I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 3 in a series by Elizabeth Hoyt. I decided to read the first two books in the series first just to be safe. I have to say I was not a fan. The stories were just okay but I was not in love with the characters. It was just an okay read.

This is the third book in the series.
The interaction between Julian Greycourt, a grumpy hero, and Elspeth who was little miss sunshine was interesting and different.
There were a lot of sub plots in the book and the secondary characters were interesting.
There were some steamy nontraditional scenes that added to Julian's personality.

This is my first Elizabeth Hoyt and won't be the last! It's ridiculously ahistorical but it moves like a house on fire and I thought it was ferociously fun.

I really enjoyed this one. I haven't read any others in the series, but it was okay to jump into this one. I clearly could tell who the prior books were about, but it didn't ruin the enjoyment of this one (but am excited to go back and read those, as well as anticipating future books in the series ). Elspeth is not like other women of her day and she is not intimidated by Julian's gruff exterior. I really enjoyed watching the relationship build between these two, and there seems to be a plot running through the series, and so while that background plot wasn't resolved in this book, it still felt like a complete story, with the HEA for this likeable couple. Can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Elizabeth Hoyt for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my first Elizabeth Hoyt book and I am glad I read it! I really enjoyed the subplot of the Wise Women. From other reviews- I'm thinking I should go into the backlist to read more featuring the Wise Women.

Julian and Elspeth's connection fit well into the forbidden lovers trope, in multiple ways.

I feel like this book may be my gateway into the classics. (Yes, I realize this book is new, but the backlist and peer authors are many I should explore!)

Trainwreck…you do not want to look but curiosity gets to you and you cannot look away. That is how I felt about this book. The story was not cohesive. The main characters were not together a lot until around 50% of the story. That is not my jam. I want togetherness and lots of dialog. Julian kept running away and you will find out why. I read the previous book in this series and loved it. I also have read lots of Elizabeth’s older books and they are some of my favorites. I am just not thrilled with this story.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

No Ordinary Duchess by Elizabeth Hoyt is a third person dual-POV historical romance set in London in 1760. The third book in the Greycourt series, this time the focus is on future duke Julian Greycourt and Lady Elspeth, the sister of the man who betrayed the Greycourt family. When the two meet for the first time, Julian learns that Elspeth is not interested in the rules of society and she learns that he has very particular tastes that suit his own.

I love it when a Romance author makes sure to give different couples in a series different tastes, including in kinks. Julian has a preference for BDSM, specifically domination from his partner. I think this might have been the first time I read this particular preference in a historical Romance and I was delighted to see it. A lot of the erotic moments are more focused on the anticipation and Elspeth commanding Julian rather than other, more typical depictions of sexual contact. I especially liked the moment when Elspeth figures Julian out and starts testing the waters as both could leave whenever they wanted but they both chose to stay.

The Wise Women making an appearance once again, this time with Elspeth having a clear connection to them. I've enjoyed the glimpses we've gotten of this matriarchy that exists on the fringes of British society but seems to be fairly well-known at the same time. I'd like a whole book set in their society and how their members navigate both it and the larger society that exists outside of them and accuses them of witchcraft.

Of the two POVs, my favorite this time around was Elspeth. She's very curious and open to learning new things or that things she thought she knew aren't quite how they appear, but she's also got a mission and is going to accomplish it to the best of her abilities. She trusts perhaps a bit too freely but she can also take care of herself. I loved it when she pulled out her pistol and when she pushed back against Julian. She's soft and kind, but she's not to be trifled with.

It was also exciting to see how Julian recognizes that she is plus-size but he never comments on what she eats, positive or negative, in terms of her body. It was always about her coming from Scotland or how it tastes. I appreciated that a lot.

I would recommend this to fans of historical romance looking for a plus-size FMC and readers of romance who love depictions of female dominance

3.25

I received an ARC for this book (thanks, Smart Bitches After Dark for arranging it!)

I liked a lot about this. The kink was fun, and the dynamic between Elspeth and Julian was great. Elspeth was so joyful and unashamed, which I really appreciated. I thought their scenes together were well-written and engaging, a good mix of sweet and hot. I also really loved watching their relationship develop. (Julian’s insta-lust paired with his intense self-loathing wasn’t a great start, but the book quickly improved after that.)

However, there was no need for Augustus to be ‘insane’ and for the threats of sexual violence in that chapter. He could have been a perfectly fine and chilling villain as a greedy murderer, rather than turning him into such a caricature. That one chapter soured the entire book for me. There is no reason to continue equating evil with ‘insane’. It doesn’t make villains scarier, it just makes those of us who are aware of the oppression faced by the ‘mentally ill’ alienated by what could have been a great read.

