I struggle with Emma retellings because Emma is the villain of her story and literally other than Clueless there have been no good retellings. It is a bit weird for this to be a Clueless retelling rather than an Emma retelling and I really wished it had lived up to the glory that is Clueless. Clueless is just so fun whereas this book has a really weird dark undertone. I don't know why the asylum and black mail plot lines were there as they fit neither the Emma or Clueless retelling. This is the second Amalie Howard book I've been disappointed in and I don't know that I'll return.

The Hell Kitties are back! While they may not be in all the glory that they were in the first novel, this is a cute follow up. It’s not quite what I was expecting but I’ll still read the next book.

I’m a little obsessed with Amalie Howard. Her books make me laugh and swoon in equal measure, and I can’t get enough.

This is the second in the Taming of the Dukes series, and while you could start with this one, you’ll definitely want to read Always Be My Duchess because it’s amazing.

In this book, Lady Vesper Lyndhurst has long been estranged from her once best friend, the Duke of Greydon, after a series of unfortunate misunderstandings when they were younger. They’re thrown together again, and the Duke of Greydon requests Vesper’s help in finding a match for his mother’s ward. While Vesper has sworn off finding a match for herself, she’s good at pairing up other people, and she agrees to help.

The two of them have the most sizzling chemistry and you never know if one of them is going to get slapped or kissed. The banter between them is fantastically snarky, and I found myself chuckling out loud on many occasions.

I adored Vesper and Aspen's story! Watching these two butt heads was so much fun!! They were perfect for one another!

This book was definitely more on the young adult side for Amalie Howard, who usually writes very grown up, sexy stories. This is marketed as a clueless retelling and i totally see the vibe of that now. The characters are young and fun the stakes are low but it was still a fun story!

💞Read this if you enjoy:
-Victorian era 📜👑
-Clueless (the movie) 💅🏻
-Paleontology 🦕
-Mutual pining 😍😍
-Unique FMCs 💁🏻‍♀️

📸SNAPSHOT:
Vesper is a perfect lady in the eyes of the ton, but in private, she marches to the beat of her own drummer. Her endless energy fuels her to do decidedly “unladylike” things like acting scandalously with her close friends, traipsing around the seedier parts of London to help those in need, and declaring herself a matchmaker who doesn’t want to get married herself.

Aspen, Duke of Greydon grew up next door to Vesper. They were childhood best friends and each other’s first crush. However, they haven’t spoken to each other since an epic falling out during Vesper’s first season. Aspen left London shortly after the falling out in order to escape his horrible mother. After years of being away, he’s back in town to deal with his mother and his ducal responsibilities. He and Vesper reunite and their complicated history leads to some fiery chemistry.


💭 MY THOUGHTS:
I was skeptical about this one being a historical retelling of Clueless since Clueless is a modern retelling of Emma. I was kind of worried it would be an Emma knock-off, but that wasn’t the case whatsoever. It felt like a fresh historical romance story that was inspired by Clueless. I loved the Jane Austen reference in the book as well! I appreciated the author’s small homage to the original story and author.

I really enjoyed the unique main characters. I loved that the Duke was also passionate about paleontology. That’s such an interesting subplot. I honestly didn’t even know that paleontology was a known science in the Victorian era, so that was an interesting lesson for me!

I also appreciated the thoughtful and realistic way the author addressed mental health issues during this time period. Vesper knew she was different than “typical ladies,” but it was before diagnoses like ADHD were known about/accepted. Even without the diagnosis, Vesper knew that she had to hide that part of her to fit in to society. I’m sure so many people masked their mental health struggles back then to avoid the horrors of mental health “asylums” at that time.

All in all - this book was absolutely wonderful! I cannot wait for this series to be continued.

I could see where they were going with the Clueless comparisons but it definitely was darker than Clueless. To be honest, I was more interested in Vesper's matchmaking shenanigans than the rest of the subplots involved.

Never Met A Duke Like You
Taming Of The Dukes, book two
Amalie Howard
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Flames 🔥🔥🔥
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: November 14, 2023

I enjoyed this book; however, there were a few issues I would have liked resolved differently. This book was advertised to have similar themes to the movie Clueless. Clueless was loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma. This book incorporated some of these works but could have done more.

