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kamrynkoble's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5. This took me a MONTH?! My audiobook minutes listened has been critically low compared to my norm, and it’s because I never wanted to turn this on 😭
It was just a slog. Show Eloise is so much more interesting and likable than Book Eloise. And Phillip? I hate the man. Not a fan. I’m anxious to see what Netflix does with this because Eloise deserves better. You’d also think we’d get more Pen if Eloise names her DAUGHTER after her. There was no friendship here. And why was the 2nd epilogue not about Eloise? 🙄
Also, I didn’t laugh. At all. All the other Bridgerton books have made me laugh. :(
It was just a slog. Show Eloise is so much more interesting and likable than Book Eloise. And Phillip? I hate the man. Not a fan. I’m anxious to see what Netflix does with this because Eloise deserves better. You’d also think we’d get more Pen if Eloise names her DAUGHTER after her. There was no friendship here. And why was the 2nd epilogue not about Eloise? 🙄
Also, I didn’t laugh. At all. All the other Bridgerton books have made me laugh. :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
thestoriessofar's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
angelicav95's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
bunsoburrito's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't expect the amount of nuance in these characters and their circumstances.
I quite enjoyed this until Phillip goes in on Eloise not to complain about the marriage because he had suffered a terrible one with Marina. That, he messed up. I can imagine how JQ was trying to frame this within a declaration of love but that bit was undeniably poorly written.
Reading the negative reviews, I can understand why people are upset with Phillip re: his attitude and reaction towards Marina's depression and suicide. However I interpreted it quite differently taking into account his experience growing up with a father he could never please. It definitely didn't help when he essentially had to relive this in adulthood out of a sense of duty. The only ways he could interpret Marina's depression was as a personal failure and an act of harshness/cruelty by the other party. This was set in the 1800s where the idea of mental health was not understood as it is now.
I'm also bewildered that lot of people were upset by his picking up the switch?? I don't condone corporal punishment but it was so clear to me that he did not have a good/healthy childhood, and knows only corporal punishment. Heck, I don't think this man even understands familial love/love from a father to his children- which explains why he distances himself from the children. His mother passed at his birth and his (damned and) cruel father was all he knew. JQ makes it clear Phillip tries to refrain from hitting them but ultimately does when he feels driven to it, desperately in fear that by not doing so, he would ruin his children more.
Does all of that excuse Phillip entirely from his actions? Not at all but like many of us, it makes him a complex human with trauma and flaws in a time where not many answers were provided.
Even Elouise- so many people are upset by why she suddenly has a change of heart with Phillip. I didn't feel the surprise other readers did. Elouise is exactly as how Violet described. Elouise is clear on what she desires and as such, she is impatient which is in part why she rejected the previous proposals. However, through the year long letters with Phillip, she has the time and space to grow to care for him. Even then, she goes to see him to <i>consider</i> whether they are suited for each other. When they marry, it is largely due to her brothers and obligation BUT she still retains her doubts.
Reading the negative reviews, I can understand why people are upset with Phillip re: his attitude and reaction towards Marina's depression and suicide. However I interpreted it quite differently taking into account his experience growing up with a father he could never please. It definitely didn't help when he essentially had to relive this in adulthood out of a sense of duty. The only ways he could interpret Marina's depression was as a personal failure and an act of harshness/cruelty by the other party. This was set in the 1800s where the idea of mental health was not understood as it is now.
I'm also bewildered that lot of people were upset by his picking up the switch?? I don't condone corporal punishment but it was so clear to me that he did not have a good/healthy childhood, and knows only corporal punishment. Heck, I don't think this man even understands familial love/love from a father to his children- which explains why he distances himself from the children. His mother passed at his birth and his (damned and) cruel father was all he knew. JQ makes it clear Phillip tries to refrain from hitting them but ultimately does when he feels driven to it, desperately in fear that by not doing so, he would ruin his children more.
Does all of that excuse Phillip entirely from his actions? Not at all but like many of us, it makes him a complex human with trauma and flaws in a time where not many answers were provided.
Even Elouise- so many people are upset by why she suddenly has a change of heart with Phillip. I didn't feel the surprise other readers did. Elouise is exactly as how Violet described. Elouise is clear on what she desires and as such, she is impatient which is in part why she rejected the previous proposals. However, through the year long letters with Phillip, she has the time and space to grow to care for him. Even then, she goes to see him to <i>consider</i> whether they are suited for each other. When they marry, it is largely due to her brothers and obligation BUT she still retains her doubts.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness and Suicide
claudcloud's review against another edition
sad
medium-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? No
2.5
All I have to say is the show better give her a story worthy of the brilliant character she is because this? Is not it, at all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Sexual assault
weasley1912's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As a neurodivergent person, Philip is extremely neurodivergent coded. And I can't help but notice the corelation between the fact that a lot of these reveiws say he's an asshole and how society sees neurodivergent people. I don't think that is a coincidence.
Reading this after watching the show up to season 3. I think I like show Eloise better than book Eloise. And this specific book Eloise felt really out of character from the show. I know shonda makes lots of changes. And I get that she said her feelings changed after Penelope got married. But still.
Reading this after watching the show up to season 3. I think I like show Eloise better than book Eloise. And this specific book Eloise felt really out of character from the show. I know shonda makes lots of changes. And I get that she said her feelings changed after Penelope got married. But still.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide
jaxatta's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.5
Probably my favorite Bridgerton book so far! Eloise is sensible and this book handled more of the mature/adult and pragmatic themes that previous books in the series seemed to be missing. I loved the character development here and getting to know more of the family who aren't in the limelight as often.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Abandonment
hannahm23's review against another edition
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Suicide
nightstitch96's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
1.5
The way this book talks about depression and suicide is disgusting. Phillip is horrible. I cannot believe he is constantly referred to as a good man while he:
1. was incredibly neglectful and toxic to his children.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual assault
zeynus's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment