Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - The Duke and I

I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books.
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation.
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium.

This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎

Content Warnings

its_thekla's review against another edition

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1.0

I'll preface this with knowing next to nothing about the series going in. Needed a light, fluffy book to come out of the trend I've been in recently and, being a human in possession of a Netflix account, was aware of this series and seemed to fit the bill. Picked it up from my local library and went to work.

The first bit was super formulaic, but fun and light and cheesey and everything I was looking for. The whole Bridgerton clan was super fun and I enjoyed them quite a bit. We get to MMC's hang ups, and cool, ok, whatever man, makes sense. It's a regency romance, not a Pulitzer Prize winner. The whole pacing of this book was like it was sthe byproduct of rote memorization. No real substance, but fun.

THEN

Well, I'm sure most people know by this point but what the heck???? How are people ok with that??

Spoiler

Say it with me: rape is rape is rape IS RAPE. what was the author thinking?? And then to treat it with such caviler attitude like it's part of their love story? No ma'am. </Spoiler> Sure, yes, suspension of belief, you can't modern scope historical ideologies/events/whatever but come on. COME ON. It was wrong then, it's wrong now. To add insult to injury and actively romanticize it? I have several choice profanities for that.

So yeah. That kind of settled it for me. Kept reading because, well, there has to be SOMETHING right? Nope. Nothing. Nada.

Won't read any of the others.

Content Warnings

racheleanne06's review against another edition

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challenging 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

3.0

I feel very conflicted about this book. I enjoyed the first half a lot, the Bridgerton family are vibrant and interesting. And I really liked the relationship that formed between Daphne and Simon.

But I found the second half of the book toxic, I knew what to expect after seeing the TV show but it was no less easier to experience. I understand this is a historical romance and times were different but I just wish their actions had had more consequences rather than just being brushed under a rug…

I am still looking forward to reading the rest of the series though, especially since I enjoyed season two of the TV show a lot more than I did season one (and I am hoping this is the same for the book too!)

Content Warnings

maddie_99's review against another edition

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emotional reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

This is an amazing love story and I recommend it to anyone in the mood for a light hearted book that you can laugh at

Content Warnings

bat_1408's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Content Warnings

ejoymiller11's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

I love how the quirkiness and whimsical world reads just like the show. This book made me laugh out loud, root for the main characters, but it didn’t feel like a stereotypical romance novel.

Unpopular opinion/spoiler ahead:

Spoiler

the one thing I didn’t like was the narrative surrounding not wanting children. I do think this book encourages the idea that people who don’t want kids feel that way because of trauma or another unhealthy reason. Just because someone doesn’t want kids, that doesn’t mean they are broken. Also… let’s call what Daphne did what it is. Sexual assault. She manipulated Simon into doing something sexually he did not feel comfortable doing. She knew this and did it anyway. Had the gender roles been reversed, I think this part of the book would have been perceived very differently.

Content Warnings

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Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

annahamburger's review against another edition

drinksomewater's review against another edition

alexcooper88's review against another edition

nightstitch96's review

joyfulfoodie's review

its_thekla's review against another edition

racheleanne06's review against another edition

maddie_99's review against another edition

bat_1408's review against another edition

ejoymiller11's review against another edition