly. Moments later Francesca tells herself he'd never hurt her, he'd die for her. I hate when characters behave that way. He did hurt you.
And then Michael chases Francesca all the way to Scotland to tell her there was going to be a wedding in her family, her brother was getting married. Instead of going back to town to assist in preparations Francesca waits. For weeks. And during that time she missed not only her brother's wedding, but also her sister. And she has the nerve to be mad about it.
I also hated how Francesca's acceptance of Michael's proposal came about. He kicks her out of his house. Her home of six years, in the night, while it's raining. He tells her to get out of the house and she does. She goes out into the rain and returns 3 hours later saying she will marry him after all. I guess it was either that or die.
I also found it distasteful how they kept comparing how they were together to her her time with John. It's not a competition, and he's dead besides.
At the the end of it I guess my distaste comes from the fact Michael claims to be in love but he doesn't in any way act like it. I honestly can't think of a single time he truly showed genuine love. Also, this may be the raciest of the series.
It was sad enough when John died, but when Francesca also lost her baby it was so frustrating. Especially because for almost the entire rest of the book the child is hardly mentioned. I was disgusted by Michael's complete inability to comfort the woman he claimed to love. There is no right thing to say in that situation, but showing up is important. He not only didn't show, he ran. I don't think I ever forgave him for that. It's beyond cruel. If I was to tell the story I would have had Francesca not lose the baby, but for it to be a girl. So the Earldom did pass to Michael, but he'd stay and help with the child.
I also found Michael to be quite cruel in other ways. He grabs her shoulders roughly. Moments later Francesca tells herself he'd never hurt her, he'd die for her. I hate when characters behave that way. He did hurt you.
And then Michael chases Francesca all the way to Scotland to tell her there was going to be a wedding in her family, her brother was getting married. Instead of going back to town to assist in preparations Francesca waits. For weeks. And during that time she missed not only her brother's wedding, but also her sister. And she has the nerve to be mad about it.
I also hated how Francesca's acceptance of Michael's proposal came about. He kicks her out of his house. Her home of six years, in the night, while it's raining. He tells her to get out of the house and she does. She goes out into the rain and returns 3 hours later saying she will marry him after all. I guess it was either that or die.
I also found it distasteful how they kept comparing how they were together to her her time with John. It's not a competition, and he's dead besides.
At the the end of it I guess my distaste comes from the fact Michael claims to be in love but he doesn't in any way act like it. I honestly can't think of a single time he truly showed genuine love. Also, this may be the raciest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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