The short version of this review is that this book is entirely too long. Well-written, certainly, and I appreciated what this romance did, but there was honestly no reason for it to be as long as it was.

Additionally, I was lucky enough to receive an ALC from Netgalley and I really enjoyed the narration, but I might not have minded how long the book was if I could have sped the book up to my preferred 2.5x speed. It's unlikely though. It really was just... so long.

Anyway, I'll come back for the longer version soon, but for now, these short thoughts should do it.

So, it's been a bit since I wrote the tl;dr version you see above and if I'm honest, I'm still having trouble setting the length of this book aside to focus on what I actually liked about it. However, it is time. I mentioned that this book is well-written and I really think it is. I love the way Hall is able to portray the emotions of his characters. There's loneliness to go around in this book and I think it is really well shown. Actually, I really like the way all of the emotions are done in this book. But there are times where I think the focus turns to the plot, where I still hadn't recovered from the emotions, if that makes sense. There's a lot about personal freedom and being able to be truly oneself in here because of Viola choosing herself and becoming who she really is rather than continuing to live her life as a Lord. And I get why she didn't want to apologize for choosing herself because she shouldn't have to. But I think there should be a way to not apologize for choosing yourself and still apologize to your best friend for letting him think you were dead for two years. I don't know. Maybe that's just because I can't put myself in the same position as Viola, but personally, I would be DEVASTATED and so hurt if my best friend was allegedly dead and then it turned out they weren't, they just didn't want to tell me about this fundamental piece of who they were. If that makes sense?

Anyway, a good book, especially if you'd like a book with sad characters dealing with loneliness and trying to fight their way back to living a real and full life.

4.5/5⭐️

A Lady For A Duke was the first book I've read by Alexis Hall and I really it!

Queer rep ✔️
Historical romance ✔️
Banter✔️✔️✔️

One thing I didn't like was the pacing of the plot it was extremely slow in places. Sometimes making this book feel much longer than it should have been. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to other books by this author.

I liked the narration by Kay Eluvian. They did a wonderful job with the voices. I liked their voice most at 1.75x-2x speed. I would definitely listen to more books narrated by them.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for the Audio-ARC.

my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/audiobook provider for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This is such an engaging and compelling book. The narration is exquisite, the varied POVs well done and distinct. The emotion and depth of feeling comes through.

This is a historical romance, set in England soon after the battle of Waterloo. The main leads, best friends Viola and Gracewood, both survived the battles but have both been deeply affected by their experiences. Viola was wounded and found her survival after the battle to be a way of escape from her old life, a chance to live as herself, to be who she has always wanted to be. She survives her injuries and recovers, transitions and returns home. She loses her title, her holdings, her estate and family name but she finds herself. Her brother and sister in law ( the current Lord and Lady Marleigh, as Viola has ascertained that the previous Lord Marleigh is presumed dead) are her staunchest supporters and allies, their steadfast encouragement and loving support integral to the story.

Gracewood has also survived but has been left scarred, both physically and emotionally, by the war and most deeply by the loss of his best friend. He grieves for Marleigh and drowns his pain, sorrow and PTSD in drugs and alcohol. His pain and despair is achingly portrayed and my heart broke for him. He is drowing in survivor's guilt, loneliness, and the pain of all the losses he has endured. His physical disability and PTSD is portrayed in a very realistic and sensitive way.

Viola, for understandable reasons, has kept her identity from Gracewood and in fact has avoided him in the two years since her return from the war. However a situation arises with his sister Miranda and Lady Marleigh is incapable of letting that be. She and Viola travel to Gracewood and reacquaint themselves with the Duke and his sister.

The initial encounters between Viola and Gracewood are fraught, as he is perhaps at his lowest and she is wracked with her own guilt at his condition and the grief he carries for her loss. They find common ground and their banter lifts the veil of despair that has settled over Gracewood and he slowly works to find himself again. Their is such affection and tenderness that builds between them, a rapport that is both comforting and familiar.

It is so affirming to see their relationship continue and grow stronger when Gracewood comes to know that Viola is his long lost friend. The fact that she has transitioned is never the issue to Gracewood and Viola is accepted and cherished with no transphobia.

