I liked the characters in this romance, I thought they had great chemistry. My favorite character was grumpy Lysander because I do like a grumpy hero with a heart of gold!

This had a fake engagement element to it which is always fun to read about. I also liked the way this book dealt with the class difference between Genevieve and Lysander.

I like my historical romances with steamy scenes, as long as the chemistry between the couple is right – this book did not disappoint on that score.

Amalie Howard has been on my to-read authors list since I read her Beast of Beswick, however this was not one of her best.

This Pretty Woman-inspired story between Lysander and Neve failed to hit the mark for me. A lot of things just went wrong or very meh for me from the insta-lust which is one of my absolute least favorite romance tropes, to the complete virtue washing of Neve which robbed her of the chance to truly feel multi-dimensional, to the quite tired sismance quartet. Honestly, the last point was amongst the biggest disappointments as this woman sismance did feel very tired in their characterization.

There were some funny parts, as I did enjoy Layla and Lushing. These few bright parts however did little to enhance my enjoyment of the book as a whole.

I look forward tentatively to the next books in the series.

A huge thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC.

This charming Victorian era historical romance is the story two people from different worlds forging a connection. A chance encounter between Lysander and Nève leads to an offer—not an indecent proposal, but rather a fake engagement scheme.

Despite being at the top of the social hierarchy, Lysander has developed a reputation for being cold and unapproachable. His one great love jilted him; I won’t say for whom she left him, but yikes. Yet Lord Super Grump’s heart grows three sizes over the course of the book as he does nice things for Nève just because. Likewise, Nève learns that after a lifetime of keeping her guard up and fending for herself, putting her trust in someone will not lead to her losing everything she has worked so hard to maintain.

The two protagonists are supported by a well-rounded cast of secondary characters, some of whom will almost definitely be promoted to a leading role in subsequent books in the series. Lysander’s aged aunt stole the show at every possible opportunity, and the villains of the piece chewed the scenery just the right amount whenever they appeared in a scene.

I would recommend Always Be My Duchess. The protagonists are likeable, and they have good chemistry together. The banter is light and fun, and this is clearly a great beginning to a new series. I’m looking forward to reading more from Howard in the future.


I received a digital ARC of this book from Forever/NetGalley

Lysander, a Duke who struggles with social niceties and prefers to stick to business, stumbles across a crying woman while lost and drunk in London. After escaping a group of cutpurses together, he learns her name is Genevieve, and she is a French ballerina recently come to London looking for work to support her and her sister after the death of their parents.
Quickly thinking of a deal that will suit them both, Lysander offers Genevieve 100 pounds to be his companion to a ball in order to convince a business associate that he is not a rake, but instead a serious man who is ready to settle down with a wife.
Of course, the one-night-only deal quickly becomes a longer arrangement, and we are treated to a fresh new take on the “fake dating” trope, complete with interpretations of some of the most iconic moments in the film “Pretty Woman.”
Reading this book was like eating a scrumptious little treat, chock full of moments that made me sigh and laugh out loud in equal measures. I’m eager to read whatever Amalie Howard comes out with next, and keeping my fingers crossed that it involves some of the charming side characters from Always Be My Duchess.

Always Be My Duchess is the first novel in the Taming of the Dukes series. When I heard this was inspired by Pretty Woman, I could not wait to read it. Geneviève (Nève) Valery is an up-and-coming, but currently out of work ballerina. Through a random encounter, she meets Lord Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix. Lysander initially seems very closed off and uncaring, but his true self is revealed over time. Lysander needs a stand-in to attend a ball with him to close a deal with an Earl, while Nève needs funds to help care for her ailing sister.

The two initially strike a bargain and attend the initial ball together. As it goes well, their agreement extends and the two spend more time together. Their chemistry is apparent in the beginning where they had an instant attraction, but their actual feelings took awhile to grow. The two are opposites in personality, so it was nice to see how they brought out different sides in each other. Nève speaks her mind and lives life unfiltered, whereas Lysander is more methodical.

I loved that the author included a neurodivergent hero. It’s not written explicitly, especially by name, but it is explored throughout the story. The two characters went well together, and I greatly enjoyed their chemistry, however, I needed a little more when it came to the pacing of their relationship. When the two characters initially take their relationship to the next level, I needed a little more into why Nève made the choice. I do not want to get into it too much to spoil certain scenes, however, I just wanted more between the back and forth in her mind. As this is the first novel in the series, there is some time spent setting up the possible sequels. While this did not take away from my enjoyment, it did take away some page time for the progression of the couple’s relationship. Overall, I thought this was a fun story and I will gladly read the next novel in the series.

