Never Duel a Damsel

by Rebekka DeReu

New Girl meets Bridgerton in this Regency-era historical romantic comedy with a knife-sharp feminist twist from the fresh debut voice, Rebekka DeReu. A steamy romp perfect for fans of Alexandra Vasti, Martha Waters, Virginia Heath, and Erica Ridley.

A bluestocking duels for her own hand in marriage, but love is the one weapon she hasn’t learned to wield.

Scarlett Halloway asks for only one thing in her third season: if she must marry, let it be to a man she can at least tolerate. Love? That’s a falsehood. As a student of philosophy, Scarlett does not tolerate falsehoods. Or the pretenses of unwanted suitors in London ballrooms. However, because ladies aren’t permitted to fence, she can’t very well use her sword to fend them off and risk her reputation—again. A fabricated connection to a soldier is the only logical escape.

Recently returned from his service on the Continent, Tate hasn’t the time for anything but his search for work as an architect. Luckily, the glamorous ladies of the Ton ignore him in favor of his trimmer elder brother. Except one beguiling stranger who approaches him as if they’ve met a thousand times before. With the sure-footed Scarlett waltzing in his arm, he soon finds himself in danger of falling for her to distraction.

When Scarlett’s father promises her to the worst possible man, Tate’s brother, Scarlett and Tate must stop the union while preventing their undeniable attraction from becoming their ruination. When his brother’s mysterious agenda thwarts their every move and Tate goes missing, Scarlett fears she must pick up her sword again. Will she win their freedoms but risk her heart in the process?

Praise for Never Duel a Damsel: "A delightful confection of a historical romance!" - Alice Murphy, author of A Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love

Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Romance

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Rebekka DeReu is a romance author masquerading as a small-business marketing executive. A true bluestocking, she is thoroughly unaccomplished in the pianoforte, singing, the arts (unless you count paint by numbers), and embroidery, with her only talent of exception being a knowledge of the modern languages.

To stay up to date on her book releases, follow her on Instagram @rebekkadereuauthor.

Reviews

[Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers

Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 (it’s relatively low angst, but I had a few heart twinges!
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ (it’s pretty...easy for them)
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person from both hero and heroine and also the hero’s brother (a villainous character)
More character focused or plot focused? character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: takes just a bit – 10% (or chapter 2 of 29)
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes, the last chapter takes place 3 months later
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from the author in e-book form
Why I chose this book: Rebekka reached out and asked if I was interested in trying and I was curious! (Always willing to try a new author!)
Mains: Tate and Scarlett Halloway – This is a M/F relationship between a cishet hero and heroine
(Descriptions found at end of my review)

Should I read in order?
This is fine alone.

Basic plot:
Scarlett is having a hard time putting her marriage minded parents off when she finally sees the man of her dreams.

Give this a try if you want:
- historical romance – Regency – 1816
- pets – heroine has an Irish setter
- heroine loves books
- motion sick rep (hero)
- plus size hero
- beautiful heroine
- soldier hero
- heroine studies philosophy
- hero is interested in architecture
- he’s tall but so is she
- low to mid steam – 2 full scenes

Ages:
- heroine is around 21, didn’t catch hero but would guess mid 20s?

First line:
“Scarlett Halloway, put the sword down!”

My thoughts:
I always enjoy trying a new to me author! DeReu tempted me with a plus size hero and new voice in historical romance – and I’m so glad I took the chance.

I really enjoyed the writing in this novel. Very easy to fall into and get totally immersed in. Lots of sweetness, and fun – delightful characters and intense problems for them to solve. Overall this was a touch low angst for me (it’s pretty instant heart eyes for both of them!) but it still had enough push and pull to keep me happy.

Something I loved about this book was that it seemed like the first time they were both being seen – after a life of being overlooked or misunderstood, these two were just perfect for each other. Some mains are so easy to truly believe in their HEA and I found that with Tate and Scarlett.

