Duke's daughter Lady Ravenna Huntley was born into privilege but wants nothing more than explore the world and have her own independence. Lord Courtland Chase, grandson of the Duke of Ashton, was driven from England, vowing never to return to a family that shunned him. When a twist of fate throws runaway Ravenna into his arms, at the very moment he finds out he's the new Duke, marriage is the only alternative to a would-be scandal.

I don't see a series title attached to this book, but it follows Amalie Howard's previous release The Princess Stakes. This story can stand alone, but Ravenna's brother was the previous hero and the couple makes appearances.

I really enjoyed Ravenna and Courtland, who I thought were interesting characters individually and as a couple. Courtland is mixed race and was pushed out of his family by a grasping stepmother who wanted to install her son as heir. He found the family, acceptance, and success in Antigua that eluded him in England, and he is not happy to be tracked down and proclaimed Duke after his grandfather's passing. Ravenna wants freedom not afforded to her as a female, and refuses to be controlled. She would rather run away dressed as a man than get trapped by an odious lord.

This book was a whirlwind! There was no time to get bored, as the events moved along quickly. A compromising situation and marriage of "inconvenience" happen early on. It leaves Courtland vowing not to get attached to his wife, and Ravenna confused that she wants this traditional marriage. I wish that Courtland had not run quite as hot and cold, but I liked that Ravenna quickly realized his family dynamic was not what she previously believed it to be. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Tropes: Disguised Heroine, Compromised, Marriage of Convenience

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #RulesForHeiresses #NetGalley

I really enjoyed Ravenna’s strong character and unconventional behavior. Court land was great at bringing steamy scenes but I got tired of how hot and cold he acted. I could have used the sex scene a touch earlier in the book.

2.5 stars. I had high hopes for this book considering all the positive reviews but it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be.

Courtland is the heir to the dukedom but escaped his family's abuse when he was younger. Everyone thought he was dead until Ravenna stumbles upon him while she's out in her male getup. At first I liked Courtland because he made a name for himself outside of his inherited nobility, I grew to not like him because of Courtland's interactions with Ravenna. Although I understood Courtland's reluctance to let Ravenna in, I just didn't buy it. He never really grew on me like other heroes do.

Ravenna, on the other hand, was a great heroine. She didn't let Courtland control her - she worked to win him over, too make him see what she saw in him. I also think it's so cool that she's a lady that can shoot and go up against the strongest men. I just wish that the author highlighted more than that. I love spunky, brave heroines!

Overall, it was an okay read. I felt like there was a lot of fluff and not enough plot considering everything that was happening in the background.

Rules for Heiresses written by Amalie Howard was my first book by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more! Raveena is a “take no prisoners” heroine who lives her life how she wants to. Courtland believes he is living his best life far from home when the story begins. I was rapidly drawn into the story and couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. I enjoyed the spy antics, and the defeat of the villain as well as the romance.

Lady Ravenna Huntley has escaped from an unwanted betrothal by telling her family she's going to visit a friend. She actually hopped on a ship to the Carribean dressed as a man. That's where we meet her in a gambling den.
Lord Courtland Chase was banished from home as a boy, but has flourished and become a very wealthy man in his own right. One trouble filled night will see him having to return and claim his birthright.
This is an action packed historical romance filled with fun characters. Our overly independent heroine never wants to conform to the normal rules for young ladies. Our troubled hero can't seem to let go of the hurt caused by his stepmother and half brother.
There is heartbreak, giggles and danger. Everything you could want in a story.
I loved it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own..

I loved Ravenna and Cortland! I also liked that we had a hero of mixed heritage. I felt that his issues with rejection at the hands of his stepmother and brother were heartbreaking. Neither quite fit into the roles they were meant to inhabit but the way they join forces to make the best of it shows that they were meant to be.

This one reminded me a bit of Twevlth Night because it starts with the hero and heroine meeting when the heroine is dressed as a man. Then she's found out, and then they are found in a compromising situation, so they have to marry.

I kind of enjoy the shotgun wedding trope where the characters get to know each other after the wedding bells.
Amalie Howard can certainly tell a story well.

