WINNER of the 2025 Romance Writers of Australia RUBY for Best Historical Romance
Vivianne Chevalier is done with dukes.
After another broken promise for a starring role on the Paris stage, the dancer and courtesan vows to walk away from it all. The viperous competition from the other dancers. The manipulations of the European nobility who only care for their own pleasures. Greedy, heartless people who want nothing more than to get ahead, no matter the cost to others. After years of failure, she craves a simple life, like the one she foolishly turned her back on when she was young.
His Grace Arley West is familiar with the traps and trappings of a dukedom. After all, he was not even six when he became the Duke of Osborne. The constant demands, requests for favours, false friends wanting money, and never really being sure if people respect him, or his title, are a regular part of his life. Is it any wonder he has become a grumpy recluse, only leaving his villa to attend to his parliamentary duties?
That is, until he finds himself travelling to Paris incognito on a research trip for Spencer and Co Travel. Disguised as a clerk, he meets the vibrant and beautiful Vivianne, and for the first time in his life, he feels as if someone might truly love him for himself.
A whirlwind romance and a proposal follow, and Arley takes his dancer fiancé back to London. He can’t wait to tell her who he really is. She is going to be so surprised. After all, doesn’t every woman want to be a duchess?
A Most Improper Duchess is the second book in the Tales from Honeysuckle Street series. All books in the series are standalone reads. With a guaranteed HEA, A Most Improper Duchess features HOT open-door intimacy. It includes some strong language and sexy times. This novel also contains themes of parental death, prostitution and poverty that some audiences may find confronting.
Alivia Fleur writes steamy romantic fiction for history lovers. In her stories, curious and consenting adults explore their desires as they search for their own happy ever after.
Alivia lives with her husband on a farm a long way from anywhere interesting. When not herding sheep or checking fences, she enjoys reading romance, drinking tea and eating cake, preferably all at once.
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Readability: 📖📖📖📖 Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋 Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔 Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ Romance: 💞💞💞💞 Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Humor: A bit Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine More character focused or plot focused? character How did the speed of the story feel? medium When mains are first on page together: Takes a little bit – 13% Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after Epilogue: Yes, two years later Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy in e-book form from the author (Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order? There is some character crossover from book 1, and Spencer and Co plays a plot point and that is established in book 1, but overall I think this one would stand fine to pick up alone.
Basic plot: Arley, Duke of Osborne, disguises himself as a plain mister to be able to truly see Paris. Here, he meets Vivianne – she’s totally done with the aristocracy after a number of broken promises. She finds herself falling for a simple clerk and upon the return to England is VERY surprised.
Give this a try if you want: - Victorian (1876) - Paris and London settings - Duke hero - ballerina heroine - bit of instalust - opposites attract - class differences - experienced heroine – she’s had affairs in the past - secret identity - medium to higher steam – 4 full scenes (one with bondage)
Ages: - hero is 33, didn’t catch heroine
First line: Meetings at Lords were never like this.
My thoughts: I adore Fleur’s immersive writing. I was drawn into this one pretty quickly and very interested in both our mains. We have Arley, who’s a bit stiff and set in his recluse ways. Somehow the poster boy of Spencer and Co. travel company, he must watch his reputation – and as a Duke all eyes are on him. Tired of the pressure, he travels to Paris, France as a plain mister to discover what to put on the traveling brochure.
He meets Vivianne who is his opposite. Carefree as she can be in a city that takes too much from her, I adored this prima ballerina. She has this love for life yet a practicality that was so admirable.
This book has such a unique feel to it. Without getting into spoilers, let’s say I was sure there was going to be a big conflict about a point (that is given in the synopsis). I have read romance for years and this book left me SO pleasantly surprised. It kept me on my toes for how things would work out and it just made me love the characters even more.
The ending is so satisfying and I found it so romantic. I have read a couple books that have endings somewhat like this but this one just hit so much harder.
