This was a cute story, and I’ll happily read more historical romances from the author, but something about the leads’ relationship didn’t ring true for me. It’s the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, but it wasn’t a clear transition from one to the other. Maybe I just wanted more build up? I do appreciate the biracial Indian heroine, I adore her confidence and her strong relationship with both her guardian/father figure and her two best friends.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words for this ARC. Enemies to friends story. Lots of chasing and denial and very opinionated characters.

Orphan Lara Ramsay lives as the ward of Robert Wentworth, uncle to Tristan Wentworth, Duke of Wolverton. Lara and Wolf have aggravated each other for years, until they share an unexpected kiss at a masquerade.

I'm a sucker for stories that begin with a masquerade! I like that the attraction is established early and the characters spend a good amount of the book in close proximity. These characters have baggage. Wolf has "daddy issues" and believes he has to find a proper match because of his father's scandals. Lara has issues of her own...As the mixed descent daughter of a British Colonel and Indian mother, Lara has experienced bigotry from the ton. Their story is full of push and pull, and there is definitely a moment when Wolf goes too far and says awful things.

I believe this author primarily writes contemporary romance, and it's evident in some of the modern dialog the characters used. Normally this doesn't register much for me, but this time there were a few phrases that I found distracting enough to remember. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing and characters. I liked the friendships that were established in the story as well, and will be watching to see if Leo and Camille get a book of their own!

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Best Friend's Brother, Masquerade

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #DareToBeADuchess #NetGalley

This book was different and unique but I didn't see that right away. In fact at first I wasn't even sure I was going to like it. I thought it was going to be another story about a dissolute, no direction, But after awhile it turned into something more. The verbal sparring between the two was often funny.
I liked how the couple got things figured out and it ended with a H.E.A. That was something that I wondered how it was going to happen. It was ingenious.

This arc was given in exchange for an honest review from Entangled: Scandalous through NetGalley.

This book was wow! I have been a huge fan of romance books for a long time and I have to say Regency/Historical romances are some of my favorite. I especially love that more and more books in the genre have a more feministic take to them as well as including certain realistic issues that have been glossed over or omitted entirely.

Dare To Be A Duchess was a 4.5/5 star read for me. This was a pretty light read but it included some very important ideas such as how people of color, especially women of color were treated by high society at the time. Lara and Wolf have chemistry from the first moment they meet but it only seems to flare up when they're arguing about something. Though they have known each other for about 10 years neither has thought of the other in terms of romance or beddings. That is until in order to distract Wolf, Lara takes matters into her own hands and kisses Wolf. She never expected him to kiss her back or to like it. This kicks off the rest of the book which definitely took me and my emotions on a rollercoaster ride. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and hope that the author will continue to write more regency books, especially for <spoiler> Camille and Leo!</spoiler>

I am desperately waiting for the paperback edition of this to go on sale because this was an automatic buy for me!

-a review post will be published soon on my instagram at @/bookbaddieb as well as a publication post on day of

I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There was so much to love about this book! I'll start off by saying I loved the #OwnVoices rep from Sapna Bhog writing a biracial, Indian heroine! Although it's billed as enemies to lovers, I don't think it necessarily fits as that trope? I think it's much more clearly best friends brothers. As a side note, Lara's best friends were some of the best parts of the novels and I hope the future books in this series explore whatever tension is happening between Lara's friend and Tristan's! The longing and pining in this book are so well done and their relationship progresses in a way that feels authentic to the two of them. I will say, there are many mentions of "bad breeding" or "half-breed" or "bad blood" in relation to Lara's race and there were so many mentions it was offputting. I understand it's historical but it did feel horrible to read. I wish Tristan hadn't been as horrible to lash out (in a fake "need to push her away" moment but still) about her race. Overall though, I loved this book and I have already recommended it to multiple friends!

I did enjoy this but I feel it did lack some things. Felt like the heroine's heritage is just a plot device to make her "stand out" negatively and she never tries to defend her heritage or rebut any of the hateful things said about her. The Hero really doesn't help in this aspect either. He only recognizes what he wants to see in her and when he finds out she's related to one of friends, he fully excepts her. Also felt like the conflict at the end could've been a little bit more flushed out and not as rushed.

What initially drew me to this story was the prospect of following a diverse character in a regency romance novel, which, we can all agree, tends to be a mostly white genre. I've never read a regency romance with a half-Indian protagonist before and was excited to read from her perspective. Don't get me wrong, the book was definitely cute and the exact brand of cringy-sappy-gooey-love that I sometimes just crave, but a few things fell a little flat for me.
1) Lara's heritage is simply treated by the author as a plot device to gain sympathy from the Duke on account of her peer's bullying, ostracizing, and refusal to accept her into society ... but for someone who is being "ostracized" she certainly seems to attend a lot of events and balls ... I think there was a missed opportunity here. I wanted Lara to connect with her heritage, defend it, do ANYTHING other than just let it sit over her shoulder like a cheap prop.
2) The final conflict in the last 15 minutes of the book is really sudden and way too conveniently resolved. I didn't feel like it was executed well, and ultimately felt like it was unnecessary and didn't really add anything to the story other than the chance for our romantic male hero to kick down a door.

