A review by marygg3
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

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

3.75

It was going perfect. I mean, the characters didn't have much more personality outside of their feelings for one another, but I liked them.
I was loving Daphne, actually. And her right hook.
Simon had less depth in my eyes, he was pretty much attraction for Daphne and a bundle of daddy issues made into a man. A very handsome one at that, though I'm not sure because we were mostly given hair and eye color plus height and that's it.
Actually, it was pretty much the same with Daphne.
But anyway, that's not my point. My point is that scene.
Seriously, I could give my 4 stars and go on my merry way if it weren't for that scene.
In a shell, I'm still not sure if Daphne raped Simon. I think it at least qualifies as dubious consent.  What bothers me so much is that they never address that particular moment when she made sure he couldn't pull out.
Basically, they just kiss and make up two months later and no one ever talks about how wrong the whole deal was. A most fundamental betrayal at best, a fucking assault at worst... I don't know, I just couldn't manage to get past that. Even after everything is resolved and everybody is happy, I just couldn't throw my hat in with Daphne and Simon anymore.
I will be reading the next ones, of course, because I don't think I'll ever have enough of the eldest Bridgerton brothers. But I'm eager to just read about another couple and let Daphne and Simon go on their not-so-merry way.
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