Alexis Hall is one of my favorite writers!!!! I don't read historical romance. A Lady For A Duke is the second historical romance I've been excited to read. Guess who wrote the other one … that's right Alexis Hall! It's called Something Fabulous and it absolutely is!

I received an ARC of A Lady For A Duke from NetGalley and the only issue with that is I can't highlight to my heart's content. Alexis Hall's writing is so highlightable! I guess I'll just have to buy a copy when it comes out!

Viola is so very wonderful. I love her so much and I want to be her friend. Gracewood becomes such a wonderful human being, it's marvelous seeing him evolve. Miranda is adorable. Little Bartholomew had some of the most memorable and witty discussions in the book. Lady Marleigh is hilarious in her bluntness. Badger is like the absent minded professor; so loving but just not quite there, then he comes up with a zinger that is so full of truth.

Read all the way to the end. I NEVER read discussion guide questions. I like thinking about books how I think about them. But I always read Alexis Hall's questions because they are hilarious. I have to say for number 6 NO! Absolutely not!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is it. Every other regency romance can go home, because this is the only one ever.

I will be honest and say I didn’t really have any expectations going in, as I have never really been interested in reading a regency romance book before, seeing as they are usually very cishet. Needless to say, I was very excited to see one with a trans heroine, and this story is going to definitely be one of my favorites going forward.

I don’t think I can properly express how meaningful it is to be able to see trans characters being able to have their own romances and happily ever afters. There’s still very few places to turn in terms of finding stories that represent us well, and historical fiction can oftentimes be an intimidating place to look due to lack of terminology or historical accuracy vs inaccuracy in the realities of these characters' lives.

Alexis Hall does a wonderful job at portraying Viola and her struggles and fears as a trans woman without that being the primary source of conflict in the story. While much of the conflict does deal with gender norms and expectations of the time period, it isn’t as much related to Viola and her transness, as much as general societal ‘rules’.

It was also refreshing to see how her transness was handled when it was ultimately revealed to Gracewood. I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely sure how that situation would resolve going into the story, but it was handled with plenty of *ahem* Grace. I loved watching as their relationship developed and as they got the opportunity to meet each other again, and I think I would read 932587 more stories about them just being able to be happy together.

This is definitely a new favorite of mine, and I am eager for this book to be out in the world so that I can get my hands on a physical copy and annotate the hell out of it!

Sometimes, you read a book and know it’s going to be one of your personality trait books, and as I told someone in my DMs this week, Alexis Hall’s A Lady for a Duke is going to be one of my personality trait books. Touching, emotionally vulnerable, sensual, and ultimately hopeful, A Lady for a Duke delivered everything I wanted out of it and then some.

Viola Caroll and Justin de Vere were childhood friends and close companions before war, and after Viola is presumed dead at Waterloo, she takes the opportunity begin a life where she can finally live as herself. But when Viola reconnects with the Duke of Gracewood years later, she finds him changed in different ways—wrecked by grief, reclusive, and struggling with disability due to a war injury. Thinking she can help him recover and put her own feelings aside, Viola discovers some feelings are too powerful to deny.

Childhood friends to lovers is already one of my favourite tropes—my fellow demi folks who are suckers for rich shared histories and pre-existing connections in romance, raise your hands—but adding a character discovering their transness in the process made this an automatic pickup for me.

As with any novel where it seems obvious a character will have to “reveal” or “expose” their trans identity, I did have my reservations about it; after all, I have been subjected to too many novels where a character revealing they are trans feels more like a dirty secret or a ‘gotcha’ moment than the vulnerable, sensitive invitation to a part of someone’s self that it is. This premise seemed rife for that kind of moment, but I am pleased to report it was handled with sensitivity and grace; while that’s not to say there aren’t messy, human emotions surrounding the discussion of Viola’s identity, ultimately it is NOT the primary source of conflict in the novel or the relationship, and that was a beautiful breath of fresh air to me.

What I also loved about A Lady for a Duke was the balance between angst and sweetness the novel struck. Obviously given that both Viola and Justin are war veterans, there are discussions of heavier themes. Justin suffers from a disability in the form of a physical injury and what would be called PTSD today, and Viola is still learning to navigate her new status as a lady’s companion in the world at large. Both characters deal with understandably difficult circumstances, and they also find healing and support in both each other and a cast of robust, interesting (and oh yeah, queer) secondary characters that enrich the novel.

Most of the sweetness comes from the development of Viola and the Duke of Gracewood’s relationship. Y’all, there were moments I just had to put my book down and make incoherent noises of emotional processing at some of these scenes. I am a person who tends to be more sensitive to what I call The Cheese Factor in romance books, in addition to not always vibing with some common amatonormative concepts that can crop up in the genre. But the combination of Viola and Justin’s pre-existing history combined with the tenderness with which they treat each other? A magic, winning formula for me.

