Its Saturday, and you have binged #Bridgerton on @netflix read all of @juliaquinnauthor?

Go to @Netgalley request #alwaysbemyduchess by @amaliehoward Congratulations 🎉🎊🎉on this stunning book!

Reasons 🎉🎊
✔Pretty woman meets #alwaysbemymaybe snarky MCs with Bridgerton time period.
He was a Duke who was lost. She was a ballerina who was out of a job . He wants to hire her to go to a ball and be his date. Easy peasy win win right? I love all of the nods to Pretty Woman it was like the movie transformed to a period piece!
✔ Custom made gowns fit for a princess in the next chapter.. remember Julia Roberts gown to the opera? Think prettier. I would be in it just for the clothes and the "accoutrements" . I love this book !!!!!
✔ I loved the historical accuracy of the time period..from the building of the railway to the actual cast of the ballet this author did her research. I love the feeling of being immersed in a period.

Mark your calendar book will be released 7/12 by @grandcentralpub !! Or do yourself a favor log in and request now!!!

Howard is absolute delight! Always Be My Duchess absorbed me spot-on period detail, the well-crafted characters, and perfect romance.
Highly recommend — it’s one story you don’t want to miss!!

Thank you to Forever & Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A light historical romance that made me excited to read more in the future! This book was sweet, witty, and a bit spicy. A fake engagement/relationship is always something that reminds me of "Pretty Woman" and this one definitely had a similar feel. I've not read a lot of historical romance, but I enjoyed that this one felt true to the time period it was written without being hard to follow.

I also really loved the acknowledgments at the end of the book and seeing why the author chose to write Lysander as a neurodivergent hero.

Recommended if you like historical romance, "Pretty Woman" or "Bridgerton"!

Thank you to Forever Publishing & NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

*I received a free ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A Victorian-era twist on Pretty Woman? Fake engagement? Grumpy/Sunshine? Say less! This book ticked all of the boxes for me.

I particularly loved our neurodivergent hero, who is loved by the heroine for exactly who he is. It isn't all sunshine and rainbows, but the pair work through it together and it never feels like she loves him *despite* him being neurodivergent.

There were parts of this book that felt a little rushed or out of character, but the overall feel was whimsical and fun and definitely swoon-worthy! I have read Amalie Howard books in the past, and she has never disappointed. If you're into historical romcoms, this is a must-read!

I was excited to read Always Be My Duchess because Amalie Howard's The Beast of Beswick is one of my favorite historical romances, but unfortunately this title is forgettable. I enjoyed the representation of a neuroatypical hero, but Lysander felt inconsistently written, and his development as a character felt like it took place off the page. Geneviève Valery is a lovely self-made heroine, but the book didn't seem to take seriously the class difference between its characters as an obstacle to their love story. Oh well!

I absolutely positively loved this story! So much so that I went back and got all of Amalie Howard's backlist. (I have read a few of her titles but not all!)

I loved the plot, the story, the characters... just everything!

Thank you for the early read opportunity!

I really enjoyed 'Always Be My Duchess'! I've been in a bit of a historical romance kick recently, so this getting approved came at just the right time. Amalie Howard does have more of a modern style of writing than maybe the Lisa Kleypas' of the world, but it was enjoyable to read nonetheless. There was a fantastic amount of tension between Stone & Néve. Their meet-cute (can we call staring down the barrel of a gun a meet-cute?) might have been my favorite part of the book. I also fell in love with the interesting assortment of side characters. I'm really hoping Briar and Lushing are the main couple of the next book... if so, I'll be pre-ordering that ASAP.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, if you like Bridgerton, you need to read Always Be My Duchess. There are so many great tropes in this book: strong female heroine, business agreement turned romance, hard-stony guy that's only soft for one girl. It's got some steam for sure, and oh does it build tension. While the variety of characters aren't necessarily "authentic" to the time, they make the book enjoyable and lovable for today. I'm so glad this is the first in a series as I can't wait to watch the next member of the Queen's Club meet her match - and hopefully check in with the Duke and Duchess of Montcroix.

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

OK, to be truthful, I was conflicted about this because of the blurb... I generally like-ranging-to-love the Amalie Howard stories I have read. But I absolutely can't stand Pretty Woman and generally any Julia Roberts-related movie of any kind (I know I probably am outvoted here, it seems to have a mega cult following, but I feel it, and she are highly over-rated). So I was prepared to be disappointed and rather hate this.

The Duke of Montcroix, Lysander Blackstone, is a stern, cold, emotionless man who seems driven by succeeding in business. He suppresses his emotions because of various disappointments in his past, from family relationships to relationship betrayals. But his bachelor-state may impede a major business deal he wants to push through to succeed in his other business ventures. To that end, he proposes a ruse to Neve, an out of work ballerina he runs into one night. She is in London to try to find a job at a theatre, to help her sister in France. She is actually a gently raised daughter of an aristocrat, but down on her luck due to a loss of fortune in the family; she and her sister are forced to fall back onto the dance training by their mother to try to make their way in the world. She is also distrustful of men, because of what she has observed, especially as a ballerina, considering they are often treated as mistresses and whores.

