Although I’m not a big historical fun, I really wanted to read some Alexis hall books because I’ve heard she’s really good at historical romance and historical romance typically isn’t my genre so I thought I would try this. I actually really enjoyed it. I thought it was very well figured out the main female lead wasn’t stupid. She was relatable, and also I think the pacing was spot on 100% would read more from this author in the future, and I think she’s just got me into historical romance.

I make no secret that I really enjoyed some of the authors previous works, so seeing a regency LGBTQIA+ story? Yes i'm wanting to read it immediately.
Many Thanks to Netgalley and Piatkus for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
Plot- Historical romance Trans Heroine with a headstrong attitude and cinnamon roll disabled male love interest. In a Regency setting. How does this work so well and I was obsessed from the first page. The plot was so wonderfully done and paced extremely well. The romance was 10/10 and even the more heated scenes were written so intimately and respectfully it was just a masterpiece.

Worldbuilding- This was done really well and I loved this take on regency romance overall.

Characters- I cannot get over how amazing these characters were. They practically leapt of the page and their development was just *Chef's kiss*.

Overall:
A beautiful Queer Historical romance with everything I could have asked for and more.

A Lady for a Duke was a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Alexis Hall has such a deft hand at both heart-wrenching moments and wry humour, and that came across wonderfully in this book. Since reading this ARC, I've bought the book and multiple friends and family have also enjoyed their own copies. Fantastic.

Rather more angst in this one than my usual taste, but it’s so beautifully, sensitively done that I couldn’t begrudge it. This is the first historical romance I’ve read with a trans woman as the heroine (though I’ve come across several enbys and trans men as leads before) and I’m really glad that this is finally out there, because it’s so gorgeously warm and accepting. Look up and take the content warnings seriously before you read, as it’s pretty dark in places, but it’s such a great love story and it will stick with me for a long time.

This had a very interesting premise, but the execution was just dreadful. It's probably just a me thing, but I never have a good time reading historical romances from Alexis Hall. I think I'll stick to the contemporaries from now on. I get that the author wanted to do something different, something that has never been tried before, but in doing so, they committed the worst sin a writer can commit: they wrote a boring book. Hooray, the trans character gets a happy ending, but most readers will never get there because it's such a slog to get through the endless pages of filler and nonsense.

The main issue with this story is that it's just dull and unbelievable. It's told in a very long-winded style, most of the characters are as flat as a piece of paper, and we're really meant to believe that someone wouldn't recognise their best friend of 15 years simply because that friend is now wearing a dress?

I can understand the attraction of writing a historical romance where basically everyone is a-okay with a person suddenly coming back from the dead as the opposite gender, because life is grim so why not create a perfect world inside a book. But this book took that to the extreme. This wasn't a historical romance, this was a fantasy. Or, depending on your perspective, a gender studies textbook masquerading as a romance for the TikTok generation.

I read the synopsis for A Lady for a Duke and thought "is this really a Regency Romance about a transwoman? Does it really go there?" And it was! And it was great! In short, our heroine is Viola Carroll, who'd seized the opportunity to start a new life as her true self after being presumed dead at the Battle of Waterloo. She'd given up everything about her old life, most painfully her friendship and unrequited love for her best friend Justin, the Duke of Gracewood. Little does she know, he'd taken her 'death' just as hard, so of course she must comfort him in his hour of need and WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN NEXT IN THIS ROMANCE NOVEL, I WONDER??

Honestly, I love it. Multiple treasured tropes are present and correct, all delivered with aplomb. (Childhood) Friends to Lovers? Check! Faked death? Present! Secret Identity and Identity Reveal? Yes! Hurt/Comfort! In spades! Plus there's the beta plot revolving around Justin's eccentric but loveable younger sister Miranda and the need to bring her into society, so the latter half of the novel has all the Regency balls and card parties, fortune hunters and scandals you could wish for. Alexis Hall mostly nails that arch, period tone I love to see in Regency Romances, despite a few lapses into modernisms, which he owns in his Author's Note, so I'm happy to forgive him.

It should be noted, I'm not trans or gender nonconforming, but from my limited perspective, Hall seems to handle Viola's identity well and sensitively. As some other reviewers have noted, Justin does reminisce about and refer to Viola by her old title before he knows her as Viola, which could be seen as dead-naming. But he and Viola's other friends are generally supportive and affirming. This is how I knew I was reading a romance: A Lady for a Duke was blissfully free of 'period typical homophobia', at least where it matters. Despite all the inevitable hurt-feelings of betrayal over her faked death, Justin is as respectful and accepting as you'd expect a romance hero to be. And Viola's family welcomed her back with open arms, particularly her eccentric sister-in-law, Lady Marleigh, for whom she acts as a lady's-maid and companion.

This, incidentally, answered my burning question of how she'd live, having given up her lands, title and money, this being a Regency Romance and therefore full of rich people living it up. Actually, Viola's diminished status in life, both as a woman and as a poor one introduces interesting themes of class and class privilege, along with the familiar "We-can't-be-together-because-of-our-vastly-disparate-worlds" trope. This, incidentally, is one of the major conflicts in the romance, and I love that in A Lady for a Duke we get a love story starring a transwoman in which her transness is not the only or even main issue. The fact that Viola wanted and needed to transition and live as her true self, despite the cost, is explored (I love to imagine transphobes and misogynists' heads exploding over that, by the way.). But I like that her transition is already a done deal. This is a story about her living her life, not agonising over her identity or trying to transition (great and necessary as those kinds of stories are).

It's just nice to see a trans character getting all the drama and joyous HEA of a Regency Romance. That said, the third act conflict felt a little forced to me, but it all works out in the end (this is a romance, so that's not a spoiler), I especially loved the sweet epilogue. And I enjoyed the group discussion questions, which ranged from serious (what is the purpose of historical fiction?) to silly (preferred outfit for a Regency costume party). I'll definitely read more by Alexis Hall (I think he's written at least one other queer period romance?) and I'd recommend A Lady for a Duke to anyone looking for a queer romance and a refreshing take on the Regency Romance formula. Also, full marks for the cover design, it's gorgeous!

This book! This is probably one of the very few books that I loved as a wholesome from start to finish. The story, the characters, the heartbreak, the love that heals it all, everything makes it for a must read historical romance that everyone should read.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Viola Caroll, being presumed dead at Waterloo was the lifeline she needed to live her true life. She gave up so much to be herself, but the most costly was the loss of her friend, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Years later, when her sister in law asks for her help in reconnecting with Gracewood, and bringing him back from the brink, if not for himself, but at least for his young sister, Miranda. But meeting Gracewood again, and seeing just how hard he suffered in the loss of his best friend, is hard for Viola, and she yearns to tell him the truth, but is afraid. Afraid of what he would think, and afraid of the blossoming feelings developing between them.

When I first heard about this book, I knew I needed to read it. I haven't read any of Alexis' other books, but this one was too good to give up. Immediately after starting A Lady for a Duke, I was hooked. Viola was the perfect character, and seeing how she coped with her struggles of identity, and finally took the plunge to be Viola, and be the person she was born to be, was amazing. Though she was now herself, the guilt of allowing her best friend to mourn her, and seeing the grief, and the PTSD he was suffering with was difficult, for me, but doubly so for Viola. I adored how her transition, and the truth was dealt with by Gracewood. Clearly, he was upset, and a little angry, but once the initial shock wore off, he was the best friend, and partner, anyone could ask for. There are multiple scenes where Viola is deadnamed, which may be triggering for some people, but I felt as if it was dealt with well, and right for Viola's story. I needed to read on and on, and couldn't put this book down except for work or sleep, and now I'm desperate for Alexis' next book! A perfect LGBT+ historical romance!

Thank you to Piatkus for my copy of this book. I loved this and actually ended up listening to the audio which was fantastic. The story is a little on the long side but I don’t think it dragged. The characters are brilliant and Hall somehow effortlessly weaves historical settings and themes with modern language and makes it work so well. I loved this one.

Absolutely brilliant and important queer historical romance. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this advance of its release - this book is a wonderful treasure, beautifully written with characters I fell in love with. Cannot recommend this one enough!

<b> *Thanks to Little Brown Book group for the ARC through Netgalley for an honest review*</b>

Viola and Gracewood have been friends for so long. Their friendship runs deep. They've been through so much. So, when their friendship is ended it hurts them both in different ways. Viola, given the chance, even how much it hurt her had to take her life into her hands and live as authentically as she could. Gracewood who is tortured by memories of war and losing his best friend loses himself and struggles with addiction.

This story is both insta and slow burn. Viola and Gracewood are drawn to each other in such a way that there is pining and angst and love and fear. It merges the past and the present and an unknown future that is thrilling and terrifying for the characters. It is so achingly beautiful what exists between Viola and Gracewood and also the fears which are very palpable as well as the love between them and how they explore that.

This is my second Alexis Hall book (my first being Something Fabulous) and he writes stories in such a way that is free and unapologetic in a way that feels unique to him. In my experience anyways, that's how it feels. Throughout reading this book I have also been grieving my dog of over a decade. My best little buddy. And I have been miserable and pessimistic and bitter and this book made me FEEL. It is beautiful but it also made me laugh too because the dry humour is wonderful.

