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sophie_theresia_'s review against another edition
funny
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
prettiestwhistles's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Ableism, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
veganecurrywurst's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I did enjoy the book in the beginning. It was nothing special just your average romance novel. But the main characters are just so unlikable.
1. I HATE it when romance novels have this thing where men can't control themselves in the presence of the a female character. That should she touch or even look at them they would not be able to control themselves. That narrative is not even a bit romantic. These men need serious help and are a danger to society.
2. I also hate how many "historic" romance novels and romance novels in general talk about female virginity. Like it's a way for the man to take "ownership" of her. Especially in modern romance novels virginity and the toxic concept of purity for women needs to be discussed differently.
3. Daphne is such a horrible person. First she forces Simon to marry her, when he is clearly not ready and then she r*pes him ?! And then he apologizes to her ?! It was just so awful to read. She didn't even acknowledge or understand what she just had done. She even was mad at him.
I feel like I'm being very very generous in giving one star. I was genuinely excited to read the Bridgeton-books and this is just so disappointing. I hope the Netflix series is better.
Also: please stop comparing Julia Quinn to Jane Austen. Not that Julia Quinns writing style isn't also valid, but it doesn't even compare to Jane Austen's subtle humor or criticism of society or display of political stances.
1. I HATE it when romance novels have this thing where men can't control themselves in the presence of the a female character. That should she touch or even look at them they would not be able to control themselves. That narrative is not even a bit romantic. These men need serious help and are a danger to society.
2. I also hate how many "historic" romance novels and romance novels in general talk about female virginity. Like it's a way for the man to take "ownership" of her. Especially in modern romance novels virginity and the toxic concept of purity for women needs to be discussed differently.
3.
I feel like I'm being very very generous in giving one star. I was genuinely excited to read the Bridgeton-books and this is just so disappointing. I hope the Netflix series is better.
Also: please stop comparing Julia Quinn to Jane Austen. Not that Julia Quinns writing style isn't also valid, but it doesn't even compare to Jane Austen's subtle humor or criticism of society or display of political stances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent, Infertility, Mental illness, and Rape
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Violence
jamihoneycutt's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
2.5
Definitely read the trigger warnings for this one. I don’t think it’s any secret that a certain scene and major plot point of this book is beyond problematic and just unnecessary.
The aforementioned situation really put a damper on my reading experience and left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book. Up until then, I was really enjoying it as a fast, easy read. I enjoyed the Netflix adaptation up until the same point as well, so I don’t know why I expected anything different from the book.
I will say that if I didn’t have a frame of reference from the show, then I think I would have liked it even less. The book was also much less inclusive and left out a lot of the interesting plot points that were in the show which I found surprising.
The aforementioned situation really put a damper on my reading experience and left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book. Up until then, I was really enjoying it as a fast, easy read. I enjoyed the Netflix adaptation up until the same point as well, so I don’t know why I expected anything different from the book.
I will say that if I didn’t have a frame of reference from the show, then I think I would have liked it even less. The book was also much less inclusive and left out a lot of the interesting plot points that were in the show which I found surprising.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Ableism
typedtruths's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
3.0
Hmm, this was a wild ride. When it was good, it was good and when it was bad, it was utterly atrocious. Mixed thoughts for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Child abuse and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
Ableism, sexism, child abuse & neglect, parental abandonment, sexual assault, miscarriage mentioned, childbirth & death during childbirth (on-page), death of a wife mentioned, death of a father recountedlinkamarisa's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Pregnancy
actualophelia's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual content, Vomit, Violence, and Ableism
Minor: Death of parent and Infertility
parisbazz's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Rape
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Reading after watching the Netflix adaptation. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Netflix adapted the book, key scenes staying very true-to-book (what a breath of fresh air), but as almost always, I loved the pacing and story in the book better than the show. A few of the show's adaptations and liberties were a great addition for the show, expanding the cast and I'm sure seeding plot points for future seasons from the subsequent books, but true-to-genre, this book solely focused on Daphne and Simon.
The banter between Daphne and Simon was *chef's kiss* perfect as was the sibling dynamic between the Bridgerton siblings (loved the trio dynamic between her older brothers and Daphne especially). Was a bit disappointed Eloise was merely a mention in this book, but I suppose it can't be helped and that her character will be more forthcoming in the future books.
The banter between Daphne and Simon was *chef's kiss* perfect as was the sibling dynamic between the Bridgerton siblings (loved the trio dynamic between her older brothers and Daphne especially). Was a bit disappointed Eloise was merely a mention in this book, but I suppose it can't be helped and that her character will be more forthcoming in the future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
_hex_libris's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
2.0
It was pretty fluffy at first, which is what I was looking fir but the marital rape of Simon by Daphne really sucked and was brushed away in the plot. ☹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Ableism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Rape