When Viola Caroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become. As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

I loved A Lady For a Duke by Alexis Hall! This book is historical romance with a trans MC. This story does deal with PTSD and trauma, so do keep that mind. Viola is such a fantastic heroine and if you love a brooding love interest, you'll adore Justin. The side characters are also so fun and entertaining! A Lady For a Duke deals with some heavy topics but it's also so light-hearted and funny at times. If you love historical romance, I'd highly recommend giving A Lady For a Duke a read! I can definitely see myself rereading this one again this year!

A Lady for a Duke was my first by this author and I believe I will be back for more!

This book follows the lives of two best friends who after Waterloo, are separated. Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood returns from the war a broken man. Who believes he lost his best friend, the Duke of Marleigh in battle. Only that's not entirely true. Yes, the Duke of Marleigh is gone, but were they ever really there to begin with?
Viola Carroll, a funny, insightful ladies maid to the Duchess of Marleigh, learns that her dearest friend has been holed up in his stony castle landholding and is drowning himself in laudanum and alcohol, decides to travel to Morgencald with Louise (the Duchess, her sister in law) to see if they are able to help pull him out of his stupor, and to aid in giving his younger sister Mira, a proper London season. Only when they arrive, the Duke feels a kinship to Viola he couldn't make sense of. And once he finally realized it was his best friend, finally living the life she was born to live, he doesn't quite know how to process the truths.

I think what I really loved the most about this book was that Viola's identity as a trans-woman was not the linchpin for this story. Nor were there a million different flowery words and meanings behind why she and the Duke "couldn't be". I think to see a trans love story told in a historical setting is something we need more of. Viola was so comfortable in so many ways, but in many others, she had to work to find the beauty. The Duke being more upset by her absence versus learning her truth was also important. I loved the communication between these two, and the absolute TENDERNESS, OH MY GOSH, between these two. Just absolutely beautiful.
The ending threw me off and I felt like it sort of took away from their decision to make an honest go of their relationship. I dislike a kidnapping plot but I get it. I really do.
Either way, I really really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the author, Forever Publishing, and NetGalley for a chance to read this eARC

After being presumed dead at Waterloo, Viola Caroll is now living a new life as a companion to her sister-in-law, Louise. Viola lives in her former home, having lost her title and the wealth and power that came with it. But for all Viola may have had to give up in a material sense, it is more than worth it to be happy and content in her own skin. For all that Viola is settling into herself, however, she is still not completely comfortable out in society and has seen almost no one from her old life, including her oldest and closest friend, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.

Gracewood thinks Viola dead on the battlefield, and Viola hasn’t been able to bring herself to tell him the truth. Gracewood was such an integral part of her life for so many years; they practically lived in each other’s pockets. But he is also so connected to her old life, and Viola has changed so much since the war. Yet when Gracewood’s sister writes to them about the state of affairs in their home, the letter concerns Viola and Louise enough that they have no choice to travel to Gracewood’s estate. When they get there, the situation is even worse than they imagined; the home is dark and dreary, most of the servants are gone, and Gracewood himself is almost immobilized by his laudanum addiction. When Viola sees her old friend, she can’t help but want to reach out to him and help.

Gracewood has been lost in grief since the war. He misses his old friend, feels guilt for surviving when others did not, and has a permanent leg injury that makes moving difficult. He masks his pain with laudanum and has pretty much retreated from the world. When he meets Viola, he is so taken with her. Viola has a way of understanding him, of reaching him and giving him a light that helps lead him out of his depression and grief. When Gracewood learns the truth about Viola’s past, it is a shock. But Gracewood also realizes he has grown to care deeply about Viola and the person that she is now, a woman he is beginning to want with all his heart.

While feelings are growing between Viola and Gracewood, their situation is complicated. He is a duke and she is a lady’s companion (and later a chaperone for Gracewood’s sister). Their stations are so unequal as to seem impossible to Viola. She also knows that her inability to bear children means an end to the very long de Vere line. Gracewood knows that Viola is the woman for him, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to show her how much he loves her and how little he cares about what society thinks. Viola and Gracewood have fallen completely in love. Now they must take a chance to reach for their happiness together.

