RATING: 4/5 STARS

A LADY FOR A DUKE is a very sweet and unique historical romance. Alexis Hall has a very lovely, emotional writing style and I really felt Viola and Gracewood's angst through the pages. I so enjoyed the romance arc of this story. Read if you're looking for LGBT historical representation, open door romance, swoony scenes, and slow burn tension.

simply stunning. alexis hall is edging his way (easily, tbh) into the position of one of my favorite authors of all time. he writes with such wit and kindness that i find it impossible not to feel seen within his novels.

"a lady for a duke" is a historical romance about Viola, a trans woman, and Gracewood, her dearest friend, and their blossoming romance (or rather, the uncovering of a love always there).

i loved everything about this. each character shimmered with reality and flaws and truth. i laughed and teared up and swooned because WHAT ELSE COULD I DO in the face of this book????? i found it deeply enjoyable that the characters didn't have long "will they won't they" angst. they were honest with each other about their desires and their doubts, and so together they found their way.

the queerness in this book was especially lovely. i was so happy to read about a trans character connecting to her body during sex, as i have read books recently where the author felt the need to completely disconnect a non-binary character from their body to not be "offensive" (which for me as an enby was deeply triggering). hall's writing of dysphoria, however, felt true rather than copy-pasted from the dictionary entry of "the trans experience." rather, Viola's lack of words to describe her experience due to the chosen time period forced creativity on the part of hall, and he depicted her experience of transness as instinctual and natural and about Viola and ONLY Viola. it was her finding herself, and she happened to be trans. it was not diversity for diversity's sake. i am not a trans woman, but as someone who is not cis i was grateful to finally see a part of myself depicted in romance as comfortable in their own body.

speaking of rep, the ptsd rep also was incredibly done, though i would warn its triggering nature for those of us with this condition. check the author's website for a full list of content warnings.

as you may be able to tell, i LIVE for this book. the writing is so. good. it is clever and captivating. i need everything sequel-baited and everything alexis hall ever writes. i may very well re-read this next week because i feel NOURISHED. BLESSED. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH thank you alexis thank you so much :,)

A truly unique and beautiful romance that had me absolutely devouring this book. It was especially beautiful to have a trans heroine where her womanhood was never questioned, and never used for transphobic violence. She was loved wholly and amazingly by her family and her man. A truly magnificent love story every trans woman deserves. My heart ached and burned for Viola and Gracewood. While the world moved around them, and society’s rules threatened their future, their love never faltered. Watching them fall in love felt like flying, it was so free and earnest.

Can I just say that I adored this book? I am of the opinion that there is little Alexis Hall cannot do. This book is in many ways different than the madcap nature of their others that I have read and loved, though at its heart it is a familiar story about people who don’t quite fit in the world in which they live and who build their own lives and families within it.

Viola Carroll reconnects with her childhood best friend, the Duke of Gracewood, after she was presumed dead at Waterloo and took the opportunity to start a new life. Gracewood came home from the war physically injured and experiencing the trauma of the death of his best friend and the horrors of war. These two find, yet again, what made them gravitate toward each other before, but in new ways. The world doesn’t make sense for them, so they find a way to bend it. It’s slow burn…but don’t worry, it doesn’t take all 400+ pages.

Hall says that they sought to write a novel with a trans MC that didn’t revolve solely around her being trans, and while her trans identity is essential to who she is and how she interacts with the world around her, the central conflict of the book is about two people who have been injured by the world, finding their way to each other, and building a family. This book is romantic as hell, sexy, funny, and full of the witty banter you would absolutely expect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I picked this up immediately after finishing Bridgerton season 2 in an attempt to fill both my regency romance void and my yearning void, and A Lady for a Duke was exactly what I needed. The story starts right in on the yearning between Viola and Gracewood—it hits you hard immediately, with both of them desperately missing the friend they feel they can never have again. As it turns into a romantic yearning, it hits even harder. The characters are so wonderful and well-rounded and I just wanted them to be happy and in love!!

This is the first Alexis Hall book I’ve read, and now I’m all the more motivated to read his others!! The writing itself was absolutely stunning, and I have an absolutely absurd amount of highlights. Honestly, I adored this book so much, I haven’t shut up about it. One of the biggest issues with historical romance is that there isn’t all that much rep, and A Lady for a Duke was such a nice change of pace for that. While I can’t speak first hand to the accuracy, Viola’s character of a trans woman in regency England was a gem of a character and a joy to see in a period piece.

