A review by certifiedplayerhater
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

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

0.5

Spoilers for the whole book


take a shot every time simon murmurs. 

In all seriousness, the story is a perfectly passable romance from 2000. The story is focuses purely on the romance between Simon and Daphne, which isn’t an inherent flaw but it means every other character is relegated to a single characteristic (ex. The three Bridgerton brothers are overbearing, Violet is motherly, etc.). Daphne and Simon were likeable enough characters and their developing relationship was fun to watch. 

However, everything changed with Daphne sexually assaulting Simon. There’s no repercussions for that action and the author frames it as an act of passion as opposed to the horror that it was. Which is interesting considering the author spends just as much time highlighting how badly this affected Simon, like him regressing back into the worst stutter he’s had in years. It felt like a slap in the face to hear how Simon had been abused by his father only for his lover to turn around and exert the a level power and abuse over him. I can’t in good faith speak positively about anything that happens afterwards because there’s no consequences to the action. 
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