This is a cute story of friendship turned into romance, with characters that have complexities and challenges of their own. A feel good story.

So you know how your read two pages of a book and you just know, down deep in your bones, that it’s going to be a five star read? That is Duke Actually for me. It was a much needed hit of dopamine right to my brain. This story is so sweet and light and easy to tear through even though it also has some heavier topics explored in it. I’m literally in awe of Jenny Holiday’s skill in crafting a story that deals with things like toxic and abusive parents while giving it the respect it needs while also making the book such a comfort read.
Duke Actually follows Dani, a NYC professor who is struggling with a messy divorce and is post-men after the pain of her husband leaving her, and Max, a Baron who is going to inherit a Dukedom he has no interest in, and the unlikely best-friendship that blooms between them leading up to their best friends royal wedding.
Dani and Max are exactly what I needed, their genuine friendship had me glowing. Holiday’s skill with making her characters have such chemistry had insured I will now put off everything in my tbr to go back through her entire backlog. Seriously, they were so fun! I love a reformed rake and a modern royalty retelling is something I didn’t even realize I was missing?? I love finding a new trope to become obsessed with, can’t wait for this to be my personality for the next couple of months.
This is the second book in the series which I didn’t realize, but it worked as a stand alone. I’ll be going back to read the first book since I was intrigued by Leo and Marie, but I can’t imagine loving them more than Dani and Max. There’s just something about a charming playboy who cleans up his act for the love of his life that I can’t get enough of.
This is a fairly steamy book with a Hallmark storyline, so the best of both worlds. Honestly I’m mourning having finished this, I really wish I could reread it for the first time again *sobs contentedly*
A huge thank you to HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

Pure, cute, romcom fluff. This book is a perfect modern royal(ish) romance!

Dani is an English professor living in New York and recovering from a heartbreaking divorce. She is absolutely in the “post-men” stage of her life and wants nothing to do with anyone that can hurt her.
Max is a friend of a friend and an honest to God Baron, nicknamed the “Depraved Duke” for his playboy tendencies. He is absolutely not someone Dani wants to spend time with, but they may have more in common then they thought…

Despite the cover, I wouldn’t say this is JUST a Christmas romance. There is discussion of snow and fruitcake but it spans a much longer time period than just the holiday season.
I loved Dani and Max’s banter and their relatability. This book also features the always-welcome lovable side-characters that help build the world even more. If you’re looking for a cute romcom and want contemporary with royalty- this is definitely the way to go!

TW: mentions of child abuse and infidelity (not on page), alcoholism

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday is the perfect slow burn friends to lovers book. The story is centered around Daniela Martinez, a literary professor overcoming her drawn out divorce, and her unlikely friendship with playboy Baron, Max von Hansburg. Dani and Max quickly become best friends who motivate each other, which encourages self-growth between the two of them. Words can not describe how much I enjoyed reading this book and I absolutely adored the role of Max Minimus, Dani’s dog, and how he wasn’t just an afterthought. This well-thought out, beautiful book is heartwarming and very entertaining. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC, which had no influence on my review. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

4.5 stars
YES!!!! (She says, fist pumping into the air) THIS is exactly what I look for in a romance: great dialogue and banter, swoon-worthy moments, a little bit of a fairytale, pining for what can’t be had. Jenny Holiday delivered. This Friends-to-Lovers story (typically I prefer Enemies-to-lovers) kept me ravenously reading from page 1. Both Dani and Max (Maximus AND Minimus) are such fun, playful, characters that I began rooting for them immediately. Myself a little slow on the title nod to Love Actually, I ADORED the ties to the movie (a longtime Christmas fave). No spoilers, but I had an audible gasp of surprise at one final Love Actually connection. Remember, I said “swoon-worthy”? Sighhhhhhh
Now to go find me a Baron or Duke as adorable as Max.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more by Jenny Holiday and looking back at some of her gems I may have missed!

This book is the second in the series but can be read as a stand alone. While I would suggest reading them together - you don't have to. I loved Max and Dani and they're such wonderful characters just by themselves. This is an amusing book that will entertain you for a couple hours. Their antics, watching them fall in love, and the ending was the perfect ending to this story.

Jenny Holiday is the queen of spicy Hallmark land. Get carried away again with a whirlwind romance that proves you can love. Character are quirky and charming, the witty banter is entertaining so funny!! Never disappoints!!

