Bridgerton: Daphne's Story, The Inspiration for Bridgerton Season One
About Bridgerton: Daphne's Story, The Inspiration for Bridgerton Season One
Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke? —Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend's sister—the lovely and almost-on-the-shelf—Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it's all an elaborate ruse to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers.
And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable. But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it's hard to remember that their courtship is a sham. Maybe it's his devilish smile, certainly it's the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her .
. . but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke .
. . for real!
What readers say
Readers enjoy the fake-courtship setup, Daphne and Simon's banter and the lively Bridgerton family, and many pick it up after watching the Netflix series. It is also the most divisive book in the series: a late scene involving consent and Simon's wish not to have children is the most common criticism, and readers say the story never fully deals with it. Others find the romance slow to convince or the book a little long. Many readers say the next book, The Viscount Who Loved Me, is the stronger one.
Best for: Readers starting the series, as long as they know about that scene going in.
Summary of public reader reviews, updated October 2026.