Book Club Review: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
- Megs
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
The Duke and I
Julia Quinn
Bridgertons, #1
Publisher: Avon Books
Published Date: June 27, 2006
Genres: Romance, Historical, Regency, Fiction
384 Pages / 12 Hours 9 Minutes
Date Read: February 23-March 1, 2026
Format: 📱+🎧
Source: Kindle Unlimited + Audible
This is the first book in an eight book series. As always, if you prefer a spoiler free review please read my quick review instead of the in depth review below.
About the Book
Rules are rules in Regency London society. Daphne Bridgerton has struggled being too amiable to capture the hearts of the eligible gentleman. Simon Basset, however, is quite the opposite. The Duke of Hastings has returned to England and wants nothing more than to forgo the ordeal of marriage and society standards. Simon encounters his best friend’s sister Daphne, and together they concoct a plan to get what they each want.
Quick Review (Spoiler Free)
The book did not live up to the hype for me. I liked parts about the book better than the TV show. The characters felt more real and genuine in the book. Their romantic life is nothing but awkward. It was a weird roller coaster but I didn’t hate it. They aren’t my favorite couple of this universe so I’m going to keep on reading through the series before I decide to give up.
Now, let's get into the details!!
(Note: Some text may appear to be blocked out, just highlight that text to read it.)
I saw the TV show before I got around to reading the books. I didn't even know they were a book until I finished the first season and now I'm obsessed. I ordered the Illumicrate special edition reprint when it came back around and I cannot be more excited for April when those will be shipping out.
I will start by saying that I enjoyed the book more than I enjoyed the show.
Things that were different that I enjoyed:
Daphne was not the "star" of the season. She had been on the marriage mart for 3 years and was worried about not finding someone because they would rather be her friend than her romantic partner.
I really enjoyed the banter much more in the book than the show. I feel like it was more genuine in conversation that in the show.
Things that were different that I didn't really like:
The iconic scene between Daphne and Simon where she is trying to conceive and takes advantage of Simon is much different. In the book he is intoxicated and half out-of-it which makes it in a way worse on Daphne but it also addresses that she didn't really plan it but that it organically happened and she made a choice which is still not great.
I overall liked the book but it didn't live up to the hype that I expected from it. I am about to start book two and hoping that this part of the story is better than the first.
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