Reviews tagging 'Deadnaming'

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

175 reviews

tealxox's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and War

Minor: Deadnaming

paisleybh's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was everything I love in a queer romance—emotionally rich, beautifully written, and filled with unforgettable characters. It’s a historical romance that brings a fresh and modern perspective to the genre, which made it stand out in all the best ways.

The story centers around Viola, a trans woman who has spent years in hiding. She has given up so much and doesn't believe that she could have a future with love and acceptance. She returns to society, she has to navigate a world that doesn't see her.
Her relationship with the Duke—whom she once loved, and who believes she’s dead—forms the emotional core of the story. The romance between Viola and Gracewood is slow-burn and complex, filled with both tenderness and tension. Their connection is built on shared history, deep understanding, and, ultimately, the freedom to love each other as they truly are.

What I particularly loved about this book was how it tackles issues of gender identity, self-discovery, and societal expectations without feeling preachy. It’s a beautiful exploration of Viola’s internal struggles as well as the challenges of being true to yourself in a world that doesn’t always make space for you. The emotional depth of her character really resonated with me, and I loved seeing her grow and find acceptance, not just from others, but from herself.
The writing is elegant, but there’s also a warmth and wit to Alexis Hall’s prose that makes the characters feel so real. The dialogue, especially between Viola and Gracewood, is heartfelt and often witty, which made me root for them even more. There’s a sense of vulnerability in both characters that makes their romance feel incredibly authentic and earned.
In addition to the central love story, the book is filled with secondary characters who are compelling in their own right. I really appreciated how Hall built out a well-rounded world around Viola and Gracewood, creating a rich backdrop for their romance to unfold. The setting itself feels like a character—immersive and alive, helping to ground the emotional stakes of the book.

A Lady for a Duke is a celebration of love, acceptance, and the beauty of finding someone who sees you for who you truly are. It’s a beautiful, tender, and emotionally satisfying read, and I can’t recommend it enough for fans of queer romance and historical fiction. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Deadnaming

moonflower7's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol

Minor: Deadnaming, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail

kerrythefire's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a sweet book. I don't really know what else to say about it. The characters were all dynamic individuals whom I liked (minus the scummy "villain" ones, of course), and the love story was honest, kind, and sweet. Viola and Gracewood were so good and gentle to each other so it was nice to quietly watch them struggle through and eventually find their happily ever after. 

This is one of those books where people just show up for each other, and embrace each other despite society and judgement. From Viola's brother and sister in law, to Gracewood's sister, to the company they kept, to Gracewood himself... this was a book about a bunch of slightly misfit, "different" characters, and that just made the whole experience refreshing.

The narrator also did a great job!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping

Minor: Deadnaming

threeundertwopnw's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The pace was very slow and repetitive and the plot tended to zigzag around, but the writing was beautiful. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

imds's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Classism

Minor: Death of parent

warlocksarecool21's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I thought A Lady for a Duke was a very heartfelt (and queer!) historical romance. What strikes me across all of Alexis Hall’s books is that the characters feel like real people, they have feelings, desires and flaws and you experience all of that with them. Viola and Gracewood were such interesting and dynamic characters and I really enjoyed reading them. I thought Hall did a good job of exploring how PTSD and trauma affect a person, especially in a time period where there wasn’t a term for this condition yet. I also loved how Hall explored how a trans person might live back then, that being trans was just one part of Viola’s story, and that her version of womanhood was never made out to be less than. The romance between Viola and Gracewood was sweet and moving, although I was frustrated with them in the first half of the book, I loved how their relationship progressed and the ending they chose with one another. The only things that didn’t work for me was the pacing felt a little off at times, and I thought the conflict that Viola and Gracewood were working against in the third act was kind of ridiculous but it had its place in the story at the end. (and to anyone worried it’s not a third act break-up! so bless alexis hall for that) Other than I had a great time reading this; and I look forward to more books in this universe (because I definitely saw the seeds planted!) 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Grief

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, and Blood

suerte_encantada's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Transphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: War

lipstickitotheman's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Such a good romance! A lesser author would've made it half as long, with the only conflict being stealth and in love, but the plot moves outside of the main couple as well. I love all of the main characters, and they're all so very interesting. 
Favorite quote: "Lady Marleigh nodded. 'Exactly. Breakfast is the best meal of the day--as it should be, to console one for having to get out of bed.'" I love her. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief

Minor: Child abuse, Deadnaming, Gun violence, Misogyny, Vomit, Kidnapping, War, and Classism

nothingtosay's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Addiction, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Misogyny, War, and Classism