I enjoyed this book, it's the first I've read by this author.

I love that it's going to be a series, I can't wait for book 2!

I love that in this book opposites attract and there was a lot of sex! Not too much, still enough to entertain you.

Fake engagement, sign.me.up....

Add in historical romance, with a grumpy character, ahhhhh...

The research was spot on for this book, made me feel like I was back in those times.

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

When I read historical romances I expect a certain formula but I loved that the author did something different with Always Be My Duchess. The hero and heroine are original and far from the stereotypical romantic characters. I loved, loved, loved the chemistry between Lysander and Genevieve, they were such opposites that it worked so well. The neurodivergent angle was appreciated too by me. I wasn't totally into the insta love thing that kind of happened but the rest was 5 stars. Would love to read more from the author.

I was sold at "Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton," but this blew my expectations out of the water.

I am a sucker for a man that can play instruments and speak foreign languages, but how was it even fair that this man plays the piano AND the cello? That he is your typical regency era, no nonsense male but has this hot/sexy side to him both in and out of the bedroom was just unfair to all other MMCs and my expectations.

The chemistry between the two was explosive and they were perfect together. I was expecting her to be a courtesan, but making her a ballerina was perfection. Him <i>playing the cello while she danced</i> simply murdered me. The intimacy was top notch and not at all what I had anticipated. This was hot, like put your kindle down level hot. He not only played the cello for her, but played <b>her</b> like a cello. Who is this man to walk out of my dreams onto page and not exist in real life?

One of my favorite characters always seems to be the elderly person that wants the main characters together and clearly Lysander's aunt came out as a favorite in this for me. She is simply lovely and charming and I want her to live for eternity.

Even if you aren't a regency era fanatic, the writing was not just easily digestible, but beautiful. I laughed, cried, and fanned myself multiple times. Amalie Howard has my attention. I need the rest of this series like I need air.

Fake dating, historical edition. A nice spin on things - don't think I've read these tropes together before.

Overall opinion - loved it! The friendships, the romance, the level of spice.

So cute! Love fun historical books like this with a modern twist. I enjoyed it so much and know so many other will!

This was a cute and fun historical romance! This is one of my favourite genres and Amalie Howard did a great job with it. I loved the writing and the characters! Look forward to reading more from her in the future!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Okay, so, first off, I have to say that historical books - be it romance, fiction, or anything - usually don't hold my interest, it's just not my cup of coffee (I don't drink much tea.). HOWEVER, I actually really enjoyed this book. It was a heart-warming, feel good romance that left me wondering if maybe I've missed out on some gems in the past by steering away from this genre. The banter was witty, the characters had great chemistry and felt well fleshed out, and the romance had me smiling - it had that swoon-worthy vibe. Maybe it was the Pretty Woman dynamic, as I am a sucker for that movie, that had me enthralled with this book. It hooked me enough that I'm excited to pick up more books from Howard.

*3.5 rounded up.*

This was such a fun book to read during the summer. It’s fast pace, witty dialogues and excellent story pacing. I love a good loosely historical rom com. The female MC is such a strong lead that definitely a delightful to read for historical romances.

In the past, I haven’t been a fan of historical romances. This started changing more recently and this book was part of the reason why I enjoy them now! It has Bridgerton/Pretty Woman vibes, has strong MC’s, and is an altogether delightful read. Try it for yourself if you enjoy fake dating, slow burn novels starring royalty that are set back in time.

Always Be My Duchess is the perfect book for fans of Bridgerton - it combines that fun Regency era we all know and love plus a dash of Pretty Woman. I liked the characters and the story, the spice level was good and the chemistry was great. The women that are part of her circle of friends are so great and i want a story for each and every one of them.

i requested this while i was still coming down from my bridgerton high. cute romance but the characters fell a bit flat from what i was expecting. it's extremely well written, but i found myself struggling to connect to the characters and see a true connection/good chemistry in their relationship.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, has only one objective and that's to increase his fortune. He wants to purchase a piece of property, but the owner refuses to sell to Lysander because of a promise to his beloved wife. A chance meeting with Genevieve Valery, a struggling ballerina, offers the solution to his problem. He will hire her to pretend to be his fiancé and convince everyone that he has had a change of heart.

I really have come to expect a lot from Amalie Howard especially since the last few of her books have all been excellent, but this missed the mark and left me wanting. No one can deny that she is a good writer, and it's possible this story will appeal to many readers, but to me it lacked real passion or any sense of deep intimacy between two leads. I felt the whole time that I didn't really possess any knowledge about either of the characters. Therefore, I cared even less about their relationship than if I was invested in each of them separately. I have always thought Amalie has done a great job at making her characters relatable and unique. Not these characters. They felt like imitations of so many other heroes and heroines that I have seen before. All of the things that make Amalie's novels different and exciting were sorely missing from this one. I know that she will come back in her next book and make me forget all about the one book of hers that I didn't love.

