Amalie Howard is a gifted writer. Her stories are interesting and always a joy to read. I loved this book. The plot was well done and I can not wait to read another book by this author.

Amalie Howard is truly the new queen of historical romance. I previously read Always Be My Duchess, which I loved and knew I’d instantly read anything else this author wrote. The Duke in Question is a fun, steamy romp with a swoon worthy romance and fast paced espionage and intrigue. Howard has a true talent for making her historical romance modern in spirit but still period accurate and it is not something many can pull off. Fans of Bridgerton and India Holton will love this.

This just wasn't for me. The spy genre is one of my favorites, especially worked into historical romance. I will say that I enjoyed the multicultural angle, along with the research involving the Civil War era (I tend to read Regencies but have always been interested in the Civil War and the events leading up to Lincoln's assassination). And this book does have scenes that are fun, humorous, fast-moving, and allow you to suspend disbelief--but only to a point.

Holes in logic bog things down. For example, why does Brownwyn come onto the ship under an assumed name and then let everyone know who her brother is? Why does Thornbury not notice that her dance card has the same name on it as the mystery name on the ship registry? Why is Thornbury so convinced early on that Bronwyn is a turncoat when she's saved his live multiple times?

Flat characterization is another problem. In so many of these books, the female leads mysteriously have perfect action-movie-type skills that rival those of seasoned men. But realistically, how would a woman with such a sheltered, strict upbringing as Lady Bronwyn secretly have been taught enough self defense to escape hardened thugs, how to shoot, and how to perform certain (ahem) acts.? (OK, I know, dirty books. Right.) Honestly, I never felt as if I could get a handle on her character. I know she's supposed to be complicated, but instead she's just a superwoman stereotype.

Thornbury, for his part, is your stereotypical hot/cold alpha. He spends a lot of time deriding Bronwyn either verbally or mentally, speaking about her in terms of being a clueless little girl, and it started to grate. I'm OK with the enemies-to-lovers trope as long as real emotion seems to be involved, but these characters seemed more in lust rather than love. Speaking of lust, the sex scenes are definitely steamy (level 4) but to be honest, they weren't really my thing. More erotica than romance.

Speaking of the plot...well, I did get into it, until things fell apart at the end. The ending involving the baddie was super silly. I also didn't care how one character sold out.

Overall, parts of this book are entertaining, some of the humor works, and if you like steam there's plenty. But I was looking for more substance and emotion. It's too bad, because I did really like the premise.

Note: The Americanisms are pretty pervasive; don't expect language that is true to the region or period.

The Duke in Question is the standout best of the Daring Dukes series so far. Bronwyn and Valentine have incredible chemistry, and the mystery at the center of the plot -- while fairly easy to parse -- is nonetheless juicy enough to keep the pages turning.

Three-sentence summary: Far from the vapid paragon of society everyone believes her to be, Bronwyn Chase is a covert agent of the Crown, running messages to people and places accessible to her because of her place in the ton. Valentine Medford, Duke of Thornbury, has retired from his service as spymaster to the Crown, but can't quite leave the hustle behind thanks to a mysterious operative known only as the Kestrel. When their missions intersect, Bronwyn and Valentine find themselves on the run, and struggling to balance the secrets they keep with the passion they can't deny.

This book was perfectly executed from start to finish. The pacing, characterization, tropes, conflict -- it's all so thoughtfully composed, and Howard pulls it off without a hitch.

While the Daring Dukes series has continuation with characters and references to previous events, this can be read as a standalone.

I thoroughly enjoyed the latest by Amalie Howard, an author who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love a good spy plotline, and here both the MMC and FMC are spies. The sexytimes were HOT, though I do think the emotional connection between the two main characters could have been a bit stronger. I know Valentine was supposed to be cold and emotionally reserved, especially at first, but it wasn’t consistently clear why he loved Bronwyn besides the sex—though it did become clear by the end. Having said all of that, I loved Bronwyn in the previous book and am so glad she got a story she deserved!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

