#it did kinda feel like a bridgerton episode at some points though

[burningflash]

First Love/Late Spring performed by Eclective Strings

[for-ships-that-never-sail]

Okay Y'ALL I saw Episode 5 today and these are the thoughts I jotted down while watching it (PART 2 OF 2)

Please don’t read below the cut if you are avoiding spoilers until you get to watch it yourself 

And FYI some of these may not have any context, but I guess it won’t matter cause you’ll have context in 7ish hours anyway (also sorry about how long all my thoughts and feelings are lol)

Awh Kate you’re so pretty - kinda weird to see her so chill though - she was so stressed all of season 2 that seeing her so serene is throwing me off tbh - I am so happy for you though my love

Also her outfit that looks like a sari is soooo gorgeous I WANTTTT

Love the cinnamon biscuits vs fruit jellies bit

Portia ma'am please listen to Varley FFS

lol I hope they did in fact fuck again like she wanted

Ugly crying at MY MESSSSSS

PARIS? oufff I love how comfortable she is, just casual teasing chit chats with bestie

“Undefended”? Charlotte needs a different hobby pleaseeee

LOLLLLL when did Penelope learn to do her hair and makeup by herself???? Cause there’s no fucking way she would’ve looked THAT fucking good after alllll of that lol

We were going to be KNIGHTS!! OMG sweet babiessss

“as much as I do” I can’t even blame anyone for anything they’ve done or said so far tbh 

This is such nuanced writing — I understand exactly where pretty much everyone is coming from and that’s really nice tbh 

Omg they really do want Cressida to marry a dinosaur 

WTF Cressida you do you girl fuck shit up for Penelope I don’t even care do whatever you have to do and go all out and save yourself cause no one else will I’m so sorry you were ever put in this position  

We have been acting uncouth AS OF LATE??? as of late????!? Omggg Portia girl pleaseeeee you had ONE job and you’re just gonna pass the buck to your daughters instead? STAHP own up to your shit cause you knowwww they bully her because youuu bullied her and the gall to say this is just happening LATELY on top lmao 

Though like in her eyes I always do see remorse too - I think she just lacks courage to ever really own up to everything in full because she’s just so guarded 

Honestly this is such stellar acting 

And also like, Penelope, most of you is your mom my girl - your brains, your overthinking, your inability to just say Yuh I done fucked up my bad lol 

Greg’s hat

Yesssss lord Kent find you some Bridgerton besties 

I actually do love Portia - yeah she’s been a colossal dick of a mom to Pen but as complex women go, I get her - If she makes amends with Pen for them daily microaggressions and general abuse one day, for real for real, she’d be really great 

Omg Mama B and Lady D are such big shippers - wish they didn’t fully cut out the Lady D stuff from the books though le sigh 

Eloise has a point - I agree - she had lotsss of alone time to say it - I understand Pens fear completely, but she must realize that her saying this is still soooo much better than him having to find out on his own - and there is no way he wouldn't - and he’d be more hurt by that part than the actual LW part I think and honestly Eloise is right about her being involved in that painful deception too, I wouldn’t want my own brother to feel betrayed by me like that either, given how often he wished LW ill out loud - and the longer Pen stays quiet the more guilty Eloise becomes as a sister too - If anything her not immediately snitching makes her moreee team Pen than team Colin - this is still a lowkey loyalty to Pen for sure - I think I may have issued this same ultimatum under these conditions too

Omggg JOHNNNNNN stop he’s having a panic attack why did Fran put him on the spot like thissss????

