kkylezzz's reviews
3 reviews

The Coincidence of Callie & Kayden by Jessica Sorensen

emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Body horror

Moderate: Self harm, Vomit, Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Rape, and Drug abuse

Minor: Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Mental illness, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Medical content, and Torture

The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

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).

 

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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

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

3.75

This was a good read. I thought the humor and banter and character back-n-forth in general was great. The first half was really good, I enjoyed the length of scenes and the dedication to detail and consistency with the characters and descriptions. There was tons of dialogue which I love. I really enjoyed the how the first half too felt them growing together.

Obviously in our timeline, "dating" for more than a couple weeks is conventional before even becoming a real couple let alone considering marriage, but for translatable purposes, this felt well told in that regard.

The second half was enjoyable too, but more so for the pitiable, dramatic love story elements.

I was alright with the separation and then pregnancy scare and the heart-to-hearts getting more in depth each time it was brought up.

The last couple of chapters and Epilogue(s) was (were) redeeming, I enjoyed them.

I liked that it ended on a positive note, the extended pregnancy brining in extra drama, and the possibility of Geogie being afflicted with Simon's same drama without actually confirming that.

The sex scenes weren't too terribly bad either.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Child abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

Passive suicidal ideation/intention briefly alluded to