There are dark moments in this book. Both Viola and Gracewood have emotional baggage that lingers. But at no point in time was Viola's transition the cause of conflict or concern. She is unapologetically happy and content where she is and as who she is and that was both refreshing and affirming. She has so many around her who fully support her and in the none more so than Gracewood.

The side characters, as with most books by Hall, completely enjoyable and engaging. From Lady Marleigh, to dear old Badger, to Miranda, to little Bartholomew--I loved every scene with them. Fully developed, three dimensional secondary characters, with their own voice and subtle additions to the main narrative. I'd read a book about any of them.

The villain in this book is not quite who you would expect and much as I disliked him intensely I can't help but feel he too is someone who is wounded and hurting under the veneer of cruelty and dissolution. Horrid as he may be the main characters did not vilify him further.

The spicy scenes were so well written and sensitive and respectful.

and the epilogue! The joy and affirmation and sense of deep content and love was so evident. Just a warm glow of happiness for them all at the end of the book.

Hall has produced yet another deeply nuanced, tender, emotionally rich, and character driven book. I can't recommend it highly enough. The narration does it justice and I was so pleased to know that it was voiced by a trans woman. It was so well done.

Five stars and my thanks again for this audiobook ARC.

It did take me a while to get into this book. I did enjoy it however there was no steam until chapter 35. I was not overly invested in side characters. I did laugh out loud a couple of times. I would recommend this book but think it could be a tad shorter.

Unapologetic, inclusive, sweet and caring love is what fills this story. Another marvelous piece of art by Alexis Hall. Beautifully and tastefully written, it will be a read certainly cherished by all.
Viola is a badass and unapologetically herself becoming a voice for so many others in much needed times.

I absolutely love that this is a queer book where the character’s identity is not the source of conflict. Viola was unapologetically herself, no shame or hatred to overcome. She ached for having to stay away from Justin and lie about her identity at first, but there was also a clear recognition that she did what she needed for herself and there was nothing to forgive. There is definitely a place for stories of questioning, coming out and the challenges one can come across, and even queerphobia — because we still have a lot to learn and sometimes it can be comforting to see the world as some experience it and try to be better or see you’re not alone — but it’s also so important to see queer characters living and loving as the heroines (and heroes) in their own stories.

It was so supportive and fun that I was caught a little off guard by the “villain” and their bad behaviour, which I can see myself just going with it on a re-read but at least this time I just wanted him out of the story. I went back and forth between the print and audiobook, and Kay Eluvian’s narration was perfect. The Duke and Viola’s relationship was so beautiful and their love immovable, the cultural commentary was on point, and the epilogue was unique and the best way to cap off their story. It was a great choice for my first book of Pride month!

Thank you net galley for providing me with a free copy of A Lady for a Duke , in exchange for a honest review.



I absolutely adored this book. The trans representation was handled wonderfully,and it was truly a delight to see trans characters develop and take part in stories that don't include transphobia. I have seen reviews say that they wish Viola could be more dysmorphic to which I disagree.Viola was an amazing character, who was overly confident and her dysmorphia came off when it came to meeting with Gracewood and interacting with him as well as ladies of the higher society.Gracewoods disability was also extremely well written,and so was his psychological state which the author uses to cover issues such as war, PTSD, trauma , generational trauma and even toxic masculinity. His character development was rightly paced and so was the romance in my opinion. The healthy communication, wholeheartedly consented sexual exploration and acceptance of each other made him and Viola a perfect couple.


The side characters were also really well written and many of their interactions made me actually laugh. I actually wish Miranda would get her own book in which we get to see her explore her sexuality further.



Overall the only reason why I couldn't give this five stars was due to the vulgarity that characters showed in some cases which at some point became a bit too much for me to able to wholeheartedly enjoy the story,and the fact that the plot felt as if drugged on a bit too long for a historical romance as other reviewers mentioned.

ARC of audiobook provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review will contain some minor spoilers for the plot, as well as some specific critiques for the audiobook.

