Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - De hand van de gravin

Eloise is my favorite character in the Bridgerton television series and it bothered me to see her end up with Sir Philip rather than a man who could match her progressive views and intellectual mind. In Sir Philip I found major misogynistic, sexist, and even, at times, predatory tones within his perspecitve. And while this sexist reality might not be uncommon for the Regency era, it was not enjoyable to read about in the modern day, especially in regards to Philip seeming to connect with Eloise on every level of what a romantic relationship is, except on a mental, emotional level.

Overall, this was the first Bridgerton book I have read and I found Julia Quinn's style to be humorous and nicely lighthearted. I like how Eloise is described and how she grows as a character. I just can't help but feel like Sir Philip doesn't deserve her. Obviously Sir Philip's backstory explains his ways, but in no way does this excuse them. I hope Eloise finds a love interest who is better matched for her in the Netflix series.

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esv_'s review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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queerfatloud's review against another edition

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Yeah when he called his depressed postpartum wife “a burden” and that he was “relieved” that she was dead (a suicide attempt that lead her to become sick and die) I was absolutely fucking out. I’ll stick to the show. This man is the devil.

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ariel_99's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

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fromthefoxhole's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

I’m reading these because the show has me in its claws, okay? I know they’re not quite following the script, but i really can’t get enough rn and i had to do something.

I rated it a 4, thought about it, and am lowering to a 3!

Loud opinionated Eloise landing a man who likes to silently take care of his plants is the best choice Julia Quinn could make, honestly. Other than making her gay (which could def be the show getting to me).

Phillip and Eloise have a very interesting push and pull dynamic, they have incredible banter and physical chemistry. I also loved every interaction with Eloise and the twins - being able to immediately compare them when her own brothers came to look for her was hysterical to me.
On a more serious note, I think Quinn did a great job of describing Phillip’s own trauma informing his actions with his children. She handled it with grace and kindness, and when Eloise connects the dots, she does much the same.

That said, Phillip has a brain full of rocks! Literally he is such a moron, and god it's infuriating. Eloise is so clever and half of this book is her trying to talk to him about serious things and him being like "but what if...we have sex instead". Like focus up, bud! Your kids are being abused?? My god.

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