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alysiarobinson 's review for:
The Duke and I
by Julia Quinn
I was eager to read this book after watching the Netflix series, but this was one of the few instances where I enjoyed the show more than the book.
I found myself comparing the story to the show often while reading. I was disappointed at how little we got to know any character other than Daphne and Simon. Daphnes brothers were the side characters we got to know the most, and I feel like they just came off as 3 copies of one another (besides Colin who had a bit more personality). I also wasn’t as taken with the friends to lovers story line in the book...there was an obvious romantic/sexual connection from their first interaction, so the whole plan of the “fake” courtship didn’t make much sense to me or provide any suspense surrounding whether they’d get together. The one thing I did enjoy is getting to see how Simon’s comfort with Daphne led him to feel such true emotions that his stutter comes through at times and that they eventually got to know each other so fully. I also enjoyed getting to know Daphne as a more confident and self-assured character. I feel like we also got more insight into Simon’s character than we did in the show, which does make him less mysterious, but I was happy getting to know him more. Overall I did enjoy their relationship and seeing it progress, though as I mentioned, there was less suspense surrounding it.
I would exclude one scene from my positive comments. It was incredibly uncomfortable and upsetting to read the scene where Daphne rapes Simon. Even more upsetting was what happened afterwards. They just spend some time apart, where Simon is meant to feel like the bad guy...and then he returns, and Daphne never apologizes or addresses the fact she broke his trust...and it’s written that Simon didn’t leave because of the rape but because of his reaction afterwards (where his stutter strongly returns)...and they just move on and she convinces him to be happy with having children even though he’s still somewhat uncomfortable about it? I felt like everything leading up to this scene really set them up to be a great pair, and it was really ruined for me afterwards.
I am however hopeful for the next book in the series. I think reading the next story focuses on characters that haven’t been as well developed in my mind before the next season of the show, might make for a more enjoyable read!
I found myself comparing the story to the show often while reading. I was disappointed at how little we got to know any character other than Daphne and Simon. Daphnes brothers were the side characters we got to know the most, and I feel like they just came off as 3 copies of one another (besides Colin who had a bit more personality). I also wasn’t as taken with the friends to lovers story line in the book...there was an obvious romantic/sexual connection from their first interaction, so the whole plan of the “fake” courtship didn’t make much sense to me or provide any suspense surrounding whether they’d get together. The one thing I did enjoy is getting to see how Simon’s comfort with Daphne led him to feel such true emotions that his stutter comes through at times and that they eventually got to know each other so fully. I also enjoyed getting to know Daphne as a more confident and self-assured character. I feel like we also got more insight into Simon’s character than we did in the show, which does make him less mysterious, but I was happy getting to know him more. Overall I did enjoy their relationship and seeing it progress, though as I mentioned, there was less suspense surrounding it.
I would exclude one scene from my positive comments. It was incredibly uncomfortable and upsetting to read the scene where Daphne rapes Simon. Even more upsetting was what happened afterwards. They just spend some time apart, where Simon is meant to feel like the bad guy...and then he returns, and Daphne never apologizes or addresses the fact she broke his trust...and it’s written that Simon didn’t leave because of the rape but because of his reaction afterwards (where his stutter strongly returns)...and they just move on and she convinces him to be happy with having children even though he’s still somewhat uncomfortable about it? I felt like everything leading up to this scene really set them up to be a great pair, and it was really ruined for me afterwards.
I am however hopeful for the next book in the series. I think reading the next story focuses on characters that haven’t been as well developed in my mind before the next season of the show, might make for a more enjoyable read!