Series: Taming of the Dukes, #1
Traits & Tropes: fake relationship; starched hero; impoverished heroine; working heroine (ballerina); wealthy hero; hero abused by his father
Publication Date: 07.12.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Victorian; London, England, 1865
Heat Level: 3.5
Rating: 5 stars
Narration Rating: 5/5
Lysander Blackstone, the Duke of Montcroix, is wholly focused on increasing his already impressive wealth and powerful position. He’s suffered many betrayals in his life and has since learned to keep his emotions shielded and his focus on amassing a fortune since the money can’t possibly let him down the way people have. Unfortunately, he’s developed a reputation for being an emotionless automaton and that is now threatening a potentially very lucrative business deal, leaving Lysander to come up with an unusual solution.
Miss Genevieve Valery was a promising ballerina on the rise in France, but now she’s come to London seeking work after an unscrupulous gentleman sought to ruin her when she refused to join him in his bed. A new opportunity arises when she saves a gentleman from potential harm in an unsavory part of the city, and he turns out to be a duke. Neve doesn’t expect this encounter with nobility will go any better than her last did, but he surprises her by presenting her with a wholly different sort of proposal: to act as his fiancé in exchange for a considerable sum that will enable her and her sister to support themselves.
It's a win-win situation for both Neve and Lysander, but neither expected the very real connection that develops between them. Everything could work out for the best if they’re willing to take a chance on exposing their true feelings to one another.
I truly, thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lysander was the epitome of the growly, emotionally stunted hero and I loved how Neve gradually brought out the best in him. She showed him that it was okay to express his emotions and knew just when to push him and just when to back off. The only thing I really did like here was the characters’ two-month separation near the end, but thankfully this period got very little page time and I think it did make sense to give Lysander a chance to take a step back and regroup. I really did want to see him put his stepmother in her place on the page too and I was left with my bit of a vindictive streak unsatisfied in that regard. Otherwise, I loved this premise, and the narration was fantastic. I loved that Neve was a lady but an unconventional one, capable of challenging Lysander and unafraid to admit her feelings but unwilling to compromise her values. I adored Lysander’s awkwardness and I found these two to be fabulous together, especially once he finally declared himself. Aunt Millicent and the girl group of unconventional ladies who befriended Neve were excellent supporting characters, providing some comic relief without feeling trite or overdone. I’m quite looking forward to hopeful stories for these ladies in the future.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and its audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1069790305
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4714190881
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