One thing I realize I have been missing in a lot of my reads is women helping women – it was so lovely in this novel how the women came together to protect Scarlett – simple things like controlling gossip about a garden tryst. A public nudge of condemnation to bad behavior. I loved how it made me feel the heroine wasn’t alone in this insurmountable battle of her unwanted engagement and bad parenting and how unstoppable a band of solidified women can be.

So, I found this one a really delightful and lovely read and I’m definitely going to be following this author for more!

Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: This is my first
Average rating from me: 5 stars
Favorite book: This one!

Quotes any typos are my own! I am bad with typos, I apologize
‘---’ separates scenes while ‘//’ there is a bit of a break in the same scene for quote usage...

He was unconventionally, jaw-droppingly handsome with his brunette hair shorter than was fashionable and whiskers longer than acceptable, but what could a man do if a shave in the morning did not last all day?
//
The glass he held was miniature in his massive hands, seemingly as easy to crush as a rose petal in hers. Yet he carried around between the tips of his fingers with the greatest delicacy as if he was entirely away everything around him could effortlessly break at his touch.
With every muscle in his thick neck flexing against his shirt collar as he laughed, he seemed too rugged to be wearing a starchly pressed red coat in a London ballroom. The knees of his trousers were smudged with black. Wherever this man belonged, it certainly was not this ballroom. By the way he shuffled his unbelievably large, polished shoes against the floor and tugged at the tight buttons of his waistcoat, it was clear he would be comfortable in less layers.
And Scarlett would have to agree. She, too, would be more comfortable if he were in less clothing.
That one. He’s the one. He’s perfect.
---
A lopsided grin dimpled one of his cheeks. Then his hands moved to his trousers and halted. “One last thing.” He paused to take a deep breath. “Against my basest judgment, I feel the need to warn you. I’m large.”
“Yes. Like I said, I could see that from the moment we met.”
Tate’s eyebrows rose into his hairline. Then he chuckled and reiterated, “No, I am large.”
“Oh.” The sound coming from her mouth never seemed to stop trailing off.
“But I promise to be careful.”



Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.

- remembered fat shaming of the hero from his family
- mention of the war with Napolean and a side character has grief over the death of her husband in the war
- attempted forced marriage by the villain
- some scenes of harassment of the heroine by various men, including one that grabs her and she kicks him in the balls ;)
- parental death
- bad parents of the heroine – they are controlling and manipulate her and are selfish

Author content warnings? Sexual content between consenting individuals. Foul language. Parental manipulation and gaslighting. Brief, non-descriptive mention of retching. Injury without detail. (I always encourage you to check author’s websites, since Amazon penalizes authors for certain content warning words in their novels)


Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:

Safe sex: No but the heroine discussed ovulation planning with her maid and was willing to risk it
How’s the consent? It’s very good
Pregnancy/children in story? No
Chapter 11 – kiss in the park
Chapter 14 – kisses and breast play outside in the garden at a party Tate is not invited to
Chapter 18 – 🔥breast play, her on top in the carriage – the door flies open in the middle and he slams it shut so hard the handle falls off, and he covers her mouth during climax
Thrust after thrust, she grew only tighter for him. Her lips spread in the beginnings of a scream, but he held a hand over it to capture the cry of passion.
Chapter 26 – 🔥oral for her, missionary
”You are terrible at listening,” he choked out with a smirk and wide eyes. He rose from the bed, forcing her to release her grasp. The calloused pads of his fingers grabbed her hips and slid her to the edge of the bed.

Total chapters: 28 and an epilogue




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 judgment (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 (5) 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)


Find me
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Book Clubs
The Ton and the Tartans (Historical Romance)
Upturned Petticoats and Undone Cravats (Historical Romance with Steam Requirements)
A Love Less Ordinary (Science Fiction, Paranormal, Monster, Fantasy)
Modern Manuscripts (Contemporary Romance)
Words for the Wicked (Contemporary Romance with Steam Requirements)
Vintage Romance (Old School Romance – published 2000 and prior)

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm typically not a lighter romance reader. On the scale from the effervescent Regency romances in the ballroom to the gritty Victorian novels in the street, I lean much more toward the latter. But lately, I have found myself drawn more to the lighter novels, probably due to (waves hands) the world at large. Never Duel a Damsel, a debut Regency romance, walked the line between the two in a way I found very satisfying.

Thank you to Rebekka DeReu for the complimentary ARC.

Scarlett Halloway is out of time and out of options. She has to marry this season. Her parents have spent the last of their money, and there is nothing left to finance her future, so it's marriage or... well, marriage, for Scarlett. She has been out for three years and hasn't found anyone worthy of her time and interest. Most of the men of her acquaintance are only interested in her rumored dowry and pretty face—they have no interest in her thoughts or dreams. But when her father essentially sells her to the worst possible man, Richard Langley, a Marquess who clearly only wants Scarlett as some kind of status symbol, she has to take matters into her own hands and asks a man to dance at a ball.

Tate Langley has never been the more attractive of the Langley brothers. As the second son and an unfashionably large man, he's always been overlooked in favor of his titled brother. He's back from serving his country in the fight against Napoleon and is ready to make his living as an architect when he finds himself stuck between his powerful older brother and the young woman he's coming to care about. Scarlett is everything Tate never knew he could have. She's beautiful, brilliant, and so strong. But he has to go up against his brother and her parents if they're ever going to have a chance together, meaning he needs to establish his career as an architect so that he can support a wife. His brother is trying to force him into another commission, but with Scarlett on his side, Tate allows himself to see a future where they can be together, even if their families are against it.

The author's note to this novel confirms a suspicion I had while reading it. While much of this book has roots in the history of the period—the Napoleonic Wars, the ton, social structures—there are some elements that will require you to suspend disbelief. Scarlett's journey over the course of this book is from discounted debutante to the proprietress of a fencing school for women. There were no actual fencing academies run by women in this period, nor were there any documented female teachers, so you will have to go along with the conceit in order to enjoy the novel.

I think it is more interesting to explore what Rebekka is doing with the concept of a self-defense school for women in the Regency than it is to dig into the historical accuracy. We're living in a society that has seen a backslide into conservatism while simultaneously seeing more women achieve post-graduate degrees and enter skilled professions. That contrast actually lines up well with the situation Scarlett and many of her peers find themselves in. She has status as the daughter of a lord, and she has a perceived value because of her beauty, but she is also completely at the mercy of patriarchal power structures that can take away her agency just as much as they grant her the illusion of it. I really enjoyed that facet of the novel and am interested to see where Rebekka takes the School for Scandalous Women in the rest of the series.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I am trash for a Napoleonic War hero, but in this case, Tate didn't quite do it for me. I think it was because his story was very much in service of Scarlett's journey, and he didn't get enough time to have his own arc. Scarlett is firmly established as a character before the meet-cute, and then that scene is shown through Tate's eyes—and he is fixated on Scarlett. I think there was an opportunity here either to give him a bit more foundation prior to their meeting at the ball or to give him a bit more room as a character before the action proper kicked off.

Never Duel a Damsel was multi-POV, with Richard narrating occasionally. I thought that was a bold choice in today's romance market. It's very common now to see single-POV novels, and dual POV often feels like a luxury. It used to be commonplace to see multi-POV in historical romance, but when I see it today, it reads like a big swing. I did want more from Richard in his POV chapters, specifically around his motivations for his terrible behavior. We finally get them at the end when he and Tate talk it out, but if he is going to be a narrator, we need that context.

Overall, I think this was a strong first outing from a new author. I am interested to see where Rebekka DeReu goes next, especially since she's taking on Richard's story in book two. 3.5 stars.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scarlett Halloway has been out for three seasons, and it isn't strictly opposed to the idea of marriage, but hasn't met anyone she wants to marry, and certainly not her most persistent suitor, Lord Langley. Besides, Scarlett isn't scared of her reputation anymore - she still hasn't lived down the day she was scolded for fencing in the park a decade ago. At a ball she meets Tate, a burly, handsome soldier who she finds easy to talk to and who seems to listen and take notice of her, and she decides she'd rather court him than his brother(!) Lord Langley. Her parents are more interested in a title for Scarlett, and a second son just won't do, and she finds herself with a fiance she hates and a different man she desires.

