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.