A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Tropes: friends to lovers, historical, transgender romance

Buy it on Amazon

☕️ Cozy ↔ Angst Scale

3: Good Healthy Cry

🔥 Heat Level

2/5 Open Door

💕 Instalove ↔ Slow Burn Pace

3: Slow Burn

Synopsis

When Viola Carroll is presumed dead at the Battle of Waterloo, she takes it as her chance to finally live as herself — but that freedom costs her everything, including her closest friend, Justin, the Duke of Gracewood. Years later, her sister-in-law drags her along on a welfare visit to check on Gracewood, who’s been unraveling since the war. Viola finds herself the only person who can reach him — all while hiding that she’s the friend he still believes died on the battlefield. A queer historical romance about grief, identity, and reconnecting with the person who knew you before you knew yourself.

Why We Loved It

This was Meg’s time seeing a transgender main character who went back into their previous life and needing to hide her previous identity. Viola’s experience of transition and her prior relationship with Gracewood was handled with beauty & care.