“As you rightly mocked me last season” lolllll

Awh Colin and the toast 

Eloise should nottttt have done her second toast - now THAT part was uncalled for, but I guess they want to keep the stress levels high 

Lmao Kate to the rescue 

I loveeeee how close they are sitting in public - but like… does nooooo one else see this??? Hips glued together? Hands holding??? Just out in the open?? No one thinks this is insanely intimate for a newly engaged couple of the ton??? Even if it’s a love match? None of the older women are clocking this and saying 1. Sit the fuck apart 2. Did yall fuck already cause yall look like you fucked and we don’t even have a wedding date set yet??? Are you not going to even ask for a special license?? You just want her to pop a baby before she technically should and cause more drama?? Like who is in charge of all these fools?? Mama B what is you doing??? Do you not think Colin is being a nasty girl with his wife-to-be?? lol

Lol Anthony I love you, you competitive lil bitch 

Lmaooooo Eloise and Penelope being the smartest bitches of the ton YESSSS

Portia trying to show where Pen's brain comes from lol

Muddy boots panic again 

LMFAOOOOOOO Mama B your face is going a mile a minute right now listening to the muddy boots

"I saw straight away" OH MY FROHN you will end me one day

Pen get your shit together pls grab a brown paper bag or smthn 

Oooohhhhh fuck I get itttttt

Cressida girl my bad I get ittttttt sooooo much more - I didn’t fully understand her thought process behind what we already knew she was gonna do until just nowwww - they really set it up for her well - girl needed an exit and everyone fully offered her one - I have no issues with this at all tbh 

Omg omg this is the most chaotic midnight strike of all time like 6 different things happened at the same time???? 

Well that was some good old fashioned Bridgerton CHAOS Hope y'all enjoyed it too!!!! LESS THAN 8 HOURS TO GOOOOOOOOOO

[cannedkopi]

So, after watching the first 4 episodes of Bridgerton season 3, I have a few first, very, very random thoughts.

Spoilers ahead - you have been warned.

A disclaimer beforehand - all my comments pertain to the characters and storylines, not the actors, who did the best they could with the material they were given. Just so we're clear on this.

Sadly, the rumours were true, and we got only one episode of Kathony in the first part. But damn, they made it count!

Also, I am just gonna say it, it is now officially canon that Anthony loves to eat out his wife. Last season already established that, but this season cemented it. End of story.

I absolutely love Francesca! She is so different from her siblings, being the one who does not want to be in the spotlight and prefers peace and quiet. It is so fitting! Though her comment regarding marrying to just get it over with and especially settling for whatever match the queen might present to her? That gave huge season 2 Anthony vibes.

Speaking of season 2 - Francesca being questioned by the season's bachelors as well as her comment about being "inspected like a rare insect" reminded me of Anthony conducting his interviews when he was looking for a wife. Mhm...

Edwina making a "splendid match abroad" to me means that Edwina marrying Friedrich is now canon. Change my mind.

Good god, Colin is obnoxious and pretentious when he comes back from his travels. How on earth is this man considered a catch? He is self-absorbed and arrogant and I would just like to point out that he is a third son who has learned no trade, never contributed to the family estate in any way and is basically living off of his family's money. I have already read some comments that Colin's new persona is a facade he needs to shed before he truly can be with Penelope just as she needs to come clean to Colin about being Lady Whistledown, and I can kinda get behind that, but let's see.

There were several interviews in which it was said that Benedict will have a newfound purpose this season, and after 4 episodes I am wondering, is that new purpose just taking over managing the estate when Anthony and Kate are on their honeymoon and shagging Lady Tilley Arnold? Because if that is all, then I feel very, very sorry for Ben.

Lady Arnold somehow reminds me of Star Trek Voyager's Seven of Nine. I think it's the hair. Go figure...

Lord Debling is awesome. He's the one new character I want to see more of. Give him a decent storyline for the remainder of the season and maybe a proper love interest. No, not Cressida.

And while we're speaking of Cressida, sorry, but I did not buy the entire "she is only mean because she's been treated badly by her parents" storyline.

That speech Violet gives Colin in the fourth episode? About Colin being "one of her most sensitive children, always aware of what others needed" and someone who rarely puts himself first? And then saying that she can imagine it being wearing at times to live to please others? Did that woman somehow mix up her children? That first part should really have been meant for Benedict and the second for Anthony last season.

