I jumped into this book not having read the previous 2 books in this series but I don't think it put me at too much of a disadvantage. Adriana did a great job of recapping the important plot points from the previous books for the reader. There were so many things I absolutely loved about this book. I loved how obsessed Apollo was with Aurora. He was full speed ahead from day 1 and never waivered for a second. I loved the powerful political undertones. Aurora is a doctor but her specialty is gynecology and women's health. More specifically she helps women, predominantly women of color, get the medical help they need. Most of her work is against the law so it comes at a significant risk to her person. She also comes with some heavy trauma caused by the men in her life, men who have never treated her or the women around her as human beings. Aurora is a strong, three dimensional character. She is unapologetic in her desires and unwavering in her convictions, but still emotionally lost. Of course it took a man as hard headed and single minded as her to get her to let down her guard.

There were some things I didn't like as much. At times, it felt like the transitions between scenes were rough, sometimes forcing me to reread a page to figure out how we got from point a to point b so quickly. Additionally, there was a lot of spanish dialogue which I enjoyed because it felt authentic to the characters but would've enjoyed more if translations were provided. I understood a fair amount but a lot went over my head.

Overall I had a great time reading this book and would definitely go back to read the rest of the series.

This book is such a gem! I loved the main characters and their chemistry. I appreciated the detail and research that went into realistically portraying Aurora’s profession. I found myself utterly enthralled by this love story and I really want to read more of Herrera’s work!

Las Leonas Series is one of my favorite historical romance series. Aurora is such a strong and beautiful character that is unwavering in her convictions and I adored her for that. Apollo is swoony in that he is willing to give it all up and he is so smitten with her. I appreciated the discussions of women’s rights and reproductive freedoms it hits all too close to home right now and this book takes place in the 1890s.

The narrator did a great job and I think she brought the characters to life!

There are few things I love more in a romance novel than when the male main character is completely enamored of the female main character from the start. Apollo is the one person that takes the time to deeply see and know Aurora (whether she thinks she's worthy or not) and I was here for every moment of it. Thank you, Adriana! Historical Romance is alive!

ince meeting Adriana at Apollycon I have been a huge fan, and this series has proved she's an author to read over and over again. With incredible historical settings that bring characters of color to the center stage, Herrera captures the reader's attention with intimate scenes with just the right amount of spice and banter that can rival any other book couple.

As the third book of the series (all of which can be read as standalones as well) I was most excited for this one, and Aurora and Apollo were everything I could have wanted and more. Their on-page chemistry will blow you away, they're both just such fierce, determined characters in personality and in their fight for what they want. I'd never read a historical fiction that focused on the history of midwifery and women's healthcare, so I was incredibly invested in Aurora's journey as a physician in 1880's France. Thank you Adriana for giving us a FMC who is a true hero, and giving us all characters to look up to, to inspire to be more like!

& who doesn't deserve to find someone to love them, to show them they DESERVE love more than a woman like her? Apollo was the perfect pairing for her personality, falling first and convincing her she is more than enough for him, title and all. SWOON

I listened to the audiobook thanks to the HTP HIVE, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley and I was honored to listed to the ARC of this title! The narrators were on of the best parts of the book, giving the emotion and pacing such weight, I could not listen to the book fast enough, I just wanted MORE.

I cannot wait to read what she writes next, this series has quickly become one of my favorites!

This is now my favorite book of the Leonas series and absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2025 already!!!

Adriana Herrera brings us an amazingly smart and resilient heroine finding the love she deserves with a head-strong, passionate, and dedicated man who will never stop fighting systems of oppression. I feel like the characters in this book (and the series as a whole) are whole people with rich lives.
Aurora's background hit me hard and I related a lot to her feelings of abandonment and shame. Something that brought me a lot of joy was the way Herrera showed the truth about being a Black woman (in any time, really) who is forced to put up a shield and take any hits that come our way; we need tenderness and care and love. We deserve to be adored, too.

The chemistry between Aurora and Apollo is off the chartsssss!!! These two can't keep their hands off of each other. I think that this is probably the most explicit of the three books, too, but I might reread them all just to make sure lmao!

If you've never read Historical Fiction before, I highly recommend this series, any books by Beverly Jenkins, and books by J.J. McAvoy.

