Always Be My Duchess

Content warnings: sexism, predatory employers, physical abuse, emotional abuse

A ballerina pretends to be a duke's fiancée for a season.

Geneviève "Nève" Valery is a ballerina and daughter of a disgraced English viscount. She and her sister Vivienne were raised in France and have fallen upon hard times. Vivienne, also a ballerina, is injured by an angry employer and Nève must secure funds for her medical treatment and their cost of living in France.

A chance meeting with a drunk Duke of Montcroix leads to an offer of employment -- Nève will pretend to be the duke's intended so society mothers will leave him alone at a ball to conduct important business. Nève does as the duke asks for the evening and is paid a large sum that will facilitate her return to France.

When her money is stolen, Nève must return to the duke and accept his offer to pretend to be engaged for the rest of the season. Duke Lysander "Stone" Blackstone doesn't really need Nève, but he's so attracted to her that he can't let her leave.

Lysander and Nève have an undeniably intense sexual chemistry and their witty banter draws the reader into their story. But with an expiration date on their arrangement, they are reluctant to give in to their feelings. You can't help but root for the romance between these two characters, and you are immediately sucked into the story with Howard's electric writing style.

Recommended for all historical romance readers. The love scenes are thoroughly described, so those searching for a PG romance should look elsewhere.

Amalie Howard is a bestselling author of YA sci-fi and adult historical romance who studied French, French literature, international studies, European history, and economics in college. She was born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago and now lives in Colorado.

Series: Taming of the Dukes, #1

Publisher: Forever

Length: 368 pages

Release Date: July 12, 2022

Representation: orphan, wealthy women in historical fiction with careers or political interests

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.