Valentine, Duke of Thornbury and retired agent of the crown, heads out on another mission to intercept a spy. He could never imagine that the person he’s looking for is his best friend’s sister, Lady Bronwyn Chase. She acts like a vapid, silly chit but there’s more to this once-sheltered miss. Bronwyn needs to avoid Valentine’s suspicions, but actually she’s imagining all the fun they might have if he “caught” her.

This is the third book in the Daring Dukes series. The heroine, Bronwyn, is the half-sister of book two's hero, Courtland. The events of this story take place directly after the end of the previous novel. It can mostly be read alone, although some characters and events are mentioned.

This book was fast paced, super sexy, and made me want to keep reading! Bronwyn is young, impulsive, and eager for a sense of purpose. She doesn't want to have a loveless society marriage where she becomes her husband's property; she wants to help fight for the rights of others. An accidental eavesdrop turns into a job passing along government messages, and now she's on a ship to America carrying sensitive intel about the American president! It's just her rotten luck that Valentine, who she's had a crush on for years, is on her tail. They annoy the heck out of one another, but their attraction is explosive!

I also really loved the author notes at the end about the real history surrounding the events of the story.

Tropes: Spy/Govt Work, Forced Proximity, Opposites Attract, Brother's Best Friend, Ship Trip Romance

Steam: 5 (four full scenes, two short scenes)

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheDukeInQuestion #NetGalley

Trope: brothers best friend and I can't really say Valentine and Bronwyn were enemies. They're simply two individuals who annoyed the heck out of each other. So to the best of my knowledge I'd also call it spies fallen in love.

This book is a gem with a sassy heroine, and a strong hero. Bronwyn is working as a spy for the British government while Valentine is retired. This book takes you on a journey to America to France and then back to England.

Retired spy Valentine encounters Bronwyn on her brothers ship headed to Philadelphia. They minute they talk he's completely irritated with her personality. Unbeknownst to him, her simpering personality is all an act to detour him of any suspicions of her being a spy or as to why she's on the ship. He finds out some news and knowing she is in potential trouble he's right on trail. He follows her to America, to France. then back to England. He gets to know the real her where he'll lay down the cards and give her his to name to protect her. But of course they bicker back and forth. She wants love while he doesn't believe in it. Suddenly she is kidnapped, and he realizes that he loves her with every fiber of his being.

It's funny as annoyed as they were with each other it's a losing battle. They tried but can not fight their attraction towards each other. There's an instant sexual connection between them and its Lusty, and extremely hot. There's one particular scene where they drop drawers and have sex against a tree in the middle of nowhere while be chased by enemies. Imagine the adrenaline rush 😅🥵. Also let it be known she is the aggressor of most of the sex scenes. I love that she isn't shy and knows what she wants, and gets what she wants.

I recommend this book if you're into espionage spy stuff, mystery, or if you like a book with a lot of heat.

The only thing the Duke of Thornbury sees when he looks at Lady Bronwyn Chase is a vapid and spoiled girl, little does he know that Bronwyn is anything but. All she has ever wanted is to do something that matters, and when she gets the chance she proves how strong and courageous she is. She has no problem walking into a dangerous situation to do what she thinks is right.

When Thornbury shows up during Bronwyn's mission, she acts exactly like the girl she knows will drive him away, however, when he sees her wild and free he becomes completely obsessed, and decides that it's his job to keep her out of danger... He has no idea what he's in for.

There is some pretty explosive chemistry and danger around every corner. Fists fly and shots are fired, and don't forget a bit of kidnapping. While all this is going on our main characters are falling in love and doing their best to ignore what's happening.
This was an entertaining read, and I look forward to seeing what Amalie Howard is going to write next.

Oh my goodness this “The Duke in Question” by Amalie Howard was amazing!! I loved Bronwyn so much. She was sassy, sarcastic, and did not take crap from anyone. She was empowered and dedicated to supporting her cause. The relationship between Valentine and Bronwyn is really well written. They complement each other very well, he was stoic and serious and she was sarcastic and strong willed. Their chemistry was amazing, I felt the connection between them from their first interaction. I really liked Lisbeths teasing of Valentine and his moods. The tension between Valentine and Bronwyn was great, I felt that it added to the spy race plot really well. The complicated will they, won't they enemies to lovers trope really drew me it. I could not put it down. How can I forget Bronwyn's aunt, she was a gem, she was funny and very encouraging of Bronwyn and her choices. I loved how much accurate history was included. I like how Amalie Howard wrote about the side of the civil war that is not often talked about. I loved that she drew inspiration from real life civil war female spies and heroes. I loved that she included a lot of diverse characters, they are often left out of history and the retellings of it. I have read other books by Amalie Howard before but “The Duke in Question” takes the cake. I am so excited to see what they come out with next.

Don't mind me, I'm just over here fanning myself after reading this book. When a Regency Romance involves spies, you are always in for a good time. This 3rd installment of the Daring Dukes series follows a year after Courtland and Ravenna get together, this time with his sister Bronwyn, and his good friend Thornbury, formerly Earl of Waterstone. Yes, THE Waterstone. Now a Duke and retired spy. And Bronwyn, an informant of sorts. I loved the pace of the book. There was always some action moving the plot along and right when you think something happens, Amalie Howard keeps you guessing. And the chemistry between Bronwyn and Thornbury is UNREAL. This might be the spiciest novel by Amalie Howard. And the cat and mousiest, if that is a term. The "hate that I want you" vibe is strong but also the "I need to protect you but I don't know why", along with "I wanna burn your clothes with my eyes". Whew.

Bronwyn is a badass. Like the Duchess from Sarah MacLean's Hell's Belles would totally recruit her. I knew it from the previous book but we get to see the depth of it here. And of course she is unapologetic. Which is what Thornbury loves about her, though he keeps warring with the need to keep her contained. And he is ever the grump and icy Lord, but not to the point of annoyance. He's endearing in his flustered vulnerability. And together with their motley crew we have a wonderful story of love and duty with the social commentary on race, gender, allyship and freedom.

Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Heart Flutters: ❤️❤️

Spicy, spicy spies! Who do you work for? Are we on the same side? Can I trust you? Let’s bang!

A highly fantastical romance that in no way could have happened in real life, and I enjoyed every second of it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

“Trust me, you’ll know the feel of my hand over this luscious, bared arse of yours”
“You can ride me anyway you want, my lady”
This book was absolutely THRILLING !!!
I loved it !!! I’m in the right mood for regency romances but this one prob lanky outwitted them all with its exciting characters, spicy romance and entertaining plot !!!
Two spies set together on a ship to Philadelphia, he is hunting for her and she is on a mission of her own. But he is also her big brother’s best friend and devastatingly handsome. And they are both attracted to each other is a way that can make them both feral even for just a touch !!!
I loved this book. The mystery and the action surrounding the main characters made Bronwyn and Valentine’s dynamics even more addicting !!!
And the spicy scenes between them were just … chef kiss !!!!
This man knows what he is doing !!!
The jealousy, the possession, the hunger they feel for each other is to die for. And the tension between them could cut the air around the entire narrative.
I had so much fun getting through it and despite it being the third book in a series I didn’t feel like I couldn’t understand what was going on.
I only wish I had read the previous two because if this one is this good … they must be entertaining!!!
I’m so glad I had the chance to read it and I cannot wait for it to be out !!!
“She was a liar. A spy. A cheat. The bloody Kestrel. She was a woman. A siren. A warrior”
“Lady Bronwyn, looks like I’ve found you just in time to claim what’s mine”

Retired spy Valentine, encounters his friend's little sister on a ship bound for America. He despises everything about her simpering, useless lifestyle. Bronwyn couldn't possibly be a spy sent to America during the Civil War to save President Lincoln from a kidnapping attempt. Or could she? As he follows her around America, France, and back to England he discovers she's not as vapid as he thought. Attempted murders, beatings, blackmail, who do you trust? Sizzling spicy excitement! Be sure to read the interesting author's note at the end more about the real-life female spies of the time.

