A Lady for a Duke is one of the softest, gentlest books I think I’ve ever read. There is like 2.5% plot & the rest is just tender queer yearning. It that doesn’t peak your interest, I don’t know what will.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. There are vague spoilers in this review, so proceed with caution!

A Lady for a Duke follows Gracewood, a disabled duke, & Viola, a trans woman (!!) living in regency era England. Growing up the two were inseparable friends. But in order to live her life truthfully, Viola had to leave Gracewood behind, making him think she died in battle. Now two years later, the two reunite & have to navigate grief, healing, love, & societal expectations, all while relearning how they fit into each other’s life.

So like I said, this book doesn’t have a lot of plot. Most of the story focuses on Gracewood & Viola slowly reentering each other’s lives & helping each other to see they’re not broken. I cannot stress enough how gentle the two are with each other. It genuinely felt like my heart was getting a direct hug from Alexis Hall.

Gracewood at the beginning of the book is a drunk, beaten down man who has been told over and over that he’s insane & a disappointment. When Viola sweeps into his life, she’s able to help him heal & see that he’s worthy of love and respect just like anyone else.

And Viola, who is one of the loveliest character I’ve ever read, struggles to fit into a world not meant for her. Even though she now passes as a woman, she can’t ever have all the things she truly wants sue to Joe their society works- or so she thinks. Once Gracewood realizes who she is & how much he cares about her, he realizes he’d do anything to make her happy. Viola has never experienced anyone give her this amount of attention & love & at first she doesn’t know what to do with it.

Together, Gracewood & Viola help each other heal and grow into people capable of giving and receiving love. Together, they’re able to find happiness in a society not designed for them. And what a happy ending it is. No really, the epilogue was so fucking sweet & had me reading through tears.

Before I go, I just want to touch on Viola one more time. She’s genuinely one of the sweetest characters I’ve ever come across & I’m still not over the fact that she’s a trans woman living unapologetically in regency era England. Do you know how fucking cool that is?! Viola really deserves the world & I feel so lucky I got to watch Gracewood give her just that.

I really hope you choose to pick up this wonderful book when it comes out on May 24th. It’s such a special story, one I’m sure I’ll come back to several times just to feel that same tender longing Gracewood & Viola show each other even for a little bit. 💙

(PS, I’m not one to ever talk about sex scenes in books, but the one in this book really blew me away & almost had me tearing up so I just had to mention it- okay go preorder this book bye!)

This was my first historical book from Alexis Hall and I was instantly drawn in to the concept. A trans woman goes to war leaving her old self on the battlefield and returning Lady Viola Caroll. I was so excited to see this type of narrative set within the confines of historical romance conventions and Hall did not disappoint. As with most historicals, society, class, and rank play a tremendous role in how women are accepted in society. The fact that Viola chooses to lose her title of “Duke” and become little more than a ladies companion to her own sister-in-law shows how daring of a lifestyle change this is for her.

Justin de Vere, Duke of Gracewood, has been devastated over the loss of his good friend the Duke Marwick. He has taken to laudanum and drinking to soothe himself and is in no fit state when the new Duchess of Marwick along with her companion Miss Viola Caroll visit him to discuss his younger sister’s unhappiness. And here is where Viola and Gracewood’s story begins (or continues). The prose in A Lady for a Duke is so beautiful and from their first encounter you can already feel the LOVE that Viola has for her dear friend. Past and present are merged as Viola learns what has happened to Marwick since her “death” and she becomes increasingly nervous as to whether Gracewood will recognize her. Of course the reader knows that at some point Gracewood will learn that Viola was the Duke of Marwick, but the lead up is done so well. To be honest it was the time after her recognition that I would have liked to see the timeline sped up a bit. Alexis Hall is a master of writing internal conflict/dialogue, but it felt like the storyline could have been somewhat condensed. At close to 500 pages I don’t think this is asking too much. When I got 3/4 of the way through, my feelings changed for the book and I began loving it and rushing to finish. The majority of the action happens as this point and I suddenly could not get enough.

Intimate scenes between Viola and Gracewood are immaculately constructed and there is so much tenderness felt between them. Gracewood and Viola both evolve throughout the book and become more confident and self-aware with each other—I love it when characters bring out the best in one another. The epilogue is probably also one of my favorites to have EVER been written and is so light hearted and happy. I can say that I will always choose Alexis Hall when given a chance and am glad to see novel ideas being brought to the historical genre. Thank you for this eARC from NetGalley and Forever in exchange for my honest review.

