Search - The Duke and I (Bridgerton, Bk 1)

Cute, Quinn is a better writer than most. She structures her stories in a way that reminds me of Joanna Lindsey. This is a Bridgerton story.

Daphne meets her brother's old friend from Eton, when he returns from years of travel abroad to assume his title, now that his father is dead. The young Duke is a man who has overcome a childhood stutter that caused his father, the old Duke, to cast off his imperfect heir, but who hasn't yet overcome the bitterness of that rejection, or a seething hatred of his perfectionist father. His hatred may poison his future with Daphne, unless she can convince him that the Duke is still haunting his son by making him miserable, even from the grave.

The only thing I don't like about this sort of novel is the "force the dishonored female to marry the man she was caught alone with will she or nil she" sort of high-handedness. For some reason, Quinn seems particularly fond of that sort of thing (using it in several novels, including this one), and it shows a lack in her writing that she can't think of another resolution than that old hackneyed romance cliche. Shotgun weddings are so passe!

While not as steamy as I tend to prefer my historical romances, THE DUKE AND I stands out from the crowd with its enviably witty dialogue and memorable characters. The banter between Mrs. Bridgerton and the Bridgerton siblings nearly had me bursting out in laughter at inopportune moments. Consequently, I enjoyed Simon and Daphne as a couple, and thought that their relationship was well-played. I did want more heat though! (Perhaps I am more dirty-minded than the norm…)

That said, I look forward to reading more from Julia Quinn. She has a way of creating crush-worthy characters that color up an otherwise ordinary historical romance world.

This is the book that got me into Julia Quinn and the Bridgerton series, so I am forever thankful for it. The Duke and I was definitely one of my favorites of the 8.

Love this series of novels by Julia Quinn!

Love this family. Great series!!

From other reviews I thought this book would be more tame, sex wise, so I gave it a try. I do not like to know every detail of a love scene but I enjoy this genre the most for romance & witty repartee.
Boy, was I mistaken! I just skimmed through that section till it got back to dialogue. She is compared to Joanna Lindsey, which I get, but she is by no means her equal, when it comes to dialogue and making you fall in love with characters.

I do agree, the impotence dialogue was hysterical :)

It was a sweet love story, great character development (loved the stuttering aspect!), witty conversation. I have 8 siblings and the dialogue & scenes at dinner rang very true for me.

Not sure I loved it enough to read the entire series, though. I think Lindsey has me spoiled!