From New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the first novel in the beloved Regency-set world of her charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix.

In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable…but not too amiable.

Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society—just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend’s sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.

The plan works like a charm—at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London’s elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule…

My Review

“Did you know I have always suspected that men were idiots,” Daphne ground out, “but I was never positive until today.”

I’m one of those people that has to read the book before I watch the show. And I’m here to tell you that it is tough to not get spoiled on both the book and show. You all know how people are about spoiling everything. After reading this book, I’m so excited to watch the show because this book was remarkable.

This being my first ever experience with a regency romance, I wasn’t sure if it would be for me or if I would fully grasp that time period. I’m so proud of myself for trying something different because now I need to read more. I’m seriously hooked.

The story was easy to follow and the storyline was like reading a soap opera. Daphne and Simon together was like pure adrenaline. The wittiness and the audaciousness of those two wasn’t what I was expecting, like at all. But you can’t be mad at people who know what they want and go after it by any means necessary.

The Duke & I was utterly fantastic. I’m such a sucker for a brooding character with a dark past who brings that into their now. You really couldn’t get any better than the Duke. (Oh, sorry. I might have been drooling) I’m now frantic to get my hands on book two and get to watching the show.

*I watched the show and now I’m obsessed with everything Bridgerton. Also, Simon is absolutely drool worthy. Have you seen that spoon scene? ♥*