I’m honestly a bit speechless about this one. I don’t have the vocabulary to truly express how gorgeous and amazing and unique (and all the superlatives!) it is. All I can say is that it is full of heart and as I was reading it, with my chest aching and tears in my eyes, I was struck with the thought that this is quite possibly the most romantic romance I’ve ever read.

This book is tender, heartfelt, raw, and emotional. It’s messy, impossible at times, and yet, full of compassion, love, self-reflection, and acceptance. It’s got elements of modernity (with banging lines like “fuck the world. I will change it for you if I have to”) while simultaneously feeling like a classic (with scenes that strip you bare and epic declarations of love all backdropped by harsh skies, a stone castle, and stark windy cliffs).

Viola Caroll and Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, are inseparable childhood best friends who lose each other forever, only to find each other again, both changed, and yet still the same.

Gracewood, heir to an ancient dukedom, is serious, forlorn, and feels the weight of duty and responsibility on his shoulders. The only person who is able to make him smile and laugh is his imperious and impulsive childhood best friend, Viola, for whom he would literally jump off a cliff. They are constant companions through childhood, grade school, college, and beyond, with Viola following Gracewood even to the battlefields of war, until they are separated and Viola is presumed dead.

Viola, on the other hand, is a trans woman who decides to finally live as herself after surviving the battle of Waterloo. Giving up her title, her fortune, and her closest friend, Viola contents herself with being a lady’s companion and a spinster aunt, never daring to hope for more - a home, a legacy, or family of her own. Two years later, Viola reunites with Gracewood, only to find him still devastated by her death.

There’s a lot of pain and heartache as Gracewood grieves the death of his best friend, the “joy of his life”, and Viola realizes that her suffering has not been one-sided. There’s even more angst and suffering as both Gracewood and Viola grapple with the fact that they will never be the same and struggle to conceptualize and create a future where they can be together. However, the way that Gracewood and Viola have always been everything for each other and find their way back to each other in a way that is truer than before, is beautiful.

This book is long, longer than most historical romances at nearly 500 pages, but it’s well worth the page count. The heart of this story is the relationship between Gracewood and Viola, but Alexis Hall crafts their individual characters with such care, complexity, and nuance. A Lady for a Duke is really a multifaceted character study where they both grow and change separately and eventually, together. In addition, the side characters are fantastic and there are moments of levity, comedy, and funny banter that are characteristic of Alexis Hall’s novels.

A Lady for a Duke is an epic and all encompassing love story that is one of the most raw and honest romances I’ve ever read. This book is about defying the world and creating your own place within it. It’s about having the courage to grasp the life you truly desire. And ultimately, it’s about being yourself, choosing love, and being loved in return.

P.S. Did I see in the author’s note that Amberglass is sequel bait? Oh boy, that’s going to be one hell of a redemption arc!

Thank you to Forever publishing, Alexis Hall, and Netgalley for this e-ARC!

Wow this was such a sweet historical romance. This was also the first historical book I've read that features a transgender main character. I think the story and the representation were done well, as far as I can tell, but I am a cisgender reviewer and would recommend anyone check out reviews from transgender reviewers first.

I think this was pretty par for the course in terms of historical romances. By this I mean that we see a lot of the same things that we see in other HR such as a young girl having her first "season", dances, class struggle, etc. I typically find these elements to be a bit tedious at times, but the nature of HR seems to be a slower-moving story line. That's totally ok and I wouldn't deduct any stars for that!

The only area I struggled with was the fact that I didn't feel like I got to know Viola as a person post-transition. We hear so much about her life before she was out to her friends and family. We spend a lot of time in this book with Gracewood reminiscing on who is friend was and the times they shares. However, I don't feel like I got a real sense of who Viola was as a person in her new life. Most of her inner thoughts revolved around Gracewood: who he was, who he became, if he could accept her, the future they had together. I understand that a certain amount of time has to be devoted to building the relationship up, but I didn't want that to be all that Viola thought about.

