I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Entering her debut season at the age of 24, Miss Alexandra Grace and her sisters are embarking on a new adventure. Losing their parents, and being told by their brother that they have a season to find husbands, the three Grace sisters need all the help they can get. So when they realise that they don't know anywhere near as much as they need to about men, and intimacy, Alexandra turns to her best friend, and the only one who has ever been there for her, Niall, Duke of Blackburn. But she's always had feelings for him, and he for her, and he's due to announce his engagement to a more 'suitable' bride any day now. Talking to him about intimacy, knowing they can never be together is heartbreaking, but is there a way for them to be together?

I was scrolling through my kindle shelf and realised I had the entire Three Graces series on my to-read shelf, and they sounded perfect to read this weekend. I loved the idea of the three sisters forming a salon group to help all young women before they were married, and ensure that they weren't forced into unwanted marriages. They had all suffered during their parents' illnesses, and only really had each other for love and affection. I felt for Alexandra so much. She was the eldest sister, so she had dealt with a lot, and didn't want to burden anyone, so kept it all to herself. Niall knew a little, but even he, a duke, could only help so much. Their romance was so sweet, and it was so hard seeing them pining for each other. I wished it was easier for them to be together, but they had to combat all of the outside pressures to be able to be together. It made them a better couple, and I hope we get to see a lot more of them in the sequels.

A Most Improper Duchess
by Alanna Lucas


The three Grace sisters have come to London for the Season. Sponsored by their aunt, they seek a love match like their parents. Curiosity about what happens in the bedroom, inspires them to start their own private salon and discover the answers. Niall, the Duke of Blackburn, is controlled by duty and a disagreeable mother who never lets him forget it. Betrothed as a child of ten, he feels trapped in a loveless situation. The only lady he loves is Alexandra Grace and his mother doesn't approve. Friends since childhood, Alexandra feels she can always go to Niall for answers. Shocked at her questions, he is also intrigued.
With his betrothal announcement eminent, Alexandra realizes it's Niall she loves.
Never a dull moment with the Grace sisters in what they do and say. Niall comes across as weak when dominated by his mother. Duty, yes, but not when it involves the heart. TBR for the next book in the series! Mild open bedroom door.
I received this copy for an honest review. This was my first book by Alanna Lucas .

This story should have been much better than it was. I found it to be unnecessarily drawn out and cumbersome.
This review may contain spoilers.
This was a story about 3 women, the oldest 24 years, then the middle at 22 years and the youngest just turned 21 years. The girls were denied Seasons and being brought out into Society because of their parents deaths. Their brother and his wife became their guardians and all of the rennovations the wife did came from spending the girls doweries. An aunt has offered to step in and give modest doweries to the sisters and give them a Season in London. They have to get their brother's permission and because his wife wanted them to move out, he sent them to London and their aunt without a second thought. The women were very upset since their brother had changed since his marriage and decided this was the best way to move ahead with their lives. When the women arrived in London, they knew they had to do something that set them apart from the rest of the debutantes. So they started having "Ladies Only" evening salons and when most of the guests had moved on to other entertainments, and there just a few young ladies with similar out looks left, they would talk about things that normally they shouldn't, like science and politics. Then they took it a step too far and they started to discuss  about what happened after marriage, the relationship, running a home and just shy of what happens in the marriage bed.
The hero of this story is a duke who had grown up next to the estate that the heroines were raised on. He would spend days playing with with the girls until he was old enough to be sent to school. His father was a philanderer and his mother decided to train that trait out of the hero by giving strict orders of 'duke training' when he was very young. He is the oldest sibling with a twin sister 30 minutes younger than her. His sister has been able to stay single for all.this time, but their mother was insistent that she marry an earl.or higher sometime soon. Both siblings wanted to marry for love because they saw what an arranged marriage did to twist their mother into a bitter, mean woman.
One problem is that the duke has been in an arranged marriage contract since he was 5 years old and his father's friend's daughter was borne. The hero's father ended up running the dukedom into the ground and the hero has been able to fix it. But his mother is insistent on the marriage because she knows that the hero and heroine (oldest sister) love each other.
The hero is concerned about the heroine because he hears that her salons consist of salacious content and people are starting to shun the sisters.
This story sounded great, right? I really was excited to read it. But I was so disappointed because it just didnt make sense. The heroine had salons and talked about things that no debutante should discuss and she actually trusted the ladies she spoke to to keep it secret? Any one of the gossipy young ladies would turn on them because they were in competition for the same group of men. And the hero is a DUKE. As he is one of the most powerful men in the country, it is HIS house, his mother stays there because HE lets her. All he had to do was pack her into the dowager cottage with a care taker and force her to acquiesce. This was too drawn out with unnecessary drama.
Spoiler: the arranged marriage falls apart and the hero and heroine end up together. 
I give this book 2 stars with no recomendations.

Friends, But Could They Be in Love?

Niall and Alexandra have been friends since childhood, but they realize that they have much more than friendship in their hearts. However, Niall is betrothed to someone else. Do they stand a chance? His mother dislikes Alexandra and her sister, but why? There will be some humor and scandal as Alexandra and her sisters hold salons that have to do with men, mistresses, and such issues unmarried ladies ought not to discuss. If you like Regency romance, you might enjoy this story.

This is a first time read for me by this author and also the start of a new series, The Three Graces, and is an absolutely charming romance. Three sisters, Alexandra, Evelina, and Theodora, leave their family home after their parents' death, and embark on their first London season. This is Alexandra's story. She wants only to marry for love, and curious as to what goes on in the bedroom, she starts a private salon with her sisters and invites other trusted acquaintances to try and get some insight and answers. But as their discussions progress, they realize they don't have any answers, and wish to get a male perspective. Alexandra decides to approach her childhood friend Niall, in hopes of gaining some answers. Niall is a serious and proper duke, always thinking of propriety and duty, but when Alexandra comes to him with her request, he agrees to help her, if only to keep her safe and protect her so she doesn't look elsewhere for her answers. Niall and Alexandra have known each other since they were children, and he has always loved her. But he is trapped in a betrothal that was agreed upon when he was ten. Now that he is of age and must do his duty as duke, his betrothal will soon be announced. As Alexander brings forth her questions to Niall and his betrothal announcement is near, she realizes he is the man she loves.
The story was unique and entertaining with a good dose of humor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were well-developed and had unique qualities which made them likable and endearing. This looks to be a very promising series and I am looking forward to reading Evelina and Theodora's stories.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Despite the dire circumstances the Grace sisters find themselves in after their calculating sister-in-law demands that they leave their beloved home, their story evolves into a witty and enjoyable romance. Fortunately, they are not completely on their own as they travel to London together with their neighbor and his family, the Duke of Blackburn. Alexandra and Niall are in accord most of the time, but with his mother's expectations and Alexandra's inquisitive mind, things do not go completely to plan. The Grace sisters quickly realize that they are ignorant regarding what they can expect from marriage and that they are not alone in this. Turning to Niall for information, she draws a blank as he refuses to answer her questions, but when he discovers that Alexandra will go to any lengths to get what she needs to know, he has to abandon his correct behavior and decorum to keep her safe. This novel is well-written and comes to a delightful conclusion. I am looking forward to discovering how the other two sisters fend for themselves as they only have one season in which to find their happy-ever-after. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed reading this book! So much so I almost read it in one sitting. I absolutely adore the cover. Even though ya gotta know they will eventually come together, its still exciting to see how it will take place. The salon they start meeting with is ingenious.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

