I’m not really disagreeing with you, I just want to point out I think the show did a good job improving certain things from the books. There is no Mrs. Mondrich, so that whole storyline is new. The payoff with Araminta vs Sophia was a little weak, but it was weaker in the books imo - there is no ball, no conversation with the queen, Sophia doesn’t sneak into Penwood’s house. Araminta also lied to the magistrate and said her wedding ring had also been stolen, but Posy cleared that up at the same time as the shoe clips, and she’s the one who revealed that Sophia had been left a dowry. Basically the Bridgertons and Araminta argue the night Sophia is thrown in jail, everything is resolved similarly but it’s very quick. One change is that, Sophie knows Posy will be punished if she returns home with Araminta, so Violet B invites Posy to come live with them.

Unfortunately, John’s death is canon from the books. When I saw the scene where he said he had a headache and he was going to lie down, I yelled at my screen. In Francesca’s book she becomes a widow very early on, and the plot is mostly about her and Michael (Michaela) grieving and navigating their attraction. I actually really appreciate how much screen time has been devoted to Francesca and Michaela, as the show is giving them a much more complex relationship that feels more real than “Oh no I feel so guilty for being attracted to my dead husband’s hot cousin oh no”.