The Duke And I: Inspiration for the Netflix Original Series Bridgerton
By Julia Quinn

'Quinn is a master of historical romance' Entertainment Weekly'A smart, funny touch. . . reminiscent of Helen Fielding' Time MagazineFrom New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn comes the first novel in the beloved Regency-set world of her charming, powerful Bridgerton family, now a series created by Shonda Rhimes for Netflix.In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince - while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable . . . but not too amiable.Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.Amiability is not a characteristic shared by Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Recently returned to England from abroad, he intends to shun both marriage and society - just as his callous father shunned Simon throughout his painful childhood. Yet an encounter with his best friend's sister offers another option. If Daphne agrees to a fake courtship, Simon can deter the mamas who parade their daughters before him. Daphne, meanwhile, will see her prospects and her reputation soar.The plan works like a charm-at first. But amid the glittering, gossipy, cut-throat world of London's elite, there is only one certainty: love ignores every rule . . .Find out why readers love Julia Quinn . . .'Powered by a surfeit of dazzling wit and graced with a cast of unforgettable characters' Booklist'Quinn is incomparable! The latest addition to her beloved Bridgerton series is funny, charming, witty and wildly romantic' RT Book Reviews'Like an episode of Downtown Abbey mixed with a great rom-com' iBooks Best Books of March'Quinn writes delightfully fast-paced, funny, sparkling and bright romance' Romantic Times'The next best thing to Georgette Heyer' Gloss'Julia Quinn is one of the best historical romance novelists of our time' Heroes and Heartbreakers'Quinn excels in writing stories full of joy and delight, where laughter trembles on the edges' Happy Ever After