89: Rumor Has It pt.2: Dearest Reader

In 1813, Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings, and Daphne Bridgerton devise a plan to feign a courtship to deter matchmaking mothers and improve Daphne's marriage prospects. However, their fake relationship soon turns into genuine feelings. The novel explores their complex pasts, the societal pressures of Regency London, and the challenges they face as they navigate their feelings for each other. Despite initial intentions, they find themselves falling in love, but their relationship is complicated by Simon's vow to never have children due to his traumatic childhood and Daphne's desire for a family[2][3][5].

Written around 1623 and published posthumously in 1627, 'New Atlantis' is a philosophical and utopian work by Francis Bacon. The story follows a group of sailors who discover the mysterious island of Bensalem, where they encounter a society governed by a democratically elected parliament and guided by the principles of Salomon’s House, an institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the study of nature. The novel emphasizes the integration of science and ethics in governance and highlights Bacon’s vision of a society where knowledge and reason are central to human progress and happiness[1][2][5].

Delarivier Manley's "Secret Memoirs and Manners of Several Persons of Quality, of Both Sexes, from the New Atlantis, an Island in the Mediterranean," often referred to as "The New Atlantis," is a 1709 Tory political satire and scandal chronicle. It uses thinly veiled pseudonyms to expose the private vices of Whig party ministers. The narrative unfolds through the observations of three female narrators—Astraea, Virtue, and Lady Intelligence—who witness and report on the corruption and scandals of New Atlantis's elite. The book's innovative use of female narrators and its sharp wit made it a sensation, but also led to Manley's arrest. Its enduring significance lies in its bold critique of power and its exploration of female perspectives in a male-dominated world.