By telling a trans story in a time period and society so steeped in highly specific gender roles, the author gives us so many insights into the challenges that would have been real then, and are yet somehow still relevant today. there was a conflict that was unexpected and a little frustrating, but it resolved itself quickly enough that i wasn't too bothered. I would also be remiss not to mention the wonderful side characters in this novel, who radiate just as much as the two main leads. And there is some smut, though it’s not too detailed, but my main takeaway was how this book made me feel. Since it’s left up to us, I entertained various versions of Viola’s experience as she dragged herself from the battlefield, and all the steps she must have taken to become who she is at the start of A Lady for a Duke; putting her past behind her, and crafting an existence for herself in nineteenth century England.

Quaint, happy, and filled with heart, A Lady for a Duke is a shining example of a new type of inclusive historical romance. Justin de Vere, Duke of Gracewood, hides in the country, debilitated by symptoms of PTSD, terrible war injuries, and an addiction to laudanum and alcohol.The only spot of freshness in this story did not come from the main characters at all—it came from the side characters, Lady Marleigh (sister-in-law to Viola) and Lady Gracewood (Justin's younger sister). A Lady for a Duke is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful and deeply romantic M/F historical romance, featuring a transgender heroine and the emotionally damaged Duke that owns her heart.

In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. While Viola's actions did lead to some pain and suffering on the part of her closest friend, she is adamant that she cannot and will not seek his forgiveness for it.To start with what I liked about this, I really loved how we got to see Viola's way of thinking and how she wanted to live her life.

Strong, intelligent, profoundly kind and impressively astute, Viola courageously changed her life course forever, giving up title, wealth and security, when she seized an opportunity to live as her authentic self after almost dying at Waterloo.It did felt a little stiff at time but I rarely noticed because I was busy in swooning over the main couple.