A Lady For a Duke
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Description
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.
Praise for Alexis Hall
'Absurdly funny and swoonily romantic, with a sharp edge of wit and observation that keeps the story bounding along' - KJ Charles, author of A Charm of Magpies series
'Every once in a while you read a book that you want to SCREAM FROM ROOFTOPS about. I'm screaming, people!'- Sonali Dev, USA Today bestselling author, on Boyfriend Material
'Everyone needs to read this. Brilliance on every single page. Hilarious, witty, tender, and stunning. I love this book'- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners, on Boyfriend Material
'Hall is a dizzyingly talented writer, one likely to spur envy in anyone who's ever picked up a pen' - Entertainment Weekly
'Simply the best writer I've come across in years' - Laura Kinsale, New York Times bestselling author
'The writing is witty, and [the] chemistry is irresistible, but it's Hall's insights about trust and self-worth that set the story apart. This is a triumph' - Publishers Weekly on Boyfriend Material
'It is a beautiful piece of work which also wins at being inclusive and very unique to other Regency stories' Coffee, Cups & Books on A Lady for a Duke
Book Information
Posts
Historical romance with trans heroine
My second book from Alexis Hall, and for now, my favorite. A beautiful story about identity, love, grief, and a hopeful future ❤️ It's been over two years since she was assumed dead in the war, but Viola Caroll is alive; finally living as the woman she knows herself to be. She had to leave behind her title and her best friend, the Duke of Gracewood, who thinks his best friend is dead and is now drowning in grief and narcotics (for his injured leg). When his sister Miranda writes to Violas sister-in-law, where she is staying, they just have to visit to help, and when the two meet again, a new kind of love forms between them. While Gracewoods situation in the beginning is obviously not good and the atmosphere rather sad, the conversations are still so funny. Lady Marleigh (Violas sister-in-law) has a sharp tongue and doesn't hesitate to use it 😂 Miranda is also kinda odd (in the best way), and there are many delightful conversations and banter. All the characters were well made. The feelings arise a bit quick, but it makes sense because they've actually known each other longer, even though Gracewood doesn't recognize her at first. The whole trans representation was done really well. Things were explained in a way that fit the time period and it also dealt with the specific topics of what it means to be a woman in that time (having to learn how to act like one in society etc.). The story generally has a lot of themes about gender roles and expectations surrounding those. A few conversations about that might seem more modern, but I don't think it's unrealistic that some people back then also thought in similar ways. There were always people going against the norm or simply not existing inside of it. Though, I have to say the reactions everyone had about Violas transness felt a bit... too chill?? I am not saying there should have been any kind of transphobia. I like that we have a positive portrayal with a lot of acceptance. People just didn't always react like one would, being confronted with something completely new to them. One can be respectful AND curious, you know 😅 Especially when one of the main conflicts was Viola thinking a woman like her could never be accepted, and then the people that knew didn't even have any questions really. This isn't really a critique, just something I found a bit odd. The love story was just great. One thing I especially loved was how sure Gracewood has always been in his love and desire of her before and after finding out. He had his own struggles and insecurities, but never when it came to his feelings for her 🥹❤️ It took really long for them to get together, but the problems were understandable. Just some conversations were a bit long and seemed to go in circles, and it was a bit drawn out in the middle, but that's really the only critique that I have. I also liked Miranda's part in the story and hope we get a book about her as well. So yeah, a book can totally recommend! Excited to read more from Alexis Hall.
[An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.] CN: misgendering (in the past tense), deadnaming (in the form of surname and title), references to suicidal ideation, references to drug and alcohol abuse, internalized ableism, descriptions of PTSD and chronic pain, panic attack (on page), vomit, some references to dysphoria, sexual content (on page; graphic), mentions of dead parents (one of whom died as a result of childbirth), mentions of past child abuse (physical, emotional, psychological), abduction of a secondary character, threats of violence involving a gun and sword The official content guidance can be found here: https://quicunquevult.com/book/lady-for-a-duke/ I don’t even have the words to describe how stunning this book is. “A Lady for a Duke” is one of my new favorite books of all time, and even though I just finished it a few days ago, I already want to re-read it. This book has: - an amazing trans heroine - a grieving duke - a childhood-friends-to-lovers second chance romance - disability representation - beautiful writing - Alexis Hall’s signature humor - so much yearning - found family - sapphic side characters “A Lady for a Duke” made me laugh, cry and wish for my own Gracewood. I’m obsessed with this book, and I can’t wait for more people to read it. Even if you don’t usually read historical romances, give this one a try. You won’t regret it.
