Like so many people in the past month I discovered this series because of the Netflix show. and I think the Netflix show is SLIGHTLY better (such a rare statement for me to even say...) but this is still a fun story.
I am new to romance as a genre, and historical romance at that. The Bridgerton Family is delightful and I am excited to continue reading about their adventures entering into society over the next 7 books.

Knowing who Lady Whistledown is going into the series I actually expected more clues to be laid throughout the series and was surprised at what I felt was ... no clues in this book. Though nothing is lost from the story from that, she is mostly used as a plot device and people are not really trying to uncover her

The main reason I rated this 3 stars was because of two main things
1. "that" scene. While I believe in the 1800s Daphnes actions make sense, she felt betrayed and saw an opportunity to get what she wanted in a time where she had no actual options available to her at that point. HOWEVER, this book wasn't written in the 1800s, and by 2021 standards, and even 2000 standards what she did was rape. Narratively I understand it, but I think it was a poor choice. because of my second point which is more spoilery than this

2. the book wraps up VERY quickly

Spoiler

after a very dramatic fight. Something that just sort of magically goes away through the power of love and no communication. Both sides felt very betrayed and hurt by their partners actions and only Simon is made to apologize and move on. But we really never SEE the healing. We get a lot of them spending time alone being angry, and one scene of them making up and then everythings fine. I know its a romance and the HEA is expected and wanted, but Quinn also chose to include a rape scene and have it be glossed over. There were plenty of ways to have an accidental pregnancy plot that resulted in the same arguments without it being deliberately rapey. So I just had a hard time believing how quickly and neatly the plot resolved

and ultimately I felt like I could have used roughly 50+ more pages to really dig into some proper resolution and reconciliation.

If you like the show, you're bound to like the book but I do think the show cleaned up the rough edges. I know some of the characters and maybe plots of other books have been woven into season 1 so i can't cite the differences as being unique plots quite yet, though there is one that was made for the show regarding the Featherington Family that I think was a wonderful addition to the show and was I was a bit disappointed to learn wasn't a book plot.

RTC. But it was fun. The short version is if you liked the show this will probably be enjoyable