**I want to give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for a review copy of this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Always Be My Duchess was a fast-paced, fun, and steamy romance. I couldn't put it down and read the second half in one evening! With a pretty great twist on Pretty Woman, this historical romance follows a ballerina fallen on hard times and a Duke in need of a temporary Duchess to help close a business deal.

Genevíeve (or Néve) is a ballerina looking for work in London, but isn't having any luck gaining auditions. She's fiery and self-assured, with confidence in spades. Determined to help care for her younger sister, she’s hoping to use her skills to keep them afloat. But she’s also unwilling to play into the hands of men who would take advantage of her situation.

Lysander, the Duke of Montcroix, is busy building his empire. But one stubborn lord won't sell a key property to him unless he shows signs of settling down with a wife. He's known for being cold and aloof- a man likened to being made of stone. Raised by a cruel father, he keeps everyone beyond arm’s reach. This is especially true when it comes to his heart.

When our characters meet (and what a scene that was!), the book just takes off. The writing conveys the blooming relationship in sparkling prose and every encounter builds on the tension between them. Even just having breakfast together was a scene fraught with tension! I loved the little touches of French (even though I don't speak it) and references to ballet- both in positions and productions. The purposeful inclusion of a neurodivergent character was also great!

It's clear the author was passionate about this story and put a lot of heart into it. While there were a couple of threads in the story that I felt could have been stronger, particularly at the end, on the whole this was a great read! Definitely recommend this one!

Tropes to look forward to:
•Meet-cute but make it hot
•Grumpy/ sunshine
•Fake dating

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the opportunity to review an advanced copy!

Between the spice, the absolutely amazing characters, and an unforgettable meet cute, Always Be My Duchess was a memorable historical romance from Amalie Howard.

I have to start off with Nève and Stone's meet cute. Societal gatherings, balls, even in the country - those are your typical meeting places in historical romances. But at night in a seedy part of town, with a pistol pointed at the male main character? I won't be forgetting how Nève and Stone met for the first time for quite a while.

These two main characters were just an overall thrill to read. On one hand, you have Nève - a strong-willed leading lady who has found herself in the unfortunately position of having to provide for her younger sister while watching the thing she used to love - ballet - become more of a chore than a joy. I love when historical romance characters are driven by completely relatable feelings and notions, and Nève definitely fits that category. I loved that Nève was strong enough to be both independent but also willing to concede when she needed outside help. Luckily for the readers, that outside help came in the form of the Duke of Montcroix.

Stone had a great story arc in this novel. Stone is, as his name hints at, quite grave and personality-less in the beginning. All he cares about is money and proving his father's predictions for their legacy wrong. But when Stone meets Nève, he suddenly found a reason to care about things like love, family, and happiness. It wasn't easy for Stone to start opening up, even to himself, and I thought Howard did a great job at portraying his characters all while keeping his character consistent throughout his changes.

I love watching a fake dating/fake engagement trope turn into true feelings, and Nève and Stone's slow fall into love was such a joy to read. Both characters definitely held out until the end, making me wonder if Stone was ever going to recognize and give in to those feelings of his.

It's an odd thing to say, especially for historical romance, but the steam level in this novel was beyond what I was hoping for - especially before Nève and Stone admitted their feelings for each other. Howard came out swinging when it came to the spice, and I knew I was going to be hooked on this story from the very first chapter.

Overall, I can't recommend this historical romance enough. The fake engagement trope was done very well, the spice was outstanding, and every single character - both main and secondary - had such wonderfully distinct personalities and rolls to play. I loved Stone and Nève's story, and would love for every on-page character in this book to get their own story.

What to do when you're a straight-laced, profit-focused duke and the only thing keeping you from closing your latest deal is that you're not a family man? The answer is simple: ask a French ballerina you just met on the street to pose as your fake fiancee for just one party! This is definitely something a man renowned for his rigid thinking would do.

OK, OK, we kid, because why else do we read historical romance if not for the wacky setups? If you can get past the contradiction inherent in the setup (seriously, we're supposed to believe Lysander is relentlessly logical and, thus, that this decision is ALSO obviously logical), this is a fun, sexy historical pastiche on Pretty Woman. Neve is not only a French ballerina, she is also an English viscount's daughter. Amalie Howard does a good job of explaining Neve's background and success as a dancer, despite her more conventional upbringing. All in all, this is a fun historical romance that will be especially appealing to fans of Pretty Woman.

We'd also be remiss if we forgot to mention that the sexy scenes are also pretty inspired. Indeed, in one, musical virtuoso Lysander literally playing Neve like a cello. And keep in mind that Neve is a ballerina, so she's got moves on- and off-stage!

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

This book is more than its description, so don't let that fool you. Nève rescues an inebriated duke one night in the wrong part of town, only to have that same duke throw her a lifeline to rescue not only herself, but her injured sister. How can she say no? One night then turns into the season and new friends and a feeling of belonging in a world where she shouldn't. Lysander starts out with money on his mind, but will only win the girl if he can't rewire his black and white thinking and throw caution to the wind, something he hasn't done in years. Must read!

