The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

E-Book Extras: ONE: Behind the Novel: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn; TWO: The Bridgerton Basics: Ms. Quinn Fills You InSimon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry -- though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that is seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, she soon forgets that their courtship is a complete sham. And now she has to do the impossible and keep herself from losing her heart and soul completely to the handsome hell-raiser who has sworn off marriage forever!

Not sure what I was expecting but It was pretty meh. The plot seemed to move slow and we didn't get much beyond Simon and Daphne.

What worked for me in this book:- I thought Lady Whistledown's Society Papers were a great little treat. Like an early Gossip Girl, if you will.- I read this book at the same time as reading Julia Quinn's latest work [b:Because of Miss Bridgerton 25657772 Because of Miss Bridgerton (Rokesbys #1) Julia Quinn https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1458871065s/25657772.jpg 45479802] and I found this one a lot more structured with better flow.- I am absolutely in love with Violet Bridgerton (the mother) and the badass way she keeps her grown-up sons in order. Reminded me of Molly Weasley.What didn't work for me in this book:- I felt that Daphne and Simon's chemistry was rushed and I didn't quite understand why they would either of them fall in love with the other.- Some scenes felt a little forced and contrived, and such scenes increased in frequency as the book progressed.- That non-consensual scene when Daphne pretty much forced Simon to finish inside her, and then being almost completely non-repentent about it, and the whole thing being swept under the plot carpet like it was no big deal. That was really disturbing.