Fleur’s research shines through in this and it led me down a couple different side searches and readings. She brings Paris to life in such a wonderful way. It’s such a beautiful love story. The very end is so hilarious and delighful.
My only complaints is I wanted some more scenes of them together in England. I think I needed a bit of a deeper connection to Arley and I wanted him to really get to know Vivianne in this setting before making the decision he did.
Quotes/spoiler-y thoughts:Any mistakes/typos are my own
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Full break down on what my ratings above mean here: Overall: How I felt about it everything considered! Readability: How ‘readable’ was the book? Did I fly through it? Did I have to tell myself to pick it back up repeatedly? Were any passages confusing? (I will probably score like (1) is literally unreadable due to formatting/typing errors, etc (2) There were lots of errors that made it difficult to read OR It was extremely confusing and I had to reread passages to make sense of it OR I disliked it so much I had to bribe myself to keep reading (3) I didn’t really want to keep reading and would have preferred to abandon the read and start something else OR some minor continuity issues/confusion (4) I liked it fine, maybe a minor error or 2. I was happy to pick it up when I had time. (5) I never wanted to put this down. I thought about it when I wasn’t reading it. I hid in the bathroom from my kids to read. I threw inappropriate food at my children for dinner so I could read instead.) Feels: Totally subjective to each person but did the book give me any tingles? Any butterflies? Did it rip my heart out (in a good way?) Emotional depth: How well do I feel I know the characters at the end? How much did I feel their emotions throughout the story? Sexual tension: Again, subjective, but how strong was the wanting and longing to me between the characters? A book might have strong sexual tension without a single touch. Romance: Was there romance? Did romantic things happen? This can be actions/words/thoughts of the characters and again is subjective. Sensuality: This is how the intimate scenes are written. Kisses and sexual scenes – how sensual were they? Were they on the mechanical side? Was there emotional pull tied in? Were the details explicit or flowery? These are subjective but generally (1) too short to get a good judgement (2) not all what I'm looking for - very vague or flowery prose (3) either not explicit enough or not enough emotional pull (too mechanical/physically descriptive without the emotions) (4) what I love in a scene (5) absolute perfection - perfect balance of emotional longing and explicit descriptions Sex Scene Length: How long the bedroom scenes are (generally (1) is 1-3 sentences (2) is a few paragraphs to a page-ish (3) is about average, a few pages (4) more well developed scenes, quite a few pages with descriptions (4) the majority of the book takes place in the bedroom. This is always hard to tell for me on audio! Steam Scale: Generally, each flame is a scene. If scenes are super close together I sometimes combine them. If a scene is super short or so vague I don’t know what’s happening, I don’t count it. There’s some levels of grey but generally the number of flames is how many sex scenes there are (I max out at 5 so I’ll put a + after if there’s more than that)
Warning: This is a harsh ( sorry AF) review, and I spoil the ending
This story is about an uptight duke who falls in love with a French ballerina. I went into this story prepared for the "just go with it" unrealistic plot, but I was not prepared for how bad the rest of the story would be.
The h, Vivienne, is not just a ballerina but a courtesan. She's willing to sell her favors when she first meets Mr. Arley West (the Duke incognito). Arley is smitten right away and bargains with her to show him the real Paris for his travel guide instead of sharing his bed. After two (long 🙄 ) days later, Arley asks her to marry him. He doesn't tell her he's a Duke until they arrive in London.
Now, Vivienne will have to learn how to become a Duchess. Unfortunately, all the confines and society rules that make a great Duchess is destroying the things that Arley loves about her. So how can he keep the woman he loves and still fulfill his duties to his title? It doesn't help that his half-brother is trying to blackmail.
Problems: 1. Vivienne selling herself was a little off-putting to me. Though, this is probably the most realistic aspect in the whole book. Arley marrying a ballerina would be a stretch, but her being a courtesan also added more complications. I don't know how he thinks he can keep it a secret when there would be plenty of wealthy men who would recognize her.