Overall, I think this book suffered from a major case of "don't tell me, show me."
I would recommend to regency romance readers who enjoy the over-the-top confessions of love and forever, and some steam on the side.

An enjoyable read about two people who have clashed over the years but find undeniable passion when they least expected. Lara is of mixed heritage, to which she is shunned by society, even though she has a secret about her heritage. Tristan, The Duke of Wolverton, believes Lara to be an "influence" on my sister and after one of their escapades, gives them an ultimatum: find a husband within 6 month or he will pick one for them. Well, Lara is stubborn and has no desire to marry a pompous aristocrat who frowns upon her heritage. Wolf thought it would be easy to get the minx out of his mind, but it is proven to be quite difficult, for she has opened his eyes to see what he has become. But with so many barriers and obstacles between them, can they find a way to be together or will the words spoken be the ones to tear them apart?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a fast paced read, and even though it wasn't particularly surprising, it was a fun read.

First off, this cover is gorgeous! As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to read this book, regardless of what it was about. And I wasn't disappointed at all.

Tristan and Lara had the sweetest relationship. I loved how protective he was of her, and how it wasn't a stifling kind of protective. He let her be herself, but was there when she needed a shoulder to cry on. I loved seeing this in a historical novel, because so often, the main lead is so "protective" that it becomes controlling and unhealthy.

I'd just finished watching Bridgerton before I started this, so I was in the mood for a historical romance full of scandal. This was everything I wanted, and I can definitely see myself rereading it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Saphna Bhog for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

The racist elements in this book made it a bit hard to read and enjoy. At one point the author referred to the saree as a costume at the masquerade, it's not a fancy dress costume it's a part of people's heritage. The hero wasn't very likeable because he seemed to view the heroine's heritage as a huge mark against her and never really changed his mind. She became more acceptable because she was related to another Duke?? There was no respect in the relationship.

This was my first book by this author and it was incredible. From the very first scene at a risque masquerade, you are transported to a different time. Lara is an orphan who happens to be daughter of a noble Englishman and an Indian woman. She becomes the ward of her father's best friend and is under the protection of his nephew the Duke of Wolverton, our hero.

The trope is enemies to lovers and it is done extremely well. Lara is mocked as a half breed, but she is a strong and compassionate character and I thoroughly enjoyed the angst between her and Wolf. I also loved the cast of characters. This was a great historical romance read that was different than the usual debutante. This heroine was unique, had a lot to overcome and was very relatable.

.Thanks so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Sapna Bhog for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Do you prefer Historical romance or contemporary?

Author: Sapna Bhog
Genre: Historical Romance
Netgalley ARC
Publishing date:Febrary 8th 2021
Rating:5/5

If you are a Julia Queen fan or you watched Bridgerton on Netflix and loved it, this book is for you.

Lara is an orphan. The daughter of a noble English man and an Indian woman. She becomes the ward of her father's best friend and is under the protection of his nephew the Duke of Wolverton.

The book kicks off with and extremely inappropriate and sexy party. Where Lara ends up getting closer than ever before to Tristan AKA Wolf. He issues an ultimatum. She has six months to find a husband or he'll do it for her.

Lara is tenacious, intelligent, feisty and fiercely loyal. She is willing to put herself in uncomfortable positions to help her friends. She has lived under the scrutiny and harsh remarks of the Ton and she doesn't care what they think about her.

Wolf is an amazing character he strives to avoid scandal at all cost, he has a great head for business and loves his sister with all his heart. He hates Lara's mischief but he's protective of her. He calls it duty, yeah right.

This is one of the best enemies to lovers books I've ever read. It's spicy, sexy and very romantic. I was half in love with wolf until he said something that made me want to strangle him. The angst is so real, you can taste it. I actually cried one scene made me ugly cry. I was that invested.

I adore Tristan but Lara is one of the best female characters I've ever met. No matter what gets thrown her way or how many times she gets thrown down, she will always stand strong and proud of who she is.

Dare to be a Dutchess is an epic romance, that deals with some hard topics. But leaves you with a heartwarming feeling.

I can't wait for it to get out so I can get my copy.

