Let’s talk Bridgerton, the outrageously popular Netflix series that’s taking the TV world by storm. When I first heard about it, I thought, eh, it can’t be that good. But, I decided I would give it a try. And I am so glad I did. I love that period in history – Regency England. The rules of society during that time have always fascinated me. The costumes were beautiful, well, some were. And, Rege-Jean Page (Simon Basset) was very nice to look at.
After watching the series, I decided I needed to read the books. I wanted more.
I am so glad I read the book too!
I only read the first one in the series, The Duke and I. It very closely follows the first season of Bridgerton (yes, it has been announced there will be a season 2!) but has so much more detail. Some of the characters in the Netflix series were portrayed very differently than the characters in the book and some of the plotlines were very different too.
Basically, here is the premise:
Young women, in Regency England, debuted for their “Season”. This was the time to flaunt their beauty, wealth, etc. at ball after ball after ball to try and snag a husband. If they didn’t find a husband during their debut Season, they were very quickly labeled a spinster and their prospects of finding a good match became increasingly difficult.
Meet Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset.
Daphne is the young woman labeled by the queen as perfection, which means all eyes are on her for the Season. But when very few gentlemen show up the next day to call on her, her status dwindles.
Simon is the popular, handsome Duke who has just arrived in town. He has no desire to be a part of the social scene or even to marry. But he is relentlessly pursued by demanding mothers anxious to snag a Duke for their daughters.
Simon and Daphne make a pact to pretend to be in love so that the mothers will leave him alone and Daphne will become more desirable to other men because she is no longer available.
Both the series and the book are funny, full of gossip, romance, and very fun to watch and read.
If I had to give you advice on which to do first, I think I would say read the book first.
It’s a quick read.
-Kelley