Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

more photos (3)

The Duke and I

(Bridgertons #1)

Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)

3.90 · Rating details · 155,827 ratings · 12,730 reviews

A #1 New York Times bestseller

From New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the first novel in the beloved Regency-set world of her charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix.

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address ...more

Get A Copy

Paperback, 464 pages

Published June 11th 2019 by Avon (first published January 5th 2000)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Duke and I, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

With Their Backs to the Reader

865 books — 251 voters

To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning

Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks

The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Historical Romance that should be made into a movie

174 books — 65 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.90 ·

Rating details

· 155,827 ratings · 12,730 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Duke and I (Bridgerton #1)

Nov 24, 2019 Merphy Napier rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, one-star, romance

Okay here we go. I read this because it's my friend's favorite and she wanted me to give it a go. I think it's important to try new things because I've fallen in love with genres this way. Unfortunately, I really didn't like this, and here's why:

What I liked:
- The build up for this romance was really well done. The characters had great chemistry when they were falling in love.
- My initial intro to the characters was great, easy to latch on to them
- The male MC has a stutter. My son has a stutter Okay here we go. I read this because it's my friend's favorite and she wanted me to give it a go. I think it's important to try new things because I've fallen in love with genres this way. Unfortunately, I really didn't like this, and here's why:

What I liked:
- The build up for this romance was really well done. The characters had great chemistry when they were falling in love.
- My initial intro to the characters was great, easy to latch on to them
- The male MC has a stutter. My son has a stutter and seeing the Duke's struggle hit me in my mommy heart.

What I didn't like (oh boy here we go)
- Our female MC was really smart... until she wasn't. Then she was really *really* not. Daf has four brothers. We're reminded of this a lot. She's really wise, sassy, and knows that the Duke is a "Rake" (player) with lots of experience, which doesn't intimidate her. Until the night before her wedding. Suddenly, the girl knows less than a houseplant. (view spoiler)
- The Duke SUCKS (view spoiler)
- Daf SUCKS even MORE (view spoiler)
- There are no consequences. (view spoiler)

So basically, this was a really abusive and disturbing relationship where both parties didn't treat the other one with any respect at all and were selfish the entire time. But it's painted as a really cute romance. Sure, the characters are meant to be seen as flawed, but it still looks romantic. I would disagree. I don't see this as a romance at all.

I know this is a well loved book so just to be clear, I'm not telling anyone what to love or hate - just writing how I felt while reading this book. <3 ...more

flag 892 likes · Like · see review

View all 85 comments

Lola Andie wrote: "No matter how well educated Daphne “thought” she was because she had brothers, no well bred young woman in 1813 England would have known Andie wrote: "No matter how well educated Daphne “thought” she was because she had brothers, no well bred young woman in 1813 England would have known how babies were made. Brothers or no. Her brothers would hav..."

I can't think of any instance in which Jane Austen remotely discussed this, but there are at least two subplots -- one in P&P and one in S&S -- where a young woman is seduced by an unscrupulous man and gets herself into trouble. In both cases, the girls are very young -- 15. So Austen had to be quite aware of what that "trouble" was and that it required marriage (or total social disgrace, perhaps even poverty & death)!!! that means Jane Austen had to pretty much know about sex.

I do think some young women entered marriage -- even in the 20th century and maybe still -- with an alarming lack of knowledge. Read "Coalminer's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn! (or see the film) I also think in some very religious, restricted communities where they have arranged marriages, this may still happen.

I discuss some of this in an earlier post, so please read it. Being 100% ignorant of sexual matters is NOT a recipe for "super hot sexy fun times" but for a young girl to be miserable, possibly physically uncomfortable and not get any pleasure out of it. It is very unlikely you'd go from "totally clueless virgin" to "super sexy erotic geisha" in a few days, as in this novel.

I should emphasize though, that while it is POSSIBLE a girl would not know ANYTHING about human biology, it wasn't LIKELY or that common. This was also a very bawdy age, with more graphic books and imagery than you might imagine -- also people talked! and women discussed things like childbirth and wedding nights. Most MOTHERS or older married sisters would not want a young daughter/sister to go into her wedding night totally unprepared! that's almost cruel, honestly.

(I have to say, I do not think a young girl wanting information on SEX would EVER turn to her brothers -- even if she had no mother, and Daphne has a very nice, kind mother. She'd turn to a married woman, relative or friend. ...more
Feb 28, 2021 06:21PM

Lola Stephie wrote: "Yikes to everyone saying this isn't rape..."

I'm sorry, but while I think this couple -- Simon and Daphne -- are a disaster! because th Stephie wrote: "Yikes to everyone saying this isn't rape..."

I'm sorry, but while I think this couple -- Simon and Daphne -- are a disaster! because they do not communicate, they lie and deceive one another, and manipulate one another -- what happened in that one scene just is not rape -- not in 1813 and honestly you'd have a really hard time prosecuting it as rape TODAY.

I'll go over it ONE MORE TIME.

1. Consent is a very modern idea, and until the 1980s, there was no rape in marriage. It was considered that the marriage itself entitled both parties to sexual intercourse (and children).

2. There was no birth control in 1813, or really at all up until the 20th century. Even then, there was no 100% effective birth control until The Pill in 1961!!! so there was no way for Simon to do what he planned -- have all the sex he wanted, but "pull out in time". Withdrawal does not work. (Look it up!)

