The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Absolutely loved this book. The Bridgerton family is absolutely nuts; I'm glad there are eight of them. And how clever that they are named in alphabetical order by their ages!

This was a most refreshing read. It had a witty heroine, an emotionally damaged hero and some seriously hilarious characters.

The Duke of Hastings has a plan, a faux engagement to Daphne Bridgerton, the oldest daughter of the lot. He hopes this will fend off all those husband hunting mamas for him and help Daphne possibly obtain some interesting suitors, for once. He is forced out on family excursions where he witnesses the Bridgerton madness first hand. Of course, this ruse eventually turns into the real thing, which is a big problem, because the Duke's oldest friend - who is most conveniently also Daphne's oldest brother - is ready to deck him when he catches him with his hands on his sister! In a rage, Anthony Bridgerton challenges the Duke to a duel to defend his sister's honor, but after busting in on the impending duel, Daphne somehow convinces the Duke to marry her.

The Duke is a very troubled man, something caused by his father, who never accepted him. Little by little we see how this grown man is still a little boy inside, still hurt by his father's actions.

The Duke and I was excellently written. It had humor and wit. I found myself laughing aloud several times. I zipped through it in less than two days. And seeing how this is only book one of eight, there is a lot more Bridgerton shenanigans left to witness.