A Lady for a Duke is such a lovely story and I was captivated from the very beginning. There is such a great friend-to-lovers theme here, but with a twist, as it is clear that as close as these two were, there are fundamental parts of each of them that the other never really knew. So we get that sense of two people who have this important past, who shared so much of their lives, but who are also getting to know one another again in new and different ways. I appreciated that there is never a sense that Gracewood still sees Viola as the friend he once knew; she is always and completely Viola to him and their romantic relationship is forged on who the two of them are now, not who they used to be. I think this sense of seeing the present versus the past applies for Gracewood too. He was raised by his father to hold back his emotions, to be closed off, stoic, and focused on duty. As Viola gets to know him again, she starts to see some of the burden Gracewood carries that she never really understood before. So I really like the way there is this thread of connection and shared experiences between them, but also this pair is definitely not living in their past, but forging a new relationship going forward.

The set up here works well, as Viola’s concern for Gracewood’s sister leads her to have to see him before she is quite ready. And Viola is shocked when she sees the state of him. Her affection for Gracewood means that she can’t help but reach out to try to help him find his way again. But of course, much of what weighs on him is Viola’s own presumed death. I think Alexis Hall gets the balance right here in terms of how long Gracewood is unaware of who Viola is, and how it is eventually revealed. I also appreciated that while Gracewood needs a beat to come to terms with it all, there isn’t some huge conflict that results of him learning that Viola is his old friend. Gracewood thought she was dead, has grieved her death, and his first instinct is to think about how it has impacted him and his own sense of loss that could have been avoided. But it doesn’t take long before Gracewood is able to recognize that this isn’t about him, that Viola had to do what she needed to do for her own life, her own sense of self, and he is nothing but supportive going forward.

The story is primarily focused on Viola and Gracewood making their way together and moving forward from their past relationship, but the conflicts really move beyond that. Gracewood is clear he is in love with Viola and he wants her with him, but she is struggling with the idea. Viola had accepted that she would lose things to gain the life and sense of self she needed, and she never imagined love or marriage could be possible for her. So I think she has some fears, as well as needing time to reimagine her life and believe she can have everything she wants. The other conflict deals with Gracewood’s sister, who is 17 and just coming out into society. I don’t want to get into too much detail into how things play out with this conflict, but it gives a chance for Gracewood and Viola to work together and really recognize that they can make their relationship be anything they want for their own happiness. It ties in well with that larger theme of looking past society’s rules and reaching for your own happiness. Viola did it after Waterloo; Gracewood learns he can be more than his title and the expectations it puts upon him; and Viola comes to accept that she can have everything she wants without having to trade one happiness for the other.

One thing I particularly liked here was getting Viola’s narration as someone who has had others view her as a man for most of her life. She has a unique perspective on so many of the gender roles and expectations, knowing how people’s perceptions of her gender change the way they treat her and interact with her. This is a time when gender roles defined nearly everything about your life, at least for the upper crust of society. So it was interesting to see that dichotomy for her as she gets used to others recognizing her as a woman and how that changes how they see her and what she is capable of. It gives an interesting spin on the historical romance and I really liked that perspective.

My only tiny quibble with this story is that it is quite long (close to 500 pages). While I never found myself bored, I also think there is some time in the middle where things lagged a teensy bit.

Overall, I found this story incredibly well done. I loved Viola and Gracewood and loved the tenderness between them. Viola is able to help Gracewood find his way out of that darkness and addiction, and he is able to show her that she can have all that she wants out of life without giving anything up. It is so rewarding seeing them find that happiness together and both being able to create the futures that bring them joy. I truly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it.

Such a great title! I finished this super quick and would love this to be a series. It had fantastic character development, and I hope to see more books like this!

A Lady for a Duke was the perfect romantic read! I loved Viola as a character so much. She was trans but that wasn’t the focus point. I loved that her being trans wasn’t used a plot device. She accepted who she was and so did everyone around her.

Viola and Justin had such a wonderful connection and I couldn’t wait for them to get together.

The epilogue was one of the best epilogues I have ever read. It brought me so much happiness. I definitely recommend this title. Alexis Hall is super talented and his words come to life on the paper!

This is a difficult review to write because I can see what a lot of readers will enjoy about this book and I think the story it's telling is wonderful, but the execution just did not work for me. I found the language it was written in a little distancing which made it hard to get sucked into the story, and I also thought it was a little too introspective right from the start when I would have liked to see a quicker plot to get the ball rolling.

That being said, I've ordered copies for my store and will absolutely be recommending it to my customers that I know will like the story and the representation this book provides.

