The Duke and I - Julia Quinn - 3 stars

[Kelly]

Julia Quinn's book takes place in the early 1800's in London and revolves around Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset. Daphne's mother is trying to find a husband for Daphne; and although Daphne would like to get married, she does not approve of any current suitors. Meanwhile Simon, a best friend of Daphne's older brother, has returned to town. He has recently become a Duke and the society mothers have their eye on him for their daughters. Both Daphne and Simon form a plan where they pretend to like each other. This will keep the society mothers and daughters from bothering Simon and may create new interest in Daphne from a man she would prefer.

The relationship that Daphne has with her family is fun in this story. Her brothers are very protective of her, but they joke and show that they are all very close. Her mother is also plotting in a humorous way. This is the opposite of how Simon grew up so it is interesting for him to watch. Later in the book there is one large conflict of options between Daphne and Simon that may not play out in the best way, but the rest of the book is mostly charming.