Probably the best book in the series next to When He Was Wicked.
This was full of plot twists, unexpected turns, a lovable heroine, and what’s most surProbably the best book in the series next to When He Was Wicked.
This was full of plot twists, unexpected turns, a lovable heroine, and what’s most surprising considering previous books, a lovable hero!!! I’m so glad Gregory didn’t turn out to be a violent, sexist asshole ...more
No one is more surprised than I am that I adored this book so much.
After the 5th book in the series, I was ready to quit. I wasn’t really enjoying thNo one is more surprised than I am that I adored this book so much.
After the 5th book in the series, I was ready to quit. I wasn’t really enjoying the series, some plot choices were making me uncomfortable and even pissing me off. But then came this book and made the whole experience worth it.
If you’re thinking of reading only one book in the Bridgerton series, please read this one. It was filled with so much heart, and everything felt so real... the angst was exquisite and the sex scenes... woah, just damn. Finally, after getting the same repetitive and formulaic sex scenes in every book, this was a fantastic upgrade.
My favorite part was Michael, our main hero. And that was such an unexpected surprise, considering my main issue with previous books were the men and how they were the epitome of toxic masculinity.
Now I need to keep reading in hopes of getting more Michael and Francesca. I need to know if they have kids!! I’m not kidding when I say I’m 100% Invested....more
When you’re reading a romance and all you can think is why the protagonist would stay with that asshole for one more moment, you know the romance isn’When you’re reading a romance and all you can think is why the protagonist would stay with that asshole for one more moment, you know the romance isn’t working.
I’m starting to see a pattern in all the male protagonists in this series and I can’t say I’m impressed. They all have a terrible temper, get furious easily and act quite violent. They make remarks about women I’ve tried to ignore again and again. And in general, they all display what we know as toxic masculinity.
In this case it was worse because he was a terrible, awful father. And as a mother myself, I couldn’t overlook that. And the way this particular plot point was resolved simply left me unsatisfied and frustrated.
Too many awful things happened, and the resolution was at best tame and late. I’m starting to see one of the problems in these books is the pace. The stories tend to drag on and the resolution is usually quick and rushed....more
I’m bumping this to 3 stars because I loved the ending. But unfortunately, Colin went from one of my favorites Bridgerton brothers to my least favoritI’m bumping this to 3 stars because I loved the ending. But unfortunately, Colin went from one of my favorites Bridgerton brothers to my least favorite...
Under all that easy going, playful, charming smile, there was a rather prompt to anger and violent man. I didn’t really like the way he reacted to certain events and his rage and violence left me quite disturbed.
At some point, he thought he must leave or he’d physically hurt Penelope. Another time, he squeezed her arm hard, knowing he was hurting her and wanting to. He went from nice and charming to furious and abusive in a split second. It gave me whiplash and a migraine.
In addition to that, the trope of popular, charming gentleman who, after 10 years, finally sees the less popular, former wallflower now spinster, needs to be done very well to work. He must have real reasons to notice her now, and they can’t be in any way related to her appearance or I’ll throw the book at the nearest wall. In this case, there was really not reason for Colin to finally notice Penelope. He just does and goes from total indifference to lusting after her in practically the same scene.
I had many issues with him, especially related to Penelope’s secret. But the ending was everything and much more than I expected.
I’m finding issues with these books but at the same time, I’m invested at this point so I guess I’ll finish the series ...more
Ohhhh god, this was so good! I love historical romances about high born gentlemen falling in love with lower class ladies. The conflict feels m[image]
Ohhhh god, this was so good! I love historical romances about high born gentlemen falling in love with lower class ladies. The conflict feels more real and the stakes are higher than in other type of historical romances. I live for the yearning and the angst.
In this case, I felt like the author knew how to solve things without losing the touch of magic and romanticism we all expect from these books.
After what happened with Colin and Penelope in this book, I can’t wait to read the next!...more
This one has one of the best enemies to lovers in historical romance novels. Their hatred for one another is the kind of stuff I live for.
The first hThis one has one of the best enemies to lovers in historical romance novels. Their hatred for one another is the kind of stuff I live for.
The first half of the book is pure perfection in that regard. Their banter and how angry they make each other was such a delight to read. And then, when they started to slowly realize the other one isn’t that bad, and you get to see them falling for each other against their better judgment, I was having such a blast...
