Bridgerton: The Duke and I (Bridgertons, #1) by Julia Quinn

regency romance • fake dating • friends-to-lovers • marriage of convenience • charming rake

When Daphne Bridgerton enters London's marriage market, she has charm, wit, and a prestigious family name, but finding a suitable husband proves more complicated than expected. Enter Simon Basset, the devastatingly handsome Duke of Hastings, who has no intention of marrying at all.

A mutually beneficial arrangement seems like the perfect solution. Their pretend courtship can give Daphne the attention she needs while helping Simon keep determined matchmakers at bay. But in a world where appearances matter and attraction has a way of ruining the best-laid plans, pretending to fall in love may be far more dangerous than either of them anticipated.

The Vibe

Set among the glittering ballrooms, elegant estates, and razor-sharp gossip of Regency London, Bridgerton is a witty, romantic introduction to the family that started it all. Daphne is warm-hearted, clever, and determined to find her place in a society where every eligible woman is being watched.

Simon, the brooding Duke of Hastings, is equally determined to avoid the expectations that come with his title. Their arrangement gives them both an escape from London's relentless matchmaking, but their undeniable chemistry makes maintaining the boundaries of a fake courtship increasingly difficult.

With sparkling banter, family meddling, social intrigue, and plenty of romantic tension, Julia Quinn's beloved first Bridgerton novel delivers the charming, escapist historical romance that inspired the hit Netflix series.

Tropes & Tags

• Regency romance
• Historical romance
• Fake courtship
• Friends-to-lovers
• Marriage of convenience
• Best friend's sister
• Duke romance
• Society romance
• Witty banter
• Family-centered romance
• London high society
• Romantic comedy

Books in Series (In Order)

• The Duke and I, #1
• The Viscount Who Loved Me, #2
• An Offer from a Gentleman, #3
• Romancing Mister Bridgerton, #4
• To Sir Phillip, With Love, #5
• When He Was Wicked, #6
• It's in His Kiss, #7
• On the Way to the Wedding, #8