3. Daphne had a legal and moral right to children from her marriage. And Simon had no "opt out", except for celibacy. Since he was NEVER celibate -- he was sexually active BEFORE the marriage and sexually active WITH Daphne -- he had surrendered his right to be child-free.

4. Because we have very effective birth control today....people like you think that conception is a CHOICE....that you must consent to getting pregnant, you can decide when to have children and how many and if you get pregnant by mistake...you can just have an abortion.

That was not true in the past. Man + Woman + Sex = babies. There was no way to stop it, and abortions were very dangerous before antibiotics. If you had sex, you had babies. If you absolutely could not and would not have a child -- you had to be celibate. Period.

****

So what Simon wanted (or more accurately, author Julia Quinn wrote) is completely bizarre and would have never happened. On top of this, Simon's whole "plan" makes no sense. If he has no children, the title does not "end". It simply goes to a cousin, nephew or other male relative. It's a stupid plan, and it CANNOT WORK because he is not willing to be celibate. ...more
Feb 28, 2021 06:28PM

Jan 06, 2020 chan ☆ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, historical-romance

why would you ruin a perfectly good romance with a rape scene. just because it was a guy doesn’t mean it’s not rape!!!!

hoping the creators of the netflix adaptation uh change that

flag 1095 likes · Like · see review

Feb 23, 2015 ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Recommended to ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) by: Navessa

Shelves: romance, someone-please-pass-the-booze, my-friends-corrupted-my-soul, tstl-characters-r-us, cure-for-insomnia, i-break-out-in-a-rash, i-must-be-mad, challenge-accepted, decaf-diet-and-gluten-free, suicide-inducing

This review is dedicated to my dear friend (haha) Navessa who was thoughtful enough to challenge me to read this book. (view spoiler)

My name is Sarah and I'm a survivor.

Yes I am. Because I have done it. I have read all 384 pages of this Historical Romance masterpiece. And I am still alive to talk about it. Someone please give me a medal.

Where to begin? The possibilities are quite ...more

flag 577 likes · Like · see review

Jul 18, 2010 Laura rated it it was ok · review of another edition

review posted on Got Fiction? Books

2.5
A lot of my GR buddies love this book, and a few have recommended it to me. So I ordered it, and up until a certain part in the end, I really was enjoying it.

I won't feel bad about the spoilers in here, because this is an older book, and a ton of people have read it.

I liked Daphne, and I really liked Daphne and Simon's interactions, witty reparte, banter. all of the above. Obviously they were meant for each other, and not in the sickeningly sweet sort of way ...more

flag 251 likes · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2020 Warda added it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I am not sure what to rate this book so for now I’m leaving it blank.

I mainly read this because Shonda freakin’ Rhimes is creating the Netflix series. And also because I adore historical romances and Julia Quinn is well loved.

Up until the scene, this book was pretty much perfect. The introduction to the Bridgerton family was amazing. The relationship that began to develop between Daphne and Simon was equally as amazing. Their buildup and their overall chemistry was one of the best things I’ve ...more

flag 225 likes · Like · see review

Mar 09, 2010 Catherine rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, series, sucked, england, historical, fluffy, rape-abuse

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I never thought that I could have a whole book spoiled for me by one action, but this book proved that I could. What's so irritating about this is that I was enjoying the book. I liked the character's amusing dialogue and the friendship the developed.

Things did start to go a bit downhill for me when Daphne chases Simon down at the duel. I don't get the most optimistic feeling when I see someone willing to die rather than marry. I know it wasn't Daphne in particular, but when the hero has so much I never thought that I could have a whole book spoiled for me by one action, but this book proved that I could. What's so irritating about this is that I was enjoying the book. I liked the character's amusing dialogue and the friendship the developed.

Things did start to go a bit downhill for me when Daphne chases Simon down at the duel. I don't get the most optimistic feeling when I see someone willing to die rather than marry. I know it wasn't Daphne in particular, but when the hero has so much baggage that death is preferable to his other options I know the road ahead is not going to be smooth. I started to get nervous about how something with that weight would be handled by the author. She has skill but in all the books I've read by her they all seemed very light and not really serious at all. I was willing to go along for the ride though.

In some ways I wish I had stopped reading half way through and never got such a bad taste in my mouth. I know that Simon lied by omission in letting Daphne assume he wouldn't have kids because he couldn't have them. But who can really blame him? He was ashamed of how he was when he was a kid. If he would have said he just plain wouldn't have kids she would have demanded to know why and he would have had to explain all his humiliation. Who would willingly do that? She had to maneuver him into marrying her in the first place. He would have rather died in the duel than marry her and be put in that situation! She was even the one that initiated the situation that led to them having to marry! She seems to forget it was all her idea toward the end.

I just can't help but think that the whole conflict in this book was manufactured by Daphne. The way the book was written seems to make Simon seem like the bad guy when what she did to him was unforgivable. I was ready for Simon to find someone new after that. I can't believe he came back and actually apologized to her. She tried to take a baby from him by force! I'm sorry I know he was into it, but he was drunk and didn't realized she wouldn't let him pull away at the end. When he realized he started struggling. That right there is force. If a man had done that to a girl there would have been a lot more people upset by it.

