The Duke (publication day April 28, 2026) by Anna Cowan is a sapphic political romance set in a Regency era where women can inherit title! Kate, the Duke of Howard, inherited when she was a young teenager after her own treachery, born of her youth, inexperience, and ambition. Now much-feared, she cultivates her icy reputation.
While in Paris, attempting to claw back a letter detailing such treachery that she had sent to a school friend years ago, she meets Celine, a courtesan and her friend’s mistress, who has just been told her lover is not long for this world. He is to be jailed and taken to the guillotine within weeks, as it’s the Revolution. The Duke and Celine have one torrid night together, and Celine asks the Duke to take her back to England, but Kate does not, leaving her only with her ring.
A couple of years later, Celine shows up at Kate’s London manor house with blackmail on her mind, insisting that she will publish the letter, which she had found, unless Kate helps launch Celine into society and ensures she makes a good marriage. Kate does not take kindly to blackmail, but cannot allow the letter to get out, so she agrees and the very next day makes inquiries as to eligible men who might make a suitable marriage for Celine, who she introduces as her ward.
And so Celine makes a splash into society, while Kate is dealing with her political enemy, who introduces a bill that would prevent women from inheriting title. Celine is whip-smart, and sees moves several steps ahead, becoming a major asset to Kate, despite Kate’s wish to be rid of her and the letter. As the date of announcing Celine’s engagement gets closer, Kate struggles more and more with having to let her go.
Celine’s backstory and what she had to deal with during the Revolution is truly horrid, and Kate made mistakes while she was young that have had long-lasting consequences. But I loved them together! I loved the political maneuvering, and the allies in unexpected places. I loved the idea of women able to inherit title, not just able to marry the title.
I also consider it weight-neutral. There are a couple of characters described as fat in a neutral way, including a much-respected valet–a woman who wears men’s clothes– but there were no negative connotations associated with fatness. Though weight-neutral, there was much made of the way Celine’s prospective husband looked–he was acknowledged by both Kate and Celine as ugly–but that fact did not matter to Celine.
All in all, a satisfying, spicy historical Regency sapphic romance with a great twist–a woman Duke!
Reading While Fat 