This book was adorable and I loved every minute of it. A regency "Pretty Woman?" Yes, please. Also, hands down this book had the best meet cute I've read all year. I'll definitely be reading more of Amalie Howard.

I am addicted to historical romances. Just give me a Duke and make him fall in love with someone and I will eat it up. This book was no exception. I loved the writing, I loved the characters. The plot was so much fun. It was a solid historical romance.

Welp. I’ll be needing book 2 ASAP please and thank you. I already know this is going to be a new favorite series and author for me.

Honestly have mixed feelings about this one. The immediate (extreme) attraction between the two leads for me felt like way too much, and the almost modern-ish quality of the writing really put me off when combined with the setting/time period

If you prefer your historical romance more rom-com than angst-ridden, then allow me to direct your attention to ALWAYS BE MY DUCHESS by Amalie Howard. Loosely inspired by “Pretty Woman,” the book follows the unlikely romance between a duke (who as sworn off love, naturally) and the down-on-her-luck ballerina he hires to pose as his fake fiancé for the sake of closing a business deal. A love a good fake relationship story, and this one was most excellent. I’m super picky about historical romances, but this one ticked all my boxes and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. It’s also clearly setting up companion/sequels, and I am definitely here for them.

It was very sweet, and loosely followed the <i>Pretty Woman</i> storyline (Neve is the daughter of a impoverished viscount, which took a bit away from the obstacle of what was keeping them apart, and her overall "ineligibility" to be duchess). I did like her as a character, though it took me a while to warm up to the romantic interest. I didn't find him particularly memorable, and I just kind of went along with it. It was...fine. The highlight here is probably the group of friends and the inevitable storylines that we're going to see from this series.

A decent start to a new series, though I am already waiting on the enemies to lovers book we'll be getting from Briar and whatever his face is.

<i>Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this, in exchange for an honest review. </i>

This historical romance is the beginning of a new series and features a rich, powerful Duke who is also a businessman and a ballerina who cannot find work after refusing to become a patron's mistress and is considered equal to a courtesan. Lysander offers Neve a huge amount of money to enter into a fake engagement, but what happens when they begin to realize their feelings are becoming real? Recommended.

A fun, quick read! I really liked that this book centers around a ballerina (who recently lost a job) as we don't usually see working class women in historical romance novels. The duke is also written as autistic, which made his relationship with his father strained but set him up to be a very successful businessman. A spicy, historical romance for Bridgerton lovers.

I’m a sucker for a historical romance and this one didn’t let me down. I look forward to future books from this author.

I really liked this one! The characters were amazing, and the plot was so much fun. Plus, the sexual tension was Off the Charts. I'm not sure if I've ever shipped a couple as hard as I shipped these two. Also, I loved both of our characters being artists of some sort. The descriptions of Neve's ballet and Lysander's music were beautiful, and really touching. I fell in love with this one, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this author!

Thanks to Forever for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A grump aristocrat mixed with a Pretty woman style story. I was in! And I had a nice time! There isn’t too much to say besides it’s a good, fun read and I would recommend!

I really enjoyed this fun historical about a starchy duke and a savvy ballerina! I ADORE a duke who is uptight and needs to unwind and Néve is just the woman to rattle the Duke of Montclair. From their first meeting, their physical connection is electric and singes the page; for readers who love steam and yearning, Always Be My Duchess is for you.

Néve is a great heroine—she is in England trying to find dancing work to support her ailing sister and really has her back up against the wall. She has an interesting mixed-status background; she is a viscount’s daughter but not completely of the high society world because of her mother’s scandalous origins and her own career as a dancer. Lysander, Duke of Montclair, pushes her back into her father’s world and makes her confront her family’s past. This twist made the tension between their different statuses extra rich.

Overall, I recommend this historical to those who love deals struck between the main characters, great sexual tension, and cross-class romances.

Calling all Pretty Woman and Center Stage fans, this beautiful historical romance is filled with excellent banter. I am a sucker for Regency romance and this one delivered every note I look for -- chemistry, steam without being gratuitous, tension, and intellect. There were some aspects that felt a bit modern given the era, but those aspects didn't detract from the overall story.

I loved the ballet throughout this story. It reminded me of a grown-up, historical version of the ballet in Kisses & Croissants. Highly recommend this one for historical romance readers.

Tropes: Fake dating/fake engagement

This was a great historical romance and introduction to the author! I will be going back to read more of her works for sure.

