A review by maruchan
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

medium-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

2.5

Certainly, it is different from the adaptation. While reading this, I could not imagine the characters as they were in the book but as they are in the Netflix series, at least physically, because some of the characters are quite different from the screen adaptation. 
Some changes I liked, such as the omission of the subplot involving the Queen, which was not necessary at all and allowed more time for the romance between Daphne and Simon to develop. However, some changes I didn't like—clearly, Simon is much more misogynistic in the book than he is in the series! For the most part, the romance between them is really enjoyable, especially the banter. That's when Daphne isn't simping for him so hard that it's borderline cringe. 
But the last third really ruined it for me. After they got married, the chemistry wasn't there anymore, and everything felt so forced. And the rape scene is even worse in the book than in the adaptation! This had so much potential, but the main issue of their relationship was not resolved in the best way.
 
 
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