I listened to the audio version of this book, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The narrator did an excellent job with both male and female voices in the dual POV of this story. The author did an amazing job on the writing, and I couldn't stop reading. I thought it was historically accurate, well rounded characters, and a story that kept me entertained the entire time. What more could I ask for? I can't wait for more from this author. I highly recommend this to the historical fiction and romance readers.

Thank you Net Galley, Harlequin, and Adriana Herrera

Captivating Historical Romance and Feminist Fiction

This novel is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will particularly appeal to fans of historical romance, feminism, and women's rights. Readers will be swept away by the passionate and empowering story of a strong-willed doctor and a duke who must navigate the complexities of love, identity, and social justice in 19th-century Paris.

The novel delves into the challenges faced by women in the medical field during that era, highlighting the protagonist's determination to break barriers and pursue her passion for healing. The story explores themes of gender inequality, societal expectations, and the fight for autonomy and respect.

Amidst the backdrop of historical Paris, with its vibrant culture and social unrest, the romance between the doctor and the duke unfolds. Their relationship is challenged by societal norms and their differing social statuses, forcing them to confront their own beliefs and prejudices.

Through vivid historical detail and compelling characters, the novel paints a picture of a transformative era, where social change is brewing and individuals are challenging the status quo. Readers will be immersed in the rich atmosphere of 19th-century Paris, experiencing the sights, sounds, and social dynamics of the time.

This book is not only a love story but also a tale of empowerment and resilience. It celebrates the strength of women who dared to defy expectations and forge their own paths. The novel's exploration of social justice and gender equality resonates with contemporary issues, making it a relevant and impactful read for today's audience.

I have absolutely loved this series and Herrera out did herself with book #3. I could not get enough of Aurora and the duke. I love how this was historical romance with very real and modern themes. 10/10!

The last Leonas books certainly lived up to what it promised to deliver. Reading it post-2024 election hit particularly hard, as it's not that difficult to imagine a similar scenario occurring today, just with less petticoats. I think this was Adriana Herrera's strongest entry in the series, and I fell in love with Aurora and the Duke very quickly. My one complaint is that it felt a little too long and the pacing was a little off in the last 10-15% of the book -- I could have done with more groveling and/or more follow-up with Ackworth. Regardless, I think this was a well-timed and important book in the historical romance canon.

YOU 👏🏽 GUYS 👏🏽 this might be my new favorite historical romance of all time. Adriana Herrera does it again with swoony romance, FMCs with ironclad resolve, and historic context that both educates and empowers. I found myself tearing up in the author’s note where she talks about the resilience of uterus-bearers in times where bodily autonomy is under attack. It was both humbling and empowering to learn about the historically organized networks of women and people who knew reproductive rights are human rights.

Aurora and Apollo’s romance was something I’ve been looking forward to since book 1, and it lived up to everything I could’ve hoped for and MORE. While we definitely had some “touch her and lose your teeth” moments, I loved how Aurora fully held her own in most instances.

I honestly can’t sing enough praise for this book. Adriana’s writing has fundamentally changed what I expect from historic fiction/romance and I will read anything she writes.

In many ways, it simply felt like a book I’ve read several times before in the past few years. Both characters were nice and good people and they didn’t change much from start to finish. I love when a man is a simp, but I just think books right now are making them simp from page one which leaves little to the imagination. I also just wasn’t interested in the villain or waiting for him to show up and cause trouble. I did love the women’s health rep and as always Adriana’s beautiful writing and vivid illustration of how history actually looked. But overall, I spent most of the book bored…even with the sex scenes. Like who am I to be yawning at facesitting?? Somebody fix me.

As far as the series goes, however, I still wholeheartedly recommend it! Especially book two. If you haven’t read a historical romance recently—or aren’t in a slump of recent ones—I do think this will have a different feel for you, so definitely give it a read.

I’ve been deeply enjoying Adriana Herrera’s Las Leonas series of books, and this one, the last, wraps things up with a fiery doctor and a brand-new member of the aristocracy.

Doctora Aurora Montalban Wright has rebelled against the social caste by becoming a physician. Going unrecognized for her medical talents, she runs an above-board general medical clinic during the day and an underground clinic during the night which specifically treats women in need of reproductive assistance. It’s the kind of work that wins her negative attention from nasty people, and soon she finds herself in need of protection. She ultimately accepts an offer of security from a certain gentleman, someone she gets on with like oil and water.

