Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

25 reviews

gwenswoons's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I was thoroughly unimpressed by this. I am that person who is actually offended by great books being adapted for screen. This book is not great by any stretch of the imagination, and the TV adaptation is so wildly more layered and nuanced in the storytelling (not to mention…the writing is simply better: less hackneyed, less repetitive, less trite and gender-stereotyped and overall gross). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual violence, Rape, Sexual content, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders

theasi's review against another edition

hopeful 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Vomit

Minor: Pregnancy

readingwithkaitlyn's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Ableism, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Grief, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Racism, Murder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Medical content, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Blood, Terminal illness, and Death

leexpenandpages's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Rape, Violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Infertility, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Cursing, Fatphobia, Murder, Death of parent, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying

siglerbooknook's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

After watching Bridgerton I was sure I would like the book, but never would have guessed how completely I enjoyed it start to finish. 

I don't think a book has ever made me laugh as much as The Duke and I. I adored every character we got a chance to know. I was surprised how little a part Lady Whistledown played in the book. Many of the conflicts in the book were far more satisfying than the show, feeling much more realistic and believable.

I would definitely suggest checking trigger warnings. Even with the show I wasn't expecting so much talk on a few heartbreaking subjects that could be sensitive.

All in all I'm very excited to start the next book even though Ibwas hesitant before having not really enjoyed Anthony's season of the show.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Ableism, and Miscarriage

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Classism, Child abuse, and Death of parent

Pregnancy loss

juliaaaaaa's review

3.5

“No,” he groaned, pulling her closer. “I want to be in your heart. I want—” His entire body shuddered when their skin touched. “I want to be in your soul.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Bullying

Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Gun violence

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Blood

joyfulfoodie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

I have really enjoyed the two tv shows based on this group, so I decided to check out the books. 
Usually I am hands down “the book was better” but I feel like they are both delightful in their own way. I thought it was fascinating that Charlotte isn’t in the book at all - with the new prequel series she has almost become my favorite character so it’s interesting that (so far) she is a Shonda Rhimes creation. 
The same event that was so uncomfortable in season one is featured here, so if you really struggled with that in the show it got its origins here and you won’t dodge it the second time. I won’t say it is easier here, but the mental state of all parties is better explored. Doesn’t make it permissible just gives better insight. The timeline of events after that is different, but worked well in each medium. 

This was probably a 4.75 for me, but rounding up for goodreads. Read a good chunk of it at the beach and I’m almost never able to pay attention to my book consistently enough to make progress while at the beach. 😂😊😎

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Sexual content

Moderate: Pregnancy, Bullying, Violence, Miscarriage, Sexism, Infertility, Abandonment, and Ableism

gellyreads's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Rape, and Child abuse

myinvinciblesummer's review

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

2.0

I am going to have spoilers because I’m going to discuss exactly what scene causes me to say this book needs TW: Rape

I am the one person left who hasn’t seen the show. So this book is my absolute first introduction to the series, except for some still photos of what look to be beautiful costumes in the show. I had no idea what the storyline was beyond the blurb on the back of the book.

This book started off interesting enough. A basic but interesting enough romance story. Was enjoying the book, the pace was both rushed and slow but I was enjoying it well enough. But then(I am now going to discuss TW: Rape)

Then we get to the scene where Daphne rapes the Duke. Absolutely not ok. ABSOLUTELY NOT. And then she dares to be presented as the character that deserves empathy and should be excused because she really wants a kid? Has a tantrum when it’s turns out she’s not pregnant and makes him feel guilty saying why would you care to him? That’s purely manipulative.

The Duke said he didn’t want kids, he was inebriated, but she did it anyways knowing he couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to say no.

The rest of the book, after that deplorable scene, trudges on slowly and is so boring. Daphne is sad. The Duke needs therapy. Daphne’s brothers are all up in her business. Oh but wait suddenly they are ok she raped him. Fine whatever.

The two stars instead of one is because at least the beginning was interesting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual content

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying

baileyjanetee's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Ableism, Abandonment, and Bullying