I've loved the tension simmering between Aurora and Apollo, so I was beyond excited to read their story. As with all the other Leonas, Aurora is a fierce lady who is determined to succeed. She has a passion for women's rights and safety, going to far lengths to help women in trouble. When the location she's been using as a secret women's clinic is compromised, Apollo offers up a property that he isn't using. Lots more tension and banter occur. Apollo is also settling into his new role as Duke-- a black Duke in 1800s society, to boot, and lots of roadblocks that come with that.

I have really enjoyed this series! I did feel like this one bounced around a lot, but it could also have just been that my brain wasn't super settled while reading. I also wanted a bit more steam!! Super lovely overall, love a strong willed heroine, especially one with a background that we don't usually see in historical romance. I hope we see more historicals from Adriana Herrera!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

A great conclusion of Las Leonas.

This story for me was something more personal, as a Mexican woman, I deeply loved and appreciated the representation of people who might look like me in historical settings and this is not something that I read everyday. And that although it might have been more challenging than other people, they still fought to be happy.

I was intrigued by Apollo since he appeared on the first book and what to say about Aurora? She is just so badass and fierce, I love her.
They way these two complement each other and how passionate they are about what and whom they care was amazing and so good to read.

I would recomend to read CW, but still, this is a book you don't want to miss, it was perfect and the type of historical romances we need and deserve.

I certainly hope this is not the las historical romance that we have by Adriana Herrera


Thanks to the publisher for the eArc

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

What an ending to the Las Leonas trilogy! I've loved all three books but this one is my favorite - Aurora is a woman determined to do the work that puts her in daily danger but is much needed. She runs an underground women's clinic and will not let anything like love deter her from helping so many women who have nowhere else to go. Meanwhile, Apollo has just inherited a dukedom and has a huge chip on his shoulder, well aware that the entire ton is just waiting for him to ruin everything.

The first interaction between them in a spicy battle of wills as they each seek without giving anything up. But that is not how things stay, although it takes them quite a while to admit it. When a dangerous foe appears on the scene, Apollo decides to step in, and he and Aurora must decide just how much they are willing to admit they care for the other.

I loved Aurora and Apollo - and not just because of the representation. I've rarely seen other than white leads in historical romance and here we have Afro-Caribbean / Latinx leads. Aurora is also a brave and strong woman, dealing with her past as best she knows and doing a very, very dangerous job. Apollo might now be at the pinnacle of society but the rest of the House of Lords is not welcoming to a Black duke.

Would it be too much to ask for a future novella, or a little next generation story?

Why does this series have to end???

Adriana Herrera send the Las Leonas out with an incredible final book. I thought I knew what I was going to get with Aurora and Apollo because they were on the sidelines of the first two stories, but I was wrong! This story opens with a bang and keeps going from there.

Aurora's passion for medicine and caring for women hit me hard. Especially now. She bravely fights to give the women of Paris all the medical support they need. She goes about in secret when the "procedure" is illegal, or a woman is doing something against the wishes of the male members of her family. She's so strong and capable. This story also unearths her history. We see where the world, and her family, has done her wrong. She carries the emotional scars from her father, mother, and brothers. Her insecurity drives her to save others.

Apollo was a powerful figure in A Caribbean Heiress in Paris. He was driven by his need for vengeance, but like so many quests like his, he never thought of life after he achieved it. Now the Duke of Annan he is adjusting to life in English aristocracy. It's not going...well. His story almost echos Cora's from An Island Princess Starts a Scandal. Getting to know Aurora puts into focus what he does and doesn't want next in his life.

In each of these books, I've been wowed by the research and history that has been unearthed by Adriana. She brings stories and people who were real into the characters of these women. So much history or POC and queer people has been hidden or erased. Adriana has not let that happen. Their work and their stories now lives on in the books and in the resources she lists at the end of each one.

I couldn't leave a review without mentioning the on point spice in this book. Aurora and Apollo are so stubborn that even when they get together it's filled with tension. There's passion and kindness between them. You root for them from the beginning, and the ending does not disappoint.

Please, give us more.

APOLLO AND AURORA DESERVER EVERY SINGLE STAR!!

I have loved Aurora from the start of this series and couldn’t wait for her book, and I am rendered speechless, yet again, at the magnificence that is Adriana’s storytelling, the history, her research, and her complex and remarkable characters. Adriana’s historical romances are unmatched and the history she dives into, particularly around women’s healthcare and reproductive justice, is not just important as we look back at the women who revolutionized the landscape of healthcare and fought with their very souls to save others, but is relevant as we are living in a time with similar parallels where the fight for reproductive justice and freedom is not over.

