Asia
3.5 ⭐
Sophie, an illegitimate daughter of an Earl, sneaks away to the masquerade ball where she meets Benedict Bridgerton. After a magical evening, she disappears just as the clock strikes midnight.
Benedict never forgot her, and he never wanted another woman. Until he meets a maid, Sophie, to whom he feels a connection.
This book was a rollercoaster to me. I loved it, then I hated it, and then I loved it again.
I loved the first half up until Benedict recovered from his cold again. I hated how much he pushed and pushed for Sophie to become his mistress, despite her telling him no and no again. And the fact that he blackmailed her into going to Violet's house with him and threatened that he would have her arrested if she didn't, and then when he'd show up in his mother's house to bother Sophie over and over again - I wanted to punch him. Repeatedly.
And I wanted to strangle him when he argued with her in the nursery. I really thought that I'd give this book 2 stars at most.
And then the scene in prison changed things.
Benedict was cruel, dismissive of Sophie's struggles and denials, and took advantage of Sophie in every encounter. I hated him. He partially redeemed himself during the jail scene, which made me root for them again. For a long time, I was baffled that he would get the girl, but he somewhat redeemed himself in my eyes. not fully - I wanted more grovel - but he apologized, which is more than I can say for more male characters.
I loved Sophie; she was amazing and didn't deserve what Araminta put her through. Posy was amazing, and I loved the 2nd epilogue giving her hea.
I finally got to the "I will never marry Penelope Featherington" scene! Colin, to jail with you. I loved how Penelope stood up for herself. "I've never asked you to" was incredible. And Anthony was so amazing when he offered to walk her home. Their bond is amazing, and it seems like he thinks of her as his younger sister.
I'm glad we got the ABC scene. I missed having the sibling bonding scenes. A and B making fun of C was funny. And I loved the sisters' scene as well! EFH were delightful, and I can't believe H is 14 already!
Highlights:
- Sophie's kindness and resolve. I loved her
- Benedict in the jail scene.
- Violet. She was incredible, the real MVP.
= Posy. She deserved better from her mother!
- Sibling bonding! Finally!
Lows:
- Benedict not taking no for an answer, harassing Sophie to become his mistress and threatening and blackmailing her. Ugh.
- Araminta and Rosalind. I hated them.
Tropes:
- Secret identity
- Class difference
- Cinderella retelling
- Insta love
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity
3.5 ⭐
Sophie, an illegitimate daughter of an Earl, sneaks away to the masquerade ball where she meets Benedict Bridgerton. After a magical evening, she disappears just as the clock strikes midnight.
Benedict never forgot her, and he never wanted another woman. Until he meets a maid, Sophie, to whom he feels a connection.
This book was a rollercoaster to me. I loved it, then I hated it, and then I loved it again.
I loved the first half up until Benedict recovered from his cold again. I hated how much he pushed and pushed for Sophie to become his mistress, despite her telling him no and no again. And the fact that he blackmailed her into going to Violet's house with him and threatened that he would have her arrested if she didn't, and then when he'd show up in his mother's house to bother Sophie over and over again - I wanted to punch him. Repeatedly.
And I wanted to strangle him when he argued with her in the nursery. I really thought that I'd give this book 2 stars at most.
And then the scene in prison changed things.
Benedict was cruel, dismissive of Sophie's struggles and denials, and took advantage of Sophie in every encounter. I hated him. He partially redeemed himself during the jail scene, which made me root for them again. For a long time, I was baffled that he would get the girl, but he somewhat redeemed himself in my eyes. not fully - I wanted more grovel - but he apologized, which is more than I can say for more male characters.
I loved Sophie; she was amazing and didn't deserve what Araminta put her through. Posy was amazing, and I loved the 2nd epilogue giving her hea.
I finally got to the "I will never marry Penelope Featherington" scene! Colin, to jail with you. I loved how Penelope stood up for herself. "I've never asked you to" was incredible. And Anthony was so amazing when he offered to walk her home. Their bond is amazing, and it seems like he thinks of her as his younger sister.
I'm glad we got the ABC scene. I missed having the sibling bonding scenes. A and B making fun of C was funny. And I loved the sisters' scene as well! EFH were delightful, and I can't believe H is 14 already!
Highlights:
- Sophie's kindness and resolve. I loved her
- Benedict in the jail scene.
- Violet. She was incredible, the real MVP.
= Posy. She deserved better from her mother!
- Sibling bonding! Finally!
Lows:
- Benedict not taking no for an answer, harassing Sophie to become his mistress and threatening and blackmailing her. Ugh.
- Araminta and Rosalind. I hated them.
Tropes:
- Secret identity
- Class difference
- Cinderella retelling
- Insta love
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity