Wow, Herrera does it again! I absolutely loved Aurora and Apollo's love story - it was so delectably steamy AND sweet.
I always admire how Herrera has tackled these political subjects in her historical romances as well. Aurora's fight for women's equality and the healthcare they receive felt especially impactful to read in our current timeline as well.
Overall, a well rounded romance and narrated perfectly. I ended up getting an ALC as well and really enjoyed listening to this on audiobook!

Aurora and Apollo are the couple we all want and need in our lives.
A great conclusion to the Las Leonas historical romance series featuring Afro-Latinx characters, set in Paris in the 1800s, tres Leonas!
This book is fast paced, steamy, and grounded in history. You get to see both Aurora and Apollo’s thoughts as their relationship transforms from tense to passionate to romantic. We get to see both Aurora and Apollo’s thoughts as their relationship transforms from tense to passionate to romantic. The best part of this story is that they become partners in and out of bed. Trying to give a review without spoilers is very hard.
This book, this story, is a MUST read!!!
I also want to say Thank You to Adriana Herrera for my new Kindle name 💜.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing- Canary Street Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was insanely swoony, filled with so many historical facts and stories that honestly made me wish I read more books such as this one! This amazing book follows the bold and independent Dr. Aurora Montalban Wright, who runs a secret women’s clinic in 1889 Paris. Her dangerous work draws the attention of Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the newly appointed Duke of Annan. Despite their differences, Apollo is determined to protect Aurora, and their partnership soon turns into a passionate romance. As Apollo adjusts to his new title and responsibilities, Aurora struggles with the idea of fitting into aristocratic life while guarding secrets from her past. When old enemies resurface, the two flee to the French Riviera, where they must decide if love is worth risking everything. There were so many moments while reading this book where I wished to be Aurora so badly because I truly also need a duke such as Apollo in my life!

Ok, hi, I'm feral for the Duke of Annan. FERAL.

In the final Las Leonas book, we get the story of Aurora - a doctor who is working hard (off the books and maybe against archaic laws) to provide care to women - repairing fistulas, providing abortion services. Aurora, I love you.

Then there's the Duke of Annan, Apollo who is gorgeous and great with the ladies and also out to turn the aristocracy and its white-centered, built on wealth from slavery ways. The grandson of an enslaved woman who now finds himself a duke, he thinks he doesn't care about anything, until Aurora.

This book starts off with a bang and you're like yessss these people are hot. And then it unfolds all the many layers of each of them.

If you were like me and did not care for the second Leonas book (pacing issues and I do not like the bratty trope thing at all) and are worried about another, do not worry, this is excellent. Pacing was a smidge off and there's one side story that I'm still scratching my head over like wait what is that resolved? But Apollo and Aurora are more than enough to make up for it and I love them so much. I love these historicals from Herrera giving us Afro Latine characters who are full of life and full of stories I can't get enough of. More please!

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is out February 4, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Aurora and Apollo were burning up my kindle. My goodness. From the very beginning all the way through. What a couple!!

This book is quite an education on how far we have come in regards to repro rights..... and how much we can lose by going backwards over 130 years later. Such a timely message.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I devoured the first two books in the Leona‘s series and was excited to dive into Aurora‘s story. Herrera is the master at crafting characters who are both heroic and deeply human. Aurora is a doctor and dedicates herself to helping underserved women. She is often in danger taking on procedures that women cannot have anywhere else. When she and the Duke of Annan meet they agree it’s all physical until their connection quickly deepens. He is not your typical Duke and although Aurora is far from helpless, he can’t help feeling loving and protective toward her. I could clearly picture this swoon worthy Duke.
If you’ve read Herrera you know to be ready for some very descriptive and smoking hot sex scenes. And what was even hotter is they become partners in and out of bed.

This book really shows how historicals can make topical commentary on our work. Adriana Herrera seamlessly weaves in so many topics into this book, but it doesn't feel preachy. It's simply the world that the characters live in.

I am so glad I read this one (even if I lowkey DNF'd the prior books in the series). I read it a bit slower than I prefer, but I loved it so much! Aurora and Apollo have such a spark between each other and this book has so many things I love in romance. I Have to Teach You to Defend Yourself. A Woman Fighting For Rights. A DOWN BAD DUKE.