4.75/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶

I feel by now it should not really be a surprise that I loved yet another book written by Alexis Hall. I said it before and I will say it again, I would read his grocery list and still love it. And this book....oh my god! The fact that the main character shares the same (somewhat uncommon) first name as myself sure did make me feel like a celebrity, as well (even if reading my name so many times made me cringe so much). Do I believe that my persistent fangirling over Alexis Hall books created a rift in time and space for this to happen? Who knows, but I felt so seen. The story follows Viola after she decides to leave her old life to live as her true self. However, an important piece of this life was her best friend, Gracewood, who is so stricken with grief over the loss that turns to alcohol and opium to cope. The book starts when they meet again, Viola deciding she needs to help him get back on his feet. And of course they quickly realise their soul crushing feelings for each other. This was the most wholesome best-friends-to-lovers book ever written!

Like all books from Hall, most, if not all, characters are wonderfully queer. While queer historical romances exist, this was the first one I read featuring a trans heroine in a straight relationship. Viola as a transwoman was perfect; her intentions and desires were so pure that you could not but care for her. I loved the conflict between her need to be seen as a woman and her struggle in seeing herself as less than a ciswoman: this is a common theme amongst trans people and it was so inspiring to see how Viola still remained her own biggest supporter. Even with her insecurities, she never allowed others to see her as anything other than the woman she is. The fact that all other characters were so supportive of Viola as well made this book so amazing. They all accepted her and motivated her to not only continue to be her true self, but to also branch out and pursue things that even she could not conceive as being a possibility for herself, such as marriage. All characters were so loyal and non-judgemental of Viola and her struggles that it warmed my heart. On top of this, the array of other queer characters in the book was so good, and I really hope we might get a spin-off following one of their stories (do I hear sapphic love ft Miranda?).

While every other character supported Viola, no one else supported her more than Gracewood. Although he did have an initial shock in finding out she was his childhood best-friend, he very quickly came to terms with it and was became focused on showering Viola with unconditional love. I was also very impressed in how the spicy scenes were handled in the book: they were descriptive enough to understand what was going on (🔥🥵) but were also not discrediting Viola's identity or the straightness of their relationship. Their story was so beautiful, and the epilogue left me teary. I can honestly say they are one, if not the most, wholesome and supportive couple I ever read about (do I hear no third-act break-up?). While Viola is struggling with coming to terms with her trans identity, Gracewood is also intensely suffering from the side-effects of the war: he is not only addicted to drugs and alcohol, but he is also dealing with becoming disabled. Viola shows him as much support as he shows her; they both help and empower each other, never letting the other see themselves as less than what they are. What I found really interesting was the way both characters described their issues (i.e., transness, PTSD, etc.), without necessarily having the words or understanding of what was going on, due to the historical setting. Hall did an amazing job at depicting those struggles with such vivid imagery and language, that the specific word was not needed.

While the characters were very engaging and I felt for them, I did have some issues with the book's pacing. I finished this book over a week ago, but I am still not sure what was wrong with it, except that it felt excessively slow. This is strange because it was not like I was not enjoying reading what was happening, but I also felt I was barely progressing while reading. In retrospect, the fact that Gracewood realised that Viola was his childhood best-friend by the 30% mark when I thought it was going to be the third act conflict might have impacted my perception of the book, although I understand why Hall structured it like that: when presenting a healthy relationship such as the one between Viola and Gracewood, the last thing you would want to do is to conceal such an important element of the characters for an extended period of time. As I mentioned previously, the wholesomeness of the romance was one of my favourite things in the story, so I do not want make it seem as if Viola being recognised as the previous Lord Marleigh so early on was a bad thing.

One last thing that I wanted to raise that was not necessarily bad or good, was how 'modern' the story was for a historical romance. All the characters are very progressive, and do possess language and ideas which would not have been common at the time. This did not bother me: it is nice to read historical romances that have a more positive outlook, but I did want to raise that in case people went into this expecting an 'accurate' portrayal of the time (even if I still want to believe that people were this wholesome at the time too!).

