This has been an awesome read! Loved Lysander and Geneviève, their story, the relationship they built, the wit, the neurodivergent hero, the ballet bits, the fact that the author intertwines real figures with the fictional characters makes the story more real and authentic.
I do really hope that Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard be the first book in what could be a wonderful series showcasing the Queens Club stories.
Interesante historia la de Lysander y Geneviève. Ambientada en la época victoriana, con las convenciones sociales vigentes, dos personas de distintas clases sociales hacen un trato que funciona… al principio.
El libro es fácil de leer, ágil, interesante, mezcla personajes reales con los ficticios, tiene datos y/o citas de ballet, música, literatura.
Espero que éste sea el primer libro en una serie que presente las historias de las integrantes del Queens Club.

This was an absolute delight of a regency read. Nève and Lysander are a dynamic couple who challenge each other in all the best ways.

Duke Lysander Montcroix propositions Nève, a ballerina looking for work, with an almost indecent proposal: be his fake fiancé to help him broker a game changing deal. But the best laid plans will go awry once the heart decides to take a gamble. Soon both Nève and Lysander are fighting their growing attraction and attachment.

There were no simple interactions between Lysander and Nève. Every conversation was a battle of wits (most were won by Nève, but who’s keeping track). Their mutual love of the arts provided a strong base for their budding relationship. Plus their friends are great. Though I must say the original club name for the women was so terrible I laughed. I’m already looking forward to reading each of the women’s stories.

Please read the content guidance before starting this book. I appreciate when authors take the time to acknowledge elements of their story that could be triggering for others. I also think it helps make the reader more observant and understanding, especially in this case when it comes to empathizing with Lysander (no, this is not a spoiler).

This book is being described as Pretty Woman meets the Bridgertons in this witty take on 90s romcoms. Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: money.. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his feelings bottled up.. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unconventional answer.
Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Genevieve Valery is out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, she had no choice but the streets. When a fateful encounter with the duke gives her an offer she would be a fool to refuse. Act as his fake fiancé in exchange for more than enough money to set her for life. Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them.

This book has a star-crossed, swoony, steamy love feeling to it but there's also some side focus on racism, colorism, and what it means to belong. That is something that has been rare for a historical romance, That’s what I enjoyed the most. The issues brought forward and the character depth were done extremely well. You couldn’t deny the chemistry and attraction between them. This book also had its funny moments and straight humour which you don’t find in these kind of books much. The only downside was a personal one. Historical fiction isn’t my jam and I have a hard time getting through them. That being said it wasn’t my favourite book but it was no fault to the author or how the book was developed. I would love to read a current romantic comedy of Howard’s. These views are of my own in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley for the advance trader copy!

I received this arc in exchange for my honest review.


To be honest, I somehow skipped the part where this book starts in 1865 and isn't modern day (the modern cover threw me off haha). I am a fan of the fake dating trope, and this one presented a new twist because it wasn't set during today. I also appreciated the content earning at the beginning to warn about phrases and terms associated with prostitutes, as well as small violence warnings.

It's been a while since I have read an out-and-out romantic book and I am glad I picked this up. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and finished it in one sitting.

What I enjoyed?

- I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters, especially all the female characters starting with our protagonist Nève. She is strong, independent, and confident. I really liked her positive outlook on life. The supporting ladies were all independent and confident.

- However, it took me some time to warm up to Lysander, our male protagonist. I understand the reasons for him being cold-hearted and aloof but it was still no excuse for his rudeness.

- I enjoyed the periodic setting. Especially, the way the author figured out to give a feminist twist to the characters within the boundaries of reality from that time,

Thank you, NetGalley for an early copy. I am glad I got to read this!

It’s been a while since I last read a historical romance but you cannot give me a ‘Pretty Woman meets The Bridgertons’ and expect me not to pick this up as soon as I can.

Listen... to be completely honest, at first I wasn’t feeling their chemistry but as chapter goes on there’s no way you won’t end up falling for them. Nève is such a interesting character, so bold and lovable. Lysander on the other hand took a little more time to grow on me but he’s very special and I’m glad he found his love. It was a nice read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy.

One ball, one hundred pounds, that was the deal. But with undeniable attraction, will they keep the deal simply a transaction? Or will it lead to something more?

Neve, a ballerina who journeyed from France to London to find work to provide for her sister's needs and her own, met a stranger and saved his life, only to find out he was the Duke of Montcroix, who offered her large money to act as his love interest, to seal a business deal.

Lysander, a cold hearted man who swore off love after he got his heart broken by someone who left him not only for a title but to his own father, meets a woman who is struggling at finding a decent job, only to think of one solution that can fix both of their problems.

This book definitely gives off Bridgerton feel. A strong opinionated woman meets a broken man. As the story goes it shows that everyone has issues they don't talk about and how it takes the right people to listen and accept your issues and flaws at unexpected times and situations. I often take time to enjoy historical romance, but it's amusing to me how resilient Neve is. I would definitely recommend it to my friend

Excellently written. Main and secondary characters are likable and funny. Antagonists are easy to hate. Love the glimpse into ballet and being a ballerina specially during those times was an eye opener.

Please note : I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Reading this book now and really enjoying it. Loving the characters and the story. Will update with a full review as soon as I'm finished reading!

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is a great historical /comedy romance that is the first book in a new series: Taming of the Dukes. I really enjoyed it!

This was a fun romp in Regency England via a Pretty Woman set-up and vibe. The author did a great job mashing up past and present to create a fun, witty, sassy, and romantic narrative that had plenty of laugh out loud moments.

I really liked the two main characters and love interests: Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix and Miss Geneviève Valery. Brought together by chance, and joined together by mutual agreement that then developed into a friends to lovers narrative. If they thought they could keep their personal feelings at bay with one another, they have another thing coming. The chemistry, attraction, and connection cannot be denied, and it was so much fun watching them interact and seeing this relationship and realization develop.

I was entertained from beginning to end and definitely recommend this to anyone that loves a good sassy historical romcom. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/12/22.

I read this with my wife for fun. I thought it was good. Lord Lysander Blackstone, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution... Then comes Miss Geneviève Valery who's is hopelessly out of work. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, Then the duke offers her a fake engagement. Kind of reminded me of the new Netflix show thats been on.

I’m a marketing and publicity intern at Forever Publishing, so I am reading this for work. Will post full review later.