The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
āCan one appreciate perfection when it is a constant in oneās life?ā
A 3.5 out of 5 stars mainly because of Penelope!
Penelope has always been a wallflower and this was her moment to shine, to show the world what she was really like. A clever and funny girl. I loved that for her! Too bad that even her own mother couldnāt see how amazing Penelope actually is.
We already knew from an epilogue that Colin and Penelope would end up together. She has been in love with him (well okay, a perfect version of him) for many years now. Their story started off cute where they slowly go from being good friends to being romantically interested in each other. But there were so many red flags along the way. Colin was generally perceived as the perfect gentleman and of course it turns out that he isnāt perfect at all. Thatās alright, everyone has some kind of flaw and red flags are not surprising in the Bridgerton series. But I found it difficult to accept that he had anger issues. It gets out of hand when he hurts Penelope, even if it was just by squeezing her arms very hard or yanking her arm. There are better ways to blow off steam so I donāt think that you should accept that from your partner. But that is what Penelope did.
āAnd if having to endure his anger and disdain at a time like this was to be part of marriage as well, then that would be worth it, too.ā
It did get better of course. He does become a better and supportive partner and finds his purpose in life. But I hoped for a simpler story, one where I could still like Colin.
There are also some secrets revealed in this story, but unfortunately it was no surprise to me as Iāve already seen the TV show. IYKYK.
As usual, Eloise has some great remarks which are generally not accepted in that time period and therefore she is one of my favourite characters in this series.
āI hope he asks Felicity as well,ā Eloise said. āIāve often thought it foolish that a man asks a womanās father for her hand before he asks her. The father doesnāt have to live with him.ā
Well said, Eloise! She was acting very suspicious in this story and I suppose we shall find out why in the next book!
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Physical abuse
sop17hie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Physical abuse
megcarrick's review
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
mxreader1's review
I hate Colin Bridgerton so much that I can't finish this book and I'm going to do my best to ignore him in the following books. The scenes of him squeezing Penelope's arm so hard that he's going to leave a bruise is very disturbing. Especially because I suspect the author doesn't see anything wrong with that since he's using physical violence to stop himself from blowing up about his concern for her "self-destructive behavior". A loving sex scene follows a scene with a terrified Penelope that's upset Colin at their engagement party. He hurts her and tells her to smile for their guests as they have their first dance. The air of you're going to get it the moment when we step away made my stomach hurt. And he leads her to a place she knows no one will hear or find them. But instead of following the tension of the scene to its conclusion her thoughts transition over to how much she loves him and is willing to take whatever she must. It's sick and made the sex scene unbearable.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
lilacsophie's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Physical abuse
More...