3.5 A very steamy historical with an enemies-to-lovers story. The witty banter between the very liberated Lady Bronwyn and Valentine, the titular Duke, was fun and Bronwyn's internal dialogue sassy. The spies have to find who the traitor, while keeping from creating a scandal. Bigger themes like Lincoln's assassination, slavery and racism are all addressed. While I liked Bronwyn, I don't know that I was a huge fan of Valentine and the timing of their sexytimes was a little weird. Mixed bag for me.

For me the best part of the book was the author's note. So I think it says it all.

The story was quite interesting but the sex scenes and the obsession with it ruined the book for me. Perhaps for middle age ladies with many cats, the sex scenes are a necessity but the book could have been so much better without them. The character development was so weak that I have no idea why the main characters felt in love with each other apart from the physical attraction.

From this author I expected more but perhaps I am not the right audience.

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

Historical romance in Victorian England, America, France, book 3 of the Rules for Heiresses series. Bronwyn, the younger sister of the duke from the previous book is now some sort of female spy known as the Kestrel, and she’s en route to America on her brother’s ship to give a warning of an abduction attempt on the president. Her brother’s best friend and former spy is also on board the ship and aggravated by her silly debutante behavior. Meanwhile, they’re both intensely attracted to each other despite their adversarial relationship. The spy/action-adventure part definitely gets the adrenaline going for these two, leading to lots of steamy scenes where their instincts have taken over logic and control. Seriously, lots of passion in this one. And then of course, the danger of it all and figuring out how everyone will end of up safe and content at the end will keep the pages turning for you.

Lady Bronwyn Chase is a lot more complex than she appears. None in her family or society would believe the lengths she will go to for the cause she supports.

Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury is supposed to be retired from his work for the Crown, but he is still hinting for the spy known as The Kestrel.

This is an action packed, steamy historical romance with great characters. Both our protagonists are exceptionally clever, inventive and commited to their work. Unfortunately that is their biggest stumbling block. The sparks never stop flying between them.

This book is part of a series. While you don't need to have read the previous ones to enjoy this one, it would help you to understand our heroine's motives.

I loved it.

I was immediately hooked by The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard. The plot had an intensity which drew me in and the spicy scenes were spice perfection! I have read a few espionage romance novels and this one is by far my favourite. I loved how no one expected Bronwyn to be the notorious Kestrel and she had Valentine completely baffled (and annoyed) by the the persona she showcased for the outer world. Also the fact that they both needed to work together in order to assure Bronwyn's safety after her mission went awry, had a forced proximity vibe which only lead to more passionate encounters between the two. This novel had so many of the elements/trope that I love. Once I finished reading this third book in The Daring Dukes series, I immediately purchased the first two in the series. Amalie Howard's writing is beyond captivating.

If you like action and simmering romance, this book is for you. The tension around these two spies - finding each other out, chasing each other across continents, discovering their attraction to each other - it gave the plot such a great drive. Then add in the chemistry they have together, and it all simmers. I mean, really smolders here.

I loved this book so much

I did receive an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It was probably not a good idea to start reading this book a couple of hours before bedtime. The story kept getting more interesting and I had a hard time putting it down!
The Duke of Thornbury was utterly delish. The man barely hides his disgust for Lady Bronwyn in the beginning - he thinks that she is vapid and vain, constantly giggling with a need to be always surrounded by suitors. All of his beliefs flow out of the window when he discovers that she's the Kestrel - he learns how smart, cunning, resourceful, unapologetically herself she is.
Lady Bronwyn has always had feelings for the Duke. The attraction she feels for him is depicted right from the beginning of the story. That woman is badass, and she shows that when circumstances have her and the Duke thrown together to thwart attacks directed towards Bronwyn. Their attraction is at once off-the-charts scorching. Bronwyn knows what she wants and does not hesitate to ask for it. And the Duke cannot refuse her. Makes for some very delicious times indeed.
As for the steam scale, there are two or three complete chapters dedicated to sex scenes, and numerous other instances of other things happening - you can check out Hannah's review for more details <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4788237858"> Hannah's review</a>.
I really enjoyed this story - each character on their own, their attraction to each other, their inability to resist each other, as well as the fast-paced intrigue.
One small thing though, I was wondering who and how they would be with each other outside of the times when they're either running for their lives or foiling attacks made on them, and outside of sexy times. Who would they be together when their lives are normal-paced and mundane? I don't think we got to see that because their circumstances always have them experiencing heightened emotions.
However, The Duke in Question was overall a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Thank you to the publisher and author for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was so amazing! Wow just wow!
Regency romance, steamy, funny, badass heroine, spies and a Duke that had me drooling!
I had some much fun with this story.

