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kkylezzz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Alright, this one was much harder to enjoy than the last two in this universe I've read. But, I think the banter was still pretty good between the characters - both between Anthony and Kate, and between Anthony and his brothers/family. There was still pretty good imagery - even still around more abstract/complex scenes like with Pall Mall. I liked that Kate was an outsider, you know? Not just in a sense that she was/there was a lot of POV from a (formerly) non-Bridgerton, but also that she had a poor background, an adverse family history, etc. I think the drama was still strong, and bringing in elements like Kate's mother dying (largely unconnected to the marriage/plot all together) and Violet and Mary's connection was a good reprieve from the disaster of marriage life between Anthony and Kate. I also liked that Kate didn't fall helplessly at Anthony's feet, even after they were married. There was reservation on her part, but also a more realistic transition into love (on Kate's part, not so much Anthony's).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Car accident, Bullying, Alcohol, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Medical trauma
linashnewer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Misogyny, Grief, and Death of parent
kasialipa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
prashiie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"It was that spark. That damnable spark that never seemed to dim between them."
In this book, it's Anthony Bridgerton's turn to get married. According to him love is not necessarily a criteria for a successful marriage and he even tries to avoid falling in love with his (future) wife. Logically, the best plan is to marry this season's Incomparable, Edwina, But hey, when does anything go according to plan?
To marry Edwina, he has to get her sister's approval and his reputation as a rake does not do him any good. Kate, Edwina’s sister, and Anthony start off resenting each other but they both learn that they're more alike than they thought and he quickly discovers that even he can't go against his heart's wishes.
They both have some unresolved traumas and it was interesting to see how they deal with that. Kate had some wise insights: "But what you can do is refuse to allow it to rule your life." Yes, easier said than done, but healing starts by acknowledging the problem and by choosing to work on it.
My favourite character was definitely Mary!
"It's just that when you agree to be a mother to a child you haven't borne, your responsibility is twice as great. You must work even harder to ensure that child's happiness and welfare."
She is such a good stepmother to Kate. The world would be a much better place if every stepparent was like Mary.
This story also had some very steamy chapters, but what else did we expect from a Bridgerton book?
"Nothing that big can stay a secret forever."
And after reading the epilogue, it was funny to see that The Author's identity is still a secret after so many years. Hopefully we will know more about it in later books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Classism, Death of parent, Sexual content, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident, Rape, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
erinoco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
bookfortbuilder's review against another edition
- 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
I forgot how much of a hypocrite and asshole the hero is. Also on a 2nd read, I find his reasoning annoying as hell. I would have punched him in the face for 90% of his behavior. And I would have told both edwina and Mary about his behavior and attitudes towards marriage. Plus he’s a 30 year old trying to have a relationship with a 17 year old. Gross.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Grief, and Death of parent
gabbygarcia's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault and Injury/Injury detail
thehollyking's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Car accident, Sexism, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
mhairi_reads's review against another edition
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
4.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes: Enemies to lover, forced marriage, slow burn.
POV: Third person
Ending: HEA
Anthony Bridgerton is the oldest of the Bridgerton siblings and even although he knows he will die young has decided to marry. He will most definitely, however, not be marrying for love. He will marry as is his duty and that’s that. He has decided he will marry Edwina Sheffield - the hot commodity of the season. Edwina’s only condition is that her sister Kate must approve of the union.
Kate Sheffield knows she will live out her life as a spinster. Marriage is not something she is actively seeking, she just wants what is best for her sister Edwina. And that definitely does not include the infamous rake Anthony Bridgerton.
We all know what happens next right?
They catch feelings for each other. But I was totally here for it in all honesty. I love a good enemies to lovers trope and this was no exception. I loved watching Anthony go from this womaniser who didn’t value women to a genuinely caring husband. A man who truly cared for his wife and wanted her to know how important she truly was. A man who face his demons and truely learned to live.
I very much enjoyed watching Kate and Anthony open up to each other and be vulnerable. They were honestly some of my favourite scenes. I loved the scene in the library during the thunderstorm - it was just so wholesome. Seeing Anthony talking about his Father’s death and the impact it has had upon his life and hearing Kate talk about the struggles of having her Mother dye at such a young age.
I absolutely loved this - it definitely wasn’t quite like the Netflix adaptation but nevertheless I was here for it. I can’t wait to see what happens throughout the rest of the series.
⚠️ Content Warnings: Death of a parent, childhood trauma, sexual content, panic / anxiety attacks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief
pookiee's review against another edition
funny
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
2.5
I actually enjoyed more of this than my rating suggests; there were just some parts that were so uncomfortable, like when Anthony wouldn’t let Kate wait a week to have sex ....I know the point is to show how passionately he feels for her, but "he just can't control himself u.u" comes across as immature rather than sexy; there are many more—and hotter—ways to express that. were we not taking out the worst parts of the era, like the hygiene?
I love the parallels between Kate and Anthony, and seeing them realize that they are not alone in their feelings. Also I am a complete sucker for the responsible types learning that they can do something for themselves, like...fall in love.
I love the parallels between Kate and Anthony, and seeing them realize that they are not alone in their feelings. Also I am a complete sucker for the responsible types learning that they can do something for themselves, like...fall in love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol and Car accident
Minor: Body shaming, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
Death of parent/Grief: