Always Be My Duchess ARC Review
Y’all I am deep in my Historical Romance Era, and nothing brought me more joy than to be approved for Amalie Howard’s newest romance Always Be My Duchess. I read The Beast of Beswick earlier this year and fell in LOVE with Howard’s wit, charm and deeply fun way she crafts her love stories. So obviously I am SUPER excited to be sharing my early review of the ARC for Always Be My Duchess.
As always, as a disclaimer I’ve been provided an ARC for a fair and unbiased review.
When I first found out about this book, being pitched as Pretty Woman meets The Bridgertons, y’all I was SOLD. The premise is a classic and one that my lil trope loving heart can’t get enough of. We have Lysander, the Duke of Montcroix who has been treated abominably by so many people, and been taught to deny himself anything that might bring him a modicum of joy. And Geneviève Valery, a impoverished french woman who has taken to ballet to care for herself and her sister.
The way these two meet, is rife with humor, sparkling wit, a touch of danger, and scorching sexual tension. After that first chapter it was safe to say I was HOOKED.
Lysander and Néve quickly come to an agreement and we’re off to the delicious forced proximity races. But there are a few things that make this outing from Howard, a real joy to read. First, the cast of secondary characters that I PRAY we are going to get to read about in successive stories. Especially Lushing and Briar. They stole scenes, I mean: “Miss me Prickles?” 🤣. I need their book like yesterday.
Second, the plotting of this book was just fantastic. We have have the core love story, the business deal Lysander is trying to close, Néve becoming friends with her fellow Queens, and finally finding joy in something that had been forced into a commodity. And then redefining what that joy looks like as she has begun to change.
The sex positivity, the consent, the way in which Amalie writes Stone’s clear neurodiversity is so impactful and will have you completely carried away while you watch these two hurt souls do their best to not fall head over heels in love with each other. These two have SO many moments throughout this story that will have your heart clenching, butterflies in your stomach flapping away and your brain screaming at them to FIGURE IT OUT AND BE IN LOVE ALREADY! Oh and that scene in the music room, where he plays her like a cello was H-O-T. God bless Amalie Howard.
I loved this book, and can’t wait for the rest of the romance loving world to get their hands on this. Howards Historical Romances are easily a must buy and are perfect for fans of Sarah MacLean, Christi Caldwell, Tessa Dare, and Stacy Reid, Be sure to grab your copy of Always be my Duchess wherever you get your books, July 12, 2022