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fromthefoxhole's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
um this was….fine! i guess? idk at this point, honestly. 2.5, rounded down.
As always, the base archetype is that the rake doesn’t want to be in love (this time because Anthony is 100% sure he’s going to die young like his father, which….okay but also bruh) plus the virginal, always overlooked beauty (but this time, she’s the older sister of the girl the rake first has eyes for). The general idea is that they hate each other - Kate hates Anthony exclusively due to his reputation, and Anthony hates Kate because she isn’t falling all over herself in his presence. And this continues for ages. There’s physical violence between the two of them, hate-lust, and so many arguments about the same things that my vision blurred.
Then, the infamous bee scene hits and they’re engaged because a man can’t put his mouth on a woman to suck out venom without it compromising the woman, i guess.
Anthony’s worst scene yet occurs right after the wedding, when Kate asks for a few days to get her bearings wrt being married and having sex, to which he replies “no.” And then proceeds to be a massive dick about his rights and how she doesn’t have a good enough reason (in his mind) to deny them.
There is more drama (as usual), she falls first (as usual), and then they have happily ever after.
i’m so glad to be done with this series, i cannot articulate this enough. i’m blaming my 2am brain for eyeing the smythe-smith series with anything other than resentment.
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Sexual content
theasi'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
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail
ghostmomxoxo'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
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Alcohol
kkpines'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
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Car accident
picaresquedreamer'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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
lovely_aphrodite's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
mgcalder'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: Classism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: 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, Death of parent, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Car accident, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Body shaming, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Classism, and Pregnancy
annahamburger'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Car accident, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Blood, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Classism
Minor: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
neverlandingonabook'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
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol