Aurora and Apollo, the absolutely beautiful people that you are🥹👏 I’ve been waiting for the last Leona’s book since the first one came out bc the chemistry between these two was apparent from their very first meeting and they did not disappoint🙂‍↕️🫶 The mixture of inner turmoil, history, and outside influences is handled so well in this series and especially so in this one. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves historical romance, especially Beverly Jenkins novels👏 The audio production was done very well for this one and the narrator did a great job with the different accents and voices changes for the entire cast of characters!

4.75/5

How do I even begin to review the epic conclusion to one of my all-time favorite historical romance series? Let me just say: WHAT. A. START. From the very first page, I was completely hooked and couldn’t put this book down.

Aurora—Aurorita! This fierce, fiery, unstoppable woman owned every page she was on. Her strength and determination were the heart of the story, and let me tell you, she had me feeling everything. Life has thrown her the worst possible hand, but Aurora rose above it all with grit, intelligence, and an unyielding will. A doctor. A revolutionary. An independent woman ahead of her time. She didn’t just survive,she thrived, challenging society, her family, and those infuriating aristocrats every step of the way.
And then there’s Apollo. Oh, Apollo. His chemistry with Aurora? Absolutely unmatched. His devotion to her his obsession, really was captivating. I loved how fiercely he wanted to protect her, even when she didn’t think she needed saving. Their connection was electric, and their journey together was nothing short of breathtaking.

As always, Adriana Herrera’s writing is phenomenal. She weaves a story so compelling and vibrant, it’s impossible to look away. I was torn between devouring this book in one sitting and savoring every word because I knew it was the end of one of my favorite series. Ultimately, I couldn’t resist..I finished it in under two days.

Adriana Herrera gave us the perfect sendoff. It’s an unforgettable finale to a bold, passionate, and empowering series.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I listened to Tropical Rebel gets the Duke as a audiobook and rather enjoyed this BIPOC regency era romance.

It was definitely a familiar story arc and tropes to other recent regency romances, with the twist that both MCs are people of color. That said, being brown in England was not the entire plot, nor was it the main trope. (I appreciated this! You don’t need to remind me that the character is (enter descriptor here) every chapter. 🤷‍♀️)

In Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, our FMC is an heiress making her own way in the world, while our MMC is a duke, who believes he is the acknowledged bastard son of his father, the prior duke, and his mother.

Topical Rebel Gets the Duke was super sweet and spicy. It’s also the third book in the Las Leonas series by Adriana Herrera, but I read this as a stand alone without any issues.

This book is part of a series, and I had not read books 1 or 2, but I was still able to enjoy this story.
But this is a long audiobook! It is a slow start, but the story will pick up.
The narrator does an excellent job, given the numerous characters, most of whom have accents.
Aurora in Paris, late 1800s, is a career woman who wants to maintain her independence, but falls for the Duke. Her job is dangerous, and she doesn't have the right pedigree, but that won't stop the Duke!
Themes of women's bodily autonomy, prejudice, and patriarchy are still relevant today. Makes for an interesting story. There is spice, but it can be cringey at times.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the complimentary audiobook for review.
3.75 Stars Overall

Where can I even start? I loved this book. The setting, the characters…all of it. I had never heard of this author before, but a few chapters in and I realized how amazing this story and world was going to be. So I put a virtual bookmark and went to the beginning. I’m so glad this was recommended to me! It’s now one of my favorite series!

This final installment in the 'Las Leonas' series by Adriana Herrera starts off hot and heavy. Set in Paris in 1889, Apollo and Aurora a strong-willed physician have been having casual hookups, but when Apollo's father passes he has to put aside his dalliances and become the next Duke. He's thrust into a lot of responsibility very quickly and he also still can't avoid Aurora once their bedfellows situationship is done. He is expected to marry for his Dukedom and he's feeling the pressure. He confides in Aurora and old feelings rekindle themselves. Meanwhile, Aurora is helping women who need clandestine help with STDs and abortions. Aurora is a medical badass. This book was such a good romance and the author really did her research about the historical aspects. She sheds light on real life situations that women had to go through in during those times when it came to reproductive health. I definitely recommend this one to someone looking for a spicy historical romance. And the best thing is it's part of a series, but you don't need to read them in order.


Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Hearts: 4
Review: I found the Duke’s bossyness in bed a bit annoying. I enjoyed the book but not as much as the previous ones in the series.

In A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, Adriana Herrera unfurls a tapestry of passion and defiance, stitching together a romance that burns brighter than a Parisian summer. Set in 1889, where the City of Light hums with ambition and iniquity, this third Las Leonas novel introduces Doctora Aurora Montalban Wright, a Black Caribbean physician whose underground women’s clinic is as bold as her spirit, and Apollo César Sinclair Robles, a newly minted Black Duke of Annan whose heart is as vast as his title is improbable. What ensues is an enemies-to-lovers frolic that crackles like a storm over the French Riviera, leaving readers flushed and breathless.

Herrera’s prose is a velvet glove over an iron fist, delivering a narrative that’s both lusciously sensual and fiercely political. Aurora, with her razor-sharp intellect and unapologetic feminism, is no wilting heroine; she’s a hurricane in a corset, fighting for women’s bodily autonomy in an era that prefers them silent. Apollo, meanwhile, is no mere aristocratic dandy. His Afro-Latine heritage and hard-won dukedom make him a man of contradictions—charming yet haunted, protective yet respectful of Aurora’s fire. Their chemistry is a duel of wits and want, each barb and glance stoking a fire that threatens to consume them both. When Apollo murmurs sweet nothings in Spanish, untranslated for the uninitiated, it’s as if Herrera winks at her readers, inviting us to savor the intimacy of the moment.

The novel’s genius lies in its alchemy of the personal and political. Herrera weaves in the thorns of racism, sexism, and colonization, yet never lets them overshadow the romance. Aurora’s clinic, a clandestine haven for women, mirrors her own rebellion against a world that seeks to cage her. Apollo’s struggle to claim his place in a prejudiced aristocracy echoes her fight, making their alliance a defiant act of love. The backdrop—Paris’s glittering boulevards and the Riviera’s sun-soaked cliffs—pulses with life, rendered with such vividness you can almost taste the absinthe.

If there’s a quibble, it’s that the pacing occasionally stumbles, like a waltz with one too many spins, and a stray side plot dangles like an unclaimed dance card. Yet these are mere peccadilloes in a tale so ferociously alive. The steamy scenes—oh, dear reader, prepare to fan yourself—are as artfully crafted as they are abundant, with Apollo’s devotion (and, ahem, oral finesse) earning him a place in the pantheon of romance heroes.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is a triumph, a love letter to those who dare to rewrite the rules. Herrera delivers a story that’s equal parts swoon and swagger, proving once again why she’s the reigning queen of inclusive historical romance. For those who crave a tale that’s as smart as it is sultry, this is your next obsession.

This book is a great time. Aurora's instant attraction to Apollo is deep and convincing. Her commitment to her independence and her beliefs is strong and inspiring. A wonderful read.

I wanted to love this one. I've been getting recs for this author. However, I found it hard to connect to the characters and their stories. I love a hot smutty romance, but this just wasn't working for me. I'll still give the author another shot though. Need to up my Latine reads.

I’m so sad to see this series end. It is a personal favorite I love the historical facts that get included Indiana’s books. They make the setting more interesting and exciting to see how these women fit in. This was narrated my favorite narrator Frankie Corzo who always does an amazing job

I, unfortunately, DNFed this. I plan to physically read it rather than listen. The narrators just didn’t work for me. Because of this, I won’t be leaving it a review on any of my platforms

A time was fucking had! I dont know if ive listened to an audiobook ive loved in 3rd person as much as this. Im also a dual pov lover but i dont feel like i was missing anything here

Hot, sultry, and tantalizing. I loved the back and forth, enemies-to-lovers story. I thought Herrera did a good job of playing out the will they won't they aspect and creating emotional investment in the story. I am so glad we finally got Aurora's story. Another excellent book from Herrera.

I began listening to this book, however, I could not get into the story. I talked with a few friends who also struggled with this book. I decided to DNF the book and I have heard the first few in the series are great, however, this was not the best.

I know that Bridgerton is overused as a comparison when it comes to historical romance. But I am not being generic here! The first time I watched the TV show, I had this bright and bubbly feeling that only comes from witnessing the creation of something entirely new. Adriana Herrera has tapped into that magic with this series. She doesn't just fit into this niche of reimagining regency stories. Her writing feels like the fulfillment of my highest hopes for this movement of diverse excellence. It feels like a revelation.

Aurora is an heiress who is determined to play by her own rules. She refused her brother's martial machinations, became a revered doctor in the upper echelons of society and runs an underground pro-choice medical practice. Oh, and the infamous Duke of Annan is absolutely in love with her! The poor man is several steps behind with wicked smart beauty as he tries to juggle his new role as Duke and his need to protect Aurora from the authorities. But OMG the way he loves her. It takes a lot of humility (and usually an argument or two to do the humbling) but he learns about the dangers women face and the importance of Aurora's work. She wants to limit their relationship to casual sex. He can barely restrain himself from telling her he loves her. They're both hot heads but that also means that neither of them will give up easily.

Frankie Corzo narrates both POVs and does a fantastic job with their combative personalities. Spanish was blended beautifully into the dialogue throughout. I was able to lose myself in the audiobook and feel like the characters were talking themselves. The spice jumps in quick and is used often as a tool to further their relationship. I'm fanatically obsessed and will be catching up on the earlier books.

This was such a passionate romp through historical fiction. Aurora was an incredibly inspiring character and it was so refreshirng to see a fearless woman who spoke her mind, took risks, and was not intimidated by a man with a name or a legacy. The Duke and his support for Aurora was perfection. I loved the audiobook so much! This was my first book by Adriana Herrera but it won't be last. Finding out this was a series just makes me want to go back a discover the others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is the last book in the Las Leonas Series, and it might be the most timely one yet.

Aurora has been using her skills as a physician to help women in an underground clinic and even knowing the risks that come with doing she is determined to help all of the women that come to her. But when Apollo, the new Duke of Annan, finds her in danger he is quick to offer his protection. As the new Duke, and the first Black Duke at that, Apollo is trying to find his place in society. As time passes the pull that Aurora and Apollo have to one another only intensifies.

This book starts with a literal bang and it’s exactly what I wanted! We’ve seen the Aurora and Apollo crumbs throughout the series and they were definitely worth the wait. Apollo won me over in book 1 and I just fell more in love with him in this one. He was so in love with Aurora and even though she was hesitant to feel the same for him, they fell in love with each other in such an honest way.

I loved seeing Aurora be so strong-willed about her work with reproductive health, and it just felt so important to read about it in a historical romance and then look at how this very issue is talked about today.

Frankie Corzo always does an amazing job in her narration! I listened to it comfortably enough in 1.5-2x speed.

The Las Leonas Series is what got me into Historical Romance and I’m sad to see it end but their impact on me will be everlasting!

What a GREAT finish to the series! I think this was my favorite one! Aurora was such a BADASS! Also, the issues she was dealing with felt so relevant to today. Apollo also isn’t a typical haughty duke and they both had a really sweet and spicy 🔥 time finding their way to one another! I really loved how this series approached historical romance and this one specifically.

Also… are we going to get a an offshoot series with Aurora’s brothers??

Great narration and Aurora’s personality really came out!

A fantastic finale in this trilogy.

I loved this whole series so much. Truly had an absolute blast reading this last book. Their dynamic was so fun.

Audio narration was so good added a lot to the story.