3.5 stars but rounded up. This one started off a little bit slow but then that really good, really fast. This one had some miscommunication between the main characters, Aspen and Vesper, that wanted me to shake the book a bit. But it was a sweet story of former best friends - turned enemies (due to miscommunication) - turned lovers and friends. I really love this group of friends and their support of the matchmaking main character was so sweet. A wonderful and sweet read!

Thank you to NetGalley, publishers, and the author for being able to read this book!

I'm sure there are two people named Aspen and Vesper that have fallen in love. They probably lived in a commune somewhere in Oregon circa 1963 and not in Regency England, but we're going to chock the silly names of these characters up to just being a "fun" part of a soapy historical romance.

Once I got over the names, I had to get over the comparisons to the 90s flick "Clueless" which is based on Jane Austen's "Emma." While there are a few similarities, Vesper likes to match make and gets in trouble for sorting her father's papers wrong by his employee, there's not much else that's similar. So don't let the comparisons to those other works derail your focus on this one.

Aspen and Vesper are next door neighbors and frenemies who have been secretly crushing on each other since childhood. When Aspen returns from America on a mission to uncover the conspiracy that sent his father to his death in a mental institution, he begins working with Vesper's father, also a Duke, on new legislation to prevent what happened to his father from happening to anyone else.

The attraction he and Vesper had for each other quickly reignites and they each fight their feelings, society's rules, rogue kittens and his mother's machinations to make their own HEA.
**Nine out of ten on the steam level for two sizzling interludes. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Never Met a Duke Like You is the second book in the Taming of the Dukes series by Amalie Howard and while I enjoyed this one, I think I liked book one better. Don't take that negatively - I just enjoyed the story and characters more in that book but this one was still an enjoyable read!

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is our fmc and while she has sworn off love for herself, she believes she has a knack for matchmaking those around her. When she comes face to face with her past (in the form of the Duke of Greydon) she just happens to be locked in an attic with him and can't believe he's back.

Aspen (the Duke of Greydon) has returned to England in an attempt to revive his family's fortunes but he isn't exactly excited about it. He despises the ton and nothing changed in his absence but he is determined to set things to rights. When he finds himself trapped in his attic with Vesper, not only do the sparks start to fly, but we get to learn about their history.

Howard did a great job of developing this story and sharing who these characters truly are - including their internal struggles. I loved their banter and when he would call her Viper...it always caught my attention. Moving them from childhood friends turned enemies to lovers was a journey and I thought Howard did this well. I found the storyline with Aspen's parents challenging and truly sympathized with Aspen for having to grow up in that situation (sorry - no spoilers).

Overall, this was a solid book two in a series. I don't know that you have to read them in order as you wouldn't necessarily be confused but there are overlapping characters (so far) that if you don't read in order, you will lose some of the mystery around the first couple. All that to say, pick this up if you're looking for a new historical romance to read. This was well done and is a quick read.

This story was such a fun ride! If you're looking for a retelling of Clueless / Emma, check this one out!

Lady Vesper believes in love but fears her own (perceived) faults preclude her from deserving it herself, especially after her childhood friend (crush) Aspen gives her the cut direct during her debut ball. She feels her personality is too much, that she is too impulsive,  and doesn't fit the perfect image of what a lady should be - so she puts a mask on to hide her true self.

Aspen has returned from his archeology digs in America to claim his title as the Duke of Greydon since his mother was going to proclaim him dead after a 7 year absence. While home, he also hopes to address problematic laws regarding institutionalizing family members after what happened to his father.

Together, their chemistry is electric from page one, their banter is witty and fun, and their evolution of dislike to love was such a fun time.

Plus! Kitten shenanigans abound!

With spot-on pacing and a writing style that leaped off the page, Never Met A Duke Like You is sure to be one of my favorite romances this year!

Aspen, the Duke of Greydon, was freinds with Vesper until they were teenagers when their friendship fell apart. They go years without seeing each other, as Aspen went looking for fossils around the work. Vesper stays busy while he is gone - matchmaking her friends and being part of society while secretly supporting charitable causes. The unlikely pair end up trapped in an attic at his family estate. Forced proximity illuminates their undeniable chemistry has never dimmed. Will they ignore their growing feelings or will love find a way?