Apollo and Aurora are electric together and I highlighted so many quotes.

I did think some of the pacing was a bit off and I had a hard time getting into the story at times, which is why I knocked off a star.

Overall this was a powerful and impactful read that will stick with me for awhile.

A great conclusion to the Las Leonas historical romance series featuring three strong, independent women of color finding love and living their lives how they want despite conventional society dictates. This book features Aurora, a physician dedicated to helping women in need with all their health related ailments (including abortions). Her one-time fling with Apollo, the new Duke of Annan turns into much more and the two have to figure out if they are willing to take a chance on love and a life together. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Vanessa Ridley and Evie Dunmore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Don't let the fact that A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke (publication date February 4, 2025) by Adrianna Herrera is the third in a trilogy stop you from reading it! Herrera has written a nearly perfect historical romance, featuring Afro-Latinx characters, set in Paris in 1889, with a female doctor who runs underground women's health clinics, Aurora Montalban Wright meeting Apollo César Sinclair Robles, the first black duke in the British ton. It's also fat-positive and features queer supporting characters!

Aurora is in Paris with her two best friends, who have both recently found love, one with Apollo's brother, the other with a woman (the first two books) and she finally feels like she can breathe because she's doing professionally what she loves--helping women who are not being served by male doctors. She loves her independence and feels like she has put her past behind her.

Apollo has just become a duke after challenging his father and winning, but he has a lot to prove to be accepted. His first job is to find a duchess that will be able to smooth his way through society. But soon after he and Aurora have a fling, and he realizes the risks she's taking with her safety running all around Paris treating patients, and he provides a bodyguard and transportation for her, he realizes that there could be no other duchess suitable for him.

Aurora describes herself has having "wide hips and a plump bottom, and she was not very tall" with one of the cooks at her family's house calling her "periqueta" because she resembled a small bird with a large posterior and short legs. And Apollo worships her, and her body. He finds her fascinating and respects the fact she puts herself at risk for the good of her patients, though he does everything he can to protect her. I am a sucker for fiction featuring historical women doctors (see Lady Tan's Circle of Women, by Lisa See; A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence, by Jess Everlee) and the fact that Aurora is a fat, feminist, prickly doctor made me love her even more.

The question is whether she is willing to give up her independence, and allow Apollo to risk everything he's fought for, in order for her to stand by his side. She has secrets that make her unsuitable, in her mind, to be a duchess.

I highly recommend it if you want to read fat-positive, hot, historical romance and will be reading the first two books as soon as I can!

Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Publishing for this ARC copy as part of the Hive Influencer program in exchange for my honest review

Tropes:
dislike to FWB to lovers
He falls first
Forbidden romance(she wasn’t the “duchess” pedigree

-Afro-Latina representation
First black duke
Socio-political themes

Calling all historical fiction, romance, and Brigerton fans! This is your next 5 star read. This started off with a bang, literally! 😉This book managed to roll all my favorites into one. I love when a book has amazing romance with other underlying deeper themes. Tropical Rebel gets the Duke explores not only a perfect angsty somewhat “forbidden” romance, but dives into deeper socio-political issues of women reproductive rights, race, class. Set in 1889, This follows FMC Aurora, who is a fierce independent Afro-Latina physician running an underground women’s clinic. She risks her life to help these women and never dreamed of love and marriage like many of her peers. she valued her independence and her career.
I found the parallels between 1889, where women risked their lives for reproductive liberties, to now in 2025 where women reproductive rights are also at stake astounding.
Apollo, the MMC, is the first black duke. due to his race, he was not openly welcomed by the aristocracy. That however, did not deter him. Apollo didn’t desire to conform to fit the norms of the aristocracy. He was confident, self assured, protective and clearly everything that Aurora never knew she needed. They were truly a match made in heaven!

I just absolutely loved Apollo and Aurora. You could feel the angst, desire and passion through the pages. As stubborn as Aurora was, Apollo never backed down. Her showed her that it was ok to be loved and that she deserved to be loved. I found myself frustrated with Aurora’s self deprecating thoughts at times but understood it as self preservation as she was not use to anyone caring about her and for her.

Aurora’s past made her feel unworthy and certainly unworthy to be his duchess. Slowly but surely Apollo was able to convince her of his love for her.

I love that Apollo stayed true to who he was and made his Dukedom exactly what he wanted it to be, forgoing all the norms and expectations.

Please note that this is actually part of a series. This is book 3, while I haven’t read the first two, I never really felt lost or that I was missing anything. I will note that the opening scene made me realize they had prior interactions in other books.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is the third book in the Las Leonas series. Do you need to read the previous books in order to enjoy this one? Absolutely not. Should you read the previous books anyway? Absolutely yes. Adriana Herrera knows how to deliver strong and powerful women that question patriarchy while also giving us a diverse cast of characters in a well-researched story.

First off, I'm not a huge historical romance reader, but when it comes to topics that are relevant to our current state, I can be persuaded. Especially if it is Herrera writing it. She gives us the heat, angst and amazing characters who can vividly stand on their own.

Aurora is a woman that is one bada$$ doctor running an underground clinic that saves women medically when their lives are literally in the hands of others. Apollo meanwhile has recently been given the title of duke and is battling what that title means for himself and what he can do to help others with it. While it does seem that these two are focused on their jobs, I enjoyed seeing how their lives could intertwine and they could both help others in similar ways.

Men had so much to answer for...Aurora was saving mothers, daughters, sisters. Women who were at the mercy of callous men and an indolent society.

Herrera continues to give a voice to women in her stories that are all about standing up and taking their power back. Even if they have to do it quietly or illegally. This book really focuses on women and their body autonomy in a past that was riddled with horrible choices made by men. Combining something that is still relevant today with a scorching chemistry between two characters that displayed a bit of love/hate, this book was entertaining and had me cheering on the the unlikely pairing of Aurora and Apollo.

With a diverse cast, important topics even today and a true connection between Apollo and Aurora, this is a historical romance that will stay with you. The spice is spicing and the action scenes are breathtaking. I'm sad to have this series coming to an end, but I hope Herrera continues to write more historical romance that is timely.

"Aurora will never lie to me to save my pride, she won't ever turn a blind eye to an injustice because it's inconvenient. She will never choose her comfort over another's well-being. She's better than I could ever aspire to be."

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is a fantastic addition to Adriana Herrera’s Las Leonas series! Aurora is a bold, independent heroine, and Apollo is the perfect mix of charm and strength. Their chemistry is electric, with plenty of passion, tension, and heartfelt moments. The blend of romance, danger, and historical intrigue keeps the story exciting from start to finish. Aurora’s determination and Apollo’s devotion make them an unforgettable pair. If you love strong heroines, swoon-worthy dukes, and steamy, empowering romances, this book is a must-read!

pretty badass romance with some awesome characters, both the FMC and MMC. tysm for the arc. 5 stars. would recommend.

I am delighted to be on the blog tour for this book that will be enjoyed by many. It is the third in a series so readers may well want to read every one. This is a collection that seems perfect for this time of year when we are in the doldrums. Enjoy some welcome escape in this book and the prior ones. Readers will enjoy spending time with Aurora (a doctor and rebel as defined in the title) and the Duke.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Canary Street Press and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

Gah, this series just gets better and better with each book. Aurora and Apollo are so wonderful and delicious and I loved their story. Aurora has one goal and that's to help women and Apollo has one goal and that's to help Aurora with whatever she wants. And maybe get married? He'll think about it. These two are so much fun to read. She runs circles around him, and he gets exasperated (but loves it). It was great to see these two finally get together after sparking in an earlier book. I am legitimately sad this series is done, Herrera's Las Leonas have been a breath of fresh air in historical romance and I've loved how she combined the cultures of these characters with the Paris of the stories.

Herrera is a must read for me and A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is just another reason while I can't wait for her next book.

Adriana Herrera is not playing around with this finale to the Las Leonas series! It had fantasticccc spice (there are leather gloves involved at one point), but no plot was sacrificed for the sake of the sensual scenes, and I really appreciated that.

I love how *planned* this book felt. This book was not an afterthought. Aurora and Apollo's story fit so well with the other two books and was imperative to this series. I don't always feel that with series that follow different main characters, so I really appreciated here how purposeful everything was. Aurora and Apollo's backstories were both SO SAD but also showed how they were MADE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

We also love a man who is Down Bad immediately and from the get gooooo Apollo is the definition of DOWN BAD.

There was some random action at the end that I rolled my eyes at a bit, but overall this book was everything you want in a historical romance: sensual, engaging, and a commentary on the time period. Do NOT skip the Author's Note on this one, ya'll!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I have to give props to the author for writing an engaging historical romance set in something other than the English Regency period. This book and the two preceding books in the series follow three young women of color, Las Leonas, as they nicknamed themselves, who came from wealthy families in various parts of the Spanish colonial Americas and met in boarding school in Switzerland. They all rebel against the strictures of their time and find love in unexpected places.

In the final book, Aurora, a trained physician, has dedicated her life to helping women who often find themselves needing abortions or other medical care denied to them at the whim of the men in their lives. Apollo is a man of color who inherited a Dukedom and wants to use his newfound position to help those who have been oppressed in the colonies. He and Aurora met in Book 1 when her close friend married his half brother. It was pretty much pretty much hate at first sight, but the sparks between them were incendiary and not something either of them could resist for long.

There’s a lot of hate sex in this book and the spiciness meter is high. The social commentary and history are spot on and shine a light on conditions in late nineteenth century Paris that sadly still have relevance today. The book didn’t quite resonate with me as I would have preferred less antagonism and a bit less spice. Nonetheless, I admire the author for choosing to address these social issues head on and hope she continues to write historical romance that features lesser known settings and time periods. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

In Adriana Herrera’s A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, the third and final book in the Las Leonas series, Doctor Aurora Montalban Wright has founded a women’s health clinic in Paris. This comes with many dangers, and Aurora begrudgingly accepts help and protection from the Duke of Annan, Apollo César Sinclair Robles. She ends up in his bed, but she’s guarding her heart. Meanwhile, Apollo struggles to accept his newly elevated position in society amidst an aristocracy that is eagerly waiting to discredit him. Can Apollo convince Aurora that she’s his perfect match?

This book is fast paced, steamy, and grounded in history. It’s also extremely internal. You get to see both Aurora and Apollo’s thoughts as their relationship transforms from tense to passionate to romantic. The POV switches between them almost seamlessly in a scene, so you don’t have to wait for the next chapter to wonder what the other is experiencing.

I also loved how much code switching there was in the dialogue. Apollo and Aurora both use Spanish to convey their adoration for each other, and it is so, so hot.

One of the best parts of this book is how much rage there is. There is rage at the patriarchy and the ways men control women’s bodies, women’s access to capital, and women’s freedom. There is rage at Western Imperialism and the British Empire. And there is rage at the aristocracy. Herrera pulls no punches, and she does such thorough and meticulous research, so the rage feels all the more compelling. (The Author’s Note at the end made me cry.)

While I think it’s possible to read this as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first. The chemistry and steam between the two main leads starts off very quickly in these pages, but I prefer a slower burn, and you get to see their connection begin to build in the prior novels. There is also important backstory about Apollo in the first novel as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

DNF at 34%

I balked at the fact that this book was over 400 pages, but I figured that the premise would be enough to carry me through this really timely romance. However, I've made it over a third of the way through the book and I am just really bored. I do appreciate what this book is doing and the fact that it is talking about such important issues that are still being fought for today; because I do not want to diminish the book by giving it a low rating, I am choosing to DNF instead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I appreciate a strong female lead in a book, even more so when she is a strong Latina like in Adriana Herrera’s novel, A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke.
 
This historical romance is the final installment in the Las Leonas series and follows Dr. Aurora Montalban and her mission to fight for women and their reproductive rights. Duke of Annan, Apollo, does everything in his power to keep her safe and satisfied 😉 while she does.
 
It’s so crazy, but unfortunately not surprising, that this book set in 1889, centers around the same rights women continue to fight for today. So, if you’re looking for some fierce and inspiring energy, this along with the other books in the series are for you.
 
I’d like to point out that Adriana Herrera does 👏🏽 her 👏🏽 research, she mentions this in her Author’s Note and on her various platforms. Aurora and other characters are inspired by real people. So, not only do you get a great story, you’re also gaining knowledge and that’s a powerful thing.
 
🐝 Thanks so much to the @htp_hive and @htpbooks for my advanced copy of the e-book and audiobook. I switched back and forth between both while reading and I gotta say, the narrators were perfectly chosen.