Simon 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!
"If you've never read romance novels, start here." - Washington Post
"Quinn is . . . a romance master. [She] has created a family so likable and attractive, a community so vibrant and engaging, that we want to crawl into the pages and know them." - NPR Books
"Julia Quinn is truly our contemporary Jane Austen." - Jill Barnett
"Quinn is a consummate storyteller. Her prose is spry and assured, and she excels at creating indelible characters." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Simply delightful, filled with charm, humor, and wit." - Kirkus Reviews
"Quinn is . . . a romance master. [She] has created a family so likable and attractive, a community so vibrant and engaging, that we want to crawl into the pages and know them." - NPR Books
"Julia Quinn is truly our contemporary Jane Austen." - Jill Barnett
"Quinn is a consummate storyteller. Her prose is spry and assured, and she excels at creating indelible characters." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Simply delightful, filled with charm, humor, and wit." - Kirkus Reviews