Book Review: The Duke & I

Like many people I’m a fan of Bridgerton. I’ve been wanting to read the books by Julia Quinn ever since season 1 came out years ago and I finally started! I bought the special editions of the series last year and each volume contains 2 of the novels. Last week I read the first book, The Duke & I. Like the tv show it follows Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. I know the show hasn’t followed the book order faithfully, but season 1 and book 1 are the same story.

If you’re unfamiliar with the details of the book and/or show, as mentioned above the first book follows Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. Daphne is out in society, meaning she is of marrying age and attends all of the balls and parties of the season in hopes of finding a husband. She has had suitors call on her, but no one she is interested in and the guys she could see herself marrying only see her as a friend.

Simon Basset, best friends with Anthony – Daphne’s eldest brother, has been away from London for years. He had a tough upbringing and as soon as he was out of university he left to travel the world instead of staying anywhere near his father the Duke of Hastings. Now, his father has passed and he’s the Duke. He’s back in England and not prepared for all the mothers in town to try to set him up with their daughters especially since he has no intentions of ever marrying.

When Simon and Daphne meet under funny and secret circumstances at a ball, they are instantly intrigued by one another. But, Simon has no intentions of courting anyone and Daphne has heard Simon is a womanizer and trouble and she should steer clear of him. After some discussion they realize they could help each other out. If it looks like they are interested in one another more suitors will surely come Daphne’s way because guys always become more interested when they think someone else is interested in her and Simon will be able to fend off some of the mothers and their daughters if they think he’s forming an attachment to someone. Will their plan work? Will all the time they spend together lead to them having feelings for one another?

I loved the story and Daphne and Simon. There were some scenes that were the same as in the show and some that were slightly different, but I liked it. However, after having watched the show first I can see how the novel is way simpler and way less dramatic than the show. The show had a lot of extra drama in it (the book does not have Queen Charlotte nor does it have the storyline of the Prince that’s interested in Daphne and makes Simon jealous). The novel is much more straightforward and doesn’t have any of the extras, which was fine for me.

There is steam in the book and a lot of tension, longing, and yearning which is fine. It’s not as explicitly spicy as the show, but I’ve heard generally that the books are spicy so I’m wondering if they become increasingly spicy as the books go on. I guess I’ll find out when I read them!

Have you read the Bridgerton books?

Read this if you want a steamy romcom set in the Regency Era with the friends to lovers, fake dating, and brother’s best friend tropes.

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