A fun, quick read! I really liked that this book centers around a ballerina (who recently lost a job) as we don't usually see working class women in historical romance novels. The duke is also written as autistic, which made his relationship with his father strained but set him up to be a very successful businessman. A spicy, historical romance for Bridgerton lovers.

I’m a sucker for a historical romance and this one didn’t let me down. I look forward to future books from this author.

I really liked this one! The characters were amazing, and the plot was so much fun. Plus, the sexual tension was Off the Charts. I'm not sure if I've ever shipped a couple as hard as I shipped these two. Also, I loved both of our characters being artists of some sort. The descriptions of Neve's ballet and Lysander's music were beautiful, and really touching. I fell in love with this one, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this author!

Thanks to Forever for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A grump aristocrat mixed with a Pretty woman style story. I was in! And I had a nice time! There isn’t too much to say besides it’s a good, fun read and I would recommend!

I really enjoyed this fun historical about a starchy duke and a savvy ballerina! I ADORE a duke who is uptight and needs to unwind and Néve is just the woman to rattle the Duke of Montclair. From their first meeting, their physical connection is electric and singes the page; for readers who love steam and yearning, Always Be My Duchess is for you.

Néve is a great heroine—she is in England trying to find dancing work to support her ailing sister and really has her back up against the wall. She has an interesting mixed-status background; she is a viscount’s daughter but not completely of the high society world because of her mother’s scandalous origins and her own career as a dancer. Lysander, Duke of Montclair, pushes her back into her father’s world and makes her confront her family’s past. This twist made the tension between their different statuses extra rich.

Overall, I recommend this historical to those who love deals struck between the main characters, great sexual tension, and cross-class romances.

Calling all Pretty Woman and Center Stage fans, this beautiful historical romance is filled with excellent banter. I am a sucker for Regency romance and this one delivered every note I look for -- chemistry, steam without being gratuitous, tension, and intellect. There were some aspects that felt a bit modern given the era, but those aspects didn't detract from the overall story.

I loved the ballet throughout this story. It reminded me of a grown-up, historical version of the ballet in Kisses & Croissants. Highly recommend this one for historical romance readers.

Tropes: Fake dating/fake engagement

This was a great historical romance and introduction to the author! I will be going back to read more of her works for sure.

Always Be My Duchess is a fun and lighter historical romance, in what I would consider more of a rom com style. I definitely got Bridgerton vibes, between the banter and snark and the steamy scenes. So if you're looking for something to hold you over between seasons, this one would be great!

I would rate this one about 3/5 🌶 on the spiciness scale, which I define as 2-3 explicit scenes with some other steam mixed in. The steamy scenes were all written in a way that felt very true to historical context, while still maintaining the steam factor. So I guess I'm saying it was very tastefully done.

Tropes and representation: fake dating/engagement; neurodivergent Hero

Pretty Woman, but make it regency. It was fun and the main characters had great chemistry. I also loved that the supporting ladies were very strong and not the usual docile little ladies.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, however the review and opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book. Think Pretty Woman, but make it regency. And the best news is that it is only book one of the new Taming of the Dukes series! I can't wait to read more.

Lord Lysander Blackstone is wandering around drunk and about to be robbed when he's saved by a tiny but ferocious Geneviève Valery. In a bid to escape their would-be robbers they are thrown together quite indecently. However, Lysander can't help but think she might just be the answer to his current problems. You see, he is trying to buy an estate but the seller doesn't want to sell to a bachelor who will just tear it all down. He wants to sell to someone who might continue to use it as a family home. If Lysander can present himself as engaged, then he might have a chance at securing the deal.

Geneviève is outraged at the thought of being hired, and for such deceitful activities, but her sister is injured and Geneviève is having trouble finding work. She desperately needs to send money back to France, so she reluctantly agrees to Lysander's proposal.

Neither of them expects to develop feelings for each other, but the more they get to know each other the more they start to care. Can they get past their preconceived ideas of what their lives should look like and build a future together though?

