Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Review: Julia Quinn’s THE DUKE AND I – A Bad Childhood Leads to a Reluctant Groom

Set in 1813, this is the story of Daphne Bridgerton, daughter of the Viscount Bridgerton, deceased, and sister of the Bridgerton brothers. Daphne is considered by all a friend but not a prospective wife to any of the ton’s suitors. That is, until she and Simon, the Duke of Hastings concoct a plan to pretend he is courting her. Suddenly, she is surrounded by swains. Daphne wants to marry and the duke does not. But she still falls in love with him and then they are forced to wed.

Unfortunately, Simon’s horrible father and terrible youth make him never want to have children of his own and so he and Daphne come to blows.

The Bridgerton family walks away with the prize in this story, which presumably is the set up for the series. Anthony, Daphne’s older brother, and Violet, her mother, in particular were winning characters. Daphne did tend to overshadow the duke a bit. Quinn made clever use of a society rag sheet’s ramblings… Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, which was charming.

It was a fun Regency tale and I’m sure the series will bring more of the same. I think Anthony’s story, which is book 2, would be one to read.
  
Buy on Amazon

The Bridgerton Series:

The Duke and I
The Viscount Who Loved Me
An Offer From a Gentleman
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton
To Sir Phillip With Love
When He Was Wicked
It’s In His Kiss
On the Way to the Wedding

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