3.5 stars

Not bad. It does seem to take a long time for the romance to progress. Niall is not able to proceed with his love for Alex because he's mother's engaged him to Lady Nerissa. Alex goes for the IMO overused trope of wanting to learn about sex. In her investigations she almost looses her reputation. There's a couple of more sisters so I expect we will get the sister plus the rake. Not sure I'll bother....to little time...too many books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Out of mourning, Alexandra, Evelina, and Theodora, or the Three Graces, are having their first seasons in London. They are forced to leave their childhood home because their sister-in-law, who makes everyone call her Lady Rachel, has convinced their brother Harold, it is past time they have a season in London. However, he will only pay for one season. They will be living with their great aunt Imogene, and she has promised to pay for any future seasons as well as anything else they need.
Niall, the Duke of Blackburn and Alexandra are best friends, and he has been in love with her for many years. He, his sister, Naomi, and his mother the "Dowager" Duchess are also in London. His mother is practically a tyrant to his sister, and tries to control Niall, but he will not allow her, even though he does follow all of the dictates that his duty as a duke comes before anything else, including his happiness.
Great Aunt Imogene is right there with the ladies; informing them of all the eligible bachelors, letting them have gatherings in their salon each week, and helping them in various escapades.
They begin as matchmakers, and start to research why married gentlemen want to have mistresses, and what exactly do those women do. Niall finds out, and reluctantly becomes their source for information. He only does this because he refuses to allow Alexandra speak to anyone else about the topics.
This novel is absolutely wonderful. There is so much passion and heat between Niall and Alexandra, and they don't even share a kiss until over half way through the novel because he is betrothed, and both of them are honorable, and respecting his position. However, the first kiss has more intensity than most graphic love scenes I've read in most novels I've read. You also find out who the suitors will be for the other two sisters in their novels. The author does a good job introducing the suitors without them being part of this story. I really look forward to reading them.
The only issues I have are with the Dowager Duchess. Besides being the tyrant, it is quite obvious she has a seething dislike for the three sisters. She won't allow her daughter to be anywhere near them. However, there is no information given as to why. There is no reason or background given. I would like to have had more interactions between Niall and his betrothed to make it more obvious how incompatible they are for each other.
There is only one love scene which is almost graphic, but it was almost difficult to understand what exactly was happening to make it so amazing.
I will obviously keep this as a re-read, and I look forward to the stories of Theodora and Evelina.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 1/2*STARS*
The three Grace sisters have come to London for the Season. Sponsored by their aunt, they seek a love match like their parents. Curiosity about what happens in the bedroom, inspires them to start their own private salon and discover the answers. Niall, the Duke of Blackburn, is controlled by duty and a disagreeable mother who never lets him forget it. Betrothed as a child of ten, he feels trapped in a loveless situation. The only lady he loves is Alexandra Grace and his mother doesn't approve. Friends since childhood, Alexandra feels she can always go to Niall for answers. Shocked at her questions, he is also intrigued.
With his betrothal announcement eminent, Alexandra realizes it's Niall she loves. Never a dull moment with the Grace sisters in what they do and say. Niall comes across as weak when dominated by his mother. Duty, yes, but not when it involves the heart. TBR for the next book in the series! Mild open bedroom door.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

"A Most Improper Duchess" is the story of the three Grace sisters, none of whom are really all that improper, The trio have come to London for their first season and hope to make fabulous matches. Upon arriving in London, however, they realize how little they actually know about men and set out to change that. Alexandra, the oldest sister, enlists the help of old friend Niall, Duke of Blackburn. Niall has long been promised to Lady Nerissa, even though neither truly desire the match. As he reluctantly helps Alexandra with her quest for knowledge, Niall also acknowledges how he feels about her, and vice versa. Not through any real effort by Niall, things resolve and he and Alexandra can be together.

This book held my attention, but perhaps not for the right reasons. The level of naiveté possessed by the Grace sisters and their friends was painful, and it didn't feel like they ever actually received any substantive amount of knowledge to change that. I didn't get the impression that Niall would have done anything to be able to be with Alexandra instead of Lady Nerissa. The end of their engagement was entirely her doing (women coming through!), I also didn't really feel a connection between Niall and Alexandra. Maybe that was due to the lack of spice - this is a clean read - but they continued to feel more like friends than lovers.

That said, I thought the writing was decent and I enjoyed the secondary characters. I will likely pick up the other Grace sisters' stories as they become available. 3.5 stars, rounded to 4. Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

In A Most Improper Duchess by Alana Lucas, Alexandra, a spirited young woman, finds herself uprooted from her family home along with her siblings, and thrust into the world of Regency-era London. As she navigates societal expectations and her own grief, Alexandra denies her growing feelings for Niall, a childhood friend and the Duke of Blackburn. Determined to unravel the mysteries of men’s desires, Alexandra sets up secret salons, only to realize that her heart’s answers lie closer than she imagined. Alanna Lucas’s expert storytelling and evocative historical backdrop create a captivating and heartfelt romance that explores themes of self-discovery, love, and societal constraints.

Alanna Lucas skillfully weaves a tale filled with emotional depth and captivating characters. Alexandra’s reluctance to acknowledge her true feelings for Niall, adds a layer of tension and anticipation to the story. Readers are drawn into her journey and complex world of self-exploration and romantic relationships.

The chemistry between Alexandra and Niall is electric, and their evolving connection is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity. Lucas masterfully captures the longing, conflict, and vulnerability that come with falling in love, allowing readers to experience the emotional highs and lows alongside the characters. The romantic tension builds steadily throughout the narrative, creating an engrossing and heartfelt love story.

Against the backdrop of the vibrant and meticulously researched Regency setting, Lucas paints a vivid picture of societal norms, expectations, and the challenges faced by women in that era. The detailed descriptions of ballrooms, salons, and London society immerse readers in the rich historical atmosphere, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, A Most Improper Duchess is a delightful and engaging historical romance that combines elements of self-discovery, forbidden love, and societal expectations. Alanna Lucas’s elegant prose, compelling characters, and well-crafted plot make this novel a captivating read for fans of the genre. Prepare to be swept away into a world of romance, intrigue, and the power of true love.

