The Viscount Who Loved Me ( Bridgerton #2) by Julia Quinn
Book Published: 2000 | Show Released: 2022 | Genre: Historical Romance
In January 2021, Netflix released the first season of Bridgerton. I binge-watched the entire thing in one night – it was during a COVID lockdown, and I had nothing better to do (aside from a dissertation I was supposed to be writing, but that’s beside the point). I absolutely loved the show and was instantly intrigued.
A bit of Googling led me to discover that Bridgerton was based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn. Naturally, I devoured every single one, not just the main Bridgerton series, but every spin-off and book she’s written as well. The Viscount Who Loved Me quickly became one of my favourites, and so did its adaptation, which I still consider the best season of Bridgerton: Season 2.
Synopsis
In The Viscount Who Loved Me we are reintroduced to Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elusive bachelor, who we had originally thought showed no indication that he plans to marry. Come to find out he hasn’t just decided to marry – he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his dreams.
Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands – and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister, but she fears her own heart is vulnerable.
Characters
Kate Sheffield vs Kate Sharma
One of the most notable changes is the show’s commitment to a racially and culturally diverse cast in an alternative English Regency era, which I greatly appreciate. Choosing to make Kate of Indian descent added a rich layer of cultural complexity to her character that I truly enjoyed and appreciated. Also, on screen, she’s older, far more assertive, and carries a commanding presence. The pressure to marry is there, but it’s less overt; instead, her strong will and dominance shine through in nearly every scene.
In the book, however, Kate is Kate Sheffield – a white Englishwoman – and her personality is noticeably different. She’s younger, more meek and reserved, only showing flashes of assertiveness during playful quips with Anthony, particularly when she’s defending her sister.
Another difference is Kate’s relationship with her mother. In the book, she and Mary share a warm, loving bond. In the show, however, Mary is portrayed as rather ineffective, and Kate takes on a more parental role. This tension is heightened by the added love triangle (more on that later), but in the books, there’s very little familial hostility at all, a contrast I found disappointing.
Anthony Bridgerton
Book Anthony Bridgerton is, frankly, a bit of a meanie, a touch more of an outright asshole than his on-screen counterpart (if you can believe it). In the show, he comes across more as an overbearing, broody older brother. He’s still highly promiscuous, but he carries more of that “lovable rogue” energy.
In both versions, Anthony wrestles with a fear of love rooted in his father’s death, but the series leans into this trauma much more heavily, arguably overstating it. In the show, his obsession with dying at 40 (like his father) becomes the central reason he avoids love. That motivation doesn’t exist in the book, where his reluctance is driven by different, less melodramatic fears.
Still, the core of his character remains the same in both: flirtatious, charming, and occasionally insufferable, but impossible not to root for..
Edwina’s Role
Edwina’s role in the show frustrates me like no other. I adore Charithra Chandran, truly stunning, and an absolute joy to watch on screen – but the way her character was written felt like such a disservice. In the series, Edwina comes across as sweet but one-dimensional, with her main focus being to find a husband and secure a good match. In the books, however, she’s so much more. She’s perceptive – the first to spot the undeniable connection between Anthony and Kate – and she’s layered, with goals, dreams, and ambitions that go far beyond marriage. Book Edwina knows exactly what kind of man she wants, and it is most certainly not Anthony Bridgerton.
Kanthony – Family Duty
Anthony and Kate’s interactions differ greatly between the book and the show. In the novel, their bond grows out of shared trauma and deep-seated fears — the infamous bee sting for Anthony, and Kate’s debilitating fear of storms. These vulnerabilities become the foundation of their connection.
In the series, however, the writers chose to connect them through their familial roles and sense of duty as the eldest sibling. Kate is not Edwina’s de facto mother in the book, so that sense of “adultification” isn’t part of her character. This is the opposite for Kate in the show.
Show-Kate is a much stronger, more assertive figure, so her fear of storms might not have translated as effectively onscreen. Instead, their relationship is built on mirrored sacrifices — each willing to give up their happiness for the sake of their family. That shared burden is what pulls Anthony toward her so intensely; he understands her, even before he truly knows her.
Plot Differences
Love Triangle Drama
The biggest issue I had with the show was the love triangle drama. In the book, Edwina is never truly in love with Anthony; in fact, she barely likes him enough to consider him a real option, and she bows out of the “competition” fairly early. The show, however, drags the triangle out for nearly the entire season, milking it for dramatic tension.
