Review by yazmin_ali - The Duke and I

yazmin_ali 's review for:

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

3.0

funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"Men are sheep. Where one goes, the rest will soon follow. - Lady Whistledown"

I will begin this review with the caveat that will likely apply to all my reviews for older books; I'm reading them with the context in which they were written in mind.

Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings; charismatic, handsome and with a troubled past made a compelling romantic hero. Despite his cold exterior, he was compassionate and deeply protective - even if he was reluctant to let that be known. He made plenty of bad decisions, but I still found myself rooting for him.

Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest of the Bridgerton daughters, was well liked by society and yet struggled to find a good match. She was a kind-hearted and loveable chartacter, who desperately wanted to marry and to have her own family. So naturally, she would wind up with a man who was adamant that he would never marry or have children.

The Duke and I was an enjoyable read, and a fantastic introduction to the world of the Bridgertons and their delightful dynamic. The book had everything I adored; historical fiction, the right combination of cheesy and sweet, smart quips and a pair of characters who bounced off one another. Daphne and Simon's flirtation developed naturally until they were both forced to acknowledge what was right there between them. The pair felt equally matched and complimented one another, even if they made questionable, nonsensical decisions at times.

That particular

non-consent

scene was a difficult read, reducing my overall rating of the book.

Content Warnings