Amalie Howard’s The Worst Duke in London is a fun, humorous, heartfelt book that wonderfully leans into its source material from the rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You. I loved the main characters, Evangeline and Gage, and the supporting cast of side characters (except for Effie’s sister). Although part of a series, with visits from prior character pairings, readers can absolutely read and enjoy this as a standalone. Effie is a strong, intelligent heroine with a loyal heart for people and animals. Gage is an unconventional, unlikely Duke just hoping to do his best by his tenants. Howard includes many favorite historical romance tropes and I throughly enjoyed it! I’m already looking forward to the next couple that she seems to be setting up.

“The Worst Duke in London” by Amelie Howard is book three in her Taming the Dukes series. This time the story follows Effie, an opinionated, outspoken, older sister, who has no desire to find a husband. Her sister, Viola, begs her to go to London for the season, but Effie only convinced when a Duke who seems different from the rest convinces her. Duke Vale, however, only asked her to settle a debt… at first. Is he falling for her?

Loveeee 10 Things I Hate About You, so this not so subtle nod to the main premise was so so good! Effie seems like a stick in the mud and no fun to her younger sister, but it comes from a place of protectiveness and Effie’s own unpleasant experiences.

From there, this book dissolved into a lot of spice. More than I anticipated, honestly. Which was kind of sad because the banter between Effie and Gage was so good and so fun. I wanted a little more slow-burn for their story and it wasn’t that.

Also, I kind of struggled with Effie. I love a strong female main character, BUT some of the language choice was too much for me. It’s one thing to be bold for your time period, it’s another one to throw around certain swear words for their shock value.

In the end, if you’re looking for a romance book that is filled with spicy scenes, this book is definitely for you. For me, I wanted a little more plot, so I gave it 3 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Books for the ARC! This book publishes on September 24th!

Amalie Howard strikes again! I loved this book, I love 10 Things I Hate About You so I knew I would love this book as well. I loved Effie and Gage together, they were so fun to read about and the tension between them was 🤩 this book was fun to read and never dragged, it’s a fun historical romance with spice and great characters!

Lady Evangeline Raine prefers animals to people and has no interest in marriage...but her father will only let sister Viola go to London if Effie goes, too. Gage Croft, the new Duke of Vale, is saddled with debt but offered a chance to pay off one of his vowels if he’ll charm prickly Effie so that Viola
may be courted.

This is the third book in the Taming of the Dukes series, based on movie reimaginings. This story takes inspiration from the film 10 Things I Hate About You (which is based on Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew).

Howard's books feature historical romance through a modern lens. If you don't get caught up on small details and language, this is a really fun and sexy story! Gage inherits the Dukedom after his brother died under reckless, and perhaps suspicious, circumstances. He's broke and along comes the weaselly Lord Huntington, offering him a quid-pro-quo opportunity to pay off one of his brother's debts. I like that Gage was attracted to Evangeline pretty much from the start and she wasn't just a paycheck. The book deviates from the movie-inspiration by having Evangeline approach Gage about sex. I really liked this aspect of the storyline as it not only brought the steam but put the characters together in intimate and vulnerable ways. I also thought the story dealt with the "secret" reveal well as there was not only an apology but a gesture that really showed Gage cared.

Tropes: Wallflower, Spinster, Enemies to Lovers, Virgin Hero, Lessons

Steam: 5

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

One of my favorite romcoms is 10 Things I Hate About You so when I learned that Amalie Howard's next book was going to be a 10 Things I Hate About You meets regency era book, I was immediately sold! This book was the perfect combination of being original while also having not so subtle connections to the popular romcom. I loved both the FMC and MMC and the groveling at the end was *chefs kiss*!

Bad guy wants girl. Girl can’t enjoy the London season without her sister. Bad guy says he’ll forgive “good” guy’s debts if he gets the sister to London. Good guy meets Sister and sparks fly.

Dont you just love this set up? Regency “10 things I hate about you” which is an adaptation of Shakespeare “Taming of the Shrew”.

This book was fun. “I was all a bet” is one of my favorite tropes. You know the two characters are genuinely falling for one another but the thread of what originally brought them together looms.

I liked Evangeline. Her heart and love or rescue animals. I liked her forthright in wanting what she wants and not caring about the rules. I liked how Gage was putty in her hands.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

10 Things I Hate About You was MY movie as a teenager; Patrick Verona was it for me (and let's be honest, still is, in a way). So when I saw that Howard, in her ongoing Victorian adaptions of 90s rom-coms, had written a Taming of the Shrew/10 Things adaptation, I did not walk, I RAN to grab my copy.

And overall, I am very satisfied with it! Howard's effervescent writing style, heaped with sexual tension and authentic characters, absolutely sparkles here; The banter in the first two-thirds of the book is unparalleled in any of my recent romance reads and the sexual scenes were top-notch. My only complaint, is about 60% of the way through, it lost a lot of momentum and there were a few chapters where it felt like an unfortunate slog. I'm not sure what changed in those chapters or why, but there was a definitely lull in the book. Still, looking for Taming of the Shrew/10 Things references kept me going until the very satisfying end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. The second book I struggled to finish. So I was curious where this book would fall, and sadly, it’s with the second book. I struggled to find the spark between Effie and Vale, and also found Effie to be a bit insufferable (which I know is how Kat is in 10 Things, but still).

This is a fun, with laugh out loud moments, steamy romance.
Evangaline is a woman who knows what she wants, goes for it and is a huge animal lover. When she meets Gage sparks fly.
There are a lot of interesting secondary characters and a very fun, steamy story with a very satisfying ending.

4.25/5 Stars

Thank you to Forever for providing me with an arc.

The taming of the dukes series by Amalie Howard is one I have arc read since the very first book and it is one that I will always pick up whenever I can get the next one. This one is inspired by 10 things I hate about you and it is my favorite of the three that I have read. I loved the characters in this one and the spice was hot as hell and everything I have come to love of Amalie’s writing. Amalie is my favorite historical romance author and I will always pick up her books.

Lady Evangeline, Effie, prefers animals to people and never wants to get married much to the confusion and dismay of her younger sister. Because their father has one rule, Viola may only be courted if Evangeline also has a suitor. Saddled with his father and brother’s debt, Gage, duke of vale, is determined to rebuild his estates. When the owner of one of his brother’s debts offers to clear the debt if Gage can charm Evangeline to go to London for the season so he can court Viola, it is a no brainer to try. But when Gage starts to romance Evangeline he quickly learns there is so much more to her than a cold hearted lady. Effie agrees to go to London if in exchange Gage will be her lover. But their fake courtship quickly grows real feelings but will it all end at the end of the season or will it continue to grow into something real?

Effie was amazing as a female main character in a historical romance, she knows what she wants and doesn’t care about purity culture. She wants to find her own pleasure and wants to explore with someone else and Gage is the perfect man to do that. One who doesn’t care to marry either and has great passion with her. I loved Effie and Gage together and their passion and feelings were fantastic. I couldn’t put this one down and it was everything I wanted from it. It was spicy but still had a lot of heart in it. I can’t wait for briar’s book which I am really hoping is next because we got some very interesting info on briar in this book.

I absolutely recommend this series and this one is my favorite so far. This one was a really good historical romance that said fuck the patriarchy. Effie was a really powerful fmc and couldn’t really care less about what others thought of her. She knew what she wanted and got it. I adored Gage and I liked him as an MMC. Please pick this series up if you haven’t already.

This was a fun historical romance that uses the blueprint of 10 Things I Hate About You. It follows Evangeline who is an independent woman who spends her time rescuing animals and having no interest in the ton and Gage who is a duke who is financially flailing and excepts a deal with Lord Huntington to get Evangeline and her sister to London for the season. I liked their banter and the tension was crazy. This is definitely a more feminist historical because Evangeline asks for what she wants and has no interest in marriage. As a lover of the 90’s movie I liked the little shoutouts to that as well. Overall a fun historical with some modern sensibilities.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC

Lady Evangeline Raine is a bluestocking through and through, she has no patience for those don’t agree with her and she chafes against the patriarchy, leading her to distain both society and marriage and focus her passion on saving animals. But when her younger sister wants to be courted by her beau, their father decides that if Viola wants to be courted then Evangeline must also be courted. Evangeline has no desire to be courted or married, but she is interested in what she might be missing in the boudoir. So, when Gage Croft, Duke of Vale shows interest in her, she offers him proposition, he may court her if he agrees to show her the delights of the marriage bed sans marriage.

Gage Croft, Duke of Vale inherited a rundown, debt-ridden estate thanks to his father and older brother, he tries to turn the estates finances around, but the debt is enormous. So when the holder of the majority of his debts offers to reduce the debt in exchange for a favor, Gage agrees. The favor is for Gage to court Lady Evangeline so Lady Viola will be able to be courted. Simple enough, that is until he meets her and finds himself embroiled in yet another deal. Everything would be fine, if he hadn’t fallen for her and if she hadn’t learned about his previous arrangement. Now he has to convince her that his love is true and worth the risk.

Sigh, this had the potential to be a great story and the author’s writing style is very good, but sadly instead of romance, this book is more like women’s fiction with sex, corsets, and no electricity or indoor plumbing. These days, a bit of anachronism and creative license are to be expected in historical romance, to make characters more relatable to contemporary readers, but this was over the top – it was a contemporary story in period dress. I have read other books by this author and felt the same way but have given her several chances to prove that she can in fact write historical romance – and have been disappointed time and time again. If I wanted to read about feminism and 21st century ideals and morals, I would read a contemporary romance. I am sure there will be plenty of readers who will read and love this book, but it just doesn’t work for me. This is the third book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title without any issues.

2, maybe 2.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Marketed as Bridgerton (meh) meets 10 Things I Hate About You (omg yes!), it is that but so much more! 

This was a fun, very horny book with plenty of historically accurate modernisms and I loved it all (be sure to read the author's note!). 

Evangeline has had her eyes opened by the shitty behaviour of the fellow ton and now goes after exactly what she wants, like running an animal rescue and a liaison with Gage, the Duke of Vale. Gage, a giant gorgeous Scot, blushes and loses his wits and then gives Evangeline exactly what she wants, again and again, and in all manner of scandalous places. It was supposed to be a liason for the duration of the season, but oops they both fall in love. Of course this is exactly when secrets are spilled and hearts are hurt. Can Gage convince Evangeline he's trustworthy? Of course he can, this is a Romance! And he does so in a wonderfully caring fashion (if slightly less melodic than Patrick Verona does on screen).

There is so much sex positivity, and women-CAN in this book. Evangeline does not need (or want) a husband, but when Gage comes along and gives her all the O's she demands, well maybe having a man about isn't so bad? And you know, her dog likes him and he looks darn good working up a sweat while doing The Sports.

I have not yet read the first two in the series, but with no overarching plot you can read this series out of order.

Thank you to Forever publishing for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

You just gotta love a crotch grabbing meet-cute with kittens!

Synopsis:
A classic 90s romcom collides with dazzling regency love story when a Duke with financial troubles meets a London wallflower, and the two of them enter a scandalous agreement amidst her sister's debut season.

Amalie Howard's books just get better and better! The banter, the chemistry, the innuendos... EVERYTHING. Gage and Evangeline had my giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. I love how sex positive this book was; Evangeline is brazen and knows what she wants in the bedroom. And Gage is UNDONE. The man is fighting for his life throughout the whole book trying to keep up with her. He is truly obsessed and would do anything for his queen.