Finally, though this novel is not as steamy as others in the genre, I absolutely adored that it did not shy away from having on-page sex scenes written with care and skill. There were some pleasant surprises in this regard for me and I deeply appreciate their inclusion.

All in all, A Lady for a Duke is not only a 2022 favourite for me but a rare and new All Time Favourite. I have preordered it, I will be re-reading it, and I will be tirelessly recommending this one to anyone looking for a regency/period romance read.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an advance reader copy.

Tw: deadnaming but not out of malice, drug addiction and alcohol abuse, PTSD, ablest language
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A LADY FOR A DUKE follows Viola Caroll. After being presumed dead during the war, Viola takes this chance to finally live as the woman she’s always been. However, gaining the freedom to be herself means losing everything, most importantly her best friend, Gracewood. Gracewood has been trapped in his grief for the past 2 years, blaming himself for his best friends death. When Viola receives word of how her best friend has been spiralling, she knows she needs to go back, and risk being recognized, to help him find himself again.
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Gracewood saying fuck what a man should be and simply being himself was perfect. I loved these two together. Seeing them as friends— hearing what Gracewood truly felt for Viola before the war— I had to keep closing the book to regroup. I couldn’t stop smiling. I especially loved that even though there was a moment of shock after he recognized her, Gracewood did not drag this out and make it ugly. He accepted Viola for who she was, and what’s more is that he loved her for all that she was. He never falters with her pronouns or refers of her without using her true name. I appreciated having both of their POVs.
The epilogue made me so emotional. I loved this story, and I love their beautiful happily ever after. I cannot wait for my physical copy to come in the mail so that I can reread it and tab all of my favourite lines and scenes. 💝
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4.5 stars, A LADY FOR A DUKE by Alexis Hall is available May 24! Thank you to Forever (GCP) and Netgalley for sending me an eARC to review.

I received the eARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Poetic, Wholesome, Sensual are the three words I would use to describe this book.

First off, it was absolutely beautifully written. The prose of this felt exactly like reading poetry. The time period this book takes place felt accurately portrayed, but in a lot of ways it still felt very modern especially when it came to society's expectations and the frustrations were certain expectations of gender.

I'm a sucker for friends-to-lovers stories, and this definitely had an essence of that while also still figuring out who they are as people and around each other. It was familiar and fresh at the same time, with both elements being the perfect amount to blend together in a perfect recipe for a story that caused my heart to flutter and squeal with delight many times!

I was pulled into the words of not just the two main characters but the supporting characters around them and very quickly grew to care about them as people and their relationships around each other. I cannot continue to express just how perfect all the pacing for everything was in this story! Nothing felt rushed or moving too slow, and everything was smooth.

Viola and Gracewood's relationship was an entire meal I wanted to consume several times over, I was loving the ways they grew around each other, with care for the either, keeping their needs and desires in mind. It was such a wonderful portrayal of a selfless, considerate, and passionate healthy relationship!

Viola being a transwoman, I would say is important to the story, but the main part of the story and I really appreciated that. Gracewood is still haunted by the events of the world. Together they grow in love and accept each other just as they are, while also helping each other to heal through any hurts the past has given them. In all these ways, this has made this a wonderfully written and beautiful love story!

A classic, wholesome love story with a fresh twist, and that's what makes it perfect!

Thank you @NetGalley for the ebook ARC

Rating: 3.5/5
A 3 for me means I enjoyed it but likely won't reread anytime soon; a 4 is enjoyed and will likely reread in the next year or two.

Overall was a good story, but the sheer amount of angst from the get go is what would have me hesitant to reread anytime soon. I like some angst but this felt like angst all the way through.

I don't read much historical romance but I'd read anything by Alexis Hall which is why I'm sorry to report I didn't love this book. It took me at least 10% to clue into what was going on with the main character (I kept wondering if this was a sequel and I'd missed all the set-up) although that may say more about lack of representation in this genre than anything else. But the rest of the book was melodramatic in the worst way: lots of internal fidgeting over not being together (and very little external obstacles) and a conclusion that might have come out of a soap opera. I like that this book exists but I'm afraid I don't like the book itself.

I just need to admit I don’t like Alexis Halls writing. Too angsty, too many neuroses, too many longing glances. This one in particular started out muddled and I wasn’t clear what was going on.

Yes. Just yes. This book deserves a standing ovation. i will be buying a copy when it comes out so i can reread and cry all over it like i did my phone. This story is truly beautiful. thank you.

