Rating: 9/10
I have heard many good things about Julia Quinn's Bridgertons series, so I decided to start with the one that started it all,
The Duke and I.
This story is about Simon, the Duke of Hastings, and how Daphne Bridgerton snatched him up. Simon's tragic past keeps him from fully moving on with his life - he absolutely refuses to marry! Unfortunately for him, he is deemed a prized catch for the season and all the marriage-minded society mama's have set their sights on him. Luckily, he has a plan!
Daphne Bridgerton is a clever and kindhearted girl. However, she can't seem to get any decent suitors! They are either too old or not too bright! And to make matters worse, the ones who she counts as potentials, consider her no more than a friend! What does a girl have to do to get noticed around here? Luckily for her, Simon's plan may be just what she needs.
Simon and Daphne can pretend to be romantically involved to help her attract some worthy suitors while also helping Simon safe from being a target from all the debutantes and their pushy mothers! It seems like the perfect win-win situation. However, what happens when Daphne starts to fall in love with the person she is pretending to be in a relationship with? Will their fake courtship turn into something much more?
Pros: I have always been partial to the tortured soul type of hero. (My heart broke when his father rejected him because of his speech impairment. His stuttering/stammering was well placed into the story, without being overly annoying.) Luckily, Simon isn't too tortured to finally find his happiness with his love, Daphne. It is nice to be introduced to a character with depth.
The big contrast between the two lovers are a nice touch.
The conflicting feelings and emotions between the two main characters are realistic and not overly done which is a hard art to master. Props to Julia Quinn!
Oh and needless to say, I loved the romance between Daphne and Simon.
I fell in love with Daphne's family. They are slightly annoying at times, but oh so amusing and loving. The tease and pester one another, but at the end of the day, their love is quite endless for one another. It's sweet!
Oh and of course, how can I not fall in love with
Lady Whistledown's witty comments about the ton? No wonder Julia Quinn had 2 other books put together for more of Lady Whistledown's avid fans.
Cons: I found the heroine a bit lacking. I can't really quite put my finger on why, but I suppose I would've liked to see her not to mild. But this was only a minor blip in the story.
Favorite parts:
Daphne looked up to see her eldest brother making his way toward her. "Anthony," she said, trying to decide if she was pleased to see him or annoyed that he might be
coming over to meddle in her affairs. "I hadn't realized you would be in attendance."
"Mother," he said grimly. No other words were necessary.
"Ah," Daphne said with a sympathetic nod. "Say no more. I understand completely."
"She made a list of potential brides." He shot his sister a beleaguered look. "We do love her, don't we?"
Daphne choked on a laugh. "Yes, Anthony, we do."
"It's temporary insanity," he grumbled. "It has to be. There is no other explanation. She was a perfectly reasonable mother until you reached marriageable age."
"Me?" Daphne squeaked. "Then this is all my fault? You're a full eight years older than I am!"
"Yes, but she wasn't gripped by this matrimonial fervor until you came along."
Daphne snorted. "Forgive me if I lack sympathy. I received a list last year."
"Did you?"
"Of course. And lately she's been threatening to deliver them to me on a weekly basis. She badgers me on the issue of marriage far more than you could ever imagine. After all, bachelors are a challenge. Spinsters are merely pathetic. And in case you hadn't noticed, I'm female."
Anthony let out a low chuckle. "I'm your brother. I don't notice those things." He gave her a sly, sideways look. "Did you bring it?"
"My list? Heavens, no. What can you be thinking?"
His smile widened. "I brought mine."
Daphne gasped. "You didn't!"
"I did. Just to torture Mother. I'm going peruse it right in front of her, pull out my quizzing glass—"
"You don't have a quizzing glass."
He grinned—the slow, devastatingly wicked smile that all Bridgerton males seemed to possess. "I bought one just for this occasion."
"Anthony, you absolutely cannot. She will kill you. And then, somehow, she'll find a way to blame me. "
"I'm counting on it."
Daphne swatted him in the shoulder, eliciting a loud enough grunt to cause a half dozen partygoers to send curious looks in their direction.
"A solid punch," Anthony said, rubbing his arm.
"A girl can't live long with four brothers without learning how to throw one." She crossed her arms.
"What do you suppose is taking them so long?" Violet Bridgerton tugged on her eldest son's sleeve, unable to take her eyes off of her daughter—who appeared to have thoroughly captured the attention of the Duke of Hastings—only one week in London and already the catch of the season.
"I don't know," Anthony replied, looking gratefully at the backs of the Featheringtons as they moved on to their next victim, "but it feels as if it's been hours."
"Do you think he likes her?" Violet asked excitedly. "Do you think our Daphne truly has a chance to be a duchess?"
Anthony's eyes filled with a mixture of impatience and disbelief. "Mother, you told Daphne she wasn't even to be seen with him, and now you're thinking of marriage?"
"I spoke prematurely," Violet said with a blithe wave of her hand. "Clearly he is a man of great refinement and taste. And how, may I ask, do you know what I said to Daphne?"
"Daff told me, of course," Anthony lied.
"Hmmph. Well, I am certain that Portia Featherington won't be forgetting this evening anytime soon."
Anthony's eyes widened. "Are you trying to marry Daphne off so that she might be happy as a wife and a mother, or are you just trying to beat Mrs. Featherington to the altar?"
"The former, of course," Violet replied in a huff, "and I am offended you would even imply otherwise." Her eyes strayed off of Daphne and the duke for just long enough to locate Portia Featherington and her daughters. "But I certainly shan't mind seeing the look on her face when she realizes that Daphne will make the season's greatest match."
"Mother, you are hopeless."
"Certainly not. Shameless, perhaps, but never hopeless."
"Mother?" Daphne said, the word croaking in her throat.
But Violet only had eyes for her sons. "I knew I'd find you here," she accused. "Of all the stupid, bull-headed—"
Daphne didn't hear the rest of her mother's speech. Simon was laughing too hard in her ear.
"He made her miserable!" Benedict protested. "As her brothers, it's our duty to—"
"Respect her intelligence enough to let her solve her own problems," Violet snapped. "And she doesn't look particularly unhappyright now."
"That's because—"
"And if you say that's because you lot barged into her home like a herd of mentally deficient sheep,I'm disowning all three of you."
All three men shut their mouths.
"Now then," Violet continued briskly, "I believe it's time we left, don't you?" When her sons didn't move quickly enough to suit her, she reached out and—
"Please, Mother!" Colin yelped. "Not the—"
She grabbed him by his ear.
"Ear," he finished glumly.
Daphne grabbed Simon's arm. He was laughing so hard now, she was afraid he'd tumble down the steps.
It's a boy for the Duke and Duchess of Hastings!
After three girls, society's most besotted couple has finally produced an heir. This Author can only imagine the level of relief in the Hastings household; after all, it is a
truth universally acknowledged that a married man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of an heir.
The name of the new babe has yet to be made public, although This Author feels herself uniquely qualified to speculate. After all, with sisters named Amelia, Belinda, and Caroline, could the new Earl Clyvedon be called anything but David?
Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 15 December 1817
Simon threw up his arms in amazement, the single-sheet newspaper flying across the room. "How does she know this?" he demanded. "We've told no one of our decision to name him David."
Daphne tried not to smile as she watched her husband sputter and storm about the room. "It's just a lucky guess, I'm sure," she said, turning her attention back to the newborn in her arms.
...
"She must have a spy in our household," he said, planting his hands on his hips. "She must."
"I'm sure she doesn't have a spy in our household," Daphne said without looking up at him. She was too interested in the way David's tiny hand was gripping her finger.
"But—"
Daphne finally lifted her head. "Simon, you're being ridiculous. It's just a gossip column."
"Whistledown—ha!" he grumbled. "I've never heard of any Whistledowns. I'd like to know who this blasted woman is."
"You and the rest of London," Daphne said under her breath.
"Someone should put her out of business onceand for all."
"If you wish to put her out of business," Daphne could not resist pointing out, "you shouldn't support her by buying her newspaper. And don't even try to say that you buy Whistledown for me."
"You read it," Simon muttered.
"And so do you." Daphne dropped a kiss on the top of David's head. "Usually well before I can get my hands on it. Besides, I'm rather fond of Lady Whistledown these days."
Simon looked suspicious."Why?"
"Did you read what she wrote about us? She called us London's most besotted couple." Daphne smiled wickedly. "I rather like that."
"Ria", is the most desired and envied courtesan in all of London. Everyone is enamored with the mystery that surrounds her. All except Justin, the Earl of Baybary because he is her husband! Justin left Victoria in the country estate after consummating their marriage. His rejection hurt her deeply and broke her heart. After three years, he is back from the continent and is shocked to come face to face with his wife at a mistress-seeking-new-protector party! He isn't thrilled by the reunion and neither is she. After being blackmailed by her father to marry her, he is less than happy to find her scheming. Meanwhile, she is on a mission and her husband is only going to get in the way. He is jealous and curious to know what her real motives are and thus, a game of wit begins. Can she fulfill her mission without letting herself be clouded by her husband's passionate kisses? Can he get Victoria to trust him enough to tell him what she is up to? Can they both learn to tell each other the truth and fix all the misunderstandings that lie between them?
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