The Duke and I

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Summary: The Duke and I
Review: It was enjoyable, light and easy to read. It was a lift when not feeling well.

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Summary: An Absolutely Charming Read
Review: What a wonderful young writer Julia Quinn is. The words are fresh and so enchanting. You believe the love and hardships both Simon and Daphne experience and you are there with them every step of the way.

And I just adore the Bridgerton family. The most endearing family ever to grace the pages of any romance novel. I can't wait until Julia Quinn writes each and everyone of their tales of love and woe. And, pay close attention dear ladies, the Dashing Bridgerton brothers are especially inviting. I just adore the way Ms. Quinn describes the love and protection the brothers give their young sister Daphne: Always watching after her and making sure that no ill will comes her way (although occassionally they're a bit too over protective, but it just makes one love and esteen them even more).

And I loved Lady Whistledown and her hilarious gossip column.

Ms. Quinn will now join my list of most treasured authors based on this book alone. Her eloquent writing is one of the best I've seen; I don't know if this will be the case in "The Viscount Who Loved Me" (the second installment of the Bridgerton family) or "An Offer from a Gentleman" (the third installment), or any other future readings of Julia Quinn, but I am most eager to find out.

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Summary: Her Best Book
Review: If you read any of her books, this is the one to read!

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Summary: WHAT A WONDERFUL STORY FROM AN AMAZING WRITER!
Review: I ordered this book right after I had finished reading "The Viscount Who Loved Me", and I must say I am not in the least bit sorry or disappointed. If before, in my most humble opinion, I thought Julia Quinn really did know how to write Historical Romances that were funny, entertaining, witty and heart warming (just to name a few adjectives that come to mind); then now, fellow reader, I must simply reinforce my previous opinion by stating that, not only does she know how to do it, but she does it superbly.

Daphne and Simon are well-drawn and developed characters, likable, intelligent, full of snappy remarks and the stuff Heroes and Heroines are made off. And that is not saying they are not all too human in their affections, reactions and fears. But, ironically, that is what makes them as remarkable as they are on paper: their actions. The story that ensues after their rather unexpected and not so formal/proper meeting lives up to anyone's expectations (and believe me, mine are usually a tad high) with unexpected twists and turns into their blooming romance... I rather not spoilt it for you, because you ought to discover them by yourself. What I enjoyed most from the book is Daphne's family, which is to say, her three (very charming, by the way) elder brothers' intromission and Violet's silent but successful good-natured meddling.

If you can, read first this one, "The Duke and I", which could be considered the first of the Bridgerton family series, and then go on to TVWLM. Now I understand better Anthony's behavior and reluctance in that installment, and look forward to reading the book once more, to see Daphne and Simon (their whole entourage, actually) in a brand new light. I hope Ms. Quinn will not let her dear readers down, and soon she will continue writing about this exquisite family. Who knows? Colin or Benedict could be next, with Lady Whistledown breathing invisibly down their necks, watching silently over them as only a devoted ..... could. TA TA!!

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Summary: One of the best and most endearing!
Review: Daphne is totally enchanting, but Simon is one of the most lovable heros I have ever encountered. I totally fell in love with him, cried with him, laughed with him.

One of my favorite romance novels of all time, one I will keep and re-read over and over again.

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Summary: Giggle and Sigh
Review: As this was my first Julia Quinn novel, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. As a great fan of that old romance/suspense combination, I admit I was a little wary of buying something that didn't seem to have that combination...As it turns out, that was the greatest choice I ever made!

Daphne and Simon made me giggle and sigh..something I don't often do while reading books. The coversations were witty, and the language itself was flowing. I read a lot, not necessarily romance novels and seldom have I seen a book flow with such delightful prose as this one did.

I promise that this book will be worth every penny and that you'll rush out and order all her other books (which incidentally are for the most part..splendid).

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Summary: Refreshing!
Review: If you're looking for a book you won't want to put down, here it is! This is the first Julia Quinn book I have read but it certainly won't be the last. You'll find her characters delightful and loveable while the storyline is pure fun! This book won't disappoint!

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Summary: Laugh & Sigh - totally entertaining
Review: Duke and I, is the first book of the Bridgerton Series.  2nd book is The Viscount who love me, 3rd would be the An Offer From A Gentleman which is still coming soon on July,2001.  I read this book in one sitting, finished at 5am in the morning & was a zombie at work few hours afterwards :-)    Since Julia Quinn is new to me, I honestly didn't think this book was going to keep me up all night.  I was mistaken.

Simon Basset, Earl of Clyvedon, Duke of Hasting is far from the regular heroes of most historical romance novels that I have read.  Yes, he was described as handsome, rich, intelligent & a RAKE - just like most heroes...  What made him different from the others is that he have a stuttering problems, which he has learned to control as he grew up yet it's still there when he's nervous or upset. This flaw made Simon more human, realistic. He had an awfully sad childhood too.  His father denied him love and privileged because of his stuttering. His father was so shamed of him that he told people he no longer had a son. He would rather passed his dukedom to his cousin than to his son who he called stupid, idiot, imbecile and nitwit. This lead Simon to hate and yet it inspired him to worked hard in order to proved his father wrong.  In the end, his father proudly saw that Simon was actually worthy of his dukedom and passed it on to him when he died.  Because of his father's obsession on his dukedom lineage, Simon vowed never to marry, never to have children - to end the blood line with him.  But when he returned to England & inherited his dukedom after his father's death,  he was sought after by every MOTHER of the ton with marriageable daughters. 