2. There were plenty of sex scenes in the book, but I could have cared less. I found them boring and would skip pages.
3. I could not connect with any of the characters. They were all one-dimensional and lacked any substance or depth. The lackluster storyline didn't improve my feelings toward the MC.
4. I was prepared to give this book a generous 2 stars if it had not been for the RIDICULOUS ending!
******** major spoiler alert**************** *******************************************
He fakes his own death and gives up his entire life to live a simple life without society's critical eyes. This sacrifice doesn't fit his character at all. That's saying a lot since the author gave him so very few personality traits. ********************************************
Conclusion: This is my first time reading this author, and I feel bad giving the book only one star, but I just hated it. The fact that I actually paid ( rarity) for this book adds to my disdain. I did notice some reviewers gave the book 5 stars, so maybe it's just me 🤷♀️.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
A whirlwind romance in the city of love - a Victorian fairytale between a duke and a ballerina! They meet in a bar - he’s posing as a mere mister, she as a courtesan he cannot afford. Talking turns into a midnight stroll, and ends with him charming her into showing him her Paris and a kiss. Attraction and desire spark a passionate romance, but as soon as they set foot in London reality comes crashing down, bursting that fairytale bubble. Propriety, scandal, judgement, expectation, obligation and even blackmail.
I simply love the way Vivianne takes everything life throws at her and fights to make it the best thing ever - shoulders back and head held high as a true prima ballerina. She’s a bit jaded and wary at first, but once Arley nestles himself deep under her skin she’s unstoppable, a force of nature. And Arley… he loves his passionate, fierce and forthright little spitfire so deeply. She’s his freedom, the air he breathes, his heart and very possibly his soul… but old habits die hard and duty a burden not so easily shed. They are both so strong, willful and independent - he because of his status, she because of life - and throughout this entire story these characters evolve and adapt, they struggle and stumble, and they share a playfulness and determination without hiding their insecurities and vulnerability from each other. In the end they’re both just looking for a person to call home.
This author has honed her talent and craft a great deal. I’ve adored her novellas from the start, but novels are another dimension. The flow of this story is exquisite with colorful and captivating writing, delectable sizzling steam and the plot takes you by surprise at every turn. It’s fresh, it’s different and it’s just incredibly beautiful. This story is class difference at its very finest, and the ending is just magical!
This is a truly enjoyable book that takes readers back to 1876 Paris. Vivianne Chevalier, a dancer and courtesan, yearns for a peaceful life in the countryside after growing disheartened by her lifestyle and being disowned by her family. Arley West, the Duke of Osborne, visits Paris incognito, seeking an escape from the strictures of his title. On the night they meet, Arley is instantly fascinated by Vivianne's vivacity, while she remained skeptical of his intentions. Despite their initial wariness, they embark on a fun and carefree journey, discovering a deep attraction and connection leading to Arley proposing to Vivianne who accepts with the desire to start a new life. However, he keeps his dukedom a secret until they reach England, which leaves Vivianne surprised and angry. Determined to become a duchess he can be proud of, she supports and forgives him. The love between Arley and Vivianne is endearing and their commitment to each other never wavers, even when the pressures of being a Duke weigh him down.
I really enjoyed this book. The authors fresh writing style made this class difference plot new and kept me on the edge as what I expected to happen, didn't. I loved how Arley was so devoted to Vivianne and believed in their love. Their commitment to each other was tested time and time again but never faltered. The book beautifully weaves in historical details about the rebuilding of Paris after the Napoleonic Wars. The steamy and sensual sex scenes add an extra layer of intensity. Arley teaches Vivianne to trust in loving him, while she teaches him to live again. Ultimately, this whirlwind romance ends with a non-traditional twist, but their love is believable and touching. I admit that at first I wasn't quite sure if it worked for me but the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated it. Overall, A Most Improper Duchess is a beautiful and captivating tale that will leave readers believing in the power of love and the strength of commitment. I really look forward to more from this author!