Some things I loved -
- No direct transphobia! Of course there is the indirect transphobia that keeps Viola confined to her new life as a lady's companion rather than as the Viscountess (?), but she is accepted and loved by her family and by Gracewood just as she is.
- Gracewood is so sex positive and it is so nice to see. Usually men in HR are either a rake or they want virginal women to have missionary sex with. He was neither of these people and it made me love him even more.
- The side characters were so great! Badger? Big Himbo vibes. Lady Marleigh? An absolute snark. Their love? I want this story to be written.

All in all, 4/5 stars - I would for sure read another Alexis Hall book.

As always, Alexis Hall is amazing. Right from the get-go, I was laughing hysterically at the dialog and situations. Alexis just has this charm for writing great books and anyone who enjoys a good romantic comedy will enjoy this - whether they like regency romance or not.

I adored this book!!!!!

I finished a few days ago and just 🥰

Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo. She decided to live her life finally as herself but she left her best friend grieving and she lost her title and wealth.

Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood has been a ghost of himself since he lost his best friend. He searched everywhere for a body to bring back to bury but found nothing. He's been living with crippling injuries and pain to add to the mental and psychological anguish. He's living in an alcohol and pain reliever haze.

A family friend shows up to check on his younger sister who should be readying herself for a come out and finds he's a mess. His sister won't leave him in his state. And his family friend's companion, Viola is helping him and so understanding and beautiful.... 

Omg I loved this book! There was so much between these two soulmates. They had found each other then found each other again. And that epilogue!! 😍 5⭐

There are tw so be mindful.

Thank you readforeverpub and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Alexis Hall brings his trademark wit and depth of emotion to Regency era England in A Lady for a Duke, a romance between a transgender lady's companion and her former best friend, the Duke of Gracewood. Separated at the Battle of Waterloo, Gracewood has known Viola to be dead for two long years. In truth, Viola was nursed back to health by local farmers and seized the opportunity to throw off the constraints of her role as Viscount Marleigh and truly live her life.
Viola is convinced to travel to Gracewood's home so her sister-in-law Lady Marleigh can help Gracewood's younger sister make her society debut, even though--or perhaps because--it will force her to face her best friend and deepest love. Though she's heard a bit about Gracewood's condition, Viola is devastated to see him addicted to laudanum and alcohol, poorly managing pain due to a severe leg injury and grief over the loss of her. Compelled by an overwhelming mix of guilt and love, Viola brings him back to himself, all the while fearing the day he recognizes her under her makeup and wardrobe.
Thankfully, Hall doesn't drag out that discovery, but the depth of hurt on both sides is astounding. Hall has a gift for humor but he's also skilled at composing passages that evoke the deepest emotions, whether the ache of long-denied love, crushing grief or the relief and soul-deep joy of being accepted and adored as one's most authentic self.

Without a doubt my favorite romance I’ve read this year. This slow-burn, long time friends to lovers, historical Regency M/F romance with a trans heroine had me invested from the beginning. It has fantastically witty moments and beautifully poignant, insightful ones as well.
I adore that while Viola’s gender is integral to the story, it’s not the central conflict of the novel. It’s more about the defying of societal gender roles (by many people, not just Viola). She refuses to apologize for living as her authentic self and has given and found families who accept her without question. And many of these side characters are interesting and delightful in their own right.
“Forgive my language, but...fuck the world. I will change it for you if I have to.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the eARC!

CW:
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Deadnaming, Addiction, Sexual content, PTSD with flashbacks
Characters who knew Viola before her transition refer to her using her deadname and male pronouns, but everyone who knows Viola now uses her name, she/her pronouns without question.

This was Everything. I am aware that I say that... not infrequently, but when I love things, I really love them. And this... I had high hopes, because lets be honest, I love everything Alexis Hall writes, but this was so much more.

Regency romance? check. Loads of pining? check. Loads of queer and unconventional characters? check.

I've read books like that before, of course. Not many, not nearly as many as I would like, but there are some. But I've never read one with a trans main character, and I didn't anticipate how deeply it would hit me, as a nonbinary person who, like Viola, has struggled with my identity and my body and my desire.

Viola Caroll is strong and determined and fierce and deeply, painfully relatable. She is unapologetically herself and I love her for that. Gracewood accepts her and loves her as she is and it's possibly the most revolutionary idea in the whole book. Most dukes would not be so accepting, I think -- although Gracewood has spent his life trying to break free of the idea of what a duke can be so maybe it's not so surprising. Surprising or not, it makes for a beautiful love story.