I loved this charming romance, full of appealing characters and the dual settings of New York and Eldovia, a small country in the Alps. Dani is a NY literature professor, Max is heir to a dukedom, and both are trying to figure out their futures. Although their chemistry is obviously off the charts, they each have reasons to resist falling in love. Add into the mix a small dog also named Max! This is a follow-up to the author's "A Princess for Christmas" and re-visits previous characters, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this book! It is funny and sweet and sexy and just so perfect. I didn’t realize when I started it was connected to another book, so the first chapter felt like a lot of catch up, which I appreciated in order to get up to speed (and I’ll definitely be picking up the first one after this!). But Max and Dani are just so wonderful. From snow angels to Dirty Dancing and a new-found love of McMuffins, they are playful and funny. What I loved about this slow burn friends-to-lover romance is that it’s so unique—Dani and Max aren’t anything more that distant acquaintances at the start and watching them grow to be friends first was special and endearing. They are so supportive of each other, my heart was swooning the whole way through. Some elements felt so regal and sweet with Max, reminding me a little of the courting Simon did with Daphne in the Bridgerton series and then others were so laid back and organic, and it fit them and their story so well. Max is so charming, with the touch of arrogance, and I loved how vulnerable he was able to be. And Dani is so smart and supportive and her drive is fantastic! Their banter was spot-on too, and reading their texts exchanges back and forth was one of my favorite parts because Max and Dani’s chemistry is just off the charts and it shone in every interaction. I loved how healthy these individuals felt and how natural they were. And the parallels to Love Actually were so cute too. This holiday romance had me smiling the whole way through and put me right into the holiday spirit.

Duke, Actually is a beautiful, heartwarming holiday read.
I loved Max and Dani , they were both such wonderful characters. They amused me and entertained me with their antics and watching them fall in love brought out all the feels.

Overall, Duke, Actually was a well written and heartfelt love story with endearing characters that will leave you full of happy feels.

Special thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a charming romance! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Dani and Max! Jenny Holiday writes with such a wonderful eye for detail, especially when it comes to the intricacies of a relationship. I also LOVED the title of the book. That was very clever! I can't wait to recommend this book to friends!

Duke, Actually, the adorable sequel to A Princess for Christmas, follows Leo and Marie's best friends Daniela Martinez and Maximillian von Hansburg (Max).

Max, the Baron of Laudon, has been tasked with finding a wife. After Marie and Leo got engaged, Max's safety net disappeared. His father has made it aggressively clear that Max will not inherit the title without a suitable wife. This search sends him off to New York, where he eventually ends up on Dani's doorstep.

Meanwhile, Dani has been struggling with her husband's sudden departure for a girl ten years younger and finding her place among the English department's faculty. She is just looking to live her life with her dog (also named Max -- the naming occurred pre-von Hansburg), teach a subject she loves, and pursue the tenure track she deserves. In order to make sure that she sticks to her anti-love stance, she makes a list that she intends to stick to, no matter what (it's called "Things I Will Never Again Do For a Man" and it's kind of perfect).

Dani's attitude towards love sets up the perfect friendship for her and Max. The two just want to enjoy their time together and be able to escape from their imperfect and messy lives for a while. As the two continue to get to know each other and bond, they find themselves falling for each other. The romantic tension between the two reaches a fever pitch at Leo and Marie's wedding, where everything changes.

For me, this book was the equivalent of drinking hot cocoa. It warmed my heart and also made me feel full like all my favorite romance books do. With her job as an English professor and love of the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, I saw myself in Dani Martinez. This caused me to be super invested in the story. It is an extremely slow burn, friends to lovers read that is absolutely delightful. While there is a ton of exposition prior to anything "major" happening with Dani and Max, it didn't feel like I was slogging through texts to reach the big plot points. I also related to the slow burn aspect because that's essentially how my fiancé and I ended up together. I really appreciated how Jenny Holiday made the foray into more serious topics, like abusive family members or alcoholism, while also maintaining the plot's focus on Dani and Max's story. While Duke, Actually is a sequel, it can be read as a standalone, or you can do what I did and read A Princess for Christmas right after because you can't get enough of this friend group. Both Duke, Actually and A Princess for Christmas are the perfect seasonal reads to enjoy once the weather starts cooling down.

Overall rating: 4.75/5 (rounded up to 5)

Duke, Actually will be available for purchase on October 26th. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf and see where it's available to buy. Also, be sure to check out Jenny Holiday's website!
I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this Advanced Reader's Copy through my partnership with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday is a sweet novel. There is the playboy male character, Christmas, and wonderful character development. I loved it!

Duke, Actually is part of a series. However, it is a novel that completely stands alone. I did not know it was a series when I read Duke, Actually. I had zero problems picking up on everything that was happening in the story.

Dani is a woman that is determined to make things on her own. After her divorce from her husband, due to his affair, Dani is hard-set on not losing herself for a man.

Enter in the baron.. Max.

Max is known for his playboy ways. However, he is enchanted with Dani from the getgo, and she is having non of that!

Oh this was so sweet! I didn't read the first book in this series, but this held up as a standalone. Obviously I love when royalty are involved with common folk and to add my favorite move Love, Actually in there was just the icing on the cake. This is definitely a wonderful read at any time of year, but especially cozy during the holidays.

Max and Dani…I loved them from their friends’ book, and I love them even more in their own. Love, Actually is a favorite movie of mine and this story more than does certain elements of it justice. Just swoony, and wonderful!

This is a fun and fantastic book. This is the first I've read in the series, though now I do want to go look up the predecessors. I love a christmas movie and this book has all those great feels plus a touch of heat. Reading in midsummer, it made me yearn for christmas in a good way and I will be planning to re-read in december.

Duke, Actually

My summary: Dani Martinez’s life is falling apart. She just got out of a divorce, her best friend moved to Eldovia and she doesn’t even know if she likes the job she’s currently doing. Max who is a Baron meets Dani and immediately the two of them hit it off. Max being light hearted and not serious just seems to be what Dani needs in her stressful world. The two go on many adventures visiting so many places. They’ve made promises to themselves and each other that there relationship is strictly friends. As emotions change and lists are made Dani and Max reconsider If that’s a promise they want to keep…..or not.

My thoughts:When this book first got approved for me on NetGalley I was ecstatic. I’m a new joiner and I’m not popular on bookstgram so I didn’t expect to get approved so quick. As any normal human I tried to find out as much as I could about the Author and the book itself before reading it. Whilst I was stalking Jenny Holiday (shamelessly) on Instagram I noticed the same phrase used quite a lot. She described her books as hallmark movies and a lot of the reviews I read said the same thing. This book 100% lived up to my standards. It is a literal Hallmark movie on paper. I could see the scenes playing out in my head and in every sentence I pictured something new. This book was just adorable, it was so cute and funny and the banter is like any other. I absolutely love Dani and Max’s characters and wouldn’t have them written any other way. Honestly speaking I never really enjoyed third person writing and that kind of threw me off when I first started reading but as I continued I grew to love the writing style and how you were getting the story from so many different angles. Jenny Holdiay really lived up to my standards and I can’t wait to read this again on a toasty Christmas evening:)

Thank you to Avon Harper voyager via NetGalley for approving me to read this eARc. I was sent an eARC in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

#DukeActually #NetGalley

I really enjoyed how the romance developed over an extended period rather than instalove. The main characters were well-developed and likeable. I didn't read the first book in this series, but am interested in continuing to read books by this author.

Don't let the adorable cover art fool you, this is more than your typical rom-com novel!

This was my first novel by Jenny Holiday and I did miss out on the related title A Princess for Christmas, however that did not detract in any way from the relationship that was built over the course of a year between the two leads Max Maximus and Dani Martinez. What I enjoyed the most about this novel is how the friendship development was at the center of all interactions. This aspect made every interaction, adventure, and misunderstanding feel so much more realistic when given the outlandish premise of a Baron or Duke, Actually love story.

The natural chemistry and genuine caring between Dani and Max made this a binge-worthy read that honestly had me laughing in place, aching for the feelings left unsaid, and a bit steamed up when the moment arrived for Dani’s New Year’s Resolution to be, well, resolved. I completely LOVED the connections made to the movie Love, Actually throughout and it added to the Christmas atmosphere that recurred from beginning to end.

I would totally recommend Duke, Actually to fellow rom-com readers and would also let them know that it is highly readable without having read A Princess for Christmas because the relationship building and characterization is compelling all on its own. To those who pick up Duke, Actually either now or as a holiday read, I wish happy reading!