The Duke and I
by Julia Quinn
Ada’s Score
Julia Quinn's 2000 novel — the first Bridgerton book — introduces Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings in a fake-courtship scheme that, inevitably, becomes entirely real. Quinn balances genuine emotional intelligence with the pleasures of Regency social comedy, and Daphne is a heroine with enough agency and wit to carry a modern readership. The novel also contains one of the more controversial consent scenes in the romance canon, which Quinn addresses with honesty in later editions. Its enormous popularity, amplified by the Netflix series, reflects a real literary pleasure at its core.
Ada Brief
AI reading intelligence"The original Bridgerton — charming, witty, and the reason so many readers discovered historical romance."
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The Regency Romance That Started It All
Before the Netflix phenomenon, before everyone knew the name Bridgerton, there was Julia Quinn crafting this absolutely delicious fake-courtship romance. Daphne and Simon's story has that perfect enemies-to-lovers tension wrapped in Regency wit, and honestly? It's just pure joy to read. If you're looking for a romance that's clever, swoony, and impossible to put down, this is exactly where you should start.
Book Details
- Publisher
- Avon Books, Inc.
- Published
- January 1, 2000
- Pages
- 432
- Language
- English
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