This book filled me with so much hope for what the future of traditional publishing can look like. Alexis Hall has crafted a historical romance novel, featuring a trans woman main character, that does not center around transphobia. This book felt like a breath of fresh air and had me in my swoony feels. The only minor complaint I had and why I lowered it one star is because by the 60/70 percent mark it starts to feel like the book is dragging. In my opinion it is just too long and it felt like there was other plot lines that were happening just to make the book longer and could’ve been their own books entirely,
At the end of the day this is a book I see myself recommending quite often and I am so glad I got the change to read it early!

Viola Carroll is starting over. After shedding her past (and incorrect gender) after the battle of Waterloo, she finds herself back in the company of her best friend the Duke of Gracewood. But the Duke still mourns the loss of his friend in battle. Will Viola be able to reveal her true self with the person she cares about most?

Damn! This book! I got emotional, I loved it. What Alexis Hall has done here is make a book about Regency transgender love WITHOUT the main conflict revolving around the character being trans. As someone with trans relatives who I watch try to navigate this world with grace and ease on a daily basis - this brings me infinite joy.

Gracewood and Viola are two leads to root for. This world is vivid, real and grounding and I loved every second. This book is a must read!

Alexis Hall is having quite a year. Quite a career, really. This outing, one of four due to be published this year, introduces Viola, a trans woman who is at last able to live as herself after being presumed dead at Waterloo. And though this book is to a certain degree about trauma, it’s not a kill your queers sort of trauma. Her transness is by no means incidental, but it’s not the driving force of the narrative. There is mutual pining, a sword fight, and rakes galore. Run, don’t walk, to get this one.

Thank you to Forever for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What is there to say about this book that hasn't already been said? It's amazing. It's beautiful. And it's definitely going to be in my top romances for the year.

I love this book so much and will protect Viola and Gracewood with my entire being.

This is the pinnacle of queer historical romance. Alexis Hall has really outdone themselves with this one. I need more stories like this one.

Alexis Hall produces the most unique and thought provoking relationships in his novels, and he’s just completely elevated the bar with A Lady for a Duke. Way more than simply a beautiful friends-to-lovers romance, Mr. Hall delivers a profound look at gender roles, and explores how physical perception affects the relationship between these two characters.

Reuniting several years after the Battle of Waterloo, Viola and Justin are two very different people. Justin returns home, emotionally and physically scarred, to assume his family duty as Duke of Gracewood. And Viola is presented with an opportunity to discover herself. As a result, we as the reader uncover many of the details of Viola’s story gradually. But as Alexis Hall states in the afterward, he doesn’t mean for Viola’s transgender status to be the main focus of the story.

Since it’s left up to us, I entertained various versions of Viola’s experience as she dragged herself from the battlefield, and all the steps she must have taken to become who she is at the start of A Lady for a Duke; putting her past behind her, and crafting an existence for herself in nineteenth century England. I love when authors leave us this bit of freedom!

Suffering from debilitating battle wounds and PTSD, Justin is openly scorned as a coward and a failure by his peers. Sequestered in his family home, Justin has reached rock bottom when Viola re-enters his life. Knowing her as only a friendly, kind-hearted stranger, he gradually opens up to Viola. They forge a powerful connection, and Justin’s walls finally crumble. It is during this stunning scene, through the sincerity of their exchange, that Justin finally recognizes his old friend.

Justin’s journey in understanding Viola, is just as important as Viola’s understanding of herself. My hat is off to Alexis Hall with his handling of the physical romance scenes. It’s incredibly moving to witness the depth of Justin’s care for Viola, processing his own reactions to Viola’s body, and the sensations of what they can do together. Plus, Viola’s dysphoria is incorporated into the story in a simply masterful and sensitive manner.

With Viola’s current position as a lady’s companion, the issue of class distinction is always at the forefront, and makes her union with the Duke of Gracewood (as anything more than just his mistress) impossible. Alexis Hall also weaves in some entrancing family drama, several marvelous scenes of the ton behaving badly, and fills the pages with the clever banter which is the hallmark of Alexis Hall’s writing.

Any of the issues facing Viola and Justin would make a great novel, but placing them in nineteenth century England adds a unique twist. I hope we’ll see much more from this world, and that some of the supporting characters from A Lady for a Duke might get their own novels. Or possibly, we could at least get Viola’s story. I think that would be fascinating indeed!

I loved Boyfriend Material,so when I saw another book by Alexis was coming out, I was so excited. Then to see it was a TRANS HISTORICAL ROMANCE. WHAT. I was so ready! This title is exactly that, and follows Gracewood, a Duke who is suffering from the war in so many ways - a mangled leg, PTSD (although there is no official word for it in this book) and so much grief. Then there is Viola, who was thought dead during the war and has now come back as her true self, and has her own demons as well. They were best friends in the war, so when Viola sees Gracewood again, she isn’t sure what will happen, will he know her, what will he say? They of course fall in love and there are tough times but in the end everything turns out as it should.

I thought this was great! I have read many historical romances, and a few titles with trans characters, but never both! I did think some parts were a little long, but Alexis has wonderful prose, and I really loved it! The sexy time was hot, hot, hot, and sweet too! I always dread the “okay here is the part where one finds out what the other has been hiding” part, but this time it wasn’t so painful! It flowed right along, and the side characters were wonderful as well!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This book features: an abundance of fully human, funny, complex, queer characters; a heroine who has chosen herself first, which then makes her so much more able to love and be loved; and a hero with PTSD whose family of origin was the worst (relatable). All in an updated regency setting with enough of a nod to historical context that the reader can go along for the ride.

Alexis Hall is so fantastic with dialogue and characters. This book in no way reads like a romance with filler until the sex scenes. The intimate parts serve to drive the plot forward as much as the intervening dialogue and story. Hall also touches on heavy stuff—war, PTSD, trauma, discrimination—without letting that heaviness disrupt what is a delightful, satisfying story. I loved this book.

A very emotional journey about a trans female who leaves her entire life behind in order to be able to own her truth. However, in doing this she leaves her best friend, and favorite person in the world, behind to mourn her passing. After years have passed, Viola is forced to face her past, and her best friend, in order to help them move forward, while not revealing her past self. Gracewood is a product of his upbringing. While he is quite progressive and supportive of his sister, he is also not able to deal with his grief, or connect to his sister in a deeper level (which is kind of ruining her life a bit). Gracewood must face his demons and come out of the other side, or die trying.

I am not a trans female, so take my word with a grain of salt, but I personally thought Alexis Hall really handled the whole transition with the outmost of care, as well as the conflict. The whole novel was very emotional, and dealt with some heavy subjects but in a way that engaged the reader and kept me on the edge of my seat. Plot wise that are some things that happened that were a bit OUT there, but I took it all in good stride. It did feel like we were thrown some out of the blue plot lines that didn’t really add to the couple’s main story line. As many have said before me, pacing was a bit off. Some parts I read at breakneck speed, and then it all kind of died down. The ending tried its very best to bring back the fast pace, with some success.

This is my first Alexis Hall book, and it is one I am so happy got published!!! Based off this one, I am looking forward to future titles and will go back through her catalogue to see what gems I may have missed.

I am the first person to admit that I don’t read romance. I do, however, read historical fiction and queer stories. Thus, I went into A Lady for a Duke with high hopes but low expectations.

Luckily, my expectations were exceeded. Gracewood is a grieving and complicated but kindhearted man. Viola is caught between helping her old friend and following what is proper for a lady of her (relatively low) station.

The other side characters are also wonderful. I enjoyed how the main tension is not that Viola is trans/outed.

I don’t think I’m going to be reading a ton of romance in the future. But I definitely enjoyed this one.

There may have been a bit of envy-drool on my screen when I finished Alexis Hall’s A “Lady for a Duke.” What a thrill to witness a terrific writer mellow into his splendor. With scintillating dialogue, thoughtful commentary, gentle, yet rapier-sharp insights and details, details, details, Alexis Hall nails gender issues while entertaining us with a delectable romance.

Premise: Before Waterloo, Viscount Marbury and the Duke of Gracewood were inseparable. Except, when Marbury was presumed dead in battle, it was an opportunity to reinvent identity into her true personhood, Viola Carroll, “paid companion” to her unflappable and understanding sister-in-law. “No one will be looking for a dead soldier in a lady’s companion.” It barely troubles Viola to have handed her title, lands and power over to her brother. But the loss of Gracewood’s friendship has been devastating. Yet it proved worse for the Duke, who suffers double PTSD from childhood and combat. Gracewood has sunk to laudanum abuse. Viola’s sister-in-law drags her to rescue both Gracewood and his seventeen-year-old sister. Will Gracewood recognize Viola, and if so, can he accept her?

Here’s one way to measure my admiration. Attempting to be judicious, I highlighted only 41 passages! It was excruciating to choose those to include in this review. But my choices are nothing compared to the terrible choices Viola has had to make – to exclude her best friend from this new life, rather than hand him the burden of her transgender status, an alien concept for that era. “A children’s game of barter: this piece of string for a marble, a sea-smoothed pebble for a peacock feather, your self for your future; your choices for the loss of them.” What follows is an intricate dissection of gender and roles, sexuality and power, society and individuality, embroidered into a tapestry of love, loyalty, honor and originality.