I received an ARC directly from the author (Thank You!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Alivia’s Honeysuckle Street series took me to Paris which I loved & back to London to a street I only grow more curious about! This unconventional romance filled with passion, drama, obligation & love takes you on a journey that leaves you feeling well read!
A Most Improper Duchess is the second book in the Tales from Honeysuckle Street series and tells the story of Arley, the Duke of Osborne, and Vivianne, a Parisian ballerina.
Arley goes to Paris on an errand disguised as a commoner, meets Vivianne in a tavern and is instantly smitten with her. He persuades her to help him with his errand and, over the next few days together, the two fall in love and agree to marry. Then he tells her he's a duke!
I absolutely adored Vivianne. She is such a strong woman and has been through so much; I really felt for her and admired her courage and tenacity. Her love for Arley shines through every page: she's willing to be vulnerable with him and she wears her emotions on her sleeve. I loved how dynamic her character is: she's tempestuous and cranky and sweet and stubborn all at the same time.
Arley is a wonderful character, too. He's been the duke since he was a child, so he's accustomed to the responsibilities and expectations that come with the title, but even so, he's drowning a bit under it all. He feels freedom for the first time in ages when he's pretending to be a commoner, and it was an absolute delight seeing him stretch his wings a bit during his time in Paris with Vivianne. And what he's willing to do to make his lady happy... *swoon*
I don't want to spoil where the story goes, but let's just say it was delightful and unexpected and so, so romantic. I adored this story and these characters, and I would happily read a dozen more Vivianne/Arley epilogues!
I really enjoyed this new novel from Alivia Fleur. The second full length book in the Tales from Honeysuckle Street series, this book follows, Arley, the Duke of Osborne, and Vivianne, a ballerina fighting for the spotlight in the Parisian Ballet.
On a trip to Paris, Arley wants to be able to lie low and not constantly be followed and pampered as “the Duke”. He finds a way to travel incognito and quickly meets and falls head over hells for Vivianne. However, she is not willing to spend time with him for nothing as she needs to support herself, so they agree she will show him around Paris in exchange for a cravat pin she can sell to feed herself.
Of course, along the way, they fall in love! But what happens when Vivianne discovers Arley is a Duke, and she will need to learn how to conform to London society so Arley can make his political ambitions a reality?
Ultimately, this is a story about two people discovering what is most important to them, and what they are willing to sacrifice or hold firm on along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and appreciated that Fleur did not write a typical Victorian era tale. I highly recommend a visit to Honeysuckle Street!
This book is not at all what I expected, and I mean that in a good way! I haven't read a historical romance quite like it.
First, our heroine, Vivianne, is a French ballerina and a courtesan. She's extremely direct, not at all innocent, and honestly kind of a badass.
Arley is a reluctant duke pretending to be a commoner when he meets Vivianne. For him, it definitely seems like love at first sight. After a whirlwind week, he asks her to marry him. She says yes, and then they head off to England, where she finds out she's going to be a duchess.
The rest of the story is about how the two can make their life together work when they come from completely different places.
I did not see the resolution to the conflict coming, but it was just bonkers enough for me to love it!
I do wish the couple had a bit more page time together, but maybe I'm just greedy!
Kudos to the author for that ballroom *ahem* "dance" though! 😉🔥
I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Another fantastic read from the Tales from Honeysuckle Street! A duke and courtesan are desperate to escape their circumstances, but once reality presses in, the love they share is tested. I usually don’t like insta-love, but it worked here, under the magic of Paris. Fleur’s voice as an author shines from the start; her knowledge of history has a way of transporting the reader right into the shoes of her characters. I loved the twist that led to the resolution, giving them a unique happy ending. Plus the slice was divine! I highly recommend!
Review left voluntarily, thank you to the author for the book
A Most Improper Duchess is the 2nd book in the Tales from Honeysuckle Street series by Alivia Fleur, but it is perfectly readable as a stand-alone. It is a spicy open-door Victorian romance story featuring insta-love, class differences and secret identity.
Arley West, the Duke of Osborne travels to Paris incognito on a research trip for Spencer and Co Travel. Disguised as a clerk travelling with a Duke, he one night meets Vivianne Chevalier – a ballet dancer of Palais Garnier and a courtesan. Vivianne is very direct and has no romantic illusions left, she is also not at all like the blushing debutantes of the ton. She captivates Arley from the moment he sets his eyes on her. Vivienne, however, cannot afford to spend time with a poor man for nothing, so they agree that she will show him HER Paris in exchange of his cravat pin. During the week in Paris mutal attraction and desire leads to a passionate romance. When it is time to go back to England, Arley asks Vivienne to marry him and she accepts. Arley keeps his dukedom a secret until reaching England, which leaves Vivianne surprised and not in a good way. However, she is determined to become a perfect duchess and stand by his side no matter what. Vivianne learns to navigate the society, but not all can be solved by sheer willpower and soon they meet with a number of obstacles. What are they ready to sacrifice to stay together?
This is a fresh and surprising story – not at all what I expected, not your typical Victorian romance story and it is great. It is thought-provoking and offers several twists and turns on the way plus the non-traditional ending makes it actually unique. The writing style is easy to follow and enjoyable. There were several very interesting descriptions of different sites which were a delight to read and also some scenes with a touchingly deep meaning (like in the catacombs or while watching the painters). The main characters make an interesting duo: a reclusive duke and a worldly ballerina – the exact opposites not only because their personalities but their whole lives. Arley has to keep up appearances as the Duke, but for him the title is really a burden and he feels lonely. His is a life of politics and obligation, nothing genuine in it. Vivianne has lived in poverty and lost all innocence and romantic dreams to survive. It is interesting to see, how they weave their two totally different worlds and unhappy lives into one happy one. It is a story about adapting and making sacrifices to create a future together that is acceptable for both. I really enjoyed the communication between them - how they believed in and supported each other through the story. However I would have liked to see them navigate London and the society a bit more. All in all it is a beautifully written and colourful story and I enjoyed reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is the second book in the series. I feel that reading the first book before reading this one might have helped me with the many secondary characters in the book, although there’s a comprehensive list of who lives where in Honeysuckle Street who are the main secondary characters, I did get a bit confused when reading the parts with the neighbours in the street. It is a good class difference novel.
Arley is a duke who lives on the street. He is an investor of a boutique travel company with another neighbour on the street, Iris. She wants someone to go to Paris and compose a list of places that tourists should go to visit. She manages to talk Arley into going on the trip. He goes to Paris as a regular tourist and not a duke as he wants to discover the city without fuss and formality. At a bar he meets Vivianne, a ballet dancer who is in slight dire straits. Arley is infatuated with Vivianne, they have a lot of cheeky banter between them as they get closer. They strike a deal for her to show him some of the sites of Paris that visitors should visit in trade of something she could sell to make some money. He wants to see her Paris, but he might not like what she has to show him.
As they spend more time together Arley decides he wants to marry her. She accepts but she doesn’t know that he is a duke and now he doesn’t know when to tell her. They return to Honeysuckle Street where she learns his secret. Once they arrive, she finds the change of lifestyle hard. Arley is also advised to change her background to avoid the scandal of her being a dancer. They both face challenges and they have to try to find a way to make things work for them to ensure their happiness for the future. I really enjoyed reading the end as there’s a nice twist to the story. There’s also a lovely epilogue based two years later.
There are steamy, open door scenes of intimacy throughout the book that are well written, along with the rest of the book. The personal growth of Vivianne and Arley is lovely to read. Vivianne has a lot of strength emotionally due to her hard life before she met Arley but it is really put to the test once she arrives in London. Arley learns that a life away from his title isn’t as bad as he imagined and rises up to his own personal challenges as a duke should. I’m off to read the first book in the series now.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys steamy historical romance books with a great twist to the end of the story! I received a copy of this book from the author. I’m leaving this review voluntarily. All views and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! It captivated me from the very beginning. The story is very well written and researched, and full of romance, a great imagery, interesting tidbits about Paris, some steam and unexpected twists and turns. It conveys perfectly the obstacles and circumstances Vivianne and Arley had to face in Victorian England and at the beginning of the Belle Epoque in France. The characters are well developed with and very likable.