I know that Daphne made a token statement about being okay with him not wanting kids if it was for the right reason, but I doubt that. She was consumed by the thought of children like she wouldn't have been complete without them. Besides, she may not have agreed with his reasons, but who is she to try and say he doesn't have a right to feel that way?

I don't know if I'll read anymore of her. I've read her other Bridgerton books (and decided to finally read the 1st one) and I thought most of them were ok, but this one really disturbed me. I don't know if I want to risk feeling like that again. I read to watch two people fall in love, not to watch someone try to force her husband to impregnate her. ...more

flag 200 likes · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2019 Nenia ✨️ I yeet my books back and forth ✨️ Campbell rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: regency, kissing-books, historical-romance

Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest

I think it's been a while since I've seen such an even split among my friends when it comes to how they rated the book. Half my friends loved THE DUKE AND I and the other half apparently hated it. The Bridgertons series is Julia Quinn's most famous historical romance offering so I've been wanting to read it for a while, but I'm not unfamiliar with her work. In my opinion, she's a bit notorious for over-aggressive heroines who come across ...more

flag 185 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2016 Katerina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, regency

“Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?”

Well my Mama refused to find me a duke, even though she is desperate to see me settled down (apparently, I am a spinster at the ripe age of 24). In fact, she laughed at the idea, and then started her "stop reading-start living" lectures, while arranging to introduce me to the Lady of the Caramel's son, who is "rich, young and available"(I think available is her most important quality). Me, well, ...more

flag 171 likes · Like · see review

Feb 07, 2016 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: ranty-review, m-f, audiobook, narrator-amazing, everyone-else-loves-it, price-was-right-2-99-or-less, romance, losing-the-v-card, historical

Disappointed. Actually, disappointed doesn't even begin to describe it.

*Unpopular opinion time*

Once upon a time, I wasn't into historical romance. I thought they were silly and anti-women, and I wasn't even interested in trying them. Thankfully, I discovered historical romances by Tessa Dare and Courtney Milan, and I fell head over heels for the genre.

I'm thanking my lucky stars that I didn't try this book first because I fear I would have never read the genre again.

I've been meaning to try th ...more

flag 167 likes · Like · see review

Jun 14, 2012 Literary Ames {Against GR Censorship} rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance, laugh-out-loud, library-books, british, 1st-in-series, series-abandoned, rape, controversial-taboo, read-in-2012

It's okay to rape your husband. (Source: Chapter 18 onwards.)

Up until this chapter The Duke and I was on the road to four stars. Four and not five because of:

➜ Anthony's behaviour after witnessing his friend's mouth on his sister's chest in the garden of a house party, challenging his FRIEND to a duel after Simon refused to marry Daphne on the grounds it would make her unhappy because he couldn't give her what she'd always wanted i.e. children and therefore happiness. If Simon really was a frien It's okay to rape your husband. (Source: Chapter 18 onwards.)

Up until this chapter The Duke and I was on the road to four stars. Four and not five because of:

➜ Anthony's behaviour after witnessing his friend's mouth on his sister's chest in the garden of a house party, challenging his FRIEND to a duel after Simon refused to marry Daphne on the grounds it would make her unhappy because he couldn't give her what she'd always wanted i.e. children and therefore happiness. If Simon really was a friend, Anthony would've asked more questions about the why and been more tenacious in getting an accurate answer instead of jumping into a duel where he'd be forced to kill his friend;

➜ The following duel scene the next morning when Daphne outright lies to Simon about others, besides Anthony, witnessing their intimate act to prevent Simon from being killed in the duel and to force him to marry her, followed by Simon omitting the fact he won't have children and instead says he 'can't' have them so he doesn't have to tell her his very personal reason why.

I swallowed these things hoping it would come out later and they'd forgive each other in the end.

What I was not expecting was Daphne's grotesque arrogance and selfishness in taking advantage of her drunk husband after she found out the truth, denying him sex and companionship, and not allowing him to pull out during sex so she could have the children she'd always wanted. They'd been MARRIED TWO WEEKS, there was plenty of time to discuss his problems, his worries, about even contemplating children and instead she takes the choice from him against his will as he struggles with her once he realises her intentions.

After what Simon's father did to him Daphne's behaviour is even worse because she knew about Simon's stuttering and his father's abandonment of Simon because of this. And then two months after Simon leaves her he finds he misses her and he CAN'T REMEMBER WHY HE LEFT IN THE FIRST PLACE, thereby excusing any wrongdoing on her part. But not only that, Daphne sends her angry brother after Simon without telling him she was the reason Simon left and not Simon himself.

So, four stars to one. If the gender roles had been reversed I'd expect more people would've been outraged at the rape. Completely ruined a perfectly good book, and my first, and possibly the last, by Julia Quinn. ...more

flag 166 likes · Like · see review

View all 34 comments

Emotonal Reads Thanks for letting us know,k I will stay far away from that one.
You there are quite a few modern romances, that has the hero treating the heroine very ...more
Feb 24, 2021 07:08PM

Lola Allie wrote: "@Lola Wow, denying spousal rape itself! You little bitch, you! No one wants 2021 morals in the 1800s, but the fact is modern writers of Allie wrote: "@Lola Wow, denying spousal rape itself! You little bitch, you! No one wants 2021 morals in the 1800s, but the fact is modern writers of Regency romance are NOT restricted 100% by the social mores o..."

