Bridgerton fever
has hit America. I am a lover of Regency
romance, but I somehow missed this series when it was first published. I watched the new Netflix series and I loved
it. I was excited to be able to read and
review the first book in the Bridgerton series, The Duke and I. The first season of the new show is based on
this book.
Daphne Bridgerton
is the fourth of eight children and has been unable to find a husband after
nearly two seasons in London. Everyone considers her their friend rather than
wife material. After a run in with Simon
Basset the Duke of Hastings, her eldest brother’s friend, the two decide to feign
a relationship in order to gain suitors for Daphne and fend off ambitious
mothers from Simon. Will the two fall in
love? Why does Simon never want to marry
and have children?
I love the fake
relationship turned real trope. Quinn’s writing
made this a fun escapism novel to read. I loved the banter between Daphne and Simon. I
really enjoyed Lady Whistledown’s statements at the start of each chapter. She is my favorite and I enjoy the mystery of
who she is.
Comparing the
novel to the show, I thought the show did an excellent job bringing the story
to screen. There were some slight differences with the book, particularly towards
the end of the novel. The series really developed
many of the secondary characters that we don’t get to see to much of in the
novel. I look forward to both watching
season 2 and reading more of this series.
I also enjoyed the
second epilogue in the book which is set twenty years in the future. It may be spoiled future books for me, but I
really enjoyed seeing how things were going down the road for our main
characters.
SPOILER ALERT: I’ve read a lot of outrage over a particular
scene in the novel. I think it’s
interesting that the outrage has focused on consent for Simon but leaves out of
the conversation that Simon has been pulling the wool over Daphne’s eyes during
their entire marriage as well. They are
both in the wrong and I thought that was part of what the story was about. I thought it sparks a good conversation on
consent. SPOILER END.
Overall, Bridgerton: The Duke and I is a fun escapism regency
romance.
Book Source: Review Copy from William Morrow. Thank-you!