I loved this one! It had everything I love in a romance - witty dialogue, swoony scenes.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I just reviewed Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard. #NetGalley

I love Amalie's writing, I love that this historical romance was inspired by Clueless, and I love the drama that comes with a childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance. Vesper and Aspen were definitely memorable - and not just because of their names 👀

This is the 2nd book in Howard's Taming of the Dukes series, and I overall liked the plot and the spice of this one. There were definitely a few things that threw me off (like both the MCs names...) and I would've loved to see more Clueless inspiration throughout, but Never Met a Duke Like You was a very solid story from start to finish.

[However, I will warn you: if Gaston (from Beauty and the Beast) trying to put Maurice in the asylum just so he can force his way with Belle is (still) a trigger for you (like me!), you will definitely not finish this story with fond memories of Aspen's mother. I sort of wish I could just remove her entirely from this story, but here we are.]

This was, overall, a good read. I didn't love all the plot resolutions, but that's more about me and my preferences and not a mark against Howard's writing or storytelling. This was a great addition to what is shaping up to be a fantastic series, and I can't wait to see what Howard has planned next!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amalie Howard for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Never Met a Duke Like You coming out November 14, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read another book by Amalie Howard and I loved it. I have several of her books that I haven’t read yet, but I’m a big fan of regency romances. This book isn’t my favorite. I liked parts of it. But overall, I felt it had the usual romance tropes and it didn’t seem different from other books I’ve read. It kind of bugs me when the heroine says I’m never getting married, especially if she’s only 23. Maybe it’s because I just read another book with that same sentiment. It just seems like the heroine thinks she’s stronger if she doesn’t marry and it seems like a more modern mindset. It doesn’t really work for the time period. I enjoy her writing though, even if it’s a little modern. I will definitely read other books by this author.

I absolutely adored the first installment of this series, so I was so very excited to be able to read and advance copy of the next installment in the series.

However, this one did not hit as strongly for me as the first book did. While I love and adored Always be my Duchess, this one left me feeling frustrated.

The push and pull and back and forth of Vesper and Aspen was repetitive and frustrating to me as a reader. I also was not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope.

I wish I could give this a better review, but it just didn't have the same emotionally pull for me that the first book did.

This was a FANTASTIC Clueless/Emma retelling that sees 23 year old, neurodivergent 'spinster,' Vesper helping to match her dinosaur loving childhood crush, Aspen Drake with new deb Judith (who also happens to be queer).

The banter and spice in this frenemies to lovers, dual POV, historical fiction romance was top notch!! I loved how strong-minded and caring Vesper was and how she went after what she wanted, especially when what she wanted was Aspen, Victorian propriety be damned.

The mental health focus in this book was also particularly excellent. I really enjoyed that the author focused on England's Lunacy Acts which allowed for the incarceration of women (and some men - the duke's father in this story) based on the flimsiest of 'causes.' The treatment of such 'patients' was often deplorable and Aspen works hard in the book to repeal and improve the laws.

Great on audio narrated by Mary Jane Wells, this is HIGHLY recommended and perfect for fans of authors like Martha Waters, Virginia Heath or Sophie Irwin. Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever for early digital and finished copies in exchange for my honest review!!

This one is my new favorite in the series. The banter, the tension, their history together; oh so delicious

This was giving major Bridgeton season 2 vibes (even the illustration of Aspen on the cover looks like beautiful Jonathan Bailey) and I was living for it. The chemistry between Vesper and Aspen was incredible. They were childhood best friends turned ex-best friends turned enemies turned lovers. That always makes for some amazing banter and Howard did not disappoint. Their dialogue was so clever, especially considering the language isn't modern. I laughed out loud at multiple points.

I also love that while this was a retelling, there were so many original points that made this book feel new. It was Clueless (which is really Emma), and while it kept to the premise of having this childhood best friend and the ward she helps out, it was actually really fresh. I especially love the take Howard took with Vesper, showing the expected spoiled heiress side of things and then showing her real, philanthropic side.

