Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Duke and I

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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

81 reviews

wellreadjill_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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veganecurrywurst's review against another edition

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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.

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samhayward98's review against another edition

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I just can’t bring myself to read the end…literally horrible

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delilahreads's review against another edition

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1.5

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-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

3.5

I finally got around to reading this after bingeing the show in January, and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t rush to read it. The story was pretty different from the show—I assume they included plotlines from some of Quinn’s other Bridgerton novels—and I could see why the show chose to make some of the changes it did. Most importantly, the show left out Simon referring to Daphne as his property (not once but…many times). I know the story is set in the early 1800s, but we’ve suspended disbelief for a lot of other things, and I definitely could have done without that misogyny. Though Daphne and Simon’s romance was by far my favorite plotline in the show, the book felt a little flat without all the other characters and their adventures. Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d read the book first? One thing I liked better in the book, however, was Daphne’s relationship with Colin. In the show, his storyline is mostly tied up with Penelope and Marina, so I liked getting to see him with his family.

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe):

Happy! And far less dramatic than the show.

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02062000's review against another edition

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fast-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

1.0

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gellirichreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

First time to read this book because of the TV show adaptation on Netflix (I read the book after watching the series twice and currently half of the whole episode of it's official podcast) just to see the original content of the book. Well, I would say I love the adaptation more because the characters were more lovable than the book. Though I must say, JQ's writing is indeed smart and funny. I just wish I discovered her books earlier but at least this first book in the Bridgerton series was the start and I'm gonna read all the books in the series. Can't wait for the S2 of the show too!

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