From the first page of the prologue to the very end, I could not put this story down. I was hanging on every word and what a privilege it is to bear witness not only to the epic love and trust that grew between Apollo and Aurora, but also to their work in building a new world.

I have absolutely loved this series, and the third and final book might be my favorite. We have Aurora - the female physician running an underground clinic providing women with choices in their health care - and Apollo - the Duke determined to find his way in the ton even though he’s not entirely welcome there. The two of them together are electric. The book opens with spice and ends with spice and in between unfolds the most beautiful story about belonging and purpose and allowing yourself to be loved.

Apollo is the book boyfriend of my dreams. He’s protective and loving, and he worships the ground Aurora walks on (and her body). He never ever gave up on them and I loved him for loving her so well. Aurora is so used to fighting for herself and her patients that when she finds herself with someone in her corner, she doesn’t quite know what to do. I think some readers will say the conflict was drug out too long but I think it fit the story, particularly Aurora’s character development. I also loved that we get to spend so much time with Luz and Evan and Manuela and Cora - the Leonas are such a force in this series!

Content flags include on page discussion of abortion and botched abortions, some violence and attempted assault

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Review coming soon!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Opinions are mine.

WOW WOW WOW!!!! That was excellent omg. This is easily my new favorite Adriana Herrera book. I loved the snippets we saw of Apollo and Aurora in A Caribbean Heiress in Paris and I knew I would love their banter and back-and-forth arguments with each other! There were so many delicious scenes and dialogue in this book--I feel like tabbing and highlighting every single sentence. Aurora's ARC of being a doctor and running a secret women's clinic to help women achieve reproductive freedom was also so thoughtfully included!

Absolutely incredible. A million stars out of 5!! I'm going to miss the Leonas so much :(

Adriana Herrera absolutely sticks the landing with the conclusion to her Las Leonas series. I have devotedly followed along with the three women's stories in Paris and loved each one, and A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is no exception. Building on the relationship we saw snippets of in previous books, Aurora and Apollo's chemistry is striking on the page. I loved that since Aurora is a doctor, reproductive justice and women's access to healthcare is central to the plot. I found myself tearing up at how unfortunately this is still a timely and relevant issue to Americans in 2024. While that may make it seam like this is a preachy or issue heavy book, it also has very steamy scenes between Aurora and Apollo. Highly recommend this book for historical romance readers and those new to the genre.

This was my first Adriana Herrera book (because I never read series in order, LOL), and I loved it! I've already checked out the first book in the series from my library and plan to dive right into it. If you love found family, you will love these books (even if, like me, you're not big on historical romance)!

My favorite part about this book, aside from the sizzling hot chemistry between Aurora and Apollo, is how reproductive justice was a central part of the plot. Aurora is such a badass (and honestly, so is Apollo in his own right, for being the first Black/Afrolatino duke who doesn't give af about tradition or norms) who puts her medical license on the line to provide necessary healthcare to women. This includes contraceptives and abortion. In an unfortunate way, it's so relevant to how women's bodies are controlled in present-day United States (and elsewhere). The author's note is a must-read, too, because it provides historical context and shows how much research and care Adriana Herrera invested in this book.

I love how Aurora and Apollo's relationship develops over time. Although they start out as "friends" with benefits, they both quickly start falling for each other. Aurora slowly starts to trust him with more about her life.

My only complaints are ones that I assume will be corrected before the book comes out in February (i.e., spelling, grammar, wordiness, etc.).

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

Oh my gosh I don't have the words to describe how absolutely fantastic this book is! I adore Adriana Herrera's writing because she is an expert at crafting characters who so clearly belong together and bringing them together in the most satisfying way possible. This book was successful for me on all levels - I loved the romance and I adored the historical period being discussed as well. I was swooning and kicking my feet all the way through this book. This story is painfully relevant for our times. Aurora is a doctor providing abortions and other necessary medical care to women who desperately need it. Her determination to do what was right regardless of what the law or these women's husbands had to say about it was so inspiring. If you love your historicals with fiery FMCs then this is the book for you! I also adored Apollo (our Duke). He was so genuinely thoughtful and caring. It was delightful to see him fall hard for this fierce woman and then have to work hard to convince her that he would increase her independence rather than trying to impede it. Watching this woman who is so used to having to do everything on her own find a partner who wanted to support and take care of her was absolutely adorable to read about. Despite the class difference between them, their relationship always felt very balanced and I was over the moon when they finally got together. This story was incredibly spicy but also equally heartfelt. That balance is hard to strike but Adriana Herrera did it perfectly here. Please pick this book up! This is a historical romance that I believe will work for old histrom readers and new readers alike.