Never Duel a Damsel is a fun indie debut about following your own passion to the perfect match. Scarlett is feisty and bold, despite her mother's best efforts, and is a character I think many readers will identify with, even if she's atypical from many of our historical romance heroines. Tate is a thoughtful, slightly brooding soldier, who falls head over heels for Scarlett fast. Their relationship feels high stakes for them with some good yearning, but low conflict for the reader who prefers the couple's troubles remain largely external. The thing that's keeping them apart is Tate's brother, Scarlett's most persistent suitor. I struggled to understand why Lord Langley pursued Scarlett with such intent, so unfortunately the conflict didn't work well for me as a reader, but it likely will for many other readers.

Spicy and lighthearted, this fits the historical rom-com vibe for a reader looking to pick up something fun for the beach this summer.

Thank you to Rebekka DeReu for an eARC. Never Duel a Damsel is out 4/28/2026.

[KelseyreadsHR · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 This was a fun and lighthearted romp. Coming off a darker and more serious read, this was a good time with a backbone that kept it from being too fluffy.

Scarlett is a headstrong heroine that knows she’s just as capable as the men. Whether that’s wielding a sword or her wit. With two seasons under her belt, she’s yet to find a gentlemen she could tolerate for marriage. Until she meets Tate.

Tate has recently returned to London after selling his commission. As a second son he’s living off an allowance from his brother but is trying to start a career as an architect. Marrying wasn’t in his immediate plans but soon after meeting Scarlett, the idea of changing the order of his plans is an easy choice.

Scarlett hasn’t ever been understood or listened to before so when Tate does, it opens her heart to a part she’s shut off. Tate has been self conscious about his body size and is initially wary of Scarlett’s attentions. I liked how their vulnerabilities created tension as most of their obstacles were external.

The major storyline was them trying to break Scarlett’s unwanted betrothal to another man. It led to several opportunities of Tate and Scarlett showing up for one another and clandestine meetings.

I found each of their friendship’s to side characters interesting. For the most part, they seem to be a confidant but the friendships aren’t perfect and seemed strained at times. I look forward to how this plays out.

With Tate being an aspiring architect, there were some well placed innuendos that were humorous.

The story had me suspending my beliefs a bit more than normal but it was not enough to ruin my enjoyment.

This is the author’s debut and this was an easy read. I enjoyed her writing - it flowed well, conversations weren’t stilted, and the intimate scenes were steamy and well written.

I’m looking forward to a redemption story and whatever comes next.

Never Duel a Damsel is the debut novel and first in The School for Scandalous Women series.

There are two open door explicit encounters.

I received an advance reader copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored Never Duel a Damsel and I am already wishing I could read it again for the first time. This book was the perfect mix of witty, romantic, and empowering, and it completely swept me away.

Scarlett Halloway is the kind of heroine you cannot help but root for. She is sharp, independent, and unapologetically herself in a world that constantly tries to box her in. I loved how she challenges the expectations placed on her, especially with her love of fencing and her refusal to settle for anything less than what she deserves. She felt so refreshing and strong without losing her vulnerability.

Tate completely stole my heart. He is thoughtful, grounded, and such a perfect balance to Scarlett’s fire. The way he sees her and supports her without trying to change who she is made their connection feel so genuine. Their chemistry builds so naturally, starting with that clever, slightly chaotic first meeting and growing into something deeper that had me smiling the entire time.

The banter between them is top tier. It is playful, smart, and filled with so much tension and longing that I could not get enough. This is one of those romances where you feel every look, every touch, every almost moment. When the feelings finally start to surface, it is so satisfying.

I also loved the blend of humor and higher stakes. The story has this light, charming tone, but there is still real conflict and urgency, especially with the forced marriage plot and the complications surrounding Tate’s brother. It kept me engaged while still giving me all the swoony, romantic moments I wanted.

The Regency setting was beautifully done, but what really stood out was the feminist twist woven throughout the story. Watching Scarlett fight for her autonomy and her future while also navigating her growing feelings made this feel both fun and meaningful.

This book is witty, heartfelt, and full of charm with just the right amount of spice. If you love strong heroines, swoony heroes, and romance filled with banter and tension, you need this on your TBR.

[Laura Black Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A jolly, silly and very charming Regency romp!

The lovely Scarlett Holloway is over twenty and on her third Season so her father is VERY impatient that she has not married yet. Her childhood nemesis Richard is offering for her, and he is the last person she wants. Just as the manoeuvring begins, Scarlett sees Richard's younger brother, Tate, who is just home from the war, and she is smitten. Not in love of course, because she doesn't believe in that, but besotted with his eyes, his size, his manner and the way he pays attention to her. Luckily for her, Tate feels the same. From here on, it's go go go with a (sort of) love triangle, architecture, philosophy and feminism, fencing, and some steamy standing fun inside a carriage, just for starters.

This is not about historical accuracy (at all!) and Rebekka DeReu admits as much in her author's note. No matter because it's well researched, with a touch of 'but what if our FMC knew what she wanted? What if she rejected the strictures of the patriarchy, even as they trap her? What if she could stand up for herself, make friends with similar ideas, fall in love with a bear of a man who adores her? But what if it was funny, and clever and silly and heartfelt at the same time?' So much fun 😍

There's some neat twists as both our hero and heroine have to stand up for themselves, before they can claim each other. The villain has a point of view - so refreshing, and I think he'll have the next book in this series so I'm looking forward to that as well.

This is perfect if you are looking for a quick read in Regency-land with some delightful and feisty characters, comeuppance and a delicious romance!

Rounded up to 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Thank you Rebekka DeReu for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

[Nikki (awallflowerreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tate and Scarlett had such a sweet meet-cute and subsequent connection! Not only are they both wildly attracted to each other, but they feel an instant bond they can’t explain. It helps that Nate’s a certified cinnamon roll and does the thing All Women Want- he listens to her. And Scarlett falls so hard, so quick, before realizing he’s the younger brother of one of her persistent (and prick-ish) suitors. It’s a delicious setup, and Rebekka does a great job introducing the players and setting up their love story. I was seven chapters in before I looked up for a breath! I was hooked on these cuties and couldn’t wait to witness their courtship.

These two suffer from some very real insecurities. Mostly perpetuated by their family members- in Tate’s case, his brother and father, and in Scarlett’s case, her mother and the overall society. So when the two meet and seem to see each other as their closest family members don’t, it’s like a breath of fresh air. And makes their instant attraction and bond believable.

This one is a delightful romp and perfect for when you’re in the mood for a lighthearted read. Both leads are sweetie pies, and it was lovely to see them build their individual confidences. There’s also a fair bit of steam in this one, and I loved how crazy attracted Scarlett and Tate were to each other. It was particularly special for our hero, who’s super insecure about his larger appearance. A lighthearted and fun debut with so many silly characters! I’m excited about the hints at the end and a possible redemption arc in the future (I do love me a bad boy turned maybe slightly less bad).

4/5
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book.

[Alexandra G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for underdog heroes, and this tale gave me everything I could wish for!
Tate. A 2nd son wallflower, former military man, aspiring architect, romantic at heart, insecure, prone to motion sickness, and a giant stocky teddy bear constantly mocked for it by his dandy arse older brother.
The object of his affection: Scarlett. A brazen 3rd season diamond, butterknife fencing master, philosophy student, assertive, pragmatic, patriarchy protestor and a firm believer in self-defence – by any means available!

