Alivia Fleur’s second instalment in the Tales of Honeysuckle Street Series, A Most Improper Duchess is an absorbing read from start to finish. It features Arley West, Duke of Osborne, who finds an opportunity to travel to Paris, incognito as a clerk, where he meets and develops a growing fascination with ballerina, Vivianne, who is fed up with the European aristocracy and its selfish men upon whom she depends for her basic survival. Arley falls first and Vivianne falls for him thinking he’s merely a clerk. From there, the story follows Arley back to his duties in England with his now fiancée Vivianne trying to learn how to be a proper duchess once she learns of his identity. But as she becomes more skilled at the part, other forces are working against the couple, and Arley questions what all the high society’s expectations and demands are worth to his and her ultimate happiness.
I loved so much about this book! The fascinating details about Paris’s reconstruction after revolution and war, the Paris ballet world, the day-to-day responsibilities of being a duke, the deeper implications of scandal, and the meaning of love and fulfillment all made this a fully realized world upon which to weave Vivianne and Arley’s incendiary passion.
Fleur’s writing, layered, nuanced, and steamy, is beautiful and her storytelling is well-paced and engrossing. Unable to put it down for long, I finished this character-focused novel in two days and am still thinking about the delicious final twist and the lovable main and secondary characters. I do hope that Phineas gets his own story and hope it features more appearances by Spencer the cat.
I highly recommend this book to readers who value beautiful writing, strong and compelling characters, impeccably researched historical details, and a steamy, engaging read with a satisfying ending and epilogue!
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.