The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1)

by Julia Quinn

'Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest soon follow'.
– Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 30 April 1813.

After enduring two seasons in London, Daphne Bridgerton is no longer nave enough to believe she will be able to be marry for love. But is it really too much to hope for a husband for whom she at least has some affection?

Her brother's old school friend Simon Bassett—the new Duke of Hastings—has no intention of ever marrying. However, newly returned to England, he finds himself the target of the many marriage-minded society mothers who remain convinced that reformed rakes make the best husbands.

To deflect their attention, the handsome hell-raiser proposes to Daphne that they pretend an attachment. In return, his interest in Daphne will ensure she becomes the belle of London society with suitors beating a path to her door. There's just one problem, Daphne now in danger of falling for a man who has no intention of making their charade a reality.

Reviewed by nora on

1 of 5 stars

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lol wtf?

I was only really familiar with this series through the songs written by Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow. So I thought this would be warm and fuzzy with a dash of melodrama, and the romantic build up in the first half of the book fully supported that. And I honestly wish I'd stopped halfway, because the arguing, drunkenness and forcED PROCREATION (yuck) in the second half was just not it, honey! Bye.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 December, 2021: Finished reading
  • 17 December, 2021: Reviewed