The costumes were even less regency than in the first two seasons, and while I get that this is a creative choice and in my mind Bridgerton is a Regency inspired fantasy world anyway, I would have loved to see more era appropriate silhouettes.

Ok, rant over. I might change my mind on a few of the above as I rewatch the episodes and maybe after the second part od season 3 streams, but maybe not.

Did, I enjoy the new season. It was ok. As they say, not great, not terrible. Will I rewatch it? Of course I will. Will I watch the second part? You bet I will. Did it give me inspiration to write something? Very much so.

So watch this space.

[deepbutdazzlingdarkness]

I think @kennyomegasweave tagged me in this OTP meme like...months ago? And I just found it half-finished in my drafts and decided to actually get it done.

1. What ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don't care anymore? 20s, not my teens, but I used to be utterly obsessed with Jack/Kent from Check Please and now, IDEK what happened. I still love them, but I have old fic I saved and never read and can't bring myself to care anymore. IDK it makes me sad.

2. Which ship would you consider your first one? Hmm probably Betsy/Joe from the Betsy Tacy series or Anne/Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables? My first ships when I actually got into fandom were Sawyer/Kate and Sara/Grissom from CSI.

3. Your first fanfic belonged to which couple? Magnus/Alec!!! I never thought I would write fic and then I watched season 1 of Shadowhunters and banged out (lol) 7 fics and almost 30k of porn in less than 2 months in 2016. They all have an insane number of hits (like. the highest has 54,878 hits and the lowest has 15,836 hits.........) and I still get kudos on them almost every day, it's wild.

4. Do you remember the first couple you saw a fanart over? Genuinely no idea, but the first one in my fan art tag is Katniss/Peeta from 2012 <3

5. Did you ever get into ship discourse? My first instinct whenever I see someone talk about something I don't like is to mute/block, so perhaps not actively, but I'm sure I have at some point.

6. Did you used to have any no-otp or have it currently? LOL. Yes. I still fucking HATE Jack/Kate from Lost and always will. Also Dan/Blair from Gossip Girl. Lately...I'm such a multi-shipper but I gotta say Kate/Anthony from Bridgerton bc I've genuinely had to restrain myself from bitching about how much I hate them SO many times since s3 came out lol.

7. Who were the couple in the last fanfic you read? I finished a rewatch of Beyond Evil last night so I've been rereading some of my old bookmarks bc I've read almost everything that's out there 😔. Shout out to the masterpiece simple & clean by whir.

8. Currently, do you have any OTPs? So many!!! Taemin/Kai is still my #1, but also Juwon/Dongsik from Beyond Evil, PatPran from Bad Buddy (it took me several episodes to actually get into the show but once I did I cried...so much over them and how much they love each other LOL), KunTen from WayV, Louis/Lestat...I feel kinda bad that I don't have a major current f/f OTP but I'm literally checking my kpop tags multiple times a week for rule 63 fic and most of my current WIPs are rule 63 f/f so there's that. (Two KunTen including what hopefully is gonna be a long one, plus a Jigyu I started yesterday for a fest that I'm hoping I'll be able to get done - not because of the length, but because I've never written Seventeen before)

9. Is there any couple that, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together? So many??? I feel like I have to say Dean/Cas.......Lee/Kara never really got together so them for sure. Sawyer/Kate from Lost even though I 100% choose to believe they got together post-canon pre-flash-sideways. Oh my god I'm looking through my "forever bitter" tag and it's a lot of Cooper/Audrey from Twin Peaks as I expected, but I forgot about Mini/Franky from Skins. and ABSOLUTELY THEM. Everything about series 5 was terrible but that especially.

10. Is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting? IDK I feel like I don't usually change my mind like that. I wouldn't go as far as saying "kind of interesting" but I guess I don't hate Bree/Roger from Outlander AS much on the show as I did in the books lol.

