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A review by hedonicbooks
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
5.0
Hi. I am here to tell you that this book is perfect. Yes, you read that correctly. PERFECT.
I know, I know, you're probably thinking I'm exaggerating since I've been in an Alexis Hall induced bliss for the past few months. Well, you'd be wrong. While I am indeed a big fan of Mr. Hall's writing, I am still capable of acknowledging when a book isn't good (which is a very subjective thing anyway). And, my dear friends, this book is PERFECT.
Here's why. Mild spoilers ahead, proceed with caution. Also, please check the trigger warnings before starting this book. There are quite a few.
1. A Regency romance, with a twist.
I'm not much of a historical fiction reader. I'll pick a book now and then from different time periods, but regency romance has never been something I would normally choose to read. However, this time I was so glad I did. The story takes place just a couple of years after the battle of Waterloo, so we get to read about lavish balls, gorgeous dresses, but also about the strict hierarchy of that time and social etiquette. There's a lot of emphasis on gender roles and what men and women are meant to be doing in those times. But this is also a world where queer people exist and thrive, where language isn't as stiff as it should be and where women are more outspoken than usual.
2. A strong, trans heroine.
Viola Carroll is the heroine of this book. A trans heroine. And while this particular characteristic is so perfectly portrayed and used throughout the book, it is not the main focus of it.
Viola dies and is reborn on the battlefield of Waterloo. She leaves her old life behind, and starts living as her true self, giving up her titles and fortune in order to become who she's meant to be. She becomes lady Marleigh's (her sister in law) companion, also giving up her rights and place on the hierarchy ladder. But this decision also takes away her oldest and most important friendship of her life.
3. A flawed, disabled hero.
Justinian de Vere, duke of Gracewood is a complete mess. He is scarred, both physically and mentally, by the war he's fought in alongside his oldest friend. He is in pain not only from his injured leg, but the loss of his best friend on that battlefield pushes him into the hands of alcohol and narcotics. He's suffering from severe PTSD while trying to fulfill his duty thrust upon him by the name he carries. He is constantly torn between following his heart and fulfilling his legacy, exactly as his strict father would have wanted.
4. A spin on second chance romance.
Viola and Gracewood used to be best friends. But more than 2 years have passed since that dreadful day on the battlefield in Waterloo, and Viola has accepted that she will never see Gracewood again. How could she? But fate and lady Marleigh's meddling work in mysterious ways. Prompted by a letter sent by Lady Miranda (Gracewood's sister), the journey to second chances begins.
5. Slow burn, angst and longing.
Viola is thrust into Gracewood's world once more. Reluctantly, she befriends the duke and she is both relieved and disappointed that he doesn't recognize her immediately. Their chemistry is so raw and natural, it's absolutely hypnotic. The bond they've had before is still so strong, giving birth to the most delicious period of longing I have ever read. The angst and pain are practically seeping through the words, it's so heartbreaking but yet so beautiful to witness. Gracewood's acceptance and love is so pure that you can't possibly not fall in love with him.
6. On page, graphic intimate scenes.
The book has sex scenes in it. If you're not used to that, just skip them. I honestly think they were so carefully and perfectly done, with tact and tenderness. Don't disregard the book as a whole, just skip those parts if you're not comfortable with them. Trust me.
7. Beautiful side characters.
Alexis Hall is the master of fabulous secondary characters. Lady Marleigh and Viola's brother, for instance, are not only comic relief, but key players in Viola's life. Her nephew, Bartholomew is such a precocious, funny little boy. His interactions with his aunt add so much depth to her character, it was beautiful to witness those intimate moments. Lady Miranda! Ah, my favourite, I do hope she gets her own book. She's the catalyst for much of the plot and I adored every single minute of it. Amberglass, you bastard, I can't wait to read your story.
8. The Epilogue
I usually dislike epilogues. They're so over the top and annoyingly perfect, but this one... This epilogue was everything. It made me so happy. I cried. A lot.
I am completely in awe of Alexis Hall. As I concluded today with a friend, even if he writes across so many genres, he always manages to deliver brilliantly thought-out books.
I honestly couldn't find a single flaw to this book. The writing was superb, everything just clicked together.
Ah, I'm happy.
I'm so happy right now and immensely grateful for being able to put my hands on an ARC of this book. Can't wait for its release so I can clutch it to my chest and smile dumbly at the ceiling. Ahem.
------------------------
2nd read in April 2022.