Then it all kind of went downhill and things got messy and weird.
First off, I hate it when in a historical romance the couple already has feelings for each other, but instead of talking to each other, they are found in a “compromised position” and they have to get married without knowing the other is also in love. I just can’t stand the misunderstanding trope, it irks me so much.
And then, once they got together, the plot kind of deflated. There was no conflict, no fight, nothing. It was silly because they just loved each other, but the author created a plot device to make them finally confess their feelings for each other. It just cheapened the whole thing a little bit.
I'm giving it 4 stars because the first half of the book was really, really good. But I'm sad the ending wasn't satisfactory :( ...more
As a whole, it was an excellent read. But a particular scene ruined it completely for me. Even though I loved the story, This is a hard book to rate.
As a whole, it was an excellent read. But a particular scene ruined it completely for me. Even though I loved the story, the humor and the couple, that infamous scene and the lack of resolution or consequences coming from it, was just too awful.
The fact that Simon is such a tragic and misunderstood protagonist made it all the worse. What she did to him felt like insult over injury considering the abuse and neglect he suffered his whole life. And her lack of remorse only made her character turn from charming and sweet to cold and narcissistic.
I’m going to keep reading in preparation for the Nexflix show, but I’m hoping nothing similar happens again in the next books in the series please ...more
This is my first Lisa Kleypas and I must admit I’m thoroughly impressed. This was such a well crafted childhood friends to lovers to enemies to loversThis is my first Lisa Kleypas and I must admit I’m thoroughly impressed. This was such a well crafted childhood friends to lovers to enemies to lovers. I’m not giving it a full 5 stars rating because I can’t deal with the miscommunication trope but it was almost bearable in this one....more
This was my favorite book in the series so far. So many of the key elements of this book are close to my heart, it felt like it was written for me. WhThis was my favorite book in the series so far. So many of the key elements of this book are close to my heart, it felt like it was written for me. Which is silly, but seriously, hear me out:
⭐️ There was a lot of discussion about photography. I’m a professional photographer.
⭐️ There was a lot of discussion about socialism and how to better workmen’s lives. I’m a socialist.
⭐️ There was a lot of discussion about feminism and the living condition of women in all social status, which previous books didn’t have. I’m a radical feminist.
⭐️ There was a very interesting literally discussion on Wuthering Heights and I love that stupid classic with all my silly heart.
⭐️ And this romance is based on the myth of Hades and Persephone and I love those two idiots and almost all their adaptations.
So you see, I didn’t have a choice but to love this book.
But on top of that, the romance, oh my god. It was so good, I wanted to die.
“I shall now forever live with the knowledge that without you in it, the world would be a strange place, and I should never be at home in it again.”
Lucian Blackstone is my personal wet dream. Just the idea of a brooding, jaded man, with a very tragic past, who’s not used to caring and who can be ruthless… and watching him unravel into love-infused madness… the way he softened and did anything for Hattie. Geez, he simped hard, and that’s always something I love in a man.
Hattie was a big surprise for me. I thought I knew the character based on previous books but her mind was unknown in many aspects, and I loved how we saw her grow and mature and learn what she wanted from life.
The way this was a romance book but it didn’t sugar-coat what had happened between them at the beginning of the story and how that kind of wrong cannot just be forgiven and forgotten was such a nice surprise.
Usually, in a romance book, the main Hero does something awful at the beginning of the story but by the end, the main Heroine has forgiven him because she loves him. And I get, it happens plenty in real life. But I loved to read Hattie loving herself enough to leave a marriage she hadn’t originally wanted even though she now loved the man. And how she fought to have the kind of relationship and marriage she wanted.
I’m hoping we get more books from this universe because the romance genre truly needs more of what these books are giving....more
I’m starting to suspect that the dark, disfigured yet hot hero is a very strong trend in this genre, but this book gave it an interesting twist presenI’m starting to suspect that the dark, disfigured yet hot hero is a very strong trend in this genre, but this book gave it an interesting twist presenting a blind scarred hottie and I absolutely loved it.
The banter and chemistry between the two main characters were everything I dig in a romance. ...more
Valkyrie ✨
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romance-historical
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