The romance genre has always been a reclamation of pleasure and, in doing so, bodily autonomy. To support this genre is to support that right to choose: choose what brings us pleasure, what happens to our bodies, what we create with our bodies and the ENTIRE spectrum of sexual and reproductive health. Anything less is tantamount to saying these bodies (white, wealthy, likely male) deserve freedom and pleasure, and these bodies (everybody else) do not.

I could talk about the importance of this book for hours. But know in addition to being important, it is delightfully steamy and witty and swoony.

“Others perhaps appreciated a serenade. But for Aurora, there was nothing more sensual than a man offering to do violence to a group of misogynitic bastards on her behalf.”

Thank you @ladriana_herrera, @netgalley and @canarystreetpress for the eArc of A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, out February 4!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
🩺👝⛈️🧤🍰/5

CW: sexual abuse (off page, in past), racism, parental abandonment, death of a parent, medical abuse, abortion access, fistula, devaluation of midwifery, “virginity” as a reflection of the state of a hymen, humidity’s effect on curly hair

ALSO: if after reading this book, you become (even more) terrified of what is to come in the next administration, try giving to your local abortion fund! Or mine @dcabortionfund!

#readromance #bookstagram #bookish #bibliophile #netgalley #lasleonas

As usual, Adriana Herrera managed to create a romance that’s simultaneously passionate and effortless. I love the way she writes the chemistry between her characters. This book feels especially poignant considering how much of it is about women’s healthcare. It’s a historical romance, but so much feels like it could take place today.

I love this series and I’m sad it’s over! Thank you HTP for the ARC!

I've been waiting for Aurora and Apollo's book since I started this series, and their story did not disappoint! Thanks to Adriana Herrera, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press and NetGalley for this advance reader's copy in exchange for an unbiased review. I have been a huge AH fan since I discovered this series a few years ago. All of the Leonas are introduced to us in the first book, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris. We first meet Aurora and Apollo in this story, and the sparks fly between them even if they seem to loathe and irritate each other.
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is the third and final installment in the Las Leonas series, which follows our three heroines from the Caribbean to the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. They all have different professions but are close friends and support each other through thick and thin. Aurora Montalban is one of the first female physicians in Paris at that time. She is fearless and completely dedicated to her profession and her patients. In her book (the Tropical Rebel), we learn that she is committed to working with women with all sorts of reproductive issues or concerns. Her dedication to providing these controversial services is admirable, and was so important (and revolutionary) at that time as it still is today, unfortunately. I really enjoyed learning more about women's reproductive rights during the end of the 19th century in France in this book.
Aurora is also looking for passion, and she approaches Apollo, her longtime nemesis, for lessons. Aurora's romantic experiences were negative, and wants to change her experiences into positive ones. She starts seeing Apollo and they are soon devoted to their lessons and seeing each other frequently. Apollo falls for her quickly and realizes that she is the duchess that he wants. He also devotes himself to her protection as her work often puts her in danger. Aurora resists a relationship and acknowledging her love for Apollo, but after a trip to Provence and the Riviera, she finally agrees to a future as Apollo's duchess.
I could not put this book down. Herrera's writing and plot development draw the reader in from the first chapter. Each book is one of the Leonas' story, yet we see all of the Leonas and their partner/husband in each book, which is always fun. The strength of the Leonas' friendship and they ways they support each other throughout the book are one of my favorite parts of this series. The steam and heat between the Leonas and their lovers jumps off the page and their dedication and care of each other is really touching. The diversity of many characters in the book is really wonderful, and we learn the experiences and struggles that non-European people of color faced during that era. I also loved the strong feminist message and the ambition that fuels each of the Leonas.
Go read this story, and all of the books in Las Leonas series. They are beautifully written with wonderful characters. You will not be disappointed!

Folks, may I present a serious contender for my favourite historical romance read of the year? A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera is INCREDIBLE! I read it in less than 24 hours this past weekend because I just could not put it down.

This book is ROMANTIC – some of the best declarations of love I’ve read in a while. I just swooner! I also cried because it was just so perfectly sweet. It’s also very spicy!

What really made this book phenomenal is that this is a book FOR OUR TIME. Oh, you don’t think reading is political? I dare you to say that after reading this book.

The FMC Aurora is a Black Mexican woman in 1860s Paris who runs an underground clinic for women’s reproductive health, endangering her life daily for the sake of women who have no other options. The MMC Apollo is the first Black Duke in England and he’s fighting to take on colonialism from the inside. The book tackles such timely topics in such a beautiful way – not shying away from the atrocities but bringing hope too. I sobbed several times while reading – crying for the characters, but also crying for women throughout history who have been mistreated by men.

I adored where the author took this tale. A powerful FMC who takes care of others but just needs someone who takes care of her (he kept making sure she ate!). A fiercely protective MMC on a mission, but who learns that maybe what he wants can change while also still bringing about social justice.

Folks, you gotta read it! Unfortunately for you, I read an arc very kindly supplied to me for free by @htpbooks. This one releases in February, and preorders are open now. (It’s also on Netgalley if you wanna shoot your shot for the arc!)

This is the third book in the Las Leonas series and while you wait for this book to come out, I recommend starting at the beginning. Pick up A Caribbean Heiress in Paris for now – the first book is also really fantastic! I don’t think you’d need to read them in order, but you would miss out on some helpful overarching backstory if you skip ahead.

The finale in the Las Leona's trilogy. Fans of the series have been patiently waiting to watch Aurora and Apollo's love story unfold and it delivers. All of Aurora's hissing just makes Apollo more infatuated in her. This evolves into him trying to protect her while she runs her underground women's health clinic that has Aurora literally running from the authorities. Aurora is convinced that her past is the reason they cannot be together but Apollo shows time and again that he will not take no for an answer.

I loved Aurora & Apollo and when I tell you this book started off with a bang…the conflict and ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic but otherwise this was a really beautiful story that highlighted so many important issues. This whole series has been eye opening and enlightening while also providing beautiful and unique love stories. Adrianna is really talented and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

A hot and easy read - A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke rounds out the series of Adriana Herrera's Leonas, three mixed race women from former Latin American colonies living in 19th century France. This story tells the story of the third leona, Aurora, the group's high-strung doctor and her relationship with Apollo, book 1's main lead Evan's half-brother. Aurora and Apollo have an unapologetic relationship and the passion runs high throughout the book. They banter a lot and there's punchy dialogue throughout.

I am overwrought by how much I loved this. A perfect conclusion to Las Leonas and an urgently needed book for today's readers. Aurora has existed on the sidelines in the previous two stories, a voice of reason and practicality for her two friends, and the moment she's front-and-center, we suddenly realize just how little we knew about her. Apollo, though, has always noticed her, and his immediate obsession with her is honestly just so fun for series readers, because we know how often these characters have either been at odds or set up as uncomfortable allies. These two are equally ferocious in how they love and care for other people, and because of this, their chemistry is a five-alarm-fire from page one. Aurora won't let anyone stop her from doing what she feels is just and right, and Apollo is going to unalive anyone who looks at her the wrong way - it's so dang satisfying to read.

The conflicts at the heart of this are both incredibly relevant - as evidenced by Herrera's insightful and rage-inducing author's note - and really anxiety-inducing, so please note content warnings before proceeding. Most refreshing, though, in the depiction of our female main character and her work as a healthcare provider for women (providing a variety of services, including surgical work, abortions, etc.) is how accurately the trauma is positioned. Abortion is rarely dealt with on page in romance, and when it is, it's often shown as being a source of pain or trauma in a character's backstory. The trauma here lies not in abortion itself, but in the ways in which other people control access to care, delivery of care and outcomes of care. We see again and again how Aurora's work - and her own experiences - give people confidence, freedom and agency. Abortion is healthcare and abortion is a stepping stone to a happily-ever-after. Aurora's story highlights, too, how necessary access to abortion and other forms of reproductive healthcare are for women of color, who have more life-threatening restrictions on their bodies than white women - then and now. It is so well done, and I want to shout from rooftops that the best reproductive justice storylines I've read in romance are in HISTORICAL romance, because our authors are simply doing it better (ok, stepping down from HR soapbox).

Herrera does such a beautiful job balancing some heavy conflicts, including serious childhood trauma resulting from abuse and abandonment, with a high-heat love story. And these declarations! A contender for all-time favorite declaration of love and fidelity. Just incomparable.

I do think this one probably hits best after reading the previous two, though I think readers could drop in here if they really, desperately wanted to. But why miss out on Luz and Manuela if you don't have to! Can't recommend this series enough.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a complimentary advanced reader's copy.