Always Be My Duchess is a delightful retelling of the 1990 Pretty Woman movie. The story follows Lord Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, as he works to accumulate more wealth while dismantling the things his father held dear when he was alive. He has his eye on a valuable piece of land, but the seller wants it to go to a family man. So, the duke hires French ballerina Geneviève Valery (Nève) to pretend to be his fiancée for the season.

The story follows the original movie very closely, despite the century, which makes it predictable but fun. I loved seeing how the author addresses each of the movie’s major scenes; all of which are successfully recreated for story’s purposes. She writes unique characters with their own personality traits, but the resemblance to the movie characters is clear. My favorite is the slimy Viscount Treadway, who mimics Jason Alexander’s Stucky to a tee.

Lysander and Nève are a mismatched, never-meant-to-be couple, much like Edward and Vivian (Pretty Woman). Both are clear on their intentions and long-term goals, yet they cannot overcome their mutual attraction. As they spend more time together, including intimate interludes, they grow to be friends. Lysander is the one who must do the lion’s share of reform so that he will be someone worthy of Nève’s love. True to the movie, Lysander makes many missteps before landing safely.

Always Be My Duchess is an entertaining historical romance worthy of a read, but it’s ties to Pretty Woman that make it all the more special.

My Rating: B

Duke acquires a lady knight-errant!

1865. French emigre, feisty ballerina Nève Valery wasn’t going to rescue the three-sheets-to-the-wind toff stumbling around on the outskirts of the rookeries area of St Giles well past the witching hour, but she couldn’t leave him to be robbed and worse.
Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, hadn’t had this reaction to a woman for sometime. Yes of course he’s a Duke with a history! Dreadful father, horrid upbringing, snake of a step mother, and now he finds himself intrigued, fascinated and pulled towards the fascinating Nève. It can’t be love because he rejects that feeling.
Lysander needs a fiancé and it turns out Nève needs employment. Lysander, “Stone” to his acquaintances, is trying to close a deal on a strip of land, complete a with Castle. All necessary for the railroad he’s trying to build. The owner though has a sentimental attachment to the castle and is not about to sell it to someone he regards as a rake. So Lysander needs to show a “rake turned respectable” face to the ton to secure the deal. Thus the need for a bride- to-be.
The mix of characters—the heroes and the villains, the tension between them all, the lighter moments, the discovery of secrets, the rise of passions—all blend well to make a truly satisfying read.

A Forever - Grand Central ARC via NetGalley. Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

SO grateful to have the opportunity to read this book! A seemingly cold Duke — hardened by a cruel upbringing — and a fiery ballerina meet their match in each other. It was entertaining to see that the two fed off of each other’s energy, as was reflected in their banter. The Duke, while a product of an intolerant society, was a strong feminist. His support of Nève made him even more likable.

Nève was kind and loving while being fierce and witty. It was fun to have her POV and see how she played off of some of the other characters.

Loved:
✔️Period romance
✔️Fake dating
✔️FEMINISM
✔️Wit
✔️Angst

The writing in this novel strikes the delicate balance of evoking a period nostalgia without being overly explanatory or dry. It was very reminiscent of Bridgerton, to me (the show; haven’t read the books yet) and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

Laugh and cry as Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, meets his match in the wrong side of London. Neve Valery is a ballerina and has been blacklisted from theaters in London. A chance encounter leads Lysander to offer her a job as his companion. A fake engagement will hopefully seal the deal for a railroad project. Lysander has always held himself back and focused on being successful making money. Neve is a big distraction. They find many things in common as she breaks down his barriers. Is he willing to change to keep Neve in his life? Great research brings to life an unusual love story.
Heat level 4🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This Historical Romcom does not disappoint. It is the perfect mix of Bridgerton and Pretty Woman all rolled into one. The way the characters are written are not what you would typically read in a historical romance. Such as the Lysander the Duke of Montcroix is presented as being neurodivergent and the duchesses/ladies are witty and not just sitting around drink tea all day. I loved how the relationship between Lysander and Neve started off with the fake dating contract and things developed.

highly recommend especially if you enjoyed season 1 of Bridgerton.

Thank you to netgalley and forever grandcentral publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lord Lysander Blackstone is used to keeping his emotions buried, preferring to focus on his business, where money and numbers can't betray him. When Miss Geneviève Valery, a struggling ballerina looking for work saves his life, the Duke makes her an offer to be his fake fiancée in order to convince his business partners that he has a heart and Nève gets enough money to pursue her own interests.

