A Lady For a Duke: a swoonworthy historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material

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Viola is grieving both the person she was wrongfully raised to be along with the womanhood she was never fully invited into or allowed to embrace. A Lady For A Duke follows Viola Carroll, a woman who was finally able to live as her true self after everyone thought she died at Waterloo. Quaint, happy, and filled with heart, A Lady for a Duke is a shining example of a new type of inclusive historical romance. Gracewood, on the other hand, is not only coming to terms with the fact that he was grieving someone who was never actually lost, but he’s also grieving the past version of himself that was stronger, more independent, and more able-bodied—because that's how he's been taught to define his masculinity and because the world has conditioned him to place value in those things.

Anyone who objects to this course needs to make a written commitment never again to read a romance where the Duke marries a governess/thief/courtesan/seamstress etc, because either everyone gets handwaving or nobody does.Either way, it was nice to see an example of a trans character in something like regency England living a happy life and being able to have a family, despite all the challenges she would have faced. As a couple they have both scorching chemistry and beautiful intimacy; I loved their banter, as Viola’s fierce will collided with Gracewood’s stubborn determination. As for this particular story, well the trademark AH humour is back in full force, I cried real tears for Gracewood's PTSD and Viola's misery, and of course this story is joining several of the author's previous works on my Creme-de-la-Creme bookshelf here on Goodreads. This book is out 5/24 and I can’t wait for everyone else to fall in love with Viola, Gracewood, and their epic romance. Gracewood had already begun to love Viola before learning he already knew her—although he had not yet known her fully.

I have several instances of text highlighted where I enjoyed the turn of phrase – for instance, Gracewood as “a cracked vase of a man. So romantic, so emotional, so touching, so moving, so very perfect The words seeped into my heart - the love coursed through my veins - I was so so in love with Viola and Gracewood's story, this was just an absolute delight! And yes, I did feel that the story regarding Gracewood's sister and her coming out into society took more of a precedent to the actual romance of the story. Viola knows she's playing with fire—how long can she hide her very-much-alive presence from her oldest friend?The bravery and vulnerability of these two characters—the beautifully nuanced acknowledgment that necessary choices can bring relief but also loss (but also hope, and new opportunities)—I cried so much while reading that my mask became utterly saturated and probably lost structural integrity.