“I love you. I have in some form for as long as I’ve known you. You are my joy and my truth and my heart and my dreams. You are the best of me.”

I just KNEW this was going to be my new favorite romance novel. It was so joyously queer. Duke Gracewood and a very complex man who has a physical disability and serious PTSD. Viola handles the battlefield of Justin’s trauma with such grace and care. The pining in this book was beautiful. I loved how the author portrayed a trans woman in a regency romance. I never would have thought of this premise and how well it worked. I’m absolutely going to read this a dozen more times.

Sidenote: LOVED the inclusion of two sapphic characters as well!

Rep: transfemme character, queer relationships, sapphic characters, physical disability, mental health.

Y’all, I LOVED this book! This is the third book I’ve read by Alexis Hall and each world they create is better than the last.

A Lady for a Duke follows Viola Carroll, a woman who was able to live out her truth after being presumed dead at Waterloo. She reconnects with her closest friend from childhood, Duke Gracewood, years later, only to learn he is devastated at the loss of his closest friend. And y’all - sparks fly!!!

To see the development of a romance from what it once was under a different name to what it could become was BEAUTIFUL. There were several lines that spoke to this which had me crying in the club.

Viola and Gracewood were such deeply developed characters, but I was OBSESSED with all the side characters. The could-never-be-wrong Lady Marleigh. Her down-bad husband, Badger. Mira, Gracewood’s sister, who has the absolute best one-liners and a penchant for Mary Shelley. (If we don’t get a Mira spin-off, I will riot.)

This book was fun and full of romance, grief, and adventure. I will be sad to be leaving this world. This one will be out May 24th and I expect y’all to become as obsessed as I am!!!!

Thank you to Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy!

Whoever invented “perfection doesn’t exist” spoke too soon because this book exists and it is utterly perfect.

I rarely read friends to lovers books willingly because it has to be very well done for me to like it, but the synopsis of this book made me request as fast as I could. Estranged childhood friends to lovers… with a trans heroine… and a hero basically secluded in his house because he misses his allegedly dead best friend? It was too good to be true, but it was more than good. It was BRILLIANT.

The writing was captivating and heartbreaking, but extremely beautiful. Reading about Viola and Gracewood getting to know each other again, sensing the familiarity between them, Viola’s inner debates… it was too much and so perfect. I loved that she never apologized for choosing her freedom and always defended herself. I also loved how everyone automatically respected her identity, and never questioned it, even if they were shocked at first. If only it was this easy to understand in real life for lots of people…

Gracewood and Viola are the sweetest, softest and cutest couple ever written in historical romance. I swear, they were so in love it could be smelled and touched and heard. It was obvious and so deep and beautiful. I have highlighted, approximately, half of the book, because I need to go back and read their beautiful dialogues. It broke my heart to see Gracewood struggling with PTSD without knowing what was happening to him, but Viola always had the exact right words for him. I am so soft again just thinking about them!

Miranda (please give her a book), Lady Marleigh, Bartholomew… they were perfect supporting characters. Seriously, everyone stole my heart in this book. The dialogues were witty and funny without stealing the seriousness of the story. It was a perfect balance.

This book is a gem I can’t wait to hold in my hands and place on my shelf.

Rating: 5+/5
Steam: 2/5

TW: Use of deadname, ableism, PTSD, suicidal thoughts, drug and alcohol abuse

Thanks to FOREVER for my ARC!

I ABSOLUTELY adored this book. I hate when books try to make me care about a complex plot... like no I am here for the romance, and this book is PEAK romance. A lady for a Duke is an adult romance with a trans main character and deals with things such as PTSD and addiction, I couldn't recommend it enough.

4/5

After being presumed dead at Waterloo, Lady Viola Caroll decided to let the world go on thinking that and begin to live for herself. Sundering the past, Viola does not regret much. The loss of her wealth and title are trivial against the greater loss of her friend and closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. For several years, Viola has kept her distance, believing that grief has given way to peace of some kind, yet when their families reconnect again she finds that it is actually the opposite –Gracewood is a shadow of the man she once knew, withdrawn so far into his grief that he is completely unrecognizable. Striving to somehow bring him back to his former self, Viola is drawn closer to her former friend, and desires she could never name before are brought to the surface. Denial is useless, and as Viola and Gracewood grow closer these feelings become harder to ignore, prompting a necessary reconciliation against loss and the impossibility of the future.