I enjoyed Vesper’s character, and I liked that she faced emotional challenges and thrived in her life. I sometimes became frustrated with Vesper because when faced with a decision, she always chose the most difficult, illogical path. I lost Vesper’s motivation at times.

I loved Aspen’s passion for the reform of how mental health was perceived and treated. I would have liked even more time on this issue; it was one of the stronger plot points. Aspen was an intriguing, fully developed character that was understandable and lovable. Aspen’s father’s tragic past shaped Aspen into a man who fights for those who can’t fight for themselves, and I loved that.

The romance was unrequited for most of the book, and I felt the enemies-to-lovers theme was overdone. I would have liked more communication between the couple and less introspection. The chemistry between the couple was undeniable, and their passion for each other was palpable. I loved the moments when Aspen and Vesper shed their prickly facades and were vulnerable and raw together. I would have loved more of those moments.

I loved the first book in this series; I felt this one didn’t quite match up. I couldn’t connect totally to Aspen and Vesper. I enjoyed the premise, and there were scenes I extremely enjoyed. Sometimes, a book doesn’t communicate well with an individual reader, which happened to me. I feel many readers will love this book. I felt this novel was good yet didn’t fulfill its full potential like the first book. I will keep reading this series because I love Amalie Howard and her writing. I am excited to read about the last two remaining single friends of Vesper!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emma remains my least favorite Austen. I love a best friends to adversaries to lovers. Vesper is definitely Emma to the most meddlesome.
The villain deserved worse and that frustrated me.

2.5 ⭐️
My favorite part of this book was at the very end in the authors note to us readers. The author explains more about why she chose the subject content she did and she also shares her historical finds.

I wish more of the authors note was put into the actual book. The book felt too casual for all the research that was put into it.

I did pick up on the Emma/Clueless retelling and I do enjoy a good matchmaking plot.

Vesper and Aspen are “frenemies to lovers” and I did like their relationship. I didn’t care much for Vesper’s overly sexualized thoughts throughout the book, however. I thought it was misplaced and overall, not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley + Forever for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I've only read one regency/historical romance before this, so I wasn't sure how I'd like it. But it turns out I...might love regency romance?! This book was SO good and I was so impressed with the writing.

The banter between the two main characters was so, damn, good, and the spice was OFF the charts. There's something about a forbidden romance (being intimate without being married will get you a good judging from society in this time period) that just makes it so much hotter, and Amalie really leaned into that.

I also loved the personal journeys each character went on that didn't involve the other, proving that you can be your own person and have your own passions but still fall madly in love with someone without losing yourself.

The billiard room scene in particular will live in my head rent free forever.

I really liked the first book in the Taming of the Dukes series. But, I have to say, I LOVED this second book even more! Both books can be read as a standalone.
The main characters are Vesper(aka Viper) and Aspen(aka Lord Ass).. They had been childhood playmates that parted ways with no thoughts of ever wanting to be friends again. When circumstances throw them together, let’s just say, the chemistry between the two of them is off the chart. Though they both do all they can to ignore this.
Never Met a Duke Like You had me laughing out loud so many times. Vesper is unlike any other regency character. She doesn’t act like a society lady in that she will not let a man tell her what to do or how to behave.
The story has quite a bit of spice and steamy moments.
I definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys snarky banter, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance novels.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amalie Howard does it again with this fabulous spin of the classic Emma retelling, giving us a clueless meets Bridgerton kind of feel. Never Met a Duke like you is a delightful Regency-era romance novel that blends humor, heartwarming moments, and a touch of chaos. The character's relationship jumps off the page and the representation that modern-day would be ADHD is beautifully written. It has the perfect amount of banter chaos, with that Bridgerton feel that will leave readers with a smile.


Tropes:
-Inspired by clueless
-Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Matchmaker finds love

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Always Be My Duchess last year. The MMC was fantastic and swoon worthy and I knew that I needed book 2. Where book 1 blew away my expectations, Never Met a Duke Like You was slightly under. Where Duchess gave us Pretty Woman, Duke gives us a Clueless retelling.

First, reading the prior book is NOT necessary. They're connected but can be read as standalones.

Enemies to Lovers is a favorite trope of mine, and friends to enemies to lovers? I love it. The romance is a slowburn, showing the reasoning for their fallout and then coming back together while resolving those issues. Because of this, my least favorite trope, miscommunication, is rampant. The chemistry between the two, their witty banter, and the humor kept me engaged.