11. Do you have any ship that, in the past, was considered normal but now you would be cancelled over? Hmm...Cesare/Lucrezia maybe? If not them almost definitely Norma/Dylan from Bates Motel LOL.

12. What was your favorite crack ship? I was gonna say I couldn't remember any that truly fit this definition, but then I remembered the Kent Parson/Claude Giroux series #dirtbags and that was great. Actually no my real answer is Syd/Richie from The Bear. Now *I* don't think it's a crackship but they have that vibe.

13. Who is the couple you read more fanfics of? Here's a side by side view of my most bookmarked ships vs the tags I have saved rn on my front page. Unfortunately you can only have 20 but I think it's a pretty good representation. (Other than the ENHA ship, where I legit don't know anything about them or frankly even what they look like, but that tag produces so much incredible unhinged porn that I read canon-blind.)

14. What most of your ships usually have in common? I feel like I have several different ~types, but: friends to lovers, I LOVE bicker-y couples, age gap relationships, especially when one of them is a mentor-ish figure, and power dynamics in general.

15. What do you absolutely hate in a ship? Nice Guy characters, whether they're a guy or a girl. The OG example is Xander (duh) and Chloe from Smallville but you also see it with characters like Sol on My Stand In...there's def more things I hate but that's one of most major ones for me.

[zalrb]

What are the worst casted (cast) shows do you think in terms of chemistry in terms of like nothing about these shows work?

I am a fan of your blog so I know a few like Riverdale, Shadowhunters (expect for Jace and Alec), The Flash, The Originals. Are there any others?

And then what are some of the best casted (cast) shows in terms of chemistry, in terms of this just works.

Also, why do you think that casting directors get chemistry so wrong? Like Shonda Rhimes is known for working with the same crew on all of her productions and they did Scandal and HTGAWM where the cast just worked well together and the chemistry between all was so well done but now she’s doing Bridgerton where the chemistry is just not there even though she works with the same crew who cast Scandal. So, why do you think that casting directors (not just Shonda) are getting chemistry so wrong?

I read through your “Actors, Directors…chemistry between characters” and they say that it’s something you can’t fake, and it’s there if it’s there. But then why do they get it wrong sometimes? Why cast actors with no chemistry if you can feel it, or you can not feel it?

Hmm, it's a lot easier to talk about shows where it all just works, like The Bear is a cast where the chemistry is excellent

because they all riff off each other incredibly well, hitting all the points, there's a fluidity to that cast that is necessary for everything that they do with each other. For Carmy to call Richie 'cousin' even though they're not related, JAW and Ebon have to have the chemistry to pull off that kind of closeness, to be like family, where you don't feel any hesitation or distance or coldness, they just have to go there

For Syd to go through the various emotions that she does with Marcus depending on the stress level of the kitchen plus that flirty awkwardness, Ayo and Lionel need to have chemistry.

In fact, 2x06, which I consider to be the best episode of the series so far was really interesting because there were moments in the episode that didn't flow as well as other episodes because of all of the guest stars and they didn't have the same kind of fluidity and familiarity that the core cast had, which worked for the episode considering the themes of the episode but I was like, yeah it's a bit more jarring to watch the interactions because they don't have the same kind of chemistry.

Succession is another one where it just works in a way you don't think it does because it's a naturally awkward show but I mean, these are siblings

so i liked when sarah snook said they kept doing the scene over and over and then kieran asked her if he could slap her for real during one take and she said ok and so he did and then something in her reacted the way you would to a sibling and she just went after him. she was like you can see it in my eyes i just turned

and they just started wrestling the way siblings would and that’s the take they used and it makes sense because that scene is really organic.