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I enjoyed it in this book. I think one of my favorite parts of this book is the way that the Duke showed his affection - he clearly has a giving gifts love language which shone clearly around his attempts to crush all of his emotions. I enjoyed Nève slowly being able to read the Duke and getting him to drop his attempts at being emotionless.

I really appreciated Lysander being neurodivergent and showing while many people in society would deride him for it, how he manages to use his strengths to make him arguably one of the most successful dukes in their peerage.

I enjoyed Nève's group of friends - it was fun to read all about the gatherings of Laila, Effie, Vesper, and Briar and even Lushing and Marsden were good at rounding out the group dynamic whenever they choose to join. I see this is the first book of a series and I look forward to the next book, which I am guessing stars Vesper.

And Aunt Millicent! She seems to be a character who is a lazy chaperone at first, but I really liked her moments with both Nève and Lysander.

I think something that worked well in this book were their growth journeys, the way that they grew at different rates and how they couldn't (and Nève wouldn't) form a real realtionship until they had both done the necessary individual work to get to a place where they could truly understand each other. The book even makes it clear that they both still had work to do and would continue their journeys to make things work, which I really liked to see as part of their "happily for now" ending.

A thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever, and NetGalley for the ARC.

There is nothing I love more, than starting off a new book with a fun gender role swap meet cute!

In Always Be My Duchess by Amelie Howard, the series starter for her rom-com series Taming the Dukes does just this! The independent Duke of Montcroix is rescued by our struggling ballerina heroine, Geneviève Valery from a group of street thugs!

As one to see the potential in a business deal, Montcroix decides to proposition Miss Valery, Pretty Woman style, to act out as his current love interest to warn off the match making mama’s of the ton! Sounds like a solid plan, win, win… until the deal gets renegotiated and Montcroix and Miss Valery start having trouble keeping the business dealings separate from their personal feelings!

This was just a real fun story! From our stern and uncompromising duke hero to the self-reliant, vibrant ballerina, this opposites attract pairing has plenty of sparks and laughs. Though this book feels lighter side of angst, Howard doesn’t scrimp on the steam! This book really heats up … and in a variety of locations!

The hero and heroine were not the only character highlights for this book either- the extended cast (which I am eager to read their own love stories!) of friends made for a great extension of the characters personalities and set this series up for a lot if interesting romances to come!

As a reader of many of Howards other books, I enjoyed this one particularly due to it’s more light hearted flair.

This book overall was a real treat that I didn’t want to put down! The true sign of a great read!

Always Be My Duchess by Amelia Howard will be released July 12th, 2022.

Thanks so much to Forever Romance and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me with my review copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#AlwaysBeMyDuchess #NetGalley #AmeliaHoward #pinkcowlandreads

I appreciated receiving an ARC of this book, but had a lot of trouble connecting with it. The dialogue felt clunky and like it was from the wrong era - I had a lot of trouble finding the time and place that this was supposed to be set. The characters did not feel authentic.

I loved this historical romance! There was enough modern themes that made it relatable to modern times.

As a child, I took ballet so was familiar with the terms Neve used throughout. Since she is French, there are some tench terms, but was done in way that I understood the gist of what was being said,

Lysander was a sweet, misunderstood soul. I adored how he blossomed under Neve’s quick wit and sharp tongue. The banter and flirting between them was *chef’s kiss*! And, Neve’s new-found friends brought the story to life and was what was needed to bring comedic relief to the serious undertones of the plot.

There is a content warning at the beginning of the book, so if you have any triggers, please read this carefully! This will appeal to fans of Bridgerton and Evie Dunmore. I loved this book and can’t wait to read future books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for a copy of the book.

I typically don’t gravitate towards historical romance books but I LOVED this book. The way the characters felt towards each other gave me goosebumps while reading. The dual POV also gave insight into how they were feeling so you knew both sides which I adored. It is a must read in my opinion and I cannot wait until this book hits the shelves to get a physical copy.

Who knew a Regency take on Pretty Woman could be this uninspired? In a story entirely dependent on chemistry between the leads, there isn't a trace to be found. Banter that should sparkle is a a dull matte, and sex scenes that should burn fizzle like dying embers.

Further, while Howard's take is full of feminist rhetoric, she apparently felt the need to make the female lead more socially acceptable, transforming her from a sex worker into a virginal miss who would rather starve than sell her sexual favors. This fundamentally changes both the character and how she relates to the male lead, and it allows the author to attempt to shift all internal conflict and emotional development onto the hero. Whether she succeeds in this attempt is debatable, but the fact that she tries at all reveals an essential misunderstanding of her source material, which is firmly centered on the heroine's journey. The result of these choices is two stock historical romance characters who no longer fit the plot Howard insists on following. Separated from comparisons to the movie, it's neither a great book nor a terrible book — just an incredibly average entry into a genre that has so many better things on offer.

My thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.