This post contains affiliate links.
Bridgerton fever is sweeping the nation and I for one, am not mad about it.
But I digress. I’m sure many have been scampering to get their hands on the Bridgerton books, myself included, though they are hard to find at this point in time because someone really was unprepared for how much people would love the show because people continuously overlook the popularity of romance for reasons (re: misogyny). But I digress again. I have managed to get ahold of all eight Bridgerton books and have read the first four so far. Not going to lie, I have mixed feelings, but here are some of my general thoughts on Bridgerton books 1-4.
The Duke and I (Book One, Daphne’s story): So first and foremost, big content warning with this book. Daphne rapes Simon. Just want to be really clear about that going in. Also, Simon in the books is not Black. This book actually was my favorite until the rape scene. Daphne and Simon’s fake dating plan, their banter, the sexual tension, it was all great. That was all ruined for me when Daphne assaulted her husband. Duke and I is the very definition of problematic fave (though it definitely did not make my list of faves). There is some great writing and fantastic moments, but it all changed for me when I got to that scene. This is the only book I read before watching the show, and it did make me a little weary going into the series (the show did not do much better handling that scene, btw).
The Viscount Who Loved Me (Book Two, Anthony’s story): Of the four books I’ve read so far, this one was probably my favorite. Anthony and Kate also have great banter and I loved how strong she was as a heroine. I didn’t love that we got a second version of the you ruined her now you have to marry her plot device, but I think it worked okay in this instance. Anthony’s alpha-ness worked for him in a way I don’t think it does for the other Bridgerton brothers, maybe because show Anthony is pretty in line with what we see of him in his book, in my opinion.
An Offer from a Gentleman (Book Three, Benedict’s story): I was excited for this one because I really like show Benedict. And I liked a lot of aspects to this story. It’s basically a Cinderella retelling, which I do think is a little odd for a third book in a series that so far has no other retellings, but I went with it. My main issue with this book is that Benedict is mean. Like there is no other way to put it. He says some shitty things, to our heroine and to others. Maybe I would have been more accepting of that if he were like that in the show? I don’t know. In general, I don’t love that in my heroes to begin with and this one felt really different from my preconceived notion of him.
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Book Four, Colin and Penelope’s story): I was probably looking forward to this one the most because I love show Penelope and I love show Colin. Show Colin is a cinnamon roll, and I am very much here for the best friend’s older brother, friends to lovers storyline. Unfortunately, book Colin is as mean as Benedict. I really loved Penelope’s character arc, especially that she is older when her book takes place. I like that she has her own money and her own career and that she doesn’t need Colin. But I wanted him to love her as much as she loves him and I just didn’t feel that. Again, because he’s mean. I don’t want my heroes to be mean, especially right now.
It’s very strange reading these books because there is a lot about each of them that I don’t like, and yet I can’t seem to stop reading them. I’m flying through them and reading them very quickly because my interest is piqued, but I just don’t really like any of the Bridgerton siblings. Some of it surely has to do with how I feel about the show, but it’s an interesting concept no matter how you look at it. What do you think of the Bridgerton books and show?