What a page turner! I couldn't put it down, I'm not sure if I really slept but I couldn't stop reading
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Bronwyn will forever be my favorite heroine, she is an incredible character, how her ideas and feelings remain within the time and social status but at the same time go beyond what was expected. Everything is logical and without a hint of rebellion, faithful to her ideals and who she is without caring what they think or the prejudices they put on her.
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And Valentine was perfect for her, from the moment they see each other, they are both perfect. The chemistry, the plot, all a perfect read to get into a passionate adventure that historical romances promise
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Browyn is a young aristocrat from London who enters the world of espionage delivering messages at exclusive social parties, and earns a certain reputation as one of the best spies.
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Just when she thinks she's safe she runs into her brother's best friend who is a former agent of the British royal service and who is supporting his old partner on a mission
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Of course, both do not get along despite the attraction between them, he believes that she is another cold society lady, but for Browyn is just a mask. And from so close it's hard to keep pretending to be light and have a frivolous mind, especially when Valentine decides to follow her steps to keep her from troubles
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Bridgerton plus James Bond and a bit of Sherlock Holmes with spicy scenes full of action that makes it impossible to put it down. Amalie Howard is one of my new favorite authors and I will keep looking for more of her books
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Thanks to Sourcebooks and Amalie Howard for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

I love historical romance and my absolute favorites are those that are heavy on the adventure, so this was just what I was looking for! Lady Bronwyn Chase likes to pretend to be a vapid, marriage-obsessed lady of the ton in London, but she has a secret identity as the Kestrel, a spy who has caught the attention of the Home Office and its operatives. Carrying a critical message from London to Philadelphia related to an attempt to kidnap President Lincoln, Bronwyn tries to Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, a retired spy with whom Bronwyn shares a wild attraction. There's so much good adventure and intrigue in this, and I loved that the story takes you from the Atlantic to Philadelphia, across the Atlantic again, then on a detour to France before finally heading back to London. Great banter, lots of adventure, and a solid romantic plot. I only recently discovered Amalie Howard but she has quickly made it on my must read list.

With The Duke in Question, Amalie Howard gave readers something that they've been missing for the past 2 or 3 years in Historical Romance. I find most new releases from the past few years to be incredibly insipid, but The Duke in Question certainly is not. Not only is it steamy, well-paced and adventurous, but it also contains one of my favorite heroines to grace the page in quite a while. Bronwyn is a bold heroine who stays bold throughout the whole book.
I really, really liked this novel, although I did think it dropped the ball a little bit when it came to Valentine's divorce (how is it that a story as flimsy and the one presented in the novel would have been believed by anyone?) and his characterization (I wanted to know more about him, his past and motivations could have been better developed).
Overall, it was a very enjoyable book and by far one of the better new releases out there.

I think 2022 has definitely been the year of some pretty phenomenal historical romances. This was everything I wanted and so much more. The writing was amazing, the characters were all well developed and each had a place and a purpose. I loved the historical context and references to the American Civil Rights movement. This book didn't try too hard to be anything, everything was well proportioned and thought out.

Also, can we just talk about the chemistry for a second? The pining, the sexual tension. It was so well done and so real. Everything about this book was just amazing and left me grinning.

I can't wait to read more by Amalie Howard. I could not recommend this enough, especially to fans of Sarah MacLean and Evie Dunmore!

Thank you to the publisher for kindly providing me with an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’m sorry, I thought this was supposed to be a historical romance?? It felt way too modern for my liking. I skimmed most of this.

I was captured by the first paragraph! Amazing banter between characters with a touch of danger. I enjoyed how the story featured characters from the last book!

i am a relatively new to amalie howard reader and i cant believe its taken so long. id read anything shes written. thankful for all the great historical writers!!!!

Lord Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, is a former agent of the Crown. He agrees to assist a fellow operative to apprehend the elusive rogue spy, Kestrel. Instead, Valentine encounters his friend’s beautiful yet infuriating half-sister. He rescues the lady from a precarious situation, only to discover she is Kestrel. Now Valentine must protect Bronwyn from the dangerous men coming after her. Will Valentine be forced to give Bronwyn to the authorities? Or will he find the true mastermind behind her missions?
Lady Bronwyn Chase is the half-sister of the Duke of Ashvale. She secretly becomes a covert operative to make a difference in the world. Bronwyn boards one of her brother’s ships for America with information that could be beneficial to its civil war. She never expected to find Valentine, her brother’s best friend, on the vessel. Bronwyn must elude him or risk blowing her cover. She soon finds herself way over her head. Can Bronwyn complete her mission without detection? Or is there more at stake than what she knows?
It took me a while to warm up to Valentine. He is a man who keeps his emotions encased behind a wall of ice. That allowed him to succeed in his former profession as a spymaster. Emotions in espionage is dangerous, and it could be an agent’s downfall. I like how Valentine grudgingly taught Bronwyn tactics in self-defense. It sent against his better judgement, but he wanted to ensure that she survived their ordeal. What I love the most about Valentine is how he secretly admires Bronwyn’s pluck. She never once bowed down to him; instead, she kept him on his toes. Valentine never knew what to expect from her at any given time.
Bronwyn is a nice surprise. She is a woman who is not content to adhere to the rules and regulations society has for noblewomen. I like how Bronwyn is different from other members of Polite Society. She abhors intolerance and bigotry. Bronwyn hopes she can lead change in the way people, especially the ton, view and think of multiracial people. What I adore the most about Bronwyn is her mettle. She prefers to stand on her own two feet than be dependent on another, especially a man. Bronwyn wants more for her life than what is expected, and she is not afraid to take action to achieve it.
THE DUKE IN QUESTION the third book in Amalie Howard’s historical romance series, DARING DUKES. Sadly, I have not read the previous two books in the series. That did not hinder my ability to follow and enjoy the storyline or the characters. There is no on-going plot. However, the hero from book two, RULES FOR HEIRESSES, plays a part in the story. I will have to check that book out. I have only read one other book from this author, and I noticed this story is a lot spicier than that one. There were moments when it seemed excessive, but overall, it did not bother me much.
THE DUKE IN QUESTION is an engrossing and risqué enemies-to-lovers and brother’s best friend tale. I adore the spy/covert operative angle. I will certainly be looking into the author’s backlist. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for this series.

Amalie Howard's newest story is bewitching.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of "The Duke In Question" from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Bronwyn Chase is a strong charismatic person with the will power to make a change for the better. She wishes to be someone important, someone who helps others for the betterment of the cruel disbalanced world she lives in where civil rights seems to be a privilege of the wealthy elite. The Duke of Thornbury, Valentine Alexander Medford  used to be an undercover spy. When his partner asks him to uncover and find the Kestrel, he agrees to rejoin the task force. What he learns about his best friend's sister, rocks his world. Together, Valentine and Bronwyn discover the true  meaning of giving up one's life for the one we love. Amalie Howard has done a superb job in the description of people and events in vivid details, where readers can clearly visualize every scene. One of the most crucial themes in this book is to not judge someone by their external features or the amount of wealth they have , but rather by their character and their inner workings. The espionage in this story is beyond superb, and the family dynamics one to be commended.

Bronwyn is half-way across the Atlantic with a letter that could help thwart a kidnapping plot. Brownyn has used her position as the Duke’s sister to her advantage. It has allowed her to pass notes undedicted. Much to her dismay, her brother’s friend and Duke, Valentine is aboard the ship. He has officially retired as a spy for the British government but old habits die hard.

I’m really glad the state of the world does not currently rest in Valentine’s hands because he seem like the world’s worst spy. Did he get rusty with his old age? Did Bronwyn melt his brain? There were passengers aboard a ship that escaped his notice (you were literally locked in a confined space with nowhere else to go!), your charge constantly escaped your notice, and you lacked subtlety when you were a member of nobility walking about with a gun and shooting people in broad daylight!

I’m not complaining because he is a brooding duke and the only thing I like better than a brooding duke is a rakish duke so I’m just pointing out the obvious so that this review at least tries to appear to be balance. This book has exactly what I come to expect from this series: tons of swoon, sass and spice. It has the tension that naturally comes from an enemies to lovers type story without them really being enemies. They were just both instantly attracted to one another and hated that for very similar reasons. 

It’s the kind of romance book I always seek out because it just sucks you in and doesn’t want to spit you out. I read this book in its entirety in one go. 

Primarily a romance, this book managed to incorporate a lot of American historical figures and events into the narrative. It’s kind of fun to think a severely underestimated and sheltered female foiled an assisstanation plot against an American president.

