Oooh she is baaaack and it's 10 Things I Hate About You (RIP Heath Ledger and his band standing skills). One of the things Amalie Howard does best is write badass heroines. The stronger the heroine, the better the book. In this one, it's the animal loving Effie, and the broke AF Gage. At first glance you're thinking... Is this the Wallflower Wager by Tessa Dare but remixed? Negative. Don't let the animals fool you. It is definitely Taming of the Shrew, 1990's edition. I didn't take Effie for being such a strong character in the other books but she definitely comes out strong here, rubbing weak men with inflated egos the wrong way... And she also seems to share physical traits with Effie from the Hunger Games... Or that's who I was imagining... Then in comes Gage who is half scot, brawny and beautiful. Yes, we would all like to climb him like a small feral cat. Their chemistry is electric and Effie uses this as a way for her to experience some "physical activity" (wink wink). It works well enough except that Gage sorta has a secret that seems a bit irrelevant except when it wasn't... That he is being paid by another earl.... In any case... We get to see just enough Hellfire Kitties, and Briar and Lushing to whet your appetite because I am looking forward to more!!

Steam: 🔥🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️

Book #3 in the Taming of the Dukes series. This series is a parody of The Taming of the Shrew, with the book inspired by the movie - 10 Things I Hate About You.

Our heroine Lady Evangeline (referred to as Lady Ghastly by Lord Huntington) rescues animals, never wants to marry. Lord Huntington (a scoundrel!) has his sights set on her younger sister Lady Viola, and requests our Scot hero “Lord Gage Croft - the new Duke of Vale” to keep Evangeline preoccupied in London for the next six weeks.. which leads to quite a steamy affair.. their roles surprisingly flipped with Evangeline the aggressor.

What neither Lady knows is that the Lords had struck a deal involving them.

H*** hath no fury like a woman scorned. When Viola learns of the ruse and other crimes orchestrated by Huntington you’d better believe he gets his comeuppance. And as for Gage? Well this is an HEA after all ツ

Lots of spice, pining and witty banter - is open door.. and I really enjoyed the clever take on the movie, so fun! ❥ 4.5 stars — Pub. 9/24/24

I received a complimentary arc copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved the FMC but otherwise I didn't really think much of this book. It's the first by Amalie Howard that I'm reading and I don't know what I was expecting. It was fine. I'm just glad the younger sister didn't end up marrying that creep

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC. I struggled with this one. I’m picky with Historical Romance and generally am not a fan of rom coms. In retrospect, I shouldn't have picked this up. Though it was not for me I think those who like steamy historical rom coms will have a great time with this. We have a bold and unabashed MC who is not afraid to seek her pleasure and a Duke who was super into her and unable to resist her. There’s a lot here to like and also a great villain to hate. If you like over the top humor, a steamy read and a very modern FMC, I think you’ll like this one.

Two virgins who know a heckuva lot about sex without having taken the final plunge themselves. One male, one female, and a lot of experimenting. Gage, the so called worst Duke, is broke, thanks to his father and his brother. Evangeline, AKA Lady Ghastly, has scared off most of the ton because she has thoughts and expresses them. (Gasp) How these two get together is a humorous, arousing, and twisted path thanks to one villain.

Fake courtship leads to friendship leads to steam in this fun novel set in the Ton. Effie and Gage both have their reasons for the relationship (although I do wish he would have fessed up) but it turns out that those get pushed to the wayside. This has a strikingly modern feel to it for the genre (and I suspect some will quibble about that) but it's also got animal rescue. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good characters, snappy dialogue, and fine storytelling made this a fun read.

The good first. I loved Gage. I found him sensitive, funny and wanting to do the right thing. There are some very funny moments in this story (I will say I did skim after 50% until the last three chapter which I will get to in the bad). Now for the bad. I am all for sexual freedom but Evangeline’s freedom was just off for me. Also, the language seemed a little juvenile for these two adults. I just couldn’t take anymore after 50%. I dislike giving this type of review as I really liked the previous books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this novel and this is my freely given opinion.

This is a historical romance that has a lot of modern themes in it, with a prickly, suspicious, bluestocking, feminist FMC who disdains the expectations of the Ton, and marriage. After a dismal Season, where she was mocked and bullied, Evangeline Raine has decided to turn her back on fickle and superficial Society and focus on what she loves, which is the care and succor of animals. Right there - she wins my heart just on her love of animals and her dog.

However, she is emotionally blackmailed by her manipulative, spoiled baby sister who is now of age to be presented to return to London for the Season. Viola, said sister, wishes to enter society to engage the man she feels could be the contender for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately this same man is one that Emmaline despises, and one of her chief bullies. But he is determined to court Viola and wants her in London for the Season so he can pursue her. Viola would only be allowed to do so if Emmaline were to accompany her.