I think this book is becoming my favourite comfort read of all time. It's just freaking brilliant.
I know, I know, you're probably thinking I'm exaggerating since I've been in an Alexis Hall induced bliss for the past few months. Well, you'd be wrong. While I am indeed a big fan of Mr. Hall's writing, I am still capable of acknowledging when a book isn't good (which is a very subjective thing anyway). And, my dear friends, this book is PERFECT.
Here's why. Mild spoilers ahead, proceed with caution. Also, please check the trigger warnings before starting this book. There are quite a few.
1. A Regency romance, with a twist.
I'm not much of a historical fiction reader. I'll pick a book now and then from different time periods, but regency romance has never been something I would normally choose to read. However, this time I was so glad I did. The story takes place just a couple of years after the battle of Waterloo, so we get to read about lavish balls, gorgeous dresses, but also about the strict hierarchy of that time and social etiquette. There's a lot of emphasis on gender roles and what men and women are meant to be doing in those times. But this is also a world where queer people exist and thrive, where language isn't as stiff as it should be and where women are more outspoken than usual.
2. A strong, trans heroine.
Viola Carroll is the heroine of this book. A trans heroine. And while this particular characteristic is so perfectly portrayed and used throughout the book, it is not the main focus of it.
Viola dies and is reborn on the battlefield of Waterloo. She leaves her old life behind, and starts living as her true self, giving up her titles and fortune in order to become who she's meant to be. She becomes lady Marleigh's (her sister in law) companion, also giving up her rights and place on the hierarchy ladder. But this decision also takes away her oldest and most important friendship of her life.
3. A flawed, disabled hero.
Justinian de Vere, duke of Gracewood is a complete mess. He is scarred, both physically and mentally, by the war he's fought in alongside his oldest friend. He is in pain not only from his injured leg, but the loss of his best friend on that battlefield pushes him into the hands of alcohol and narcotics. He's suffering from severe PTSD while trying to fulfill his duty thrust upon him by the name he carries. He is constantly torn between following his heart and fulfilling his legacy, exactly as his strict father would have wanted.
4. A spin on second chance romance.
Viola and Gracewood used to be best friends. But more than 2 years have passed since that dreadful day on the battlefield in Waterloo, and Viola has accepted that she will never see Gracewood again. How could she? But fate and lady Marleigh's meddling work in mysterious ways. Prompted by a letter sent by Lady Miranda (Gracewood's sister), the journey to second chances begins.
5. Slow burn, angst and longing.
Viola is thrust into Gracewood's world once more. Reluctantly, she befriends the duke and she is both relieved and disappointed that he doesn't recognize her immediately. Their chemistry is so raw and natural, it's absolutely hypnotic. The bond they've had before is still so strong, giving birth to the most delicious period of longing I have ever read. The angst and pain are practically seeping through the words, it's so heartbreaking but yet so beautiful to witness. Gracewood's acceptance and love is so pure that you can't possibly not fall in love with him.
6. On page, graphic intimate scenes.
The book has sex scenes in it. If you're not used to that, just skip them. I honestly think they were so carefully and perfectly done, with tact and tenderness. Don't disregard the book as a whole, just skip those parts if you're not comfortable with them. Trust me.
7. Beautiful side characters.
Alexis Hall is the master of fabulous secondary characters. Lady Marleigh and Viola's brother, for instance, are not only comic relief, but key players in Viola's life. Her nephew, Bartholomew is such a precocious, funny little boy. His interactions with his aunt add so much depth to her character, it was beautiful to witness those intimate moments. Lady Miranda! Ah, my favourite, I do hope she gets her own book. She's the catalyst for much of the plot and I adored every single minute of it. Amberglass, you bastard, I can't wait to read your story.
8. The Epilogue
I usually dislike epilogues. They're so over the top and annoyingly perfect, but this one... This epilogue was everything. It made me so happy. I cried. A lot.
I am completely in awe of Alexis Hall. As I concluded today with a friend, even if he writes across so many genres, he always manages to deliver brilliantly thought-out books.
I honestly couldn't find a single flaw to this book. The writing was superb, everything just clicked together.
Ah, I'm happy.
I'm so happy right now and immensely grateful for being able to put my hands on an ARC of this book. Can't wait for its release so I can clutch it to my chest and smile dumbly at the ceiling. Ahem.
------------------------
2nd read in April 2022.
I think this book is becoming my favourite comfort read of all time. It's just freaking brilliant.