The Duke and I / Julia Quinn - 3.5***

[Book Concierge]

The Duke and I – Julia Quinn
3.5***

Book one in the Bridgertons series. First, I’ll note that I have not seen any of the TV miniseries episodes, so had little idea of why it (and the Bridgerton family) is so popular. Now I do.

This was everything a regency romance should be. There is a young marriageable lady in need of a husband, an aloof, dashingly handsome but rakish duke, and enough sexual tension and plot twists to keep things interesting and the pages turning.

Daphne Bridgerton is the fourth child and eldest daughter of Lady Violet and the late Lord Edmund Bridgerton. She’s attractive and accomplished but doesn’t seem to attract the attention of eligible bachelors. Oh, they like her well enough, she’s friends will almost everyone, but no one seems to be falling in love with her. Could it be that her three older brothers are scaring them off? Enter Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, a confirmed bachelor recently returned to England from several years abroad. He’s determined to shun marriage and society in general, until he meets up with his best friend, Anthony Bridgerton and his charming sister, Daphne. Before they’ve shared even two dances, Daphne and Simon have agreed to fake an attachment so that they can each avoid the majority of the season’s requirements. But their plan doesn’t quite work out the way they intended.

I was charmed by both of them, though I thought some of Simon’s backstory was pretty melodramatic. Still, it served the purpose and I enjoyed watching the two of them work through the obstacles to achieve their happily ever after. I may actually watch the TV adaptation now.



LINK to my review