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laurajeangrace'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
2.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent
Minor: Blood
siglerbooknook's review against another edition
- 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
I don't think a book has ever made me laugh as much as The Duke and I. I adored every character we got a chance to know. I was surprised how little a part Lady Whistledown played in the book. Many of the conflicts in the book were far more satisfying than the show, feeling much more realistic and believable.
I would definitely suggest checking trigger warnings. Even with the show I wasn't expecting so much talk on a few heartbreaking subjects that could be sensitive.
All in all I'm very excited to start the next book even though Ibwas hesitant before having not really enjoyed Anthony's season of the show.
Graphic: Pregnancy, Ableism, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Classism, Child abuse, and Death of parent
Pregnancy lossmari1234's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Ableism
bzliz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Even after those icks are taken into account, I still didn’t despise this as much as other readers seem to. It wasn’t revolutionary, nor was it the worst thing I’ve ever read. I may continue the series if I can get it from the library.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexism
irb0red's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Getting beat up by your best friend because he caught you with his sister ✔️
Everyone else realizing the main characters are in love before they do ✔️
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Sexism and Gaslighting
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexism
random_37's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Racism
phillyhufflepunk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Sexual content, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
nikogatts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
I did my best to judge this book on its own merits, but I feel like a comparison to the Netflix adaptation by Shonda Rhimes is warranted when discussing how sparse the story feels. Without the show's (in my opinion, much more interesting) side characters and B-plots, you're left with one mostly straightforward story and a handful of characters with one-word personalities. A lot of the witty banter felt like it went back-and-forth much longer than it needed to, and it feels a bit like the author was just padding out the page count.
Admittedly, this was the first book in the series, and presumably the author hadn't planned out many of the side characters or decided what to do with the other Bridgertons beyond the standard hallmarks of the genre (overprotective brothers, marriage-obsessed mother, etc.). Again, trying to provide the benefit of the doubt.
What I did like: Lady Whistledown as a scene-setting device, Daphne throwing hands with a creepy guy, Daphne and Simon's meet-cute involving them planning what to do with the body of the guy they knocked out, Daphne refusing to bow to the pressure of her three overbearing brothers. Judging this as a standard Regency romance with a few erotic scenes, it's pretty decent. But for me, this book didn't go beyond "just okay" and any memorable parts of it will be memorable for being horrific.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
joyfulfoodie's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.
This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎
Graphic: Rape and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism