Alexis Hall

A Lady for a Duke

A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material—perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!
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.

A Lady For A Duke

Emma Hak-Kovacs

“I know madness, and this is not it. A word from you, a glance, and I would lay all I have — all I am, or at the very least what's left of me —at your feet.”

fira

"We tell ladies that their virtue is their shield, when it is no such thing. When the only true protection against the predations of powerful men is—"

"I was going to say a society of laws, the companionship of loyal friends, and a world that knows better."

Viola had joined them upon the road. "A pistol may prove easier to come by."

And then Miranda let out a sharp gasp, her hands flying to her mouth. "Good heavens, I don't know how I forgot. In all the excitement, I ... oh, Justin, I don't quite know how to tell you. But, well ... I think I may have murdered Viscount Stirling."

Viola Carroll lived. She had always lived. And it was he who had not recognised her.

Some part of him knew he was allowing himself too much liberty. That he shouldn't be so drawn to her. That it wasn't fair on either of them. But this was also the closest he had come to feeling even a little bit real—as though the person he'd used to be wasn't some half-remembered dream. So he lied. He let himself lie about who he was or wasn't or couldn't be. Because he was lonely. Because she was pretty. Because she could laugh when he had close to forgotten how.

Megan BV

“It was not a betrayal of me for you to do what you needed to save yourself.”

“Damn the world. The world told you that you had to live the life it shaped for you, and you defied it. The world told me that I had to be as my father was, and I defied it, or am trying to. We can make our own world, Viola, with our own rules.”

“I could never marry you, Gracewood. The world—” 

“Forgive my language, but”—his eyes were as steady on hers as the clasp upon her wrist, his mouth suddenly full of smiles—“fuck the world. I will change it for you if I have to.”

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.

Lady Marleigh shrugged. “The church is a dumping ground for superfluous lordlings, what the law doesn’t know won’t hurt it, and men are more understanding than you think. After all, what is love but understanding?”

 “And”—Viola lifted her brows into sardonic little arches—“Badger understands you, does he?” 

“Well,” admitted Lady Marleigh, with a smile, “not what I say much of the time. But he understands that I am the worst kind of arrogant, unsentimental, managing female, and he adores me.”

“Though it does rather make one worry for Little Bartholomew. We can only hope he’s inherited my brains and his father’s looks.” 

“And,” asked Viola mischievously, “if it’s the other way round?” 

Lady Marleigh frowned. “Lord help us, I have no idea. I suppose we feed him to the nearest wolf and try again.”

“My point is, no young girl possessed of beauty, brains, and a dowry larger than the Prince Regent’s backside should be reduced to taking an interest in the landscape.”

A beautiful sentiment on trust, and the fate-forged strength of Viola and Gracewood’s relationship. How love and trust can be a conscious choice, and when they are chosen, can endure forever.

Caroline Clutterbuck Kapulkin

"lt was not a betrayal of me for you to do what you needed to save yourself."

The words lingered a moment in the quiet room, heavy with the truths they carried. For she had, indeed, hurt Gracewood more deeply than she would have believed either of them had the strength to bear. And yet they had lived through it and beyond it, tumbling together into the impossible future that had brought them to tonight. Because that was the truth of trust. It was neither weak nor fleeting. It was steel and fire. And would endure as long as you let it.

Their chemistry and how they support each other is just perfect ❤️

“Gracewood?” she asked, after the smallest pause. “Do you think me callous?”

"Because I do not feel what happened...what we did...as you do." 

“Then I think you must accept that your own feelings are n reflection on your character either."

This made him laugh again—but it was a true laugh this time, warm with mirth. "I’ve had a very difficult evening. It is unfair of you to try and use logic against me."

“There is nothing I will not stoop to when it comes to your happiness." She smiled at him, all wickedness and the sly flash of a dimple.

I imagine this is how my mother will be at my wedding… 😂😂😆

Before Viola had a chance to answer, they were interrupted by Lady Marleigh herself. She had the dark-eyed, frantic look of someone who has spent several weeks organising a ball. "This is an outrage" were the first words out of her mouth. “Absolutely unacceptable. Hello, by the way."

A lush, sweeping queer historical romance from the bestselling author of Boyfriend Material-perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas! 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

A Lady For a Duke

Joan 

I love you as a man loves a woman, but we both know that love is not bound by such narrow terms.

Erzse Reed

The writing in this book is actually phenomenal in every single way wow and it's good plot good characters I love it me and this book are like this ❤️

if your love confession doesn't include "i love you with the unfading flame of my friendship. with every drop of ardour in my blood. i love you with my soul, as some reserve their faith for absent gods. i love you as i believe in what is right and hope for what is good. i love you with everything i am and ever was—and if you will only let me, with every day that comes, and every self that i could ever be" then i don't want to hear it

Michaella 

3.5
This was really really sweet and it's so eloquently written 🥰

This book is a historical romance with a transgender heroine and it is beautiful. 

I love that the author chose to not have Viola’s gender identity be a source of conflict in the story. She is strong and determined while still figuring out how to go about getting what she wants. And Gracewood is a cinnamon roll duke who will do anything for his dear friend. 

I bought this when it first came out but then for whatever reason put it off for a long time, I think I was slightly intimidated by the fact that it is 460 pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and was happy to have so much time with these characters. 

Overall, this book is so sweet and made me so happy and I loved the supporting characters too. 

This book is a historical romance with a transgender heroine and it is beautiful. 