That man happens to be Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the Duke of Annan, and he is definitely intrigued by Auora’s ways. Apollo too is a rebel: he deposed his father to take his title, and is now being frozen out by the House of Lords as a result of his shocking deed. Aurora and Apollo met during the World's Fair in France and had a brief assignation: he wants more, and she can't stand his ways. But more time spent together means that she's intrigued. She tells him she wants sex lessons, and he says yes. Soon, he wants to protect more than her clinic – he wants her as his wife. But Aurora - scarred by previous terrible relationships and wanting to keep her independence - demurs. Tensions arise... can the two find a happy common ground?

Yes! and as always, Herrera does it with aplomb. Aurora is the final member of the Las Leones women to get her man, and she definitely has earned her joy, even if she doesn’t think she deserves it.

Apollo, too, has a hard life after his father cast off his mother, leaving him as a biracial by-blow who had to fight for his title. He is understandably bitter about this, but life with Aurora reintroduces him to joy.

The romance here is complicated and bittersweet in a good way. Aurora has an excellent reason to want to avoid marrying him, he has an excellent reason to want her in his life, in spite of what it'll do to his chances in the House of Lords. There are real obstacles in their way and it's a joy watching Herrera's lovers overcome them. 

As always, Herrera’s research here pops, and the romance goes from cool to hot to romantically gooey in a credible way. I’ve loved this rock-solid series right from the beginning.  A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is a perfect capstone to the series. It's a DIK all the way.

Adriana Herrera saved the best for last. A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, book three in Herrera's Las Leonas trilogy, is a steamy, compelling, endearing, action-packed, story that I did not want to put down. A Caribbean woman in Paris, fighting for her independence and right to care for other women. A Caribbean man determined to honor his mother's memory by claiming his rightful place in the peerage (fiery Black duke for the win). Adversaries to lovers. Danger around every corner. Found family of the heart. Hard-won happily ever after. This book has everything I love...and then some. If you have yet to discover the excellence of Adriana Herrera, this is a great place to start.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Aurora and Apollo's story is one that is now, unfortunately, very relevant. Aurora is one of the few women physicians who performs clandestine care and procedures. Apollo is a newly member of the peerage who's trying to find his place in the world. Sparks fly when they meet and they start to recognize that the idea they had of each other is not all that appears. This book made me emotional because of the current state of women's rights to their own body. The romance although spicy, is secondary to her work and his wish to keep her safe.
Adriana gave her characters the perfect humanity to make them relatable. It was a fitting end to the series.

Aurora is used to having to make her own way in the world. Being an illegitimate daughter as well as a female doctor has not made it easy for Aurora. She chooses to risk her life saving women in desperate need of help. What Aurora does not need is the attention and protection of the antagonistic Duke of Annan. Apollo isn’t just physically drawn to Aurora, he truly believes in her work as well as empowering women. Even if Aurora wanted to have a formal relationship with Apollo, the aristocracy would look down on not just her but Apollo as well. Apollo has been fighting his own battles trying to earn the respect of his new title on his own terms. Can the two come together as a strong united front, or will polite society and politics tear them apart?

With a strong feminist at the helm, this historical romance sheds light on uncomfortable truths and the triumphs of a loving and supportive community. What a delight to read!

I absolutely adored this book. I thought the message was extremely relevant to today’s women. Could be very informative to other. As always, this book was very well researched and I enjoyed how much our main characters have grown throughout the series. I enjoyed that Apollo gave Aurora the room to grow into her own while also changing himself. The cameos of characters from the other two books was a welcome experience, and I enjoyed how they were able to give the main characters advice that was both true to their characterization and their books, as well as the growth that they would’ve had in between stories.

There is detailed spice in the story and I didn’t think that it took away from the overall plot.

i actually cant believe it took me so long to read this. it had absolutely everything in it that i love and i feae i will be chasing the high of my first read through for months. is it too soon to start it again?