I’ll start by saying OH MY GOSH I’m OBSESSED with this book. Such a fabulous read and so deserving of 5 stars!

Duke Lysander Montcroix, also known as Stone, is needing to close a business deal to acquire land. To do so he must ensure to the seller he has plans to Wed. After a night of over indulgence he encounters Genevieve Valley, an out of work Ballerina, desperate for a job crying in the streets. A damsel in distress who ends up saving him instead from would be thieves. Stone makes Neve a proposition she can’t refuse. He needs her acting skills and wants to hire her to be on his arm for an upcoming ball to secure his land deal and to scare off all season mothers hoisting their daughters on to him. He’s too busy to Wed, and too closed off from a past betrayal. It’s a win win for them both. Neve, having fallen on desperate times, agrees so she can secure money to pay her sisters medical bills.

What I loved:
•The Pretty Women vibes present in this story. It dazzled me completely.
•The Duke himself. So sexy and swoon worthy.
•Neve, the tough as nails ballerina whom I adored. There was nothing she couldn’t face. She was a true warrior queen. I love a strong solid female MC.
•The chemistry and passion between them was just WOW🔥 From chapter one these two were on fire when near each other. Be prepared to fan yourself often 😂
•The journey watching Neve chip away at the iceberg Stone built around his heart. I loved watching him grow and open himself up to loving another and being loved.
•The sexy time scenes. Holy heck 🥵

What I didn’t love:
•Nothing!

This story was so fabulous and I loved ever bit of it. My heart swelled so many times while reading this watching these two grow and let go of their past insecurities to learn to trust and love each other. I highly recommend this one! One of my top five read so far this year (and that’s saying a lot). I will definitely be continuing this series as it evolves. I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store for us.

A historical romance with Bridgerton vibes?? Yes, Please!

I was super excited to read this book because I've been watching Birdgerton and loving the drama, romance and passion, and this book had just what I needed to sooth my craving! A fun book with great characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the earc in return for an honest review.

Do I admit that I've never actually watched Pretty Women? The shame. But it means I can't really compare it, although Neve is actually upperclass born, so she already knows how to fit into society so I feel like the reference is a little loose at best. However, I found this to be an average regency romance book. I've read better, I've read worse. This felt sort of like an entry-level regency romance, trying to drag Bridgerton (show) fans into the genre (which I'm all for!) My favourite part was actually her group of friends and I am looking forward to reading future installments in the series.

I love Amalie Howard's books! This is one of my favorite troupes because it always ends up making me laugh. "Always Be My Duchess" succeeded! I love that the hero of the story was a woman - that always makes me happy! She didn't have to be rescued by a Duke... She can stand on her own two feet! I love her spirit and her determination! it made for an enjoyable read for sure!

OH. MY. GOODNESS, Besties!!!! We have another stunning story of “love conquering all” by the
amazing Amalie Howard. To say the least, I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK!!!!! If you are a ‘90s rom-com
fan you will love the parallels this book has with Pretty Woman. The business-turned-pleasure nature of
this book had me grinning so hard from start to finish that my face actually started to hurt. As you all
know, I adore how this author isn’t afraid to create leading characters who are not the “cookie cutter”
hero/heroines typically found in romance-landia. The “true to life” way diversity and inclusion as well as
prejudice is written in Amalie’s books is just one of the many things that sets them apart from other
books in this genre. She uses each character’s “difference from the norm” to enhance the story and
strengthen the bonds they form, making her books some of my favorites. The couple in this book is a
perfect example of that; Lysander is neurodivergent yet Nève, who is not, looks right past it and finds
commonalities between her own behaviors and his, thus strengthening their connection.
Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, sees the world in black and white. He works hard for
what he has and leaves no room for romance. Unfortunately for him the success of his next business
deal depends on just that. However, it would seem as though fate has smiled upon our hero in the form
of a beautiful out of work ballerina, who (after serious consideration and negotiation) through a
business arrangement of their own not only helps him successfully close the first deal but also helps him
show the world that he is more man than “Stone”.
Geneviève “Nève” Valery is in London in search of a job as a ballet dancer. It must be desperation
from running out of money and her poor luck securing a role that has her even considering taking the
unquestionably improper job position being offered to her by the dark, brooding, and handsome Duke
of Montcroix. She is a ballerina not a courtesan after all! But the amount of money he is offering would
end her financial struggles and make her sister’s dream of opening a dance studio come true. Taking the
job has her tapping into her noble upbringing in order to play the role of a lifetime, the future Duchess
of Montcroix! Will she be able play the part and keep their arrangement strictly business, or when the
contract is up will she find herself dreaming of a future that money can’t buy?
Again, I say, “I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!” I can’t wait to see if you all do too.

