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bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Well, now I’ve read a Bridgerton book, and honestly? Fuck you, Julia Quinn.
The thing is, I liked a lot of aspects of this book. Anthony and Kate’s banter was really fun. The scene in the library was so well executed. The angst mostly felt realistic considering who the characters were and where they were coming from. I even think their trauma was handled shockingly well. Like there’s the whole “love can save you from anything” thing, which, yick, but I actually felt like this book showed a pretty thorough understanding of the concept of triggers and how they work.
And then there’s everything else. Some of my issues with this book are very unimportant, but others are not.
I haven’t read the first book, but I have seen the show and am aware of the differences between them. This story definitely handles the issue of consent a lot better than that one does, and there’s no sexual assault, but there is a lot of dubious consent. Anthony and Kate have this whole conversation on their wedding night that’s partially about consent, and the way Anthony behaves in that scene and the things he says should have been sweet. Unfortunately, he’d already kissed her without her consent twice at this point. He’d also locked her in a room with him.And also HE SUCKED BEE VENOM OUT OF HER CHEST WITHOUT HER CONSENT I’M SORRY BUT WHAT THE FUCK.
There’s also this thing where Anthony is a rake but would NEVER DREAM of besmirching the honor of a young lady of noble breeding (even though he literally does that in this book). Truly all I can say to that is yikes. Like I know this book is mostly a fantasy and I shouldn’t be expecting an awareness of class issues from a romance about English nobility, but I still found that aspect of this book to be quite distasteful.
I should have been glad that Kate was on Penelope’s side when people were being fatphobic to her, but actually I was just disappointed (but in no way surprised) that Penelope in fact gets thin in between books and they’re just mocking what she used to look like. Great! Also, I know I shouldn’t expect too much historical accuracy from this sort of book, but why are we pretending that thinness has always been the beauty standard? It’s exhausting.
Speaking of historical inaccuracies, I almost tore my hair out when Mary mentioned Jane Austen. This book is set in April through June of 1814. Mansfield Park was published in 1814 but not till July. And Jane Austen didn’t attach her name to any of her work that was published during her lifetime. So how on EARTH was Edwina reading “the latest novel by that Austen women”?! This is extremely basic information that a Regency romance writer should be expected to know. Just mention by name a book that was actually published in the right time frame by an author whose identity was known at the time! Please!
Also it probably goes without saying, but this book is EXTREMELY white and cis heteronormative. Like more so than most things I’ve read that were actually written in the era when this is set (yes, including the works of Jane Austen). Do not expect diversity of any kind here, unless you consider a pair of sisters where one is blonde and the other is brunette to be “diverse.”
I will be watching season two of the show because it’s definitely going to be much better than season one, and I know this for three reasons:
1) There’s a corgi in this one
2) Simone Ashley is playing Kate and she’s going to be fantastic
3) This story is just so much better than that one. But that one had a horrible main character who raped her husband and was then excused by the narrative, so that’s really not saying much.
The thing is, I liked a lot of aspects of this book. Anthony and Kate’s banter was really fun. The scene in the library was so well executed. The angst mostly felt realistic considering who the characters were and where they were coming from. I even think their trauma was handled shockingly well. Like there’s the whole “love can save you from anything” thing, which, yick, but I actually felt like this book showed a pretty thorough understanding of the concept of triggers and how they work.
And then there’s everything else. Some of my issues with this book are very unimportant, but others are not.
I haven’t read the first book, but I have seen the show and am aware of the differences between them. This story definitely handles the issue of consent a lot better than that one does, and there’s no sexual assault, but there is a lot of dubious consent. Anthony and Kate have this whole conversation on their wedding night that’s partially about consent, and the way Anthony behaves in that scene and the things he says should have been sweet. Unfortunately, he’d already kissed her without her consent twice at this point. He’d also locked her in a room with him.
There’s also this thing where Anthony is a rake but would NEVER DREAM of besmirching the honor of a young lady of noble breeding (even though he literally does that in this book). Truly all I can say to that is yikes. Like I know this book is mostly a fantasy and I shouldn’t be expecting an awareness of class issues from a romance about English nobility, but I still found that aspect of this book to be quite distasteful.