Everything about this book was wonderful, from the writing to the plot to the characters. My biggest complaint is just the length—this book is long and felt it, and it made the story feel a bit too drawn out for me. The epilogue was so cute that it solved any problems the length may have caused with the plot, though, in my opinion.

This is the first regency romance I’ve ever read, and if they’re all as good as this one, I’m in trouble. I loved every part of this book. The characters are all incredibly gentle with each other, and each one is distinct and enjoyable in their own way. The romance between Viola and Gracewood was full of emotion and yearning, and you could really feel how much these characters cared for each other. I also loved that every character just accepted Viola for who she was. While Viola did struggle with some internal fears of acceptance, transphobia was never part of the plot or the character relationships, and I really appreciated that.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this fantastic book.

I was so incredibly excited to receive an eARC from the publisher, as I love Alexis Hall's writing, and would like to someday read his entire catalog of writing. So thank you to Forever for giving me a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

So let's get into it! First of all, as always, Alexis Hall's writing is so beautiful. While this book was long and certainly felt long, I was so entertained every step of the way. It was the perfect dose of mutual pining, romance, and friendship. I also love how Viola is written, and how we really get to see the journey she went through for not only self-acceptance but acceptance from others. She is such a wonderful protagonist and I loved her quips, but also how tender she was with Gracewood. The representation that Gracewood embodies was also so well done. Not only was his physical disability handled with care, but so was everything he is going through mentally.

All in all, despite the points it dragged I loved this book. It was a great jumping-off point into regency romance, and I can't wait to read more of this genre.

What a great book! It lagged a bit in the middle, but overall it is wonderful. I love that their relationship is not just picking up where they left off but instead a whole new thing.

I was blown away by Alexis Hall's Boyfriend Material so when I saw the new regency title, I knew I had to request it. The I read the unique premise and I knew this had to be the potential of a becoming a total heartbreaker. And it was! So rich in nuance and emotion, this definitely shines a light on what it means to be a trans person, the struggle they go through, and what the people that love them go through as well. A witty and relevant social commentary on norms and expectations, and the regency setting adds even more layers to this already intricate and complex love story.

The ending did get a little chaotic which I feel took away from the love story, and also a little unbelievable. The epilogue, however, was a nice touch.

Alexis Hall is officially my favourite author after reading A Lady for a Duke. This was the most amazing historical romance I've ever read. The LGBTQIA+ representation, the writing, the fun and interesting characters were all so amazing and well done. The trans rep especially was so beautifully and respectfully done. This book had the perfect balance of serious and light hearted moments, a bit of adventure, a lot of romance, and gives everything you could possibly want out of a historical romance! I laughed and cried throughout this entire book, and I can't stop thinking about how good it was.
Viola and Gracewood had amazing chemistry, communicated so well with one another, and are officially my favourite book couple.
Trigger warnings: transphobia, homophobia, ableist language
Thank you to netgalley for an e-arc of this book.

This book is such a gift! I found myself rereading passages, taking notes, and highlighting because so much of the book resonated with me. The characters are all wonderful and complex. I ached for both Viola and Gracewood and got deeply invested in their relationship and overall happiness. There's plenty of angst to go with the sweetness, longing to go with heart-wrenching requited feelings. I adored every minute with them. If you've read much Alexis Hall you know to expect some strange and delightful side characters who bring humor and levity to the main characters' struggles; in this book that's Louise, Badger, Little Bartholomew, Lady Lillimere, and Miranda.

I also enjoyed the historical setting, the many literary references, and the overall plot. This is one of the few historical romances I've read with a transgender main character and I thought it was extremely well done. And I loved that the main issue for Viola and Gracewood is not that she's trans, but that they now occupy such different places in society that it would be unheard of for a duke to marry a lady's companion. I really loved how things were resolved in the story. I also enjoyed the examination of Gracewood's struggles after returning from the war. Both Viola and Gracewood think that they're not destined for a HEA and yet!

Totally enjoyable! I can't wait to reread!

Alexis Hall really cannot miss! This book was absolutely beautiful, fun, exciting, hilarious, and made me cry. Literally everything I can ever ask for from a book. I generally do not read historical fiction, but as with Alexis Hall's Something Fabulous, I will make the exception for his books and I am once again so glad I did. I adored Viola and Gracewood so much, their love having grown with them was beautiful and I loved Viola's strength in being able to do what she needed to be herself and her growing comfort in her body she found with Gracewood's help and support. I also loved the side characters Louise, Miranda, and Little Bartholomew, who all had some great memorable lines. I also absolutely adored the epilogue, I'm usually not a fan of the "a few years later..." style epilogues, but this one was perfect!

If this is not your usual/prefered genre, please give it a chance because once again, Alexis Hall does not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the eARC!

A lady for a duke has all my heart, however long i found the book i did not get tired reading it. Might not be for everyone the length of the book but it worked for me.
Now if one thing is gonna kill you its the Angst, i wanted to pull at my hair so much. Everytime i go there there it is, it’s all gonna unravel just here and then happy ever after. I was oh so very wrong so so Wrong. Viola has gone through alot, and when the opportunity showed up she took it and chose herself and put whatever happened in the past behind she lost quite a bit and it had hurt her alot.Here comes her past when she wasn’t expecting and the most important person to her in her past who is lost and need her. I have learn a great deal of things from this book. From Viola i have learn that something even if you have many things that makes you happy if you are not yourself the happiness is just temporary. From Gracewood i have learn to make your own place, your own happiness, your own world within the one you live in because it doesn’t matter what society says,you and only those you love matter.
Fav character: Gracewood for whatever he went through as a child he fought with everything he had to be a wonderful human being and i love him
Least fav character: Viscount Stirling i know there’s one person worse than him in the book but oh how i hate man that don’t take a no for a no🙄
Fav scene: Gracewood recognition it hurts so good 😭😭😭
Fav quote: « is that I don’t see what use we can be to others if we must deny our own most fundamental selves. We all have the right to be recognised for who we are. »

“‘It was not a betrayal of me for you to do what you needed to save yourself.’ The words lingered a moment in the quiet room, heavy with the truths they carried. For she had, indeed, hurt Gracewood more deeply than she would have believed either of them had the strength to bear. And yet they had lived through it and beyond it, tumbling together into the impossible future that had brought them to tonight. Because that was the truth of trust. It was neither weak nor fleeting. It was steel and fire. And would endure as long as you let it.”

This book. Oh my god, this book.

A Lady for a Duke is everything I didn’t know I needed from a regency romance or just a romance book in general. I felt so purely seen and heard from reading this book. I personally felt that it accurately encapsulates the trans experience through a historical lens, which was really special and unique to read.

In A Lady for Duke, Viola Carrol has the opportunity to live as her true self after being presumed dead in the war. But leaving behind her old life means leaving behind her status, her wealth, and her truest friend, the Duke of Gracewood. Two years after his dear friend’s death, Gracewood is still grieving and shattered from the loss, when he meets Viola who starts to help him heal.

This book had a really lovely plot, and the writing was FANTASTIC. I mean just read this quote:

“He kissed her again, the fresh-risen sun casting off the last vestiges of its nightly reticence to paint the world behind her eyes in shades of endless and impossible gold.”

Like OKAY, Alexis Hall please take all my money😆I’m so glad I read an eARC of this because I have at least two dozen highlights of quotes that I keep going back to read. A Lady for a Duke has become one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS. Yes, you read that right. I’ll probably end up reading it again later this year!!

And even if you are not interested in regency romances, please think about reading this book!! It comes out soon on May 24th, 2022. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for ARCs.

I really, really wanted to LOVE this book ... and I did!! In the first half of it. And then I do not know what happened but it fell flat for me. While I understand the reasons why Viola lies to the Duke .... and she absolutely deserves to some into her own in the way she must ... and yet, once she knows what the Duke went through ... is going through at the loss of her friendship, I didn't understand why it took her that long to tell him. I can't understand how or why you'd let the person you love suffer,

Even so, this story is amazing and powerful and heartbreaking. It's another win for Hall.

** This review contains content warnings **

I didn't quite know how I'd handle an angsty romance right now, but knew I'd be in good hands with Alexis Hall, as I've been devouring his more upbeat romance back-catalogue in the past few months.

A Lady for a Duke is my first romance with a transgender character and I loved it for not having the transgender aspect being the main source for the story line.
The story's more about the expectations and limitations/ freedoms in Regency society and, of course, the love match that blossomed from friends with unrequited love to 'it's complicated' to an epic HEA.

The story was split in two main parts, with the first half at the Duke's ancestral seat representing the old and present, and the time in London to represent the now and future.

Due to the gravity of the experiences of the Main Characters (see content warning at the end), the story is more somber, grave, and angsty than what I've come to love Alexis Halls' books for. Brighter moments with some family members and dear friends reprieve with banter and witty dialogue.

I'm still coming to terms with the complexity and delicate telling (in my opinion) of so profound experiences for the characters.

It's a wonderful romance with a thoroughly satisfying, goosebumps-inducing HEA!