That 70s Show, when I did the rewatch a few months ago, I re-realized that they had lightning in a bottle with that cast and there was such a commitment that I don't see in shows now

like if you want to talk about a show that really goes for it, T70s isn’t brought up nearly enough, they committed to the physicality of a scene

like in general

and I'm talking a lot about commitment and trusting your scene partner, which is definitely a part but it's not just that. Like in TGP, Kristen Bell commits to Eleanor's love for Chidi, there's a particular scene where she's insisting that they wake him up, and she's explaining why they need Chidi and you hear how much she loves him in her voice and see it in her expressions

I believe Eleanor in that moment because Kristen is committed to the scene but together they don't have romantic chemistry, it just doesn't work in that framing

I talk about the cast chemistry in Breaking Bad

Elite was a quasi-fascinating viewing experience because in season 1, everyone was paired with the people they had chemistry with that it made me forgive a lot, like, a lot of plot and narrative holes

and then from season 2 onward, they started mixing the actors up and it didn't gel as well and I was like, you messed with a good thing.

Gossip Girl was also a cast with chemistry

In terms of shows that don't...I usually block the shows out, lmao.

I can't really expand on this because I only saw half an episode, initium had Supergirl on at her place once and I had such a violent reaction to it that she changed the channel and she never changes the channel when I don't like something, she makes me stew in it (that's how I ended up watching Riverdale and Shadowhunters in the first place) but it was just ... bad, like, stilted and dry and flat, I just remember being like

It's weird to talk about Mindhunter in terms of cast because it's about two FBI agents but I remember, I couldn't get into it, couldn't get into the plot because it was centered around these two agents and they were so stiff and flat with each other and I expected a chemistry like season 1 of True Detective, Woody Harrelson and Matthew Mcconaughey worked well together, they vibed, and immersed me in their relationship, which was tense, and their case.

Regarding why and/or how casting directors/EPs etc. miss chemistry with certain casts or leads, I'm not really sure how that happens, I couldn't guess, haha.

[mermaidsirennikita]

your analysis in the tags made me laugh 😂 i personally think it’s a dream. the shot is blurry and and the sex scenes in s1 weren’t shot that aesthetically/artistically. i thought it was a little stilted and could’ve been more sensual so it would be great if they did improve on it.

wondering what you mean by the wedding night having lost the “let me show you the ways of the secular flesh” vibes though?

To me, it’s way too close a shot to tell if it’s a dream or not—the haziness could be because they’re fucking in front of a fire, lol. But it could go either way, for sure. I do hope they keep his unpleasant!!!! Erotic dreams!!!

Lol teach me the ways of the secular flesh~ is a line from Arrested Development. A very horny virgin says it to her (terrified) boyfriend and I feel it very much applies to romance novels with the classic ~slutty guy teaches indignant virgin how to do sex~ trope. Which is basically every Bridgerton novel except for When He Was Wicked (one reason why WHWW is king).

I kinda wonder if they’ll change this up a bit on the show, btw. I don’t think it’s going beyond s4 and we know Kate is going to be a virgin (there’s no way that wouldn’t have come out in some way), and it seems highly likely that Penelope will remain ~chaste because WHAT ABOUT COLIN!!!! COLIN DESERVES A PURE WOMAN!!!

Anyway, I think that Sophie maaaaaay get some premarital, pre-Benedict action on the show, assuming she is delivered as is. It would honestly fit in well with her background, too—she’s not rich and she’s not upper class, so there would be less pressure for her to remain a virgin until marriage. The entire point of a woman being a virgin until marriage was rooted in veeeeeeeery old ideas surrounding the paternity of a male heir which was largely relevant to people who had money or titles to pass down. Although virginity became a construct everyone eventually cared about to some degree, practically speaking there was much less pressure for a poor girl who was entering a marriage with nothing, to a man who had little to pass down (as Sophie would be expected to, if she married at all) to be a virgin.

And let’s be real, they’re going to have to do a bit of work to inject some spice into that story, because Cinderella just ain’t going to cut it for TV. If Kate and Anthony needed a love triangle (which is debatable, but I do think the story needed more for an eight episode season) then Benedict and Sophie are going to need more as well. Why not have a Sophie who’s not as babe in the woods about life? Someone who would realistically know a bit more about the world after being exposed to its harshness?

