I absolutely adore this series! It’s the perfect lighthearted escape, packed with fun adventures and adorable characters. I’ve been semi-patiently waiting for Briar and Jasper's book (curious to see their spin!), but Gage and Effie completely charmed me in the meantime. This is the ideal book to curl up with a cozy cuppa in your favorite reading nook. 3 stars—and I’m already excited for the next one!

The Worst Duke in London is a regency romance involving strong female leads alongside flawed male leads. Lady Evangeline does not wish to marry and has been ridiculed in the past by her peers. But she is coerced into traveling to London for "the season" so that her sister may be courted. The Duke of Vale, Gage Croft, only wants to settle the debt owed by heis family and return to Scotland. One of his dead brother's debts will be forgiven if he helps to keep Evangeline entertained in London while her sister is courted.
Others may find this story cute and fun, however I rushed to finish it. I have not read the other books in the series, and will not be, but there are interconnected characters from previous books. This book was just not for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

📖: The Worst Duke in London-Book #3 Taming of the Dukes-can be read as a standalone


✍️ By: Amalie Howard-I read the 2 books in series 4 and 5 ⭐reads


📃 Page Count: 382 eBook


🗓️ Publication Date: 9-24-24 | Read 10-25-24


🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever, and Amalie Howard for this ARC 💚! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

🌎Setting: England

Genre: Historical Romance, Adult Fic

Tropes: Shakespeare retelling (Taming of the Shrew), pet friendly, fake courtship, enemies to lovers


☝🏾POV: 3rd person, dual Effie and Gage


⚠️TW: sex coach, virgin h, misogyny, animal cruelty, parental abandonment-h, death of family members-H's father and brother, drug use, sex club visit-h &H

💭Summary: Lady Evangeline (Effie) has sworn off marriage or going to London for the new coming out season. Her sister Viola is dying to go as she wishes to go to balls and find a husband. Their father Lord Oberton will only allow Viola to go to London if Effie goes too. Lord Gage owes a gambling debt to Huntington on behalf of his deceased brother Asher. Huntington proposes that Gage convince Effie to go to London and court her. He will pursue Viola, and all debts will be forgiven. Huntington agrees to finance their agreement, but Gage doesn't know what he's up against with Effie.

🚺 Heroine: Lady Evangeline Raine/Effie-21 runs an animal rescue shelter and doesn't want to marry or have kids. She has been made a pariah by Lord Huntington and doesn't want another coming out after three lackluster seasons.

🚹 Hero: Lord Gage Croft/Duke of Vale-28 on the verge of becoming a beggar after paying his father and brother's gambling debts to Huntington. He agrees to charm Effie-the older sister- in exchange for the last of his debts to be paid in full.

🎭Side cast:

• Viola-Effie's younger sister,18

• Lord Huntington-Viola's suitor

• William Dawson- the local vet, Effie's friend

• Lord Oberton-Effie's father

• Hellfire Kitties: Laila, Neve, Vesper, Briar- Effie's closest friends

🤔My Thoughts: I loved the movie 10 Things as it is a cult classic. Effie was feisty and independent, and Gage came to her rescue and knew when to let her fight her own battles. This was sex positive with both main characters virgins and willing to experiment which is unique in the adult romance genre.

Range of emotions: 😬🤔🙄
🌶️: Spice 5/5
😭: Emotion 5/5
❤️: Couple 5/5
⭐️: Rating 5/5

Regency romances have been my jam lately - mostly because I'm rolling my eyes at contemporary actual humans I know and the ones in books... :| As the second book I've read in this series, I'm really enjoying Howard's writing style!

To be completely fair to this work, I read this after coming off of a slump of 4 fairly atrociously written romances... so what I think of this story is most likely dampened by.. shall we say, less than pleasant reading experiences?

What I can say, however, is that I finished this one after that string of DNFs, and that felt like a win!! Not to mention that after reading I know I'll probably somewhat enjoy anything this author writes because her characters have so much depth!! Their motivations/growth are also heartwarming, and even when you're just in a *meh mood*, you still want to champion these characters' relationship!

(3.5/5 - Rounded up to a 4)

**Thank you to Forever & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

The Worst Duke in London by Amalie Howard, book three in the Taming of the Duke series, is a comedic romantic twist and parody of The Taming of the Shrew combined with 10 Things I Hate About You featuring a financially destitute Duke and a headstrong wallflower who does not want to marry are brought together by a sly bargain. This delightfully steamy historical romance is quite s*x positive, sizzling hot, with lots of animals, scandalous agreements, and a bully who final gets the karma he deserves. I highly recommend The Worst Duke to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Forever

From the moment I met Lady Evangeline Raine, I was hooked. A heroine who prefers the company of animals over people? Sign me up! Effie's fierce independence and unconventional spirit had me cheering for her from the start, especially as she navigates the pressures of society alongside her flirtatious sister, Viola.

Enter Gage Croft, the Duke of Vale, who is as charming as he is burdened by debt. The premise of a “game” where he must woo the impenetrable Effie to allow Viola to find a suitor had me intrigued. Their dynamic is electric, filled with witty banter and delicious tension that had me flipping pages late into the night.

What I loved most was how the story turned the usual courtship tropes on their head. Effie's proposal to Gage was scandalous yet refreshing, and it set the stage for a fake relationship that quickly evolves into something much deeper. The emotional growth both characters experience is beautifully crafted, making their journey feel genuine and heartfelt.

Everything Amalie Howard does is magic and this is no exception. How does she keep writing these fantastic books that just speak to me, I also love a good virgin hero trope so this was right up my alley, big time. Great retelling of a classic, my only complaint was that Effie could have been more of a shrew,she was so lovable.

Definitely on the steamier side for a historical romance, but done so well. This was hilarious, fun, and had me kicking my little feet. I think Effie is my favorite FMC of this series. I loved that she was steadfast in her convictions, but so soft with her friends. I also really loved how she and Viola came together in the end, I just love sister relationships. If you liked Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew or the modern adaptation 10 Things I Hate About You, this is for you.

I’m not usually a historical romance lover, but this was an entertaining enemies to lovers that I found myself fully invested in. Fans of both Bridgerton and 10 things I hate about you will likely adore Effie and Gage.

Did you like "10 Things I Hate About You"? Do you enjoy historical romance? Then you'll enjoy this regency retelling of the popular movie!

Lord Huntington wants to to court Viola, but the only way to do that properly is to ensure she has a season in London. And Viola's father has proclaimed that the season will ONLY happen if Viola's sister, the patriarchy-smashing social pariah Effie, comes with her. Effie isn't interested, preferring the company of her rescue animals to "polite" society. But Huntington knows how to get her there. Gage is a Scotsman down on his luck, desperate to get his debts forgiven, and the last debt happens to be to Lord Huntington. Huntington agrees to do away with Gage's debt on one condition: Gage seduce Effie and convince her to spend six weeks in London with Viola. Should be easy...it's anything but!

I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. The shenanigans are top notch, especially in the first third. I loved how confident Effie is, completely unwilling to let the status quo affect her beliefs. She's well-matched with our hero Gage, who discovers very quickly how incredible she is. The way this book reflected the hit 90s movie was fun as well!

This book is very spicy. Personally, this book felt almost more like erotica than romance, because so much of it was about "sexual congress," as Effie put it, exploring and trying new things in a variety of settings. It just wasn't as interesting to me as the main plot device. I found myself hard-pressed to really care about any of the characters.

Bottom Line: If you like strong heroines, plenty of spice, and hilarity, you should definitely pick this up!

I'd like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love all of Amalie's books I have read and this series is fantastic. I was laughing and smiling and loving every page I read.
I love the focus on animal rights and all the animals in the books.
It was great to catch up with the characters from the previous two books in the series.
This was a great take on 10 Things I Hate About You.

I really hope we get a fourth book with Lushing and Briar!!!!! Please!!!

Effie & Gage are one of my favorite couples of the year and it’s banter like “that kilt is indecent,” that really makes them so lovable.

This is also my favorite of Amalie Howard's Taming of the Dukes series. If you love 10 Things I Hate About You then you absolutely must read this! There were so many times I laughed out loud reading this book. The shenanigans, the banter, the animals - just everything is top notch.

You will not regret picking this one up!

Special thanks to Forever for the ARC.

we love 10 Things I Hate About You over here, so of course I loved this, especially with a virgin hero and heroine, ughhhhhh. i’m so used to the rakish men in historical romances but seeing him slowly become feral for her!!!!!!! SCREAMING!!! Effie was such a strong fmc and it showed, her strength, her attitude towards the ton, her disdain for the marriage mart, and her selflessness in regards to the shelter all made her such a lovable character and i instant felt a sort of kinship to her. she’s so brave to stand up for what she believes and as an older sister, watching her strength rub off onto her younger sister made me so happy to see. now Gage, man oh man, i love a scottish man who isn’t afraid of a woman who speaks her mind when women weren’t supposed to. he encouraged Effie to use her brain and be proud of the things most men despise in a woman, which was so amazing to see.

As someone who was, in my youth, obsessed with both the actual Shakespearean Taming of the Shrew, and 10 Things I Hate About You, I found this book tremendous fun. I adores the main characters. Effie was feisty, intelligent and independent, whilst Gage was strong, kind and thoughtful.

Effie, after three horrible seasons in London, is happy to stay at home in the country life, content with a quiet life spent rescuing animals. Viola, her beloved younger sister, wants nothing more than to have her London Season. Their father gives permission for Viola to travel to London on the condition that Effie accompanies her.

Lord Huntington, wanting to court Viola, needs to find a way to get her to London. He offers Gage, Duke of Vale, a deal he cannot refuse if he can get Effie to London.

This book is definitely modern in its tone. I enjoyed it a lot, but occasionally found it jarring just how thoroughly modern the thinking of some of the characters was.

First thing you need to know is that this is basically regency Ten Things I Hate About You. Still need more convincing? Proceed below.

The way these books are immersed in feminism… 🤌🏻

“That acceptance was more precious to her than any arrangement between them.”

The way this resonated with my soul. 🥹

I’ve read the other two books in this series and have to say this was definitely the lustiest of them all (not complaining!). I loved that Briar was empowered to both feel and act out of her feelings. Her effect on others (her friends and her sister, for example) is what I aspire for all. We all deserve someone who is willing to be herself at all costs.

Continuing to recommend this series!

This book includes some foreshadowing that I think I’ve figured out and I cannot wait for Briar’s book!

I keep getting excite for these blurbs for this series and reading them and being disappointed. I want to love this book and this series more than I do but I would be lying if I said anything other than I have been disappointed by every single one.

Wow wow wow. I truly loved this book. Amalie Howard just keeps getting better in this series. This is the second book, and our main character is a strong, ready to be a spinster, animal lover. Lady Evangeline is the responsible older sister of Viola, who desperately needs her older sister to take her to London for the season. The disgusting Regency trash who is wooing Viola has already treated Evangeline poorly, so he needs to rope in Gage, the Duke of Vale, to pretend to court Evangeline. Since Gage owes Viola's suitor money (via his dead brother's debt), he agrees to the scheme. Of course, Gage and Evangeline have off the charts chemistry, and he immediately questions whether he should tell her the truth. OF COURSE HE SHOULD, but he doesn't. They make each other laugh, they argue, they are really lovely together. I love that Howard hasn't written such a strong character in Evangeline, who is the one to proposition Gage first because she knows what she wants. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. 4.5 stars and 4 chili peppers for spice. Another amazing book from Amalie Howard! This was probably my favorite book in the series. I loved that the MMC and the FMC were both virgins. It created a complex sexual tension and emotional hurdles for the characters. I also loved that the FMC was s*x positive. She wasn’t shy about her body and confident in what she wanted. The spice was two thumbs up. I absolutely love this series and can’t wait for the next book!

I have never highlighted a historical romance more than I did this one. I will always love me a man absolutely gone for his woman and Gage was so far gone it had me kicking my feet and giggling the entire time. Amalie writes some of the best historical heroines and Effie was no exception. She was fierce, unapologetically a spinster. I love how she genuinely was prepared to just Be Alone but not in a sad way. Effie my muse how I would have loved to run the shelter with you but alas I missed out due to his grace. I'll survive. The Worst Duke in London may be my favorite of this series just because of how irresistibly perfect these two were for each other. I was cackling and then stressed and then swooning and then fanning myself. The Taming of the Dukes series just keeps getting better and better. GIVE ME MOREEEEEEEE and by more I mean Dawson and Viola.

This book is literally 10 Things I Hate About You set in 1800-something London society with a dash of The Kiss Quotient. It’s not the most historically accurate, but it’s a wild romp of a rom com and a fun read.

Romance Steam Rating: Full Boil [3 out of 5] (Open Door)

Note: This is book 3 in the Taming of the Dukes series. I read it as a standalone and didn’t have any trouble following the plot.