The girl gang was amazing as usual. Some relationships were set up for future books which made me even more excited to see everyone get their happily ever afters. Briar and Lushing: I'm coming for ya.

Sometimes, the tension between them was a little too high and I felt like we needed moments to breathe. Moments for them to just be friends, hanging out, without them wanting to jump the other's bones. But that's a minor complaint.

Overall, this was a 4.5 star read. I cannot wait for book 3 and will sell my kidney if it's Briar and Lushing.

This book felt like Bridgerton with more wit. This book was so funny! It was fast paced and kept me interested the entire time. Vesper and Aspen had a great back and forth with each other. I definitely want to go back and read the first in this series.

Victorian romance with a twist

This is the first book I have read by Ms Howard but certainly won't be the last. I am in the middle of searching out her backlist as I write this review. I enjoy Victorian and Regency romances, what's not to like about a bit of escapism so long as you don't take it too seriously, especially with the current world affairs. This romance is indeed quite hot in places BUT it dares to tackle some very serious issues that are unusual in said romances, that being the Insanity Act and the treatment of ADHD during those times. The plot is atypical and fun with bits of hear and interesting characters. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me a time-limited e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

It's Emma, retold. With billards.

Vesper is hard to relate to. She's entitled and fancies herself a matchmaker.
She was friends with Greydon. Then enemies when he did her dirty. Now, they are frenemies on their way to lovers (see billiards game).

Greydon has been gone, but is now back, and a duke. He and Vesper get trapped in the attic. I liked that he was an academic. He has his own agenda.

Witty, snappy banter, a dollop of steam, complicated leads (they have issues and causes they are passionate about). Well written and enjoyable.
Recommend.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the free eARC. This is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this tale of the daughter of a duke who uses the rules of high society to hide her neuro divergency, while also dealing with a former childhood friend and first love coming back into her life. Lady Vesper has sworn off love, for a variety of reasons, but is a self proclaimed excellent matchmaker. Aspen, Duke of Greydon, returns to England after being abroad at various archeological digs to deal with a crumbling estate, an absentee duchess of a mother, and a ward who is of age for her first season. He enlists the help of his old childhood friend for her expertise and assistance with the upcoming season.

I really connected with Vesper as she uses the rules of the society to stay in the good graces of said society, when her natural tendencies would make her stand out for all the wrong reasons. This is Clueless (or Emma if you want to go back to source material) set in London during the later part of the 1800's (this is not Regency - this is Victorian), but it has found family (with characters that rival the playfulness of the Bridgerton siblings), friends to lovers, queer characters, dinosaurs, political foci on hot issue topics during the time (education and welfare), and has very cute scenes that were adapted from the Clueless movie to be accurate for the setting.

I read this in one sitting. The spicy scenes were cute, and also talked about the various layers of clothing fairly accurately (major bonus points from me!).

4.25 out of 5 stars. 2 out of 5 for the spice level.

This was a pretty good read by one of my favorite authors. Ms Howard writes a splendid novel about a matchmaking woman and a man with a secret. I felt this had a dark element to it in places in regard to mental issues with a duke's father being committed to an asylum. Aspen wants to find out why his father was put there.
Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is a lady who has sworn off love for herself. She is a matchmaker who has a lot to recommend her in getting couples on the way down the aisle. She is now helping her next door neighbor Aspen, the Duke of Greydon help launch his mother's ward.
Vesper and Aspen (when I read this name, I thought of skiing) have a funny way of being stranded in a room with no way out. They have an attraction to each other, but Aspen is afraid that Vesper is just like his mother being artificial. This kinda makes for him not trusting Vesper, even though he lusts after her.
Maybe Aspen needs to get over his anxiety and go after what he wants. Vesper needs to look at the man who loves her without reservation. They did have a happy ever after but it took a while.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

Highlights:

Friends to enemies to lovers
Brother's best friend
Second chance
Opposites attract
Mental health and neurodivergent rep

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst and the Duke of Greydon were childhood friends until they had a falling out at Lady Vesper's coming out ball. Years later, Graydon is returning to England from abroad to attend to the business at home that he neglected while traveling. Their paths keep crossing at the numerous balls and social engagements. Greydon considers Vesper spoiled, selfish, and frivolous, but he can't deny his attraction to her. He also needs her help arranging a match for his ward, Judith.

