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amberlen's review
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted more Bridgerton content, so I gave this book a try but was left a bit disappointed.
The writing was okay, a stereotypical romance novel, no surprises and very tropey but basically fine. I actually thought the book did a better job of building Anthony and Kate's emotional connection, which fell a bit short in the Netflix adaptation for me.
However, the book had other issues. Mostly, I was disappointed with the main characters. Anthony is not likeable at all in the book and quite flat for a primary character. His personality is mostly made up of trauma and being a bit of a douche but it's okay cause he can be nice if he wants to be. And Kate's character was just too inconsistent. She's supposed to be straightforward and confident but then also blushes and fumbles at the first sign of Anthony's assertiveness. In general, their dynamic was very clichéd "sexually experienced, confident man and innocent, swooning woman". The adaptation made them much more equal. Yelling at him at the top of her lungs that he vexes her? Book Kate could never.
My biggest problem with the book, however, is how it treats consent.
After Kate and Anthony marry halfway through the book, Kate asks Anthony to wait with the wedding night because she isn't emotionally ready. And Anthony straight up refuses. He argues with her and asks her to give him "good reasons" for why they shouldn't sleep with each other right then and there. When he sees that she's upset, he asks her if she is afraid because she was subject to unwanted advances in the past. Sir, the unwanted advances are coming from you?! Then he tells her that he just can't wait because he desires her so much (we call that coercion) and they sleep with each other. Kate is fine with all of this. Yay.
All in all, the book was just okay with some very problematic passages that bumped it down to two stars for me. I'll just wait for the next season; despite its faults, I find the Netflix adaptation much more enjoyable.
The writing was okay, a stereotypical romance novel, no surprises and very tropey but basically fine. I actually thought the book did a better job of building Anthony and Kate's emotional connection, which fell a bit short in the Netflix adaptation for me.
However, the book had other issues. Mostly, I was disappointed with the main characters. Anthony is not likeable at all in the book and quite flat for a primary character. His personality is mostly made up of trauma and being a bit of a douche but it's okay cause he can be nice if he wants to be. And Kate's character was just too inconsistent. She's supposed to be straightforward and confident but then also blushes and fumbles at the first sign of Anthony's assertiveness. In general, their dynamic was very clichéd "sexually experienced, confident man and innocent, swooning woman". The adaptation made them much more equal. Yelling at him at the top of her lungs that he vexes her? Book Kate could never.
After Kate and Anthony marry halfway through the book, Kate asks Anthony to wait with the wedding night because she isn't emotionally ready. And Anthony straight up refuses. He argues with her and asks her to give him "good reasons" for why they shouldn't sleep with each other right then and there. When he sees that she's upset, he asks her if she is afraid because she was subject to unwanted advances in the past. Sir, the unwanted advances are coming from you?! Then he tells her that he just can't wait because he desires her so much (we call that coercion) and they sleep with each other. Kate is fine with all of this. Yay.
All in all, the book was just okay with some very problematic passages that bumped it down to two stars for me. I'll just wait for the next season; despite its faults, I find the Netflix adaptation much more enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Confinement
jelavision's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship