Bridgerton: The Duke and I

Julia Quinn

Apr 2015 · Bridgertons Book 1 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

A #1 New York Times Bestseller 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the story of Daphne Bridgerton, in the first of her beloved Regency-set novels featuring the charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shondaland for Netflix.

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. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

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. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule...

This novel includes the 2nd epilogue, a peek at the story after the story.

Ratings and reviews

Julia Quinn had me smiling and laughing right from the start! The Duke and I definitely lived up to it's expectations after watching the TV series. I literally lost track of time reading this book... stayed up late and couldn't put it down! Daphne Bridgerton is a fun, witty and strong female lead that was likeable right off the hop. What a wise beyond her years smart young lady!

If I'm honest I expected the book to be written in the same old timely fashion as Lady Whistledown does, but it wasn't. It's a mixture of modern and old which is unexpected but not bad. In short an easy read. The beginning is kind of slow but when you are about 40% through It picks up and is nice. It won't be added to my favourite books but it was enjoyable and makes me want to read the other stories since they promise to be more exciting.

**Spoiler Alert** I decided to purchase this book shortly after watching a few of the episodes on Netflix. While there are some creative differences between the show and the novel, I felt they were done nicely. This was a splendid romance story up until the very end. The controversial scene in which our two newlyweds are immersing in a drunken coupling after quarreling for days completely changed my perspective of the entire book, and inevitably my opinion of Mrs. Daphne herself. While I suppose Simon could have been a little more upfront and distinct with his new wife about his horrid upbringing and his desire to remain without any children, I feel his character was done even worse by allegedly the only person to show him, true love. Daphne knew very well what she was doing in the moment. She made a conscious decision and adamantly defiled her own marriage. She knew her husband was either drunk or barely awake, and carried on to have sex with him regardless. At least in the show, it could be perhaps mistaken for an accident on dear chaste Daphne's part. After all she was enthralled in the moment. Show Daphne also was unaware of just how horrible the duke's childhood was until after committing the act and seemed to show a bit of understanding after discovering some facts about her husband. Book Daphne's lack of remorse bothered me greatly. Her character actually goes on to mention how she isn't sorry for her actions and it literally drives me mad with irritation. If the roles were reversed it would be outrageous.

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn began writing one month after graduating from college and, aside from a brief stint in medical school, she has been tapping away at her keyboard ever since. Her novels have been translated into 43 languages and are beloved the world over. A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest. Look for BRIDGERTON, based on her popular series of novels about the Bridgerton family, on Netflix.