A review by aliiloue
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

funny lighthearted fast-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

3.0

fast paced with a lot of fun banter back and forth. there's not a lot of world building for it being a historical setting which was disappointing and not a lot of descriptions of anything outside of character feelings tbh. 

characters are fine. rounded enough to be enjoyable but not super deep. i liked daphne well enough to start even if the book went out it's way to make sure you knew she wasn't like other girls because of you know she has four brothers right? she wasn't the most compelling heroine but she was fine. then a lot of that good faith went out the window with what she does to Simon in the third act. there was no real remorse for what she does and everything is put on Simon. yes he lied, acted out of trauma and was emotionally constipated but i think there was a way to handle this storyline that wasn't that. just left a bad taste in my mouth especially after i'd found the first half of the book so fun.

also was really obvious that daphne didn't have any friends? nor was there any mention of real friends? at least not by name. just really stuck out to me. girl could have used a pal.
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