Synopsis
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 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 mothers 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…
Rating
★★★★★
Thoughts
Although I haven’t watched the television show, Bridgertons is a book series that I’ve been meaning to delve into for quite some time. I love historical fiction romance stories, especially set in the early 1800s to early 1900s. I enjoy immersing myself in the cultures, values, fashions, and settings of those times. Additionally, it’s always entertaining to read a spicy scene while the characters are trying their hardest to maintain the elegant composure expected of them during those time periods. And this book did not disappoint.
Interestingly, there is a controversial sex scene in chapter 18 of this book, which further challenges some of the double standards still existing between men and women. I will not comment on it further as it is a spoiler and subjective in terms of opinion.
Overall, I found The Duke and I to be just what I expected. It is not Jane Austen levels of romantic perfection, but it still a very enjoyable story. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Edition
This beautiful edition of The Duke and I came from Once Upon a Book Club. I purchased the set because I thought it was so charming and dainty.
Question
Have you read the Bridgerton series or watched the television show?
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