A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke
by Adriana Herrera
Las Leonas - Book 3
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Reviewed by PJ





He's not like other dukes…
Paris, 1889
Physician Aurora Montalban Wright takes risks in her career, but never with her heart. Running an underground women’s clinic exposes her to certain dangers, but help arrives in the unexpected form of the infuriating Duke of Annan. Begrudgingly, Aurora accepts his protection, then promptly finds herself in his bed.
New to his role as a duke, Apollo César Sinclair Robles struggles to embrace his position. With half of society waiting for him to misstep and the other half looking to discredit him, Apollo never imagined that his enthralling bedmate would become his most trusted adviser. Soon, he realizes the rebellious doctor could be the perfect duchess for him. But Aurora won’t give up her independence, and her secrets make her unsuitable for the aristocracy.
When dangerous figures from their pasts return to threaten them, Apollo whisks Aurora away to the French Riviera. Far from the reproachful eye of Parisian society, can Apollo convince Aurora that their bond is stronger than the forces keeping them apart?
Paris, 1889
Physician Aurora Montalban Wright takes risks in her career, but never with her heart. Running an underground women’s clinic exposes her to certain dangers, but help arrives in the unexpected form of the infuriating Duke of Annan. Begrudgingly, Aurora accepts his protection, then promptly finds herself in his bed.
New to his role as a duke, Apollo César Sinclair Robles struggles to embrace his position. With half of society waiting for him to misstep and the other half looking to discredit him, Apollo never imagined that his enthralling bedmate would become his most trusted adviser. Soon, he realizes the rebellious doctor could be the perfect duchess for him. But Aurora won’t give up her independence, and her secrets make her unsuitable for the aristocracy.
When dangerous figures from their pasts return to threaten them, Apollo whisks Aurora away to the French Riviera. Far from the reproachful eye of Parisian society, can Apollo convince Aurora that their bond is stronger than the forces keeping them apart?
PJ's Thoughts:
Adriana Herrera saved the best for last. A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, book three in Herrera's Las Leonas trilogy, is a steamy, compelling, endearing, action-packed story I could not put down.
I adored Aurora. As an heiress, she could have led a life of leisure in the Caribbean. Instead, this physician escaped the gilded cage of her privilege, using her medical skills to care for the oppressed, underserved women of 1880's Paris. She's a rebel, a scandal, a feminist, a woman more concerned with the care of others than of herself. She's also stubborn, self-contained, and keeping devastating secrets. She won't relinquish her heart easily and when she does you can be certain it will only be to a man who earns it.
Enter Apollo César Sinclair Robles, Duke of Annan. The Black Duke of Annan. I suggest keeping a fan handy because this man is smokin' and when he and Aurora get together? Whoee! But first, they clash. Two strong personalities determined to change the world in which they live, their priorities don't always align. At least, it seems that way to Aurora but, just maybe, they can do more good together than apart? And, just maybe, the fiery chemistry between them is a pre-cursor to deep, lasting, once in a lifetime love. Apollo snagged my heart as surely as he did Aurora's. He's a complex man with a fair amount of emotional baggage to sort through who does a good job of keeping his true self hidden. Herrera does an excellent job of slowly unveiling his layers to the reader, as well as to Aurora.
Found family is a strong element in this book, in all three books. I loved the relationships that formed and continued to evolve throughout the trilogy, among the women but with the men as well. If you're a stickler for reading a series in order, begin with book one, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris. If you prefer starting with A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke, I think it stands well on its own and can be thoroughly enjoyed without having read the other books first. I do, however, enthusiastically recommend all three.
Have you read any of the Las Leonas books?
Do you enjoy books that include geographical transitions, as is the case of Herrera's Caribbean heroines in Paris?
Historical romances are struggling a bit within traditional publishing these days so, tell me, what historical romances have you recently read and enjoyed. What titles are you looking forward to reading? Let's give our HR authors some love.
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 8 will receive a print copy of A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
This is a new to me author and it sounds as though I would enjoy the story. I have been in such a slump recently, it has been a long time since I read any book - I reread an S E Phillips book for the laughs but no other books. I have started a couple and am unable to get to page 100. But, I am optimistic. I know there are books in my future and this new author sounds like she may be in my future. I can hope.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret Daughter by Anne Gracie is one novel that I am looking forward to enjoying. Remember When by Mary Balogh also.
ReplyDeleteBooks which include geographical transitions and locales are fascinating.
I haven't read Las Leonas books but look forward enjoying them now.
I haven't read this series - yet, but I want to! I do love geographical transitions in books, when they make sense in the story of course. I've read quite a few historical romances this year including ones by: Grace Burrowes, Caroline Lee, Shana Galen, Meara Platt, Janna MacGregor, and Julia Quinn.
ReplyDeleteA new to me author. I don’t read much historical but this sounds like a very good story!!
ReplyDeleteI had not heard that historical romances were struggling. Traditional publishers can do a lot to swing reading tastes just by not offering much in a certain genre. What a shame. There are such good authors writing historical romance. They were the first romances I read and are still a favorite. Many authors write in several sub-genre and are good in all of them. I truly hope historicals aren't "forced out." Righjt now I am working on my TBR pile. The next will be The Women by Kristin Hannah. It goes back to the Vietnam War which is now historical but something many of us experienced.
ReplyDeleteRead them and am really excited to read this one. I love historicals and I'm so mad that trad publishers are moving away from them. Loved the new Loretta Chase and Lorraine Heath. Can't wait to read The Gilded Heiress by Joanna Shupe!
ReplyDelete