Spies and lies reach across the ocean to America and Paris in 1865. Lady Bronwyn Chase wants more than to be her mother's pawn in making a brilliant match with a titled gentleman. A carrier of information and secrets, to Valentine, the Duke of Thornbury, he's not sure whose side she's working for. Retired from working for The Crown, he becomes involved following this mysterious woman, sister to his best friend. Passion overtakes them even though they still don't trust each other. A kidnapping, assassination and blackmail puts Bronwyn in danger. Valentine becomes her protector. The heat sizzles off the page and the plot kept me riveted.
Heat level 5
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

“James Bond meets Bridgerton in this steamy enemies-to-lovers historical romance…”
This first sentence in the blurb is what initially captivated my interest. And I have to say, it is wholly accurate and did not disappoint! I could not put it down!

Have you ever just held a book to your chest after completing it? As if hugging a good friend? Yeah, me too. 😊

I completely fell in love with Lady Bronwyn and the Duke of Thornbury. They are both accomplished operatives and truly like two sides of the same coin. Both fighting for justice in very different ways.

When they come together…it is like fireworks. The heat is a 20 out of 10! 🥵 Sizzling and scorching hot. In need of an ice bath, a cold shower will not be enough.

The backdrop of the Lincoln assassination, and all of the amazing cameos and nods to true female heroes in history… 👏
I urge you to read the author’s note at the end. Absolutely inspiring. Amalie Howard is a refreshing voice in one of my favorite genres.

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Amalie Howard for the ARC of this wonderful book!

I will be making my way through Howard’s other work now. K bye 👋

It's spy v spy as Lady Bronwyn Chase tries to thwart a kidnapping while staying one step ahead of fellow spy Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury. When Bronwyn's spy games place a target on her back, it's up to the two of them to figure out the identity of the traitor in the War Office and survive long enough to find a bed to shack up in.

I liked this book (3 stars is a like in my book). I think Bronwyn is one of my favorite heroines in the genre - seriously, she is a total badass. She is opinionated, gets what she wants, and is unapologetic in the pursuit of what's right. She may be the "inexperienced" one in the bedroom, but I dont think I've ever seen a heroine so gung-ho about everything. Absolutely iconic. That being said, there were MANY times that I wanted to throw Valentine off a ship. But look, you can't help who you love. I loved that she took basically none of his alpha male swagger and thwarted him at every turn. Bronwyn forever!

A fitting next installment of the Daring Duke series. I've really enjoyed the depth of the characters and cant wait to see if there is another one. Regardless, I will read whatever Amalie writes, so see you for the next book.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued from the beginning sentence of this novel. The heroine is brazen, smart and fearless. Her and the hero have undeniable chemistry and the espionage raises the stakes of their attraction! I was entertained by their banter and enjoyed their flirtation. The only thing I would change was that it was too erotic for my taste. I do enjoy a bit of subtly, romance and sexual tension to my romance. Overall, enjoyable.

I really enjoy historical romance, this book is so good, I enjoyed it so much!
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book

The Duke in Question by Amelia Howard
Daring Dukes series book #3. Historical diverse (own voice) romance. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series, for the family dynamics.
Lady Bronwyn wants to be a source of good and help her country. She has taken on dangerous spy missions but on the ship across the ocean to the States, she is being hunted by a former spymaster, Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury. He doesn’t know the Kestral is female or the lucious Bronwyn as she leads him on a wicked chase of seduction and secrets.

Wicked hot with amusing antics among the ton parties. Too much giggling but pretty accurate shooting. I liked the intrigue and layers within the premise of society parties.

Don’t skip the authors notes at the end that detail the actual history and research notes and how the story unfolded to it’s ending result.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Bronwyn "Bee" Chase is an aristocratic English lady tied up in a dangerous espionage game to try to prevent the kidnapping and assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Lord Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, is tasked with uncovering the identity of an illusive spy called Kestrel, wanted for passing state secrets to the Americans during the Civil War. Bee and Valentine are previous acquaintances due to his friendship with Bronwyn's brother, and the two meet again aboard a ship in the Atlantic. Lord Valentine soon realizes there is more to Bee than her vapid personality, and spy games soon force the couple to work together to save their lives and the lives of people loyal to the Union.

This was a unique setting as I haven't read many historical romances set during the Civil War. It is still a backdrop to the romance, though spy craft does play a large part in the plot. Amalie Howard always writes really great sex scenes! Bee and Lord Valentine clearly have a danger kink, because the two just could not keep their hands off each other after every dangerous encounter. I'm pretty sure they didn't have sex in an actual bed until the epilogue. They even almost get themselves killed by the baddies because they're so desperate to have kinky sex in a stable. The identity of the "bad guy" wasn't a huge shocker, but it was still an adrenaline-filled romance with good banter between the leads.

3.5
I usually enjoy Amelie Howard’s books a lot, but I think this one wasn´t quite for me.
The Duke of Thornbury, retired agent of the Crown, has never lost a target. Lady Bronwyn Chase is far from the paragon of society that her mother expects her to be. Which is why she's on her brother's passenger liner bound for America with a secret packet of letters that could get her into trouble. Serious trouble—the kind that a duke's sister shouldn't be in; the kind that puts spymaster Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, on her trail. But as the duke gets closer to Bronwyn and the secrets she's keeping, he'll have to decide between the mysterious woman who calls to him, or his allegiance to the Crown.
I really liked Valentine. He is brave and deeply honest in his own way. Loyalty is everything to him and Bronwyn makes him doubt all his believes. I also liked her but for me, she was a contemporary character. It’s great and stimulating to see strong historical women who fight against their limited options in life, but she is just too much. Too forward (she is more like a courtesan than a sassy virgin daughter of a Duke and learnt everything from a book), too athletic (she fights against villains with guns and knives like a pro) and is a better spy than him in a few missions.
I loved the concept of this book, but she is a feminist from another century and her remarks are just absurd for that period of time.
The book is well written, engaging and the really steamy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Want a scorching hot book with an adventurous plot? This is the book for you! And for me as well, since I love a spy story and I have a penchant for a stern, handsome and cold spymaster who’s melted by love. And Valentine is all that and more! Bronwyn is a wonderful character as well, spirited and bold and smart and totally enchanting. The banter between the characters, and not only the main ones, is delightful and the attraction between the hero and the heroine is palpable and off the charts.
The setting is very, very interesting and I got to know some facts about the American Civil War that I didn’t know, thanks to the author’s extensive research. She flawlessly incorporated all the facts into the plot without ever been boring and avoiding to give history “lessons”. And her writing is excellent!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All the stars to this wonderfully and delightfully wicked historical full of romance and action and some of the best banter between two very smart individuals I've read all year.
Lady Bronwyn Chase is a spy deadset on accomplishing her missions as The Kestrel. But the Duke of Thornbury, a retired agent of the Crown, has come out of retirement to catch The Kestrel and he always gets his man. Or he would if the 'man' in question wasn't his best friend's beguiling little sister.
There is so much action and intrigue that this could have been a riveting historical thriller all on its lonesome, yet the passion and romance that Howard suffused the story of Bronwyn and Valentine with takes center stage. It's not just the usual pining and hardheaded staying away from each other despite wanting no one else, it's a passion that sizzles on the page while also being fun. I think that's what I enjoyed the most. They have some extremely passionate and raw encounters while also keeping things fun, even when they still weren't on the best of terms. It's the perfect combination for this romance reader.
It's the third volume in the series and I do think it would help to read the previous volumes so you can fully enjoy all the names and situations that get dropped into the plot. However, all the characters are so fully developed within their story and enough info on backgrounds is given that I think someone can jump in with this volume and still find it incredibly enjoyable.
Overall, a fun and sexy read full of intrigue and action that sweeps you away.

Extremely happy thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the delightfully wicked read!