I really liked this romance! The characters were great, and I think the plot was really unique. Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my God, That book was excellent!!! The Romance, the tension, and the banter in this book were absolutely amazing.

*Always My Dutchess* starts off with our two main characters Neve (or Genevieve) and Stone or Lysander (I love this name by the way) meeting in a not-so-conventional way (she saves his life), Stone then convinces Neve to be his fake fiance to help him look good to get the land he needs and Neve accepts for the money to help her sister’s injury. Only their fraud starts to seem not so much like a fraud anymore.

Neve was an incredible character, she was strong and held to her ways but when she fell in love she fell hard for Stone. I also love how she had a passion, for ballet and dancing. Her interactions with Stone and other ladies she became friends with were always on point and she has the best comebacks forever situation.

Stone was the perfect contrast to hot fiery Neve, he was cool and he was But as the book went on he definitely could be romantic and passionate in his own way and was the perfect match for her.

The writing style of this book was easy to read and pulled me in from the beginning. I loved how we got to see both perspectives and saw how much each character fell in love with each other.

I loved this plot, it was fun, sweet, and spicy all at the same time. I adored watching these two opposites fall in love.

I highly recommend this book for fans of fake dating, Bridgeton, and romantics at heart.

Note - this book is recommended for 18 years and older because of the content of this book.

I love historical romances and was excited to give this one a try. While I did enjoy the dynamic between Lysander and Nève as well as Nève’s aptitude and love for ballet, a lot of the book just didn’t work for me. I recently read another series that I absolutely loved and some parts of this felt very similar to it, but unfortunately I didn’t love it like I did the other series.

If you are a fan of Pretty Woman, Beauty and the Beast, and Bridgerton, this is the book for you! It is a perfect cross between a rom com and historical romance with sassy and strong female characters and then a grump and brooding, but loveable duke. I was hooked on this one from the start. Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

💋Always Be My Duchess💋

“I never wanted you to feel that you were anything less than wonderful. You’re the sun to my shadows.”

Such a fun take on Pretty Woman, making it historical! Nevé is a French ballerina who finds herself faking a relationship with the stodgy Duke, “Stone” Lysander. Together, they find more than they bargained for from the relationship. It was a fun and sweet tale, watching them both grow as they grew together! Highly recommend this one.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:

💋 Fake dating
💋 Grumpy / sunshine
💋 Sweet and spice together
💋 A spunky crew of supportive girlfriends calling themselves “Hellfire Kitties”

This was an easy read with fun, well-developed characters. I'm excited to revisit these characters as the series continues. Although the story is predictable, the dialogue and chemistry between Lysander and Neve kept me interested and I flew through the pages. I think if you liked Bridgerton, you'll like this. This has scandals, fake dating, steamy sex, etc. My only critique is that the author described the hero as being neurodivergent and I feel like this maybe wasn't well researched and/or was maybe lost in editing? He was a distracted man and it felt more like when people (somewhat offensively) say they're OCD because they like their house to be clean and organized, or they have ADD because they have too many things on their plate and are trying to juggle too many things at once and it's just hard. I didn't see any real signs of true neurodivergence in this character and that was disappointing. Maybe I missed it because my professional life involves working with many neurodivergent individuals and I don't see a lot of these traits as unusual or standing out - but I feel an opportunity was missed here for some real inclusion. Otherwise, though, this was a great read!