Allie, I am not denying that TODAY IN 2021...there is absolutely a legal concept of rape in marriage. It is a prosecutable offense. However, in every case I've read about....it is a man who forces his wife into having sex when she clearly says "no" (in advance) and when she is sick, in pain, too tired, overwhelmed with childcare, just after giving birth and so on.

I have never heard of an example where a man made a legal claim against his wife for RAPE because she somehow "physically overwhelmed him" and compelled him to ejaculate inside of her, even though he didn't want to ejaculate inside her during sex, because he was (secretly) using it as a method of birth control and did not want children.

That's because TODAY... the defense lawyers for the wife would say "but sir, if you didn't want children... why were you having sex without contraceptives in the first place? or having sex AT ALL?" and honestly there's no good answer here for this.

Because the underlying inherent FLAW of this novel is that ... withdrawal doesn't work as birth control. Definitely it would not be "100% effective" so Simon's goal, to never have children and let his title die out, can't possibly work. (On top of that, the author and Netflix series seem unaware that if Simon died without an heir, the title & property would simply go to his nearest male relative.)

So to answer your point -- and calling people "bitch" for disagreeing with you is very poor manners -- you can't really have historical fiction, if you impose every moral of TODAY onto the past. In fact, you can't have Regency Romances AT ALL because they are entirely posited on a nasty patriarchal system that keeps women "pregnant and at home", denies them educations and jobs, denies them their own money or even inheritance and even denies them legal custody of their own children. HOW CAN YOU TOLERATE THAT? is that seriously less "evil" than a man who is tricked into ejaculating into his wife (with the two of them deeply in love and having sex 6 times a day as it is)?

The "trick" here is to get him to father a child, but the stuff I mention above is literally keeping 50% of the population of Regency England -- all the females -- literally in a kind of slavery! and furthermore, it's nothing "new" because it describes "almost all women, for almost all of human history".

How can that NOT be triggering you?

On top of that, even if a plot device or character is not to your liking, I don't think any of us have the right to tell an author what they can or can't write. That would lead to the most awful sorts of censorship, because (to use my examples above, again)....EVERYONE has some kind of beef with this book (and with many other such books). The males are too alpha -- there is no black or LGBQT representation! -- we need to see some feisty feminists! -- why should they have a KING instead of a Queen and a matriarchal monarchy?

It's not weird mental gymnastics. I read all kinds of books, in all kinds of genres -- I'm not even a big romance novel fan, though I have read enough to have seen LOTS where the MAN is the aggressor (and I think Julia Quinn was trying hard (TWENTY YEARS AGO) to upend that, and make the female empowered (and this is the thanks she gets!). LOTS and lots of male characters who seduce, "ravish" and even rape the female characters, and I've never heard this degree of rage from readers (or TV viewers).

(My reason for posting is that this is one novel I did read -- just the first one, The Duke and I, and years ago -- and I was flabbergasted to see it developed into a huge, expensive and popular TV series! if I was a betting woman, back 15 years ago when I first read the novel....I would have never in a million years thought "this is TV mini-series material!" and "this will influence romance novels and series for a generation!" -- so whatever you or I think of Julia Quinn or Netflix, this story has resonated with tens of millions of reader/viewers.)

As far as Outlander: I know what it is, but I've never watched it nor read the novels. But again, I know it is tremendously popular, so if there is some objectionable rape scenes here.... there are clearly readers who are NOT offended by it. ...more
updated Feb 27, 2021 08:28AM

Feb 02, 2019 Mo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audible, favourite-ever

UPDATE, after watching the NETFLIX series ...

Please watch it. It is fantastic - I adored it. Loved the casting, the set, the acting ... The Duke, Daphne! It was beautiful ...

--------------------------- ORIGINAL REVIEW(s) below ...

I know, I know ... not another listen/read of this one? Well, when you are in a bit of a book slump go back to an old favourite. Seriously, I will never tire of reading this series. I am awaiting the Netflix series with a bit of trepidation... in my mind I have my visi ...more

flag 144 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2018 Chan rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Once upon a time in a make believe world...
Jane: I love you, but I can’t marry you. I can’t have children and I want you to be happy.

John: We were seen kissing. If we don’t marry, they shall literally burn you at the stake. Please marry me, Jane.

Jane: Only if you understand that I cannot have children because I know how badly you want them.

John: I understand.

Jane: Okay. I’ll marry you.

A few weeks later...
John: Why do you have birth control pills?

Jane: To prevent pregnancy.

John: I thoug ...more

flag 121 likes · Like · see review

Dec 10, 2018 Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: liked-audiobook-version, reread-worthy, historical-romance, read-in-2018, listened-to-on-audio

4.5 Simon makes my heart stutter Stars

The Duke and I has been on my TBR list for years, but I just never got around to reading it. Now I can't believe I waited so long. I wasn't two chapters into this book before I knew two things for sure 1. I loved the Bridgertons and 2. Julia Quinn would be a new favorite author. This book grabbed me right out the gate. It captivated my heart, and I fell in love with this big, loud but sweet family. This book was cute, at times sad and had me laughing out ...more

flag 122 likes · Like · see review

Nov 23, 2020 Christy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-new-to-me-author, 2020-audio

4 stars

There were rules among friends, commandments, really, and the most important one was Thou Shalt Not Lust After Thy Friend’s Sister.

