Reviews with content warning for Vomit - The Duke and I

I’m not usually particularly fond of romance novels, however, after reading the ‘Behind the Book’ section at the end of this novel it became abundantly clear why I enjoyed Julia Quinn’s writing. Where I couldn’t explain why this romance was one that encapsulated me above so many other, I realised it’s because to simply call it a romance is partially a dishonour. Don’t get me wrong, at its core this novel is a romance. However, it is also a mystery mixed with the writing style of (forgive my choice of wording here) more advanced reading genres.

Content Warnings

booksalacarte's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Duke and I- 3.75⭐️ 3🌶️

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 deuced 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 mamas 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...

This novel includes the 2nd epilogue, a peek at the story after the story.

✨My Opinion✨

This is just the best regency romance writing you can get. It’s so feel good and fluffy, you can’t help but love it.

With my second re-read, I have to say that this just a really solidly good historical romance novel. The family dynamics are so well done and gave great insight to the bridgerton family as a whole.

Simon’s inner struggle was so much more compelling on page. I found the stutter to be a huge aspect in his struggle as a character. Something that wasn’t as present in the TV show.

Daphne’s character was a little less interesting, but I found the situational plot to be more interesting and held tension between the couple so much better.

This is a comfort read/series for me, for sure.

Plot tropes: fake dating, ruined reputation duel, quick marriage

Content Warnings

jencolumb0's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

As an enthusiastic fan of Shondaland’s Season One of Bridgerton, I am happy that I did not read this first, because I’m not sure that Regé-Jean Page could have convinced me to give a TV adaptation of that nonsense a go. Blessedly, Shondaland was only exceptionally loosely inspired by the source material and redid it in such a tremendously better way. The original work just barely squeaks into the arena of something *vaguely* tolerable, in a second-wave white-lady feminist, “look at the plucky white lady getting away with doing not thoroughly feminine things while perpetuating an exclusionary world order” kind of way, not in the (preferable) third-wave, “imagine we all learned and did better” kind of way (where the Shondaland version seems to exist).

And I will never get over Daphne

attempting to garner sympathy from herself and others after raping Simon.

That was thoroughly not okay. I get why it is a plot line that even made it into the Shondaland version but it’s gross and at least Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne seemed to grasp more firmly that she was wrong.

Given that the Shondaland team had trouble breathing life into Anthony’s story and they improved so thoroughly on the source material, here, I’m not sure I’ll bother with reading the rest of the series. I have better things to do than spite-read until Season Three drops, like catch up on all of Alexis Hall’s releases . . . or watching Regé-Jean Page breathe life into Dungeons & Dragons.

Suffice it to say that I am even more impressed with the Shondaland team’s ability to succeed as they have with the adaptation after reading this.

Content Warnings

biblio_t's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

SA discussion // That one scene of SA was so unnecessary and leaves such a bad taste in your mouth. It did nothing for the plot and felt so out of character. The first portion of the book prior to that was phenomenal, I do not know why the author decided to write that scene. I was even more surprised that it did nothing for the plot like they used it in the show. Completely unnecessary and ruined the rest of the book for me.

Content Warnings

deeofbkb's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

saliwali's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

helloimjacq's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I’m actually quite surprised at how similar this was to the show. If anything, in some ways the show was a bit more enjoyable since there was more action overall. Not a lot happens, but it was still a decent read. I mean what’s not to like about enemies to lovers that are fake dating (or I guess courting in this case)?

I would have given it a higher rating, but the clear sexism and manipulative behavior was a huge turn off. I’m not sure if this is how historical romances are supposed to be, but certain aspects definitely didn’t sit well with me.

All-in-all, if you’re looking for something quick and easy, this is your book. But, if you’re looking for something riveting… well then this probably isn’t your book.

Oh, and just a side note but if you would like to avoid all spoilers, I would highly suggest not reading the second epilogue until you’ve completed the series!

Content Warnings

trs01's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

Content Warnings

More...

Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

haleysversion's review against another edition

chaotically_katie's review against another edition

whitehotheadedme's review

booksalacarte's review against another edition

jencolumb0's review against another edition

biblio_t's review against another edition

deeofbkb's review against another edition

saliwali's review against another edition

helloimjacq's review against another edition

trs01's review against another edition