The Literary Puff

“You live in a fairytale, princess and I’m about to destroy it.” It’s been six years since I first met Jethro and Nila and during that time, I’ve found myself thinking about them often as my best friend (who first introduced me to Jethro) absolutely loves this series and we’ll often find ourselves chatting about it. I found it a very different experience rereading the series than when I first read it. Having the knowledge of where it goes—even if it is a little cloudy from time—means I know the development these characters have and the journey they go on. From a personal point, I also know the series goes from a three to a five star read for me. Jethro Hawk is a complicated character, there is absolutely no doubt about that and I'll admit, he's a character I struggled to like in this book. He’s cold, he’s a bully and to begin with, there wasn’t a lot I liked. The things I felt when I originally read the story remained somewhat, but I think that in this case, knowing who Jethro ...

“Someday...but not today,” There’s no doubt that Pepper has a unique ability to create worlds and characters that you haven’t met before. She writes love with an intensity that burns from the page and sears soul-mates together for eternity and this story is no different. I really wanted to love this duet—I loved the idea of everything being surrounded by water, that the love story span a lifetime and I adored the way in which the story was told. But Cor Amare left me feeling a little like the first one did, that it didn’t quite deliver on what I hoped for. Cor Amare picks up exactly where we left off in Lunamare —Aslan is on the run and Neri is trying to pick up the pieces and keep him safe. The story is a whirlwind for many chapters and then Pepper lulls us into a place of presumed safety … which of course doesn’t last for long. Strangely I found Aslan most likeable when he was apart from Neri and trying to survive his ordeal. I found his strength and sheer determination to fight in...

I have almost reached the end of the Bridgerton series and I’ll admit—I’m a little sad. Book seven was Hyacinth’s book and it was a mixed one for me—parts were brilliant but there seems to be a bit of a running theme with these books--they start slow, then they get good, then around about the middle you’re thinking it’s slow again but it picks up once again at the end. Hyacinth and Gareth were most definitely a good match. They complimented each other really well and their story had a lot of fun and mischief. Perhaps if I hadn't read When He Was Wicked before this and fallen in love with Michael, I'd have thought Gareth St Clair more devilish ... but in comparison, he's not. Or at least, we don't see that side of him. I enjoyed ‘the hunt’ and the moments that created, I loved that Gareth learned the answer to 'the secret' and I’m glad Hyacinth found someone who she could be herself with and who loved her because of it. Again, it was an easy, light-hearted read ...

I really, really wanted to love this book as I adore Benedict in the Netflix show, but for me, it was just okay. There didn’t seem to be massive amounts of depth to his character. Gone was the arty Benedict who pushed societies boundaries and who didn’t want to step into the normal role of a member of the ton. He didn’t seem to have a sense of humour and he was really not easy to like in various points in the story. He seems, to date, to be the Bridgerton who is the most entitled and arrogant and not in a good way. I liked Sophie in lots of ways but she frustrated me so much too. There were so many times I wanted to shake her about the head. She was so feisty except when she needed to be and I feel like she could have been so much more. There were parts I really liked and there were parts I really didn’t like but overall it was okay, nothing groundbreaking but not awful either and I’ll be honest, I’m left feeling a little disappointed and that’s okay, I didn’t expect to love all the ...

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Anthony and Kate in the TV series on Netflix (I mean, who couldn’t love them? Their chemistry was insane.) so I hoped I would enjoy the book too. There were a lot of changes to the TV show from the book which I didn’t realise and I’ll be completely honest and say I liked some of the changes that were made and I disliked others. I actually think the TV show made Anthony a lot more likeable and the reasons for his behaviour and choices more believable. There were moments in the book that even I found a little ridiculous and I can take ridiculous in books perfectly well. I enjoyed Kate in the book too, she was still outspoken and funny and gave as good as she got which Is what I adored from the show. I loved Anthony and Kate’s banter a lot and often found myself smiling as I was reading. I think it helps that, in my head, I’m picturing the leads from the show which adds a lot to the overall telling of this particular story for me personally. All in all,...

I think everyone has heard of Bridgerton thanks to Netflix , right? On a recent holiday to Europe, I decided to finally dive head-first into these books. I wanted something light, something easy and something sweet and this book certainly delivered that. I think I’m in the minority that didn’t fall for Regè-Jean’s portrayal of Simon, so I’m really glad that this book has me warming to the Duke much, much more. There was a little more depth to all the characters and because you’re reading from their POV, you’re able to understand them all a little more, something that didn’t come across as well in the series for me. You understand Simon’s motives a lot more and for the most part, you can understand why he feels the way he does. He’s still charming and devilish in equal amounts of course and he has moments that made me laugh and swoon—perfect.  I much prefer Daphne’s character in the book to on screen. She’s more feisty and doesn’t allow her brothers to push her around half as much ...