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The Duke and I
Bonus Tag: Historical Fiction
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The Duke and I by Julia Quinn - 3 stars
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OMG the scene of the mother telling Daphne what happens on a wedding night had me CRINGING.
Joi wrote: "OMG the scene of the mother telling Daphne what happens on a wedding night had me CRINGING."Truly. Unfortunately, I suspect it was pretty accurate for the day...
Daphne, one of the 8 Bridgerton siblings and the first daughter on the Marriage Mart, truly wants marriage and children, and wants love - or at least sincere affection. Simon, Duke of Hastings, never intends to marry or have children, mostly to spite his dead monster of a father, but in part out of fear and his inability to move past his horrific childhood. Naturally the two meet, form an alliance designed to help Daphne find a suitable husband - or so they say. Naturally, fate has other plans.
I really enjoyed the first 2/3 or so of this regency. The characters are engaging, the Bridgerton family guaranteed to provide much entertainment for many novels to come, and there is really some wonderful dialogue. The chemistry between Simon and Daphne leaps off the page and I just wanted to slap Simon upside the head a few times and scream "grow up! He's dead!" Fortunately that eventually happens, more or less. Gotta love a heroine with a strong right hook! Some of the tropes that get us to the HEA are over the top, unnecessary, even unpleasant although they do represent in some cases role reversals. That took away from my enjoyment a tad. But then you have the author's fabulously written scene of a mother telling her daughter what to expect on her wedding night - or rather not telling her! - on the eve of the daughter's wedding.
I am entranced by the family and will read on in the series, plus I am dying to know who is Lady Whistledown (an anonymous society gossip newsletter writer who introduces each chapter) and I was teased by the introduction of the bookish Penelope Featherstone who ends up dancing with one of the Bridgerton sons early on, the one who seems least bookish. Plus the author does have a gift for witty repartee and dialogue, as I found myself smiling through much. I have now also watched the first 2 episodes of the Netflix adaptation and overall think it has been well done.