I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before it was published. Though in recent times I have deviated from historical romances (once the Bridgerton phase wore off), Always Be My Duchess may just pull me back into the fray. Amalie Howard wrote an amazing, engaging story which pulls you in since the first page. The romance between the characters was palpable and kept you interested for the entire time. Overall, I give this book four out of five stars.

I adored this book! It was a fun time, I laughed a lot, and I also swooned! As a big Bridgerton fan, this book was right up my alley! I don’t read much historical fiction, but with the romance element added in, this one was great!

Shelf Awareness for Readers:

Amalie Howard (The Beast of Beswick) pushes the fake-dating romance plot to new heights in Always Be My Duchess, in which a stoic and powerful duke hires an out-of-work ballerina to pose as his fiancée in order to secure a new business deal.

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, is known for his "complete lack of emotion in Parliament and his infamous inscrutability." These are protections he's put in place after years of being punished by his father for his neurodiversity, which often appears to others as being slow or unfeeling. Geneviève (Nève) Valery is a dancer, short on money to care for herself and her ailing sister after refusing to become the mistress of a wealthy nobleman and subsequently losing her position with the ballet. The two literally run into one another--Lysander flees cutpurses in an unfamiliar neighborhood and Nève takes pity on him and leads him to safety. Sparks fly. Lysander makes Nève an offer she can't refuse: pretend to be his fiancée in exchange for enough money to get her and her sister back on their feet--and then some.

In keeping with Pretty Woman, the 1990s-era rom-com that inspired it, Always Be My Duchess is a celebration of women's power and intelligence (the latter described as the "dread of the patriarchy and the scourge of the aristocracy") and of love that springs from vulnerability and connection. The first in a planned series (Taming of the Dukes), Howard's novel is an exploration of agency and autonomy that will satisfy readers, while inevitably leaving them excited for what may yet follow. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer

I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry was off the charts. I enjoyed every moment and didn't want it to end! The characters were relatable and I just lost myself in this book! Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

The pining! The opposites attract! The fake engagement! The sex!
This book has absolutely everything you could want in a historical romance and more, and will leave you hoping for a second.
Will be adding to my collection!

As soon as I saw Pretty Woman in connection to a historical romance, I was sold. I blame my recent viewings of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton as the influence behind this request.

Unfortunately I was unable to connect with the main characters and the relationship. I did not feel and real chemistry or connection between the two. Stone really was living up to his name to the point where I just was not vibing with him or his character.

It felt very insta-lovey/insta-lust and I really could not get behind it as a motivation for a story or relationship. I also really struggled with the writing. Now, I have seen a lot of my romance friends enjoy this book, so that is not taking away from the quality of the story. However, it just wasn't for me.

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can't break a man's heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution . . .

Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.

Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts.

Another fun romp, by Amalie Howard. Highly recommend for loves of historical romance.

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is billed as "Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton." With that headline, I knew this was one I wanted to read! We get the Regency romance version of fake dating in this one, and it's a fun ride.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Another reviewer mentioned "Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton" and I couldn't agree more. I always enjoy Amalie Howard!

I normally don't hear music as I'm reading any book but as I was reading, a tune started to play in my mind. It's Roy Orbsen's "Pretty Woman." This wonderful historical fiction reminds me of Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It was an absolute joy to read and you really get into the characters. We have a ballerina named Neve (Julia Robert's Vivian) and we have Lord Lysander Blackstone in lieu of Richard Gere (Edward).

You know the ending but it is such a sweet book, you just enjoy it and grin ear to ear. I'm trying very hard to not write too much only because it's like a flood gate of sunshine and romance bursting if I utter a small crack. Truly enjoyable. Believeable? No but this is a sweet romance and we all need sweetness in our lives.

I cannot thank NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an e-book copy for my honest opinion.

