The Duke And I (Avon Romantic Treasure) (edit title)

• Rated 5 stars

“very funny... highly entertaining.... fantastic!”

• Rated 4 stars

“This book is just another one of Julia Quinn's great works. I fell in love with the leading male from the very start. Simon was just adorable, his stuttering just made you love him more. Quinn also kept the humor in her book which I always love to read. A great start to the Bridgerton Series.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Everyone rejoiced when the Earl of Clyvedon was born. But no one was more elated than the baby's own father who, in his mid-forties, has waited a long time to sire an heir. But his "perfect son" was starting to show sign of idiocy when, at the age of four, he realizes that the boy couldn't talk without stuttering. After that discovery, he leaves his son in the care of his nurse and proclaims him dead. But what he never knew was that by doing so, he would turn his idiot son into a remarkable man.

Now at the age of twenty-eight, Simon Bassett comes home from his extended travel in order to take over the title of the Duke of Hastings. With his father dead, he knows that the ton would be aware of the fortune that he has inherited. And boy was he ever wrong! As soon as he sets foot in the ballroom, ambitious mamas clamor for his attention wanting to introduce their daughters, and young married women and widows alike are blatantly propositioning him! Then he meets Daphne, sister of his best friend the Viscount of Bridgerton. Realizing the position she's currently in, and with escape the only thing in his mind, he strikes a deal with her whereby they pretend to have developed a sudden tendre for each other, leaving him "unavailable".

For a while, it seemed like the best thing for both of them. Simon is practically left alone by those ambitious ladies of the ton, while Daphne immediately becomes the Season's darling by "catching" the attention of the most eligible bachelor in London, and therefore attracting more suitors. But then the pretence gets a little too much and try as they might, they couldn't stop the connection that draws them together.

After reading WHEN HE WAS WICKED, I was eager to read the other books in the Bridgerton series and bought the first book THE DUKE AND I. I absolutely loved Simon and Daphne's story. Theirs is an entertaining, delightful and sometimes emotional romance. Simon is such a compelling hero, trying to escape a lonely childhood, but still carrying the burden of being unwanted by his father, who was embarrassed by his speech defect. I admired the way he used his father's hatred to excel in his studies, yet at the same time I felt sympathy for the fact that he denies himself the pleasure of a happy marriage and of siring his own children, believing that letting the title pass on to a distant relative would be the ultimate revenge against his father. And this is what Daphne must help him overcome. And the way she did it was noting short of remarkable. Her determination and love for him makes her such an endearing heroine, just absolutely perfect for Simon.

THE DUKE AND I, with its witty dialogues and entertaining main and secondary characters, is a perfect start to the series. I guarantee that you will love Simon and Daphne's story and will make you want to read about the other Bridgerton siblings as well.

Next after this is Anthony's story (THE VISCOUNT WHO LOVED ME). ”

• Rated 5 stars

“A whimsical delight in historical romance. This is the first in the Bridgerton series. It introduces the family and sets the needed background information for the series. Though a family of six, they are cohesive and supportive. They are imaginative in living and enjoying life though burdened by the moral standards of the times. Lovers of historical romance will not be disappointed.”

• Rated 5 stars

“It's my first time to try this author & i found a very sweet story & real adorable characters. I loved how the author made an unperfect hero who's not the strongest and not the most & most & most..... like all other books, but still he was from my most favourite heroes.”

• Rated 5 stars

“The Duke and I was the first book I read in 2009 and what a wonderful way to start a year of reading! This book was packed with larger than life characters and a story that consumes you. I could not flip the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen next. Simon and Daphne never expected to fall in love after their pretend courtship, but love is what happens. Simon's a true tortured hero, he has a horrible stammer that leaves him scared to death every time he opens his mouth to speak and a pure hatred for his father. You want to do exactly what Daphne did and just love him to pieces.

I love books that make me smile, but this book made me laugh out loud, for pages! The funniest part has to do with their wedding night and impotence. Tears, I tell you, tears! This books starts the Bridgerton Family series, one of eight books and let me tell you if all the books in the series are this funny, and pack a story that rivals a Garwood historical, boy have I hit a jackpot!”

• Rated 3 stars

“Engrossing regency romance with characters I can care about. Daphne Bridgerton is naive but in some ways wise beyond her years when it comes to handling the emotionally damaged but oh so handsome Simon who has vowed never to marry or have children. Is he even capable of loving anyone? Daphne's mother is a real treat - someone to have on your side!

Easy light read. I love happy endings...”

• Rated 5 stars

“like always Julia quinn proves to be the queen
she makes me wish SO BAD to be a charecter of her books ”

• Rated 4 stars

“I read romance novels. The idea of being swept away by a gorgeous Adonis is no stranger to any female. A man who seems to be perfect, from his physicality to his Mr.Darcy-like demeanor would surely make any woman weak on her knees! A favorite romance author of mine is JULIA QUINN. Quinn writes romance stories set in the Regency (think Jane Austen). But what makes her novels stand-out from the typical romance novel are her heroines. Her heroines are not the damsel in distress type. In fact, they can throw a punch that can knock off many guys! They are extremely opinionated and unbelievably witty. The heroes are also a delightful bunch. Sure, they are rich and handsome but they also have qualities that can make anyone relate to them (unwanted child, learning problems...).

THE DUKE AND I is the second novel from Julia Quinn that I've read and needless to say, I was entertained (the first one is THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER). Daphne is an unforgettable heroine who is witty and knows a thing or two to make men literally speechless. While her hero, Simon, the Duke of Hastings is struggling to overcome a troubled and loveless childhood to become the man suitable for Daphne.

Another thing that made me smile about the novel is the large Bridgerton family. THE DUKE AND I is the first book in the Bridgerton series that tells the story of ALL eight Bridgerton children. Daphne is the fourth and eldest daughter of the wealthy family and her older brothers, Anthony, Benedict, and Colin made me wish that I have at least an older brother to protect me from pesky and annoying suitors!”

• Rated 5 stars

“I read it online, love it, just love it!”