I love a grumpy hero! So Lysander was perfect. And I can't remember ever reading a historical where the FMC is a ballerina. Loved it. I also loved that this book made me slow down and enjoy it. I loved the couple's back and forth and the angst.

this had so much potential but was just way too drawn out and boring, I had high hopes as I have enjoyed other Amalie books in the past but this one was not for me

This book is just fantastic. It's billed as an ode to 90's rom coms, Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton, but I would throw in a touch of Center Stage as well. Nève is one of my favorite heroines I've read so far this year, she's the perfect match to the seemingly stoney hearted Lysander "Stone" Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix. Their banter, the tension between them? Whewie, it's amazing the pages on this book don't burn up when you read it.

It does touch on some potentially distressing subjects (mostly alluded to or off page), but I loved Amalie's author's note at the front letting the reader know.

Really enjoyed this one! I’m glad I listened to the audiobook because Mary Jane Wells can make ANY story come alive. This was funny and romantic; I’m always a sucker for a cold Duke. I will say there was too much chatting during the sex scenes (pls don’t make small talk in the middle of sex) and I wasn’t the biggest fan of the heroine. Overall a good start to a new series!

Technically I had an ARC of this, but I got the audiobook from the library instead.

Geneviève Valery's feistiness and Lysander Blackstone's steeliness are a great combination and perfectly matched The premise that brings them together is somewhat generic, but it soon gives way to a passionate love story. Geneviève's dance backstory could have used some restraint, but the nod to classic Heathcliff about Lysander was a nice touch. The epilogue is unneeded as it ended on a perfect note.

This was so cute! I've been reading a lot of heavier books recently, so I really wanted something that was light, cute, steamy, and well-written. This checked off all the boxes! I was invested in the relationship between Lysander and Nève, which is understandably what makes a romance for me. The progression of their relationship felt really natural and lovely, past their physical attraction for each other. I'm never a fan of the third act conflict, but that's not really this story's fault as it's a pretty classic romance trope. The character development was satisfying, and overall it gave me happy, fluffy feelings which is what I was looking for. I finished it in two sittings, and couldn't put it down. I'll definitely be reading more by Amalie Howard.

The hype of this book is there for a reason. This is to a point, nostalgic. It's the retelling (in a very historical romance way) of Pretty Woman. Full of spice, laughs, banter and love. I absolutely adored this book. I had so much fun reading it, laughing out loud and getting concerned looks from the husband, swooning over them, etc. Give the book a chance. That's all you need to do.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity.

I read the first 30% of the book and picked it up many times over a two month period but unfortunately I found it wasn’t retaining my interest.

I love the premise of a Pretty Women meets Bridgerton experience, but I found it to be unnecessarily wordy and some of the modern language didn’t belong in the story in my opinion and kind of pulled me from the scenes. I didn’t find the characters had compelling chemistry, and unfortunately I wasn’t able to continue reading the book. Historical fiction is not one of my go-to genres, so this book was pushed me out of my comfort zone… but I think readers that enjoy historical fiction may feel differently about the book!

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. Receiving an ARC did not impact my thoughts, feelings and comments on the book.

Amalie Howard does it again! This is an instalove with money for companionship read. I am thrilled that her hero is neurodivergent. Her heroine is spectacular and a beautiful foil to the hero.

Lord Lysander "Stone" Blackstone is pragmatic and sensible. Numbers, business, and calculated risks are his bread and butter. He is (unsurprisingly) very single and happy about it... Until a potential business opportunity could slip through his fingers without him "settling down."

Genevieve "Neve" Valery is an out of work ballerina who desperately needs funds to pay rent and her sister's medical bills. Aftering rescuing Lysander from theives in Covent Garden, he proposes she help him for one night to secure his business deal. One night turns into months, and the flames of passion run high for these two.

Their banter from the start is scathing in the best way possible. There is a lot to unpack for these characters, as they each have their own baggage to deal with. Lysander has been misunderstood his whole life, and Neve has reasons to be feisty and desires to live free.

This is a wonderful read. I was truly transported into their world and lives. There are some endearing grand gestures as part of the ruse and, later, as groveling.

Well worth reading!

I really wanted to love this book, and for the most part I did really enjoy it. The humor and the banter were phenomenal. The pining and tension burned through the pages. The plot was intriguing and the characters so easy to fall in love with.