This amazing romance begins like a fairy tale: The rich, handsome duke meets a ballerina/courtesan in the City of Love, they immediately fall in love and get engaged. Then comes the awakening and the realistic part of the story back in England: restrictions, concessions, adaptation to social rules, censorship… And finally the ultimate proof of love and the well deserved happy ending.
Arley West, Duke of Osborne, is honourable and dutiful, a much coveted bachelor and pursued by reporters wherever he goes. As a partner in a travel agency, he is assigned to travel to Paris and explore what has changed in the last decade and what is really worth seeing. To avoid being followed at every turn, he travels under a false name.
Vivianne came to Paris to become a prima ballerina and ended up as a ballet dancer and courtesan. After being dumped by her previous patron, she is now in search of a new protector.
Arley and Vivianne meet in a bar and he is immediately smitten by her. However, she thinks he is the penniless friend of the famous duke and therefore not what she needs. Nevertheless, she agrees to show him the most important sights, but then shows him her Paris instead. Arley feels free and really seen as the man behind the title the first time in his life. Vivianne becomes his inspiration and light, and soon she succumbs to his charms. When he asks her to be his wife, she agrees and travels back to England with him without realising what she has got herself into…
This book is absolutely worth reading!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Alivia Fleur really knows how to write a nontraditional HEA. At first, A Most Improper Duchess seems like it will be a manic pixie dream girl/Cinderella story: Vivianne, dancer at the Parisian ballet, falls for Arley West, Duke of Osborne. Arley is visiting Paris incognito, and he tumbles into a whirlwind romance with Vivianne. She shows him around "her Paris," including dances in the rain and dreamy afternoons watching painters by the Seine. Arley is so happy with the way he feels around Vivianne (and not just in bed, although that's pretty, uhhh, good, too 🥵) that he impulsively proposes marriage - and she impulsively accepts. Of course, he forgot to tell her he's a legit duke, so when they get back to his place she's a little surprised to find a gigantic townhouse and more responsibilities than she can imagine. "OK," you're probably thinking, "This is where she tries to change herself to be a duchess and he realizes he just wants her to be herself and they live happily ever after!" And, well, yeah? But also, not exactly! I always love seeing how Alivia brings her characters to their HEA, and this one didn't disappoint. Another thing to note is that Vivianne is not just a ballet dancer: she has sold her body to live, and when she meets Arley, she's (kind of) on the prowl for a new protector. The way Fleur allows Vivianne to be an experienced woman who sees her body as a financial asset is a breath of fresh air in a genre that often still insists on purity from its FMCs.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Alivia Fleur’s Paris is full of poetry, full of life, everything a young man like Arley who has lived a life devoted to duty could ask for. He’s enchanted, he falls in love…But reality intrudes when he and his Vivianne go back to London… This new chapter of the Tales from Honeysuckle Street is a breath of fresh air in the historical romance world. It’s the story of a great love with an unexpected, but perfect HEA for the couple. I loved that for once Fleur dealt with the real difficulties of being part of High Society and especially for an outsider to become part of that world. I’ve read tons of books in which a commoner becomes a noble and it’s magically accepted as an eccentric or a rule breaker. THIS is the reality: you had to change to be accepted. Vivianne is a wonderful heroine, I loved her POV, I loved how she loved Arley, how she was willing to sacrifice herself for him. And I felt for Arley and I was awed by him and his perfect solution for their happiness. I loved a bunch of side characters, like Arley’s mother and the butler, as well as, of course, the neighbors of Honeysuckle Street. A truly wonderful book, as I’ve come to expect by this author in the short time I’ve known her. A striking new voice in the historical romance world indeed!
Arley is a serious and stuffy duke who doesn’t usually socialize, but is somehow roped into some travel research in Paris for his neighbor’s travel agency. To avoid being mobbed by young misses looking for an eligible duke, he’s dressed as a commoner during his trip. When he’s at a bar in Paris, he sets eyes on a beautiful woman, but he doesn’t have any money to pay for her evening company. Vivianne is a ballet dancer/courtesan who hasn’t had a steady patron in awhile, so she’s looking for someone who could provide more support than the seemingly penniless Arley. He bargains with a jeweled cravat pin that she show him some of the sights of Paris for his travel guide. In the course of spending time together, Arley is easily smitten and enjoys the carefree man he becomes when he’s with her. He very quickly proposes marriage and brings Vivianne back to London with him, with the surprise that he’s actually a very wealthy duke. Vivianne ends up needing a lot of tutoring and adjusting to cope with Arley’s position in society, which causes a bit of strife, but she is willing to make it work to stay with Arley.
This is my first time reading Fleur’s work but I doubt it will be the last - I really enjoyed her style of writing, characterisation and description. The set up is of a bored duke, Arley West who sets off to visit Paris, and decides to hide his title whilst there. Poor but beautiful Vivianne is a ballerina whose latest lover has cast her off which means she is out of work and in desperate need of food/money. Their meet cute in amongst a swirling, alcohol fused Paris salon, which does not seem extraordinary and yet their mutual attractive is. I would say Arley is far more attentive, falling for her first. Given the possible cynicism both should be capable of, their initial affair is very sweet and romantic. My only slight criticisms were I think the beginning is perhaps a little slow paced and it would have probably been helpful to have read the previous. I would definitely recommend and be eager to see what Fleur writes next.
Tropes: Insta lust (love?) on his part Opposites attract Class divide London and Paris setting Secret/hidden identity Working heroine Duke hero Steamy scenes
I am loving this series so much! This one is so swoony and romantic, very sweet but also very spicy.
This story very much has two parts to it. First you have their passionate, impulsive romance in Paris, followed by the reality of life as a Duke and the woman set to be his Duchess in London.
The first half of this book was so exciting. It gave big Moulin Rouge vibes. It felt so fun and free and romantic. Vivienne is such a fierce, fiery, independent character and Arley just wants someone to be real with him, to love him for more than his title. They’re utterly wonderful together.
The second half made me so sad. Watching Vivienne try and contort herself into being a proper society lady, Arley feeling trapped between two worlds. I couldn’t see a happy ending for them even though I knew there would be (can’t have a romance without one!)
I loved the way this ended. I did have to suspend disbelief, but I really don’t mind that. It is fiction, after all, and it was such a wonderful ending for them.
One person's treasure is another person's trash. This is my trash. Harsh? No, not really...
That ending deserves a minus star... like tf man? I would dump a guy like that.Boohooo..boofkinghoo, you were forced to be a duke as a baby... wanh wanh.... I have a major aversion to run-away-from-responsibilities-manic-pixie-peter-pan-emotionally-stunted people in real life and in fiction.. Vice versa,I would expect the guy to dump my sorry ass, if I cant handle the challenges of his lifestyle/responsibilities etc....put on your big girl panties and get with the programe...Also, girlfriend...You are the excuse he is using to live out his inner child's neurosis...
All of Alivia's writing is gorgeous, but this book is her best yet. It's both light and dark. Sweet and steamy. Mature and playful. Traditional and groundbreaking. On the surface, it's about an English duke and a Parisian ballerina - but it's so much more than that. It's about art, and love and the things we must let go of in order to live a life that's true to who we really are.
I especially loved the scenes in Paris. They were magical! And the ending... the ending makes the entire book. SO GOOD!!
This was a lovely and original story of how Arley and Vivianne meet irrevocably, changing their lives. I enjoyed how the characters help make the story interesting. It was unique, including deceptions, drama, intrigue, passion, and romance, with a lot of steam. I recommend reading!