I think I’m giving this a 2.5, maybe 3???
I really did like this story but it wasn’t my favorite historical romance by any means.

It took me so long to get into this book (could’ve been bc it was a digital read) but I only started to like it at about the halfway point.

Plot: overall really cute and ending was great. There were too many side stories in my opinion. Took too long to get to the solid story/plot. The clueless connection was cute. Just not my favorite plot

Writing: way too modern lol .. does Amalie only write historical ? Bc she would be great at regular romances too! The writing was good though. Spicy scenes were written well

I covered this along with other historical romances on my YouTube page - michellephiferoli

Thank you NetGalley, Amalie Howard and Grand Central publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Excellent banter, ADHD rep, childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance, forced proximity and more make up this delightful sequel to Always be my Duchess.

This Emma/Clueless inspired tale had me so invested from the jump and I delighted in watching Vesper’s matchmaking schemes. Vesper and Aspen’s chemistry jumped off the page and had me hooked earlier then I did for Neve and Stone in Always be my Duchess. This book is making me want to reach Always be my Duchess again to be introduced to Vesper again. To be honest, she didn’t seem particularly memorable in Always so I was surprise and happy to see her character shine through in her own story.

The spice was next level y’all. I didn’t expect it to be that spicy and I was pleasantly surprised.

I really enjoyed this book. As usual, I didn’t know it was the second in a series, and now I want to go back and read the first one. I may have had an easier time keeping everyone straight in my mind. As it was, I got a bit overwhelmed and confused at times with all the different side characters and interchangeable names for the same person.

I loved Vesper. She gave off such a genuine spirit while presenting her best mask to society. She also wasn’t a pushover. She stood firm for the causes she believed in and for maintaining her own autonomy. Enter the Duke of a dozen names—I’ll be sticking with Aspen for this review—and all her fire burned bright. The banter and chemistry between them was top notch. Their scenes jumped off the page and I couldn’t get enough.

Aspen’s individual storyline in getting justice for his father brought the vibe down a bit, though it was educational of how mental health was manipulated and treated in those times. His mother was a horrible woman, and I admired his dedication to taking her down.

Overall, this was a great read. I’ll be adding the first book to my TBR and looking forward to future books set in this world.

This book was everything I wanted and so much more. The banter is perfection, tension is immaculate, spice is spicing, characters are entertaining, cat is ADORABLE the ending spectacular.
5 stars and wholehearted recommend to go check this book out when it comes out

This book was a lovely read! I enjoy historical romance and I really love the trend of historical romances with the fun cartoon cover. It’s just as engaging as the story itself—fun, light, and the perfect balance of plot and romance. A great read!

This was my first historical royal romance and I loved it! I loved the main characters. Their chemistry and banter was so cute and sexy. There was a little bit of spice that was 5/5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

Lady Lyndhurst and the Duke of Greydon’s reacquaintance does not go smoothly, but a forced get-together does spark some interest, but will it be enough to bring them closer together or drive them further apart?
The lady and the duke's favorite pastime is arguing with one another, and it leans too heavily on this premise to make a connection. The characters do not come across as entirely likable in the beginning, and any chemistry is tepid at best. However, events slowly build as Greydon’s family drama evolves. His character development is one of note, and his vulnerability brings him to life. Lady Vesper has greater character reveal at the outset, but the difference between her public and private self is so vast that it is hard to see them as the same character.
The reason to stick with the story lies in the family dynamic. However, it soon takes a back seat to Vesper and Greydon’s relationship, which is a delight. The ending is tidy and conveniently, if unbelievably, resolved. The secondary character references and unneeded animal appearances do little to further the story. Still, for fans of this series, it is a worthwhile read.

I really like the world that Amalie Howard has created in her Taming of the Dukes series. Although I didn't like Never Met a Duke Like You as much as Always Be My Duchess, it's still a not-objectionable historical romance, so it gets major props for that. I loved Aspen and Vesper's enemies to lovers vibe, and from the start, it's clear that the tension is ~ sizzling ~ between the two of them. That said, the enemies piece of their relationship feels contrived, which is maybe because it's not really revealed until later in the book (and they are more dramatic about it than seems necessary). Plus, there's so much hemming and hawing between the two of them, saying they don't want each other but then they do anyway and they push one another's buttons and go back and forth between saying they don't want each other and acting on their desires multiple times over the course of the book -- a little too much whiplash for my taste.

There were other things I really liked about this one. For starters, snarky nicknames as a love language -- Viper and Lord Ass are just hysterical. I also really like the Hellfire Kitties (I'm not entirely sure that the nickname for Genevieve and Vesper and their other lady friends fits for the time period, but honestly I don't care) and their presence throughout the whole novel. And points for neurodivergent rep!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with an eARC of Never Met a Duke Like You in exchange for my honest review.

I’m now a dedicated fan of the “Taming of the Dukes” series!! The main characters have been unique, sympathetic and fun to read about. I really loved Greydon and Vesper as a pair.

Summary:

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is committed to charitable pursuits. In her free time she loves to matchmake — but she herself wants to avoid marriage. Vesper is dedicated to societal norms, except when with her besties. The book opens on Vesper lowkey trespassing in the neighbor’s gardens when a rainstorm shows up. The kitchen staff of the neighbor’s estate usher her inside. Vesper agrees, unaware that its owner, the Duke of Greydon, finally returned to England. Vesper decides to explore her neighbor’s home (she used to hang there) when she suddenly becomes trapped in the attic — with the Duke. The two have a complicated past – a childhood friendship ruined after Greydon snubbed Vesper’s society debut. The two immediately hit it off, but Greydon’s family is meddlesome.

Review:

Vesper is such a strong narrator. She undergoes a deep character growth. The author also clearly put research into the political subplots. I am also partial to any Historical Romance that includes a pet cat haha.

I appreciated the TW at the beginning — as this book gets dark when it comes to England’s treatment of the mentally ill in the 1800s.

I slightly wan't big on how this is the second book in the "Taming of the Dukes" series to have an older woman be an antagonist. It felt a tiny bit repetitive.

Thank you to Netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review

i LOVED this one. i’m a huge fan of all things Emma and Clueless, and this was a fantastic twist of the story. Vesper and Aspen had such great chemistry, and childhood friends to enemies to lovers? Chefs kiss.

I can see the modern slang not being for everyone but it was established in the prior book so it’s cool with me. I think Amalie Howard creates really awesome female relationships throughout these stories while balancing the tension of the main protagonists.

A fantastic follow-up to Always Be My Duchess, honestly I think I like this one even more!

Ok- this book was BY FAR my most anticipated release of the year. I had read Always Be My Duchess last year and fell completely in love with the world Amalie had created for this crazy cool group of women (sorry Vesper, I can’t get there with Hellfire Kitties- but the effort is appreciated). ABMD was a Pretty Woman retelling so when I found out the next would be an Emma/Clueless retelling my little heart gave an extra little flutter.

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is a match-making meddlesome sweetheart who just wants everyone else to be happy. She nudges her friends towards love, donates her time and money to the needy, but then ignores everything she needs for herself.

Aspen Drake, Duke of Greydon is a bespeckled duke/archeologist who just came back to London from the US to get his scheming mother off his back. The two are long time childhood frenemies and the chemistry and tension happen immediately and it was an absolute delight.

This book is def more Clueless and less Emma. Now how can that be? Clueless is based on Emma! Wellllll… Vesper is closer to Cher than Emma. Emma Woodhouse is naive but she also has a little bit of a mean streak. Cher Horowitz, while also naive is also just plain CLUELESS (ha!). Aspen on the other hand is more Josh than Mr. Knightly. Both are rather sanctimonious but Knightly is more preachy while Josh is just going through his “post-adolescent idealistic phase.” Totally different.

If the audiobook is half as good as Mary Jane Wells’s narration of Always Be My Duchess I will be a very very happy girl. I will absolutely be snagging that and my physical trophy copy for my bookcase.

5 Stars!!!

Thank you Amalie Howard and Grand Central for this ARC e-book in exchange for my honest review. The opinions you see are just mine

Vesper spends most of her days matchmaking, except she always wriggles out of her own proposals. Aspen, Vesper’s childhood friend turned nemesis, is back in town and unexpectedly crosses paths with an icy Vesper. Aspen and Vesper reconnect, and must decide if the risk of getting hurt is worth the possibility of something more.

Wow, this book was phenomenal. I read this in a night and I would happily read it again. I really enjoyed that there was a plot to the story along with the romantic side. The relationship between the main characters along with the side characters was believable. I do not feel anything seemed forced. I loved Vesper and Aspen! I would happily read another from Amalie Howard.