Gosh, I have loved Adriana Herrera since I read the Dreamers series, and this latest installent into the Las Leonas series did NOT disappoint. This was so sexy and fun while giving the readers a chance to dive into the lives of these characters who represent folks that most don't usually hear stories about, especially in this time period. Aurora's commitment to women's healthcare and preserving her patients' right to choose felt very timely and important in our current political climate. Absolutely beautiful book.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera is a Historical Fiction romance steeped in lust and political drama. A story of family responsibilities and survival- every reader will get sucked into the story- especially after reading the previous books!!

I have absolutely adored the first two books in this series, so I was very excited to get an advanced copy of this finale, especially after I realized Apollo was going to be Aurora's love interest. Here we follow Aurora, a Caribbean doctor who is in Paris running an underground women's clinic, and Apollo, who we saw in the first book get revenge on his father and is now trying to navigating being a Black duke in English society. I think this is exactly the kind of book we need in 2025 and I highly recommend this book and series. I love what Herrera has done with this series, highlighting the diversity of a time and place that are typically very whitewashed and conservative. That being said, I think this was my least favorite in the series and I can't really put my finger on why. I think part of it is the trope set. I generally like FWB and antagonists to more but I think I struggled slightly with this combination and buying into the relationship because of that. Though it could have also just been my mood so I fully expect to like this more upon reread. Overall, a very solid series and I cannot wait to see what Herrera writes next!

📚 Read if you like: historical romance, diverse romance, dislike to love, spicy books, multilingual dirty talk, women’s reproductive rights, f*ck the patriarchy and aristocracy, well researched books

This is my first five star read of the year and I loved it SO much! This is the third and final book in the Las Leonas series of interconnected standalones based on a group of Afro-Latina women who are best friends and travel to France. I haven’t read the rest of the series yet but absolutely running to now because these characters are everything! So much depth and emotion in the MCs and their immediate friend group. The writing is so good and the historical aspect was so well researched - I love an author that sites their sources! I also think it’s very timely given the current state of affairs in the US right now - she is a badass doctor supporting women and making sure they have access to healthcare, including contraceptives and abortion. And he’s the first Black Duke of England fighting against racism in the aristocracy. And on top of all that, such a good romance with plenty of spice and multilingual dirty talk 🥵 HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the series - I already borrowed the second book (An Island Princess Starts a Scandal) from Libby and starting it ASAP!

The way I love this series is OMG. I love historical romances but I struggled finding ones where I can relate to the characters in a deeper way. This one here hit all the points. Aurora is a character that I resonated with in various ways. Loved her personality and her connection with Apollo kept me sucked into this book that I did not want to put it down.

First I need to say thank you Harlequin Books and The Hive for making my dream come true with this Advance Copy. I am honored to have been able to have this chance to read and listen to this story. This was my first ever approval from a publisher of a book that is written by a Dominican author. I have felt so homesick lately so when I got this opportunity to read a story someone who is from home, it brought tears to me eyes. Getting the honor to read this will always be something I cherish so thank you so much.

Now for the review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Apollo and Aurora are THE couple! I mean a duke who is obsessed with a doctora who is saving women by providing necessary reproductive care, who doesn’t swoon over that? Especially when it a woman who loves to put him in his place, ahhhh! And there’s just something about a supportive man who you can lean on and finally rest on after having the world on your shoulders. I can go on and on about this book seriously!

I was able to listen to the audiobook for this and absolutely loved hearing Lola James’ performance. The way she was able to alter her voice for multiple characters to make it seem like a full cast truly is a gift. And when I say she performed, she PERFORMED! You can audibly hear the devastation, anger, and even smirk of the characters throughout the story. I was in awe listening to her the entire time and had to not audibly swoon! She has quickly now moved up to one of my favorite Latina narrators!

Being able to read this story gave me such courage and hope during times where the world is making women have limited room to speak, especially those who look and come from a place like me. It is exactly the kind of book that I am happy the entire world gets to finally read. Thank you Adriana for creating this story and sharing it with all of us when we need it the most.

This is the diverse, pro-choice, political, progressive, feminist romance novel we all need here at the beginning of 2025. I loved everything about this book. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two in the series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Book 3 in Adriana Herrera's Las Leonas series. The books are interconnected, not in series and can be consumed in any order.

I loved this book! The romance was swoon-worthy and the story supporting the romance was timely and strong. This was a great book to read in these times.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book to be published February 4, 2025