Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

29 reviews

arys_library's review

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lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

This book was a pretty easy and enjoyable read. I was entertained basically the entire book, which kind of surprised me considering I don’t usually read this genre. I loved the plot of the book, but I didn’t connect at all with the characters. 

I really enjoyed the beginning half of the book but there was a scene that turned me off of the book quite a bit. Not enough to completely stop reading the book, but enough to definitely lower the rating 

*spoilers*
.
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The scene in which I referred to was when daphne impregnated herself by having sex with Simon, while he was drunk, and practically forced him to impregnate her. It was pretty disturbing how after Simon left and came back, he said how he wasn’t even mad at her because of that and it was another reason why he left. It excused her actions, the sexual assault that honestly mighty count as rape. 

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cdoubet's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0


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lucyselim's review against another edition

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dark funny 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? N/A

2.5

I, like many others, read this book after enjoying the TV show. I had heard very mixed reviews about this book, but I figured I would give it a go, and I was pleasantly surprised with the first half. It seemed like it was going to be a fluffy romcom. The friendship between Daphne and Simon seemed natural and was enjoyable to read. He was kinder and more infatuated than his TV counterpart and she was wittier and smarter. They seemed like a genuinely good match. 
And then they got married and ruined it. Even without mentioning 'that' scene, the plot was, in my opinion, ridiculous. I did not love those episodes of the TV  show either, but as I was reading it I couldn't help but just laugh at the ridiculousness of some of it. It was difficult to keep up with their constant mood swings and comings and goings.
Putting the plot to one side, the writing was honestly just meh. It was very jarring to find modern day slang and colloquialisms with regency-era settings. I assume Quinn was trying to make a period piece seem modern and more approachable for younger audiences, but using simple English would have sufficed. I am glad they managed to get a better balance in the TV show.
Another thing I did not like was the stark contrast between Quinn trying to write strong modern women in one moment, and then having them reduced to needing a man the next. 'Then he was completely within her, and she thought she would die from the pleasure. Never had she felt so full, nor so completely a woman,' in particular made me throw up in my mouth a little.
Despite this, I am going to read the next one (because I hate myself) but because I have heard it to be many people's favourites. Mostly, however, because I borrowed the first three books in a compendium from the library and I still have time left before needing to return it. Overall this book really wasn't that great for me, but I can understand the appeal and I hope the next one provides me with better luck.

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hsmorgan's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense 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

4.5


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summerslittlelibrary's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

3.0


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lunep's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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stupidforcupid's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-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

3.75

I liked it a lot, BUT there were some moments I didn't love.

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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

3.5

I finally got around to reading this after bingeing the show in January, and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t rush to read it. The story was pretty different from the show—I assume they included plotlines from some of Quinn’s other Bridgerton novels—and I could see why the show chose to make some of the changes it did. Most importantly, the show left out Simon referring to Daphne as his property (not once but…many times). I know the story is set in the early 1800s, but we’ve suspended disbelief for a lot of other things, and I definitely could have done without that misogyny. Though Daphne and Simon’s romance was by far my favorite plotline in the show, the book felt a little flat without all the other characters and their adventures. Maybe I’d feel differently if I’d read the book first? One thing I liked better in the book, however, was Daphne’s relationship with Colin. In the show, his storyline is mostly tied up with Penelope and Marina, so I liked getting to see him with his family.

Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the vibe):
Happy! And far less dramatic than the show.

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02062000's review against another edition

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fast-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

1.0


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