Ori
So okay, maybe to understand the score I gave this book, you should know: I think I’m really into the “he fell in love first and harder, and it consumes him completely, and he’s obsessed with her while she doesn’t realize it” trope.
This is a Bridgerton book, and as you can imagine, it is exactly like what you’d expect from one. However, I should make a full disclosure: I’ve only read two other books from the series before this one, and I don’t think I’ll read more. But among the ones I’ve read — the one about Daphne (the first in the series) and Anthony’s, Francesca’s book (this one) is the one I liked the most (though I’ve read Anthony’s book twice, I’m not sure why, and I’m pretty sure I cried while doing it).
This is a second-chance-at-love story. Francesca loses her husband, and the male lead is her husband’s cousin and best friend. So both of them are tortured by the idea of falling in love with each other. It’s a book about grief and moving on — though not in a particularly deep or profound way.
You don’t need to read the other Bridgerton books to understand this one, so if you want a light read and you’re really into romance, go for it. You’ll probably enjoy how Michael (the cousin) reflects on his love for Francesca. Although major improvements could be made to create a deeper story, it has good potential. Still, there are a few things that aren’t properly developed, which would’ve made the book stronger if they were. Also, this book doesn’t have a lot of dialogue — it’s more a description of the protagonists’ feelings and thoughts. Do with that information whatever you like.
In conclusion, this is not, by any means, a romance on the level of Pride and Prejudice (though, can we even count Pride and Prejudice as romance?). But it’s also not a trashy romance either, it’s somewhere in between “I enjoy it but will not read it twice, but probably if I am in a major depressive moment I will do it”. Again, do with this information whatever you like.
So okay, maybe to understand the score I gave this book, you should know: I think I’m really into the “he fell in love first and harder, and it consumes him completely, and he’s obsessed with her while she doesn’t realize it” trope.
This is a Bridgerton book, and as you can imagine, it is exactly like what you’d expect from one. However, I should make a full disclosure: I’ve only read two other books from the series before this one, and I don’t think I’ll read more. But among the ones I’ve read — the one about Daphne (the first in the series) and Anthony’s, Francesca’s book (this one) is the one I liked the most (though I’ve read Anthony’s book twice, I’m not sure why, and I’m pretty sure I cried while doing it).
This is a second-chance-at-love story. Francesca loses her husband, and the male lead is her husband’s cousin and best friend. So both of them are tortured by the idea of falling in love with each other. It’s a book about grief and moving on — though not in a particularly deep or profound way.
You don’t need to read the other Bridgerton books to understand this one, so if you want a light read and you’re really into romance, go for it. You’ll probably enjoy how Michael (the cousin) reflects on his love for Francesca. Although major improvements could be made to create a deeper story, it has good potential. Still, there are a few things that aren’t properly developed, which would’ve made the book stronger if they were. Also, this book doesn’t have a lot of dialogue — it’s more a description of the protagonists’ feelings and thoughts. Do with that information whatever you like.
In conclusion, this is not, by any means, a romance on the level of Pride and Prejudice (though, can we even count Pride and Prejudice as romance?). But it’s also not a trashy romance either, it’s somewhere in between “I enjoy it but will not read it twice, but probably if I am in a major depressive moment I will do it”. Again, do with this information whatever you like.
First of all, it is important to know and understand that in order to get the feeling Emily Henry's books are known for—that experience of catching yourself crying in the middle of a sentence, having an ache in your chest and thinking, “Okay, Emily, that one felt so personal”—you probably need to have daddy issues. And I mean the kind of issues that come from not having a present father and knowing that the type of relationship you can ask for with him is not the kind you desperately wish you could have.
Second is not her best book (it's not even in the top 3 or 4), but it's still a good book. She knows how to write romance—and do it right.
So, if you read it and didn’t like it: congratulations, you don’t have daddy issues (or maybe you do, but you're not that damaged).
If you did like it: you have daddy issues.
First of all, it is important to know and understand that in order to get the feeling Emily Henry's books are known for—that experience of catching yourself crying in the middle of a sentence, having an ache in your chest and thinking, “Okay, Emily, that one felt so personal”—you probably need to have daddy issues. And I mean the kind of issues that come from not having a present father and knowing that the type of relationship you can ask for with him is not the kind you desperately wish you could have.
Second is not her best book (it's not even in the top 3 or 4), but it's still a good book. She knows how to write romance—and do it right.
So, if you read it and didn’t like it: congratulations, you don’t have daddy issues (or maybe you do, but you're not that damaged).
If you did like it: you have daddy issues.