Description
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.
Praise for Alexis Hall
'Absurdly funny and swoonily romantic, with a sharp edge of wit and observation that keeps the story bounding along' - KJ Charles, author of A Charm of Magpies series
'Every once in a while you read a book that you want to SCREAM FROM ROOFTOPS about. I'm screaming, people!'- Sonali Dev, USA Today bestselling author, on Boyfriend Material
'Everyone needs to read this. Brilliance on every single page. Hilarious, witty, tender, and stunning. I love this book'- Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners, on Boyfriend Material
'Hall is a dizzyingly talented writer, one likely to spur envy in anyone who's ever picked up a pen' - Entertainment Weekly
'Simply the best writer I've come across in years' - Laura Kinsale, New York Times bestselling author
'The writing is witty, and [the] chemistry is irresistible, but it's Hall's insights about trust and self-worth that set the story apart. This is a triumph' - Publishers Weekly on Boyfriend Material
'It is a beautiful piece of work which also wins at being inclusive and very unique to other Regency stories' Coffee, Cups & Books on A Lady for a Duke
Book Information
Posts
Historical romance with trans heroine
My second book from Alexis Hall, and for now, my favorite. A beautiful story about identity, love, grief, and a hopeful future ❤️ It's been over two years since she was assumed dead in the war, but Viola Caroll is alive; finally living as the woman she knows herself to be. She had to leave behind her title and her best friend, the Duke of Gracewood, who thinks his best friend is dead and is now drowning in grief and narcotics (for his injured leg). When his sister Miranda writes to Violas sister-in-law, where she is staying, they just have to visit to help, and when the two meet again, a new kind of love forms between them. While Gracewoods situation in the beginning is obviously not good and the atmosphere rather sad, the conversations are still so funny. Lady Marleigh (Violas sister-in-law) has a sharp tongue and doesn't hesitate to use it 😂 Miranda is also kinda odd (in the best way), and there are many delightful conversations and banter. All the characters were well made. The feelings arise a bit quick, but it makes sense because they've actually known each other longer, even though Gracewood doesn't recognize her at first. The whole trans representation was done really well. Things were explained in a way that fit the time period and it also dealt with the specific topics of what it means to be a woman in that time (having to learn how to act like one in society etc.). The story generally has a lot of themes about gender roles and expectations surrounding those. A few conversations about that might seem more modern, but I don't think it's unrealistic that some people back then also thought in similar ways. There were always people going against the norm or simply not existing inside of it. Though, I have to say the reactions everyone had about Violas transness felt a bit... too chill?? I am not saying there should have been any kind of transphobia. I like that we have a positive portrayal with a lot of acceptance. People just didn't always react like one would, being confronted with something completely new to them. One can be respectful AND curious, you know 😅 Especially when one of the main conflicts was Viola thinking a woman like her could never be accepted, and then the people that knew didn't even have any questions really. This isn't really a critique, just something I found a bit odd. The love story was just great. One thing I especially loved was how sure Gracewood has always been in his love and desire of her before and after finding out. He had his own struggles and insecurities, but never when it came to his feelings for her 🥹❤️ It took really long for them to get together, but the problems were understandable. Just some conversations were a bit long and seemed to go in circles, and it was a bit drawn out in the middle, but that's really the only critique that I have. I also liked Miranda's part in the story and hope we get a book about her as well. So yeah, a book can totally recommend! Excited to read more from Alexis Hall.
[An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.] CN: misgendering (in the past tense), deadnaming (in the form of surname and title), references to suicidal ideation, references to drug and alcohol abuse, internalized ableism, descriptions of PTSD and chronic pain, panic attack (on page), vomit, some references to dysphoria, sexual content (on page; graphic), mentions of dead parents (one of whom died as a result of childbirth), mentions of past child abuse (physical, emotional, psychological), abduction of a secondary character, threats of violence involving a gun and sword The official content guidance can be found here: https://quicunquevult.com/book/lady-for-a-duke/ I don’t even have the words to describe how stunning this book is. “A Lady for a Duke” is one of my new favorite books of all time, and even though I just finished it a few days ago, I already want to re-read it. This book has: - an amazing trans heroine - a grieving duke - a childhood-friends-to-lovers second chance romance - disability representation - beautiful writing - Alexis Hall’s signature humor - so much yearning - found family - sapphic side characters “A Lady for a Duke” made me laugh, cry and wish for my own Gracewood. I’m obsessed with this book, and I can’t wait for more people to read it. Even if you don’t usually read historical romances, give this one a try. You won’t regret it.