Always Be My Duchess is a fun and lighter historical romance, in what I would consider more of a rom com style. I definitely got Bridgerton vibes, between the banter and snark and the steamy scenes. So if you're looking for something to hold you over between seasons, this one would be great!

I would rate this one about 3/5 🌶 on the spiciness scale, which I define as 2-3 explicit scenes with some other steam mixed in. The steamy scenes were all written in a way that felt very true to historical context, while still maintaining the steam factor. So I guess I'm saying it was very tastefully done.

Tropes and representation: fake dating/engagement; neurodivergent Hero

Pretty Woman, but make it regency. It was fun and the main characters had great chemistry. I also loved that the supporting ladies were very strong and not the usual docile little ladies.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, however the review and opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book. Think Pretty Woman, but make it regency. And the best news is that it is only book one of the new Taming of the Dukes series! I can't wait to read more.

Lord Lysander Blackstone is wandering around drunk and about to be robbed when he's saved by a tiny but ferocious Geneviève Valery. In a bid to escape their would-be robbers they are thrown together quite indecently. However, Lysander can't help but think she might just be the answer to his current problems. You see, he is trying to buy an estate but the seller doesn't want to sell to a bachelor who will just tear it all down. He wants to sell to someone who might continue to use it as a family home. If Lysander can present himself as engaged, then he might have a chance at securing the deal.

Geneviève is outraged at the thought of being hired, and for such deceitful activities, but her sister is injured and Geneviève is having trouble finding work. She desperately needs to send money back to France, so she reluctantly agrees to Lysander's proposal.

Neither of them expects to develop feelings for each other, but the more they get to know each other the more they start to care. Can they get past their preconceived ideas of what their lives should look like and build a future together though?

I’ll start by saying OH MY GOSH I’m OBSESSED with this book. Such a fabulous read and so deserving of 5 stars!

Duke Lysander Montcroix, also known as Stone, is needing to close a business deal to acquire land. To do so he must ensure to the seller he has plans to Wed. After a night of over indulgence he encounters Genevieve Valley, an out of work Ballerina, desperate for a job crying in the streets. A damsel in distress who ends up saving him instead from would be thieves. Stone makes Neve a proposition she can’t refuse. He needs her acting skills and wants to hire her to be on his arm for an upcoming ball to secure his land deal and to scare off all season mothers hoisting their daughters on to him. He’s too busy to Wed, and too closed off from a past betrayal. It’s a win win for them both. Neve, having fallen on desperate times, agrees so she can secure money to pay her sisters medical bills.

What I loved:
•The Pretty Women vibes present in this story. It dazzled me completely.
•The Duke himself. So sexy and swoon worthy.
•Neve, the tough as nails ballerina whom I adored. There was nothing she couldn’t face. She was a true warrior queen. I love a strong solid female MC.
•The chemistry and passion between them was just WOW🔥 From chapter one these two were on fire when near each other. Be prepared to fan yourself often 😂
•The journey watching Neve chip away at the iceberg Stone built around his heart. I loved watching him grow and open himself up to loving another and being loved.
•The sexy time scenes. Holy heck 🥵

What I didn’t love:
•Nothing!

This story was so fabulous and I loved ever bit of it. My heart swelled so many times while reading this watching these two grow and let go of their past insecurities to learn to trust and love each other. I highly recommend this one! One of my top five read so far this year (and that’s saying a lot). I will definitely be continuing this series as it evolves. I can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store for us.

A historical romance with Bridgerton vibes?? Yes, Please!

I was super excited to read this book because I've been watching Birdgerton and loving the drama, romance and passion, and this book had just what I needed to sooth my craving! A fun book with great characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Pub for the earc in return for an honest review.

Do I admit that I've never actually watched Pretty Women? The shame. But it means I can't really compare it, although Neve is actually upperclass born, so she already knows how to fit into society so I feel like the reference is a little loose at best. However, I found this to be an average regency romance book. I've read better, I've read worse. This felt sort of like an entry-level regency romance, trying to drag Bridgerton (show) fans into the genre (which I'm all for!) My favourite part was actually her group of friends and I am looking forward to reading future installments in the series.

I love Amalie Howard's books! This is one of my favorite troupes because it always ends up making me laugh. "Always Be My Duchess" succeeded! I love that the hero of the story was a woman - that always makes me happy! She didn't have to be rescued by a Duke... She can stand on her own two feet! I love her spirit and her determination! it made for an enjoyable read for sure!