Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes #1)

Click the link to buy the book from the Ripped Bodice!
by Amalie Howard
Pub Date – 7/12/22
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“The Duke of Montcroix was a complex puzzle box.”

I just love this line! It makes it seem like there are different keys or levels to be able to find the true person.

A chance encounter between an impoverished French noblewoman who is making ends meet as a ballerina and a very stern Duke who’s a bit in his cups. He decides to make an offer for her to stay with him and be his fake fiancee.

One of the quoted reviews likened this book to Pretty Woman meets Bridgerton. I can see that as the Duke is just trying to amass wealth to outdue his horrid father’s estate. Ahole took the only woman he had tried to marry as his own wife. Now he buries himself in work.

Neve’s parents died and left her and her sister with nothing. Luckily they had their talent for dancing, unluckily men are pigs.

I like that Lysander isn’t conventionally handsome but she thinks he’s a hottie. Everyone else thinks he’s made of stone, which happens to be his nickname cause his last name is Blackstone.

I have enjoyed all the books I’ve read of Amalie’s excited for this new series of books!

❓ Have you ever been to the ballet? I’ve been to the SF ballet. And hmm my daughters dance recitals 😉

Thank you readforeverpub and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes #1)

Synopsis:

Pretty Woman meets the Bridgertons in this witty, vivacious historical take on 90s romcoms by USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard:

“Refreshing, steamy, and stocked with characters you don’t normally get to see in the genre—a must-read author.”
—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Fabulous writing . . . such a delicious escape. Utterly delightful!”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author

“Amalie Howard tells a story with self-assured style, wit, and energy . . . her writing sparkles!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can’t break a man’s heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution . . .

Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron’s mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over.

Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win . . . but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts.