When Jane Austin's Emma inspired Clueless, I was happy. Now that Emma/Cher has inspired Amalie Howard's Vesper… well, here are my opinions.

Yes-es -
*Vesper is a wonderful romantic lead, and one that the reader is rooting for
*The catching up with some of the characters from the first title of the series
*The relationship between Vesper and her father
*Cat
*The longing between Aspen and Vesper
*Some steam

No-s -
*Beginning is very slow in parts
*A little too heavy on the enemies portion of enemies to lovers
*The name Aspen
*I thought Aspen was a dick throughout much and didn't show enough character development, to really be deserving of Vesper
*I found the dealing with of the villain anticlimactic and unsatisfying
*One side story felt forced and unnecessary

Overall I enjoyed my time reading this one and look forward to the next in this series.


The worst part about this book for me? It put the 90’s song ‘A Girl Like You’ in my head and I’ve despised that song since it came out.




Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the DRC

Lady Vesper is beautiful, rich and loves to matchmake. She is trapped with the improvished Duke of Greydon by accident. Their attraction to each other becomes undeniable even though they are totally opposites....

Love Vesper and Greydon together. So much fun banter and sassy dialogue. Love this opposites attract romance! So many romantic moments. A fun, sweet, fast-moving romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vesper and Aspen were childhood friends until one incident made them enemies instead. Except they still are attracted to one another.
Vesper is a matchmaker even if she doesn't want to marry herself.
Aspen is a paleontologist who has returned to London to prevent his mother from declaring him dead and having his cousin take over the dukedom.
I likes Vesper independence and her desire to help people. But I really liked her relationship with Aspen. Even both antagonize each other, their banter and attraction is great.
Being a romance you know how this is going to end but the journey there was wonderful and didn't feel like it dragged out too long like some books.
The secondary characters were fun and I can't wait to see Effie and Briar's stories.

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard

Amalie never disappoints, she finds the barriers between a story and romance with the definition of humor align. It reminds me a lot of Julia Quinn's Anthony's story (Bridgerton) mixed with Lisa Klepas - 's Devil in Winter. Sexy, swoon, love, humor, and just finding your true-self.

Love this and can't wait what she has in store next. 10/10

This was a really fast and fun read, I enjoyed it a lot! It's a very signature Amalie Howard book, with plenty of banter and snark and intense emotions. It's a childhood bffs to enemies to hate-love to lovers trope, and the intensity between the MCs was off the charts. The book also addresses really important social issues around the time period the book is set in (namely, false commitment of people into asylums and the mistreatment there, and the issue of poverty and subsequent illiteracy in England and surrounding areas), and both MCs are dedicated to their respective causes - that was truly good to read!

TWs - false commitment of a parent to an asylum and the child having to watch the parent be cruelly mistreated and eventually dying, death of parent, accident being thrown off a horse, blackmail

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I really enjoyed this as I have most of Howard'sbooks. I thought the storytelling was very compelling and enticed me all the way through.The character development was satisfying, and overall it gave me fluffy feelings. I'll definitely be reading more by Amalie Howard.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Historical romance with some heat
Lady Vesper Lyndhurst campaigns and raises money to help those down on their luck, but she does it privately, giving her the appearance of a spoiled debutante, except to those in the know.
Her childhood friend Aspen, Duke of Greydon is unaware of her charity work.
He has a matter close to his heart he campaigns relentlessly for and can’t imagine that she’s the same.
They meet as each pursues their goals and come to realize their misconceptions and realize they have feelings but there is a huge obstacle in their way.
The story is well told and moves along nicely.
I requested and received a Net Galley Arc to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

Lady Vesper seems to have it all…social status, a doting father, and a steadfast group of friends. Even though she prides herself on her matchmaking abilities Vesper refuses to believe there is a man for her. Then the tall, dark and brooding Duke of Greydon appears from her past bringing their tumultuous past back to the surface. Aspen asks for Vesper’s help matchmaking his mother’s ward Judith, whom the duchess wants him to marry. After being locked in a room together, tumbling into a fountain and a horse race gone wrong Aspen and Vesper can’t seem to get out of each other’s way. As they talk through their past and learn more about their grown up selves the two give way to their feelings. The duchess unfortunately has other plans and will do anything to see them come to fruition.