More random thoughts:
- "Let's just get this out of our symptoms" *snort*
- VIRGINS!!!!
- he calls her a fairy queen
- societal outcasts
- very demure. very respectful... NOT
- Highlander Duke!! THAT KILT!!!
- "Good girl" AHHHHHHH
- he falls first and H.A.R.D
- A "spicy" party
- sworn off marriage

The Worst Duke in London was a fun and spicy historical romance! Effie and Gage are the stars of this enemies to lovers story, and it was all kinds of fun being along for the ride! I loved that Effie was feisty and independent, and I also loved that Gage would just as easily come to her rescue as he would let her fight her own battles. I received and ARC of this book from the publisher.

Well, this was a fun read. 10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite movies, so once I realized this had the same vibes I was in. I will never be able to keep every character and their 12 different names straight in regency but I persist and enjoy anyway.

Effie is my new favorite lady in this series after spending a whole book with her. I admire her “IDGAF about your polite society rules” attitude. I appreciate her love for her sister. Her giant heart for animals makes her easy to adore. She puts on a tough front but has a soft, tender soul and seeing Gage open that part of her up was lovely.

Gage is a gentle giant who is hurting, struggling, and really just trying his best to be a good man. I’m not even mad at him for taking wannabe-Andrew-Keegan’s deal. He had worthy reasons. Mostly I love how enamored he is with Effie’s mind and doesn’t strive to cage or control her. He wants her to thrive. He’s adorable.

These two are also a steamy pair, potential scandal be damned. Effie owns her sexuality and Gage gives her a caring space to do that and explore that together. Very sex positive attitudes in a time where women were meant to be suppressed and we love that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not even at 10% in after four days of reading this. I’m gonna save my time, read something else, and watch 10 Things I Hate About You again on Hulu.

This series just keeps getting better and better.

In The Worst Duke in London, book 3 of the Taming of the Dukes series, Amalie Howard gifts us the 10 Things I Hate About You / Taming of the Shrew retelling we never knew we needed.

You know this setup: the sister that has no interest in relationships or marriage, whose younger sister is desperate to (date) have her season but is only allowed to go to town if her older sister does, meets the love interest, who is coerced—for lack of a better term—into charming her by the ne’er-do-well who is interested in the younger sister.

To accurately encapsulate my adoration for this book, I’m going to share a list of assorted thoughts I had while reading this one:
- You’ve gotta love a crotch-grab meet-cute complete with kittens!
- Ooh, a sinkhole / mud pit rescue with “[l]usty mud” 👀
- Forearms!!!
- BANTER
- Lots of eye narrowing
- She’s a danger to his coats
- [REDACTED]!!!
- I sure do adore the Hellfire Kitties!
- These inner commentaries truly are fantastic.
- Leannan *clasps hands* "Oh, my heart"
- There’s just something about a pugilist, Highlander duke.
- Yes! A let’s-do-this-without-feelings scenario—we all know how this ends.
- An unconventional party 👀
- I do so love carriage shenanigans 🔥
- “‘Good girl.’” Yesssss
- Lots of caber talk
- Giggles and guffaws
- The kilt 🔥

Just read it. I know you’ll love it.

I received an advance copy of the book from Forever. All review opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this one but I think it was just a little "meh" for me. I finished it... And I enjoyed the dialogue for the most part. But I think I was hoping for a little more...depth.
It was enjoyable for what it was--and what it purported to be--a chick flick in the vein of "Ten Things I Hate About You". It definitely entertained.

I have always been a very occasional fan of Historical fiction. So when I got into reading Romance, this continued to include Historical Romance. I tried a few and did not hate them, but still was not sure. Amalie Howard really changed that for me. She manages to write a Historical Romance that is very clearly historical, and with superb attention to detail, while still writing in a way that feels very modern. I first read her YA, Queen Bee, and from there started in on her Adult Romance books. I was excited to see she had a book on Netgalley and downloaded it quickly. The plot is based on Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare and the later adaptation of the play, 10 Things I Hate About You. Those familiar with the plot will definitely see that. It can be hard reading a story inspired by another, but Howard does a great job of putting her own spin on it. The characters are likable and the plot fast paced. Will be recommending this one to to friends and patrons. (Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC)