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

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Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.

I was really excited to read this book, I’ve never read a historical romance with a trans main character. And while the concept and the characters in the book were wonderful, the actual plot and pacing of the book was a total snoozefest. I listened to the audiobook and while I normally love reading in that format, I was choosing to listen to music on my commute instead of the book because it was so boring. I’m actually genuinely upset that you can have a premise so interesting with the friends to lovers trope and just make it uninteresting. Alexis Hall is giving us a historical romance with a trans heroine??? If god hates the gays WHY DO WE KEEP WINNING Though I loved Viola, the the Duke of Gracewood was my favourite character in this book. He's the most caring, supportive and understanding hero I have ever met. He never let Viola feel "fake" or "unwanted". From the moment, he finds out that his former best friend wasn't a man but a woman, he starts referring her as "She". It made me so happy. I was crying happy tears after witnessing that such amazing men exist; might have existed even centuries ago...Loved Justin's character. He isn't perfect by any means. He is ill-tempered, grumpy and self destructive. But he's also become one of my favourite characters of all time. The portraiture of his grief and PTSD was (once again) perfect. Quaint, happy, and filled with heart, A Lady for a Duke is a shining example of a new type of inclusive historical romance. Overall, I celebrate every aspect of this story, even if I wanted slightly more from parts of it. Thank you, Alexis Hall, for delivering such a successful book.

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From the bestselling author of Husband Material comes a lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation—perfect for fans of Bridgerton , Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!​

Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. *Insert mind blown emoji here* That was all I was able to think after finishing A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall. Alexis Hall produces the most unique and thought provoking relationships in his novels, and he’s just completely elevated the bar with A Lady for a Duke. Way more than simply a beautiful friends-to-lovers romance, Mr. Hall delivers a profound look at gender roles, and explores how physical perception affects the relationship between these two characters. And that epilogue was just 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 - too adorable, too sweet - and a most satisfying ending to have ever ended. There is so much love in that one scene alone that I was 🫠🫠🫠. This is a beautiful and unique take at a second chance slow-burn romance that ended on such a high note that just your heart sighing in happiness. From the bestselling author of Husband Material comes a lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation—perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!

A Note From the Publisher

Viola Carroll is the heroine of this book. A trans heroine. And while this particular characteristic is so perfectly portrayed and used throughout the book, it is not the main focus of it. I think the concepts, representation, and emotional journeys were all top tier. I laughed out loud a lot and absolutely loved the side characters with all of my soul. But I must say, the actual plot and pacing were dull by comparison.

A trans heroine. A grieving Duke. Two old friends. A moving and beautiful historical romance. Alexis Hall has outdone himself! 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. But, after reading the author's note, I can understand why Alexis Hall chose to write it as such; there was definitely potential for further stories for each of the characters, and I'm curious to see which one he will settle on. Amberglass - he was definitely...something. 😠Now let's talk about the ROMANCE. God! How gorgeous the romantic relationship is! Their banter, their communication, mutual respect, understanding, love - everything were absolutely breath taking. "A Lady for A Duke" is a sweeping historical romance that is equally fluffy and emotional. From pet names to lovely monologues confessing deeply hidden feelings, Hall knows how to write an emotionally fulfilling main couple. The only word to describe it is beautiful, and yet that word is inadequate for how Viola and Gracewood’s unfolding love story will make you feel. Best part of the story is the fact that we had a happy transwoman living her best life in historical romance because, realistically, there WERE transwomen doing just that in all eras of existence, whether people knew it or not. I really enjoyed the side characters as well (Alexis always gets those right). Of course, I could have used more humor but I think I just love Alexis Hall when he does funny so much that I craved it here also. This book was so well written and just a lovely reading experience all around. While reading, I was inclined to learn about trans experiences/history contemporaneous to ‘A Lady for a Duke’. The accounts are somewhat few and far between given the largely puritanical cultural attitudes. There is a quote from the book where Viola is expressing her anger—and fear—at Gracewood for not understanding the risks of simply living as she is, and the risks she would be taking on by becoming more visible being a Duchess. And the biggest, most dangerous moment in the book? Has NOTHING to do with their romance. And yet their romance AND their childhood friendship play a part in bringing about the expected happy ending. This is wish-fulfilment, and why not? Why not have nice things? While the book begins with Viola stewing in her fears of rejection, should her old friend Justin, Duke of Gracewood, recognize her, once that recognition is made, the drama isn't that she transitioned, it's that she let him think she was dead. And then further drama as the two try to carve out a place for themselves which takes into account the expectations of a Duke (that is, continuing the family line) and also the expectations of a lady's maid (to not be disgraced by an affair).

A Lady for a Duke takes the best of old and new: classically crafted in scope with a progressive premise and ideology; yes, one can argue it's a little bloated plot-wise surrounding its secondary characters, but nothing can be categorized as a meaningless filler. This feels like a 'director cut' of an already epic story with all the trimmings—do not rush through it and enjoy the journey. When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood. Justin’s journey in understanding Viola, is just as important as Viola’s understanding of herself. My hat is off to Alexis Hall with his handling of the physical romance scenes. It’s incredibly moving to witness the depth of Justin’s care for Viola, processing his own reactions to Viola’s body, and the sensations of what they can do together. Plus, Viola’s dysphoria is incorporated into the story in a simply masterful and sensitive manner. Hall adds some levity with flirtatious banter between his main couple, moments when readers can see the dark cloud hovering over Gracewood become a little lighter. There’s also a robust and interesting cast of side characters, which could mean (fingers crossed) A Lady for a Duke is but the first book in a series.Viola is thrust into Gracewood's world once more. Reluctantly, she befriends the duke and she is both relieved and disappointed that he doesn't recognize her immediately. Their chemistry is so raw and natural, it's absolutely hypnotic. The bond they've had before is still so strong, giving birth to the most delicious period of longing I have ever read. The angst and pain are practically seeping through the words, it's so heartbreaking but yet so beautiful to witness. Gracewood's acceptance and love is so pure that you can't possibly not fall in love with him. I usually dislike epilogues. They're so over the top and annoyingly perfect, but this one... This epilogue was everything. It made me so happy. I cried. A lot. The Duke of Gracewood is in mourning for his lost best friend. He blames himself for the loss, the war, and for his disability returning from the warfront. Gracewood is slipping into an opium dependency and a depression with no light in sight. Things are dire. I worried that Viola’s past identity would play a negative, possibly prolonged role between her renewed relationship with the Duke, but readers must rest assured that the Duke’s awareness comes early and his feelings only grow stronger and more devoted with the realisation of what Viola’s life experiences have been, before and after the war. If he allowed himself to think beyond the moment, beyond her closeness, and their entwined fingers, he would have known she was right. But he had no wish to think.