Not only do I love the romance of this book, but how it acknowledges and tackles issues not just relevant in the past but today as well. The treatment of those with mental health issues and its stigma being a prominent part of Aspen’s story. As well as Vesper’s learning to show her true self to the outside aristocratic world even though it’s frightening. Other issues such as sexuality and feminism worked perfectly with the characters.

I never thought a paleontologist duke could be so soft and such a fierce and thoughtful lady could stand for so many wonderful things. This book was an absolute delight!

Amalie Howard continues to impress me with her beautiful stories and versatility. I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of Never Met A Duke Like You form Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed the story. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Lady Vesper Lyndhurst,a Duke's daughter, believes herself to be an accomplished matchmaker. She has changed her persona ever since she was snubbed by her best friend, Aspen Drake, the Duke of Greydon, at her come out ball. He is now her enemy but every time she sees him, she gets all tingly and cannot resist baiting him into an argument, and that leads to some proximity which may or may not lead to some intense kisses. Aspen is trying to pass a law, one that will prevent people from falsely hospitalizing family members into mental asylums,and asks Vesper's father for advice and guidance. I loved this story: the electricity, the banter, the topics and the friends to enemies back to a possible friendship.....absolutely fantastic. Fantastic series, beautiful characters, unique storylines, are all part of Amalie Howard's forte. A must read!

Never Met a Duke Like You is a story of two people who were friends as children and as young adults became enemies, and meet once again following a seven year separation. If you like a lot of angst and disagreement, this book is for you. I do not enjoy this much animosity, but that's just me. Due to personal preference I give it 3-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free, but give my honest opinion voluntarily.

This was very sweet and clever, but I would have loved some more steam because those parts were way too glossed over (book 1 was much better in this area). I loved the characters in this one more than book 1, but the romance was lacking. Still excellent writing, though, so I am giving it a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars.

How does she keep hitting it out of the park like this, this was so great. Such a fun ride. The matchmaker who ends up being bad at it was hilarious and the opening scene with them trapped in an attic was fabulous. Really enjoyed both characters, and the narrative arc was well done and satisfying, and Howard always brings the heat which I enjoy.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest opinion*

I loved it.i absolutely loved it.I've been waiting for a year on this book and it definitely didn't disappoint. this is my absolute favourite series by this author but in truth Amalie can't do wrong in my eyes.Every book is a hit for me. I am so excited for the next book i this series. I can honestly not get enough of the characters ,the writing the with and the banter. Thank you again for an opportunity to read it early. 10/10 recommend.

After reading Always Be any Duchess, I was excited to read the second book in the latest series from Amalie Howard. What I
enjoyed about this one: great banter, the Hellfire Kitties, and Vesper—I love her character so much. What I didn’t like so much: the hero (he really was Lord Ass and didn’t atone enough for his asshattery) and the over-the-top villain—just too cartoonish for me.

This wasn’t my favorite of Amalie Howard’s books, but I did enjoy it and am glad I read it. Excited for the next one in this series!

I received an advance reader copy from #netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is feisty but hides behind a mask of politeness for the ton. The Duke of graydon, Aspen Drake, manages to get trapped in his own house. The two have known each other since childhood. Due to an unfortunate incident that involved Vesper breaking Aspen's nose, they have been more frenemies since then.

Aspen is a paleontologist, who has been summoned back to England. If he does not return, his mother will declare him dead. He is seeking to pass a law to help those in asylums receive better care.

Vesper volunteers to local charities, but keeps it a secret as the ton but not approve. Aspen can see through her mask, and it bothers her greatly.

This delightful romance has witty banter and plenty of innuendo. Vesper calls Drake "Lord Ass," and Aspen calls Lady Lyndhurst "Viper."

The book is loosely based on the movie Clueless and the fun/problems that can come from matchmaking.

This book is a delight to read with a bit of intrigue mixed in to the romance. I am thrilled that this book has characters from other books prior (although you don't need to have read the others to enjoy this book). Well worth the read!

This is a fun sequel to Howard's Always Be My Duchess. Just like Howard's first book, this one is lovely comfort food for a weekend after a difficult work week. We check in with characters from the prior books. Fans will be pleased to know that Neve and Montcroix are expecting. This story deals with childhood friends to enemies to frenemies to lovers. Lady Vesper is similar to Austen's Emma. She loves to play matchmaker for others, but she is determined to remain single. She tells herself it's to conceal her neurodiversity from the ton, but really it's because she never got over her true love Aspen Drake the Duke of Greydon. (The name Aspen bugged me as anachronistic/too American, but it does work because his mother is American and the name is of Old English origin). They have progressed from childhood BFFs in large part due to confusions of puberty and other misunderstandings, but they're drawn to each other whether they like it or not. And really, they like it. Aspen engages "Viper's" matchmaking skills to help him marry off his ward, so he can return to science and the Americas. Will Aspen's evil mother ruin his plans and destroy him like she did his father? Where did the mysterious ward come from anyway? Will Aspen and Vesper see each other for who the really are in time to make their love work? Fans of Bridgerton should get ready to dive in while they wait for a new season.

I was so excited for this book after loving Always Be My Duchess, but the blend of period and anachronistic language made it too hard to get into. I think if the language had been more consistent, the anachronism may have worked for me, but having period language alongside the phrase "Calm your know-it-all-tits" was too jarring for me.

I enjoyed reading this one so much! The two main characters seem perfect for one another - yet they do not see this. Loved the push and pull of their attraction. The story is well written with the author pulling me in from the beginning and keeping my attention until the end. This is a wonderful feel-good story that had me smiling right to the end.

Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard is the second book in The Taming of the Dukes series, following the adventures and misadventures of five friends, while they navigate matchmaking and the intrigues of society.
This time is the turn for Aspen and Vesper to take you to another time, another world, one filled with betrayal, judgment and intrigue, but also with friendship, hope and love.
It’s steamy, it’s spicy, it’s a broken hero and a neurodivergent heroine, there’s a cat and this time the story showcases the treatment of mental health, the confinement of people with mental illnesses, the Lunacy Acts and the efforts to provide education for impoverished children.
As with Always Be My Duchess, I’ve enjoyed the wit. It’s an easy book to read, so give this a try is you like romance.
Thank you to the author and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange of my review. Totally enjoyed it.

Never Met a Duke Like You por Amalie Howard es el segundo libro en la serie Taming of the Dukes y sigue las aventuras de cinco amigas mientras navegan las intrigas sociales y el mercado matrimonial.
Es la historia de Aspen y Vesper. Deja que te transporten a otro tiempo, otro mundo, uno de traición, apariencias e intrigas, pero también de amistad, esperanza y amor.
Ésta historia presenta el tratamiento de la salud mental, el confinamiento de las personas con enfermedades mentales además de los esfuerzos para educar a niños de escasos recursos.

Book 2 of the Taming of the Dukes series, here we go! I generally find Book 2 in any series the weakest book for some reason. Don't ask me why. Needless to say that I was super curious about this one because I knew it was a play on the movie Clueless!

Summary:
Lady Vesper is the daughter of Duke, generally loved by the ton, and a self proclaimed matchmaker. She has no need to marry, and good thing too, because behind the perfect polished persona she presents to the ton she hides a fiery and impulsive nature. She only shows her true self to her family, her close friends (welcome back Hellfire Kitties!) and once upon a time to her first love and neighbor-- Lord Aspen Drake. Unfortunately for her, their friendship died a spectacular death after he cut her direct (WHAT?) in her coming out and then disappeared from the ton. Seven years later, Lord Aspen Drake is now Duke of Greydon and he is back....and you dont say....needs her help! Will these friends turned enemies, turned semi-friends, eventually turn to lovers? You know it!

Review:
I generally find Book 2 in any series the weakest book for some reason. Don't ask me why. Needless to say, I set my bar low and this book flew over it with flying colors!

What I loved:
* Aspen and Vespers banter was fantastic-- the enemies part was done to perfection.
* We get glimpses of the Hellsfire Kitties and now I am DYING for Briar's book!
* I also so loved seeing Vesper's relationship with her dad!
* A top notch villain! Man! You just want to strangle her!

What I could have done without:
* For most of the book you just think Vesper deserves better. I could have used more groveling from him to make up for some of the stuff he did.
* Could have done without some of the side stories, like the Mr. Cross matchmaking issue and Judith hiding her secret.
* The ending was a little strange to me, in terms of series of events.

Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher (Forever) for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review..