The Duke and I book review

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #1
Published by Avon Books on June 27, 2006
Pages: 384
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Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?
—Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813
By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.
But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love…

Well, this has started a spiral and I’m not even sad about it. The Duke and I took me totally by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did but it blew me away. Especially how quickly I became invested in the characters. This is the most predictable book ever HOWEVER I loved it. The strength of this book is definitely in how you connect with the characters and ended up rooting for them. Quinn wrote a book enthralled in traditional values but also felt modern enough it is relatable. The reason why this one wasn’t a five star was that some of the relationships were a little repetitive. I also felt at parts the story felt lost and I wished there had been a little more direction.

So The Duke and I follows Daphne and Simon the Duke of Hastings. I have to say the Duke is definitely swoon-worthy, which is so much more important in a book like this. But I think what makes the characters great in this one was the fact there was more to them than the potential relationship. I loved learning about each of their backstories and how that made them the way they were with one another. The family dynamics were also brilliant. I did worry that Violet would become tiresome but she actually ended as one of my favourite characters, with her fire and wit.

The best bit of The Duke and I for me was definitely the romance and how that all played out. This needs to be said and I don’t think it’s a spoiler to mention that fact because as I mentioned this is one of the most predictable books of all time. I loved watching the Daphne and Simon interact with one another and I thought that the fact there was so much ease with them both made the romance read better. I thoroughly enjoyed the various dramas throughout this and the way they reacted. Plus just how desperate they were to be together without actually realising it. Just a beautiful romance and I’m in love with it all.

The worst bit in The Duke and I for me, unfortunately, was the questionable behaviour on Daphne’s part later on in the book. I won’t spoil what it is but the entire scene made me feel uncomfortable and made me question everything about their relationships and the foundations in which it was built. I appreciate it was a different time but it just didn’t seem to sit right within the book for me.

This is a big fat YES. I am so in love with The Duke and I, I have downloaded the second one and I cannot wait to see whether I love it as much as this one. If you are looking for something a little bit fun and lighthearted then this is for you!

This may be a newfound love genre for me. Have you got any recommendations? Let me know!