I love reading historical romances, especially ones that venture outside of the white/straight, norm. In Dare to Be a Duchess, Wolf is a duke and Lara is mixed race and the ward of Wolf's uncle. They've known each other for years, but always interacted as rivals, but one moment changes everything. At a masquerade, Wolf sees Lara with new eyes. Not as a child, but as the grown woman she is. They share a sizzling kiss, and both are done for. There are many moving parts in the novel that work to help or hinder our main couple. My one complaint is that I thought Wolf was naive not to see the racism Lara experiences or the consequences of some of his actions. I felt he needed to do a little more groveling for some things he said, but ultimately he redeemed himself.

Dare to Be a Duchess is a wonderful historical romance that follows Lara and Wolf as they find love under the most unlikely circumstances. Lara and Wolf have known each other for years, but they never got along until an impromptu kiss at a masquerade ball. Suddenly, they see each other in a different light. Lara and Wolf can’t deny their attraction to each other, but with so many obstacles standing in their way, including her heritage, his familial obligations, the whispers and judgment of their peers, and several characters who wish them harm, can they ever find their happily-ever-after?

I really enjoyed this story. The characters and plot are fabulous, and it has some great messages. Lara, for example, is rebellious, compassionate, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. She makes her own rules and often defies the norms and expectations of the ton. Rejected over and over again because of her heritage, it’s a wonder Lara has maintained such an optimistic and hopeful outlook on life. I love her carefree spirit and her ability to rise above the catty, judgmental people who surround her. I also love that she stands up for herself and rejects the very people who disrespect her.

Wolf is a man of integrity. He has strong morals and tries to resist his feelings for Lara. She is his uncle’s ward and his sister’s best friend, which makes Lara off-limits. Though he knows he should find an “acceptable” partner, his feelings toward Lara are too strong. Wolf is no stranger to scandal, as his father was embroiled in many, but he has worked hard to reestablish the family name. However, as his feelings for Lara grow, he has to decide what is more important to him: appeasing his mother and the ton’s expectations or following his heart.

Wolf is a man used to being in control, and Lara drives him to distraction. I love that his ever-growing feelings toward Lara change Wolf. She softens him, challenges him, and intrigues him, and she makes him see the wonderful possibilities life has to offer when spending it with someone he cares about. Plus, their chemistry is off the charts!! They struggle to keep their eyes (and hands) off each other, which leads to some fantastic and romantic scenes.

The friendships in the story are also fantastic. Both Lara and Wolf have amazing and long-lasting friendships, and their friends are their staunchest allies. I love how loyal and honest their friends are and how willing they are to support each other during the good times and the bad. Their conversations are sometimes easy, often witty, and occasionally conspiratorial, and I loved that they had such depth. I also like that Wolf’s friends have some connections to Lara’s friends, and I’m curious to see how these relationships develop in future books.

There are also some strong messages about prejudice, acceptance, being true to yourself, and more. Because her mother was Indian and her father was British, Lara is harshly treated by racists in the ton. Her life is threatened on more than one occasion, and many people feel they can disrespect, snub, or take advantage of her. These people and situations sharply contrast the love and support she receives from her uncle and friends, who embrace Lara for the exceptional and unique person that she is.

An amazing love story full of passion, angst, confusion, danger, and more, Dare to Be a Duchess is perfect for fans of historical romance. I so enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more of the series! Thanks so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Sapna Bhog for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I wanna start out by saying how much I adore the cover, it's just so stunning?

This story follows Lara Ramsay, who is just a delight to read about. She is fiercely loyal, to herself and her friends, and has an admirable level of self-respect. Existing in the english ton is a never-ending uphill battle for her as she is followed by harsh remarks about her Indian mother and only gets a sliver of respect because of the protection of Tristan Wentworth, The Duke of Wolverton.

He is also the romantic hero and really kicks the story off when he issues Lara an ultimatum: she needs to get married within six month. Instead of actually helping her find a suitable husband they get closer to on another. I loved the tension these two had and their chemistry was so hot I was reminded of the time my teacher triggered the fire alarm in the chem lab. They also has great topics of conversation? Which, I know, ist probably not the most important thing to have in a romance novel but I enjoyed getting to know the two of them this way and it really grounded their connection.

I loved the relationship Lara had with her female friends, it was supportive and they seemed like a riot to hang out with. Get yourself some friends who support you against the racist bigots in your societal circle, flirt with scandal by talking politics in ballrooms and drag you to salacious parties!

This book was a solid five-stars up until the halfway mark where the hero says something deeply hurtful to the main character. Even though there was a bit of built up to this scene and his actions were explained soon after, it was heard to hear him say these things to his romantic interest. Up until this point I had really enjoyed this particular enemies-to-lovers dynamic and how their arguments never went into the actively hurtful territory, while what he said at this moment was a deliberate choice. It took a bit to accept him as the romantic hero of the story again and not root for Lara to run off with someone else.

Altogether I really enjoyed this book and how her Indian identity influenced the story beyond the racist behaviour of the British society with her talking about her time in India or the mention of negative impacts of British colonialism.