My one issue with it is the resolution. Lysander was written to be nuerodiverse, an aspect that made me even more excited to read it. And Amalie did such a great job coding him. My problem, is that even though Genevieve came to love him, it seemed to be *inspite* of his brain being different. And at the end, when he didn’t react in the way she wanted him to, because that’s just not how his brain works, she blamed it all on him, taking none of it herself. HE was the one who had to apologize, who everyone was told was in the wrong, when all he did was react the only way he knew how. It felt very patronizing and damaging toward people who might think and act the way he does. I wish he had been shown more Grace. I wish they would have talked instead of her blaming him and him being forced to grovel while she was the gracious one and “forgave” him for his wrong doings. This is made even worse by the fact that Amalie is not nuerodiverse herself, and wrote Lysander this way for her ND son, hoping for a world with more acceptance for ND people, while writing a story that ended in the only ND character needing to change himself to be worthy of the MC’s love.

I will definitely read the next books in this series, because Amalie’s writing is beautiful and her characters are so much fun. But I hope she heard and took in some of the feedback about the way she handled Lysander into consideration if she decides to write another ND character in the future.

I want to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book before it was published. Though in recent times I have deviated from historical romances (once the Bridgerton phase wore off), Always Be My Duchess may just pull me back into the fray. Amalie Howard wrote an amazing, engaging story which pulls you in since the first page. The romance between the characters was palpable and kept you interested for the entire time. Overall, I give this book four out of five stars.

I adored this book! It was a fun time, I laughed a lot, and I also swooned! As a big Bridgerton fan, this book was right up my alley! I don’t read much historical fiction, but with the romance element added in, this one was great!

Shelf Awareness for Readers:

Amalie Howard (The Beast of Beswick) pushes the fake-dating romance plot to new heights in Always Be My Duchess, in which a stoic and powerful duke hires an out-of-work ballerina to pose as his fiancée in order to secure a new business deal.

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, is known for his "complete lack of emotion in Parliament and his infamous inscrutability." These are protections he's put in place after years of being punished by his father for his neurodiversity, which often appears to others as being slow or unfeeling. Geneviève (Nève) Valery is a dancer, short on money to care for herself and her ailing sister after refusing to become the mistress of a wealthy nobleman and subsequently losing her position with the ballet. The two literally run into one another--Lysander flees cutpurses in an unfamiliar neighborhood and Nève takes pity on him and leads him to safety. Sparks fly. Lysander makes Nève an offer she can't refuse: pretend to be his fiancée in exchange for enough money to get her and her sister back on their feet--and then some.

In keeping with Pretty Woman, the 1990s-era rom-com that inspired it, Always Be My Duchess is a celebration of women's power and intelligence (the latter described as the "dread of the patriarchy and the scourge of the aristocracy") and of love that springs from vulnerability and connection. The first in a planned series (Taming of the Dukes), Howard's novel is an exploration of agency and autonomy that will satisfy readers, while inevitably leaving them excited for what may yet follow. --Kerry McHugh, freelance writer

I absolutely loved this book! The chemistry was off the charts. I enjoyed every moment and didn't want it to end! The characters were relatable and I just lost myself in this book! Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

The pining! The opposites attract! The fake engagement! The sex!
This book has absolutely everything you could want in a historical romance and more, and will leave you hoping for a second.
Will be adding to my collection!

As soon as I saw Pretty Woman in connection to a historical romance, I was sold. I blame my recent viewings of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton as the influence behind this request.

Unfortunately I was unable to connect with the main characters and the relationship. I did not feel and real chemistry or connection between the two. Stone really was living up to his name to the point where I just was not vibing with him or his character.

It felt very insta-lovey/insta-lust and I really could not get behind it as a motivation for a story or relationship. I also really struggled with the writing. Now, I have seen a lot of my romance friends enjoy this book, so that is not taking away from the quality of the story. However, it just wasn't for me.

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can't break a man's heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution . . .

Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.

Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts.

Another fun romp, by Amalie Howard. Highly recommend for loves of historical romance.

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is billed as "Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton." With that headline, I knew this was one I wanted to read! We get the Regency romance version of fake dating in this one, and it's a fun ride.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

Another reviewer mentioned "Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton" and I couldn't agree more. I always enjoy Amalie Howard!

I normally don't hear music as I'm reading any book but as I was reading, a tune started to play in my mind. It's Roy Orbsen's "Pretty Woman." This wonderful historical fiction reminds me of Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. It was an absolute joy to read and you really get into the characters. We have a ballerina named Neve (Julia Robert's Vivian) and we have Lord Lysander Blackstone in lieu of Richard Gere (Edward).

You know the ending but it is such a sweet book, you just enjoy it and grin ear to ear. I'm trying very hard to not write too much only because it's like a flood gate of sunshine and romance bursting if I utter a small crack. Truly enjoyable. Believeable? No but this is a sweet romance and we all need sweetness in our lives.

I cannot thank NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an e-book copy for my honest opinion.