In her efforts to help Black Union spies thwart a plot to assassinate American President Lincoln, an English noblewoman-turned-spy finds herself pursed by a brooding agent of the Crown and must fight their growing attraction in she wants to save her neck.

Immediately following RULES FOR HEIRESSES, this sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance continues Howard's nuanced exploration of gender, class, and race in the Victorian Era with the same perfect execution of historical romance tropes that will thrill fans of the genre, plus a dash of romantic suspense a la Sherry Thomas's HIS AT NIGHT and MY BEAUTIFUL ENEMY. Wrestling with their privilege and desire to be allies, the white hero and heroine consistently run up against barriers of systemic racism, while injustice constrains characters of color--even those advantaged by wealth and title. Yet like all satisfying romances, the plot ends with hope and love--plus a thick cloud of steam. Highly recommend to readers of the genre and fans of the Netflix adaptation of BRIDGERTON!

This is the third in the Daring Dukes series. I think I enjoyed this more than the last book. The story is well done and I Ike the character interactions. I am looking forward to more in this series.

I really enjoyed the added aspect of espionage and spying in this book. For me, it really added to the enjoyment of the book. I liked how Valentine really had to wrestle with his attraction to the seemingly annoying, shallow, and vain Bronwyn. But then it really seemed like their attraction and feelings were based on the highs of being alive at the end of precarious situations.
I enjoyed Bronwyn’s strong convictions in wanting to help end slavery and assist people of color. It came across well and didn’t seem, to me, to be a product of white saviorism.
This book definitely has some steamy scenes in it and they weren’t out of place or out of character. Overall, 4 stars.
Tropes: forced proximity, spy, brother’s best friend/brother’s little sister, enemies to lovers-ish

When I read the blurb for this one, I thought it would be much more enjoyable. There is some witty banter back and forth between Bronwyn and Valentine, but the duke's personality isn't really developed much beyond glaring at the lady. I found some inconsistencies in the story especially when Bronwyn registered on board her brother's ship under an alias, but then flaunted herself for all to see. What was the point? For someone who was supposed to be a sheltered lady, she sure did handle herself well in a fight. That was a little unrealistic. There are some graphic sex scenes that were not to my taste and there was no romance whatsoever between the duke and Bronwyn, just lots of lust. I had guessed who the villain in the story was so it was no surprise when he was revealed.

While I enjoy Ms. Howard's books, this one was not one of my favorites. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Longtime spy, Valentine, has never really noticed his best friend’s sister Bronwyn. However, when she turns up wherever he is chasing an elusive spy he starts to get suspicious. Getting herself into danger in America, Bronwyn is relieved Valentine is there to help her out. After thwarting a plot, they are chased through various countries by people trying to kill them while they try to ignore their attraction for each other. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my honest review.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This was an exciting and sexy story spy and intrigue story, and the third of the Daring Dukes series by Amalie Howard. This one is about Lady Bronwyn Chase, the younger half sister of Courtland, from book 2. She has somehow become involved in international intrigue, and a large portion of the first part of the story involves her travelling to America, on her own, around the time of the Civil War. She is bored as a debutante and rebelling against her mother's plans for her, which are to contract a socially advantageous marriage. Her mother, as was shown in the second book in the series, is a shrewish, manipulative, ill-humoured, small-minded, racist bitch. Bronwyn wants more than to just be a debutante bartered into marriage; she wants to help have an impact socially, such as advancing the rights of people of colour and women. She has some intelligence that has been passed onto her that she wants to use to aid individuals in America, and has been involved in various intrigues in the past and is known as the Kestrel.

Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury is an ex-spymaster, and on the trail of the Kestrel. He follows the trail, with his ex-partner to the ship Bronwyn is on. He is alternately attracted to Bronwyn and annoyed and dismissive of her, thinking she is an airheaded, superficial debutante. But then they are thrown together constantly through their adventures, and in facing danger together, their attraction and tension just explodes. However, when Thornbury discovers she is the Kestrel and has confidential information from the Home Office, he is conflicted between his duty to Britain and his desire for Bronwyn... and his friendship with her brother.

This was an exciting spy story and a very sexy romance as well. I quite enjoyed the give and pull dynamic between Bronwyn and Thornbury. But some people may dislike the very contemporary feel of the story writing and language. On saying that, it did not detract from the story for me. I enjoyed the reemergence of previous characters such as Courtland and Ravenna, and Bronwyn's (truly terrible) mother, and the introduction of a twin sister to the (absolutely horrid) Marchioness who seems to be her opposite in personality (thank goodness, having two of her would just be intolerable).

4 stars out of 5

* Received a copy for review.*
This is my favorite in this series. It’s quite a ride and has many of my favorite tropes & microtropes : older brothers best friend, forced proximity, secret crush, danger banging, spies, witty banter, men who cannot with their feelings, and a bad ass woman who will not quit.
Bronwyn is one of my favorite types of heroines. She is capable and brave and determined to tell all the men in her life to fuck off. She has had a secret crush on Valentine, the Duke of Thornbury, but he has a stick firmly shoved up his arse.
Valentine is hunting a spy known as the Kestrel. He cannot believe his best friends younger sister is in his way.
It is rare to find a danger bang in historical romance but these two cannot keep their hands off each other when their lives are on the line.
So much danger. Excellent sexy times. This book is fantastic.

I usually adore Amalie Howard's romances, and I really enjoyed the book that preceded The Duke in Question in the Daring Dukes series. But unfortunately, The Duke in Question just didn't work as well for me as some of Howard's other books.

I will say that this is a spicy and tense romance, and it truly has a lot of fun with the whole "dueling spies" element of the plot. Bronwyn and Valentine have strong chemistry right from the beginning, and for me, that was what really carried the book.

That said, I really felt as though there was an element of depth missing from this book. I never really felt like I got to know Valentine, and even Bronwyn, whose motivations were spelled out on the page, felt like she was held at a distance. The Duke in Question really throws both the reader and the characters into the deep end very quickly, and while that made for an engaging start, I never felt like I had a chance to catch my breath and linger with the characters. I never quite understood what Valentine's deal was, beyond being told multiple times that he had Done Things He Wasn't Proud Of. I kept expecting there to be more to him, but that more never materialized. And while Bronwyn had clear motivations, she still felt a bit too cookie cutter for me to really bond with.

All in all, The Duke in Question was enjoyable enough, but just didn't engage me as much as I had hoped.

3.25/5

I really enjoyed this story; it really took me on a journey, and I felt like I was in the story. Lady Bronwyn Chase is on her brother's ship heading to America to deliver a message concerning the possible abduction of an American President. Her family and society have never taken her seriously, but little do they know that she is indeed a spy. Spymaster Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, is hot on her trail, for he is looking for the man known as the Kestrel, who has been someone that the spies for the Home Office aren't able to pin down. 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. This book has, passion, lust, suspense, will leave you wanting more. This is my honest review for an advanced copy I received from NetGalley.

An enjoyable read with _So Many Smokin' Hot Sex Scenes_. *fans self* Wow, just wow. The plot is pretty good, the characters aren't super deep but well written and you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. However, the sex scenes are the star here.

I really enjoy Amalie Howard's books and this was no exception. I have liked Lady Bronwyn Chase since we first met her and I was so happy to see her get her story! I really enjoyed the "spy" aspect of this one even if her Duke was a bit of a jerk to her to begin with!

Thank you for the early copy!

I want to first thank you for allowing me to receive a copy of The Duke in Question. Unfortunately, I will not be able to submit a full review. I am not a compatible reader for Amalie Howard's writing style. Thank you again for the opportunity to read.

Sarah Brown