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meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
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
2.75
Listen. I know the Bridgerton books are bad. They are poorly written and problematic in their portrayal of romantic relationships. But I need to pass the time between the release of part 1 and part 2 of season 3, ok?? Just let me enjoy this garbage of a romance novel in peace while I wait for the far superior tv adaptation to be available for streaming!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
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
2.0
penelope and colin had so much character in the previous books so what the hell happened here?
the overall plot that didn’t center on the romance itself was kinda riveting and that kept me entertained most of the time. and sure, when we finally got to the romance between polin, it was sweet, adorable even. but it was still so sparse in their own story! like for a romance book, the romance between the main characters was barely fleshed out but somehow we’re still expected to believe they love each other that much? it doesn’t make sense.
oh! and don’t even get me started on colin’s temper or jealously-slash-inferiority complex… ugh, such a man!
so yeah, something was amiss with this one.
i’m not quite sure that julia knows how to write romance…
the overall plot that didn’t center on the romance itself was kinda riveting and that kept me entertained most of the time. and sure, when we finally got to the romance between polin, it was sweet, adorable even. but it was still so sparse in their own story! like for a romance book, the romance between the main characters was barely fleshed out but somehow we’re still expected to believe they love each other that much? it doesn’t make sense.
oh! and don’t even get me started on colin’s temper or jealously-slash-inferiority complex… ugh, such a man!
so yeah, something was amiss with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
booksinherhead's review against another edition
Re-read Penelope and Colin's book to prep for the new season premiere and guys !! I forgot how interesting I found their romance !! They have a lot of history (I love a good friends-to-lovers) and it informs so much about how they interact. Also how they each make decisions to support the other (which does lead to some frustrating miscommunication moments but...gotta drive the plot somehow) is so cute!!! I also love Colin coming admit to himself that he's jealous of Penelope's writing successes and then when he finally admits it to her as well! and then they bond in their marriage over writing together. Iconic
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy
julesadventurezone's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This is a pretty boring book with little plot and an unlikeable male lead. Plus points for Penelope because I do like her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
sadiesadiesadie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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
2.5
I needed to fill the season 3 who as I wait until May 16th. This is the only Bridgerton book I’ve read and I’ll probably just wait for each season from now on. Overall, I didn’t like the writing. It felt too rushed in some chapters and too drawn out in majority. I have to say, I’m glad the show is going with a different plot line. The characters were… something. I was thrown for a loop when a certain character acted very different from the lovable character that’s portrayed in the show. I understand that the book can’t be compared to the show but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping that it would be written like the show. Read if you want but don’t have too high expectations if you are coming from only knowing and watching the show.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy
katebee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Pregnancy
nightstitch96's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Pregnancy
britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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 was super excited for this book! & with the new season coming out of the show following them I wanted to read it beforehand & give me something to tide me over until then. There was a lot I loved, & a lot of scenes I can’t wait to play out in the show.
But I’m not going to lie & say Colin’s temper didn’t really bug me. I understand him getting angry, especially when he finds out about the Lady Whistledown secret or when she’s caught reading his journal. But what I don’t like is the physical abuse that goes along with it, & yes I know it’s nothing giant, he doesn’t hit her or anything that horrible, but the little things can be bad too. Like the scene at their engagement ball with him holding on to her to hurt her instead of letting his temper blow up to the whole room, that is not an okay reaction & I have loved Colin so much throughout the show & the books too, but reactions like that piss me off & Penelope doesn’t know that it’s not okay. What’s going to happen when they have kids & the kids make him angry, will the violence get worse through the years? It’s such a little thing, but it really gets me, & I hope they rewrote that for the show, I’d hate to lose my love for Polin in the show too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Stalking, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
skb163's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming and Pregnancy
sudatot's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse and Pregnancy