Speaking of, the secondary characters are as important to this story as our main characters. Lady Marleigh who is insufferable and yet I loved her. Her and Badger's relationship was wonderful and unapologetic. Then there's Miranda who is delightful and hilarious in such an unassuming way. Lady Lilimere is ruthless and I love her. And my fave of all time is Little Bartholomew. Honestly I would have happily read about him in every chapter. Also the repairing of Gracewood's and Miranda's relationship was also so lovely.

The book deals with a second chance at love that is also a first chance. It deals with things like our MC Viola being a Trans Woman and Gracewood dealing with PTSD when there were no names for these things really that adds a layer to the tenderness of their experiences. There is Gracewood's addiction and there is also reputation in the way there is in these regency era books and that plays a part in many things.

This is a love story that is so tender and beautiful and so so palpable. The epilogue was wonderful and beautiful. I've used beautiful a lot, I know, but I can't think how else to explain how this story is so precious in its entirety.

I would have liked to see more of Viola and her brother's relationship. But beyond that I just adored this story.

And going off the author's note at the end I'm assuming there is more books to come with secondary characters, or at least one, and I can't wait.

5/5
In the aftermath of the battle of Waterloo, Viola Carroll seizes the opportunity to step away from the mask of Lord Marleigh finally live her life as she was always supposed to be. Two years on, she is living as a Lady’s companion to her sister-in-law, without her former title, and the wealth that came with it. When her sister-in-law decides to help her former ward, Viola is forced to confront one of the ghosts of her past — Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.

Viola and Gravewood were childhood friends. They went to school, university, and war together. While Viola has found herself in the aftermath of Waterloo, Gracewood is a changed man, dependent on alcohol and laudanum, and haunted by the battle and guilt over the death of his best friend — Viola.

I would like to start by saying that I am not a trans woman, therefore there are many trans voices who can speak to the representation in this book. Personally I thought it was fantastic. This is the first regency romance I have read/heard of with a trans main character. It is also worth noting that Viola’s trans identity is a fact of her character rather than something that she is in the process of exploring. The focus is more focused on the dynamic between Viola and Gracewood.

I am typically a fan of historical romance, though I found Alexis Hall’s last foray into queer historical romance a little but difficult to get into. That was absolutely not the case here. The premise of this book is fantastic. I was hooked from the very first page.

This really is a beautiful love story. The build of their relationship through the first half of the book was excellent, full of pining and complicated relationship dynamics. It made me laugh, and it made me cry, but most of all it is a profoundly comforting book. The conflicts, when the do arise, are not from misunderstandings or complications between the main characters. Once they are both on the same page there is quickly an understanding that they care for each other in a bone deep way, and the problems arise from finding a way to make their relationship work in the confines of their world. The main journey was one of healing, for Viola and especially for Gracewood, and having the courage to reach for what you want.

All in all this might be my favourite book of the year so far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get approved for this arc. I adore Alexis Hall and her works. The blurb made me feel like I would get swept away in a romance for the ages, defying times and the ton. I did get this but felt it was lacking something. There was a lot of internal monologue from the two mains. Some of this was amazing and made me feel closer, however, sometimes it felt like we were literally just being dragged along for the ride of their innermost thoughts. I adored Viola and her story but would have loved a bit more happening in the text.

Alexis Hall stories are always a hit/miss for me and this one was a miss.
I loved Something Fabolous and was expecting another Regency romp featuring a trans lady in the aftermath of Waterloo.
Even if I loved Viola I found the book a bit too much slow as nothing seems to happen.
I missed the humour of other Alexis Hall's books and this one was a miss for me.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A lush, sweeping queer historical romance. The storyline was very interesting and flowed nicely! I will definitely recommend reading this one!

Viola Carroll lived a lie, then when she was wounded presumed dead at Waterloo she took the chance to live her life honestly, even though it meant giving up the title of Viscount Marleigh to his younger brother Bartholomew (Badger) and forgoing the friendship of his childhood partner in crime Justin de Vere, now the Duke of Gracewood. Now she acts as companion to her sister-in-law, the interfering Lady Louise Marleigh who always thinks she knows best.

Then Louise receives a letter from Gracewood's younger sister Lady Miranda which, reading between the line and adding two and two and getting at least six or seven, indicates that Miranda is bored and lonely, desperate for a London season, and worried about her brother who is still suffering from the injuries he sustained at Waterloo and mourning the death of his best friend Marleigh.

Much against her will, Viola accompanies Louise to Gracewood's forbidding Northumberland home Morgencald Castle where they find Gracewood drunk and under the influence of laudanum. Slowly Viola persuades Gracewood to set aside his demons and romance blossoms. But can Gracewood forgive Viola for allowing him to believe she was dead for two years? What future can there be together when society would not recognise any marriage between them, even were she simply a lady's companion, let alone the truth? And Gracewood owes it to his lineage to have heirs - how would that be possible?

I really wanted to like this queer historical romance but sadly there was too much navel-gazing by both Viola and Gracewood, too much push-me, pull-me as Gracewood and Viola almost kiss, then retreat, kiss then retreat, rinse and repeat.

This was an ambitious project, to bring twenty-first century trans sensibilities to an historical romance and it didn't really work for me. Maybe its because Viola was so completely a woman, no self-doubt. Although there were veiled references to Viola always wearing gloves and a choker to disguise her hands and Adam's Apple, there was no overt expressed concerns about her body not reflecting her outward appearance or her inner self and maybe that would have sold it to me better.

Also, everyone who loved her was 100% accepting of Viola, almost without hesitation, I think even today that might be an ideal situation, let alone two hundred years ago when society viewed even homosexuality as deviant (which is odd considering the perversions that men indulged in freely in brothels).

Overall, this felt very slow, my overwhelming feeling when I finished this book was relief which is not something that I would ever have associated with Alexis Hall novels. Juxtapositioning modern attitudes and an historical background did not work for me.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was so good! The romance was really believable and sweet. In the author's note AH stated they wanted to have a historical trans character who's trans identity wasn't the main conflict and I think that was achieved really well without diminishing that part of her character. This was a very romantic read, and it really suited the story which was about two people who had been hurt finding their way back to each other. It had some really great discussions about gender identity and expectations.

One complaint I had was that it was loooong. Clearly the author graduated from the 'Why use one word when you can use ten' school of writing. Like, I'm sorry, because it actually was well written and the dialogue was fun. But it didn't need to be nearly 500 pages. I honestly think that as I said, this was because there were lines that were literally ten times longer than it needed to be. It was just very noticeable and sometimes took me out of the story a little bit.

In the wake of Waterloo, Viola Carroll is presumed dead. Her best friend, Justin, Duke of Gracewood, is physically and mentally injured; however, Viola does not perish in the bloodshed but begins to live as her true self. But when Viola's sister-in-law decides to aid the Duke's younger sister, Viola and Justin are thrown together once more.

Alexis Hall has become one of my favourite authors, and A Lady For a Duke is a fantastic period outing. His prose is both sarcastic and florid, with hints of Austen. I loved it,

It is refreshing that its protagonist is a trans-woman who is unapologetic and whose gender identity is not the main issue. Instead, we see issues such as addiction and post-traumatic stress and genuine love. The characters are well-rounded, and there is a robust queer representation.

It is highly recommended and I am grateful to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for the eARC.

I have adored every book I’ve ever read by Alexis hall, and this was no different. In the bloody carnage of the Battle of Waterloo, Viola Carroll is presumed dead, but she actually used the chaos to disappear and return to England as her true self. Her closest friend, the Duke of Gracewood, was also injured, more severely, and returns with terrible grief, chronic pain and an opium dependency. Then they are thrown together again, and everything starts to unravel.

As reliably queer as usual, Hall gives us a transgender protagonist (and a love interest who doesn’t have a panic that he loves her), a lesbian friend and a debutante who exudes teenage confusion (I got both bisexual and asexual vibes). I really appreciated the mental health and disability representation as well - I really related to the frustrating journey of accepting your disability while it’s causing so much pain/distress.

As I often find myself doing in Hall’s books, I’ve got passage after passage highlighted for the delicious turn of phrase or the unexpected gut-punch. One of my favourites: “Don’t try to tell me time is a healer. Because time also kills people.” This book has some of his most florid prose, so this might not be for you if you don’t like flowery, poetic language. But it flows beautifully, and feel right for the characters and context.

I am just delighted by this book. The characters, the story, the prose, (the sex scenes.) I expect I’ll reread it again and again.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc for an honest review!

This book!! this book! Dare I say, A Lady for a Duke is one of my top favorite romances of all time. It’s a heartfelt romance about two best friends finding each other after two years apart, seeing the best in each other despite the marks loss and grief have left on them and being in love <b>in love</b>. Viola and Gracewood share such a strong connection that you absolutely could not imagine a world where they would not find each other.

Truly Alexis Hall has surprised me in the best way possible. Something Fabulous wasn’t a personal favourite so I was a bit hesitant to give another of AH’s historical romance a read. But A Lady for a Duke just gets it.

There’s just the right amount of angst, hurt/comfort, humor and fluff. And the writing brings everything together so beautifully. There’re so many passages I highlighted and wrote down in my journal. You know that feeling when you wanna reread a book immediately after finishing it? A Lady for a Duke is that.

I love Viola, Gracewood and their romance so much. I Love them!!

It’s a regency romance with a trans heroine and a hero suffering from PTSD. The ‘questions for discussion’ section at the end after the author note mentions how it is a “historically inaccurate” regency romance & how both of our main characters are going through experiences society has no words for at that time. Whilst I cannot comment on how good the representation is, I genuinely hope to see more of these “historically inaccurate” romances.