Always Be My Duchess
by 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.
Caroline's Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story was pure escapism!
"The Duke of Montcroix was no ordinary man - he was an elemental force, a thunderstorm trapped in a bespoke suit."
When Lord Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, comes across Miss Geneviève Valery, a close encounter between them has him behaving out of character when he offers to pay her to pose as his companion, to close a deal that he's desperate to make. Nève is almost in dire straits and, even though it goes again the grain, she agrees to the Duke's proposal. A further deal is struck, when one day turns into two months. These two complete opposites shouldn't work, but what grows out of their arrangement is passionate, beautiful and tender.
"I love how you make me feel. I like having your presence near. I love the warmth of your laughter in the coldness of my life. I don't want to spend another day without you."
Stone by name and stone by nature, the Duke has a particular reputation. He'd learned long ago to never show his emotions, yet the advent of Nève in his life has him smirking, grinning, and behaving in a manner that is opposite to his stern reputation. He had so much intense emotion brewing beneath his stony façade. I loved how much sheer joy she brought into his life. She just lit him up and had his emotions roaring and exploding almost beyond his rigid control. In turn, I loved the way he spoilt her, protected her, and really showed her how much she mattered. I loved that he didn't hinder her progressive feminism and, in turn, I thrilled that she saw him as such a beautiful man, inside and out. She really understood him, even though there were times he completely frustrated her. This was such a brilliant, funny, very sexy story! I loved the sisterhood that Nève found among her new friends, and I can't wait to read about those characters' stories. What a fabulous read!
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