Note on the audiobook - ok, so this was the biggest of yikes for me. I just could NOT get into the audiobook at all; the narration had a very cartoonish quality that just did not work for me. I listened to 50% of the audiobook and thought I really hated this book. Like really. However, I did not want to give up on Viola and Gracewood, so I decided to wait and buy the ebook as soon as it came out, and I am glad I did. I found that the audiobook had really detracted how much I was enjoying this story. The narration was not able to bring those characters to life and portray their feelings and emotions in a way that felt genuine. If you were looking to listen to this audiobook, I would discourage you from picking it up but would urge you to try to ebook/physical book instead.

Overall, this was such a delightful book that set a new standard for friends-to-lovers for me, as well as how books features trans characters should be approached. Although it is a long book, the dialogue and characters are so charming that I would highly recommend everyone to read it.

TWs: some mild use of deadnames/wrong pronouns (unintentional, not malicious), mentions of suicidal ideation, drug/alcohol use, ableist language, PTSD, grief

4.5 stars
I absolutely adored A Lady for a Duke. Truth be told, I am usually pretty enamored with all things Alexis Hall, so I may be a bit on the biased scale. (And I simply don't care)

I will admit to a sort of fascination as to how Viola's development into who she truly was from her past, in historical standards, was going to be carried out. I just really adored how this was conveyed. Viola's family support was just wonderful. I also really appreciated the struggle she conveyed (through internal meanderings and the like) with how she felt the task was sometimes insurmountable and impossible but how secondary characters constantly surprised her in those regards.

The emotional journey was not only conveyed in Viola becoming her most authentic state but also with Gracewood with his PTSD and survivor's guilt. Nothing was clean. Nothing was easy. And I loved every second of that struggle. The love of a good woman or man doesn't make the nightmares stop. Simply deciding enough is enough doesn't make the cravings cease. One week of sobriety doesn't remove the triggers. Dressing how you feel doesn't escape the feelings of being an imposter or the fear you might be discovered or rejected by those you love most. I really enjoyed how we traveled those lines with the characters and worked with them as they developed. I'm such a sucker for on-page character development and this was just tops for me.

I greatly enjoyed that the author gave us on-page sex. I feel like on-page smexy time is really important, especially because Alexis can write some pretty steamy smexy time, but also that trans characters also get to have that equal passion. Also seeing how their partners act and react really adds another layer of interconnectedness for that pairing. For me anyways

Kay Eluvian is a new-to-me narrator and I really enjoyed his skills. I felt his characters and storytelling were well done. The inflections and pacing were on point. His narration added another layer of the story for me that I think I might have missed if I just read on paper (or kindle, what ev). I am a total audiophile, so mileage may vary but in this case, I think that audio added something to the story.

I really enjoyed this book. The epilogue was simply a cherry on top. I loved, I swooned, I had some pretty strong emotions at certain points. I definitely recommend.

*I had the absolute privilege of getting an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley and I could not be more grateful. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

Alexis Hall writes romance like no one else. So unique, so inclusive, so sweet. The plot kept me on my toes and the characters made my heart melt. This is no miss author for me. So glad I was able to listen to and read this wonderful story. Thank you Hachette Audio and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to get this arc.

“I love you with the unfading flame of my friendship... I love you with my soul, as some reserve their faith for absent gods... I love you with everything I am and ever was—and if you will only let me, with every day that comes, and every self that I could ever be.”

A Lady for a Duke sealed the deal. Alexis Hall is officially one of my favourite authors. The tagline on the front covers calls him a “dizzyingly talented writer” and I 100% agree. Everything he touches turns to gold. This is different to his more humorous rom-coms, but the writing was so beautiful that I couldn't get enough. It was simultaneously charming, poetic and full of warmth if that's even possible.

Viola is our trans heroine, who reconnects with her childhood best friend, Justin, the Duke of Gracewood after years apart. Viola and her sister-in-law, Lady Marleigh, travel to Justin's estate to convince him to allow his teenage sister, Miranda to come to London for the season.