I finished this and could only think of Neve and Lysander for a week after. I loved their energy and banter. Amalie Howard does such a great job of interlacing the struggles of being an 1890s woman and modern day ideals. I loved the friend group she found and that they all knew their own minds and loved something that would’ve been peculiar for the time. I think it’s unrealistic to act as if women didn’t press past the limits of their time, rank, and status so it’s refreshing to see her take on it and for us to learn through Neve’s eyes.

enjoyed this quick read 😍! The fake dating trope and banter between the duke and Nève made this such an entertaining read- you can tell they can’t resist each other! I loved the friendships Nève makes and how much she cares for her sister 💕. I recommend this one for those of you who love Bridgerton and the classic film, Pretty Woman!

Pretty Woman-inspired HR! This narration was just wonderful when the female is a French ballerina- Wells nailed it! These two had so much chemistry! I couldn’t stop listening to this one- I was so sucked into it all. This was one of those walking around Costco so I could keep going to audiobooks. One of my favorite audiobooks of the year!

Oh I LOVED this one. The perfectly steamy and lovely historical romance fashioned after the concept of Pretty Woman. Such great banter and the writing flowed so well! Cannot wait for more in this series! A new fav!

This is the book I have been waiting for to cure my post Bridgerton withdrawal. This is one of the best regency books I’ve read in years. This modern take (can you call a regency book modern lol) on Pretty Woman was just perfect in every way. I loved Lysander and Neve so much. Neve is one of my favorite leading ladies in so long. She knows her worth and even in regency times has no filter and was just her lovely hilarious self. This book is the steamy and bantery book I needed for the summer and I now need books for all the Hellfire Kitties which I’m so excited we’re getting with all the fun trades (I know that’s not the official name but it’s the one I’m sticking with).

As a big fan of Bridgerton, I was super thrilled to receive an ARC of Always Be My Duchess. This was an adorable story. I enjoyed the plot, the grumpy trope, and of course the spice! I am excited this will be a series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

I am behind on reviews, and unfortunately this book is not one that stuck out to me. I remember liking it, but I can’t remember what happens. It was quite steamy and pretty fun

3.5 stars — There were so many things I enjoyed, but the frustration with certain things was strong my friends!

Loved Ms. Wells’s accents, it really added to the character of Nève when she was speaking. Occasionally I’m not sure if I would have read certain passages differently, and maybe would have warmed up to Lysander more.

Lysander had one too many opportunities to show growth, even in his own head, and just didn’t take them…it was frustrating to me. I guess I just wasn’t as patient. I think particularly I didn’t understand his turnaround on a particular issue, as it wasn’t explained what made him change his mind. He was just too good at turning to stone. And while I understood what was behind that, I needed something more from him to truly connect with him and to feel like he was connecting with Nève. Or maybe it was just me, I don’t know. It’s like, I would see these moments, but then he would shut himself down, and even in his head I didn’t always understand the whys of it all.

In general I loved Nève. She was so forthright and sassy, and I appreciated how unusual that was for a lady of those times. I loved how she called Lysander out on his bullshit, how she saw beauty and joy in so many little things, how she in general tried to stay on the positive side of life despite her circumstances. She was a great foil for Lysander, because she shook him up in a multitude of ways. Occasionally she was almost too light, but that could have been choices made by the narrator, you know?

I LOVED their bantering with one another, and the subtle chemistry you could feel between them for the first half of the book. I was torn when we finally got to the steamy scenes — some parts were unbelievably hot, but I also felt less connection between them. But was that the book, or was that just me? I genuinely have no idea.

I adored Nève’s new group of friends, they were absolutely hilarious and delightful. I am always drawn to a historical series featuring misfit heroines and their love stories, so I’m definitely looking forward to more. I also loved Aunt Millicent. She took on the Barney role in many cases, and she played it well.

Loved the little Pretty Woman nods all over the place. It wasn’t a direct retelling, but you could see its influence in big details and small ones. And as a fan, I was also a fan of these touches.

This book had everything I love on paper: marriage of convenience, regency vibes, and sassy heroine.

I liked it, but I didn’t love it. I thought the dialogue was great, the ideas were great, but it didn’t offer a lot of new interpretation on this topic.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm finding that it's not regency romance that I don't like. I am finding that while there is a lot I don't like, there are author that I do like. It's the author's that write regency romances like rom coms set in the regency. I think that stems from the fact that my favorite Jane Austen is Emma. The Original Rom Com and you can't change my mind.