However, she does need money, and Montcoix offers her a grand amount that could go a long way to help her and her sister, so she agrees to his ruse.

I loved Neve and her sassy, sarcastic unfiltered mouth, and her rather weird little French-isms. Montcroix is quite cold, but it sounds like his father was a right bastard whose behaviour stunted and stymied Montcoix, trying to mold him into what the former Duke considered to be strong. Neve brings out his inner heat and passion and I loved that development of their relationship. I also liked the sideline characters, including Montcroix's aunt, who obviously is a lot more awake, alert, and wily than she lets on, and I enjoyed her support of Neve and the love and support she shows Montcroix. Also loved the group of female friends that Neve meets, the horribly named "Hell-kitties" and would love to hear more of their stories; they dynamic added some lovely lightness. I presume that we may hear about more about Montcroix's big mouthed friend, Lushing, and Neve's new friend, Briar, in the future?

I was slightly disappointed, however, that the villains of the piece, the horrible bitch ex-fiancee, the cheating businessman/viscount, and the abusive Marquis, do not get any definitive comeuppance. A bit of justice and karma would have been satisfying.

4.5 stars out of 5.

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard
Taming of the Dukes #1
Historical Romance
Publication Date: July 12, 2022

A gargoyle on the run from some locals runs into a butterfly and together they make a run for it only to find themselves in a cramped alley space. Attracted to the butterfly, it’s not long before the gargoyle (a duke whose nickname is Stone) propositions the butterfly (a struggling ballerina), who he initially mistakens for a lady of the evening, with an offer she finds difficult to refuse.

This book will definitely satisfy fans of the relationship of convenience trope and those with a preference for open door romances.

This book had pretty much everything I look for in a romance: the swoon, the sass and the spice. This book was also full of zingy one-liners and moments that made me snicker. I’m not one to normally annotate my books but I actually used the highlight function on my Kindle on a number of occasions.

However, I will say the author deploys the same gimmick on multiple occasions. How many times can a person stumble upon another doing something in secret? First time, it happens. Second time, now they are even with each other. Third time… does no one know how to close a door and lock it?

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. Also, there was a time gap in the last chapter. Our Duke shows up as a changed man after a length of time has passed. What changed in a few pages? How did he find himself educated? I started to see an inkling of change in his thought process but not enough to make the last chapter satisfying. I don’t like when a character who is really set in their ways has an epiphany off of the pages.

Overall, I’m looking forward to the next Hell Kitty to become a victim of Cupid’s Arrow.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨ ARC REVIEW ✨

Always be my Duchess
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release date: July 12, 2022

“He was the moon: cold, hard, distant. She was the sun: fiery, passionate, hot-tempered. He saw things in absolutes, in black or white, while she viewed life in every hue imaginable. He was winter; she was summer.”

🩰 Highlights:
- insta lust 🙈
- Opposites attract / grumpy sunshine
- Laila, Briar, Nève, and Effie’s friendship
- Fake dating/engagement
- Lysander’s growth

🩰 My thoughts:

It took about 40% to get to the main plot of the book as there was a lot of build up getting there. There was a lot of emphasis on physical attraction throughout Lysander and Nève’s relationship. I really enjoy a friendship before lust- however, the characters did have sweet moments together when they were getting to know eachother. It was a heavy focus on the physical aspect but it wasn’t JUST physical between them. I felt the chemistry between them and I loved seeing Lysander grow and change through Nève’s love. It felt very Beauty and the Beast. A beast needing someone to see deep within and pull out the prince that’s inside. Nève was the Belle to Lysander’s beast, and I really loved their ending together.

⚠️ TW: abusive parent/childhood trauma mentioned. Sexual assault attempts mentioned.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Amalie Howard for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Such a good book, I think people are gonna really love this one. Keep me wanting more the whole way through. Thank you!

I absolutely loved this book!! It's a historical retelling of Pretty Woman with a female lead who is a French ballerina named Genevieve Valery and a neurodivergent duke, Lord Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, They meet when she rescues him drunkenly trying to avoid a group of men trying to rob him in Convent Garden. She has just left a theatre after refusing to be a wealthy man's mistress.

After she helps him to escape in a hired carriage, Lysander sees the potential that she could pretend to be his fiancee for the season - this proposal will help him look respectable to an older lord whose land Lysander wants to buy for his proposed railroad. Even though he initially irritates her and seems very haughty, Genevieve has a good reason to eventually agree and then Lysander moves her into his house with his elderly aunt visiting there, so a chaperone is sorted.