I've been trying to read more historical romance novels this year and I've obviously been failing... but I'm so glad I listened to this one. Honestly, I really want to watch the series next month so I made time for this. I loved it. Daphane and Simon were fantastic and I can't wait to read more from this series.

Audio book source: Libby (library

...more

flag 100 likes · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2021 Arini rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: unhauled

Read, Unhauled
2021/01/23
Audiobook

2.5 Stars

Simon & Daphne = Dumb & Dumber

I’m officially starting my journey with this series. Whether or not I’ll read all the books, we shall see since I’m not exactly off to a good start with this one. Do I have to read everything first if I want to watch the Netflix adaptation? I mean, of course I don’t have to, but will watching the show spoil ALL the books? Or is it one season based on one book? Please, lemmeknowww!

Anyway, this book. Simon’s stutter endears hi ...more

flag 97 likes · Like · see review

Feb 05, 2021 Kevin (Irish Reader) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

I was giving this book 3 stars right up until the ending. It ruined all of my previous enjoyment of the book, unfortunately.

I did a full spoiler filled reading vlog/review on this book on my YouTube channel. If you’d like to know my thoughts on the book, you can watch that video here: https://youtu.be/idoDMGyn0-o ...more

flag 94 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2008 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of light Regencies with a bit of angst

Shelves: historical-romance, a-to-z-author-challenge-q, part-of-a-series, less-than-perfect-hero-or-heroine, tortured-hero, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek, shotgun-marriage, hero-i-liked, reluctant-to-have-kids, owned-copy

When I read a book, I want to become involved emotionally. A book that does that is more likely to be highly rated. Such was the case with The Duke and I.

I have a sickness, an infatuation for tortured, dark, conflicted heroes. The happy-go-lucky guys don't capture my imagination nearly so much as their darker counterparts. Fortunately, Simon was tortured enough to keep me happy.

The beginning of this book was brilliantly done. I was already captivated with Simon, the future Duke of Hastings. My h ...more

flag 85 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2020 Bethany rated it it was amazing

So...writing this review is tricky because there is a very controversial scene in this book that a lot of people (pretty understandably) hate and it has soured them on the story. I knew going in that such a scene existed, even if I didn't know all of the details, and that may have colored my experience.

That said....I loved The Duke and I! And cannot wait to read on in the series. I fell in love with the characters, the world, and the tone almost immediately. From Lady Whistledown to the entire, So...writing this review is tricky because there is a very controversial scene in this book that a lot of people (pretty understandably) hate and it has soured them on the story. I knew going in that such a scene existed, even if I didn't know all of the details, and that may have colored my experience.

That said....I loved The Duke and I! And cannot wait to read on in the series. I fell in love with the characters, the world, and the tone almost immediately. From Lady Whistledown to the entire, boistrous Bridgerton family and their hilarious yet strong matriarch, to the banter and comedic situations involving Simon and Daphne, I'm here for all of it. I do want to address the controversy because it is sensitive, but also I don't know the last time I felt this connected to and invested in a romance series right off the bat. I can already tell it's something I will want to reread in the future.

That said, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the scene in question takes place after Simon and Daphne are married. It's a complicated situation, and from this point on, you should expect spoilers....

SPOILER WARNING!

Things to know: Simon started speaking late and had a stutter. His complete asshole of a father called him stupid and wanted nothing to do with him. Now his dad is dead, but he has vowed never to have children and doesn't plan to marry. Which gets complicated when he gets frisky with Daphne and must marry her to preserve her reputation....

Daphne (like most young women of her day) has never taken sex ed and therefore knows virtually nothing about sex or how conception works. This leads to some hilarious scenes and conversations, but it's also tragically historically accurate. So when she marries Simon, she doesn't realize that when he says he "can't" have children, what he really means is he "won't" have children. Nor does she realize what he's doing when he pulls out every time they have sex. Simon takes advantage of her naivete, even knowing her intense desire for children, and basically lies to her for months. Honestly, I found his behavior to be pretty reprehensible and selfish, even if we understand that it's rooted in trauma.

So when Daphne learns more about how things work and realizes she has been lied to, it sets off an understandably giant conflict where she (rightly in my opinion) tells Simon she will no longer be in his bed. He gets very drunk and comes home asking her to stay with him and be with him. This sets the stage for more horrible behavior where Daphne has sex with him and basically refuses to let him pull out. Whew. Okay, so there are people saying this is basically marital rape. And reading the scene...kinda? It certainly has elements of dubious consent at the very least.

The thing is, it's not painted as okay, or as sexy in the book. It's very clearly portrayed as wrong, but I also think from the perspective of a sheltered, relatively powerless young woman at the time, I kind of get it. Selfish? Of course. Both of them are selfish and do terrible things, but for me that was part of the point and part of how they learned and grew together. And the behavior doesn't occur in a vacuum either- I think the author does a fantastic job of creating a nuanced portrait of what each of them has experienced and how that shapes their choices.

I am glad that a child didn't end up as the product of that night. I would have had a harder time dealing with that, but it's a non-issue. I also want to say, because I knew there was some kind of potentially problematic scene going in, it was obvious to me from pretty early on what was going to take place. I hear some people say they were blindsided, but for me it was like watching a train barreling down the tracks. And it's a real issue too, not that dissimilar from real life women who "forget" to take their birth control in hopes of having a baby their partner doesn't want. Because while people are calling this rape, it's not actually the sex that was unwanted. It was the potential pregnancy. Which still isn't okay, but I appreciate that the author was engaging with that issue.