Never Met a Duke Like You is a well-written historical romance. It's fun, sexy, and a little angsty. Vesper and Greydon have great chemistry, but I would call their romance a slow burn. There are many interesting secondary characters, including Vesper's family and friends and a mischievous white kitten who stole the show in several scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed Never Met a Duke Like You and look forward to reading more books featuring other characters that we've met already.

Vesper Lyndhurst has sworn off love for herself, but it doesn't mean she doesn't like seeing those nearest and dearest to her find their happily ever afters. If she's the one to facilitate the match, all the better.

The Duke of Greydon would rather be digging in the dirt uncovering some unknown creature, but he reluctantly comes back to England to see his mother's ward, Judith, married. Not interested in staying in his mother's company any longer than needed, he hopes to let the ton see that he's still alive, and make quick work of Judith's marriage. So, he goes to the one person who he hears has a reputation for making matches: Vesper.

Vesper and Greydon have a tumultuous history. Childhood frenemies, their relationship was irreparably altered when Greydon snuffed Vesper at her own coming out and then immediately left for a dig site and didn't look back. But being back in each other's orbit only highlights the attraction between them. With two very different lives, can they find some common ground?

I really enjoyed Amalie Howard's first book in this series so I was looking forward to reading this one. I like that, so far, they've each been slight retellings of a pop culture classics. For example, the first book takes on Pretty Woman and this one is Clueless (or actually Emma if you're a stickler for that kind of thing). I say slight retelling, because never once did I feel like these established stories impeded on Amalie Howard telling her own stand-out story. If you were looking for these aspects you would certainly find them, but it wouldn't overtake the narrative.

This time around, I thought that the focus placed a lot on how mental health was handled - or not - back then. How easy it was to have someone committed for not being "normal" and the conditions of "care" those people received was, I thought, very timely as we begin to see more transparency in mental health.

I'm also a sucker for a hero and a heroine with a past. I wish we got a little more from the root of Vesper and Greydon's childhood friendship. Maybe a prologue or a couple of flashback scenes. I think this would have more solidly shown the hurt that Vesper still carries for the way Greydon behaved at her coming out and the hole his absence has left since he has been away. I thought the moments with them together just sparked and I loved seeing them build that trust with one another again.

Amalie Howard also does a great job in giving us intriguing morsels for the other women in Vesper's friend group, namely Briar and Effie. Like Vesper, I'm excited to see how they're matched up with their happily ever afters.

This series works great for anyone who may have missed the first book because each one is a definite standalone. While characters do cross over, you won't feel lost, but know that the first book is also highly recommended.

An enjoyable romance that sees two childhood friends reunite and find love.

The book was sprinkled all over with hilarious, sometimes inappropriate, sarcastic inner thoughts that made me smile. Lady Viper, uh, Vesper, had a few choice nicknames for Aspen as well that added another layer of amusement. Both of them were appealing, well-developed characters. Vesper made some questionable decisions and Aspen was too hard-headed for his own good. I loved their no-holds-barred approach once they decided to give their attraction free reign.

All of this levity perfectly balanced the very serious undertones of Aspen’s relationship with his mother and the tragic events that had befallen his father, without taking away from the gravity of the situation. Aspen’s mother was a properly despicable, hateful character.

I can recommend this book if you like steamy historical romance that also tackles family trauma.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

DNF at 14%

I am a huge fan of Amalie Howard's work and really enjoyed the first book in this series. When I saw that this book was going to be a Clueless retelling, I immediately clicked Request. You can imagine my disappointment when I found this book poorly paced, uninteresting, and starring two lead characters that read more like they were in a YA novel than fully realized adults. As much as I enjoy Howard's books, this one ultimately did not land for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I'm sad to say this book was a DNF for me. It might be a case of "it's not them, it's me" because as a reader I have a hard time with unlikeable protagonists, and I found Vesper impossible to tolerate. Too much of the novel read like a modern romance set in the 19th century, with word choices and sensibilities that I found jarring. I know Amalie Howard is popular with my library's patrons, so I will give her another try. This title was just not for me.