[thegottabe]

Let’s do this!

Alright, so I’m gonna liveblog this bench. I was planning to just make one long post, but there’s just too much to comment on and it would be ginormous. So I’ll make one post for each episode. I’ll try to avoid any major plot spoilers. I’ll always warn before I say anything pertaining to them. All that said, here we go...

Episode 1:

The scenery is beautiful. The costumes are beautiful. It’s all so beautiful!

Julie Andrews as the narrator is inspired!

Omg, the bumblebee at the door 😭😭

This is Daphne’s first season? Book Daphne was on her third season and she wasn’t named the incomparable at all. Not loving this change.

Hmm...Marina Thompson. At first, I wasn’t thrilled when they introduced her, because I though “Oh, God, an OC. Is she going to be the Roz of the show?” But then I remembered a Marina from one of the other books. Is this the same one?

Sadly, Colin doesn’t seem as cute and charming as he’s supposed to be. He’s kind of... dorky. Which is fine, except he’s supposed to be a smooth, pretty boy lady-killer and a silly prankster. Maybe he’ll grow on me.

I insta-love Penelope and Eloise. Such cuties!

Simon is a freaking babe, holy smokes! His voice is pure, smooth, heavenly perfection. I die.

Oh, Lady Danbury!!! I love that cranky old biddy! She seems more cheerful than her book counterpart. I liked that she was a irritable grump with a heart of gold ☹️ This show version seems fabulous, but she’s not crotchety enough imo

"Not every woman is a lady." Shut up, Anthony 🙄 

Daphne was spirited and determined in the books. She’s supposed to be kind and funny - the girl all the guys want to be friends with, but not date. That’s the whole reason for her deal with Simon in the first place. If she’s the season’s incomparable, why would she even need a fake relationship?

Benedict is hot af. 

Philippa is a total dolt. I love it.

What? They’ve completely changed the Daphne/Simon meet cute! This makes me sad :( Also, why have they made Nigel so repulsive? He’s supposed to be an awkward/desperate/kind of a drunk pain in the butt, but they’ve gone straight to nasty with this show version, dang!

Okay now I’m seeing some of that Daphne spirit! Yay! Simon was being such a tool, lol. She put him right in his place. Getting strong Lizzy/Darcy vibes and I love it!

Ugh, Anthony! Go have more sex with Siena or something and stop bothering Daphne, good Lord. Why are they making Anthony be such an ass? He's being a total dick and Daphne just sits there and lets him? Book Daphne would never! Why are they making her such a fragile pushover? This is frustrating.

Hyacinth laughing at Nigel’s awful confession lolol

Penelope watching Colin and the look on her face when he calls her “Pen” 😍😭

Seeing both Daphne and Simon take Anthony to task makes me very happy. Roast him, babies! I still don’t like that they’ve made him so awful, though. Book Anthony was Daphne’s friend and ally.

Um...where is Francesca?? Why did they leave her out?! I am not okay with this!! I love her! WTF? Edit:: Okay, nevermind, she still exists. She’s just chilling in the background and no one has said her name at all. 

They really should have done a better job at introducing all of the Bridgerton kids. They made a point of naming all the men, but Hyacinth and Fran are pretty much ignored (as is Gregory, but at least they said his name!). I’m telling you, if they mess up When He Was Wicked, I will not forgive them! 

Um, have I mentioned that Simon is a stone-cold fox? Because oh my God.

Okay, I genuinely hate what they’ve done to Anthony. That bastage dictating to everyone. Like, okay, he’s trying to protect Daphne, that’s great, but his whole “my word is law” garbage is seriously irking me! He’s the kind of dude that makes me SO glad that I’m single and don’t live in a time where I have to be subservient to men. I’m glad Violet chewed him out and set his butt straight! They’ve made him so horrible. I don’t like it.