Instead of being forced to marry a vile man, Lady Ravenna Huntley, disguises herself as a man and flees on one of her brother's ships headed to Antigua. She loves the freedom of posing as a man and everything was going well until she was accused of cheating at cards by none other than Lord Courtland Chase, the gaming hells's owner. In the scuffle to get away, Ravenna and Courtland end up on the floor with Chase on top of her. To make matters worse, the scuffle is witnessed by many and when her identity if revealed, Ravenna's reputation is ruined. Unfortunately, one of the people witnessing their scuffle is a solicitor from London who informs Courtland he is now the Duke of Ashvale. Courtland is shocked that he's been found because he'd been forced to flee from his childhood home by his stepmother when his father died. Now he must return to London to claim the title and do the right thing to save Ravenna's reputation by marrying her.

This was not the usual regency romance all happening in the glittering ballrooms of London and I enjoyed the different locales. Neither Courtland or Ravenna are happy to be married, but agree to play the loving newlyweds to give Courtland time to claim the title. Unfortunately, neither his half-brother nor stepmother are pleased to see him fearing him inferior because of his mixed heritage. They will do anything to discredit him. The story moves along at a good pace full of twists and turns that constantly throws obstacles in the path of Ravenna and Courtland's happiness. It was fun watching Ravenna and Courtland fall in love. The ending was wrapped up nicely with family relationships finally settled.

Ravenna was amazing! She was witty, interesting and really committed to her goals. I knew from the first book that I was going to like her, but, man, I wasn’t ready for Courtland!
The plot of the exiled child and fiancé who was then announced dead?! It had me as soon as Ravenna called him by the childhood nickname.

I loved the story and was hooked from beginning to end!

Cortland Chase, Marquees of Borne, was chased from his home by his stepmother and half brother. His grandfather kept track of him, even though it was rumored Cortland was thought to be dead. He has made something of himself and has no need for love.

Ravenna Huntly, daughter of the Duke of Embry, if a spitfire, independent, adventurous woman. She can shoot a gun and bow, use a knife, and fight with her fists. Being raised with three brothers and two neighbor boys has fought her to be tough. She does not want to marry without having traveled first.

Duke of Ashvale, Cortland's grandfather, has passed away, now making him the Duke. He wants nothing to do with returning to England. With the solicitor and several guest finding Ravenna and Cortland in a very compromising position they marry for convenience same to shelter Ravenna's reputation along with his half sister's also.

Back to England they go where mischief, mayhem, and bigoted minds surround them. Can these two thwart convention and find peace? Will they stay married, reside in the same country/home/county? Will family stand by them? Who wants to cause trouble and how will they?

Join us on a voyage from Antigua to England as adventure builds with great characters and details that have you right there with the action. The since witty banter these two have will keep you smiling and laughing or a few years over the caustic remarks

Thank you NetGalley for sending this arc for an honest review!

Historical romance with a horrible cover that if I physically owned you I’d hide u under my bed.. you’ve done it again. The girl who refused to marry because she finds it incompetent, and the boy whose not looking for a wife at the moment. Marry. They get married. All die to their games of twists and lies to get what they want. But nothing turns out the way it’s supposed to be.;) follow along fellow friends on this extraordinary adventure of witnessing a fake political: perosnal bond between the MCs that later becomes an act of slow love little do they know they r doing exactly what they are afraid of.

Trope: childhood sweet hearts/evil step mother

This author is new to me so I didn't know what to expect, but after reading this book....I'll definitely be reading more of her work.

I loved Ravenna! Her character was so fun! Her attitude and demeanor made the book all more exciting. I really enjoyed Cordy as well. His character is completely opposite from Ravenna. He's dominant, serious, and is self made. With him you experience a pool of emotions.

Story starts off with Ravenna disguised as a man. She's suppose to be in Scotland but that's a lie. she fabricated the entire thing to her family as an escape. To enjoy life and be her own person. Shes in Antigua living as a man, and playing cards to survive. She is the talk of town, and is suspected of cheating. The owner of the establishment plays a round of cards with her and he tries to catch her cheating. Truth is she never cheats. She wins her hand and he questions her. While Ravenna is being interrogated by cordy, his late grandfather's solictor shows up and announces he is now the rightful duke of Ashton. Then Ravenna realizes he is her long lost betrothed. He's not dead and he's quite alive in the flesh. She's calls him cordy and he freaks out. No one called him that but people at home. . And that's how their love story begins....