I’m fascinated by how she managed to mix the story with real historic events. The author note’s was so informative as well. I love the fact that she had inspiration from real badass women to create her characters.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you Netgally for this arc.

New to us is author Amalie Howard and WOW are we excited to read all her other books too. This book is out November 8th and you must get your hands/eyes/ears on it.

This book is adventure, allyship, hot sex, fierce love, forgiveness, and fun. Very mild spoilers ahead!

Lady Bronwyn has long been infatuated with Valentine (a duke and the best mate of her brother, also a duke). B & V run into each other on a ship sailing to America. V is on the hunt for a traitor. B is playing the role of the flighty heiress but is really on her way to Philadelphia to assist the Union in the Civil War. Little do they know how entangled they really are.

The pair make it from the ship to Philly, back to the ship, to France (eventually Paris), and back to England. The entire story is a race to solve a massive riddle and avoid assassins, a confession of secrets, a critique of society (applicable to any time period), and one of the hottest historical romances we’ve ever read! 🥵🥵

Come for the adventure and sex of course but stay for the witty banter, truth seeking, and honest perspective on how those of us who recognize our privileges can be allies.

Finally, the authors note is one of the best we’ve read. The history and reference texts are fascinating. In addition Ms. Howard’s frankness about race and her attempts to address the issues properly and with care are a lesson we should all take the time for.

Steeeeeaaaammmmy! Lady Bronwyn Chase has fallen into small acts of espionage and she has now been tasked with a much bigger one - taking certain papers across the pond to America. Valentine, the Duke of Thornbury and Bronwyn's brother's best friend is on the same ship, hunting for a rogue contact - who is, of course, Bronwyn. Danger ensues, being safe from danger sex ensues, and eventually a love story is born.

I enjoyed this book, though the spy trope is not one of my favorites. Bronwyn and Valentine click so well together. There is a touch a humor and a handful of carnality around their coupledom and it just works. Bronwyn is unabashedly sexual, and Valentine is more than willing to meet her where she is - be that near a tree, in the stairwell of a ship, etc. This book is super hot. I also loved that Bronwyn was not super threatened by Valentine's former partner / wife (in the prior book, they were never actually married, but I don't think Valentine ever makes that clear to Bronwyn, or perhaps it is a continuity issue) and instead found a friendship with the other woman.

On the less positive side, I was muddled on why the duo were supposedly working against each other and a bit annoyed by Bronwyn turning down Valentine's proposal because she doesn't think he loves her only to contemplate entering into another loveless marriage not too long later. Still, I did like seeing Ravenna and Courtland pop in, though one would not have needed to read their story to enjoy this one.

4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

The Duke in Question is naughty and delicious combination of romance and adventure! Valentine and Bronwyn light up the pages of this enemies to lovers story, with scenes that are scintillating! There are spies, there are scandals, there is danger, but above all else, there is desire and love!

Normally I have a hard time enjoying HR spy books, but The Duke in Question has changed my mind. I read this book in 2 days and enjoyed every moment of it. I could hardly put it down! It was a lot of fun seeing a heroine take charge of her life & wants and not caring about what society wants and expects of her. I thought it was great that she used those ideals to get away with a lot of her espionage. It was great to see the "super spy" hero lose his mind over the heroine outwitting and outmaneuvering him at every turn. I loved seeing a hero forget himself just by being in the presence of the heroine while constantly contemplating what he was going to do with her. This book was a lot of fun and now my favorite in the series.

Fun things in the book:
- Sex before 30% of the book
- Sex in public (forest/ship)
- "Alone Time"
- Spies!
- He hates her but is soooo attracted to her
- One upping eachother
- Watching eachother
- handcuffs...

3 spicy scenes
2 handsy scenes

4.5 stars
2 peppers

Tropes: Brother's Best Friend, Spies, Mutual Pining, Stuck Together, We almost got murdered so we should bang, Just tell her you love her!, kinda Road Trip, She was who he was looking for all along

In the spirit of the Midnights release, here are the TS songs that go with this book:
Vigilante Sh!t
Mastermind
Paris
The Great War

Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy!

This book was fun to read, but it was a little all over the place. For example, the two protagonists are both working as spies, but it was unclear to me why they were enemies and not allies. I also found Bronwyn's characterization to be very inconsistent. One moment she's turning down Valentine's proposal because it would be a loveless marriage, and in the next scene she has resigned herself to marrying another man she does not love because her mother set it up. It made very little sense to me. I did enjoy Bronwyn's cleverness, and her unabashed sexuality was a change of pace from many historical romances.

This lady won't let a savvy duke sway her from her mission.The Duke of Thornbury, retired agent of the Crown, has never lost a target.In a flirty game of cat and mouse, a spy must keep his enemy close to unravel the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
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 avnd the secrets she's keeping, he'll have to decide between the mysterious woman who calls to him, or his allegiance to the Crown.
Valentine and Bronwyn are truly meant to be together.
As a spy she is awesome and as the guy who is meant to catch her he is just as good.
Amalie Howard is an amazing author.
I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

It was a good book and really enjoyed it all and rooted for this couple to make it. Love it all. Love me historical books any day of the week.

The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard was such a fun read including a thrilling dose of action and steam. Sometimes with historical romance you get the same story over and over. This was a new take and I loved it! Bronwyn and Valentine are great together especially in the whole espionage world. I never knew what they were going to get into and it made the story that much more exciting.

4/5. Releases 11/8/2022.

A duke with a past career in espionage--a young lady (his best friend's little sister, of course) who's pursuing her own undercover adventures--a lot of friction, both emotional and physical. I'll admit, I wasn't sure how this would turn out as someone who has trouble with espionage romances, but The Duke in Question was really, really fun... and surprisingly hot.

One of the things I've struggled with most in traditionally published romance (especially historical romance) recently is a lack of physical connection between the characters, and a lack of... just... issues. People being people, people having problems with each other. This book had that, while being fun and--overall--quite lighthearted. I wouldn't say that Bronwyn and Valentine (great names) have massive tragic backstories, but they have quirks and issues and challenge each other a lot, which leads to them going head to head quite a bit. Plus there's this element of Valentine, the retired spy, being the unwilling mentor to Bronwyn, a baby spy.

There's also an element of Valentine being a bit jaded, a bit world-weary, and Bronwyn being this chaos demon who just hurtles into his life. Or rather, throws herself in his face after having a girlish crush on him for years (we love to see it). He's thrown completely off balance by this girl--and if you're a fan of a stodgy, uptight man turning into a total mess over a woman, this is the book for you.

I'll also add--I love how Amalie Howard handled sex in this book. There's a lot of it, it starts early and with a lot of intensity, and at first they're really just trying to satisfy a need, well before it becomes emotional (which doesn't take away from the heat of it at all). There's a real carnality to Valentine and Bronwyn, and they are certainly a big fan of the danger bang.

To be real, I still find it kind of difficult to follow spy plots, and I don't know that there was much change with that... from this book. But I really enjoyed Valentine and Bronwyn spatting, Valentine and Bronwyn hooking up in every wrong place, Valentine and Bronwyn falling in love. There was a madcap, devil may care feeling to this book, and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casabalance for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

most likely my new favorite historical romance. This was such a fun read including a thrilling dose of action and steam. Bronwyn was a powerful character, balancing on idea of wanting to make a difference and still yearning for that true love. Valentine embodied the grumpy retired spy with an icy heart persona until the the lady-of-the-ton-turned-spy made him feel alive. loved them both.


some romance books are hot and some are spicy but this was both. Felt the chemistry between main characters and even if they got together fairly early, it didn't seem forced and scenes weren't repetitive.

overall, a fun exciting romance read with entertaining spy subplot.
thank you for the advanced copy

This book was a lot of fun. I laughed quite a bit in the beginning, because the characters had a tendency to behave ridiculously, in a good way. Bronwyn and Valentine were great together and the whole espionage subplot really helped move this story along in an interesting way. The spice in this was also really good.

This has a lot of steam but it also has a lot of plot holes. Fans of the genre may well enjoy this story of Valentine and Bronwyn, both of whom are pretending to be someone they aren't. It's not an espionage novel = although Bronwyn is carry important information from England to the US when they meet on board ship. It's an enemies (not really) to lovers (really) tale. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It lost me early on but this isn't my favorite genre so over to others to decide.