Member Reviews

The Worst Duke in London is a bit of a mixed bag. On its face--for what it is--I really enjoyed it. I think I read it in about two (very busy) days. It's a fast-paced, fun story with the twists and turns I like to find in historical romance. That said, oh my god is it anachronistic. The language, the behaviors, slip into jarring modernity from time to time. I don't blame that on Howard; that's squarely on her editor. I will still fully recommend this one. Most historical romance readers will enjoy it thoroughly.

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If you know me you know how utterly obsessed I am with 10 Things I Hate About You (and will consume any Taming of the Shrew adaptation I can get my hands on) and this one delivered all of the vibes. But to make it a historical romance too?! Those are 2 of my fave things! This was so comforting and fun to read: I enjoyed it very much!!

Thank you so much to Forever Grand Central Publishing for my ARC, I appreciate it :)

4/5

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4.5 stars.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the eARC.

10 Things I Hate About You was one of my favorite movies as a teenager and The Worst Duke in London is basically that movie…in historical England.

Yes, the plot is a little ridiculous—you’re telling me a Duke bare knuckle fights for money?? And the villain is a little cartoonish—but it’s still a fun and entertaining story. Filled with humorous dialogue, including a Scottish accent, the story was a quick and lighthearted listen.

It’s almost too similar to 10 Things, but since I love that one so much, it doesn’t bother me. Add in a little steam and this was a winner for me.

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Gage Croft, Duke of Dale, has paid off all his father and brother's debts except one owed to Lord Huntington. Strapped for money, he has no choice but to accept Lord Huntington's plan, convince Lady Evangeline Raine to go to London as a chaperone for her sister Viola. Continuously ridiculed by Harrington, Effie refuses to let Huntington court Viola, only Gage keeps distracting her with his seduction.
Effie turns the table and takes the seduction to the next step, an affair. A heroine not afraid to speak her mind and a hero who loves her just as she is. Some humor and lots of hot, hot sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

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10 Things I Hate About You + Bridgerton = The Worst Duke in London

Pick this up if you love:
- Regency romance
- enemies to lovers
- spice

This book was so fun! What an awesome introduction to Regency romance.

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I'm not the biggest historical romance reader but when Amalie Howard writes it I am never left unsatisfied!! Her latest in the Taming the Dukes series is a fantastic 10 things I hate about you/Taming of the Shrew retelling that has the indebted Duke of Vale (Gage Croft) making a bargain with another Lord in order for him to court the younger sister, Viola. In exchange Gage will get the money to fix up his estate and must convince older sister Lady Evangeline Raine to spend the season in London.

This proves to be a more difficult endeavour than anticipated when Evangeline just wants to stay in the country working with her animal rescue. Eventually the two make a deal for a friends with benefit's situation that leads to real feelings and the inevitable happens. This was a great dual POV, steamy romance that is sure to delight fans of the movie and that was also good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

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My first Amalie Howard and it won't be my last. A mixture of modern day with the regency era AND enemies to lovers is my kryptonite. The highlight for me was the witty banter and humor laced throughout the entire book. Lady Evangeline had her moments where I felt she was one-dimensional, but those moments didn't last the entire book and I really enjoyed the Duke of Vale a lot. The sisterly relationship between Lady Evangeline and Viola felt very real and representative of the time. If you're a historical fiction purist, the modern slang will be a turn off but I found the balance to be a plus. I really liked it!

Thank you Forever Books for the gifted ARC.

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Of COURSE I jumped at the chance for another Taming of the Dukes installment. This series blending modern pop culture with regency romance may be my weakness.

As usual with Amalie Howard, we are given sparkling banter and an entertaining enemies-to-lovers dynamic, which is exactly what I wanted. However, this was the weakest installment for me and it ultimately falls short of its full potential. While the strong-willed Lady Evangeline makes for an appealing female lead, I felt like I was starting to get woman-splained. I am totally behind her, but it felt like it was becoming her only defining personality trait unless we want to count crass and crude middle schooler humor as part of it. The fake courtship arrangement did provide some amusing moments, but the overall execution just lacks the substance to fully ground the romantic elements.