I found it extremely irritating, especially having read the book first. I kept saying ‘this never happens!!’ The “enemies to lovers” arc between Anthony and Kate could have translated perfectly well without the love triangle. So much of their chemistry in both versions comes from them butting heads, because they’re essentially the same person in different fonts. It was the thing I disliked the most about an otherwise near-perfect season.
The Wedding
Yes, we were talking about that scene, the wedding scene between Edwina Anthony, which was dramatic and oh so pivotal. In the show, this is the first time Edwina notices the stolen glances and underlying tension between Anthony and Kate. The scene culminates in Edwina realising the depth of their feelings and ultimately refusing to marry Anthony. As we know, there is no love triangle. No wedding takes place in the book. However, I love this scene; it culminates the whole build-up that the season has been working towards. The touches, the looks, the yearning all build up to explode in that moment where everyone sees it!
The Library Scene
Kate and Anthony find themselves together during a thunderstorm, a scene that appears in both the show and the book, though with different levels of intensity. In the book, Kate’s fear of storms is deeply debilitating, rooted in the trauma of her mother’s death. Unable to sleep, she retreats to the library, where Anthony, also awake, finds her. What follows is a moment of rare vulnerability for them both, as they open up about the losses of their parents and the effect it has had on them.
In the novel, this is the first time they truly engage in an intimate, heartfelt conversation, making it a pivotal turning point in their relationship. It’s here that their emotional bond begins to solidify, a quiet but powerful step toward love.
Romance Themes
Enemies to Lovers – The Slow Burn
Because the book doesn’t lean on the love triangle as a central plot point, the attraction between Anthony and Kate ignites much earlier and is much steamier. There’s less buildup, more immediate chemistry. For that reason, I think the show delivers the “enemies to lovers” slow burn with far more intensity. We feel everything, every charged glance, every accidental brush of fingers, every heated argument brimming with unspoken desire.
Anthony Bridgerton on screen is an absolute fiend for Kathani Sharma. The way he catches her scent mid-conversation. The moment her cleavage throws him completely off balance. The bee sting scene? Chef’s kiss. The horseback accident? He looks like he would rather die beside her than leave her side. And then, the ultimate payoff: that final declaration of love
“You are the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires.”
God, what a line. If you haven’t already, go back and watch that entire speech again. Pure perfection.
Arranged Marriage
The novel takes a different route, using the “arranged marriage” trope instead. After the infamous bee sting scene, Anthony and Kate are caught in what appears to be a compromising position, leaving Anthony with no choice but to marry her to protect her reputation. From there, the heart of the story becomes about them falling in love after being bound together by circumstance. Anthony spends much of the marriage resisting his feelings, but eventually gives in, proposing a true love match.
And yes, the book delivers its swoon-worthy moments:
“I desire you. I burn for you. I can’t sleep at night because I want you.”
Julia Quinn
Different words..same passion.
While both versions work beautifully, I have to admit: I preferred the slow burn over the arranged marriage (I know, shock horror). Honestly, Shonda Rhimes executed it phenomenally, letting the tension simmer until it was unbearable, and then giving us the perfect release.
Final Verdict
The book and the show each offer something different, and I genuinely enjoyed both. That said, I think the show takes the cake on this one. My favourite part of romance will always be the yearning and watching the slow burn live on screen fulfilled everything I needed.
Of course, with a television series, you get side characters and subplots, neither of which I’ve focused on here, since I’ve kept this post mostly about Kanthony’s relationship and their central arc. But I adored Bridgerton Season 2 as a whole. From Penelope hiding her alter ego from Eloise (and the heartbreaking fallout of their friendship) to the Featheringtons continuing to be the most entertaining family in the ton, it was just a joy to watch.
All in all, I love Bridgerton. I think it’s a fantastic show, which is why it pains me that Netflix makes us wait nearly two years for a new season. The industry is a mess if you ask me.
Anyways….I hope you enjoyed this post. If you’ve read the Bridgerton books, let me know in the comments if you have any strong feelings about the adaptations. I’d love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you enjoyed reading this month’s instalment of the Book vs Screen series!
Do stick around and explore some of my other posts!
Signed,