A Lady for a Duke could not have come at a more perfect time for me, fresh off the historical romance binge and having just watched the latest season of Bridgerton. Looking for a romance teeming with emotion, this novel gave me everything I needed and then some. In his altogether masterful historical romance, Alexis Hall draws together a complex past between his main leads, with an evocative center of loss, memory, and intimacy driving the story forward. Our main heroine Viola is one of the more well-written queer characters in historical romance that I have read recently, giving voice to dysphoria and the trans experience in a way unforeseen previously by me in the genre. As for the other main lead, Justin De Vere, he provided quite the emotional conversation surrounding grief and the lingering trauma arising from war. Even with all of this tense subject matter, the entire story overflows with longing and an underlying comfort that disperses throughout every aspect of the novel. This is definitely not a tragic story, yes we have a trans heroine and a disabled hero living in this time period, but it doesn't bear the narrative down into tragedy like I’ve seen other period pieces do. Instead, what emerges is a tender second chance romance about two people defined by their circumstances finding love against the odds. I would also be remiss not to mention the wonderful side characters in this novel, who radiate just as much as the two main leads. With a mix of queer and playful characters, Hall really creates a wholesome cast of supporting characters for the novel. The side plots intervening in the central storyline had the most fabulous banter and made me fall even more in love with the story overall. A Lady for a Duke is honestly one of the most beautiful and exemplary historical romances I have read in quite a long time. The epilogue especially, really brought the emotion to the surface, exemplifying love found and a future once deemed unlikely.

SWOON. Comrades in arms, separated by apparent death? Except for Viola, her apparent death was actually the chance at a fuller life: she is able to live as a woman -- finally -- after she is assumed dead in the war. Her best friend Justin Gracewood is in deep grief over the loss of his best friend, until he meets his friend's new lady's companion: Viola Carol. Viola is at once familiar and new to him, and they fall into such a fast intimacy that they both are swept up in their love for one another. Hall neatly sidesteps any reader assumptions of transphobia to be experienced by Viola and instead presents a love story in which coming out is a joyful surprise rather than a violent risk.

“Damn the world. The world told you that you had to live the life it shaped for you, and you defied it. The world told you that I had to be as my father was, and I defied, or I’m trying to. We can make her own world, Viola, with our own rules.”

I think this book is extremely romantic and has amazing rep. It questions the social construct of the time and the roles assigned by society. It also gives voice to the importance of being true to you, the best that you can be.

But sadly, I personally didn’t enjoy the plot.

But I’m grateful this book exists and I hope that people can experience this regency romance and feel all the best feelings. (Because seriously, there are 192 adorable and moving quotes in this book.)

3/5 ⭐️

A swoony historical romance featuring a transgender heroine and the childhood best friend who thought she died in battle. It's refreshing to read a romance with a transgender character where the conflict isn't about her gender identity. Viola's family has accepted her as she is, and she gradually reveals herself to others, including the grieving Justin, who misses his presumed-dead friend in ways he doesn't fully understand. Their tentative love story is sweet and heart-wrenching.

Is there no romance genre Alexis Hall cannot write? From contemporary cooking competitions and fake dating, to Regency romp, he's covering a lot of ground, and I'm here for all of it.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This book was recommended to me by a friend and I'm really glad she did! The characters are so well written and lovable. Alexis Hall did not shy away from the hard topics, whether it was going into Viola's problems related to being trans or Gracewoods struggle with PTSD and being physically disabled. Also a happy ending! I love happy endings, especially when it's a lgbt historical romance. I'll definitely have to make my way through Alexis Halls's other books after reading “A lady for the duke”

It's very hard to put how much I loved this book into words but I'll give it a shot. Regency romances aren't a genre I usually read a lot of but when I saw the description of this book I knew I had to read it. Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for sending me an arc.

The thing I love the most about this book is that it's two people who have a history coming together and getting to know each other as different people. I liked that despite their history together, we (the reader) get to know them as characters as they're getting to know each other again. It was a very sweet and to me, realistic, love story and Hall emphasizes how they bring out the best in each other. Also I loved all of the side characters, and the plot itself had some typical plotlines, but I think it worked really well. However the romance between Viola and Gracewood was the highlight of this book for me.

I'm not really qualified to comment on the trans representation as a cis woman, so I am curious to see what other people think of it, but I did really enjoy all of the commentary on gender roles throughout the book and how it encompasses all of the characters. This is a book I'm definitely going to buy and read again.

Another joyful delight from Alexis Hall!

About 70% in it felt like the story was starting to lag but the writing was still good and kept me going. Every character was well rounded and you got a very good sense of they were from a few lines of dialogue and that is powerful and one of my favorite author things.

Hall said he wanted to write a story about a transgender woman without it being the source of conflict and I'd say they succeeded. I loved that. I love that it was treated like a class difference or something and wasn't "a thing", Viola was who she was and that was that. In general I like the inclusion and depiction of LGBTQ+ people in this book.

The ending was fun, felt like it was headed in a dark direction but Hall kept it light while not losing sight of the stakes.