I love a historical romance in general, but I love even more when the main characters break with convention. Aurora has been on her own from a young age. As a doctor advocating for safe and informed women’s health, she faces a lot of obstacles. Apollo is a trailblazer in his own right as a person of color that inherited a dukedom in elitist London society. Together, they are a storm of passion. When the past comes haunting, will they be able to endure?

This book hooked me from the first page! Aurora is such a strong character. The way she advocates for her patients and women’s health was amazing to see. With the political climate of today, this book was a reminder of why we fight for the right to safe healthcare. Information saves lives.

The romance between Apollo and Aurora was full of heat from the beginning. I liked that Apollo enjoyed Aurora’s snark. Her defense mechanisms didn’t work on him. In addition to their chemistry, they were able to be a safe space for each other. That is even more important to me. You were able to feel their romance grow.

Overall, this was a wonderful book. The narrator brought these characters to life. I felt their pain, joy, and love. I recommend this book to historical romance fans who are looking for their next 5 star read. Be sure to check the trigger warnings because this book broaches heavy topics.

Audiobook Narration: 5/5 - Loved the performance and the cadence of the narrator. I will say she talks a bit slow but thats what speed adjustments are for! Absolutely loved hearing all the Spanish pronounced correctly since my pronunciation skills leave much to be desired! Definitely a fun one to check out on audio!

Not your average historical romance!

Aurora is a certified baddie, she’s a doctor running an underground women’s clinic and championing for women’s bodily autonomy, and doing her best to stick it to the patriarchy. Apollo is a duke, who took vengeance on his treacherous father and claimed his seat in the House of Lords, a place no one wants him. Aurora propositions Apollo for a one night stand that turns into something altogether…

What I loved…
- badass FMC
- feminist themes
- sex lessons
- The spice was spicing.
- MMC with a dirty mouth
- much needed diversity in historical romance! Black MMC + black/latina FMC, queer side characters + more!
- thoroughly researched - I was googling facts and learning more as I read (I LOVE that when reading historical fiction)
- MMC that is obsessed with the FMC

What I didn’t love…
- very very mild spoiler below....
- <spoiler>this one will have you screaming for them to hurry up and admit their feelings and stop being so silly!!! </spoiler>

Spice note: This was is hot hot hot. 5+ scenes.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade (Canary Street Press) for sending this book (eARC & ALC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars ⭐️ A Tropical Rebel Gets The Duke is the third book in the Las Leonas series. Aurora is a female doctor running underground abortion clinics in Paris. The Duke (Apollo) pinned for her. He needed a woman who was not at all like Aurora because of society’s prejudices against him as he is black. That did not stop their connection or that they matched each other in thought, energy, and how they viewed the world and how it should be. This was very steamy and passionate. The angst in this book was perfection! The love story was gorgeously written and the plot was riveting. The banter between Aurora and Apollo had me smiling and laughing out loud. This did not detract from the important themes that Adriana Herrera has woven effortlessly in this book. Apollo is such a well written character. He LOVED Aurora unconditionally! He supported her and encouraged her work without being intimidated by who she is and the work she does. Why not 5 stars? Because it took too long for Aurora (who was a strong, independent, and socially defiant character) to admit her feelings. She cared a little too much about what society’s rules and crap, which slowed down the progression of the romance. She was fearless when it came to women’s rights but had a hint of apprehension when it came to Apollo, which frustrated me as a hopeless romantic reader!

The audiobook was well done. Lola James was the narrator and she did a fantastic job. I would recommend checking out A Tropical Rebel Gets The Duke when it comes out on February 4th!

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.

This was my second time reading and the audio was phenomenal and had me falling in love with this story even more. The narration was spectacular and I was incredibly moved hearing Apollo and Aurora come to life.

Our grumpy stuffy doctor friend Aurora gets her romance here with Apollo, the half-brother of Evan from Book 1 of the series. The set-up here is mostly a no-strings attached affair, since Aurora is busy running her illegal women’s clinics and Apollo is trying to cement his place into the English aristocracy. Except they catch all sorts of feelings and are insanely protective of each other. We get all sorts of drama in the form of Aurora’s traumatic past and Apollo’s political ambitions, which is interesting to read about. The book is super steamy, and I especially loved Apollo’s caretaking of Aurora. Great conclusion to the Las Leonas series.