After the deaths of their parents, the three Grace sisters are forced from their home by their brother and his wife. Thankfully, their Aunt Imogene is more than happy to take them in and see to their first season. Niall, Duke of Blackburn, is accompanying the sisters to London. The sisters and other young women they meet have questions about how men’s minds work. Discussion in salons and excursions to interesting places are among their plans, situations that provide a good bit of humor. Alexandra, the oldest sister, and Niall have been best friends since childhood. As they grew older, their feelings changed. If only Niall was not promised to another. A match between them seems impossible, or is it? Something Alexandra learns after one of the salons might shed a new light on things. This is the first book in a new series, and a quick and cute friends-to-lovers romance. Alexandra proves to be intelligent and a little impulsive. Niall is a proper duke and does his duty. The story is fairly straight forward with a twist and surprise or two, a little angst, and a happy ending. An enjoyable start to the series. I look forward to Evelina & Theodora's stories.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

A wonderful start to a new series. Alexandra and her sisters travel to London to begin her season. They truly miss their parents and guidance during this time. Alexandra wants to find out what men really want from a wife and why they turn to a mistress. She begins gathering information and talking with other women but then she enlists the help of her very best friend Niall. Niall has been in love with Alexandra but suppresses his feelings as he has been betrothed since a child. Alexandra begins questioning Niall on matters of love and sex. They begin to realize they cannot ignore the depth of affection that they have for each other but what to do?
Enjoyable romance.

After their parents’ deaths & the mourning period, the three Grace sisters must leave their family home for their first season in London. Alexandra, the eldest Miss Grace, is determined to marry for love. If only she could find a husband like her childhood friend, Niall, Duke of Blackburn. The sisters
set up secret salons with trusted female acquaintances at which they can discuss the conundrum of men’s true nature versus finding a happy marriage. However, the salons raise more questions than answers, and realizing she will only gain the knowledge the ladies seek by talking with a man, Alexandra approaches Niall. Niall takes his role in life seriously & knows duty comes before anything else.
The first in a new series & this quick read was a charming romance. The three Graces Alexandra, Evelina & Theodora are a delight, they are intelligent, feisty young women & unconventional. I loved both Alexandra & Niall childhood friends who have fallen in love but they keep their feelings hidden plus there are obstacles in their way. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a HEA & devoured this captivating read in a sitting. There were hints (I think) about Evelina & Theodora's suitors & I can't wait for their stories & to see if I'm correct
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

He's proper and promised to another....

I very much enjoyed this book. Forced to leave Charis (as in Charis Michaels) by their evil sister-in-law and have a season, so they can wed, the Grace sisters are accompanied by Niall, a duke and best firend to Alexandra. Niall, at 27, is a very proper fellow, doing the right thing, even though he would like to pursue Alex, Instead, he is promised as a child to wed Lady Nerissa. Alexandra is emotional and more sunshine and daring to Niall's "always a duke." Niall is sweet and charming and a great leading man.
Highly Recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc for my honest opinion. This was a really sweet story of friends to lovers. Alexandra and her sisters are dealing with the aftermath of their parents passing and being forced in to the marriage market. They declare that they will only marry for love and this story follows the oldest of the three Sisters. There was really light on the intimacy with one very short bedroom scene if that is what you look for. I'm am looking forward to the other sisters stories and I hope their matches are those that have been hinted at in this book.

An interesting and enjoyable read about a couple who have been friends since childhood but don't give in to their feelings for each other as they grow and develop due to a betrothal organised in childhood by the Duke's parents. The way to HEA if always lined with problems but it always wins out. As a side issue the Grace's and their friends also what to find out how to tell a genuine suitor from a fortune hunter and so try to get into the minds of men with some sneaking around and funny moments. . I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

No longer welcome in their own home after the death of their parents, the three Grace sisters travel to London for their belated seasons. Alexandra is aware that her feelings for her best friend are changing but he has long been promised to another. Knowing that their parents had a loving marriage that is what they wish for themselves but how to find it when men seem to desire different things from a wife and a mistress? Alexandra in particular comes up with a number of plans, some of them scandalous, to find answers to their questions. Good characters and dialogue with a satisfactory ending.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Most Improper Duchess by Alanna Lucas
Yes, one of my favorite books so far and definitely adventurous. A well-written book with much suspense and steamy romance for swoon-worthy fans!