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A review by hibbakhan
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
2.0
I watched the Bridgerton series on Netflix and I instantly fell in love with all the characters. It was a historical romance which I have never really chose to watch but Bridgerton is what got me into watching/reading it. The show was fun to watch and had lots of character to it.
After finishing the show, I wanted to start to read the series. (Really excited at that point.) Looking through youtube, tiktok and the goodread reviews I realised that maybe it wasn't a series that people were possibly into. I saw reviews of the book involving a rape scene. I was put off a lot but still wanted to read the book. I didn't buy a paperback, I just read it online.
(Gonna add spoilers because its an old book and most people have read it!)
The epilogue explains that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have tried for a child many times but it has always failed. All the Duke wanted from his wife was a son to be a heir to the Dukedom. Even though the doctors warned her that it could be dangerous, she still went through with it Simon Basset was born. During the labour she was losing a lot of blood. Without even being able to see her son she passed away. With that, Simon started school at two years old. Learnt how to read, write, ride a horse and fence. But there was one problem, he couldn't speak. He had a stutter and stammer. When the Duke hear about it he is gutted and never wants to see Simon again. He lives far away from his father never seeing him again. On his fathers deathbed, Simon made a vow. To never produce a heir to Dukedom ever again.
The start of the book was I really liked Daphne. It starts off with the scene of Daphne and Violet (her mama the Vicountess) talking about the latest Whistledown scandal sheet. It refers to how it is odd that the names of the Bridgerton children are in an alphabetical order meaning they all might not be biological. Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne (main focus of the book) Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth. That's when we learn what the Whistledown scandal sheet is about as it is a big part of the novel.
We get told that Daphne has been in the 'marriage process' for two years now being unlucky to find a true love match. All of the men in the ton only see Daphne as a close friend as she is gentle, caring and listens to most. However we get told that all of the men are into women they are scared of. Daphne has got a total of four proposals all from men way older then her - only want a wife to produce children. Daphne wants a love match as she denies all four proposals and is hoping to find true love this season.
Simon decides to visit London after his travels for business. We see Simon and Anthony have been best friends since childhood. They reunite at White's Bar. All of the ton get invited to Lady Danbury's Ball including Simon. Simon was regretting this but had to go since Lady Danbury has been special to him since childhood. Afraid of all the mamas introducing there daughters to him, he goes through a side door when he hears a lady and man arguing. He sees a man trying to force marriage upon a lady. He goes to break it up when the lady punches the man. Thats when Simon meets Daphne. Simon doesn't know its Anthony's younger sister so he finds her quite lovely.
Later in the book simon has an idea of making a pact. Since he is trying to get away from all the awful mamas and Daphne is not getting any calls, pretending to court will drive mamas away and invite callers in. Daphne agrees and they let Anthony. They slowly develop feelings for each other and share a kiss in gardens. Anthony sees them and starts a duel. With Colins help Daphne stops them and is soon to be getting married to Simon. The wedding happens with only close family there. They planned to go to an inn for there wedding night. They arrive in Clyvedon Castle (simons childhood home.) Daphne meets everyone and soons realises simon is lying about not bein able to have childhood. She learns about his rough childhood and his dad leaving him. But still thinks its wrong to live your life vowing on a death person.
The part I don't want to talk about happens. Simon finds out what Daphne has done and leaves leaving her a note. She then also leaves for london. Not having her courses she wants to be close with her family. Anthony comes storming in wanted to visit simon and takes a letter Daphne wrote about her being with child. Simon comes back straight away and the day he arrived Daphne got her courses.
Daphne convincing Simon to get over his father, he finally wants to be one himself. They have 3 daughters and one son. Named Amelia, Belinda, Caroline and David. Obviously in alphabetical order!
After finishing the show, I wanted to start to read the series. (Really excited at that point.) Looking through youtube, tiktok and the goodread reviews I realised that maybe it wasn't a series that people were possibly into. I saw reviews of the book involving a rape scene. I was put off a lot but still wanted to read the book. I didn't buy a paperback, I just read it online.
(Gonna add spoilers because its an old book and most people have read it!)
The epilogue explains that the Duke and Duchess of Hastings have tried for a child many times but it has always failed. All the Duke wanted from his wife was a son to be a heir to the Dukedom. Even though the doctors warned her that it could be dangerous, she still went through with it Simon Basset was born. During the labour she was losing a lot of blood. Without even being able to see her son she passed away. With that, Simon started school at two years old. Learnt how to read, write, ride a horse and fence. But there was one problem, he couldn't speak. He had a stutter and stammer. When the Duke hear about it he is gutted and never wants to see Simon again. He lives far away from his father never seeing him again. On his fathers deathbed, Simon made a vow. To never produce a heir to Dukedom ever again.
The start of the book was I really liked Daphne. It starts off with the scene of Daphne and Violet (her mama the Vicountess) talking about the latest Whistledown scandal sheet. It refers to how it is odd that the names of the Bridgerton children are in an alphabetical order meaning they all might not be biological. Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne (main focus of the book) Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, Hyacinth. That's when we learn what the Whistledown scandal sheet is about as it is a big part of the novel.
We get told that Daphne has been in the 'marriage process' for two years now being unlucky to find a true love match. All of the men in the ton only see Daphne as a close friend as she is gentle, caring and listens to most. However we get told that all of the men are into women they are scared of. Daphne has got a total of four proposals all from men way older then her - only want a wife to produce children. Daphne wants a love match as she denies all four proposals and is hoping to find true love this season.
Simon decides to visit London after his travels for business. We see Simon and Anthony have been best friends since childhood. They reunite at White's Bar. All of the ton get invited to Lady Danbury's Ball including Simon. Simon was regretting this but had to go since Lady Danbury has been special to him since childhood. Afraid of all the mamas introducing there daughters to him, he goes through a side door when he hears a lady and man arguing. He sees a man trying to force marriage upon a lady. He goes to break it up when the lady punches the man. Thats when Simon meets Daphne. Simon doesn't know its Anthony's younger sister so he finds her quite lovely.
Later in the book simon has an idea of making a pact. Since he is trying to get away from all the awful mamas and Daphne is not getting any calls, pretending to court will drive mamas away and invite callers in. Daphne agrees and they let Anthony. They slowly develop feelings for each other and share a kiss in gardens. Anthony sees them and starts a duel. With Colins help Daphne stops them and is soon to be getting married to Simon. The wedding happens with only close family there. They planned to go to an inn for there wedding night. They arrive in Clyvedon Castle (simons childhood home.) Daphne meets everyone and soons realises simon is lying about not bein able to have childhood. She learns about his rough childhood and his dad leaving him. But still thinks its wrong to live your life vowing on a death person.
The part I don't want to talk about happens. Simon finds out what Daphne has done and leaves leaving her a note. She then also leaves for london. Not having her courses she wants to be close with her family. Anthony comes storming in wanted to visit simon and takes a letter Daphne wrote about her being with child. Simon comes back straight away and the day he arrived Daphne got her courses.
Daphne convincing Simon to get over his father, he finally wants to be one himself. They have 3 daughters and one son. Named Amelia, Belinda, Caroline and David. Obviously in alphabetical order!