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jneverland's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism and Death of parent
tbrthatneverends's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
I liked this book WAY more than the first one. despite both books having the same general formula (man with daddy issues finds woman he thinks is attractive but won't marry her because said issues make him think he's unworthy of her love, then he's forced to marry her after he loses control and ruins her. queue 1000 instances of miscommunication ), these characters have personality!!! it makes it way more enjoyable that way, despite how annoyed I was with the constant use of the miscommunication trope. I actually enjoyed some scenes equally to the show, which i LOVE, like kate's fear of storms (SPECIFICALLY the library scene), her relationship with Mary, and all the Newton scenes!!
however, -2 stars for overuse of miscommunication (can you tell I hate when this trope is overused yet?) and having a super generic formula
however, -2 stars for overuse of miscommunication (can you tell I hate when this trope is overused yet?) and having a super generic formula
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism
turidt'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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Death
Minor: Alcohol
t3ssygirl16'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, and Alcohol
sauvageloup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Maybe the star rating is harsh but I found this so misogynistic and Antony's actions completely loathsome in places.
pros:
- Quinn does write with aplomb, the book rolls along and meets the romance and emotional beats, with Antony and Kate's personal fears and baggage being dealt with.
- and she is creative in assigning their reasons for not getting together/being in love/past traumas, it's not the usual love triangle or a misunderstanding they could just talk through, they do have deep seated reasons to hold back.
- we saw a bit more of side characters, in Edwina and Mary, but not much.
cons:
- my main issue is Antony's actions and how the story validates them. He refuses Kate her 'reprieve' when she's terrified of having sex for the first time and is so beastly in his "desire" for her that he's basically willing to rape her. Rape fantasy is common, but it's the way this is set in an otherwise cutesy and romantic story, as if pushing a scared virgin woman, who he has total power over as her husband (which he reminds her of with the "marriage debt"!!), is a normal and okay thing to do. Its gross.
- Kate is also supposed to be this spunky, defiant woman who defends her sister and stands up for herself, but she's often quiet and 'hesitant' around Antony, because he's a brute with anger issues. I couldnt stand him, and Kate's inner narrative basically blames herself for whatever he does, which was uncomfortable.
- also the narrative repeatedly says how 'good and kind and strong' he is (hes not) and how she brings out the best in him. where does he bring out the best in her? why does she have to "improve" and fix him of his anger issues whereas her only issue is believing she's not pretty.
- the spice scenes feel pretty bland and flowery.
- unlike the show, the cast of characters is very restricted, which brings it down.
overall, Antony's actions made him thoroughly unlikeable and, like the first book, the author waves it away as romantic because the characters cant act with respect as they're so driven by love that they cant think straight or ask consent, apparently. anyway, I wont be reading any more Bridgerton books.
pros:
- Quinn does write with aplomb, the book rolls along and meets the romance and emotional beats, with Antony and Kate's personal fears and baggage being dealt with.
- and she is creative in assigning their reasons for not getting together/being in love/past traumas, it's not the usual love triangle or a misunderstanding they could just talk through, they do have deep seated reasons to hold back.
- we saw a bit more of side characters, in Edwina and Mary, but not much.
cons:
- my main issue is Antony's actions and how the story validates them.
- Kate is also supposed to be this spunky, defiant woman who defends her sister and stands up for herself, but she's often quiet and 'hesitant' around Antony, because he's a brute with anger issues. I couldnt stand him, and Kate's inner narrative basically blames herself for whatever he does, which was uncomfortable.
- also the narrative repeatedly says how 'good and kind and strong' he is (hes not) and how she brings out the best in him. where does he bring out the best in her? why does she have to "improve" and fix him of his anger issues whereas her only issue is believing she's not pretty.
- the spice scenes feel pretty bland and flowery.
- unlike the show, the cast of characters is very restricted, which brings it down.
overall, Antony's actions made him thoroughly unlikeable and, like the first book, the author waves it away as romantic because the characters cant act with respect as they're so driven by love that they cant think straight or ask consent, apparently. anyway, I wont be reading any more Bridgerton books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death
car accident is a carriage accident.juujules's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
reka111's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Love's about finding the one person who makes your heart complete. Who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be.
Honestly, I have a kind of hate-love relationship with this book, and I still loved every minute of it. I didn't start because the series or crowd worship pulled me in, but because I just needed a good enemies to lovers/hate to love book and I had this at hand.
Kate was arguably my favorite in the book, I really liked that there was so much fire in her, and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind, she was confident and courageous. Her trauma is just so sad, I wanted to hug her every time and tell her everything is alright, it is just a storm.
Anthony often annoyed me with his...well, let's say interesting, utterances, even though I thought I would bow down to him. However he developed during the book and did him a lot of good, by the end I began to see in him the light and the balance he really needed.
I loved the others very much; Edwina was all cheerful and kind, Colin always made me laugh and I'm infinitely grateful to him, I haven't smiled so much in a long time. Violet and Mary are so perfect as mothers, I love their dynamic with their kids, it just looks like they could jump into a volcano if that means they can protected them.
I wouldn't necessarily label a love story as enemies to lovers, but rather hate to love. However it was, I really liked the relationship between them, as the burning dislike eventually turns into desire and passion. Both have lost an awful lot and deserve happiness and peace in the embrace of a loving family. I loved their little sweet moments together.
The plot flowed nicely, the scenes matched well, were understandable and easy to follow, there were some strange moments (for example, the behavior of the animals - Newton (my heart) - is terribly far from reality) that I couldn't really absorb. The time jumps were not distracting and the pace was adequate. The ending was nicely closed (I'm especially glad we got some confirmation at the end, and it may seem terribly small, but to me that tiny sentence meant the world)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism and Pregnancy
cupofcauliflower's review against another edition
he's horrible
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Death of parent
cielosiluminado'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
3.5
i loved kate but sometimes anthony drove me mad with his “woe is me” attitude. their banter was incredible though. and a bee is what basically forced them to marry? LMAO so unserious
his sniffing fetish also made me laugh a lot and i hear it’s prominent in the show adaptation so that’s gonna be funny to watch
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: Sexism, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
menastarr's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism