Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - A Lady for a Duke

Out May 24, 2022 [Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!]

Rating: 5/5 stars

A Lady For A Duke is a friends-to-lovers romance set in Regency-era England and featuring a trans heroine. I could say more, but really you should just read it.

I have been fortunate to be on a 5-star reading streak lately, and this book *still* managed to catapult to the top of a stacked list to become one of my favorites of the year (and maybe ever). I went into this for the trans representation in a historical romance and definitely got that, but also got so much more, including disability rep, a gorgeous friends-to-lovers story, absolutely hilarious banter, incredibly thoughtful and poignant reflections on gender/identity/ableism and more, plus a new favorite book boyfriend in Gracewood.

Without giving away too much of the plot, I also adored that the third act tension was largely external (I wish this were the case in more romances) and the epilogue was the pitch perfect amount of closure while still leaving room for a sequel/spin-off (PLEASE, I need Miranda’s story!) I was also thoroughly entertained from beginning to end, and actively wished the book would just keep going so I didn’t have to leave this world and these characters. In short, this was my first Alexis Hall read but it *definitely* will not be my last.

Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse representation in historical romance; friends-to-lovers; dynamic supporting characters.

CW: Ableism; deadnaming; mental illness/addiction/PTSD; grief; physical disability/war injury; mentions of child abuse; kidnapping.

Content Warnings

bookishfaye's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC to read for review!

A Lady for A Duke made me stop and clutch my chest while staring at my roof squealing all giddy, multiple times. The Trans & lgbtq+ rep in here was so beautifully done, & multiple quotes in here about trans-ness brought tears to my eyes. The slow burn yearning in this book 👀👀👀 y’all aren’t ready!!!!

My only issue with this book is that at times it felt quite long and repetitive, and there was a subplot centred around the sister of the love interest that I almost wish did not occur?? I would have loved if that time was spent on the main 2 characters, or just chopped down to less because not enough character building happened with her to make me invested in her story. However, her character did remind me a tad of Eloise from Bridgerton & a potential sequel/spin-off around her could be interesting!!

Content Warnings

caseythereader's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Thanks to Forever for the free advance copy of this book.

- Oh, my heart. A LADY FOR A DUKE is one of the best romance novels I've ever read. It's full of the best banter and the deepest feelings, and it's so fantastically queer.
- I absolutely adore that while Viola is of course worried about transphobia, it's not the entire plot of the book. Everyone she comes out to accepts her fully and without question, smoothly using her correct name and pronouns while working to give her the support she needs.
- Viola and Gracewood are the sweetest pair, each helping each other understand and deal with their traumas, untangle their feelings, and love each other wholly.

Content Warnings

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