Book Review: The Duke in Question by Amalie Howard

About the Book:

Title: The Duke in Question

Author: Amalie Howard

Series: Daring Dukes #3

Page Length: 384

Publication Date: Nov. 8, 2022

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Synopsis: Lady Bronwyn Chase is far from the paragon of society that her mother expects her to be. Which is why she’s on her brother’s passenger liner bound for America with a secret packet of letters that could get her into trouble. Serious trouble. The kind sisters to dukes shouldn’t be in. But she doesn’t care, because for the first time in her life, she feels alive.

When Lord Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury—retired agent of the Crown and spymaster—is tasked with finding the tyrant who’s stolen correspondence from the British Home Office, he thinks it should be business as usual—track down the spy and turn him in. Valentine Medford has never lost a target. But when he discovers that the devious spy known as Kestral is really Lady Brownyn, his world is turned upside down. Soon he’ll have to decide what means more to him: the beautiful and mysterious woman who calls to him, or his allegiance to the crown.

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

When I saw The Duke in Question described as Bridgerton meets James Bond, I knew I had to read it. Plus, it’s written by Amalie Howard, and I love her historical romances! Her storytelling and writing style is fantastic, the plots are always entertaining, and the romances are super swoon-worthy. I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed. The Duke in Question is one of the most entertaining historical romances I’ve read all month.

Bronwyn and Valentine are such fantastic protagonists, and I like that the story includes both of their perspectives. Bronwyn is an intelligent, capable, and independent woman who plays the stereotypical debutante, but underneath she has a big secret. She’s a spy known as Kestral. Sailing to Philadelphia to pass on a message that could save the President, Bronwyn meets her match with Valentine, a former agent to the Crown. He and his partner are trying to expose a spy known only as Kestral. Little does he know the spy he’s looking for is the beautiful and enticing sister of his friend. Valentine is as developed and layered as Bronwyn, and boy do they make a great couple!

The story takes place around the globe as Bronwyn and Valentine become embroiled in overlapping missions, and Bronwyn becomes a target of a deadly and unknown enemy. Valentine is determined to protect her no matter the cost. It’s an exciting and suspenseful game of espionage, and the relationship between Bronwyn and Valentine is fantastic.

I love when the MMC is desperately in love, and everyone else knows but him. That’s Valentine. He’s so closed off with his feelings that he doesn’t even realize what he is feeling. Bronwyn knows her heart better, but she’s afraid to give it to a man she believes is incapable of love. There’s so much yearning and a sense of forbidden love between them that creates tension and angst. And the heat between these two is sizzling! Their chemistry is on fire, and I enjoyed every clandestine, scandalous, and steamy minute of it! Between that and the delicious banter – oh my word, I love these two together!

I loved this story! It’s entertaining and exciting, and the romance is perfection. I also love all of the history. I always enjoy reading Howard’s notes about the historical elements in the novel, and I’ve learned a bunch about the time period from her books. From the political and social climate to the cities and people, to the foiled kidnapping and assassination of Lincoln, the story is steeped in history and includes strong messages about bigotry, privilege, sexism, and more. I swear, I’ve learned more about history from romance novels than I ever did in school.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

The romance! Super steamy and soooo much chemistry!

The intrigue and excitement.

Favorite Lines:

Some risks were worth it. Sometimes, putting oneself on the line for the sake of others who needed one’s help was worth it. That was the definition of a true ally.