A LADY FOR A DUKE BY ALEXIS HALL // spoiler-free book review: this regency romance will solve all of your problems and maybe melt your heart along the way

Let’s see if I can get through this review without crying. Because I probably will.

This book is my new everything and I shall now commence with the shoving and the faces and down the throats. You’ve bene forewarned.

Onwards we go!!!!

Title: A Lady For A Duke
Author: Alexis Hall
Page count: 460
Date published: 24 May 2022
Genre: Adult historical romance

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Synopsis:

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.

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.

As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

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STAR RATING: (5 out of 5 stars)

I am a puddle of emotions on the floor which is the result of this wonderous historical romance and the world is good again *sighs in happiness*

I didn’t know I needed this book in my life so badly, nor did I expect this from a regency romance, but this one was truly E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

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Did I mention this book gave me new life and that I am positively in love and obsessed with Viola and Gracewood? Because I am.

UGH WHAT THE I ADORED THIS BOOK!!!!!!

I mean, what a warm hug. If you’re having a bad day, just read this book and your problems will vanish. I guarantee. Do you like my promotional skills? I know, I’m an expert. Let’s try a pitch: a delicious regency romance with the bestest childhood friends to lovers to sweep you off your feet! I do confirm that I am doing a fab job *wink wink*

Gosh, I love history.

Okay let’s get our teeth into this book. We’ll get to my absolute favourite part later, but first of all, I want a moment of silence for this shockingly stunning writing style that took my breath away. Breathless I tell you. I’ve only read Boyfriend Material by this author before and what I remember most was how witty and funny that book was, which is definitely prominent in this novel. I do love old-fashioned humour. However, when I say beautiful, I do mean this writing was absolutely breathtakingly lyrical and I WAS WEEPING AT ITS STUNNINGNESS. Idk if that’s a word but today it is. The way this author describes feelings and emotions was like a stab to the heart and I adored it.

The setting was transportive and I could so very clearly picture the outfits (oh the outfits!!!!) and the giant houses and the countryside and wowza IT WAS SO GOOD. Viola wears the most stunning dresses and I loved hearing about her gorgeous taste. I was THERE in England at these extravagant locations and it was a splendid time. The side characters were wonderful and whilst I saw a lot of reviews complaining they took too much page time, I’m afraid I have to disagree and I loved how we got glimpses of their lives. Crossing my fingers for a spin-off with Gracewood’s sister with a madame hehehe

I LOVED THIS BOOK

My favourite part was, of course, the amazing discussion on being a trans woman and how accepted it was in this type of setting. It was just everything my heart wanted to see and I love diverse historical fiction with all of my heart. And I didn’t think I needed to see representation like this in a regency romance and it’s sparked my love for seeking out literature like this. Viola is one of my new favourite main characters and I loved the balance between her talking about her friendship with Gracewood and her upbringing pre-transition and then navigating that space after her transition. I love how her being trans was not the main plotline and though there was conflict, it was never about her being trans, merely that she is rebuilding past relationships. Viola has my heart and I adore her to pieces. This book also has disability representation and how Gracewood lives his life. Our characters are also dealing with grief and PTSD and IT WAS ALL EXCELLENT!!!!!!!

And you want to know my favourite FAVOURITE part was the glorious romance, which I would give my life for. I knew from the beginning that their chemistry was off the characters and IT NEVER STOPPED. My heart did not handle it and Viola and Gracewood can step on me and I’d be okay with it. Their angst was a lot and amazing. The writing made me fall for them more. The build-up was perfect. Their acceptance and pure love was perfect times a thousand. Don’t even get me started on “my heart” and “my Viola” from dearest Gracewood. UGH, IT HURTS I LOVE THEM. The way Viola just took his disability and loved him for it was so pure and wonderful and THEY WERE TRULY EVERYTHING. And the epilogue? *ALL THE HEART EYES*

I AM SO IN LOVE ITS INSANE

I truly didn’t think a historical romance could capture me so but I was giddy and smiling the entire way through and this book deserves all the praise. If you’re looking for a heartwarming and beautiful regency romance that gave me all the Bridgerton (the show) vibes, then here’s your book. This childhood friends to lovers reunion with wonderful trans and disability representation stole my heart and is not giving it back and you need to read for your soul to be put together. I’m not kidding around, DO IT!!!!

“He wanted to look at her like he wanted to breathe, like she was breath and he was drowning, and every moment of his not looking was a struggle towards the thing he most needed. Except once he looked, looking would not be enough. Then he would have to talk to her—draw the delicate spool of her thoughts from that smiling mouth, until he knew all the colours of her. Until he understood how a stranger could seem so familiar to him. How something in her could call to a part of him he had long thought dead. How it was possible she could feel like homecoming to a man who had never before had any sense of home.”

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“Please don’t leave me again,” he whispered. “I think I could learn to live without you, but I have no wish to.”

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“I knew him better than my own soul. He may have been my soul, for what little I am worth without him.”

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“Small acts of defiance, he well knew, could become great acts of rebellion, and little intimacies could become alliances or passions that shaped lives and worlds.”

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“I don’t see what use we can be to others if we must deny our own most fundamental selves. We all have the right to be recognised for who we are.”

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“Except it was wholly different too: his fingers closing around hers in delicate possession, making her feel not fragile, precisely, but worthy of care. Even, perhaps, a little beautiful.”

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? ARE YOU A HISTORICAL FICTION FAN? HAVE YOU READ ANY ALEXIS HALL BOOKS? I’D LOVE TO KNOW!