This story is well written and focused. With this book you'll experience joy and sadness combined with angst. I highly recommend this book.

This was a lovely exploration of belonging in terms of family and race and what it means to be accepted. I didn’t quite feel like Ravennas character was as well drawn as it could be but there was real intrigue in the story and decent heat btn her and her Duke.

This was better than the first book in that I believed the romance more. The first book isn't necessary to read this, but since this is my second time reading something from the author, I just wanted to give that particular perspective.

Not only was this a fun, spicy, and humorous romp, but it was also a smart and interesting story. I learned a lot about the time period and English colonial history and had a ball the entire time! The MCs were both complex people with wounds to heal and growth to experience and watching them come into themselves, and each other, was a gratifying journey.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I really loved the story of Ravenna and Courtland.. We first meet Ravenna while she is dressed up as a man, playing cards.. She is a sassy spifire who has her own opinions on everything. She wont let anyone sway the way she thinks even if she is in the minority.. Courtland is heir to a dukedom, and was sent away as a child. In fact he was once engaged to Ravenna.. Courtland is a shrewd buisness man, who has refused to return to England because there is nothing left for him there. His stepmother sent him away, and his brother has always been super hateful towards him..
When Ravenna recognizes Courtland in Antigua, they have no idea how this is going to change both of their lives..
At first neither one of them wants this marriage, but the chemistry between them is FIRE, and they can't seem to keep their hands off each other when they are in the same place.. However Courtland knows that even though is is a duke, because of his mixed blood, the ton will not accept him.. and this will cause problems for Ravenna.. Even though she does not care a whit about what anyone thinks..
I really love them as a couple, and I LOVE Ravenna.. She is always her own person, speaks her mind, and stands up for others.. She can shoot, and take care of herself in any situation.. All Courtland wants to do is protect her, even if she fights him kicking and screaming.
Neither Courtland or Ravenna could have forseen what their chance meeting would bring about.. I loved everything about this and now have to go and read the book that came out before this one, and look forward to more books by this author..

Overall, this was a good read. Lord Courtland had an excellent backstory. The evil stepmother, the back-stabbing half-brother and the loyal half-sister really added to the book. Lady Ravenna's backstory was relatively bland. She was an heiress running away from an unwanted marriage. Of course, doing so necessitated her to disguise herself as a man. Luckily this ruse does not continue for long!
One unique aspect of the book was that it dealt with travel by ship. It was luxury travel on an oceanliner as opposed to the usual HR pirate trope.
There is a HEA and I look forward to reading stories about Courtland's half-siblings some day.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ACR of this book in return for an honest review.

I finished this book in one night, I found it really gripping and the dialogue was so much fun. I liked Raveena from the start and the twist with Count at the start is also one that I enjoyed. From then on it was a really fast paced read that I kept saying to myself- just one more chapter, and then I finished it at 2am with my eyes heavy and bleary.

This has elements of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, fake dating all set in the 19th century with a headstrong heroine and a hero who has been abused because of his mixed heritage. Now this is a work of fiction of course but I did really enjoy certain conversations about women's role and worth, race and so forth that definitely would not have happened at the time but it was satisfying to have those bigots talked to like that even in fiction.

The relationship with Raveena and Count was fiery and so much fun to read, this is such a fun and steamy historical read that I am definitely going to look out for this author in the future as I really enjoyed her writing style.

Childhood friends-to-lovers and marriage of convenience tropes!!! Ravenna is such a strong heroine. Everything about her is fierce. Courtland carries so much baggage and feelings of unworthiness. Reading the scenes of Ravenna channeling her fierceness into convincing Courtland that he is worthy and lovable were heartbreaking but made the whole book so satisfying.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and this is my freely given review.

