Review: A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Rating: 5🌈

“Do not embrace me till each circumstance

Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump

That I am Viola

Twelfth Night”

Regency romance has and is a great favorite of mine, starting from the first Georgette Heyer novel I read back in my childhood. And I have been steadily consuming different authors versions or interpretation of this genre, whether they stay true to the timeframe of the historical era or fast forwarded to a future world and space regency culture.

There’s some absolutely magnificent novels and series that capture the original spirit and style of those romances while letting the author explore them in their own unique, imaginative ways and with well written LGBTQIA characters.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall is one of those extraordinary novels that pays homage to the original genre in multiple ways, by its inclusion of the time frame, the cultural context, and peerages, as well as minutia of the Ton that’s a given as part of a Regency romance. However, Hall, elevates his story by giving us a deeply moving, emotional story of complex themes. One of transcendent language, magnificent characters, and an ending that I have returned to more times than I can count.

If there be echoes of a Shakespearean character, it’s welcome. For Viola Carroll is unforgettable. Both for the reader, and for Gracewood, the Duke lost in mourning and grief for the only person who ever truly saw him and cared about him.

Viola is both the ghost of the memories of the person Gracewood is mourning but who never really existed, and the truth of who she is and sacrificed everything to finally get to be. It’s a wrenching, amazing portrait of courage, pain, sacrifice, strength, and love.

Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, is a believable, layered, damaged man. I’m not talking about the physical damage he’s suffered by his time in as a soldier in the past war. But the mental and emotional pain he suffered and carries due to his upbringing and the expectations of his station in life .

Hall’s narrative is a thoughtful exploration of roles and expectations that society places upon people. Especially those of a certain class and gender. Of genders and their places within society, this too will figure greatly here in the story, threaded through several characters perspectives.

Aside from the superbly written main characters, there are also many other outstanding characters to connect with here. The brother and sister-in-law, Badger and Louise, Lord and Lady Marleigh. I love them both deeply. Well defined, real, heartfelt characters. Then there is Mira, Gracewood’s sister who is desperate to connect with her brother. And the not to be forgotten , very bold , Lady “Stevie” Lillimere. She is a real favorite! So many outlying characters that are impactful and relevant to the story and readers.

At the very end, a two person POV changes, and we are given one final, extremely important perspective for the epilogue. This can sometimes be jarring and confusing. But here it feels natural and makes those last moments even more magical. And possibly poetic in their power and imagery.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall is rated not just a top five book LGBTQIA or trans historical romance for me . It’s a top five book. All tropes.

Pick it up and discover why!

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Blurb

From the bestselling author of Husband Material comes a lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation—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.

• Publisher: Forever (May 24, 2022)

• Publication date: May 24, 2022

• Language: English

• Print length: 481 pages