I should have been glad that Kate was on Penelope’s side when people were being fatphobic to her, but actually I was just disappointed (but in no way surprised) that Penelope in fact gets thin in between books and they’re just mocking what she used to look like. Great! Also, I know I shouldn’t expect too much historical accuracy from this sort of book, but why are we pretending that thinness has always been the beauty standard? It’s exhausting.
Speaking of historical inaccuracies, I almost tore my hair out when Mary mentioned Jane Austen. This book is set in April through June of 1814. Mansfield Park was published in 1814 but not till July. And Jane Austen didn’t attach her name to any of her work that was published during her lifetime. So how on EARTH was Edwina reading “the latest novel by that Austen women”?! This is extremely basic information that a Regency romance writer should be expected to know. Just mention by name a book that was actually published in the right time frame by an author whose identity was known at the time! Please!
Also it probably goes without saying, but this book is EXTREMELY white and cis heteronormative. Like more so than most things I’ve read that were actually written in the era when this is set (yes, including the works of Jane Austen). Do not expect diversity of any kind here, unless you consider a pair of sisters where one is blonde and the other is brunette to be “diverse.”
I will be watching season two of the show because it’s definitely going to be much better than season one, and I know this for three reasons:
1) There’s a corgi in this one
2) Simone Ashley is playing Kate and she’s going to be fantastic
3) This story is just so much better than that one. But that one had a horrible main character who raped her husband and was then excused by the narrative, so that’s really not saying much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia
aligmich's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
This was such a pleasant read. With similarities to the first one, this enemies-to-lovers tale had enough unique elements to keep this feeling fresh, and entertaining. If you love a cute romance with feisty personalities this is one for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
embla_v's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
4.0
Jag älskade den första boken i serien och var lite rädd att denna inte skulle leva upp till förväntningarna, men det gjorde den.
Den här gången följer vi Anthony, den äldsta av Brigerton syskonen, och Kate, kvinnan som har bestämt sig för att Anthony absolut inte får gifta sig med hennes syster.
Jag älskade denna bok lika mycket som den föra och kan knappt vänta på att skriva klart denna recension så jag kan börja på nästa bok i serien. En fantastisk skriven bok, med lite "enemies to lovers" vibes. Rekommenderar starkt till alla som läst första boken eller vill ha en historisk romans. Jag rekommenderar dock att läsa böckerna i rätt ordning.
Den här gången följer vi Anthony, den äldsta av Brigerton syskonen, och Kate, kvinnan som har bestämt sig för att Anthony absolut inte får gifta sig med hennes syster.
Jag älskade denna bok lika mycket som den föra och kan knappt vänta på att skriva klart denna recension så jag kan börja på nästa bok i serien. En fantastisk skriven bok, med lite "enemies to lovers" vibes. Rekommenderar starkt till alla som läst första boken eller vill ha en historisk romans. Jag rekommenderar dock att läsa böckerna i rätt ordning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
sierranorgan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.0
These books are roller coasters that constantly jerk between being a toxic relationship to be the “ideal” love story and it gives me whiplash.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
hayy6747's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
danajoy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
rosalind's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and Car accident
perusewithcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-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
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
First reading star rating: 3.5
Reread star rating: 4.5
Second reread star rating: 5
Loved it WAY more the second time around. The only thing I wish is that it had had more moments between the families (I.e. Eloise with Edwina, etc.) because I feel like that would just make it absolutely perfect for me.
Second reread: Loved it even more. It’s definitely a book that grows on you, but I think it might be my ideal romance. ❤️
Reread star rating: 4.5
Second reread star rating: 5
Loved it WAY more the second time around. The only thing I wish is that it had had more moments between the families (I.e. Eloise with Edwina, etc.) because I feel like that would just make it absolutely perfect for me.
Second reread: Loved it even more. It’s definitely a book that grows on you, but I think it might be my ideal romance. ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Blood