From the moment Viola and Gracewood meet again, Alexis Hall convincingly draws their deep connection, especially in the acute guilt each carries for their separation. Of Gracewood, Viola thinks, “He’d believed he’d left her to die. When, instead, it was she who’d left him to wander, in grief and guilt, a battlefield of corpses.” And later, Gracewood realizes, “She had needed only understanding. And he had offered – what? His anger and his questions, his conviction that he had been forsaken and misused.”

In their slow dance towards the shared reality of a possible future, we have no doubt of their mutual affection, only if it can find a realistic foothold within society’s strangulating values. “There was a large loneliness, one that came from inhabiting a space she’d had no choice but to build for herself, only to find that nobody could inhabit it with her.” And yet, for each of us on our unique path, we have similar moments, which draw us towards Viola’s struggles, just as the traumas we may have experienced, bind us to Gracewood.
While remaining a true wordsmith, Mr. Hall has become economical, committing many, many deep truths to ink in few, few words. “‘Strength is not the capacity to hurt. Or the capacity to remain unhurt. It is… what we let ourselves feel. And how truly we love,’” Viola notes. “Feelings… came and went as they willed and cared little for how they reflected on the one who felt them.”

Alexis Hall presents an unlikely, yet perfectly suited couple. “That sense of belonging. As though the shattered edges of his soul could be made smooth again.” “A Lady for a Duke” is Romance with a capital R, a sigh of sensuality, characters whose vulnerabilities sharpen their resolve, and a plot that meanders like true love, slowly, one lowered barrier at a time, one trust earned, one genuine moment after another, each opening and healing the brittleness of existence. Yet again, Mr. Hall, thank you for offering us the best of humanity.

My goodness, this has become a new favorite of mine! Alexis Hall creates an immersive and inclusive society without reducing marginalized characters to just their identities. He adequately explores the trans experience all focusing on love and euphoria. I am happy that this novel exists, and I hope others pick it up!

This book was stunning! My first 5-star read in a long time. Viola was strong, charming, flawed and brilliant. Her connection with Gracewood was passionate and unyeilding! I can't wait to read more from this author! A perfect Pride Month read!

This story offers a portrait of love and acceptance that we all deserve.

Perhaps you haven't seen stats about PTSD, suicide, depression, and LGBTQIA+ representation. Staggering.

I can't be the only one who saw similarities to Poe's Fall of the House of Usher. Just without the horror and a great deal more sunshine, and the happily ever after we all deserve! (Yes, obviously it's Midsummer too.)

Love each other. That's what each of us deserves... to love and be loved.

"It was not the loss of her estate she mourned. Not exactly. It was what it represented. Legacy. Home. Family. Things she was, at last, liberated to want, but completely unable to have."

Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Lady for A Duke by Alexis Hall

When Viola was presumed dead from battle at Waterloo, she took the opportunity to live, at last, as her true self. But it certainly didn’t come without a price; the loss of her wealth, her title and her closest friend the Duke of Gracewood, Justin De Vere. Years later, when their family reconnect, she realizes how deep the loss of her friend truly was, not only for her but the loss and pain Gracewood has been going trough. As she strives to get her once best friend back to himself, deep-rooted feelings emerge once again, this time not as impossible as they once seemed.

CW: Reference to dead name and use of male pronouns when refereeing to her in retrospect, ableist language, reference to suicidal ideation, reference to drug and alcohol abuse.

A Glorious review for An amazing author. Alexis Hall's writing once again blew me away, from the poetry of the style, to the rawness and emotions it made me feel and the incredible care with which the story was carried. Viola was so incredibly strong, I loved how fierce and unapologetic she was. I loved Gracewood and Viola's reunion, starting with a bang and delicately and cautiously grows once more into the bond they once had, but this time, their hearts open to more between them and seeing new possibilities. Friends to lovers is a difficult one to create without making me feel icky about the lying (and more often than I thought possible: gaslighting). But with this one, I felt Alexis really understood how this trope should always be done: them pining wholeheartedly for each other, finding all the ways they can be with each other without actually being "with each other", the intimacy years of friendship, but the new butterflies and zaps of lightening in the small touches. That shaving scene is now catalogued as one of my favourite of all times. Now on to the sexy times, they were glorious. They felt like lava, the heat slowly creeping, carefully slow to build up and then all-encompassing, red hot and so incredibly satisfying.