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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
The Duke and I is a delightful and engaging historical romance that introduces us to the charming and sometimes mischievous world of the Bridgerton family. Julia Quinn’s writing has a certain lightness and wit that draws you in from the first chapter, making it easy to get swept away in the lives and romantic entanglements of her characters.
At the heart of the story is Daphne Bridgerton, a strong-willed young woman looking for love and partnership in a society that has very specific expectations for women. Her chemistry with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, is undeniable, and their relationship unfolds in a way that is both heartfelt and, at times, humorous. Simon, with his past struggles and self-imposed emotional walls, makes for a compelling hero—brooding but deeply vulnerable when it comes to Daphne.
What stands out about The Duke and I is its ability to blend lighthearted moments with more poignant themes of family, grief, and the importance of communication in relationships. The romance between Daphne and Simon is the core of the story, but the secondary characters—especially the other Bridgertons—bring an additional layer of depth and charm to the book. It’s clear that Quinn has created a world that readers will want to return to, with a mix of lively personalities and meaningful connections.
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel a bit predictable, and some readers may find the dynamics between the lead characters a tad contrived, particularly in the later half of the story. Additionally, certain plot points may feel a bit dated or problematic from a modern perspective, but they still fit within the historical context of the narrative.
Despite these minor criticisms, The Duke and I is a fun, well-paced romance with endearing characters and a love story that will leave you rooting for the couple from start to finish. Julia Quinn strikes a nice balance between humor, emotion, and romance, and while this might not be a groundbreaking novel, it’s definitely an enjoyable escape into a world of Regency-era drama.
For fans of historical romance, The Duke and I offers a satisfying and heartwarming read. It’s easy to see why this book has such a large following, and it certainly sets the stage for the rest of the Bridgerton series. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good, romantic escape.
At the heart of the story is Daphne Bridgerton, a strong-willed young woman looking for love and partnership in a society that has very specific expectations for women. Her chemistry with Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, is undeniable, and their relationship unfolds in a way that is both heartfelt and, at times, humorous. Simon, with his past struggles and self-imposed emotional walls, makes for a compelling hero—brooding but deeply vulnerable when it comes to Daphne.
What stands out about The Duke and I is its ability to blend lighthearted moments with more poignant themes of family, grief, and the importance of communication in relationships. The romance between Daphne and Simon is the core of the story, but the secondary characters—especially the other Bridgertons—bring an additional layer of depth and charm to the book. It’s clear that Quinn has created a world that readers will want to return to, with a mix of lively personalities and meaningful connections.
However, the book isn’t without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel a bit predictable, and some readers may find the dynamics between the lead characters a tad contrived, particularly in the later half of the story. Additionally, certain plot points may feel a bit dated or problematic from a modern perspective, but they still fit within the historical context of the narrative.
Despite these minor criticisms, The Duke and I is a fun, well-paced romance with endearing characters and a love story that will leave you rooting for the couple from start to finish. Julia Quinn strikes a nice balance between humor, emotion, and romance, and while this might not be a groundbreaking novel, it’s definitely an enjoyable escape into a world of Regency-era drama.
For fans of historical romance, The Duke and I offers a satisfying and heartwarming read. It’s easy to see why this book has such a large following, and it certainly sets the stage for the rest of the Bridgerton series. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a feel-good, romantic escape.
[bc:The Duke and I: The 2nd Epilogue|29283391|The Duke and I The 2nd Epilogue (Bridgertons, #1.5)|Julia Quinn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1456263887l/29283391._SY75_.jpg|69394562]3.5 Stars
***
This book was a romp! The humor completely surprised me, and its differences from the show didn't. Though the falling-in-love timeline moved more quickly than I like, it was semi-believable. The book was clearly written for enjoyment, not for literary brilliance or historical accuracy. Like the show, it's a regency-era fantasy that is enticing, spicy, and fun. I chuckled and enjoyed playing along...
even though eye color was brought up *so* frequently I wanted to beat the book over my head...and Simon's final, and somewhat instant, healing process felt too magical and tied up with bow...then of course, there is the problematic scene where consent is questioned.
All-in-all though Dear Reader, it was indeed and full-heartedly, enjoyable.
***
This book was a romp! The humor completely surprised me, and its differences from the show didn't. Though the falling-in-love timeline moved more quickly than I like, it was semi-believable. The book was clearly written for enjoyment, not for literary brilliance or historical accuracy. Like the show, it's a regency-era fantasy that is enticing, spicy, and fun. I chuckled and enjoyed playing along...
even though eye color was brought up *so* frequently I wanted to beat the book over my head...and Simon's final, and somewhat instant, healing process felt too magical and tied up with bow...then of course, there is the problematic scene where consent is questioned.
All-in-all though Dear Reader, it was indeed and full-heartedly, enjoyable.
If I could, I would generally rate this a 3.5/5.
If people haven't watched the show yet, they probably wouldn't know about the particular scene I'm going to speak about.
Overall, I loved the book. I loved the romance and the angst of the book. Did I enjoy 'that' scene? No, I did not. Taking advantage of your husband whilst he is drunk is incredibly fucked up. And the fact that it was included and then instantly brushed over is even more fucked up. This could have easily been replaced with Daphne actually TALKING to her husband, while he is sober, about what she truly wants. Bear in mind, they were around two weeks into their marriage when this scene happened.
If people haven't watched the show yet, they probably wouldn't know about the particular scene I'm going to speak about.
Overall, I loved the book. I loved the romance and the angst of the book. Did I enjoy 'that' scene? No, I did not. Taking advantage of your husband whilst he is drunk is incredibly fucked up. And the fact that it was included and then instantly brushed over is even more fucked up. This could have easily been replaced with Daphne actually TALKING to her husband, while he is sober, about what she truly wants. Bear in mind, they were around two weeks into their marriage when this scene happened.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
The beginning was everything I have come to expect from a Regency romance written in the last 20 years. About half way through the story took a surprising turn. Overall I enjoyed this. A character makes a certain choice in the last quarter that threw me for a bit. Looking forward to the tv show.
first time reading a romance...
It was a very simple story nothing exceptional but i liked it for some reason
It was a very simple story nothing exceptional but i liked it for some reason
Not amazingly well written, but a good story that keeps your attention. Good easy beach read :)