I was looking forward to reading this after reading The Princess Stakes, since the character of Ravenna was introduced in the latter novel, the younger sister of Rhystan Huntley, the Duke of Embry. I am glad I read The Princess Stakes first, even though there is no mention of the two novels as being part of the series, as there is connections between the two, in terms of characters but also some background as to how Ravenna views people of different backgrounds as well.

Lady Ravenna Huntley is a young woman who does not want to follow the footsteps of other ladies of the Ton, and cannot understand why young ladies are not allowed to have a grand tour, unlike the men of her ilk. It doesn't help that her brother, the Duke of Embry, had the chance to sail to exotic lands, and her sister-in-law, whom she loves and admires, comes from a foreign and exotic background, which likely fires her imagination.

So instead of being a gently bred young lady of the Ton, looking to wed a lord, she spurns many offers and connives a way to have a grand tour of her own. Ultimately that involves lying to her family, running away, and ending up disguising herself as a man, trying to gamble for funds in Antigua. This is where she meets Courtland Chase, a wealthy industrialist British ex-pat, and grandson of a duke. The two of them have a past, long ago, as they knew each other as children.

Courtland is the first son of a Marquess, who fell in love with a woman in the West Indies and married her, but when she passed away, he took his son back with him to England, where he married another woman and had a family with her, thinking she would be a mother to his first son as well. However, she turned out to be a bitchy bigot of a stepmother, who did what she could to poison her own children against her stepson, and when her husband died, drove him away. He grew up thinking himself not worthy because of her and that seemed to colour his expectations and many of his relationships throughout this book.

In general, I enjoyed this book and give it a firm 3.5 stars out of 5. There was adventure, sweetness, some interesting dialogue, passion, conflict, and a happily ever after. What I am looking for in a fun, escapist read. Ravenna was a likeable character and I liked how she was fleshed out as a character - she seemed like a squealing deb in the first novel. I liked revisiting with Sarani and Rhystan from the first novel, and even how much more human the Dowager Duchess seemed in this novel; she seemed more of a cold hearted bitch in the first novel - but it does seem that she does care about her children; and may have a bit of a sense of humour herself.

However, there was a lot of suspension of belief to get through some of this story, especially regarding Courtland and his history. For one thing, his father loved his mother and I presume must have loved Courtland or wanted to care for him, to take him away from his maternal family, back to England, and to want to give him a new maternal figure. There was no real mention of his father beyond that, the Marquess of Borne, other than that he died, after marrying the stepmother, and fathering three other children - the stepbrother Stinson and two other daughters. Since the older daughter is about 7-8 years younger than Courtland, and Stinson was born less than two years after Courtland's mother passed away, it was presumed that the father was around at least a few years. If the stepmother and stepbrother were so abusive to him that there were situations such as manure being smeared on his clothes in his wardrobe, worms in the bed, etc, then where was the Marquess as a father figure? Even if he was an aloof father figure and left everything to the stepmother, then what about the Grandfather, the Duke? It sounds like stepmom literally kicked Courtland to the turf when the dad died, giving him money and sending him away when he was in his teens, and trying to make it seem that he was unwanted for his mixed background and was a bastard. But if Granddad knew he was the heir and cared enough to keep track of him and send him letters, etc, then it would be presumed that he knew that stepmom kicked him out, and knew enough that she was lying about his bastardy, and that the second son was fashioning himself as the heir and the Marquess - why did the Duke not step in and either take Courtland in, or at least acknowledge him publicly as his legitimate heir to begin with and provide his support of him?

Also, that bitch of a stepmom needed to have been seriously smacked down, and I was left feeling disappointed by the fact that this did not appear to happen. Well, other than by the fact that all her mechanisms to get her son declared the heir and ultimately the Duke failed. But it would have been so satisfying to see her get some other form of comeuppance - being an abusive mother to an orphaned child and kicking him out of his own home and family? Talk about evil stepmother who needs to be punished!

Regardless, I still enjoyed this story, and wonder if there will be third novel along this theme, involving some of the characters we have seen introduced in the two books already; I really liked the introduction of Courtland's eldest stepsister sister - she seems to be a force to be reckoned with and a potential heroine of a future story.