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chaiandspices's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage
amywong's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
If I can give negative stars I would. I didn't even bother to review this when I read it but given the new show is a massive hit I need to rant. I'm disappointed in the double standard of women being assaulted or abused and men being assaulted or abused. You do not retaliate against lying or withholding information by raping them back. What's worse than mishandling rape in any form of media is not portraying the rapist as one. I'm sorry I do not enjoy rape let alone the dismissal/warped portrayal of it. Rape is rape, regardless of gender. The amount of defending that this was not rape is also astounding. He was raped. It doesn't matter if he CANNOT or WILL NOT have kids, he DOES NOT want kids. Period. She mounted him to force him to come in her, that is rape. It was also described that while he was drunk, he "pleaded" against what's happening. Say he couldn't understand what was happening fully that means he could NOT consent to ejaculate inside of her. So she had either no way of getting consent because he was drunk AND/or he "pleaded" to not do so. She basically violated him sexually and in fatherhood.
Outside of all this, say the scene didn't exist, the story is still lackluster and pretentiously British. Simon's stutter didn't feel consistent enough. When he and Daphne were arguing he was absolutely feeling enough emotions to have his stutter come out strongly as Quinn described in the beginning that it would but it didn't. The way it's described in the beginning I would imagine it impeding in arguments much more. Other characters, already forgotten. I hate this book.
Outside of all this, say the scene didn't exist, the story is still lackluster and pretentiously British. Simon's stutter didn't feel consistent enough. When he and Daphne were arguing he was absolutely feeling enough emotions to have his stutter come out strongly as Quinn described in the beginning that it would but it didn't. The way it's described in the beginning I would imagine it impeding in arguments much more. Other characters, already forgotten. I hate this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
dreamsoftomes's review against another edition
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
readingwithkelso'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
Warning: spoilers ahead
So I really enjoyed The Duke and I until I got to the horrific sexual assault scene between Daphne and Simon. Marital rape is never ok and should not be used as a plot device. The scene soured the entire book for me.
However, I will say that Quinn’s writing is excellent. I’m on the second book now and it is far less problematic than the first. My suggestion for all those interested in Bridgerton series would be to watch the first season on Netflix and then jump into the second book.
So I really enjoyed The Duke and I until I got to the horrific sexual assault scene between Daphne and Simon. Marital rape is never ok and should not be used as a plot device. The scene soured the entire book for me.
However, I will say that Quinn’s writing is excellent. I’m on the second book now and it is far less problematic than the first. My suggestion for all those interested in Bridgerton series would be to watch the first season on Netflix and then jump into the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
mfmurray11's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Rape
_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.50 stars
-
TW; Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Death
-
This was such a fun read (minus the gross plotline that happens in chapter 18), it was the perfect blend of what I imagined Gossip Girl would be like in the 1800s. I listened to this on audio and found the narrator to be absolutely charming and did a great job differentiating all of the different voices!
It just seemed like there was so much drama happening to our characters - this installment focused on the relationship between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the newly appointed Duke of Hastings. Their relationship is based on a whole will they/won't they. It is clear from the start that Simon has some trauma from his childhood resulting in the fact that he plans on never marrying and having children. This topic is something that comes up quite often in the book - it is also the reason why he refuses to marry Daphne knowing he wouldn't be able to give her what she wants.
I really enjoyed the banter between our two love interests (also the steamy scenes were a plus), I started off really enjoying the character of Daphne and disliking Simon - but by the end of the book that had changed. As mentioned above Daphne makes a manipulative choice in chapter 18 that turns me off of her character, I found both of them to be selfish at times.
-
TW; Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Death
-
This was such a fun read (minus the gross plotline that happens in chapter 18), it was the perfect blend of what I imagined Gossip Girl would be like in the 1800s. I listened to this on audio and found the narrator to be absolutely charming and did a great job differentiating all of the different voices!
It just seemed like there was so much drama happening to our characters - this installment focused on the relationship between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the newly appointed Duke of Hastings. Their relationship is based on a whole will they/won't they. It is clear from the start that Simon has some trauma from his childhood resulting in the fact that he plans on never marrying and having children. This topic is something that comes up quite often in the book - it is also the reason why he refuses to marry Daphne knowing he wouldn't be able to give her what she wants.
I really enjoyed the banter between our two love interests (also the steamy scenes were a plus), I started off really enjoying the character of Daphne and disliking Simon - but by the end of the book that had changed. As mentioned above Daphne makes a manipulative choice in chapter 18 that turns me off of her character, I found both of them to be selfish at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage and Death
ashcalfe's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
bookswithbecka's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like many historical romance novels this book had its issues. [Refer to content warning] But I did like the characters' banter and the family dynamics between the Bridgertons. It is definitely too long. But I will continue with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death and Child death
Death of a parent, parental abandonment
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