Colin looking out for Penelope. How could she not love him? He’s still kinda dorky, but I’ll allow it lol

Really not a fan of the Marina plot. It’s typical Shonda-type drama and I’m not a fan. This is the kind of stuff I was afraid of when I heard Shonda was making the show tbh. Unnecessary filler plots. Bleh.

I am very upset that they erased the part where Simon tries to intimidate Daphne with his Manly Manliness™ and she literally laughs in his face. That was the best moment and it deserved to be included, dangit!

Daphne and Simon’s chemistry is beautiful! And the dancing and the fireworks are magical <3 

Final thoughts: 

It’s okay. It has promise. I like the majority of the casting and the writing isn’t terrible, though I have issues with the Queen and Marina’s filler plotlines. They should have spent that time fleshing out Simon’s character. I also dislike how so many of the female characters are watered down. Violet and Daphne have very little spirit compared to their novel counterparts and I’m really disappointed in what they’ve done with Lady Danbury. She was so much fun in the books, all cranky and irreverent; too honest for everyone’s liking, but they put up with her because she was rich and old. This version is too regal and fashionable. Why did they mess with perfection? Also, I’m not a fan of the modern music. I love the Vitamin String Quartet as much as the next girl, but there’s so much amazing classical music out there. I do love the visuals and the costumes, though! Seeing these characters that I’ve loved and rooted for all these years feels magical. Overall, I like it, but don’t love it just yet. The show is cute, but so much of the OG charm is missing. All the little quirks and in-jokes are nowhere to be seen. I appreciate the little nods here and there to the book fans, but it doesn’t make up for what’s left out. It’s intriguing, but nowhere near as clever as the source material. As an adaptation, I’d give it a 6/10. Anyway, on to Episode 2!

[trulyhopelessromantic]

BRITT'S BOOKS '21

Book 5) The Duke & I (Bridgerton Book 1) by Julia Quinn

pages: approx 406 ( I didn't read the second epilogue in its entirety because it contains some spoilers for what I considered the rest of the novels since it takes place when Daphne is in her forties) but I read the 4 pages the author spoke "behind the book"

Started: Jan, 31, 2021

Finished: Feb 17, 2021

Thoughts: To be honest the show itself has more nuances and I would have to read the rest of the book series to understand whether they took some of the material for the side characters advancing their own plots from the other books or whether they made it up but both the book and the show are good in my opinion. And if I may be so bold I think the diversity of the cast and also diverse characters not just skin colour but body types, interests and other things definitely made for a more interesting story without feeling forced in there as some other shows or films have done. I liked this book and easily rated it a 5 because I had little to gripe about with it but if I'm honest the show was more interesting and the courtship (fake to real) was a much better told story. Like the novel itself was good but some of the subtle moments in the show (Simon doing up her cuff, the hands touch as they look at art, the dance under the lights from I believe the 1st episode, the scene in front of the queen (ok not so subtle lol), the 'burn for you' scene (much better played out in the show), posing for their portrait, the final waltz at their party...) There were more moments from the show to pick out as romantic.

Anyway I can’t wait to see more of the show and thus read more of the books. I think the book in this case was a great stepping off point to guide the show but the show for sure gives a better picture painted of the story and also has more ‘meat’ and better dictates the sense of urgency of these characters to: marry, to follow societal rules and not be caught alone, the consequences of any gossip that might incur, the sort of ‘show’ that courtship was in this time and the feelings of more than just Simon, Daphne, Mrs. Briderton (Violet) and Anthony regarding this courtship etc.

But the points that were in the book that remained in the series were well done in my opinion which I think is why it was easy to enjoy both narratives because they’re basically the same thing with a bit of a ‘retelling’ aspect when it comes to the show ^_^

I must also talk about this controversial bit before I go but it’s not for everyone... Under a read-more. Slight spoilers and also: Trigger warning: Rape.