DNF @ 69%

I think there is definitely an audience for this book, because it is very readable, not poorly written--there are no real reasons I can give as to why I didn't connect with it, but I just didn't.

I started this book months ago, and I have been picking it up and putting it down ever since. I am personally not a fan of insta-lust, which this book has in abundance, and I just found there was nothing to draw me to the characters. There were a number of historical anachronisms, but historical romances are not always known for any true accuracy.

I am not one to accept defeat, but I think I have to in this case. It's just not for me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Looking for some lighthearted escapism? Maybe you are wanting a book to easily sink into and you liked Bridgerton? If yes, definitely give this title a look.

Readers need to suspend their disbelief as they get to know a duke with a desire for money and a reputation for not being a people person, to put it mildly. Fate puts a young woman in his path. She, Genevieve, is down on her luck when he makes her an offer. What will happen from here? It is a romance so readers can be pretty sure of the answer. The fun is in watching the story unfold.

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this title. All opinions are my own.

I’m putting this one down for now. I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, and I’m not sure if it was the mood I was in or what, but I’m open to giving it another try down the road. I’m a fan of this author’s so I’m sure it was just me!

I took a little detour back into historical romance to read this ARC from @netgalley and @grandcentralpub — and I am glad I did. @amaliehoward wrote such a fun, steamy romp about a former ballerina brought low by a patron and a Duke so cold they call him “Stone.” But only when you’re his friend can you call him Stone, so that should tell you how glacial he is.

But underneath that gargoyle-like behavior, Stone (Lysander) is brimming with passion (that he’s learned to stifle) and emotion (that he’s learned to hide). Stone is neurodivergent, a concrete thinker with little innate ability to process his own emotions, let alone other people’s easily, and any of his attempts to try were met with violence at the hand of his deceased father. He’s got a head for math and a ruthless desire to make money off the railroad business.

By happenstance he meets Neve while wandering around drunkenly in Convent Garden, and she saves him from being robbed and maybe killed. They strike up a fake-engagement deal with rules because Stone likes rules — but the rules are no match for the powerful and curious attraction running between them. Um, desperate longing is hot. Horny and desperate longing is extra hot, and that’s what we have here from both sides. Miscommunication is a given, as Stone struggles to consider things that aren’t concrete and good business.

Neve’s background as a former ballerina was new and refreshing, as was her new girl group of friends. Stone’s aunt is a trip, and I’ll never get tired of a seemingly batty old lady dishing out truths.

I particularly enjoyed how Stone learned to process his never before felt feelings of lust, friendship, and love — and how Neve learned that though she is smart, capable, and self sufficient to the extent she can be during the time period, that she can trust people again.

This was a quick, fun read — I’ve read Amalie Howard before and enjoyed her works, so I was definitely pleased to get an early copy.

4.25/5

I haven't gotten this swept away by a historical romance in a while. Amalie weaved a beautiful tale that explored prejudice and heartbreak but also new beginnings and redemption all with chemistry to die for. I have always been a sucker for a "he falls first" but with the added layer of "there's no way I'm in love, I'm the stoic duke". Neve was a wonderfully complex and layered character and Lysander was a frustrating lovable man and it was so fun to watch as they both realized that what they always thought they wanted was not in fact what they were meant to have. Also: he bought out a ballet theatre for her and I almost swooned on the spot. Amalie is definitely on my autobuy list for historical romance now, and I cannot wait to see who else in the Queens Club gets their happy ending.

content warnings: explicit sexual content, implied and threatened sexual assault, slut shaming, difficult pregnancy and implied fertility issues (in the epilogue).

I have a thing for books like Bridgerton, so I knew I had to read the first in the Taming the Dukes series that Amalie Howard wrote.

Lord Blackstone needs a faux-fiance to secure a land deal, and he stumbles upon the perfect partner in out-of-work ballerina, Geneviève. We all know what happens in faux-dating romances, and yet, it’s still satisfying when the couple falls in love EVERY TIME.

I’m looking forward to the next one in this series!

Thank you so much Netgalley and forever publishing for the arc of this book.

So yeah. I sadly did not continue this book. I tried my very best but Historical romances are a hit or a miss with me. Depending on my mood I am either really into it or I just don't. Please do not take my review as a reason to not read this book. I've heard wonderful things about it.

I really enjoyed Lysander and Genevieve's story! It was so much fun watching their pretend romance to to one in truth!