I love that the author chose to not have Viola’s gender identity be a source of conflict in the story. She is strong and determined while still figuring out how to go about getting what she wants. And Gracewood is a cinnamon roll duke who will do anything for his dear friend. 

I bought this when it first came out but then for whatever reason put it off for a long time, I think I was slightly intimidated by the fact that it is 460 pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and was happy to have so much time with these characters. 

Overall, this book is so sweet and made me so happy and I loved the supporting characters too. 

lea da silva

i loved this book so much!! it was one of my most expected reads of 2022 and it lived up to my high expectations (and was even better than expected!) it was probably the most romantic things i have ever read. and it meant so much to me as someone on the trans spectrum. it meant so much to to see viola being loved so wholly and unconditionally. it was a beautiful read, one of my absolute favourites of the year and i hope everyone reads it!

Anna

С одной стороны тут у нас трансгероиня в любовном романе про эпоху Регентства, и собственно тема принятия ее в новой ипостаси никак не раскрывается. Но! При этом все остальное мне так понравилось, что ничего кроме как 5 звезд поставить не могу.

Aditi

Really liked both the main characters and the side characters were also very well fleshed out. The conflict was too drawn out and some of the side plots felt unnecessary.

emily

Heather Harrington

I don't think I've read a queer historical romance before, let alone one with a trans heroine, so I was looking forward to picking this up. I think the premise was stellar, but I had a few issues with the execution. I liked the dynamic between Viola and Justin. I loved how close they were, and you could tell how much they meant to one another. Their banter was fun, and I thought the romance was sweet. While I liked the relationship aspect, my issue was with the rest of the plot. I found it so dull and drawn out. I don't feel like much happened to warrant it being this long. Overall, I loved the concept and how positive and inclusive it was, and I also really enjoyed the side characters, but the story as a whole was just a tad lackluster.

Tori Jarrett

This is about to be long as hell. So buckle up because I’m about to rave about how much I loved this book and why I would give it 1,000 stars if I could. A queer (m/f, trans heroine), historical romance with pining and angst and heart and love!!! 

Viola Carrol died at Waterloo. Well, who she used to be died and Viola rose from the ashes, taking it as the sign and opportunity she needed to live her life the way she was always meant to. After starting over anew, Viola is reunited with her old friend, Justinian de Vere, Duke of Gracewood, her fellow soldier and best friend. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but their reunion starts us on an emotional, beautiful path to love and acceptance. 

Viola. My god. What is there to even say about her. She’s strong and fragile at the same time. Brave and terrified. Confident and unsure. She’s finally living her truth, but when confronted with the devastation her choices left in their wake, she has to face some hard truths and reconcile the life she knew with the life she wants. Her pining for Gracewood, y’all. It made my heart lurch. There’s a moment when our H and h have what my mama would call a “come to Jesus” with each other and I was so emotional, I started crying. You can FEEL Viola’s emotions bleeding out on the page and it was just…so multifaceted and beautiful and despairing and hopeful and longing all at the same time. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to live in this time period and try to live as you truly are, but Viola scrapes and claws her way to it and it’s so good. Seeing her joy at being who she’s always known in her heart was so freaking beautiful and emotional. 

Gracewood. My darling, darling Gracewood. This man has struggled so much since the death of his best friend at Waterloo. Trying to deal with his grief and devastation with anything he can find to numb it. Reading about his pain and insecurities after an injury left him with scars made me cry for him. Until Viola comes along. And brightens his world and changes his life. The way he loves Viola, y’all. He lives and breathes for that woman. Y’all know I love pining, especially when it’s the hero pining, and Gracewood delivered on every front. He’s so determined to have Viola in any way she’ll allow. Even after learning her secrets and truths and fears and hopes. He just…is so steadfast and earnest in his love for her. Knowing he’ll have to make sacrifices to be with her, he doesn’t even care. I just….love this man so much my god. 

This way just so beautiful. I think it really does show a beautiful journey to love and happiness and joy and contentment. The way that their relationship is written is so honest and loving and a little bit angsty is just delicious. I love a queer romance. The more rep the better. You hand me a queer, historical romance and I’m going to love it. But this book. THIS BOOK. I just cannot stop thinking about it. Alexis’s Instagram caption says “from mutual pining to the most in love” and that sums this book up so perfectly. I’ll share some of my favorite quotes below because I’m just in love with these two and their love story. The epilogue had me an emotional, blubbery, happy mess. (I’m a happy crier, okay. Don’t judge me.)

“What he would never find peace with was having driven her from him. For allowing his sense of being wronged to overwhelm his sense of her. A woman trying to navigate an impossible situation who was, and had always been, his truest friend. Perhaps it was already too late. Perhaps he had erred too grievously. And she would want none of him. He would not blame her for it. But even so. She had always come to him. It was time for him to go to her.”

“There is nothing I will not stoop to when it comes to
your happiness. We both went to war. And we returned bearing different wounds. Not all of yours may be visible. But none of them make you any less the man that you are.”

“And it was strange because it could have been anyone.
Any couple reflected there. But it wasn't.
It was the Duke of Gracewood and Viola Carroll.
And they were dancing.”


Please read this book. It’s so good. That is all. 

CW: check out Alexis’s instagram and website for a full content warning list, but the content warning in the beginning reads: “Some characters who knew Viola before her transition refer to her deadname or use male pronouns when speaking about her in retrospect, but in keeping with the conventions of the period this is only in the form of surname and title.
Gracewood has a disability to which he and others will
occasionally refer using ableist language. There are some references to his suicidal ideation, as well as references to drug and alcohol abuse.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

A Lady for a Duke

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