Review: The Duke and I
Title: The Duke and I: Daphne's StoryAuthor: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgerton #1
Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 464
Source: Library
For: Personal Interest
Rating:
Sexual Content:
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Goodreads Synopsis
In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince--while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable ... but not too amiable. Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. And, amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society--just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule...
My Thoughts
I decided to read THE DUKE AND I because the audiobook was available to borrow from my library and I really enjoyed watching the first season of BRIDGERTON on Netflix. I’m glad I decided to read the book because it was such a fun, steamy historical fiction.
I really loved the setting of Regency era England, abound with rules and etiquette. It was fun to see some of the characters trying to skirt those rules for a few seconds of privacy. I loved the themes of family, forgiveness, redemption, and love conquering all.
Despite that THE DUKE AND I is a historical romance and takes place during the time of one’s reputation being the most important thing, there are plenty of swoon-worthy moments. I really loved Daphne and her courage to help Simon, the Duke of Hastings, overcome his past trauma, showing him that love is more powerful and healing than anger and resentment. I loved the instant connection and attraction between Daphne and Simon. I especially loved the sexual tension between the two of them.
THE DUKE AND I is not only a historical romance, it’s also a thought-provoking story that deals with hard subjects like child abandonment, child abuse, betrayal, forgiveness, and healing from trauma. Though some of the scenes are hard to read, I thought the story was profound and heart-felt.
The edition I read had a second epilogue written after Quinn received many requests to know how the characters were doing. It’s set 21 years after the events in the main story. Even though I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the life Daphne and Simon had together, I thought it was a bit much due to its length.
I look forward to reading more books in the Bridgerton series and hope that I’ll like Daphne’s family as much as I liked her.
Have you read THE DUKE AND I? If so, what did you think?
Trigger Warning
There is a trigger warning for loss of a parent, death during childbirth, child abandonment, child abuse, miscarriage, and sexual assault.
I read the one where her husband dies and she ends up with his cousin. It was OK but not a great level of writing. For Regency romances I tend to stick to Mary Balogh, Joan Wolf, and Georgette Heyer. Perhaps I’ll give another book in the series a try; I may have just gotten an inferior one.
This may just not be a series for you. I guess, if you really want to, you could try another of the books. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably just move one to another book or series.
I’m glad to see you enjoyed The Duke and I! I’ve read the first four books in the Bridgerton series but still need to continue the series. Hope you’ll like the rest of them too!
Cool. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. I finished reading the second book and loved it as well. I just haven’t written a review yet. Too busy with school.