The Duke in Question is the story of Lady Bronwyn Chase and Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury. Bronwyn is on her brother's ship, the Duke of Ashvale headed to Philadelphia when she encounters Valentine is his "ex-wife" Lisbeth who are also guests on the ship. Bronwyn tries to avoid Valentine at all costs because she knows he is a spy for the Home Office and does not want him to interfere with her reasons for going to America. Once they arrive in Philadelphia, Bronwyn attempts to meet her contact in a tavern but she is met by someone she wasn't expecting and Valentine has to help her escape before she could be harmed. The two of them have to work together to foil several ruffians who seem to be trying to kill them. After successfully getting away from danger posed by unknown characters, they succumb to the passion that has been brewing between them for awhile. Valentine starts to suspect Bronwyn of lying about her reasons for going to America and plans to keep a closer eye on her on their trip back to England. Their trip is delayed when Bronwyn escapes from the ship with the assistance of her maid and her brother's cousin, Rawley. They meet up again in Paris where Bronwyn faces more danger. This story has plenty of steam and romance combined with intigue that will have readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

I received this story as an ARC from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca and I am voluntarily leaving this review

This book had no right being this good! It took you on an adventure of high heat, a tale of two spies who seen to travel the world and end up in love. There was nothing I didn't enjoy about this book! Such a lovely addition to this series!

This was such an enjoyable read with well-written characters and an engaging plot. It's described as Bridgerton meets James Bond and I have to agree that's a pretty accurate comparison. With two spies trying to keep the other one from figuring out their story, the reader is left with many questions as well. Yet, as the story progresses, answers are doled out as needed and soon things make more sense.

Amalie Howard has a knack for writing solid characters and well thought out plots. And the chemistry between these two characters....wowza! Then there's the banter. Every facet of the characters' enemies to lovers interaction is spot on perfection - - especially their underlying attraction to one another that they just can't deny.

The storytelling in The Duke in Question was stellar. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

The Duke in Question, by Amalie Howard. Alright you naughty readers. You have got to read this book. It will leave you light headed. You may possibly and I can’t guarantee this, but you may get over heated.
And the best one of all, you may get a little turned on. Alright, very turned on. Who am I kidding, this book will leave you very turned on. Very wet, and begging for your man to come and ease your burning desire that’s asking to be rigorously sated. I don’t know who was more kinkier and naughtier, Valentine or Lady Bronwyn?!
With these two, Erotic, sexual seduction was their game and they came to obliterate their burning desires for one another. But we’ll talk more about this later. Good lord, Amalie knows how to hit her readers right where it gets them begging for more, in all sense of the word. Say what?! First off, I absolutely loved the plot.
I thought that writer did an exceptional job at bringing all the characters into the criminal story line. The objective of Valentine and Bronwyn investigation took them through back alleys of America and London. During these times it was intense and clearly kept the story moving. The stories pace was a smooth ride from beginning to end. All the characters were brilliantly written.
I found myself excited when each character, particularly Rawley’s came on scene. I definitely liked how the writer added just a little of his and Bronwyn’s background to the story. I had a better appreciation of their relationship and you will too. Let me tell you about the romance in the story. The romance was like no other historical romance novel that I could think of.
Valentine and Bronwyn are two people who spends so much of their time being on the defensive lines, literally and figuratively that they forgot how to tell if they could truly care and love a person. I believe that this whole mystery case that the two found themselves involved in was an excellent story for them to actually look into themselves. The action scenes where gripping and sometimes heart pounding, but I strongly supported Bronwyn’s character as a strong woman who kicked butt first, and sought answers later. Let’s start with Amalie’s choice of leading male character, Valentine. Where did the writer conjure him up from?!
Oh my God, Adonis seemed to be compared quite a lot when it came to Valentine’s character. ( At least he was compared to Adonis a lot in my visual mind set). You know what I mean friends. I can’t seem to get the phrase, “ round globes” out of my head. It makes me think of naughty things. Bronwyn’s character was cleverly written for this book.
She’s smart. She’s intelligent. She knows how to take care of herself in battle. She thinks quick on her feet, and she can be quite the seductress when need be. I enjoyed the wonderful entertainment from this story.
It was engaging and it was a fun read. I give this book two snaps and a, Valentine, take me home and thoroughly ravish me. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!

spies, historical facts AND ROMANCE? What could go wrong?

The heroine (Bronwyn) wants to show that she can be useful and helpful, and the best way to do it is being a spy in the middle of the 19th century. Although what happens when the problems start to appear?


Honestly I was very curious to see the development of this story, it's not every day I find something about spies in the world of historical romance, and I was pleasantly surprised that it is actually nothing new and difficult to read. We (almost) always see action in this type of romance (thieves, traitors...) and here we find the same, with the difference that the heroine herself is a spy. It may sound original, but it is not; there is much of the same as always but better written. I liked it, yeah, I had a hard time reading the beginning, also yeah, but it was an easy-to-read romance, characters without too many mental problems and a very simple story.

Bronwyn is fairly likeable and so is the mmc, they both have an indescribable passion and desire for each other throughout the book, something I love to see between two characters.

By the way, I really liked the information on the handcuffs lol.

I have to say this but Bronwyn's envy towards every couple had me ROLLING MY EYES, like girl we get it, you envy your brother and your maid and all the couples of the world ☠️ get over it

This is one of the best books I have read in long time! I didn't know this was a series but I am going to back to read the past book(s).
This was smoking hot mixed in with some mystery and drama. I just love books with a lot of steam, if this offends you don't bother reading it.
Hero imagined handsome and strong and h intense yet soft and a great leading lady with her own opinions. She was just the perfect mix of independent yet still a woman.
Spy romance with a bit of American historical interests but not enough to be considered American.

Thank you so much Ms. Howard for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

The Duke in Question by Amelia Howard is the third book in the Daring Dukes series. The stories in this series are historical fiction. They do add elements of mysteries and thrillers into the novels. The novels do have a strong theme of good vs bad as well.

Lady Bronwyn Chase has determined that a boring life of a society maiden is not for her! She is determined to avoid her mother’s push for marriage to a proper man and work on the cause that means so much to her - to abolish slavery! She has begun to work as a spy sharing information. I mean who would think it was a proper society maid who was called the Kestrel

Valentine Medfort, the Duke of Thornbury has been asked to search out the Kestrel. Little did he know it was the one woman who could drive him batty! Lady Brownyn giggles and carries on like nothing is more important than all the young men who respond to her flirtations. However, he is on the trail of finding out who Kestrel is and somehow Bronwyn is always around. This begins to become more apparent, yet he is sure something more is going on.

The Duke in Question by Amelia Howard is a fun read with good characters, bad guys and some great tense scenes.

Amalie Howard is a must buy/must read author, and this book did not disappoint! Loved reading the story of Thornbury and Bronwyn. This book has everything! So good!

Never underestimate a lady in a dress.

This action packed, swoon worthy novel really lives up to the hype!

Wow! What an absolutely fun book! This is such a great spy thriller, filled with chases and intrigue.
From early on the main couple really have great chemistry. Bronwyn is determined to make her own decisions and save herself, but in a way that really felt real. And I absolutely adore Valentine. The way he is completely fooled by Bronwyn in the begging is hilarious and makes this a true enemies to lovers.
I adored Amalie Howard’s writing. She is really dedicated to historical accuracy. The fact that she enjoys historical details really makes those tidbits shine, which might be my favorite part of this book.
Overall I loved this and can’t wait for more from this author!

Stars: 4.5/5
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, spies, best friend’s sister
CW: Violence, kidnapping, gun use, racism, injury

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was action-packed and fun to read but it felt like a modern story dropped into a historical setting, rather than a historical romance. Instead of a romance, the book heavily relied on lust and an adrenaline junkie kink to carry the relationship. Ugh and the steam was like a fish out of water!! The FMC was completely mischaracterized. She needed to be a widow or courtesan instead of a virgin debutant because there was no growth in her experience, she just “read it in a book” aka the holy grail of sexual prowess and confidence.

Steam: 🔥

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the advance reader copy. All thoughts are my own.