I’d like to thank Forever for approving me an eARC of Never Met a Duke Like You by Amalie Howard in exchange for an honest review on NetGalley!

What a sparkly delight of a book this was! While I primarily read contemporary romance rather than historical these days, I do love when shenanigans ensue in a 19th century ballroom. Amalie Howard definitely had a light touch with the story while still staying true to the period. I also give bonus points for setting it in Victorian England; I love a good Regency but there are also other eras for historical hijinks too 😊

This book is the second in a series, but I didn’t feel lost without having read the first book (which I will!) The MCs Vesper and Aspen really did have the 19th century equivalent of Cher and Josh’s dynamic from the movie Clueless, which I didn’t realize I needed in book form. While both characters get in their own way with some bad decisions during the story, I was rooting for their love story. And oh my, their love scenes were so steamy 🥵

I do have to go back and read Montcroix and Genevieve’s book, but I can’t wait for the series’ next installment! This book was such an unexpected delight in my life, I give it 4.5 stars rounded up to 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

Vesper Lyndhurst has never met a match she couldn’t make. But when her childhood friend returns to town, is the next match to be made hers?

I liked this book!

Amalie Howard remains one of my fave romance authors! Loved her Clueless and Emma take. Vesper and Aspen had great chemistry and as always, I appreciate her meticulous research that is the backbone of every one of her books - I always learn something new. Her careful attention to the lunacy laws placed the characters in the moment and made for an interesting and suspenseful subplot.

And as always 10 points for the inclusion of a cute cat.

Lady Vesper Lyndhurst is a popular, clever and beautiful. As a duke's daughter, Vesper fills her days with her friends, intrigues and her self-proclaimed matchmaking skills. Although she's sworn off love for herself, she believes she can help others find love. The Duke of Greydon has returned to London to revive his family's fortunes. After years spent away, he's annoyed to find that nothing has changed, including his former best friend and next door neighbor Lady Vesper. But when this friend-turned-enemies are unexpectedly trapped in an attic together, it sets off a series of events. Will these total opposites be able to ignore the growing attraction between them? Or can they get out of their own way and realize that they are made for one another?

This Clueless meet Bridgerton retelling is the second book in the series. But you can be read as a stand-alone. It's funny, charming and steamy! The chemistry and tension between Vesper and Greydon literally jumps off the page in all their interactions. And while these two fight their attraction, Vesper does go about trying to do some matchmaking. And like Clueless, Vesper has her bumps along the way.

While the book is fun, there are some heavier topics discussed -- specifically dealing with mental health/asylums. I think Amalie did a great job balancing the heavier aspect of the book and the rest of the story. I was happy with the resolution, although I think the villain in the story deserved a harsher punishment.

But all in all, I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not my favorite by this author, but it could be yours!

Amalie Howard writes an amazing book. Her characters have depth, there’s always some fun, I enjoy her books. However personally, this series is not my favorite by her. I really strongly prefer her Daring Dukes and Regency Rogues series. The take on a rom-com just isn’t as captivating to me, personally, and especially this book just never really hooked me.
The plot of this book is a rollercoaster! It goes very dark at some points even though it’s a Clueless riff. And I was so frustrated with the villain and the ending of that plot line!
However, if you don’t get triggered by abuse/parental toxicity, if you like matchmaking and a lot of fun outings, this really might be a hit for you. It’s well-written and has a lot of plot to sink your teeth into!


Star Rating: 2.5/5
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, nuerodiverse heroine, childhood friends
CW: Toxic relationship, abuse, asylum, blackmail

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This series gives you everything you want in a historical romance. Cheek, steam and an adorable love story. While Howard's first in this series replicated Pretty Woman, I could see where bits of the movie Clueless popped into this one. I really hope the next one is about Briar & Jasper as their chemistry is so compelling.

Read this for a quick and light hearted read! Thank you NetGalley & Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
I rated this a solid 3 stars and look forward to the next!

Excellent enemies to lovers banter - it really made the whole book. Definitely recommend if you like historical romances. This isn't quite second chance, but both main characters were interested in each other, but nothing came of it. When the hero comes back after being away for several years, all the pining and feelings start up.

This was such a fun Emma retelling. I especially liked the way the FMC’s ADD was handled. I haven’t read too many books with female ADD representation so it was nice to read one that was also a really fun read.

This book is a fun regency romp that is loosely based on Emma.

Vesper and Aspen, were once childhood friends now enemies (due to a series of misunderstandings). They are both flawed characters, which makes them more interesting. Despite hating each other at the start of this book, their chemistry is off the charts.

The best part of the book in my opinion, is when they have resolved all the misunderstandings and unite to take down a common enemy.

I also enjoyed Vespers cat, who is named “Cat”.

Overall this book was enjoyable, as I have come to expect from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

I liked this historical romance of childhood friends who become lovers.It was entertaining and the couple, Vesper and Aspen were perfect for each other. Now, if his evil mother could get her comeuppance, she is pure evil!

There are some steamy scenes in unique locations to spice up the story!

The Author's note said the book was based on Clueless, but I also saw more Emma and a little of Breakfast at Tiffany's (movie) vibes in the end with “Cat” the cat.