Going into this novel I had seen the tv series. Then I saw on Goodreads someone had said 'why would you ruin this with a rape scene? Hope Netflix does better' and someone replied 'they didn't.' So I'm going into this book like wait what? And I had to examine my morals a bit because I didn't feel as strongly as these readers and didn't immediately consider Daphne's actions as 'rape' against Simon but I also had not read the book.

*** In doing some research and reflection I understand that Daphne’s action of making sure Simon came inside her is an unwanted sexual act and therefore still under the definition of rape***

 I can assume which scene they were talking about (from the show) but had yet to experience the novel's version of events. I will say that the novel's scene is worse in my opinion. That there was alcohol involved and that both characters questioned later on whether it had been 'taking advantage' in that moment made me feel like yeah that was uncomfortable and kinda like rape. I do see how people perceive the show's version of events where both parties were willing participants (no alcohol involved) and then when Simon realizes he can't pull out in time because of Daphne's position then it is taking advantage and people classify it as rape. I understand where they're coming from on that. And I by no means want anyone forced on man and woman alike. But I will say that when I saw the scene in the show for the first time I saw it as a woman who had been purposefully left in the dark for a lot of things in her life and then been lied to by Simon and left ignorant to things by her mother now this young woman taking some power for herself. She absolutely did it in the wrong way though but I don't fault the entire book or the entire tv series for one moment of a wrong decision. Like mentioned earlier though I’ve since done some research and I mean no harm or disrespect by putting forward my thoughts previous to this research.

[enhas-bestie]

My finals actually did go well but yes, at the same time exam time is a bitch - leaves you feeling like a zombie (atleast in my case 💀)

TOO MUCH CREDIT???? nah tay (can I call u that? I assume that's what u go by from ur blog description?) I have been a fan of ur smaus since that heeseung one (+ the Jay enemies to lovers kinda fic - can't forget that 👌) and till now I haven't been disappointed 💅🏽

Ohhh and I have been checking out some series too. The recent one I think was alchemy of souls - I'm still waiting for new episodes + I have been rewatching bridgerton s2 and still crying out how they did kathony dirty(absolute shit promo) (made them a subplot in their own season hello ✋😭 I have been coming on Tumblr n writing essays on it bcoz it's the only thing I can do 🚶🏾‍♀️)

Also yes I will have to finally leave home to study after the admissions are done (which is after all the results are announced). This will also be the first time leaving home for me so as excited I'm for the future, it's also somewhat daunting - I just know I'll be homesick after a week at most lol (but I'll have to move on and do my best to fit in 😅)

Oh really?? I'm so glad for you! To be honest, I'm not really sure how mine went, but I didn't get an email telling me to write supplementary exams so ig I either passed or I failed so badly that I didn't even qualify for it💀 I get my results next week so ig I'll find out soon🤪

And yes ofc you can call me Tay! Pls I'm genuinely glad you liked my stuff so far (hope I don't disappoint in the future🤧) . And my Jay ff😭 Pls I'm genuinely still planning on doing little dabbles for that one!

I'm not really a big series watcher rn,, though I do know which ones ur talking about! But idk plot wise😭I always SAY I'm gonna watch them, but I never end up doing it. I was literally watching business proposal a few weeks ago but I stoppes on like episode 8 and never looked back😔 but Alchemy of souls you say? My friend mentioned it as well! Is it any good? Cause I might give it a watch. I think the 2nd lead from extraordinary you is in it right?

Also, on leaving home for the first time💔 It's probably inevitable that you will get homesick, but hopefully wherever you're going will treat you well🤍 I know it would be super challenging for me. Especially bc I don't think I'm able to make new friends easily, but at some point we all gotta leave our safety net😭 Time flies tho, so hopefully once you get into the swing of things you'll be able to adjust and not miss home so much🤧 But those are worries for later, right?