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cicireadsinthedark's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
rosiem1998's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
val_parr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Car accident, and Death of parent
britwalsh16's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
sophes282's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
bzliz's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
My main gripes come from the genre itself, plus the book was written 20 years ago and society has evolved since then. I find entirely virginal FMCs paired with very experienced MMCs to be boring. I know it’s “historical” for men to be “superior” but they just suck so hard sometimes. Women to this day are always the ones who pay the price for men’s inability to control themselves and it’s exhausting. Possessive statements like “you’re mine” and “I own you” will never feel okay to me. The underlying threat of sexual assault is not cute or romantic and it’s always hypocritical. These men treat their wives like this but are horrified at the thought of someone treating their sisters like that. Make it make sense!
Anthony’s logic about not falling in love doesn’t track for me. If you’re convinced you’re going to die young, wouldn’t you want to spend your life with someone who values you deeply? Why would you want to die forgettable? Other than that, I enjoyed most of the dynamic between Kate and Anthony. Kate charmed the hell out of me as an oldest sibling. The Pall Mall scene was a delight and made me wish for more interactions with side characters. I want to see them really embed themselves in the other’s life.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexism
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
🎧
I read the books last year and I remember enjoying them. My favorite parts of the audiobooks was Rosalyn Landor.
In re-reading this book, I find that I like it less than I did a year ago. I think it's still a simple book and I enjoyed Landor's narration. The characters were alright, I liked Kate more than Anthony. Their relationship is alright. The plot was predictable.
February 2022-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📱
This was fun read. It was a simple book and an enjoyable read. It’s another typical Regency romance. This book is centered around Anthony and Kate. Anthony wanted a marriage of convience and he didn’t want to fall in love with his wife. I really liked the character of Kate, she’s straightforward and she wasn’t above telling Anthony off. I liked how protective Kate was of her sister. Beyond Kate, the book was decent. The plot was basic and the subplots were a little predictable.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
j_schley's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
rafacolog's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Death of parent
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
3.25
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: December 5, 2000
T H R E E • W O R D S
Readable • Entertaining • Chauvinistic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...
Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...
💭 T H O U G H T S
Regency era romance isn't a genre I'd typically have an interest in, however, after starting Julia Quinn's hit series, The Bridgertons, in 2022 I was pleasantly surprised and decided to continue with book two.
It's a tad difficult to take these books too seriously. At times they are downright ridiculous, and of course, require the suspension of reality, yet they are highly entertaining. I cannot say I was drawn into Anthony and Kate's story, although I did appreciate Anthony's hesitancy to marriage. There is so much vanity within these pages that eventually it gets redundant. Kate seemed like a likeable enough lady, and I was satisfied with her HEA.
For me, these books are nothing amazing, yet they are highly readable and always provided an entertaining experience. I can definitely understand why the Netflix adaption is so widely loved (even though I've been told it's very different). When I am in need of a quick, lighthearted read I'll likely continue with book three.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of the series
• Regency era enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"You have to live each hour as if it's your last and each day as if you were immortal."
"You can't shun new challenge or hide yourself from love just because you think you might not be here to carry your dreams to completion. In the end, you'll have just as many regrets as did my father."
"It means that love isn't about being afraid that it will all be snatched away. Love's about finding the one person who makes your heart complete, who makes you a better person than you ever dreamed you could be. It's about looking in the eyes of your wife and knowing, all the way to your bones, that she's simply the best person you've ever known."
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Classism