Never Met a Duke Like You is the second book in the Taming of the Dukes series set in Victorian England.

Aspen Drake, Duke of Greydon is back in England after spending the last several years in the Western United States as a paleontologist. However, he didn’t expect to find himself locked in his own attic at his country estate within hours of returning. Or that the woman he grew up with and also part of the reason why he left 6 years prior to find him locked in the attic and then accidentally locked both of them in the attic thanks to a faulty door. Lady Vesper Lyndhurst just wanted to check on the noise she heard while seeking shelter at her childhood friend’s estate, not thinking she’d come across the man she not only possibly still held an infatuation for but also gave her the cut direct in the year she’d debuted. By the time they find themselves rescued, Vesper has agreed to matchmake and help his ward, Miss Judith Thornton in her first season. Vespa has had success in matchmaking a few friends and family and wants to help others find love that she never will. However, between matching their social calendars to best help Judith and Vespa’s father, the Duke of Harwick taking on Aspen as a mentee for work in the House of Lords, Vesper and Aspen find plenty of chances to become reacquainted with one another again and maybe they’ve always been what the other has been looking for.

This was the first book of the author’s that I had read and even though it’s the second in the series, it could be read as a standalone. There was lots of things that I enjoyed in this book. There are lots of side characters and plots that helps round the story out and bring all areas together; as well as, building stories for characters in future books. I also enjoyed the feminist aspects of women helping women regardless of station and the charitableness of the heroine. The hero also has more than a passing interest in paleontology and is serious about the field. Aspen’s mother was crafted well to demonstrate how well she manipulated others and made me angry on the characters’ behalf. This is a childhood friends then enemies to lovers story but left me with mixed feelings. The MC would banter back and forth but at times it came off as childish when they would do so in public. Also, it was confusing to tell how they truly felt about each other in the first half. In one part, Aspen reminisces about Vesper being selfish as a debutante and then later he’s recollecting that he was so taken by her beauty that he was too shy to talk to her. The second half of the book didn’t have any of these areas so it was fun to see how they found their happiness.

Overall, I enjoyed their HEA and the three encounters plus one other that was interrupted were very steamy and you knew that they had good chemistry and just needed to overcome themselves to get there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ecopy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I lost interest at 7% DNF.



**********************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley***********************

The second book in the Taming of the Dukes, Lady Vesper Lyndhurst and Aspen the Duke of Greydon where once friends now they are enemies. Somehow these two get trapped in an attic together. That was one nasty Mother. I enjoyed seeing these two get their happy ending even with the ups and downs they went through. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Such a fun, romantic read. I felt all the emotions the characters were feeling throughout the story. I am definitely going back to read the first book in this series, and I really hope there are more to follow! Even though you go into this book knowing how it’s going to end, the path the main characters take to the end is full of unexpected turns that will keep you flipping pages quickly; could not put this one down! I really liked the use of the historical language and there were enough context clues to understand the gist of the words without actually having to stop and look them up; it gave the book a very authentic feel. Must read if you enjoy romances with substance.

Lady Vesper always considered Aspen to be her friend growing up. They are neighbors. Several years ago, Aspen ran away and broke her heart. Returning to England, he is the new Duke of Greydon. Not by choice. He would rather dig for bones, especially in America. But his position as a duke gives him the power to bring amendments to reform commiting people to mental institutions. His mother, about as evil as they come, destroyed his father by having him unnecessarily committed. Blackmailed by Aspen's mother, who has her own agenda, Vesper is facing a brokenheart. This is a complicated plot with some disturbing facts concerning mental institutions and the ease of having someone committed. The Duchess of Greydon is one scary lady. Descriptive sex and language.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this new novel.

I really liked this one! It was fun, sexy and entertaining :) I will definitely read more from this author.

One thing about me: If it has “Duke” in the title… I WILL READ IT! This review is about a month late (I’m blaming college), but I definitely had a great time while reading! This was the first book I’ve read by Amalie Howard, but won’t be the last. The characters each had such fun personalities and the banter… perfect.

This is an adorable "cozy" historical romance. What happens when 2 poodles get switched then one gets dog napped?? Chaos! And fun! And maybe even love! Bitsy and Michael have perfect chemistry!

I loved it! I really enjoyed the existing relationship between Aspen and Vesper and felt like the story flowed really well. So much so I got the audiobook so I wouldn’t have to stop by reading while taking care of other responsibilities!

This a fun friends-turned-enemies-to-lovers read from Amalie Howard.

Lady Vesper's matchmaking hobby leads to her being recruited to help her old neighbor, the Duke of Greydon, as he seeks a match for his ward, bringing these two (and their complicated history) together.

I loved Vesper's vibe, she's feisty, charitable and content with finding love for others. Greydon is a bit harsh at times, but fans of grumpy/sunshine tropes will enjoy the chemistry between these two. The storyline has tons of entertaining moments where the author brings them together and the reader can enjoy watching the sparks fly. I enjoyed the balance between historical romance and modern themes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy of this and the opportunity to share my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.