Even though the author does not seem to like listing questions for book club discussions and individual reflection at the end, they provide fabulous food-for-thought and great insights. That's how I, for instance, found out that this book is the first in a series, and that the second book will be with a character I'd hoped would get their own book. I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this story before it's official publication date. I'm super grateful.

**Content Warnings**
PTSD due to war, physically and emotionally abusive father (in the past but reflected on during several scenes), grief, self-medicating with alcohol and pain meds, attempted murder, abduction, initial unsupportive reaction by a loved one to being transgender

Loved A LADY FOR A DUKE by Alexis Hall. Then again, I had a feeling I would once the cover was revealed and it was giving off Disney BatB vibes. Then the story behind the cover, made it more endearing.

Can't write a full review, because it would just be full of spoilers - so all vibes, little substance.

I found the book to be a little slow to start, it was about a third of the way before I was fully immersed into the story and I couldn't get enough of it. Then the book also seemed to take it's sweet time to get to the end, but that could have been me wanting to get to the end and the HEA.

This book will wrench your gut, and put you through the ringer. If I wasn't devoid of emotion, my heart would have kept breaking.

Previously, I never understood why people didn't like secret identity type romances, and now reading Viola's story and being worried about Gracewood's reaction, I can't see why. I do like that this happened when it did.

I also adored Viola's brother and sister-in-law, Badger and Louise (Lady Marleigh). They were a bit dense, reminded me of some of the characters in Boyfriend Material. Absolutely brought some levity and laughs.

I'm also hoping that we get a book featuring Miranda and the person that sparks her interest.

Author's note mentions those that knew Viola before her transition will use her deadname when speaking about her in retrospect. Ableist language, suicide ideation, drug and alcohol use.

Other content notes: PTSD, grief, toxic parental relationships, dead parents, kidnapping, mean girls

Thank you to Forever for the eARC via NetGalley.

What a revelation to read a clinch cover historical romance with a trans heroine. What a thoughtful, lovely, rumination on love and identity and gender and family. Alexis Hall has this singular talent of making his worlds so effortlessly and naturally diverse and inclusive, and writing stories about diverse characters, that both give full measure to exploring their identities and what their identities mean to them without reducing those characters and stories to being about those identities alone. This is a beautifully, achingly, human story. Not exactly the cozy, fluffy vibes I’m normally drawn to when seeking out historical romance, but no less lovely and affirming for it.

After surviving a near-death experience at Waterloo, Viola Caroll has taken this second chance at life and begun living fully as herself, returning to England and working as a companion to her brother's wife. Circumstances and a small social circle mean she is soon thrust back into the presence of her oldest and best friend, the Duke of Gracewood, who has spent the last two years thinking that his best friend was dead and that it was all his fault.

As many other reviewers have said, the heroine of this novel, Viola, is a trans woman, but for what it's worth, the novel is written in such a way that I was never once concerned about it spiralling into some kind of traumatic queer romance. A HEA is a given within the genre, yes, but sometimes authors really put the reader through the wringer to get there. Alexis Hall doesn't do that in a way that plays up trauma or pain for entertainment value, which was greatly appreciated.

While the novel as a whole was a lot of fun, equally comical and sweet, the standout for me were the conversations between Viola and Gracewood. These are two people who thought they knew each other well, but come to realize perhaps they didn't know each other or themselves as much as they had believed. It's the slow process of healing and coming together once again, while gradually strengthening their fractured relationship that is where the novel really and truly shines. So many pining glances! Banter laden with longing! Yes please!

Which brings me to my one and only grievance with the book. There is so much going on, plot-wise, particularly towards the back half, that we don't get enough time with Viola and Gracewood once they actually get together. At one point its mentioned that they've been together for weeks (!!) and yet we don't get to spend any time with them in that first bloom of love. After so much pining and longing and telling themselves they can't be together no matter how much they want to be, I was hoping for a little more fluff and sweetness to offset the earlier angst.

That said, I still highly enjoyed what we got, and I would definitely recommend this one.

Special thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy for review purposes

Five stars for an achingly beautiful novel. If you came to this book expecting Viola’s identity as a regency era trans woman to be the central conflict, you will be mistaken. It’s the least interesting thing about her and I adore Alexis Hall for pulling this off. This book is an emotionally charged treatise on learning to accept love from others even when we don’t love ourselves, and also how to demand the love that we deserve. It’s also a testament to the trials of PTSD and how to love through loss and oh my heart, this book will live with me for quite some time. Five stars.