Bridgerton: The Duke & I

The Duke and I

Hello, my loves!

It's time to discuss the first book in the Bridgerton series, the Duke and I. Those who watched the show on Netflix might be surprised by the contrasts between the series and the book. 

Before getting into the book review, we need to talk about how excellent the script for this show is. The diversity introduced in the show is phenomenal, and the screenwriters have done a fantastic job turning novels that could simply be described as a washed-out Jane Austen meets Haliquinn Romance into art.

While I understand that this last line may be a bit harsh, it is nothing but the truth, and I will get into this in just a moment.

In the first episode of the show, we see Daphane is on her way to be introduced to Queen Charlette (also NOT in the books), where she is named the "Diamond of the Season," In the book, two seasons have passed, and she hasn't gotten married yet.

They've gotten some of the main events in there, like Nigel Berbrooke getting socked in the face, Simon's relationship with his father, Daphane and Simon's little adventure in the garden, where they are discovered by Anthony, not the bitch that's always wearing pink, and the duel.

I watched the series before reading the books, and one of the most significant differences you notice right off the bat was Marina's role in the book. In fact, she's not even in the book! It's not until a later book (To Sir Phillip, with love) that you learn that Marina isn't a distant Featherington cousin but a distant Brigerton cousin. 

The Regency period is a very romanticized period, which in my opinion, is primarily due to our association with this period and Jane Austen. While reading the books, I envisioned everything I know of this period, complete with visions of Elizabeth and Mr.Darcy, and coming from a girl who HATES romance...#goals.

Reading the first book, I had high expectations as I, like many, have watched the show before reading it, and it just didn't live up to it. Like I said, it just fell flat. It isn't until the last 1/4 of the book does the steamy romance emerge, and once it does, it is the equivalent of sex without the foreplay. 

The book had its highs, but those mostly came in sexual tension and suspense, but I found the books quite flat.

To be quite honest, this might be one of the few instances where I liked the show better than the books. 

I'm only giving this 4/5 beers because... sex. 

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