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bhetn03's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
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
By far the darkest in the series so far. I honestly find I it very annoying that the author refuses to do any warnings whatsoever for content. This is the 2nd book that’s featured some possibly triggering content and not even one mention of it prior to starting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Child abuse
Graphic scene of child abuse in later chapters. There are brief mentions of it throughout but there is a full on described scene of it. Also a character attempts suicide in like the first 5 minutes of the bookbrittbee07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
2.5
There is a lot to unpack on this one. I love Eloise. I love how she is part of everyone's story but also apart from everyone's story. Because of this, I was excited to read her story. And most of it was interesting and didn't make me cringe. But there was about 15 pages that should have been rewritten because it made me hate Philip and no amount of "I love yous" would change the damage he did.
Eloise is a strong and independent woman which I love. And, even though Philip does so much to extinguish her fire, he never does. I am glad she was never bowed to him. Even when she went to Benedict and Sophie's she left for her own sake, to help herself. That being said, she was not a great mother to start - fighting fire with fire is rarely if ever the answer. Revenge is a dish that escalates and is a terrible strategy for childcare.
I loved that Sophie was featured in this story. She was a treat in her own book and continues to be one now. She is sane in the midst of insanity and doesn't brook the bull. She's also a nice counterpoint to Eloise's brassiness.
The relationships felt more real in this story. Philip's rationalizing his treatment of his children because he knows it's wrong, Eloise being taken aback that the person wasn't the imagination, the slow build of their love for each other. Even the ways the Bridgerton brothers interacted with Philip felt more real.
I think I have written this in my reviews before, but Julia Quinn is not a great "spice" writer. She has one style for writing the "spicy" moments of her books and she always has to do something to make it weird. "He slid her finger into his mouth and suckled." Or, from this one, "What did one say to a man after he'd had his tongue in one's ear? Never mind that it had been a very nice tongue, indeed." "She screamed." No adjectives, no prepositional phrases, no figurative language. Just, "She screamed." in the midst of spice. That isn't spicy. Just odd little details. And then men always pry the woman's mouth apart with a flick of the tongue and a nibble on the corner of her mouth. Um...what?
But then she laid this at the feet of the reader:
What's up with Julia Quinn and emotional manipulation - Philip's life has been worse and therefore Eloise isn't allowed to complain? I think not. He literally tells her, "Until you've lived through all that don't you ever complain about what we have. Because to me...to me...This-us-is heaven. And I can't bear to hear you say otherwise." Dumping his unresolved trauma on Eloise is not okay, and she deserves much better. He's the worst of the husbands so far (either married into or not). She can't have feelings or opinions because Marina was not Philip's ideal wife. Ew. This was the same emotional manipulation Penelope laid at Colin's feet. Maybe Penelope and Philip should have ended up together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent
jograce88's review
funny
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
gabby_hammer's review against another edition
fast-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 loved the chemistry between Elouise and Phillip, but I was lukewarm about Phillip until the end of the book. My main issues were his intense fear of his role as a parent, and his inability to show compassion for his deceased wife.
I understand that the relationship between him and his children was part of his character development, but it also hinged a lot on Elouise’s presence. In his perspective, he often calls Elouise the family’s savior. Although she played a major role as a prospective mother, I thought that it was also his increased confidence that allowed him to step into his role as a father.
My other issue was his attitude towards Marina. For most of the book, he calls her melancholy and refers to her as a burden. It’s not until the end of the book that he opens up about trying so hard to make her happy and comfortable, but continuously failing. I wish his efforts had been made clearer in the beginning, rather than seemingly dismissing his obviously depressed wife.
I just tried to ignore these 2 red flags and enjoy the book. I was mostly successful. 3.5 stars
I understand that the relationship between him and his children was part of his character development, but it also hinged a lot on Elouise’s presence. In his perspective, he often calls Elouise the family’s savior. Although she played a major role as a prospective mother, I thought that it was also his increased confidence that allowed him to step into his role as a father.
My other issue was his attitude towards Marina. For most of the book, he calls her melancholy and refers to her as a burden. It’s not until the end of the book that he opens up about trying so hard to make her happy and comfortable, but continuously failing. I wish his efforts had been made clearer in the beginning, rather than seemingly dismissing his obviously depressed wife.
I just tried to ignore these 2 red flags and enjoy the book. I was mostly successful. 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
0liviafae's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt
kpham16's review
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
boozyfruitcake's review against another edition
funny
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
tab55's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
Loved this one! I think it is my favourite Bridgerton book so far. emotional topics but made it feel more realistic. The characters felt more real too. I think I maybe just related to the topics in the book more. There was some humour. The love story kept me coming back to find out more. Not a full 5 star book but I really enjoyed it. Enjoyed the writing. Not many complaints just not the most incredible book I’ve ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
maddygrace195's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
4.0
I really enjoyed Eloise's story. The spicy scenes were very spicy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, and Rape
melatiandherwords's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This books should’ve come with all kinds of trigger warnings. And, what an antiquated and insufferable male lead! Sir Phillip, kindly, check yourself! The misogyny was so bad (that’s on the author more than anything). But like, the ‘son with anger management because of an abusive father’ trope is not my favorite. In fact, I just straight up did not like that! Eloise deserved better. The story had so much potential. I am a sucker for step-parents. They are angels from heaven and have touched my life for the positive in so many ways. So why was this such a let down?! Ugg.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Suicide