This was a unique historical fiction but it just didn’t click for me. This book follows Neve a ballerina who finds herself indebted to Duke Lysander in order to pay him back and a large sum of money Neve agrees to play Lysander’s fiancé throughout the season. This book is suppose to be Pretty Woman meets Bridgeton but didn’t really feel the Pretty Woman vibe. For me personally I just had such a hard time keeping focused on this book I would get into it for a few chapters and just could not pick it back up. I thought some of the scenes were pretty funny and had me chuckling and I enjoyed a different POV for historical romance. I haven’t read to many books with a ballerina as the main character and thought that was pretty interesting. Lysander just rubbed me the wrong way I get that he is suppose to be grumpy but I just didn’t like him. I would say that I think a lot of people will enjoy this story especially if you like arrogant grumpy hero’s. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I will be honest - I struggled with this book. I like the writing style but I couldn't get interested in what happened to the characters especially Lysander who just grated on my nerves. The book was surprisingly graphic which normally doesn't bother me but it just didn't seem to work in this book.

SO CUTE!! A neurodivergent male lead was amazing and I loved how it was very 90s rom com in a historical setting. It killed me and brought me back to life 🥹🫶🏼 THE PINING. THE BANTER. THE SPICE. It all had me in a chokehold. Such an addictive and fun read!!

Lysander is sees the world in a very black and white way and I loved how it clashed with Genevieve’s character. She always said what she felt and I applaud her. She was the sunshine to his grumpiness and she melted him like a popsicle in the dead of summer. I LOVED IT

Where are my Pretty Woman fans at? This book is for you! Lysander, Duke of Montcroix, has been trying to close a business deal but needs to present a different image to do so. What he needs is a wife....or at least the impression of the possibility. Along comes Genevieve. She is a ballerina who has been passed over for parts due to her values. She helps protect Lysander one night and their meeting turn into more when he offers to pay her a sum to pose as his fiancé for a time.

I enjoyed so many things about this book. We have a straight-laced Duke and a free, independent heroine. There's a Duke who loves bareknuckle boxing, which will get me every single time. There's found family in the friendships that Lysander has as well as the ones that Genevieve makes. There is real, potent chemistry. And, of course, there's all the nuggets from Pretty Woman that were so fun to find and see.

This is a well-written historical full of tropey romance. I enjoy a re-telling and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to reading more of this super fun series from Howard in the future.

This book was fine. Like everyone else, I've found myself drawn to period romances post-Bridgerton and some are better than others. Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the opportunity.

A laugh-out-loud historical take on Pretty Woman! I loved this unique take on a classic trope and will definitely keep an eye out for more from Amalie Howard.

An interesting and fun romance between ballerina Genevieve Valery and Lysander, the Duke of Montcroix. Although the plot was light and the conclusion predictable, both Genevieve and Lysander were well developed characters and unusual enough to make the romance exciting. Lysander’s difficulties reading emotions and social cues made for a refreshing hero and a different type of challenge for the heroine to overcome. Very enjoyable!

My first by this author - this was a fun gender swapped, Pretty Woman inspired story!
I enjoyed the nature of the romance because I love a starchy MMC and a vivacious and fun FMC. We love to see the MMC just come undone. A perfect amount of steam, and still lighthearted enough for me because I don’t always want the high end of the angst scale.
Also - the background baes!!!! Excited to see where this series goes!

This was an average book for me. It was entertaining and kept me engaged, but after reading it I wasn’t dying to gush about it and generally forgot about it alrogether. Overall a fun but unmemorable read!

I really enjoyed this book as I have most of Howard's and hope the series continues! I liked the meet cute!

I loved this book so much. I fell in love with both characters and their journeys as individuals and as a couple. I thought the storytelling was very compelling and enticed me all the way through. It had beautiful romantic moments, as well as great comedic timing, and I could sense the points which were inspired by Pretty Woman. I look forward to continuing this series and happily anticipate the next installment, where I will hopefully also get glimpses of Neve and Lysander's relationship after this story has ended.

This book was Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton - two of my favorite movies/series! I loved how powerful and confident Neve's character was and how she didn't take sh*t from anyone, including those that controlled her career. I also loved how the Duke wasn't put off by her wit and strong mind, but was attracted by it. He respected her opinions and made her feel heard during a time where women were just used a means to have children. This book was also very spicy and made reading it even more enjoyable.

I've always had a weak spot for historical romances, and Amalie Howard's always hit the spot when I've got an itch that needs scratching. ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS feels like classic Amalie - it's passionate, swoon-worthy in the romance, has a great storyline and characters, good chemistry, and all the banter between the MMC and FMC that I could possibly want.

I should point out that if you're looking for something historically accurate, you may wish to look elsewhere - there's definitely contemporary influence here, but I feel like that's what adds to the book's charm.

Super fun and easy read! Amalie never disappoints :)

this book had some Bridgerton vibes!! it is living rent FREE in my head, and it’s so good. the spice, the pining, the plot…. i really enjoyed reading about Lysander & Genevèive (also the names?! amazing in itself!!)

i haven’t really done a historical romance before, but let me tell you, this book sold me on them!!

This isn't the first "feminist victorian romance" book I've read, and I enjoyed it. Fake dating is one of my favourite romance tropes, and I thought Neve and Montcroix's chemistry was fantastic.

What an amazing book, absolutely did not disappoint! I am such a sucker for enemies to lovers, and this was a great one. The storyline felt real, and relatable in so many ways!

Highly recommend

I’ve always been a great fan of period romances, and this is absolutely no exception. A steamy enemies to lovers romance with a historical play on the fake dating trope, Always Be My Duchess was a light and fun read with an intriguing writing style that utilized language of the time period in a way that was both engaging and entertaining.
I can’t say the relationship between the two leads was instantly romantic by any means, but it was certainly charged from the start, complete with banter and flirtation from the get go. While the two were a compelling pair and easy to root for, those beginning moments did come off a bit strong, but I am never one to complain about good old fashioned sexual tension— and in a high stakes chase, no less.
Both leads were so engaging and relatable in their own ways. Opposites attracted and I am greatly attracted to both of them, so what does that say about me?
I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series and seeing what else the universe and author have to offer, and I would absolutely recommend this fun, fresh, and flirty romance.

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.