This falls more on the angsty side than the humorous side, unlike many of Alexis Hall's other works, though it is still funny in parts. It's what I was in the mood for, though, so it worked out. The writing is, as I have come to expect, absolutely gorgeous. I highlighted so many passages, and I know I will be returning to it again. I just hope we get a sequel - Mira's story would be an excellent candidate.

This book also touches on grief, child abuse, addiction, and chronic pain, and tackles these topics gracefully. The characters are flawed and human and real, even the side characters. And, more than anything, it shows the deep love and acceptance between the characters, despite their flaws. I loved every minute of it.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an e-arc for review.

Oh this book was a treasure, and I only failed to finish it in one evening because I fell asleep reading, and then dreamed of it. The exquisite tenderness of mutual pining oozes from every line of dialogue between the romantic leads. The characters are delicious in their flaws and their cracks and their exploration of all the ways one can love another human being. If I had to find fault with this book, it is that the pacing was odd in a few places where time skipped without clarity, but it had little to no effect on the experience of reading this gem.

I think that when a book sets out to be “the first” in any category, it’s natural for the author to be cautious. Hall is very aware that A Lady for a Duke is going to be read not just as a historical romance about a trans woman, but as the only example of historical romance about a trans woman that his readers have ever seen. (To my knowledge, he’s correct, at least for books coming from a Big Four publishing house.) The care with which Hall approaches his novel and his protagonists is palpable and much appreciated, even if I don’t agree with all of his narrative decisions.

In his author’s note, Hall talks about not wanting Viola’s transness to be a source of conflict in the book, and I support his reasoning. There’s no reason—in any time period—why being trans should be treated as an obstacle to be overcome. And on this point Hall succeeds admirably! In the novel, Gracewood spends about a day feeling betrayed by the fact that Viola "abandoned" him by transitioning, and then he comes around. He loves her, he is attracted to her, and he supports her as the woman she is. He is so all-in that he almost immediately asks her to marry him.

And thus my chief complaint with the book: I don’t want Viola’s transness to be a source of conflict, but for a significant chunk of the book there is no source of conflict. The only person stopping Viola from marrying the love of her life and living happily ever after is Viola! When a dastardly plot (the kidnapping of Gracewood’s sister) finally showed up a few chapters from the end, I was genuinely relieved. Gracewood and Viola teaming up against an outside force is exactly what the book needed, and I wish it had happened much earlier. From that point, the road to happily-ever-after unfolds naturally and triumphantly.

4✨ (maybe closer to a 3.75?)

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Libro for advanced copy of this book!

This book came highly recommended to me and I was super excited to pick it up. I’ve had mixed feelings about this authors work in the past but was really excited to check out a historical romance with a trans lead.

I loved the idea behind the book and the two main characters. It’s so nice to see some queer rep in genres we don’t get to see it, and for it to be a happy story. Viola and Justin are what made the book stand out to me, there connection was just so beautiful to see. I think what worked so well is that I loved them both so much and the author did a fantastic job at building these characters individually but also as a couple, from their back stories to present day we truly got to understand them. Honestly I just wanted more from them because that was the absolute best part of the story.

However it did get knocked down from what I was hoping to be 5 stars. This book is nearly 500 pages and it feels like it. I felt like I was on a ride where we would speed up in the story and then immediately stop and it would drag at times. I started this book as an e book and ended up switching to the audiobook which really helped me since I found the pacing to be off. I will also say another part I didn’t love was in the second half of the book it really switched on who the story was focused on. As I said I was all here for Viola and Justin, I just wanted more moments with those two but in the second act it really became Justin sisters story. It felt as if the last like 30% of this story was purely to set up a sequel for Miranda. And unfortunately as someone who didn’t really care for the sister it did drag and I found myself not as excited to see how it ended.

I will say I’m so happy I read this book and that it exists. I would 100% recommend and will definitely be hyping it up. However if there is a sequel following Miranda I really don’t think I would be rushing to pick it up?

Thank you so much to Forever for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am honored to be a part of Forever’s push to include more queer and gender-diverse creators and reviewers in their social media campaigns.
There will be minimal spoilers further down this review just to address some triggers I experienced but nothing to spoil the story itself.