Enter Gage Croft, Duke of Vale. He was born a second son, never expecting to gain the title, but his wastrel brother died suddenly, saddling Gage with massive debt and a depleted duchy that is falling apart. Despite his desire to escape Society and return to his beloved Scotland, he is offered a chance to fill his coffers when Viola's suitor makes him an offer he cannot refuse. He will be rewarded and his expenses for his endeavours will be paid if he can engage Evangeline's interest and lure her to London for the Season.

So Gage agrees to the deal, and seeks Evangeline out. What he did not expect was to become friends and develop feelings for the feisty animal lover. Evangeline, despite a healthy skepticism of the Duke's interest in her and her endeavours, cannot help but come like the handsome Scot, especially when he seems to share in some of her interests. A wish to get to know him better and further friendship, as well as a strong desire to protect her sister from the attentions of a suitor Evangeline distrusts greatly, leads her to London for the Season. Gage genuinely comes to care for Evangeline, but is now caught up on the web of his deception, and everything falls awry when she discovers the ruse that began their relationship.

At times the scenarios and language are quite modern, but in general I liked the story and many of the characters. But I felt a bit hung up by the fact that Gage, when he acknowledges genuine caring and concern for Evangeline, does not admit to his part in the scheme. The continued participation in the lie was so contradictory to his growing concern for her, and so cowardly and self serving, that it made me dislike him for it.

3.5 stars out of 5...


Rounded up, as always, because of cute furriness abounding. I am a sucker for paws, tails, and fur.

Such a delightful read! I was completely swept up in the romance between Effie and Gage. A deal between Gage and the dastardly Huntington puts Gage into Effie’s orbit and he can’t help but be drawn to her independence, intelligence, and wit. As reluctant as Effie is to start anything, Gage charms his way into her heart. This is perfect for lovers of historical romance, animals, and women taking control of their sexuality.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Taming of the Shrew plot line.

But DANG that gets spicy and sexy fast. Not your typical historical romance!

The worst duke turns out to be the best duke! Thoroughly enjoyable read where the characters are witty and audacious with some villainy sprinkled in for added interesting twist. The hero is so easy to fall in love with and the heroine is just right for him! Steamy with lots of laugh out loud moments. Hard to put down!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

A historical retelling of 10 Things I Hate About You? Yes, please, a thousand times over. Of course I find myself once again reading the middle/end of a series instead of the beginning, but that also makes me more excited to go back and read the other books, and Howard has made her way onto my list of must-read historical romance authors.

I love a good romance with witty banter and stubborn, strong-willed female main characters. I absolutely adored both main characters, Evangeline and Gage, who had me kicking and giggling throughout their story, as well as the plenty of side characters involved as well. Gage was protective, possessive, but also attentive and half Scottish 😍

I wasn't too big of a fan of the instalust upon their first meeting, and I do wish they fought more and had a bit more hate to love, but I still enjoyed myself with this quick read.

A spinster who has been shunned by the ton and a Duke who is nearly destitute and you know you're bound for a good time.

Evangeline has no intention to marry which is not something a woman of means does. Since her last season in London she knows she'd rather stay in the country with her animal rescues than put herself through another torturous season. Sadly, she cannot make her younger sister suffer so off to London she will go. Gage is a new Duke dealing with the mess his brother left upon him after his death. He has been offered a way out of his brother's biggest money trouble but it will force him back to London for the season.

After meeting the enigmatic Evangeline who very determinedly tells him her exact desires he eventually capitulates to her terms and suddenly London is looking a whole lot more interesting.

These two will very easily worm their way into your thoughts and you'll just need to know what they are up to at all times.

Apparently I was one of a few that did not know the comparison to the movie so my view of the book was in no way skewed by that info.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed**

4.25 stars. Such a fun retelling of one of my favorite romcoms — 10 Things I Hate About You. I also absolutely love this cover — the pets! His grin! Him playing with her hair! But book Gage and Evangeline are even better. They have fun banter and great sexy scenes. Both characters are so fantastic, with Evangeline being a badass at standing up for herself and Gage being reliable and extremely supportive. A+ grovel at the end too. Out here trying to manifest Briar and Lushing’s book to be a You’ve Got Mail retelling (please please please Amalie).

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!!

The Worse Duke in London is the third book in the Taming of the Dukes series.

It’s no secret that Taming of the Shrew/90s film Ten Things I Hate About You is one of my all-time favorites. I was slightly skeptical going in though after having high expectations for it. However, it was for naught because I absolutely loved it. It’s probably one of my favorite reads of the year now. I couldn’t put it down and enjoyed mentally going through the movie and comparing different parts to the book.

I liked that the heroine had a love for animals and caring for them. Showing early on that she had a caring heart and also how it played a significant role throughout. The author’s note at the end about the history of animal welfare was interesting too. There is also a twist on the movie on what leads to the hero and heroine spending time together in London and thought it worked well and liked that how it played out.