I've been mulling over my thoughts on this for awhile before I wrote this review because I do know it's a controversial one. To readers who hated this and want nothing more to do with these characters, that's valid, especially if this is a personally triggering issue. I imagine if it was written today rather than 20+ years ago, the author might handle it a little more carefully (admittedly we maybe could have used a bigger conversation about what happened between the characters later on), but I found it to be compelling and thought-provoking, and most of the book was just a whole lot of fun and made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions! I'm also super curious to see how they handle things in the Netflix adaptation. But guys, I loved this book. So very much. ...more

flag 80 likes · Like · see review

Aug 11, 2014 Liz* Fashionably Late rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: alternating-povs, are-you-f-kidding-me, liz-against-the-world, all-the-wrong-choices, please-god-forgive-them, the-shelf-of-shame, you-disappointed-me-honey, 1st-in-series, holding-the-mysterious-breath-again, read-2016

I don't wanna be that guy but let Aunty Liz tell you a spoilerish story! gather 'round, dear children:

A loving husband, very much in love, is eager to start a family but his wife is not mentally ready yet. She's been through a lot so she asks him to wait. She needs time to heal.

That night, the wife enters the bedroom a little drunk. Yeah, she's been drinking, my children, don't drive if you're drinking. Anyways, the wife is very drunk so she goes to sleep. Suddenly, the husband lures her with k ...more

flag 81 likes · Like · see review

Apr 10, 2020 Nicole rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020, romance, historical-fiction

I was surprised when I discovered this book is gonna be a tv show. I mean are we going ignore that rape scene? But maybe, just maybe, since tv adaptations are rarely loyal to the real thing, they’ll ignore that scene. And won’t include it in the tv show. Spoilers or not I no longer care. This is unacceptable and if genders were reversed the book and tv show would’ve received hate to no end. Please guys tell me how most are raving about the tv show and ignoring what happened in episode 6? He clea ...more

flag 87 likes · Like · see review

Feb 12, 2020 Cait (Caitsbooks) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, historical, romance, disappointed, not-ya

Check out this review (and more) over on my blog!

Quick Stats:
Overall: 1/5 Stars
Characters: 3/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4/5
Awesomeness Factor: 1/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Duke and I had the potential to be an amazing book, but one scene ruined it all for me.

// Content Warning: Child Abuse & Neglect, Rape //
Trigger Warning: I will be discussing the handling of rape and non-consensual sex a lot in this review

Release Date: 1/5/2000
Publisher: Avon Books
Page Count: 384 pages
Premise:

Th ...more

flag 72 likes · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2018 Starr (AKA Starrfish) Rivers rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-series, authors-i-used-to-love-but-don-t-an, historical-romance

I read this book a LONG time ago. And since then, I've LOVED the Bridgerton series. (Until the last several years when the writing went way downhill).

BUT, I will recall this start fondly, tho it's not my fave of the "good" Bridgerton books. It nevertheless made me fall in love with an author for that time in my life.

Well, I can't tell you all that much about the writing of the book now, looking at soooo many years ago, but I CAN tell you that 1) I would prob not like it as much now bc my tastes ...more

flag 83 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2018 Elena C. rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance, reviewed

Julia Quinn writes delightfully funny banters.

Julia Quinn has an obvious knack for romantic comedy.

Julia Quinn can turn the simple act of taking a glove off into something sensual.

Julia Quinn is utterly confused about what constitutes consent and what doesn't.

*spoilers ahead*

Just imagine: you've repeatedly stated that you do not want to have kids. You're taking every possible measure to ensure you don't end up pregnant. But hey, your partner knows best. So the day you have way too much to drink ...more

flag 70 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Wendy'sThoughts rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Julia Quinn Fans, Historical, Romance

5 Whistledown Netflix Stars
* * * * *
February 21, 2021- If you are interested in the Original Lady Whistledown from History, this video tells all...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEVHL...
February 2021
Congratulations, Being #5 of Amazon’s Most Popular Romance Novels of 2020!
January 21, 2021-Psssst, Lady Whistledown Has News!
Dearest Readers,
The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honor to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season...In the Spring of 2
5 Whistledown Netflix Stars
* * * * *
February 21, 2021- If you are interested in the Original Lady Whistledown from History, this video tells all...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEVHL...
February 2021
Congratulations, Being #5 of Amazon’s Most Popular Romance Novels of 2020!
January 21, 2021-Psssst, Lady Whistledown Has News!
Dearest Readers,
The ton are abuzz with the latest gossip, and so it is my honor to impart to you: Bridgerton shall officially return for a second season...In the Spring of 2021, production shall begin...
This Author has been reliably informed that Lord Anthony Bridgerton intends to dominate the social season...
This is all I am disinclined to report on the particulars at this time...Patience, after all, is a virtue.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistedown

January 8, 2021-Happy New Year! This Interview with Nicola Coughlan is very good BUT has SPOILERS https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020...
12/31/2021, I can't seem to stop! Happy New Year To All<333
and Here is A Profile on Nicola Coughlan, Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZTv...
12/30/2020-UPDATE-There has been many articles about this series, whether they be positive or negative. On Bustle.com, they have quite a few articles covering all sorts of perspectives. One that might be of interest is from the Showrunner, Bridgerton showrunner Chris Van Dusenand, about the controversial scene that has been a main focus of discussion. It will have MAJOR SPOILERS so please be advised.
https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/...
12/26/2020 Here is my take on this series...It had all the beauty I imagined when reading, all the sets, costumes, flair...it is all there. It also had all of the pain of the times...and by seeing it, acted out, the unfairness of what being a woman was of the times was front and center.
Now having read historicals I am aware of these circumstances and even when characters may seem confused or weak or just silly, I will take into consideration my thinking was not the thinking of the times. It allows me to be patient with the tales. I think this is why the series was a binge pleasure for me.
I do plan on re-watching it for there is much to take in. I also think the second season shall hold true to Anthony's declaration of no love for him.
December 25, 2020-Bridgerton, Netflix
The first episode had all the costumes, pomp, and quick remarks. Set it up extremely well.
5 Discovering Quinn Stars
UPDATE December 16, 2020-OMG, OMG, OMG, LOOK!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpv7a...
UPDATE December 10, 2020
In the ramp-up to Netflix's debut of the Bridgertons, Julia Quinn has done an interview with Shandaland. Here is the interview and also a detailed article about the Regency era so as to understand all that will be going on...for those, not like us, who will be new to the times.
Enjoy <333
https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a3...
https://www.shondaland.com/inspire/a3...
UPDATE-Rejoice! Bridgertons Are Coming To NETFLIX 12/25/20!!!!
The years 2012/2013 were life-changing for me. Much happened and through it all, I discovered Julia Quinn. I also discovered goodreads, too, and I will always be grateful.

I loved discovering this family, the adventures, and the coupling of all of them. There was humor, sly, sexy times, and life lessons galore.

At some point, I know I will re-read these books because whenever I think of them, I remember the feelings they caused. Just knowing I was going to be taken to another time, filled with romance, was a new experience, and worked to soothe my soul. So thank you, Julia Quinn.

The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn

The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)
Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons, #4)
To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5)
When He Was Wicked (Bridgertons, #6)
It's in His Kiss (Bridgertons, #7)
On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons, #8)
The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

...more

flag 66 likes · Like · see review

Nov 01, 2020 Holly rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, historical-romance, 2020-read

2.5 stars

How in the world are they going to turn this into a Netflix series?! It's coming out on Netflix on Christmas Day and is produced by THE Shonda Rhimes, but seriously I have no idea how they are going to pull it off because there are some SERIOUSLY QUESTIONABLE things going on in this book. (12/28/202 UPDATE: I have now watched the Netflix series, that comparison is at the end of this review) The book starts off great - I loved the introduction to the large Bridgerton family, they felt li 2.5 stars

How in the world are they going to turn this into a Netflix series?! It's coming out on Netflix on Christmas Day and is produced by THE Shonda Rhimes, but seriously I have no idea how they are going to pull it off because there are some SERIOUSLY QUESTIONABLE things going on in this book. (12/28/202 UPDATE: I have now watched the Netflix series, that comparison is at the end of this review) The book starts off great - I loved the introduction to the large Bridgerton family, they felt like such a real family with different personalities but lots of love and exasperation between them all, especially between the oldest four siblings. I even initially enjoyed the romance between the MCs, Daphne and Simon. Their plan to pretend a courtship in order to make Daphne appear more desirable to other men and to protect Simon from having to deal with banal young women and their pushy mothers, is carried off well enough. But then we get to a scene where they are together in a garden and from there the book starts to go down in my esteem. And then we get to a drunken moment and it basically plummets to the point of no return. How they are going to represent that scene in particular on Netflix, I am VERY curious about. Because seriously, it's messed up. We shall see!

12/28/2020 Update: I have now watched the entire 8 episode Netflix series and I am happy to report that I really enjoyed the adaptation. The tv series introduced some new character lines and even some new characters and the series is so much better for it! I recommend watching it, though it's definitely meant for mature audiences. Be prepared for a lot of extra drama and farcical content though that is not in line with the historical context (for example, the musicians at the ball play Ariana Grande).

But you may be asking (if you read the book), what did they do about THE SCENE? It appears in episode 6 of the series and here is the very spoilery comparison of book versus Netflix for those who want to know:
(view spoiler)[
In the book: Daphne and Simon have sex, he ejaculates on the bed per usual, and suddenly Daphne has an epihany about why he is doing this. She confronts him and gets confirmation that he indeed was lying by omission when he said he "can't" have kids when really it was "won't" and used her ignorance about marital relations to avoid ever having the conversation. Of course telling someone they are unable to make you pregnant is a completely different thing than telling them they refuse to make you pregnant. She understandably gets angry, they fight, and he eventually goes out and gets drunk. He returns home drunk and they fall asleep in bed together. In the middle of the night he is aroused despite being inebriated and basically asleep, so Daphne takes advantage of the situation, purposefully gets on top and prevents him from pulling out when he comes. It's terrible.

In the Netflix series: Daphne suspects something is up, so she corners her maid Rose and demands that she explain in detail exactly how a woman gets pregnant (we don't see Rose's response, the scene cuts away). When we next see Daphne and Simon together, they are both sober (thankfully!) and are having sex per usual, but Daphne pushes Simon down so she can get on top. He enjoys the novelty of it and as he comes close to coming he realizes what is about to happen and says something along the lines of "Daphne wait" but then quickly (presumably) comes inside her. She rolls off the bed immediately afterwards and only THEN confronts him about how he took advantage of her ignorance to keep her from getting pregnant and he just confirmed it. They then argue about can't vs won't and why he was purposefully avoiding having children.

