The Duke and I

In the midst of her second Season, Daphne - the eldest girl in the Bridgerton family of eight -- has all but given up on the hope of making a love match. Daphne is the girl that everyone likes, that everyone wants to be friends with -- always the chum, the good sport, but never the lover inspiring flowery declarations of passionate intent. Buy Daphne's closely-held dream of loving husband and family, her desire to not settle, makes her reluctance to compete in the Season's Marriage Market threatens to make her the bane of her loving mother Violet's existence. Violet, after all, must think beyond her eldest daughter's reluctance to make a match to the three girls waiting in the wings to make their own debuts. When Daphne meets the newly-minted and arrived in London Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset, she's alternately maddened by his haughty demeanor and unsettled by his direct, passionate gaze. The infamous rake is her oldest brother Anthony's long-time best friend, the type of man a good society miss avoids at all costs -- until he makes an intriguing offer, one that promises a blessed reprieve from her marriage-minded mama -- but with the unintended side effect of imperiling her heart.Only one thing could induce Simon to forsake his world travels and return to London -- his estranged father's death. The old duke made Simon's life a torment from childhood, belittling the boy for his stammer, leaving him to be raised by servants and forge a successful path in life through sheer force of will -- the will to prove his hated sire wrong. However, he was not prepared for the attention his new title brought to his personal life as Ambitious Mamas flocked to his side to introduce their debutante daughters. When Simon meets Daphne, he's shocked by how quickly she puts him at ease, intrigue colored with a desire to possess her beauty -- until he learns that she's Anthony's sister, which places her in the Strictly Forbidden category of romantic dalliances. Even so, he cannot resist suggesting an audacious scheme -- he'll pay court to Daphne, ostensibly removing himself from the Marriage Market, and she'll become more desirable than ever by virtue of being associated with London's newest duke. But when the fake courtship gives birth to real attachment, lines are crossed -- could marriage between the girl no one wanted and the duke determined to die alone become a love affair for the social record book?After several years of two very dear friends telling me I'd love Julia Quinn's Regency romances, I finally decided to give The Duke and I a try, and I'm SO glad I did. The first installment in Quinn's popular Bridgerton series sparkles with wit, warmth, and a genuine emotional and intellectual connection that goes far deeper than any physical attraction that sparks between the duke and Daphne. I've read reviews comparing Quinn to Jane Austen, and while Quinn's sly humor and sharp characterizations were certainly inspired by Austen, I think a more apt comparison would liken Quinn to Georgette Heyer, with a dash of the chick-lit sensibilities found in the likes of Hester Browne's or Jill Mansell's novels. In other words, The Duke and I is a clever, funny, warm-hearted romp through Regency England with a romance that will take your breath away and an unexpectedly deep emotional resonance between its hero and heroine -- this is, refreshingly, the story of a physical, emotional, and intellectual union of complementary equals.I adored the family dynamic exhibited here -- the Bridgertons are the type of sprawling fictional family I love to read about. The may fight and squabble but they are loyal to a fault (as Simon quickly learns even during the early days of his "faux courtship" with Daphne). Although this is very much Daphne's story, Quinn does an excellent job introducing the siblings that will feature in later installments. From the rakish Colin, newly-returned from Europe, to Anthony the eldest, nearly driving himself batty attempting to navigate the Marriage Mart as a very eligible viscount while sheperding his strong-willed family through society's social whirl, to the precocious ten-year-old Hyacinth, whose outspoken wisdom beyond her years marks her as a force to be reckoned with once she comes of age. And I adore their mother, Violet! At first I feared she was Mrs. Bennet reborn, but her occasional flighty absent-mindedness masks the razor sharp wit and intelligence required to survive as matriarch to the lively Bridgerton children.Although Daphne and Simon's journey from courtship to marriage covers only the span of a few short weeks, I loved the emphasis Quinn placed on their intellectual and emotional compatibility. Yes, they each are highly appreciative of the other's fine form, what makes their romance make my heart sing is how they are both so utterly disarmed and genuinely comfortable in each other's company. Looks may fade with time, but personality is forever, eh? And while keeping with the fact that since this is a mainstream historical romance there are some spicy scenes, refreshingly those occur after marriage. I was really impressed by how Quinn touched on the intimacies of the marital relationship making each partner vulnerable to the other, and how that trust, if lost (speaking of misunderstanding, not abuse) can create a painful rift. Daphne and Simon's commitment to each other, despite their marriage's rocky start and subsequent misunderstandings, is the hook that got me so emotionally invested in this couple and kept my fingers flying to turn the pages.Quinn possesses a delightfully breezy writing style that oft-times belies the serious issues of emotional weight that she addresses within the pages of Simon and Daphne's story. The prologue, revealing Simon's tragic childhood, reads with the matter of fact tone of a dark fairy tale, one leaving readers to question the possibility of the tortured heir's future happiness. The warmth and humor with which she imbues this romance makes the heart of The Duke and I all the more compelling and memorable, because Quinn doesn't shy away from the difficult issues that could make or break a marriage. Even if her breezy writing style lends itself to playing a *bit* fast and loose with period mannerisms, that is forgivable since The Duke and I is thoroughly engaging, romance for the heart and the mind at its finest. This is wholly memorable, utterly delightful introduction to the Bridgerton clan -- and with the added mystery of the mysterious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown's true identity, whose quips are peppered throughout the novel -- I cannot WAIT to revisit this family in subsequent novels.