Charging across a ballroom to get away from a relentless slimy suitor – a.k.a. Tate’s brother, but she’s unaware – her eye falls on Tate, and she boldly asks him to dance. One waltz is all it takes for their souls to connect... and then this wonderfully entertaining ride takes off!

Scandal old & new, parental conspiracy, underhanded tactics and cracked nuts.
Walks in the park, laurel kisses, a picnic debacle and a broken carriage handle.
Old acquaintances, new friends and fairy godmother matrons.

This was fun! A relatable fairytale; the perfect combo of duty, desire and doubt. Captivating, fresh, lighthearted, deliciously steamy, witty and quick. I loved the physical comedy, the writing was rich and the visuals inspiring – I dove in and devoured!
I really enjoyed the role reversal and how easy S&T were around each other from the first moment. She wants him, and he wants her; it’s as simple as that! Plenty of hoops to jump through and evil ploys to dodge, but they’re in it together.
I also liked how grounded they were. Money, work, home; both consider what life together would mean and choose to move forward. A nice bit of realism to balance out the romance.
The toughs on duty were chef’s kiss, especially their leader. Please, let them stick around?
And Tate’s brother was a first-class jerk till the very end, but I’m chomping at the bit to find out how he redeems himself in the next book!

What a marvellous debut! Seriously, pure romcom delight. You should read it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

[readmeregency · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few things that bring me as much joy as reading a debut novel which delivers everything it's promised. I came into this read hoping for a romp featuring a damsel who is most certainly not in distress, some garden antics, and a whole lot of spicy but sweet romance, and I got all of the above.

Scarlett has no interest in marrying. She simply hasn't met a man she can tolerate, including her unwanted betrothed, until Tate comes along. Unfortunately he happens to be brother to her frustratingly persistent betrothed. Tate simply wants to become an architect, and is suffering through a ball when Scarlett sweeps into his life, and takes his heart along with her.

Scarlett and Tate's story has a solid plot, and I really enjoyed the romcom feel of it, but what I liked best was the characters, and how they interacted. After an immediate attraction, they manage to communicate clearly, and fight for each other. It's a case of them vs. their circumstances, and that dynamic is one of my absolute favourites. They're also unashamedly themselves, and feel so very human - flawed, funny, and bananas for each other. So bananas in fact, that he snaps off a carriage handle in the midst of heated carriage activities. I believe that speaks for itself. Let's also take a moment to appreciate that Tate is not built like the Greek god-like Adonis's which populate most of histrom. He's muscular but also built for snuggling, and that's my new favourite MMC vibe.

I sincerely hope that Rebekka Dereu continues to write histroms, because this dadbod-championing romp was such a fun time. It's lighthearted but emotionally heartfelt, just a really great read.

[Lady of Regency · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy / ARC

Don’t let the cover fool you 😉😏
My first thought was, “Oh, how cute and ‘innocent’.” (More like sweet.)
But the scenes were like fire 🔥.

Hot.

Since, as a lady, she isn’t allowed to use a saber, she’s learned to use her words as her blade. Sharp as a saber.

I don’t think I’ve ever sympathized with the protagonists in a book as much as I did in this one.

How he let others convince him that he was worth less just because of his height. It’s terrible how much words can hurt, and what an impact they have. I felt so sorry for Tate in some situations, but this is exactly where I was so proud of Scarlett.
How strongly she stood up for him. How much she showed him what he was worth. To her, he was special.

It was heartbreaking.

Since she only sees the logic in everything, she didn’t want to admit to herself until the very end what feelings she had. Or rather, that those feelings were love. For her, everything had a reason. Rational.

I don’t even need to mention that both families are terrible. That his brother only wanted to marry her because of this situation (I was speechless at the end)... He didn’t deserve anything else. He should grow up and get everything under control.
I think that’s exactly what will happen in the next part. 🤔

I liked the writing style, especially since this is my first time reading this author.
The descriptions were detailed and compelling.
It felt authentic and creative.
Even though I knew it was a happy ending, there were still some twists I didn’t see coming.
I really enjoyed the twist at the end of the story.😍

[Mindy B (reader_of_the_lost_arcs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlett and Tate both have horrible families. Scarlett's parents are determined to marry her off to any nightmare of a man and are willing to be influenced by bribery. Tate's brother forced him to go into the army four years ago. He's finally back and his brother is trying to make him take another commission.