I leave it up to you to decide if you think the tv version of events was better than the book. Personally, I think removing alcohol and sleep from the situation, and having the revelation of Simon's betrayal only fully come out AFTER Daphne betrays him in turn, makes it less horrible. It's still a bad situation but it seems to me a bit less rape-y since at that point he was awake, sober, and had never explicitly told her he didn't want to ejaculate inside her (he was consenting to the sex itself the entire time). I still feel icky about it though.
(hide spoiler)] ...more

flag 64 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2009 Shawna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of regency romance, steadfast heroines, & tortured "I can't give you what you want" heroes

Shelves: historical-romance, angsty-dark-heavy-lotsa-drama, author-julia-quinn, audiobook-narration-great-fabulous, i-read-listened-to-audiobook, hero-uber-damaged-scarred, historical-romance-regency, hh-endured-traumatic-past-asurvivor, aar-top-100-romances, hh-aristocracy-nobility-royalty

Re-read/listened to the audiobook version Oct'2018:

5 stars (with some quibbles) - Historical Romance

The audiobook narrator was great, and overall, it's still a 5-star read for me. But I will say, I didn't like or agree with the heroine's actions. (view spoiler) ...more

flag 59 likes · Like · see review

Jul 17, 2014 Nadia rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: eyes-are-rolling-and-face-is-palmed, cheesy-attacks, dumb-dumber-the-heroine, nope, awesome-side-characters, could-ve-been-good-instead-it-s-meh, stupid, did-it-for-the-lolz

Some spoilers ahead, so consider yourself forewarned.

Oh where to begin...

I suppose the beginning was not that bad. The characters were a little bit flat, but it was interesting enough. Cheesy, but readable.
The part when they kiss for the first time was hilarious. I'm not really sure if it was intended, but still.

But then, as Daphne became increasingly pathetic with every chapter, and Simon became an even bigger asshole, the book was quickly turning from readable to insufferable.

And then it culm ...more

flag 57 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2020 Jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, needs-review, audiobook, fake-dating

I can't believe I never got around to writing a review on this! I loved this book so so much and how it was a fake dating story. The whole Bridgerton family is so endearing and I loved how close they all were to each other. Anthony, Benedict, and Colin are overbearing older brothers and I loved them and how protective they were of Daphne. When Simon comes into the picture, it was so cute when he realized that Daphne was actually his best friend's sister, another romance trope I love.

From the pr ...more

flag 129 likes · Like · see review

Jan 01, 2021 SheLovesThePages rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I'm officially a romance convert. I want to devour all the Bridgerton books now. I was into this from page one and couldn't put it down. This was one that I was carrying around with me from room to room. I LOVED Lady Whistledown's Society Papers at the beginning of each chapter. They are pure gold and really set the tone for life of the upper echelon in British Society. I normally read very meaty books; historical fiction, psychological thrillers...that has its drawbacks. Reading started to feel ...more

flag 52 likes · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2015 NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance-etc

***4,5 lovely stars from me***

The Bridgertons are a really crazy, but wonderfull family!!!
I really had a great time...
This book was funny, interesting and i couldn't put it down!!!

The only reason that i put 4,5 stars was because i was torn between and 4 and 5... and that's because even though that it was a really great story, somewhere before the middle had a really slow pace for my taste!!!

Well, well, well...
I have to tell you that the Bridgerton family aparts from nine members...
The mother ...more

flag 49 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
2021 Reading Chal...: The Duke and I (Bridgertons #1)	18	45	Mar 01, 2021 09:25PM
✨Bookmarked✨: The Bridgertons: Series	8	18	Feb 19, 2021 08:25AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Duke and I (#1 Bridgertons) by Julia Quinn - Starting February 2nd 2021	13	28	Feb 16, 2021 07:40AM
Thoughts ??? ADULTS ONLY	9	100	Feb 14, 2021 06:09PM
101 Books To Read: La Chronique des Bridgerton T1, de Julia Quinn	1	179	Feb 09, 2021 06:42AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Romance

5,050 users

Romance > Historical Romance

3,568 users

Historical

1,769 users

Historical > Historical Fiction

1,487 users

Fiction

722 users

Historical > Regency

546 users

Adult

440 users

Audiobook

281 users

Historical Romance > Regency Romance

270 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

212 users

See top shelves…

About Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn

20,718 followers

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, an ...more

Other books in the series

Bridgertons (8 books)

Books by Julia Quinn

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)

Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons, #4)

To Sir Phillip, With Love (Bridgertons, #5)

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)

More…

Articles featuring this book

Top 100 Romance Novels on Goodreads

Get in the mood with our list of the top 100 romances of all time. We narrowed the field by limiting our results to books aimed at...

Trivia About The Duke and I (B...

5 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from The Duke and I

“Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest will soon follow.

-Lady Whistledown” — 249 likes

“Where is he? Bridgerton!" he bellowed.
Three chestnut heads swiveled in his direction. Simon stomped across the grass, murder in his eyes.
"I meant the idiot Bridgerton."
"That, I believe," Anthony said mildly, tilting his chin toward Colin, "would refer to you.” — 230 likes

More quotes…