Summary:In "Bridgerton: The Duke & I," Daphne Bridgerton, the charming eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family, forms a fake courtship with the brooding Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset. Their arrangement is meant to benefit them both: Daphne appears more desirable to potential suitors, while Simon avoids the pressure to marry. However, their feigned romance soon stirs real feelings, creating a complicated and passionate connection. Set against the opulent backdrop of Regency-era London, the story unfolds with humor, wit, and the poignant struggles of navigating love and societal expectations, evoking empathy from the readers.Review:I rated this book a Page Turner (4.0-5.0) with an overall score of 4.4 out of 5 stars.I created a custom rating system to consistently review Julia Quinn's historical romances, focusing solely on comparing her books with one another rather than the entire genre. My five categories—Authenticity of Historical Setting, Romantic Tension and Chemistry, Character Relationships & Growth, Engagement of Plot and Pacing, and Emotional Depth and Heartfelt Moments—allow for a tailored evaluation. However, I rated all books a four in historical authenticity, having already been influenced by the vivid imagery from the Bridgerton series. My scoring levels for Quinn's books include Page-Turner (4.0 – 5.0) for books that deliver a strong, compelling experience, Casual Read (2.5 – 3.9) for enjoyable books with some notable weaknesses, and Hard Pass (1.0 – 2.4) for books that fall short in multiple areas.Authenticity of Historical Setting: 4Romantic Tension and Chemistry: 5Character Relationships & Growth: 5Engagement of Plot and Pacing: 4Emotional Depth and Heartfelt Moments: 4Overall Rating: 4.4"Bridgerton: The Duke and I" transports readers to an engaging Regency-era setting that feels authentic and immersive, full of vibrant details that bring the period to life. The romantic tension and chemistry between Daphne and Simon are exceptional, with a captivating blend of wit, passion, and emotional depth that makes their connection truly memorable. The characters display significant growth, especially as they confront personal fears and societal expectations, adding richness to their relationship and interactions with family and friends. The plot moves smoothly, balancing humor and emotional complexity, and while it remains focused on the romance, plenty of heartfelt, impactful moments leave a lasting impression. Altogether, it's a delightful and well-rounded romance showcasing Julia Quinn's skill at crafting genuine characters and an unforgettable love story.

Me encantó cómo llegó el libro, la pasta que lo cubre viene un poco maltratado pero casi no se nota ni me molesta. Fuera de eso me está encantando 😍✨

Oh, "The Duke and I" book, you charming literary masterpiece, you've got your work cut out for you in the face of your dazzling TV adaptation. I dove into the pages with the expectation of experiencing the same heart-fluttering, corset-loosening romance as on screen, but alas, the inked version has its quirks.Now, don't get me wrong, dear book, you have your merits. The prose is elegant, and the witty banter between characters is like a fine, aged wine – sophisticated and well-crafted. But when it comes to the smoldering gazes, the palpable tension, and the grandeur of a Regency ball, the TV show swoops in like a swoon-worthy hero and steals the show.Let's talk about the Bridgerton brothers and sisters – they're practically celebrities on screen, stealing scenes left and right with their impeccable chemistry and on-point dialogue. In the book, they're delightful, but it's like comparing a well-executed minuet to a full-blown ballroom dance extravaganza.And Simon, the Duke himself – my, oh my! In the book, he's a dashing leading man, but on screen, he's a downright heartthrob. The TV adaptation serves him justice, showcasing his chiseled jawline and brooding charisma in a way that makes reading about him feel like listening to a symphony through a tin can.Now, I appreciate the written word, the delicate dance of pen on paper, but when the TV show sprinkles in those lush Regency costumes, the swoosh of silk, and the grandeur of the Featheringtons' outlandish fashion choices – well, my imagination can only do so much. And I have a very good imagination.So, "The Duke and I" book, you're like a classic sonnet – beautiful, timeless, but perhaps overshadowed by a vibrant show. It's all in good fun, though; after all, there's room in my heart for both the novel and the Netflix extravaganza. Cheers to the Bridgertons, in all their literary and cinematic glory!

Bestes Buch ever

I m loving the experience of the series, it's worth buying I wish they could also send a book mark ...other than that everything is fine ...

Me encantó cómo está contada la historia. Lo disfruté mucho. He comprado dos más de los siguientes.