There's fantastic supporting cast, and I can only hope some of them like Judith get a book later in the series. There's a "villain," but that plot luckily does not overtake the relationship and romance aspect of the book. However, there wasn't a real resolution with this? I wanted to see more repercussion for the blackmail, but there wasn't.

I loved the first book in the series so I was so excited to read this one. Unfortunately I had trouble getting into it and didn't connect with the characters as much as I did the first book. Overall, I thought this one was ok.

I absolutely adore this author and this series! This book was so fun, sweet, and sexy! I loved it! Vepar and Aspen were such a perfect match! I loved the Clueless vibes it had in it! These two really had amazing banter and all the chemistry! Vepar really deserved her HEA with her childhood crush gone enemy! Lol I can’t say enough good things! I can’t wait for the next one!!

Lord Ass & Lady Viper are a pure delight! I adore a rivalry romance, from the animosity to the longing. Amalie Howard masters a full spectrum of banter in this tale. Vindictive banter, cheeky banter, flirty banter, they are all covered. Vesper is a bold, sassy and independent woman who speaks her mind and breezes through the room like a tornado. Greydon is a determined, loyal man who loves with ferocity. The will they/ won’t they tension of their chemistry kept you panting for breath as you await the inevitable.
Aside from the romance, the side relationships in this are spectacular! The sibling bond of Greydon & Judith was wonderful, supporting each other while having the levity to tease. The fact that they stayed close while he was away showcased how she truly was the sister of his heart. While Vesper’s father consistently brought a tear to my eye in the way he doted on his darling girl. Not only that, he ‘saw’ her in a way that is seldom shown in these times. He knew her heart, but still trusted her to guide her own ship. That was beautiful!
From a societal standpoint, this story delves into some murky topics such as mental health. It was shockingly easy at that time in the world to put someone’s mentality to question and scary to think that one could be locked away for such simple reasons. When Greydon hears the reason for his father’s diagnosed madness, it made me think of the Louisa May Alcott quote, “She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.”. If this were still true today, we would all be locked up!
This story has it all, sass, wit, heat and bold truth. Long story short: this book was fabulous, do give it a go!

Perfection! This book is exactly what I love about romance and so much more. It was super fun and utterly charming! I loved everything about it.

Vesper and Aspen are childhood friends turned enemies turned lovers, and the spice was very satisfying. I adored Vesper and her friend group. Aspen was wonderful, too, and their passionate chemistry was amazing. But my absolute favorite character was Cat. She was feline perfection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Second chance romances with a hint of enemies to lovers are absolutely my jam.

Lady Vesper has been burned by love in the past so she doesn't trust it for herself. When she's reunited with her former crush and childhood best friends, Duke of Greydon, they are both taken aback by their feelings for one another. Determined to ignore them, Vesper throws herself into local matchmaking activities in the hope that she can make things better for others going forward.

But events don't always work out the way you want them to and soon the two of them find themselves working together and rekindling their friendship ....and maybe a little more than friendship.

I really enjoyed this book and the overall storyline and characters. I look forward to reading more by this author. I find that I enjoy her writing style.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Love me a good Jane Austen retelling, and in a sense, this is also a retelling of a retelling (Clueless/Emma), which I think captured the humor and the depth of both stories quite well. (Even if I don't find the actual book Emma terribly riveting. Oops 😬) Never Met a Duke Like You is the story of childhood best friends-turned spurned enemies-ish. Lady Vesper is, on the surface, a frivolous woman who loves parties and match-making. Underneath that surface she is a philanthropist, but can't let the ton catch wind of her works and where she goes. Aspen is a duke who is having to return home to take back his estate from his scheming, awful mother, while also investigating her having his father committed to an asylum. Aspen and Vesper currently loathe the other based solely on their surface levels. But as we've noted, there is more beneath the surface.

See, so there's a lot of depth. And there's lots of will-they-won't-they (especially, will they please eschew their pre-conceived notions of each other and just realize they are in love already?) And it's great. It is a fun, sometimes steamy, and fairly fast-paced Regency romance that has potential to be an excellent comfort read for people who like those things!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the advanced review copies!