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onthesamepage's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
Tropes: hate to love, marriage due to scandal
Steam level: 🌶🌶
I had somehow built this up in my mind as something greater than it actually ended up being on reread, which made for an interesting experience. I also recently watched the Bridgerton show, which is why I was rereading this so I could compare the two with fresh eyes.
This review will contain some spoilers for the Netflix adaptation.
Romance and writing
I like it when the protagonists in romances carry some kind of trauma with them. Anthony's resignation to death at a young age, combined with a fear of bees that leads to an iconic scene, is a pretty good combination for me. I liked the beats of the romance, and the development Anthony goes through. I think we get less of that with Kate. It's not that nothing changes for her, but even though she carries her own trauma, it receives way less focus than Anthony does, and feels a little tacked on (and kind of similar, if I'm being honest).
The romance also felt flat to me, sadly, even though I had fond memories of it. But there were only a couple of moments that were tender or sweet enough to make my heart beat faster.
With regards to the writing, some of it is incredibly repetitive. I lost track of how many times Anthony thinks of committing some act of violence against Colin, for example.
Compared to the show: One of the things I really disliked about the adaptation is that they changed it to a love V/triangle, and dragged it out until the actual wedding. I don't like love Vs most of the time, but especially not when two of them are siblings. In my opinion, that's not a scenario a sibling relationship can recover from. "Well, you took the person I was in love with, but it's fine, I still love you!" Yeah, right. I really hated that the show pitted two brown women against each other to fight over a white man, rather than keep their relationship as sisters strong. The book doesn't have this—Edwina was never in love with Anthony, and he never even proposed to her. I understand why they changed it, because the way Anthony and Kate get together feels reminiscent of Daphne and Simon, but I think this was the wrong choice.
Characters
Apparently, I also managed to block out how awful Anthony is in the book. He really sets out to hurt Kate any way he can, both emotionally but also physically. There's one scene where he kicks her in the stomach, and it's just brushed off:
Steam level: 🌶🌶
I had somehow built this up in my mind as something greater than it actually ended up being on reread, which made for an interesting experience. I also recently watched the Bridgerton show, which is why I was rereading this so I could compare the two with fresh eyes.
This review will contain some spoilers for the Netflix adaptation.
Romance and writing
I like it when the protagonists in romances carry some kind of trauma with them. Anthony's resignation to death at a young age, combined with a fear of bees that leads to an iconic scene, is a pretty good combination for me. I liked the beats of the romance, and the development Anthony goes through. I think we get less of that with Kate. It's not that nothing changes for her, but even though she carries her own trauma, it receives way less focus than Anthony does, and feels a little tacked on (and kind of similar, if I'm being honest).
The romance also felt flat to me, sadly, even though I had fond memories of it. But there were only a couple of moments that were tender or sweet enough to make my heart beat faster.
With regards to the writing, some of it is incredibly repetitive. I lost track of how many times Anthony thinks of committing some act of violence against Colin, for example.
Compared to the show: One of the things I really disliked about the adaptation is that they changed it to a love V/triangle, and dragged it out until the actual wedding. I don't like love Vs most of the time, but especially not when two of them are siblings. In my opinion, that's not a scenario a sibling relationship can recover from. "Well, you took the person I was in love with, but it's fine, I still love you!" Yeah, right. I really hated that the show pitted two brown women against each other to fight over a white man, rather than keep their relationship as sisters strong. The book doesn't have this—Edwina was never in love with Anthony, and he never even proposed to her. I understand why they changed it, because the way Anthony and Kate get together feels reminiscent of Daphne and Simon, but I think this was the wrong choice.
Characters
Apparently, I also managed to block out how awful Anthony is in the book. He really sets out to hurt Kate any way he can, both emotionally but also physically. There's one scene where he kicks her in the stomach, and it's just brushed off:
"Nothing...at"—whatever body part Kate was sinking into his leg sank a little farther—"all!" The last word came out as more of a howl, and he kicked his foot forward, connecting with something he had a sneaking suspicion was her stomach.
Normally, Anthony would die before striking a woman, but this truly seemed to be an exceptional case. In fact, he took not a little bit of pleasure in kicking her while she was down.
I know there are many critiques against this author for the consent issues in her books. I didn't notice any of that here, and an argument can be made that it was just one of those tropes that was very popular in romances during that time period. But when it comes to physical abuse against women, I'm pretty sure that was already frowned upon even in the year 2000.
There are also many instances where Anthony is just shouting (and sometimes threatening more bodily harm) because Kate annoys him so:
Anthony went for her throat. "I...am...going...to...KILL YOU!" he roared
Not to mention the many instances where he sets out to humiliate her.
I have less to say about Kate. I like her as a character, and I enjoyed the way she continued to needle Anthony, never mind how he responded to it. My only complaint is that I think she becomes kind of timid after they get married, which is a shame.
Compared to the show: Here the show wins, without a doubt. And not just because of the diversity they introduced to the characters, but also because Anthony isn't an abusive man with anger management issues. I liked him much more there, and I liked Kate more as well, because she never bends to his will the way she ends up doing in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse
thebookishjenna's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It is Anthony's turn to find a wife.
So, we know what is going to happen, that is why we pick up these books. We are in it for the happy end, for the sweet conclusion, for the frustrating plots ultimately bringing characters together.
All that said....Anthony sucks.
Anthony lost his father tragically and that really affected him, but it also serves as justification for his abusive behaviour, especially towards women. He is manipulative and self-centred, super self-righteous, emotionally abusive and has anger issues. I SAID IT.
Kate, however, is a great romance MC, she is quick-witted and charming. Kate is able to understand Anthony due to her own struggles and traumas in her past. She has a deep passion for her family, which apparently Anthony shares, and a lot of fire in her. I think she deserved better if I am being completely honest.
I keep reading and will keep reading because I definitely feel like Shondaland has added huge value and depth to the novels via the Netflix adaptation. Obviously, keeping some of the more problematic parts of the book *looking at you Daphne*. I don't necessarily feel these books are bad, but they aren't good.
So, we know what is going to happen, that is why we pick up these books. We are in it for the happy end, for the sweet conclusion, for the frustrating plots ultimately bringing characters together.
All that said....Anthony sucks.
Anthony lost his father tragically and that really affected him, but it also serves as justification for his abusive behaviour, especially towards women. He is manipulative and self-centred, super self-righteous, emotionally abusive and has anger issues. I SAID IT.
Kate, however, is a great romance MC, she is quick-witted and charming. Kate is able to understand Anthony due to her own struggles and traumas in her past. She has a deep passion for her family, which apparently Anthony shares, and a lot of fire in her. I think she deserved better if I am being completely honest.
I keep reading and will keep reading because I definitely feel like Shondaland has added huge value and depth to the novels via the Netflix adaptation. Obviously, keeping some of the more problematic parts of the book *looking at you Daphne*. I don't necessarily feel these books are bad, but they aren't good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
floralflorilegium's review against another edition
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
2.0
I did not like the almost abuse nature of Anthony. It was off-putting and frankly not okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
lizcaruth's review against another edition
emotional
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Just as toxic as Bridgerton #1, but in a different way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Physical abuse