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.

Relentlessly pursued by match-making mamas and their charges, Simon Bassett, the handsome Duke of Hastings, has grown tired of the societal chase. Tired too is the lovely Daphne Bridgerton, whose matrimonially minded mother is set on finding her daughter the perfect husband. Neither Simon nor Daphne is happy with this annoying state of affairs and both would give anything for a little peace and quiet. Their mutual wish for a respite from the ton's marriage mart leads to a pretend engagement--a scheme that is threatened with exposure by Daphne's suspicious older brother, who happens to know Simon's way with women very well. The two never anticipated that a mutual attraction would lead to the very thing they set out to avoid--a wedding. But Simon fears that his painful past may keep him from being able to truly love anyone. And though Daphne cares for him deeply, she won't settle for anything less than his heart.

The Duke and I was the first book I read in 2009 and what a wonderful way to start a year of reading! This book was packed with larger than life characters and a story that consumes you. I could not flip the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen next. Simon and Daphne never expected to fall in love after their pretend courtship, but love is what happens. Simon's a true tortured hero, he has a horrible stammer that leaves him scared to death every time he opens his mouth to speak and pure hatred for his father. You want to do exactly what Daphne did and just love him to pieces.

I love books that make me smile, but this book made me laugh out loud, for pages! The funniest part has to do with their wedding night and impotence. Tears, I tell you, tears! This books starts the Bridgerton Family series, one of eight books and let me tell you if all the books in the series are this funny, and pack a story that rivals a Garwood historical, boy have I hit a jackpot!

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!

Julia Quinn is a great writer of historical novels. I've read quite a few of hers. She has the knack of making the characters very real and very funny. It is definetly worth the read

Read All Book Reviews of "The Duke and I Bridgerton Bk 1"

It was a good read, but more serious than some of her others.

My first Julia Quinn book. Loved it so much I am now on the hunt for the rest of the series.

Quick, light read about a free spirited rogue with loose morals and lots of enemies who begins to fall for the sister of a friend who needs his help in the relationship department. Sure, the lead female character isn't quite as entertaining as the lead male but they have great chemistry and the storyline is light enough. Good beach read or late night read. Enjoy!

Daphnes story...1st in series and you'll want to read them all....

Very good read! My second Julia Quinn novel, and I absolutely loved it! There are some books that make me lose interest in various parts, but this kept my attention! :)

This book is so interesting and it keeps you coming back to read the next chapter. I can't wait to start the next book in this series of 8. LaVerne

Typical Quinn! Doesn't disappoint.

You need to read the books in order. I love the saga.

First and one of the best in the Bridgerton series.

This is one of my favorite books of all time. You will laugh and cry!

Read All Book Reviews of "The Duke and I Bridgerton Bk 1"