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readbeales's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.0
I have seen Bridgerton so I knew what I was getting into, warts and all, when I picked this up. Unfortunately, although I loved the show, I can't in good faith give this book above 2 stars. Obviously Daphne and Simon's relationship has the same conflict here as in the adaptation, but the minor changes made by Netflix made their reconciliation more palatable to me overall in that version.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the plot left a little to be desired for me, I did enjoy the characters and their relationships. I also appreciated how honest the two main characters were with each other; there's very little miscommunication in this book which is really nice. I'll continue with the series in order to get to know the rest of the family better. A good break from heavier books, but there are plot points that could be difficult on certain sensitivities (bullying a child, marital rape, conversations around pregnancy/having children, etc.). I'd recommend it if you're looking for a new romance series, but I wouldn't say that it's something I'd recommend to everyone.
Edit: Updated the review to 3 stars (from 3.5) after a 2024 reread
Edit: Updated the review to 3 stars (from 3.5) after a 2024 reread
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
jeanneerin's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
WARNING: the end of this book has a second epilogue/novella which seems to give away a LOT of the future relationships of the other siblings. I'm not sure how much of the future books will make the final relationships a surprise, but I think it's a little unfair for them to be added so soon. Didn't change how much I like this book.
I wish I'd read this before watching the Netflix show. It was a very nice book, but it's missing what I loved the most from the show which means all I thought throughout reading it was about those missing items. But it's a sweet book and a quick read. Quinn has a great knack for slowing down and speeding up time that has been missing from a number of other books I've read lately. I'll be reading the other books happily.
I wish I'd read this before watching the Netflix show. It was a very nice book, but it's missing what I loved the most from the show which means all I thought throughout reading it was about those missing items. But it's a sweet book and a quick read. Quinn has a great knack for slowing down and speeding up time that has been missing from a number of other books I've read lately. I'll be reading the other books happily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Vomit, and Sexism
madamepincers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think, having watched the show first, it actually ruined the book for me. The parts of the show I loved most were all of the side narratives and complications-- bits about the queen and the siblings and friends that didn't exist in the book. As a result the book felt super fast and flat to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual assault
leahsbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I listened to the audiobook after watching this on Netflix, and I'm glad I did, although I usually don't watch a show until after I've read the book. I liked some aspects of both, although there were some parts of both the show and the book that I didn't like so much.
Reading about Regency-era life was rather interesting, although it seemed like a very rigid and stifling time for women. I really felt for Daphne when it became clear how her entire life was focused on finding a husband, and that if she could, her life goal would be fulfilled, while if she couldn't, her life would be ruined. Initially, she seemed really sweet and innocent (with a great punch), although she did have some manipulative tendencies that became clear later in the book. I liked her, until there was one event that occurred later in the book. While perfect characters aren't interesting, Daphne did something that I really struggled with.
Simon was the other main character. His flaws were on display right from the start, but he was a cinnamon roll under all the rakish behavior. I loved seeing him come out of his shell and learn to be his authentic self. His arc showed the most character growth, and it allowed him to resolve some of his longer-standing issues.
The romance wasn't always an easy one, and it grew out of what is rapidly becoming my favorite trope - the fake relationship. Daphne and Simon pull it off well, even amongst the heavy societal pressures of Regency-era London and Lady Whistledown's society papers. I think the story could have been written without removing one character's say in their own reproductive rights, but aside from that, it was a light-hearted and enjoyable read. The narrator was perfect for the role, with a posh British accent and a voice that kept me engaged throughout the story. While it was a long read, it didn't feel that was at all, with the story maintaining a fast pace that held my attention and kept me entertained.
Reading about Regency-era life was rather interesting, although it seemed like a very rigid and stifling time for women. I really felt for Daphne when it became clear how her entire life was focused on finding a husband, and that if she could, her life goal would be fulfilled, while if she couldn't, her life would be ruined. Initially, she seemed really sweet and innocent (with a great punch), although she did have some manipulative tendencies that became clear later in the book. I liked her, until there was one event that occurred later in the book. While perfect characters aren't interesting, Daphne did something that I really struggled with.
Simon was the other main character. His flaws were on display right from the start, but he was a cinnamon roll under all the rakish behavior. I loved seeing him come out of his shell and learn to be his authentic self. His arc showed the most character growth, and it allowed him to resolve some of his longer-standing issues.
The romance wasn't always an easy one, and it grew out of what is rapidly becoming my favorite trope - the fake relationship. Daphne and Simon pull it off well, even amongst the heavy societal pressures of Regency-era London and Lady Whistledown's society papers. I think the story could have been written without removing one character's say in their own reproductive rights, but aside from that, it was a light-hearted and enjoyable read. The narrator was perfect for the role, with a posh British accent and a voice that kept me engaged throughout the story. While it was a long read, it didn't feel that was at all, with the story maintaining a fast pace that held my attention and kept me entertained.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Miscarriage, and Rape
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