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Always Be My Duchess cover art

Always Be My Duchess

By: Amalie Howard
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
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Summary

Pretty Woman meets the Bridgertons in this witty, vivacious historical take on '90s romcoms by USA Today bestselling author Amalie Howard.

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.

©2022 Amalie Howard (P)2022 Forever

Critic reviews

"Howard’s lyrical writing enlivens her bright, empathetic characters and her sharp eye on their class and cultural disparities only enhances their romance. Readers will be riveted."—Publishers Weekly

“Fabulous writing . . . such a delicious escape. Utterly delightful!”—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author

“Amalie Howard tells a story with self-assured style, wit, and energy . . . her writing sparkles!”—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

What listeners say about Always Be My Duchess

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Like a modern georgette heyer

Really enjoyed this book reminded me of my favourite author georgette heyer narrator was excellent

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Always Be My Duchess

This is a lovely love story, with two very self reliant, strong minded and willed people help each other, then find they can trust each other, after the past having made that an impossibility. One needing to loose it all before they realise what they had, moving and sexy. Read brilliantly by Mary Jane Wells.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great story

Great story well written and superbly brought to life the narrator once again excelled herself

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent writing and narration

Well-developed characters, a brilliant narrator and a great story. I enjoyed every minute and highly recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good French accent

Story started off good but became a bit slow. I felt that the Duke was painstakingly obtuse.

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Couldn't continue.

Quite often, after initially not getting into the book from the first chapter, the story picks up eventually and becomes engaging. Sadly, for me it did not happen even after a couple of hours listening. Too many anachronisms and emphasis on body parts rather than characters development for my liking: i.e. the lips were glistening and the eyes were shining, erections sprouting in most inappropriate situations etc. Language quite foul was aplenty dished out as a substitute for humour, I guess.
Mary Jane Wells is an excellent narrator with cheerful English voice and no mispronunciations. However, the story did not engage me enough to continue listening.

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1 person found this helpful

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Utterly delightful

I was very surprised by this, having not taken to Howard’s early work. But now I’m completely won over. Skillful, witty prose, a beautiful love story, and authentically portray historical period. Plus, Mary Jane Wells brought it to live with perfect verve and humor. Loved every second. Hope these two pair together for the remainder of the series as I will definitely listen to it if MJW returns.

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Delightful story …

This is a delightful story -
The plot is based on PRETTY WOMAN - but placed in a different era … most enjoyable

Why I reduce one star ⭐️ is simple:
I grow tiered of modern authors, who think a brilliant plot and story needs endless soft porn added to keep the reader/ listener in the spell…

Wrong!!! That is what bores me-
Do I judge a book as novel - or as a soft porn - … in this book it is kept to a minimum, but nevertheless…

The judges here the novel, the story line -
the latter -soft porn - would only get one star ⭐️ as for those who seek this subject, there wouldn’t be enough :-)

I might come across as a prude - which I am not - but it is a shame that authors feel the pressure to add so much sex nowadays…

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Fantastic!!

This was the first book I've read/listened to from Amalie Howard and I loved it. Mary Jane Wells was fantastic - her French accent a delight and I loved Neve. Highly recommended.

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