I am tentatively excited for the next book.

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I struggled a bit finishing this book. I found it predictable and pretty slow at first. The happily ever after redeemed it somewhat.

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The Worst Duke in London was a take on 10 Things I Hate About You and I was here for it! I absolutely adored the characters, and the story-line was a lot of fun! With a wonderful HEA, I’m so happy I read this book!

Lady Evangeline Raine could be as prickly as a porcupine when she wanted to be, but I absolutely adored her! Her lack of filter at times was so refreshing, and I loved how passionate she was about things close to her heart. And how deeply she loved those around her. With the cutest kitten meet cute, I couldn’t wait to see what happened between Evangeline and Gage next.

Gage Croft, Duke of Vale, was supposed to get Evangeline to London. His family's debts would be wiped clean from Huntington, who wanted to court Evangeline’s sister. But from the moment Gage met Evangeline, everything went a little sideways. I loved watching how he was challenged by her. How he had to work to even get time with her. Even if they were both attracted to each other from the start. I was rooting for Gage every step of the way. He had the most beautiful heart, and I loved watching him help her out time and again without a second thought.

Watching the friendship blossom between them was heartwarming. Throw in some banter and memorable scenes and I was hooked. And the steam in this book was done fabulously! Each time it seemed to ratchet up! Yet as they grew close, secrets were kept. And I kept waiting for it all to blow up. Because I knew it would.

With trust, honor, lies, jealousy, and secrets swirling through this story, it was so much fun to read! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for who the next book is about! I recently watched 10 Things I Hate About You, for the millionth time haha, and loved seeing little moments here or there that reminded me of the movie. So if you adore that movie and like historical romance, you should put this one on your tbr!

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I loved loved loved the “10 things I hate about you” vibes of this one soooo much!!

Effie and Gage was so cute- I’m a big fan of Scottish heroes 😏 I loved all the cute animal appearances and the loved the little peeks into the couples from the first two books! Something tells me Vesper’s book is next and I NEED it immediately!!

I did feel like some of the scenes in this book were a bit too long and could have used some editing. But other than that, this book was delightfully naughty and I can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the earc in exchange for my honest review.

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*3.75 stars*

I am someone who likes to read historical romances, and this one was okay. I have others that I’ve read that were more of my taste.

My biggest con of this book was some of the language used. Sometimes, it felt too modern for me, and it would pull me out of the story. The plot of the story was okay. I kind of hate the denial trope used in romance when it goes on for too long. Like it’s obvious they love each other, but the characters still internally deny it over and over even though they have all ready partially admitted it to themselves.

I think my favorite part was the personalities of the characters. You loved who you were supposed to love, you hated who you were supposed the hate, and you got attached (so, when characters did stupid things, you got frustrated with them). Evangeline and Gage were great characters, and they really did work together. The tension was tensioning. I despised Huntington, but that was the point. Viola annoyed me at first, but then she ended up being one of my favorites. And then all of Evangeline’s friends were great.

I don’t think I’ll rush to read the other books in the series, but I’ll probably check them out eventually because I always need a good historical romance series when I’m in the mood to read one.

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This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with a spicy twist on the “Teach Me” trope. The writing and situations in the book had a very modern feel. It is patterned after 10 Things I Hate About You which is in turn based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

The hero of the story is Gage, a hunky Scottish Duke who falls for the heroine, Lady Evangeline. Gage is the type of main character I like to read about; Lady Evangeline not so much.

I did enjoy the funny scenes, especially the joking and harassing Gage receives from his friends.

3.5 rounded up

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This retelling captures full scenes from it’s source material in a unique way.

As a 10 Things I Hate About You stan, I was fully sat for this retelling. It kept the fun and spunk of the movie but seamlessly blended plot points into the historical setting. Effie was a cute side character in the previous two books, and I’m happy she came into her own in her novel! Book 1 is still my favorite, but this couple holds a special place in my heart. I cannot WAIT for Briar’s book! I need it ASAP & feel as if I have been waiting foreverrr. This series is a great time & I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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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!

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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.

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📖: 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

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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 🖤

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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

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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.

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