Are yhall ready for Apollo and Aurora? Romance lovers, this book was everything (History, context, characters, chemistry, banter, intimacy, friendship, relationships etc.)! Adriana is an historical romance queen of our time! Please give her the flowers and cheers! The relevancy and realness of this one is potent and you don’t want to miss this masterpiece of our time! What a finale to this series! (I hope we get more :) )

This was in my top 2025 releases and it did not disappoint! Over the course of the week I was reading it, I read it twice!
If you have been following the Las Leonas series you would know that the chemistry and tensions between Aurora and Apollo was sizzling from day one. A delicious dilemma that Adriana brought to life in this book. This culmination of their story wrapped beautifully in Paris 1889 will have you eating this story up in no time. This historical romance is one of significance as we see Aurora being a trailblazer of her time in medicine and care for women who had no alternative during that time through her underground clinic and Apollo a duke who is equally struggling to accept his new position as a man of colour in those times amidst the white aristocracy. It was delicious people! Adriana gives us the historical context, chemistry, banter, pinning, swoon and the bond of friendship that was palpable off the pages of this one. Apollo was winning from day one but our heroine did not make it easy for him and the two together were unstoppable! It’s her independence and stubbornness in his opinion that had him hooked from day one.
I literally wanted to say all the stars and encourage you to go find out for yourself as no amount of reflection will truly capture the way this piece was written, the issues highlighted and addressed and the love and intimacy that was chefs kiss right off the pages!

Hands down a book I would love to read all over again for the first time just to experience that initial satisfaction and sadness when it started and ended! :)

Happy reading!

I've been eagerly awaiting the last Leonas installment and it absolutely did not disappoint. Aurora has been one of my favorites of las leonas and I was so excited for her story. And of course the glimpses we got of Apollo in the previous installment had me very much chomping at the bit for more. The two of them were of course absolutely fire on the page from the prologue to the epilogue. Auror has been cast out of her family and is in Paris providing medical treatment for women that need it, sometimes having to evade law enforcement to do so. Apollo has newly established himself as the new handsome, rich Duke in town and he has a mission to find a nice duchess now that he has gotten the revenge he craved. But while on the hunt for the perfect duchess, he can't keep looking the way of the firey doctor that keeps crossing his path.

Getting to watch Aurora and Apollo fall in love and realize they were perfect for each other was such a treat. I also loved the glimpses we received of the other Leonas. Of particular enjoyment to me was also seeing Cora, Evan and Apollo interact about the women the fell in love with.

What Herrera has done here is crafted a steamy, thoughtful and wonderful historical romance I wish everyone would read and enjoy. As a lover of historical romances I admit that they tend to be very eurocentric. Herrera operates in the confines of the genre while also integrating characters outside of the traditional bounds of the genre and we are all richer for it. Apollo is trying to work within the current aristocracy structure in order to enact change and constantly comes up against obstacles because while he is a duke, he is also Black. So many of those exact structures are built to keep him out. And Aurora wants nothing to do with the game of the ton. This book deals with so many different topics with grace and sensitivity while also giving us a fantastic romance.

I adored this and if you are wary about historical romance, give this a try. I guarantee you wont be sorry.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

I think it’s fitting that I’m writing this review on a day I hear about traditional publishing not renewing contracts for historical romance authors. And I am absolutely flummoxed because I want so many people to hear voices like Adriana Herrera’s. She has written a story that does so many things for the historical romance genre and makes it intellectually stimulating and relative to what romance readers desire. Let’s tick off those items, shall we?

-Afro-Latine hero and heroine deserving of a love story
-A setting in the Belle Epoque era in Paris
-A female physician running a secret clinic for women
-A do-gooder hero who only has eyes for his “Fiera”
-The hottest, steamiest sex scenes a romance reader could ask for (one right off the bat)
-Accepted queer characters
-Historically interesting medicine (don’t check my Google search history)
-Realistic conflict and emotional tension between the mains
-Beautiful swoony writing

I fell so hard for Apollo and Aurora. Their story can easily be read as a standalone, but I would encourage you to read the full Las Leonas trilogy. I loved how Apollo worked to get through Aurora’s hard exterior shell—he sees her vulnerability and tends to her with patience and persistence and it made me love him so much for it. I loved how strong Aurora was, partially because she had no choice but to be, but also because she was in a position to be strong for others that could not. I loved the setting and unique place in history that permitted for this story of Bipoc characters to exist. And holy cow did I love the intimate scenes between Apollo and Aurora. If any of this sounds remotely interesting to you as a reader, take a chance on the beauty that is this story. I hope Aurora and Apollo work their way into your heart the way they did mine. I would also definitely suggest you listen to this one. Frankie Corzo kills it with her narration and has a wonderful voice that can switch between brooding masculine to high pitched feminine effortlessly. I will definitely search for more audiobooks narrated by her. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭🪭
Historical interest: 📜📜📜
Emotional swooniness (yes, that’s a word. I made it up): 🥹🥹

Adriana Herrera made sure the Las Léonas series ended with a bang, and I’m not just talking about the first chapter! In a Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, Doctora Aurora Montalban Wright has been let down by her family, society, and her peers as a physician. She’s justifiably closed off, but the one space that brings her joy is helping to care for and inform women about their reproductive choices in 1889 Paris. Oh and antagonizing the new Duke of Annan, Apollo César Sinclair Robles.