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like and it all exceeded my expectations and left me giddy and happy to the very last page.

There are six encounters ranging from self pleasure with toys to a tryst at a bacchanal to a carriage scene to against the wall. Overall, very sex positive and I found this to be high steam.

This can be read as a standalone.

I received an advance ecopy from the publisher via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Solid 3.75 stars!

I enjoyed the themes. Animal rescue is near and dear to my heart and I enjoyed that aspect of the story. I loved the two MC's, Effie and Gale together. The banter was top tier and so smart. I was constantly using my Kindle to look up words for me. I love that! When I requested this book, I didn't realize it was a part of a series. I loved that it was completely readable as a stand alone. I could glean information from who the other two books were about, but not once was I confused about what was happening.

What I didn't love and took off a full star for, is the immediately and then constant lusty inner thoughts. I want a build up of lust. In the first pages of meeting she's immediately wet down below looking at him. No. That's not realistic and it kept happening, but only in Effie's POV (It could have been in Vale's as well, but I didn't notice it then). It reminds me of when young adults write FanFiction and their all drooling over the MC's hotness. It's overdone and honestly unrealistic. There are better ways to show appreciation for how a man looks and it doesn't need to be instant wetness and awkward lusty thoughts.

Another .25 taken off and I hesitated on this. I love that the author is trying to bring modern problems into it. Giving women a voice, allowing them to be unapologetically women, men who Stan outspoken women. It just felt... unauthentic when everyone in the rather large circle was like that. It's giving wanting to be contemporary in a historical romance. I WANT women to have a voice and not be sex shamed, but I also want to be realistic to the themes of historical romances?

I liked all the content of this--Howard is great at what she does, and the twists to the tropes really worked here--though at times the pacing of big moments felt a little quick.

3 stars

Lady Evangeline much prefers her rescue animals than spending time with humans. She's known in the ton as being a bit too brash and outspoken. Her sister, Viola, is her opposite and can't wait to settle down with the most eligible bachelor, Huntington. Viola is told that she can't go to London for the season, unless her soon to be spinster sister will agree to go with her. Gage Croft is the new Duke of Vale. He would rather stay put in his Scottish estate but he needs to find a way to pay off the debt his brother left him with. The majority of the debt is being held by Huntington. He persuades Gage to engage Evangeline for six weeks in London so that he can secure Viola's hand during that time. If Gage holds up his end of the bargain then Huntington will forgive the debt. Things go awry when feelings become involved and Evangeline becomes the pursuer.

The Worst Duke in London is the third book in Amalie Howard's Taming of the Duke's series. This series has been hit or miss for me. I enjoyed the second book by far the best. This book is a loose Ten Things I Hate About You (Taming of the Shrew) retelling. I was expecting Evangeline to be more of a shrew. Her sister and the Doctor was such a background storyline that I didn't feel like it completely connected to the Ten Things retelling. It seemed like kind of an afterthought. The story was fine but it took me absolutely forever to finish. I was bored and considered dnf-ing around 70% in. There were some funny moments but it felt a bit preachy at times. I'll probably continue on with the next book in the series because I'm a completist.

Read this if you like: virgin hero/heroine, retellings, animal sidekicks, Scottish hero, wallflower, spinster, found family, lessons

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #NetGalley #TheWorstDukeinLondon #foreverGrandCentralPublishing

Warning this is a very spicy, open door historical romance.

Evangeline and Gage, the Duke of Vale, instantly butt heads and the chemistry is instantly in this historical romance. Their banter is witty, their sexual encounters are fast and flaming hot (4 out of 5 on the spice scale 🔥) and it very much had a Bridgerton vibe. I enjoyed the pace of this novel and the "conflict" that the main characters had to work through, it felt very relevant to the time period and believable.

Thank you Forever and Netgalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars for the third entry in the Taming of the Dukes series!

I have to admit that I'm always a little confused about retellings of retellings. For example, this book is a retelling of 10 Things I Hate About You, famously a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. I feel like maybe it could just have been a Regency romance based on Shrew? To be fair, I am probably not the right audience, since I only saw the romcom once when I was a teenager, so if there were subtle callbacks to the film I missed every single one.

BUT! This has been my favorite of the series so far, probably because the FMC, Evangeline, really is shrewish and controlling. I especially liked that after the (now obligatory) "good girl" she ripostes with "not a girl, and definitely not good." I wish the character motivations had been consistent with their actions, and not simply consistent with furthering the spice in the book. (For example, after waltzing with the duke, Evangeline thinks, "I'd better stay away from him or I'll be tempted to do something bad!" In the very next scene, she shows up uninvited and unannounced at his estate for a private chat. OK, maybe she decided that she didn't mind being tempted? But I'd really like to read that on page and not try to guess at what happened overnight to change her mind.)

To sum it up, though: the spice is spicy, the Scottish MMC is brawny, and the FMC is just unlikable enough to make you love her.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.