Always Be My Duchess

TITLE: Always Be My Duchess

SERIES: Taming of the Dukes #1

AUTHOR: Amalie Howard

RATING: 

STEAM: 

THE SYNOPSIS

Lord Lysander Blackstone, the stern Duke of Montcroix, has only one interest: increasing his considerable fortune. After a series of betrayals, he keeps his emotions buried deep. Money, after all, can't break a man's heart—or make promises it can’t keep. But when his reputation for being heartless jeopardizes a new business deal, he finds himself seeking a most unusual—and alluring—solution... Once an up-and-coming ballerina, Miss Geneviève Valery is now hopelessly out of work. After refusing to become a wealthy patron's mistress, Nève was promptly shown the door to the streets. When she accidentally saves the life of a handsome duke, she doubts the encounter will go any better than her last brush with nobility. But instead of propositioning her, Montcroix makes Nève an offer she would be a fool to refuse: act as his fake fiancée in exchange for fortune enough to start over. Only neither is prepared when very real feelings begin to grow between them. They both stand to win... but only if they’re willing to risk their hearts.

THE PLOT

I was excited by the prospect of the Pretty Woman/Pygmalion storyline and it did not disappoint! I loved how they meet and were forced in to close proximity. That was a hot, fun scene! I was confused as to why she was allowed to live with him, seems very against propriety. I knew it was coming but I was still confused as to the way they finally came together. I fully expected, given Neves refusal to sleep with anyone and her virginity, for Lysander to pursue and persuade her, but it was Neve who came to him and offered herself. I guess I was confused as to the change in opinion…I was hoping to see that become that crack in his armor.

THE HEROINE

Being a ballerina, Neve Valery is used to the looks of men who see her as a pretty object. As a ballerina, it is standard behavior to have a sponsor who expects gratitude in the bedroom, but Neve has higher standards for herself. Her parents were French aristocracy, but lost all their money in investment schemes. And after her parents died, Neve and her sister were left to defend for themselves and took up positions as ballerinas. I liked Neve; she had standards and was confident to know what she wanted. Her bluntness and being unable to hold her tongue bothered me a bit, but I get that that is part of the storyline between her and Lysander.

THE HERO

Lysander, Duke of Montcroix, is an arrogant man who wants order and structure in everything and everyone. Having had a father who belittled and thought him worthless, he determined to make his own name with investments in railroads. His father was even cruel enough to steal his fiancé from him to wed for himself! Living up to his nickname Stone, he wrestled the whole book with showing any emotion because as a child that was punished. I spent a lot of the book frustrated that, as enamored of Neve as he was, he still wasn’t changing into the soft man I wanted…but that made the ending SO MUCH BETTER!

"Stone? What kind of a name is that? A nickname?” “Just so.” Her full lips pursed. “Suits you. Cold and menacing like a gargoyle."

THE STEAM

They had wonderful banter and plenty of swoon-worthy words & looks, but only two steamy scenes, although they were pretty steamy! Umm, he ‘played’ like a musical instrument!

"What are you doing?” she mumbled. He bit her neck between her shoulder and nape, not enough to break her delicate skin, but enough for her to still. He soothed the sting with his tongue until she moaned. “Playing you."

STAND OUT MOMENT

Okay, so I have two. First, obviously when he ‘plays’ her like musical instrument. And the second is the ending…not going to spoil it!

WHO WOULD LIKE THIS

Anyone who likes a enemies to friends to lovers, Pygmalion, rags to riches love story!

TROPES

Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Damaged/Tortured Hero, Starchy Hero, Alpha Hero, Performer Heroine, Working Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Sunshine/Grump, Fake Relationship, Instant Attraction, Opposites Attract, Class Difference, Four Star, Three Flame

HistoricalRomance, VictorianEra, Damaged/TorturedHero, StarchyHero, AlphaHero, PerformerHeroine, WorkingHeroine, VirginHeroine, Sunshine/Grump, FakeRelationship, InstantAttraction, OppositesAttract, ClassDifference, FourStar, ThreeFlame