Thank you #NetGalley and Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The above opinions are my own.

I loved this book just like I did the first. Amalie Howard has easily become one of my favorite authors.

Lady Vesper has to keep her presence as calm, cool, and collected. All while on the inside she is fighting her emotions and struggling to keep her mouth closed. She is a lady beyond her time wanting to help the poor and educate the children.

Duke Aspen Greydon has returned from being a paleontologist in the USA to help his mother's come of age ward get married in the season. His history with Vesper will get in the way as he enlists her match making skills to help with Judith.

I simply loved this book. The chemistry between Vesper and Aspen was great. The story paced well, and left you wanting more. I hope we get another book about one of the other Hellfire Kittens.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for this arc.

5 🌟
3 🌶

I really enjoyed 'Never Met a Duke Like You' by Amalie Howard. It's perfect for fans of Bridgerton and regency romance novels with enemies to lovers tropes. Aspen and Vesper are both such likeable characters and the chemistry between them is sizzling! There are lots of great supporting characters too including Aspens dear friends and family who all love her for who she is rather than how she presents herself for society.
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for my copy, it was a great read that I'd recommend.

More Bridgerton than Clueless but if you like Bridgerton and wish there were more books like it, you will probably enjoy this one!

Miscommunication was HUGE in this book and it's one of my least favorite tropes, so this wasn't quite a hit for me, but you may love it. Both our MCs refused to say what they really felt until way too far into the book.

There was some fun snarky dialogue, spice, and an enemies to lovers storyline.

I did like the writing even though the storyline wasn't incredibly original. I would read another book by Amalie Howard in the future.

Thanks to netgalley for an eARC to review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for this ARC!

One of the features I hope to see in future Netgalley book options is to let us know whether this book is part of a series and what number in the series it is. I didn't realize this was book two and though it gives the idea that it is a standalone, I felt like I was missing something by not reading book one!

I thought the story started fun and Aspen and. Vesper had the kind of banter I enjoyed but as the story continued, it felt like the chemistry wasn't quite there anymore. Aspen felt very hot and cold that it ruined whatever attraction we were supposed to believe in. As for everything else, it was an easy read and to follow. Aspen's mother was quite the character but I didn't feel like the end to her story was fair. It felt like there wasn't a point to the whole conflict if she wouldn't pay the price for her crime. The modern language that snuck in sometimes threw me off but wasn't too bad. I think the. character names were an interesting choice as I hadn't read about characters with these names before.

Overall, a decent read. I wish I had read book one first though.

Amalie Howard once again captured my heart with her latest book, "Never Met a Duke Like You." As one of my most anticipated reads, it lived up to every expectation I had. The story of Vesper and Aspen is a beautiful blend of drama, humor, and touching moments that had me completely engrossed.

Vesper, a strong and fearless protagonist, caught my attention with her determination to speak her mind while keeping her true self hidden. Aspen, on the other hand, is a captivating character with a mix of quiet strength and wry wit that drew me in. Their chemistry is undeniable, and I couldn't help but fall in love with their journey.

The book beautifully explores themes of identity, dreams, and emotions, all set in a Regency-era backdrop reminiscent of classics like Bridgerton. Amalie Howard's writing infuses the story with humor and a strong feminist perspective. "Never Met a Duke Like You" is a must-read that combines the best of historical romance with a fresh, modern twist. I eagerly await more from this talented author.

Quite charming and it has various elements that I love—enemies to lovers, childhood friends, he falls first, matchmaker FMC, both main characters having causes that help the marginalized, period appropriate hinting of queerdom with a major side character—with a delightful banter between them. And CAT????? I love a feline who just wants her parents to get together so that she can have unrestricted cuddle time with her favorite humans.

If you love historical romance, I think this will be perfect for you. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it takes its tropes and does them well.

I took a short break from historical romances and this was the perfect reintroduction. A loose re-telling of Clueless, our matchmaking heroine, Vesper, finds herself in a battle of wits with her longtime neighbor and one time crush, Aspen. I loved the first book in this series and this one doesn’t disappoint either!

Enemies to lovers ✅
Matchmaking chaos ✅
A cute cat ✅
Mental health awareness ✅
Evil villain ✅
🌶️ ✅