Both mmcs have unusual interests for being apart of the ton. Scarlett is a skilled fencer and Tate is studying to be an architect. As you can imagine, their families are not supportive at all. It's by pure chance that they meet at a ball, and quickly realize that they just might be each other's person.

Both characters are very likeable. They're both cinnamon rolls. Or maybe their both golden retrievers. I'm sure I'm using this slang incorrectly, but no one's a jerk. They're sweethearts. I was rooting for them! And Scarlett didn't even need Tate to save her - she saved herself!!

Very hot, open door scenes. I'll say the couple is creative and he has the stamina of the energizer bunny! (fans self)

I can't wait until the next book. I also love it when the bad guys get reformed!
Thank you to Rebekka DeReu for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

[Kelli Matthews | SighingOurPleasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 (rounded up)

Scarlett Halloway loves philosophy and fencing. Tate Langley is a large man who designs buildings and has never once caught a break from his brother. Together, they are exactly the earnest, charming pair you want to spend a few hours rooting for.

This is a quick, sweet historical romance that doesn’t reinvent the genre and that's ok. The plot leans into some delightfully bonkers territory (a duel at a ball, a carriage, er, encounter, in broad daylight, family members who are genuinely the worst).

Tate's arc means he learns that his brother’s cruelty is not the truth of him, and Scarlett refuses to be ashamed of who she is. Both of these land.

There are a few places where the narrative logic doesn’t quite hold, and some of the twists land with a thud rather than a gasp. But for a debut, the bones are solid and the leads are genuinely fun.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute, lighthearted romp with a firebrand of an FMC and a giant cinnamon roll of an MMC. It was at times a little over the top, but the author's note said how she leaned into the improbably. If you're looking for strict historical accuracy, this might not be for you, but it you want to lean into the ridiculous, you should absolutely pick this up.

Tate, our plus sized MMC, was my favorite. He's just a sweetie, and I hated that he dealt with so many people commenting on his size his whole life. I liked that Scarlett really appreciated him for himself and saw his value, just as he saw hers. It's a bit insta-lust and insta-love (especially for Tate), but it's not like this is a long book!

This was a fun way to spend a few hours!

[Mallory Pryor · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Never Duel a Damsel by Rebekka DeReu is an amazing Regency Romance! It is the first book in “The School for Scsndalous Women” series and is truly original and charming! The main damsel Scarlett has been a handful since a very early age and there are tales to tell about it! Despite her best efforts at finding true love unwanted suitors persist, especially one Lord, who is for some reason determined to make Scarlett his. Then comes along a sweet, thoughtful, handsome and husky guy and sparks fly. Alas he is the pesky Lord’s brother! Chaos ensues! Is the damsel destined for a life of true love or true hate and with which brother? I highly recommend “Never Duel a Damsel” by Rebekka DeReu and I look forward to reading more books in this series!

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a charming regency rom-com! Scarlett wants nothing more than to fence with the boys, but since she isn’t allowed to fight with swords, she decides to sharpen her wits instead. She brazenly asks Tate to dance with her at a ball and it’s love at first sight. There’s various nefarious forces keeping them apart, but everything works out in the end with relatively little struggle (but a whole bunch of laughs.) I also loved Tate’s burly bod, as we don’t have enough chubby, hairy, barrel-chested men in regency romance!

Thanks Rebekka for the ARC!

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun debut from Rebekka DeReu.

A bonkers plot with insta lust, sword fights, a chaotic dog…really, all of the things.

The characters of Tate and Scarlett were well developed and had some interesting quirks.

We have quite the cast of friends and family for DeReu to pick from for future books in the series.

I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.