Viola and Gracewood's love story is so sweet and tender that it's hard not to get swept away. I just adored them together and I loved how Gracewood (and everyone else) accepted Viola. She was so strong and never apologised for choosing her true self. Gracewood was so kind and considerate toward her, so prepare to swoon! Viola was also such a safe space for Gracewood to be vulnerable, as he struggles with PTSD and living in his father's shadow.

Do you want to know what else was perfect? The ending/epilogue and the cast of supporting characters. While I thought the pace did slow in the middle following the reveal, as both Viola and Gracewood shared their inner reflections, I still can't rate this book any less than a 5 because these
two are unforgettable. My final thought... listen to the audiobook. The narrator was so animated, I loved every second!

Thank you to Hachette Audio for the early audio copy of the book.

I’m OBSESSED with Gracewood and Viola, I would read so many books about them. I was in from the first page - the setup, a trans woman meeting again her friend who believed she died in the war, and who had blamed himself for her fate, was perfect for creating drama, emotion, ALL THE FEELS. This book quite literally made me laugh and cry. I wanted them both to be happy and oh em gee the journey was worth it for where they end up together. I also adored Lady Marleigh, every time she was around I ended up laughing, but she was also a truly great friend to Viola.
If you like romance novels and/or historical fiction, this one is a must read.
The narrator is perfect for the feeling of this book, she did a wonderful job of capturing the characters.

This audiobook just fell short for me on the enjoyment level because at over 14 hours it was already long and it didn't help that there was really not much happening plot wise most of the book. Also, I was a bit confused regarding Viola's character. She is a transgender who decides to shun her male form and take the female form since that's what she identifies with being but does her change only include a change in her clothing or does she undergo complete physical change? This either isn't explained well or I might have missed something because if it is a complete physical change, were such procedures available during the early 1800s Regency era? In the book and even on the cover picture Viola looks and is described in such a way that it seemed to me that she was born a female until it is said otherwise. However, my main issue was that the story dragged a lot. The narration was done well and is probably the reason why I finished listening to the audiobook.

My thanks to NetGalley, the audiobook publisher Hachette Audio/Forever and the author for the audio Arc of the book.

Rating: ⭐⭐✨💫

Alexis Hall writes really interesting, diverse books and A Lady for a Duke was no exception. I really liked this one!

Friends to lovers is such a cute trope, and this one was very unique. The big reveal was 100% worth the wait! It was everything is hoped it would be. This book does an amazing job dealing with many different topics: addiction, life after war, disability, loss, grief, mental health issues and so much more. This book has such great representation - we need more queer historical fiction/romance! 👏🏼 I loved this and I know this book will be so important to so many people.

The audiobook was done really well and made the book extra fun. Even though I have already listened/read this one, I will be buying a copy because this is one that needs to be on my shelf!

Thank you Hachette Audio for this ALC!

Ah I loved this! And the audio was so good!! I loved Viola and how she knew herself as a person. Her relationship with Gracewood was *chef kiss* I couldn't get enough.

Right, I love Alexis Hall's writing, but this book inspired some serious mixed feelings. On one hand, I loved the concept, the general characters, and the gorgeous, gorgeous writing. On the other... I got bored.

I will give props to this book for being just a generally good, solid book, that defies our cultural norms of when and how queer and transgender people exist. You can have a trans woman in a regency ballgown, and don't have to wail "BuT tHaT's NoT pErIoD aCcUrAte" because, what rot. Queer people always been here. I loved that this focused on Viola as a beautiful love story, and that the conflicts weren't based around her trans-ness, but rather miscommunication and differing expectations. It touches on her dysphoria in a loving, gentle way without making it a trauma story. So overall, the themes of this book were just solidly on point. I also want to give the audiobook producers props for using a trans woman as the narrator! She did a lovely job.

However. I was bored. I felt annoyed by the "oh, but we can't!" nature of it being a period piece, and the way the protagonists not being together felt contrived after the 40% mark. It just felt like a lot of fluff and society nonsense, couched in pretty words and lots of angst. For me, the potential of the book was bogged down by the reality of it.

So, overall this was alright, but definitely not my cup of tea. If you're a big historical romance fan this might be up your alley, though it did not do it for me.

