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lucyselim's review against another edition
dark
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? N/A
2.5
I, like many others, read this book after enjoying the TV show. I had heard very mixed reviews about this book, but I figured I would give it a go, and I was pleasantly surprised with the first half. It seemed like it was going to be a fluffy romcom. The friendship between Daphne and Simon seemed natural and was enjoyable to read. He was kinder and more infatuated than his TV counterpart and she was wittier and smarter. They seemed like a genuinely good match.
And then they got married and ruined it. Even without mentioning 'that' scene, the plot was, in my opinion, ridiculous. I did not love those episodes of the TV show either, but as I was reading it I couldn't help but just laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. It was difficult to keep up with their constant mood swings and comings and goings.
Putting the plot to one side, the writing was honestly just meh. It was very jarring to find modern day slang and colloquialisms with regency-era settings. I assume Quinn was trying to make a period piece seem modern and more approachable for younger audiences, but using simple English would have sufficed. I am glad they managed to get a better balance in the TV show.
Another thing I did not like was the stark contrast between Quinn trying to write strong modern women in one moment, and then having them reduced to needing a man the next. 'Then he was completely within her, and she thought she would die from the pleasure. Never had she felt so full, nor so completely a woman,' in particular made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Despite this, I am going to read the next one (because I hate myself) but because I have heard it to be many people's favourites. Mostly, however, because I borrowed the first three books in a compendium from the library and I still have time left before needing to return it. Overall this book really wasn't that great for me, but I can understand the appeal and I hope the next one provides me with better luck.
And then they got married and ruined it. Even without mentioning 'that' scene, the plot was, in my opinion, ridiculous. I did not love those episodes of the TV show either, but as I was reading it I couldn't help but just laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. It was difficult to keep up with their constant mood swings and comings and goings.
Putting the plot to one side, the writing was honestly just meh. It was very jarring to find modern day slang and colloquialisms with regency-era settings. I assume Quinn was trying to make a period piece seem modern and more approachable for younger audiences, but using simple English would have sufficed. I am glad they managed to get a better balance in the TV show.
Another thing I did not like was the stark contrast between Quinn trying to write strong modern women in one moment, and then having them reduced to needing a man the next. 'Then he was completely within her, and she thought she would die from the pleasure. Never had she felt so full, nor so completely a woman,' in particular made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Despite this, I am going to read the next one (because I hate myself) but because I have heard it to be many people's favourites. Mostly, however, because I borrowed the first three books in a compendium from the library and I still have time left before needing to return it. Overall this book really wasn't that great for me, but I can understand the appeal and I hope the next one provides me with better luck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Classism, Infertility, Cursing, and Gun violence
j_emerson18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Didn't expect to like this as much as I do, happily surprised and looking forward to the rest of the series. Significantly better than the show, also vastly different then the show for a multitude of reasons. Loved the character development and how much background and relatability I got from both Simon and Daphne.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent, Violence, and Gun violence
agnesbebon's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia
superwhytheheck's review against another edition
slow-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
1.0
I hated it. it was fine until the third act when the big issues went down. It made me realize how much i hate when period books so cavalierly keep many of the sexist attitudes of the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Vomit
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
danicarrington's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual assault
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Infertility, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Miscarriage
ruthiedr89's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
2.25
It was honestly great until that scene. I knew about it going in but reading it and learning that she literally said she did not regret its just no. I couldnt with her after that.
I really like the family dynamics, its refreshing to see family depicted as loving and genuinely caring towards each other feel like ive been picking up alot of books where the characters hate their family so this was nice. To bad that scene had to go and ruin the experience and it wasnt even used as a way to talk on the topic just brushed off which made it all worse
I really like the family dynamics, its refreshing to see family depicted as loving and genuinely caring towards each other feel like ive been picking up alot of books where the characters hate their family so this was nice. To bad that scene had to go and ruin the experience and it wasnt even used as a way to talk on the topic just brushed off which made it all worse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Gun violence
gretasbookshelf's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Easy read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence
michelerr55's review against another edition
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
bookswithsoumi's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content warning: sexual assault
I liked the book up until the triggering scene. Simon and Daphne were both fascinating, headstrong characters. I wish I read the book before watching the Netflix TV series. Honestly thought the TV series was better and made the scene with nonconsensual sex less rapey (but still distasteful). A book like this would not be written in 2021 after the #MeToo movement for good reason. I read the 2020 re-publication, and I think the wording was changed to make the “questionable” sex scene more on the side of consensual, but still pretty bad.
Simon says: “I’m going to-- I can’t-- “ His eyes pinned upon her with a strange, pleading sort of look, and he make a feeble attempt to PULL AWAY. Daphne bored down on him with all her might.
This behavior would not be acceptable the other way around, with Simon “bearing down” on Daphne. Outright despicable. We cannot accept this behavior from women, even if they may be fictional.
When thinking about sexual intercourse, the golden rule is, “If it’s not a hell yes, then it is a hell no.” It’s not that hard, people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Infertility