But after escaping from French police since Aurora’s work technically breaks the law, Apollo offers an agreement — he’ll provide the building for her clinic (he just has to find one and buy it first!) plus teach her how to defend herself for protection. She’ll guide him on supplying healthcare for his tenants in return. And also asks for sex lessons that will stop once Apollo chooses his bride since he’s on the marriage mart.

From book one, these two have been testy with each other, and I just knew once we got their full story it was going to live up to the “Fiera” nickname Apollo gives Aurora. It had so many twists that it reminded me of a Beverly Jenkins romance! I loved Aurora’s disdain for men, and the pleasure she got from verbally eviscerating them when they questioned her choices and knowledge. She’s been hurt by people she loves, and that made her character growth and acceptance of Apollo’s care glorious to read.

I also loved that they chose not to have children. As a Black woman and a Black Duke who are not welcomed into society, they realize the work they’ll do together will outlive any descendants, and the people who underestimated them.
I never wanted this book to end!

- antagonists to lovers
- forced proximity
- high steam
- WDTK? Prologue

Thank you to @htp_hive, @htpbooks and @canarystreetpress for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Herrera can do no wrong when it comes to romance. Every book that she writes is an automatic best seller in my book. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is the third story in the Las Leonas series. Adriana Herrera's A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is a true balm for the soul. Here, her signature writing formula results in a spellbinding, heartwarming, insightful, and, most importantly, hopeful and inspiring historical romance story that is just what society needs during these tumultuous and dark times.
Her historical approach is exquisitely researched, anti-colonial, digestible, and equalitarian. I particularly love Herrera's signature exploration of non-exploitative business practice in this Las Leonas series.
I shed tears, laughed out loud, and didn't want Aurora and Apollo's story to end.
Aurora is one of the most inspiring and extraordinary main characters I have ever read about. Aurora, and anyone who can see themselves in her, deserves the reverence, care, protection, and rest that warrior and brave spirits warrant, along with the aid of true love.
The steam, yearning, and pining are also 20/10 stars.
If you feel alone and hopeless, particularly right now, this book will remedy that. Please read it and find your community of Leonas so we can get through these troubling times together. This book could not be more pertinent at this time in history. I feel so grateful to the publisher (Harlequin Trade, Harper Collins) and the author for the eARC to enjoy before publication!

Wow, Herrera does it again! I absolutely loved Aurora and Apollo's love story - it was so delectably steamy AND sweet.
I always admire how Herrera has tackled these political subjects in her historical romances as well. Aurora's fight for women's equality and the healthcare they receive felt especially impactful to read in our current timeline as well.
Overall, a well rounded romance and narrated perfectly. I ended up getting an ALC as well and really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook!

Aurora and Apollo are the couple we all want and need in our lives.
A great conclusion to the Las Leonas historical romance series featuring Afro-Latinx characters, set in Paris in the 1800s, tres Leonas!
This book is fast paced, steamy, and grounded in history. You get to see both Aurora and Apollo’s thoughts as their relationship transforms from tense to passionate to romantic. We get to see both Aurora and Apollo’s thoughts as their relationship transforms from tense to passionate to romantic. The best part of this story is that they become partners in and out of bed. Trying to give a review without spoilers is very hard.
This book, this story, is a MUST read!!!
I also want to say Thank You to Adriana Herrera for my new Kindle name 💜.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing- Canary Street Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was insanely swoony, filled with so many historical facts and stories that honestly made me wish I read more books such as this one! This amazing book follows the bold and independent Dr. Aurora Montalban Wright, who runs a secret women’s clinic in 1889 Paris. Her dangerous work draws the attention of Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the newly appointed Duke of Annan. Despite their differences, Apollo is determined to protect Aurora, and their partnership soon turns into a passionate romance. As Apollo adjusts to his new title and responsibilities, Aurora struggles with the idea of fitting into aristocratic life while guarding secrets from her past. When old enemies resurface, the two flee to the French Riviera, where they must decide if love is worth risking everything. There were so many moments while reading this book where I wished to be Aurora so badly because I truly also need a duke such as Apollo in my life!

Ok, hi, I'm feral for the Duke of Annan. FERAL.