So many nuanced layers to this Friends to Lovers read. While holding court as a Queer Historical romance, "A Lady For A Duke" served as the perfect kick off to pride month with a Trans heroine and a wounded veteran as our leads.

Viola Caroll returns to the home of her childhood best friend, living as her true self. Author, Alexis Hall provides readers an intimate and vulnerable internal dialog as Viola navigates the complexities of the Duke of Gracewood's depression and PTSD, while fearing he will not love the person she was meant to be.

The plot was so encapsulating. At times it seemed the story would wrap neatly and then readers were catapulted off the cliffs into a new problem to solve or issue to overcome. The layers built into this story were waves crashing and pulling readers further and further in in its riptide.

This was quite enjoyable, although like the other Hall books I've read, needed a bit of trimming down.

However, I did really love it.

And the narrator was great! (Although I am highly annoyed by NetGalley audios and their weird tinny background noise)

#NetGalley #ALadyforaDuke


Fair warning to anyone who is starting this audiobook-- clear your schedule. You're not doing laundry, cooking or going to work! From chapter 1 I loved this book. As with all Alexis Hall books, there is so much care and consideration for all characters. Despite the trials of the story there is so much humor to be found throughout the book (e.g. imagined and real names for butlers, swear-y bantering, etc.). While I'm at it, can I say that I am amazed that Alexis Hall has 4 books out this year?! Something Fabulous (which was wonderful), this gem (12 stars) Husband Material and the follow up to Rosalie Palmer Takes the Cake (can't exactly remember look up later Paris Dallincourt loses his sh!t??) and who can forget the newsletter serial Gay Bought by the Billionaire. I don't know if we deserve this much joy 😊 But I digress...

Gracewood and Viola are childhood friends who go to war together. They both sustain serious injuries at Waterloo, with Viola presumed dead. She takes this fake death as her opportunity to live openly as the woman she has always been. Gracewood is devastated by her loss. Years later, she comes to him at the behest of her sister in law (who is AH-mazing) and they rekindle their friendship and develop a romantic bond.

This book is angsty and piney and deals with some serious topics- addiction and recovery, gender identity, privilege and loss. There were so many times in my first reading I didn't see how we would get to the HEA. It's a testament to both the narrator and writer to keep up both the tension of the story without making it unbearably sad.

I loved how we got to see the material cost of Viola living as her true self. Having to give up her title, wealth, land and power to live as a lady's companion instead of a nobleman costs her and she is dealing with that loss. Her longing for a home and missing being a Viscount are part of what make her feel so real. There is no second guessing, but to ignore or deny the very human longing of having to step back from your birthright made this very real for me.

Gracewood and his sister are fine and all, but this is Viola's story -- as much about both her and Gracewood learning to live and move past loss, as them learning to love each other.

Lady Marley (SIL) is a scene stealer on par with Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey. I can only hope she is every book in this new series. Or possibly all books from now on.

The narrator's reading is dramatic and wonderful. She brought so much emotion into the reading. The story is very dramatic, so I feel she was a great choice for this one.

If I must also mention a few things that didnt really work for me I guess it would be the kids in this book. To me, they read as odd little adults. I also didn't like the sequel bait portion of the story. It felt rushed, the resolve was very fast and the villain is cartoon-y. I mean, obvs, I am going to read the heck out of that redemption story when it's available, but I didn't enjoy our first meeting of Amberglass (what a name.. excellent choice for a butler IMO).

If you read only one book with a trans character this month, well, shame on you. But for the rest, this book is so heartfelt and lovely. I already can't wait to read it again.

A unique twist on historical romances

I enjoyed this book, and while I did have to look past a few historical inaccuracies ( I mean this isn't a history book so its ok!) overall it was a good read. My heart ached for the MC's to just fall in love, and then it ached even more when it looked like they were going to deny each other. The storyline kept me going but unfortunately the length made it very hard to continue in some parts of the story. I did have to re-read the epilogue because I thought I missed something due to it jumping POV's but once It clicked in what I was reading all the happy feelings came back!

The narrator had an amazing performance, 1 billion thumbs up for him!