This book was such a joy to read. I have found a love for queer Regency romances over the past few months and this is no exception! As a non-binary reader, I enjoyed seeing a story tackle the struggles of gender stereotypes and expectations, especially from the transgender perspective. So much of Viola’s journey as a character is learning to accept all the facets of herself outside of just the skills and ideals she is expected to have as a woman as well as her denying and rejecting any skills she has deemed “masculine” in nature. Another facet to this is Gracewood’s own journey of accepting himself outside of society’s expectations for him as a man. I loved the conversations this book had about gender and how people can exist outside of the rigid rules that their society expects for them. I absolutely love Viola as a character. She has so much bravery and fear equal in her heart and struggles with her own sense of pain from all the things she needed to give up to live her truest life. And her honest belief she doesn’t deserve any of the happiness society wants to deny her? That is such a common pain that I can relate to as a non-binary person.
–---

This book isn’t perfect by any stretch of the margin. For the first third, Viola is constantly misgendered by Greenwood when mentioned in the past tense but this is unintentional as he is unaware of her transition at this point. And while it was difficult to read the blaming of Viola at first for her transition, this is addressed and corrected very quickly after and restated multiple times that Viola has no need to apologize for living as she is or for the sacrifices she had to make to be her true self.

–-

I enjoy seeing a regency story with a transgender heroine where her life and story are not a tragedy. The love story is sweet and I love both characters and how they support each other and help each other to grow. Gracewood’s depiction of PTSD is very honest and his trauma is shown in full, which is honest to his experience. Viola, while not showing her own trauma in the same way as Gracewood, does have her own mental health struggles as well that are addressed and respected. Alexis Hall’s humor shouldn’t work as well as it does in this genre, but as always his child characters are hilarious and I found myself laughing and loving all the little jokes and moments of humor throughout the book. I love when a book doesn’t take itself too seriously.

I appreciate the work put in by Alexis Hall to write this book in a respectful way and to show gender as something not stuck within certain facets and that there is more than one way to be a certain gender and that even when you are not the mainstream or standard of society, you still can create your own happily ever after.

TWs: misgendering (unintentional), PTSD flashbacks (in detail), Gender dysphoria, threats of non-consensual sex acts (does not occur), kidnapping/abduction, threats of forced marriage.

Representation: Transgender heroine (MTF), Bisexual secondary character, Lesbian secondary character.

This is a joyful and heartening queer love story. I was completely unprepared for the way A Lady for a Duke grabbed hold from page one and refused to let go. It quickly became one of my favorite books of 2022 and easily my new favorite regency romance. Gracewood and Viola are a scalding slowburn, a slow song that builds in intensity. This book gave me ALL the feels, while doing so with humor and beautiful writing. The yearning is on the level of Mr. Darcy’s hand flexing after touching Elizabeth’s hand in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film.

But to back up a bit, it feels so wonderful to have a historical romance which involves LGBTQ+ characters who are allowed to have joyful love stories. It goes beyond painful “historically accurate” portrayals of what it meant to be trans or queer during that time or books that focus only on the utter misery of not conforming to a highly gendered society. Alexis Hall is one of my favorite writers and he absolutely smashes the assignment, creating a book that I know I will be endlessly re-reading. A Lady for a Duke has it all- hilarious lines, well-researched historical details, and stunning descriptions.

Alexis Hall has my favorite type of humor- clever, dark, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, intensely sarcastic. I CACKLED with laughter at the witty nonchalance and seriously comedic dialogue. Viola, Gracewood, Mira, Lady Louise are all spectacular characters who are very dear to my heart. They are nuanced, flawed, and deeply caring. Watching Viola and Gracewood come together was an unforgettable experience. Alexis Hall does an incredible job with creating compelling supporting characters who are just as much fun to follow as the main characters.

While A Lady for a Duke stole my heart- I also want to take a moment to talk about Alexis Hall’s writing. Want a masterclass on romantic tension? Hall does an exemplary job of answering the all-important question in a romance: “But why can’t they be together NOW?” Many writers rely on cringeworthy miscommunication and gloriously there’s not a hint of it to be seen here. Instead, Hall builds a complex romance that deals with queer identity, class divides, and heavily gendered societal roles and expectations. I am in awe of Alexis Hall’s fearless writing.

