The Duke and I (Bridgerton Series, Book 1) | 
| Author: Julia Quinn
Publisher: Avon
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  169 reviews
Sales Rank: 15566
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0380800829
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780380800827
ASIN: 0380800829
Publication Date: January 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: very usable copy with marks
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Amazon.com
Setting: Regency England
Sensuality Rating: 7 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 is rich with author Julia Quinn's trademark humor and engaging dialogue. Beneath the Regency charm of this novel, however, dwells an insightful exploration of the impact of childhood trauma and the healing power of love. Quinn just keeps getting better and better, a fact that's sure to delight readers. --Lois Faye Dyer
Product Description
By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister, the lovely—and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it's all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her . . . but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke . . . for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love . . .
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| Customer Reviews: Read 164 more reviews...
 No Austen! August 18, 2008
This is a cute titillating bodice ripper (quite literally, I'm afraid), but if you're looking for something Austen-esque, look elsewhere. Quinn is definitely no Austen. Austen, for one thing, knew what she was writing about. Quinn apparently has no idea. Despite setting the plot among the Ton of the Regency era, she doesn't seem to have the slightest how they would have spoken or acted. I'm not even speaking of technicalities, like words or phrases that are no longer used (and that make Heyer's gorgeous works for a non-native speaker like me very difficult to understand!) - it's the very basics, things they say or do that strike one as very modern and immediately throw you out of the storyline. Things like, for example, the way they address each other. The things they speak about. The things they do. The characters are, for Regency sensibilities, utterly brash, vulgar and unfit for any polite society. Not to mention the shirt buttons. :) I understand most of Quinn's works have been written in the age of the Internet, so she really has no excuse for not doing her research. It's all up there.
Also what disgusted me was the utter b****iness of Daphne in taking advantage of Simon. Whether taking advantage of someone drunk is rape or not, the very assumption that she is right in making Simon break all the vows he has made shows unbelievable self-conceit and disregard for Simon.
In addition, the constant spacing out of both lead characters reminds me of bad fanfic written by teenagers - the usual filler when the author does not know how the characters might react or what they might say.
I've given it two stars because, despite its many and huge faults, the story was well paced, romantic (at times) and sexy (well... if one isn't too much disturbed by the modernness). And I needed a dose of chick lit right now, which the book satisfied quite nicely.
 It is the reason i fell in love with books July 3, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Every time i write a review on a historical romance, i tend to mention this particular book as one of my favorites. it is not one of my favorites, but my main. Honestly, it has been the best story i have ever read, a breath of fresh air. A book that allows you to dream that love and happily-ever afters actually exists. How wonderfully written, what a great creation of characters. This book, made me fall in love with historical's and made me Julia Quinn's most devoted fan. I love every page, every word, every kiss. The main characters have such a chemistry that you can feel it through the pages. It is extremely well-written, and the romance is believable. I just do not have enough words to express how enamored iam with this story. I only know that i have read it more than a couple of times, and every time, i find myself enjoying the story even more. A work well done Mrs JULIA !!!!!!!! Thank you.
Page-Turning, Delightful Read!! June 30, 2008
This was my first introduction to Julia Quinn (when I read it about 5 years ago). I must say that it was an absolutely charming and heartwarming tale, one which I have frequently picked up over and over again over the years.
Daphne and Simon's tale is beautifully written, Ms Quinn knows how to draw you in to the characters and you feel as though you are right there with them, feeling their sadness, sharing their laughter and tears as the story moves along. When Simon broke down and told Daphne how his father had made him feel as a child, I felt every single emotion he must have felt at such callous treatment!
The introduction of Lady Whistledown also adds delightful comic relief and dry British wit to the story. Her character is absolutely hilarious and is highly entertaining throughout the story.
Ms Quinn's The Duke and I is a wonderful tale and is definitely a keeper for the bookshelves!
A Bore! June 29, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Quinn's book is in a word - dull. The story line is not horrible, albeit somewhat trite. It was the characters, however, that got to me. They are in every sense two-dimensional, flat characters that prevent the book from becoming more than a dreamy, hastily thought out fantasy. There is no conflict of emotions whatsoever, and hence, no depth. And if the lack of originality and good plot weren't enough to put anyone to sleep, her diction fully drives the point home.
I've read fanfiction by 13 year-olds much better in every way than this.
 Nice story. Pleasant romance novel. June 28, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I found no major flaws in this story. It was pleasant, but I was not surprised or delighted. Simon stuttered as a child so his father supported him financially but acted like his son was dead. Simon plans never to have children so the Duke title will die out, and that will be his revenge against his father. He is miserable due to being chased by mothers and daughters for marriage. He pretends to be courting Daphne so others will leave him alone. Most men think of Daphne as a friend rather than a romance. Simon tells her that more men will be interested in her if they think he's interested. Therefore, they pretend to be courting, but they eventually fall in love with each other.
Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: three. Setting: England, 1813. Copyright: 2000. Genre: regency romance.
To date, I've read the following Julia Quinn books.
5 stars. Thirty-six Valentines (in anthology The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown). Copyrt 2003. Review Dated 5/31/08.
3 stars. The Viscount Who Loved Me. Copyrt 2000. Review Date 5/30/08.
3 stars. The Duke and I. Copyrt 2000. Review Date 6/28/08.
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