Take out the ableism and the totally unnecessary threats of sexual violence and this would have been an easy 4.5 for me.

eARC Review: No Ordinary Duchess by Elizabeth Hoyt
Pub Date: December 10, 2024

I was in a pretty big eye reading slump when I read this and I absolutely FLEW through it! The first little bit does take some set up but once Elspeth and Julian are alone together, it really takes off. And of course it's Hoyt so you know the heat is there. This features a virgin female dom and a submissive heir to a dukedom and hot damn is it exactly what I wanted.

I do think reading this series in order is probably the way to go - The first was a bit of a miss for me but does give a lot of important series set up and I loved the second though I think this one edges it out slightly in my ranking!

Thank you to Forever for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Hmmm…
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I had difficulty immersing myself in this one and the connection between the main couple felt a bit flimsy and rushed.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Elsberh enjoys going to the library. She keeps running into Julian who was her brothers friend growing up. I really liked the chemistry between them.

I absolutely loved Lady Elspeth, she was such a fabulous character. Cheery and smart and determined and kind and everything I want in a heroine. I was also really intrigued by the wise women society. I wish that part of the story was a bit stronger. Julian - listen, grumpy sunshine is my favorite, but he just wasn't likable for me. I totally get he had reasons for being the way he was, but I was not a fan. Also, there seemed to be a lot going on, which was overwhelming at times. Love EH, so I'm glad I read it, but this will not be on my re-read list.

“No Ordinary Duchess” by Elizabeth Hoyt
Not an Ordinary Woman
Treachery abounds as secrets from the past seek to be laid bare. Secreted books are the focus of two intersecting quests. Trust, the most valuable asset, is to be treasured. Happy Reading ! !

It was a very clever book, which is generally what I expect from Hoyt, and being honest, I was really here for women giving some very bad men everything they deserve and then some. As I've stated before, I love women's rights, and I also love women's wrongs. I rather quickly understood the dominance/submission angle that she was going for, but it was done in a way that respected both of the characters and the way they approached both their boundaries and their needs.

While I have enjoyed other books by this author, No Ordinary Duchess was only a so-so read for me. I liked the attraction between Elspeth and Julian (the sexual attraction was intriguing because of the dom/sub element) but I thought it a bit far fetched that Elspeth would know her role given her innocence. I also did not like her keeping the discovery of Julian’s mother’s diary hidden given its importance to Julian. Actually, the discovery of both books did not resolve into anything. So those story plots seemed trivial. I also enjoyed the mini story from Lady Long-Nose that appears as a prologue to each chapter but I was unsatisfied with the ending which seemed rushed and too pat to be convincing … like the main story.

This book had an interesting plot going on, but something about it slightly missed the mark for me. Elsepeth is visiting some friends as she secretly tries to look for a book that she thinks will unite the secret society, the wise women. Julien is next in line to a dukedom held captive by his evil uncle who has taken all joy out of his life. His only goal in life is to attempt to protect his remaining family. I struggled with the pacing and relationship development between the main characters, and the two slow mysteries in the background. But if you are already a fan of this series you might enjoy the continuation of these families and this story. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading, No Ordinary Duchess. It is not the type of romance that I like to read. There is no hint as to what kind of romance t is just that there is a secret that Julian must keep secret. If you like males needing to be dominated by women then you will enjoy reading this book. It is written well, just not my cup of tea.

Intriguing right from the start with the adventure flowing from one chapter to the next. He has developed an armour but she has found a chink that leads to his heart. Witty, sassy, steamy and action packed with a villainous uncle and an assassin into the mix. Hard to put down.

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

Did I love the book at the end? Yes.
Was it a straightforward process... maybe not.

I did love the heroine. Elspeth name itself pulled me in the narrative. But the idea that she is raised in a secret world without the society restrictions (duplicitous ones at least) was very intriguing. Her fixation with the diary and portrayed search, especially one that involved her finding the dog,plum , I loved it. She is intelligent, has basic love skills, unlike many histrom heroines (she could cook stew!) And I loved her open acceptance of Julian's sexual preferences.

The hero on the other hand, I took a bit more time for me to warm up to him. I did sympathize with him but I wasn't sure he couldn’t do more for the family. Maybe I missed something in the earlier books in the series as I didn't read them.

Also I wouldn't be honest if I didn't mention I suffered from expecting same experience as let's say Maiden lane series.
Keeping that aside, yes a great read.

Enemies to lovers (although I wouldn't categorize it like that exactly)
Stranded in a home alone
Dom heroine

Thanks for the copy Netgalley .

This is one of my favorite regency authors.
Her Maiden Lane series can be read again and again.

This book is not part of that series but rather the third in the Greycourt siblings series. It’s not a standalone so you will need to read the first two books to get a better sense of the background characters. What makes this different than other regency novels ? The FMC may be a young Miss but raised by her spinster aunt exposed her to some of the atypical feminine arts of the time. It also makes her an unusually quietly dominant character so we learn some surprising things about the male character.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.