In the final Las Leonas book, we get the story of Aurora - a doctor who is working hard (off the books and maybe against archaic laws) to provide care to women - repairing fistulas, providing abortion services. Aurora, I love you.

Then there's the Duke of Annan, Apollo who is gorgeous and great with the ladies and also out to turn the aristocracy and its white-centered, built on wealth from slavery ways. The grandson of an enslaved woman who now finds himself a duke, he thinks he doesn't care about anything, until Aurora.

This book starts off with a bang and you're like yessss these people are hot. And then it unfolds all the many layers of each of them.

If you were like me and did not care for the second Leonas book (pacing issues and I do not like the bratty trope thing at all) and are worried about another, do not worry, this is excellent. Pacing was a smidge off and there's one side story that I'm still scratching my head over like wait what is that resolved? But Apollo and Aurora are more than enough to make up for it and I love them so much. I love these historicals from Herrera giving us Afro Latine characters who are full of life and full of stories I can't get enough of. More please!

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is out February 4, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Aurora and Apollo were burning up my kindle. My goodness. From the very beginning all the way through. What a couple!!

This book is quite an education on how far we have come in regards to repro rights..... and how much we can lose by going backwards over 130 years later. Such a timely message.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I devoured the first two books in the Leona‘s series and was excited to dive into Aurora‘s story. Herrera is the master at crafting characters who are both heroic and deeply human. Aurora is a doctor and dedicates herself to helping underserved women. She is often in danger taking on procedures that women cannot have anywhere else. When she and the Duke of Annan meet they agree it’s all physical until their connection quickly deepens. He is not your typical Duke and although Aurora is far from helpless, he can’t help feeling loving and protective toward her. I could clearly picture this swoon worthy Duke.
If you’ve read Herrera you know to be ready for some very descriptive and smoking hot sex scenes. And what was even hotter is they become partners in and out of bed.

This book really shows how historicals can make topical commentary on our work. Adriana Herrera seamlessly weaves in so many topics into this book, but it doesn't feel preachy. It's simply the world that the characters live in.

I am so glad I read this one (even if I lowkey DNF'd the prior books in the series). I read it a bit slower than I prefer, but I loved it so much! Aurora and Apollo have such a spark between each other and this book has so many things I love in romance. I Have to Teach You to Defend Yourself. A Woman Fighting For Rights. A DOWN BAD DUKE.

Apollo and Aurora are electric together and I highlighted so many quotes.

I did think some of the pacing was a bit off and I had a hard time getting into the story at times, which is why I knocked off a star.

Overall this was a powerful and impactful read that will stick with me for awhile.

A great conclusion to the Las Leonas historical romance series featuring three strong, independent women of color finding love and living their lives how they want despite conventional society dictates. This book features Aurora, a physician dedicated to helping women in need with all their health related ailments (including abortions). Her one-time fling with Apollo, the new Duke of Annan turns into much more and the two have to figure out if they are willing to take a chance on love and a life together. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Vanessa Ridley and Evie Dunmore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Don't let the fact that A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke (publication date February 4, 2025) by Adrianna Herrera is the third in a trilogy stop you from reading it! Herrera has written a nearly perfect historical romance, featuring Afro-Latinx characters, set in Paris in 1889, with a female doctor who runs underground women's health clinics, Aurora Montalban Wright meeting Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the first black duke in the British ton. It's also fat-positive and features queer supporting characters!

Aurora is in Paris with her two best friends, who have both recently found love, one with Apollo's brother, the other with a woman (the first two books) and she finally feels like she can breathe because she's doing professionally what she loves--helping women who are not being served by male doctors. She loves her independence and feels like she has put her past behind her.

Apollo has just become a duke after challenging his father and winning, but he has a lot to prove to be accepted. His first job is to find a duchess that will be able to smooth his way through society. But soon after he and Aurora have a fling, and he realizes the risks she's taking with her safety running all around Paris treating patients, and he provides a bodyguard and transportation for her, he realizes that there could be no other duchess suitable for him.

Aurora describes herself has having "wide hips and a plump bottom, and she was not very tall" with one of the cooks at her family's house calling her "periqueta" because she resembled a small bird with a large posterior and short legs. And Apollo worships her, and her body. He finds her fascinating and respects the fact she puts herself at risk for the good of her patients, though he does everything he can to protect her. I am a sucker for fiction featuring historical women doctors (see Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See; A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence, by Jess Everlee) and the fact that Aurora is a fat, feminist, prickly doctor made me love her even more.

The question is whether she is willing to give up her independence, and allow Apollo to risk everything he's fought for, in order for her to stand by his side. She has secrets that make her unsuitable, in her mind, to be a duchess.

I highly recommend it if you want to read fat-positive, hot, historical romance and will be reading the first two books as soon as I can!

Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Publishing for this ARC copy as part of the Hive Influencer program in exchange for my honest review

Tropes:
dislike to FWB to lovers
He falls first
Forbidden romance(she wasn’t the “duchess” pedigree

-Afro-Latina representation
First black duke
Socio-political themes

Calling all historical fiction, romance, and Brigerton fans! This is your next 5 star read. This started off with a bang, literally! 😉This book managed to roll all my favorites into one. I love when a book has amazing romance with other underlying deeper themes. Tropical Rebel gets the Duke explores not only a perfect angsty somewhat “forbidden” romance, but dives into deeper socio-political issues of women reproductive rights, race, class. Set in 1889, This follows FMC Aurora, who is a fierce independent Afro-Latina physician running an underground women’s clinic. She risks her life to help these women and never dreamed of love and marriage like many of her peers. she valued her independence and her career.
I found the parallels between 1889, where women risked their lives for reproductive liberties, to now in 2025 where women reproductive rights are also at stake astounding.
Apollo, the MMC, is the first black duke. due to his race, he was not openly welcomed by the aristocracy. That however, did not deter him. Apollo didn’t desire to conform to fit the norms of the aristocracy. He was confident, self assured, protective and clearly everything that Aurora never knew she needed. They were truly a match made in heaven!

I just absolutely loved Apollo and Aurora. You could feel the angst, desire and passion through the pages. As stubborn as Aurora was, Apollo never backed down. Her showed her that it was ok to be loved and that she deserved to be loved. I found myself frustrated with Aurora’s self deprecating thoughts at times but understood it as self preservation as she was not use to anyone caring about her and for her.

Aurora’s past made her feel unworthy and certainly unworthy to be his duchess. Slowly but surely Apollo was able to convince her of his love for her.

I love that Apollo stayed true to who he was and made his Dukedom exactly what he wanted it to be, forgoing all the norms and expectations.

Please note that this is actually part of a series. This is book 3, while I haven’t read the first two, I never really felt lost or that I was missing anything. I will note that the opening scene made me realize they had prior interactions in other books.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is the third book in the Las Leonas series. Do you need to read the previous books in order to enjoy this one? Absolutely not. Should you read the previous books anyway? Absolutely yes. Adriana Herrera knows how to deliver strong and powerful women that question patriarchy while also giving us a diverse cast of characters in a well-researched story.

First off, I'm not a huge historical romance reader, but when it comes to topics that are relevant to our current state, I can be persuaded. Especially if it is Herrera writing it. She gives us the heat, angst and amazing characters who can vividly stand on their own.

Aurora is a woman that is one bada$$ doctor running an underground clinic that saves women medically when their lives are literally in the hands of others. Apollo meanwhile has recently been given the title of duke and is battling what that title means for himself and what he can do to help others with it. While it does seem that these two are focused on their jobs, I enjoyed seeing how their lives could intertwine and they could both help others in similar ways.

Men had so much to answer for...Aurora was saving mothers, daughters, sisters. Women who were at the mercy of callous men and an indolent society.

Herrera continues to give a voice to women in her stories that are all about standing up and taking their power back. Even if they have to do it quietly or illegally. This book really focuses on women and their body autonomy in a past that was riddled with horrible choices made by men. Combining something that is still relevant today with a scorching chemistry between two characters that displayed a bit of love/hate, this book was entertaining and had me cheering on the the unlikely pairing of Aurora and Apollo.

With a diverse cast, important topics even today and a true connection between Apollo and Aurora, this is a historical romance that will stay with you. The spice is spicing and the action scenes are breathtaking. I'm sad to have this series coming to an end, but I hope Herrera continues to write more historical romance that is timely.

"Aurora will never lie to me to save my pride, she won't ever turn a blind eye to an injustice because it's inconvenient. She will never choose her comfort over another's well-being. She's better than I could ever aspire to be."

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is a fantastic addition to Adriana Herrera’s Las Leonas series! Aurora is a bold, independent heroine, and Apollo is the perfect mix of charm and strength. Their chemistry is electric, with plenty of passion, tension, and heartfelt moments. The blend of romance, danger, and historical intrigue keeps the story exciting from start to finish. Aurora’s determination and Apollo’s devotion make them an unforgettable pair. If you love strong heroines, swoon-worthy dukes, and steamy, empowering romances, this book is a must-read!

pretty badass romance with some awesome characters, both the FMC and MMC. tysm for the arc. 5 stars. would recommend.

I am delighted to be on the blog tour for this book that will be enjoyed by many. It is the third in a series so readers may well want to read every one. This is a collection that seems perfect for this time of year when we are in the doldrums. Enjoy some welcome escape in this book and the prior ones. Readers will enjoy spending time with Aurora (a doctor and rebel as defined in the title) and the Duke.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.