This is a joyful and heartening queer love story. I was completely unprepared for the way A Lady for a Duke grabbed hold from page one and refused to let go. It quickly became one of my favorite books of 2022 and easily my new favorite regency romance. Gracewood and Viola are a scalding slowburn, a slow song that builds in intensity. This book gave me ALL the feels, while doing so with humor and beautiful writing. The yearning is on the level of Mr. Darcy’s hand flexing after touching Elizabeth’s hand in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice film.

But to back up a bit, it feels so wonderful to have a historical romance which involves LGBTQ+ characters who are allowed to have joyful love stories. It goes beyond painful “historically accurate” portrayals of what it meant to be trans or queer during that time or books that focus only on the utter misery of not conforming to a highly gendered society. Alexis Hall is one of my favorite writers and he absolutely smashes the assignment, creating a book that I know I will be endlessly re-reading. A Lady for a Duke has it all- hilarious lines, well-researched historical details, and stunning descriptions. 

Alexis Hall has my favorite type of humor- clever, dark, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, intensely sarcastic. I CACKLED with laughter at the witty nonchalance and seriously comedic dialogue. Viola, Gracewood, Mira, Lady Louise are all spectacular characters who are very dear to my heart. They are nuanced, flawed, and deeply caring. Watching Viola and Gracewood come together was an unforgettable experience. Alexis Hall does an incredible job with creating compelling supporting characters who are just as much fun to follow as the main characters.

While A Lady for a Duke stole my heart- I also want to take a moment to talk about Alexis Hall’s writing. Want a masterclass on romantic tension? Hall does an exemplary job of answering the all-important question in a romance: “But why can’t they be together NOW?” Many writers rely on cringeworthy miscommunication and gloriously there’s not a hint of it to be seen here. Instead, Hall builds a complex romance that deals with queer identity, class divides, and heavily gendered societal roles and expectations. I am in awe of Alexis Hall’s fearless writing.

There is heavy material here- PTSD, body dysmorphia, using a mobility aid, demisexuality, bisexuality, and a transgender heroine. Yet, Hall manages to handle everything with care and integrity while including humor, witty banter, and acceptance. Each touch (every breath) between Viola and Gracewood is pulsing with electricity and yearning tension. This is the type of book where their fingers graze and you’re ready to scream and throw the book across the room. Hall’s writing is tender, vulnerable, and achingly loving. Gracewood is the sweetest cinnamon roll and I love how he accepted and loved Viola. I loved how Viola was so true to herself and refused to ask anyone’s forgiveness for living her life. This book is a beautiful queer love story. 

Alexis Hall has absolutely ruined me for other historical romance books at this point and really all books in general. A Lady for a Duke will give you the worst book hangover and I couldn’t be more pleased about it. I hope we get many more books in this world, as I feel there are several people who have more stories to tell. This book better get all the love it deserves, because I want to see fanart!! 

Read A Lady for a Duke if you like the slowest of burns, mutual pining, outstanding LGBTQ+ rep, sweet cinnamon rolls, and achingly romantic queer love. I highly recommend A Lady for A Duke for fans of A Marvellous Light, Evie Dunmore and Cat Sebastian. Thank you to Alexis Hall, Forever, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.