This book has so many tropes I adore in a historical romance - pining, fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract, pining - did I say pining already?!, grumpy/sunshine, character growth. It's also the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading all of her books.

The best news is this book is the first of a series and I hope the future books are based on the group of wonderful women who Genevieve befriends.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I just reviewed Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard. #NetGalley

If Bridgerton and Pretty Woman had a baby it would be this book. I read the whole thing in a day and I loved it! It was so cute and the banter was on point. I also loved the secondary characters in this especially Vesper and the rest of the Hellfire Kitties.

✨Synopsis: The Duke of Montcroix is only interested in increasing his fortunes and investments. When his reputation for being cold and heartless jeopardizes his new business deal, he finds himself looking for a solution.

Geneviève Valery is an out of work ballerina in need of money to help her sick sister. After a chance encounter with the Duke, Montcroix makes her an offer she can't refuse - act has his fake fiancée for the season and gain a fortune.

Always Be My Duchess will be released July 12!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Amalie Howard for the advanced copy!!

From the first meeting of the characters I was hooked. The fake dating trope is always a great one and this book had the right amount of tension and chemistry between the two love interests. I also loved that the heroine stood up for herself and knew her self worth. Overall a great rom-com!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Always Be My Dutchess was a fun read light read it's a 3 star read 🌟🌟🌟
Thanks Netgalley for a arc copy of this book for a honest review

Happy Reading

Lisa 📚

Always Be My Duchess is delightful! It is a great start to this new series. There are so many tropes packed into this book - grumpy/sunshine, fake engagement, and hidden identity. Lysander Blackstone (aka Stone) is an icy duke trying to establish a rail line. He needs to impress owners of the land through which he wants to run the railroad. To do so, he takes on a fake fiancé, Miss Genevieve Valery (aka Neve), a French ballerina. The two meet in a fiery encounter in Covent Garden and their chemistry is immediate.

Amalie Howard writes fantastic banter. The teasing between Stone and Neve is essentially verbal foreplay. There is a steaming hot scene in a music room where Stone plays Neve like a cello. I have never read so many sexy instrument similes in one book! Always Be My Duchess is unique in that it features a neurodivergent, feminist hero and a confident, smart, and modern heroine. Neve befriends a group of women with similar modern sensibilities and they form the “Queen’s Club,” and I assume the women all get their own book in the series. This series is perfect for fans of “wallpaper historicals” like the Netflix version of Bridgerton or books written by Evie Dunmore and Sarah MacLean.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

Always Be My Duchess was a fun read. I started several books, but wasn’t feeling them. I as soon as I started this book, I knew I was going to finish it. I liked the characters. It felt like a different twist to a historical. I look forward to the next book.

I voluntarily read an early copy.

Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton sounds like something that should be up my alley, and historical romances are my favorite. But alas, this wasn't it for me. Ultimately, I think it's because the first act was a bit of a chore, quite slow and hard to get through. I do love the ND rep, and wish there was a bit more with this.

I would recommend it to others, if they know to expect a more traditional historical romance and not a romcom like the cover would make it seem

Always Be My Duchess is the latest from Amalie Howard and I jumped in upon hearing this was a Pretty Woman-inspired historical romance with a ballerina heroine and a cold, sensible hero.

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the very pragmatic and always sensible Duke of Montcroix, has his life accidentally saved by Miss Geneviève “Nève” Valery, once an up-and-coming ballerina who is now hopelessly out-of-work. Lysander has a proposition for Nève, one evening of her time attending a ball with him so he can convince the current landowner he is not a rake/eternal bachelor and does intend to settle down. When the arrangement goes so well, Lysander quickly negotiates for more time with Nève and she soon finds herself acting as his fake fiancée.

Nève has been taking care of herself and her sister, who also did ballet before a recent injury (she refused the attentions of a titled male suitor and he injured her feet). Because of this, Nève is very wary of Lysander’s attention at first but sees over time she can trust him. This had a kind of lust at first sight for them both, but then a slower build of the actual romance. Some moments that stuck out to me: his aunt Millicent and her relationship with Nève, Lysander and Nève playing the piano together, he breaks his “no dancing” streak at a ball with her, her friendship with Laila (Marchioness of Marsden) who becomes her friend and modiste, he gives her an archery lesson, he converts a room in his estate into a space for her to dance (even installs a wooden ballet bar), the nods to Pretty Woman. The hero is also described as neurodivergent in the author’s note at the end of the read. I did like the premise of the story and this historical romance class difference setup, but the middle definitely dragged for me and I just wasn’t sold by the couple’s chemistry or romance. So while this book ended up just being okay for me, I have read a handful of historical romances from this author and continue to pick up her newest reads. I will say nothing has topped my first read from her, The Beast of Beswick.

Thank you to the publisher (Forever) for an e-ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own. Always Be My Duchess has a pub date of July 12, 2022.