Dafne Bridgerton on the other hand had a full happy childhood.  Even if her father had died when she was only 10, She grew up with a loving mother,  7 brothers & sisters - who are all close knit.  Naturally, because of her happy experience as a child, she longed to get married and have lots of children just like what she was use to growing up with. Being a wife and motherhood is her simple dream.   Unlike most heroines of historical romances novels, Dafne didn't have an extra ordinary beauty but she is sweet, funny, philosophical, strong willed & determined.  She might not have "THAT" extra ordinary beauty but she is well liked by everybody... and that is somehow a problem in finding a suitable husband.  She possessed a unique character that draws every people to view her simply as A FRIEND. That is one of the two reasons why most eligible bachelors doesn't court her.  She was everybody's friend.  The other reason was his 3 elder brothers ( Anthony, Benedict & Colin) who watched her like a hawk. 

To keep ambitious mothers with marriageable daughters away from him, Simon propose a scheme to Dafne, who happens to be Anthony's (Simon's best friend) younger sister.   They will feign "attachment".   In return, he insisted to Dafne that when the Ton realize that the Duke had captured an interest towards her, Eligible bachelors who viewed her as a friend would eventually see her in different light. Rather conceited perhaps?  She agreed & gotten 6 suitors the very next day.  Interesting.  So far, the scheme seems to be working well with both of them until Dafne realized she was slowly falling in love with Simon. That's when things got complicated. At the same time, Simon's feelings towards her were getting stronger.  He tries so hard to keep it in control.  After all, Thou shalt not lust after thy friend's sister!  But what happens if Dafne seduces him?  Would he be able to keep his emotions in control?  Would he remember the most important rule amongst friends?

I normally prefer the man to be the seducer but in this book, I rather like the way Julia Quinn wrote and described Dafne's thoughts.  The way Dafne shows her emotions didn't sound disgusting nor exaggerated.  She still have innocence but with a spark if naive naughtiness... Her actions are believable, understandable & practical considering the situation Simon is in, well.. the situation, they're both in.  I also liked the idea that Simon & Dafne started as friends then developed into something deeper.  They shared thoughts & dreams as well as fears & insecurities. They understood each other before words are passed, they formed a special bond before marriage - this is somewhat unusual in historical romances novels that I have read so far.  I would like to mention my teeny bitty complaint about this story though, I wondered what happened to Nurse Hopkins. She who supposedly loved and took care of Simon ever since he was a baby. I would have loved to read about her. It would be nice to read her proud reaction to see what Simon had accomplished. Since she was the encouragement & Simon's maternal support, it would have been nice to see her involved in Simon's life all throughout the book. Oh well, this is just a small flaw which I thought I'd mention.

Oh it won't be fair not to mention the famous Lady Whistledown's gossip column.  My!  Not only is she mysteriously accurate, she is soooo funny.  Her column is one of my favorites in this book.   I have a couple of guess who this lady might be but I'm not 100% sure.  When you finish reading this book, email me your guess.   It would be fun to compare thoughts and guess about this.   I sure can't wait to read the rest of the Bridgerton Series to know who this elite lady is.  This book is my first of Julia Quinn and definitely wasn't the last.   I was thoroughly pleased & entertained with this one that I am now in the process of reading "The Viscount who love me", that is Anthony's story. Anthony is Simon's best friend & Dafne's eldest brother. Will write a review on that soon afterwards too. 

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Summary: This book was exciting from beginning to end.
Review: I first discovered Julia Quinn with How to Marry a Marquiss, and later, The Viscount Who Loved Me. I love Quinn's style of writing overall, but this book touched something in me that her other's haven't. Daphne was a real heroine, one that I could relate to. The Duke was every woman's dream come true. Quinn's genius in writing is her humourous dialogue, and here she is able to keep it up throughout the entire book. Unlike her earlier novels, The Duke and I shows how she's matured as a writer. Gone are the cut and paste love scenes and over the top story lines. The charactars and their "issues" are now believable, unlike two previous books, Everything and the Moon and Brighter than the Sun (aka: Dumb and Dumber). Buy this book, you won't be disappointed.

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Summary: Incredible!
Review: I opened the first page, and I was captured for the rest of the evening. I actually woke up 3 hours early so that I could finish "The Duke and I" before work this morning. It all begins with the birth of Simon, who turns out to be "defective" according to his father. Simon then has to overcome his stuttering in seclusion and shame. He develops into a charismatic hero that the reader can root for from the very beginning of the book. Simon meets Daphne and is immediately intrigued. They form a partnership and agree to pretend an attachment, so that neither will be plagued by the constant pressure of marriage. The connection between these two is instant and very interesting to observe. Daphne is a sheltered young lady, with courage and determination. Simon has to wrestle demons from his past and fortunately Daphne is the one to help him succeed. I enjoyed the romance between these two characters immensely. The one dark spot in this book for me, was the situation that Daphne created when she had no respect for her husband's wishes and decided to blatantly do what she wanted. I do not think that such an action is easily forgiven, but it did succeed to move the plot to its appropriate ending. All in all, this is a very enjoyable book.