There is heavy material here- PTSD, body dysmorphia, using a mobility aid, demisexuality, bisexuality, and a transgender heroine. Yet, Hall manages to handle everything with care and integrity while including humor, witty banter, and acceptance. Each touch (every breath) between Viola and Gracewood is pulsing with electricity and yearning tension. This is the type of book where their fingers graze and you’re ready to scream and throw the book across the room. Hall’s writing is tender, vulnerable, and achingly loving. Gracewood is the sweetest cinnamon roll and I love how he accepted and loved Viola. I loved how Viola was so true to herself and refused to ask anyone’s forgiveness for living her life. This book is a beautiful queer love story.

Alexis Hall has absolutely ruined me for other historical romance books at this point and really all books in general. A Lady for a Duke will give you the worst book hangover and I couldn’t be more pleased about it. I hope we get many more books in this world, as I feel there are several people who have more stories to tell. This book better get all the love it deserves, because I want to see fanart!!

Read A Lady for a Duke if you like the slowest of burns, mutual pining, outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, sweet cinnamon rolls, and achingly romantic queer love. I highly recommend A Lady for A Duke for fans of A Marvellous Light, Evie Dunmore and Cat Sebastian. A Lady For a Duke releases on May 24, 2022. Thank you to Alexis Hall, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, Wordpress blog, and Barnes & Noble etc

Wow, I loved this book so much. Historical romance is not really my thing, but I have really enjoyed Hall's writing so I tried it. It is my FAVORITE historical romance now. A regency novel with a trans heroine and a happy ending? It's so beautiful and hopeful.

I’ve been sitting on this book for a month, because I don’t know how to express what I feel about it in any coherent sort of way. I confess, I was a bit nervous to read it, and I REALLY shouldn’t have been. The kindness Alexis gives his characters is becoming sort of a brand, and this book was no different. (I’m soooo here for it.) (Also, I would very happily read stories about every single side character.)

I think the most important thing is: Viola’s trans identity—and Gracewood’s traumas/injuries—were present, acknowledged and accepted parts of who they were, but they never felt like just a plot point. They got to just… be.

What a beautiful, joyful gift.

I really enjoyed this book and felt it was so well done, handling PTSD and disability well. I also really loved this was a story about a cisgender man and a transgender woman. I enjoyed learning how Viola became Viola and loved watching her and the Duke go from long lost friends, to friends, to more, with open honesty. ⁣
⁣
This was a very slow burn for me and felt like it dragged on for a while, it definitely could’ve been shorter but once Viola and Gracewood picked up their relationship I became more interested and loved watching them blossom, and get through some tough challenges together. ⁣
⁣
The banter and chemistry between Viola and Gracewood was great and I definitely think it’s worth the read!⁣
⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Thank you for an ARC for my honest review!

There was so much to this book I didn't want to give a summary to spoil any of the book. This was such a fun and groundbreaking read. A trans character in a historical romance? Not gonna lie, while I was intrigued I was definitely unsure of how this would unravel. How dare I question Alexis Hall! There are some super serious and complex themes here, but I feel like it was handled very well. There are also a handful of really well written steamy scenes! Your emotions will come out, so don't pick this up if you're looking for something a bit more lighthearted.

My one and only complaint was that it was a bit long and felt like there were parts that could have been trimmed down. I found myself checking how much was left a handful of times.

I want to start this review off by saying I absolutely adore Alexis Hall and his writing. It honestly pained me to give this book 3 stars. However, this one just didn’t do it for me..

Pros:
In typical Alexis Hall fashion, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Alexis truly has a way with words. The representation in this book was also fantastic. It was beautiful to read about Viola and Gracewood’s story and how they grew as individuals and as a couple.

Cons:
I felt like this book was very slow and too long. It focused a lot on the relationship between Gracewood and Viola (obviously considering it’s a romance novel), but there wasn’t much of a plot. I was bored for a large majority of this book, which is ultimately the reason for the lower rating. It also lacked the typical Alexis Hall wit/humor (which isn’t necessarily bad, but I missed it).

I love the trans rep in this book, it was handled so well and was a good balance of historical accurate transphobia as to not feel unrealistic, but also not making this a trans sob story. I was really happy to see there was no threats of outing since thats a plot line in every other trans historical fiction I have read.
I do think this dragged on a bit too much. After the 4th incident of miscommunication and convincing each other they cant be together I was kinda over it. I kinda wish this was half the length it was and was more fast paced.

Rep: Trans Woman, side sapphic, side trans man
CW: PTSD, ableism, self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, grief, abusive parent (past), use of a dead name, war injury, violence