With this novel Amalie Howard has skyrocketed into my top five historical romance authors for consistently writing fun romances featuring strong female characters. 

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an advanced reader’s copy through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amalie Howard does it again, this was great. Love a good spy caper, love a good transatlantic romance, love a good chase scene, we-need-to-bang-right-now-because-we-almost-died scene, love a good partially visible to others on a boat sex scene. This was fantastic. The tree scene was straight up phenomenal, how does Howard keep topping herself like this.

Thank you NetGalley and Casablanca Books for this ARC.

I loved reading this book!
The story is very interesting and has an amazing pace. The protagonist is well constructed and wants to make a difference, mostly after knowing her brother, which was a detail that really made Bronwyn well rounded for me.
Valentine was a bit too headstrong for my personal taste and, in the end, I kind of missed the point where he talked about his insecurities, mostly about the things he did for the Crown and how it affected her view of him as a person.

Overall I truly enjoyed reading this book and would love to see the next installments about Bronwyn’s siblings!

Amalie Howard is swinging for the fences with this one! Loved it! One of those books that has so much happening that there is no lull where you can put it down.

Quick and dirty summary:
Lady Bronwyn Chase, sister of a duke and society sweetheart, is a silly little marriage/money minded chit for all who meet her. But behind the beautiful, yet vacant, façade she puts on is a international spy! While on a short mission to America, what she didn't expect is to run into Valentine, Duke of Thornbury. Not only is Valentine her brother's best friend and her first crush, he is a ruthless retired spy himself. Meeting with Valentine sets a series of events into motion. There is fighting, ballroom dancing, gun shooting, kidnapping, and intense steam, all in one book.
Side note: This is the third in Amalie's Daring Duke series and the firs tone I read. I honestly, felt like I missed NOTHING from not reading the previous books.

What I loved:
* I love me a heroine who takes ZERO shits from anyone. Bronwyn knows what she wants and goes to get it.
* Honestly, so much happens in such a short amount of time. It is the type of book that can be a miniseries.
* I meeeeeean, Amalie does NOT skimp on steam
* Amalie does an amazing job weaving in modern topics, like racial prejudice and allyship, into a historical fiction where it still feels true to that time.

I 100% recommend this book.

Thank you f#NetGalley and #SOURCEBOOKSCasablanca for sending me this e-ARC for my honest opinion and review.

Lady Bronwyn Chase is more than the silly debutante she appears; her disguise masks a fierce, intelligent woman dedicated to doing everything in her power to fight the injustice she sees in the world, including going undercover as the infamous spy, The Kestral. On a mission to the war-town US to deliver a critical message, Bronwyn finds herself pursued by Valentine Medford, Duke of Thornbury, a renowned spymaster who might just be the one smart enough to see through her ruse and uncover her secret identity. When her mission takes an unexpected and dangerous turn, can the two enemies become reluctant allies? Will they be able to contain their explosive chemistry if they do?

🌳🌳🌳

I don't have WORDS for how much I enjoyed this book. My first from Amalie Howard, this book was a true action-adventure romp, with a gripping plot and a very steamy romance between the two leads. I truly loved the incorporation of real historical details that added a layer of realism and stakes to the drama, and the thoughtful incorporation of modern themes and language that enriched the story without taking me out of the fantasy. Bronwyn is a true feminist heroine, and Valentine's egalitarian leaning made him all the more appealing as a hero. The thoughtful author's note on her writing process and research was a wonderful touch.

Get this one if you love:
🌳 Victorian-era romance
🌳 Spy thrillers
🌳 Diverse casts of characters
🌳 HIGH steam
🌳 Themes of social justice, anti-racism, and feminism

This is the second book in the Daring Dukes series and can be read alone, though I immediately bought the first after finishing.

Flames: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

CN: gun violence, discussion of racism and colonialism

I could not wait for Valentine’s story. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed the espionage and the adventures that Valentine and Bronwyn had.

Some things I would have liked more of were for an in-depth background on Valentine’s. To have him explain why he was closed off to Bronwyn. I did struggle Bronwyn continued pushing him away.

I am glad that they were able to find their way.