If historical romance could be rated on a spice meter, A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera would set the entire thing on fire. Forget slow-burn courtships and polite glances across a ballroom—Aurora and Apollo dive headfirst into scandal, passion, and bed-breaking levels of heat.
💡 Warning: This audiobook is not safe for work, public spaces, or anywhere where you might blush uncontrollably. Proceed with caution.
A Duke, A Rebel, and Absolutely Zero Chill 😏
Let’s set the scene:
- Aurora Montalban Wright is an independent, no-nonsense doctor running an underground women’s clinic in 1889 Paris—because someone has to fight for women’s rights. She’s brilliant, fearless, and entirely too busy saving lives to deal with romance nonsense.
- Apollo César Sinclair Robles is new to his role as a duke and struggling to navigate a society that doesn’t fully accept him—but he’s got one goal: protect Aurora at all costs (and maybe ruin her in the best possible way while he’s at it).
Their relationship? Explosive. Their chemistry? Immediate. Their time together? Absolutely filthy.
What starts as an unwilling protection arrangement quickly turns into scorching-hot stolen moments that should not be allowed in polite society. They go from arguing to bed to fighting again to bed again—and let’s just say Apollo is very good at making his case.
The Audiobook: A Full-Body Experience (Literally) 🎧🔥
Frankie Corzo’s narration? PERFECTION.
- Her Aurora? Strong, passionate, and constantly trying to keep Apollo (and her feelings) at arm’s length. Good luck with that.
- Her Apollo? Broody, sexy and way too good at sweet-talking his way into her bed (and heart).
And the spice scenes? She understood the assignment. DO NOT listen to this in public unless you want to turn bright red in the face.
What I Loved (and What Had Me Fanning Myself Like a Victorian Lady in Distress) 💭
✔️ Aurora is the definition of a fierce, independent heroine. She’s strong-willed, passionate, and refuses to let society dictate her choices. Honestly, I lived for her defiance.
✔️ Apollo is completely obsessed with her—and I mean that in the best way. From the moment they meet, he’s all in. The way he admires her strength while still offering support? Swoon.
✔️ The spice levels are off the charts. Some historical romances lean toward the slow burn, but this one? It dives headfirst into the steam and stays there. If you like your romance extra extra spicy, consider yourself warned.
✔️ The French Riviera setting adds a touch of magic. Once they escape the rigid expectations of Parisian society, their relationship truly comes to life. More scenes in this gorgeous location would have been the cherry on top!
✔️ Beyond the romance, the book tackles deep themes. Social class, gender inequality, and racial identity are woven into the story, making it more than just a love story—it’s a statement.
❌ What I Wanted More Of:
- A bit more balance in the pacing. Some scenes stretched on while others wrapped up too quickly. With such a breathtaking setting, lingering in those moments a little longer would have made the romance feel even richer.
- A few extra breathers between the um extracurricular activities. While I’m not complaining (who would?!), slowing things down between the more intense scenes would have given the emotional moments even more weight.
Final Rating: A Sizzling, Swoon-Worthy 4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐🔥
Would I recommend this? YES, but only if you’re ready for the heat. If you love:
✔️ Historical romance with contemporary-level steam
✔️ Fiery heroines who refuse to be tamed
✔️ Dukes who worship the ground their love interest walks on
✔️ Scandal, drama, and a whole lot of bed-breaking tension
… then A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke is exactly what you need, uh, maybe don’t listen with family members around.
📅 Release Date: Feb. 04, 2025
🎧 Audiobook Narrator: Frankie Corzo
📖 Perfect for fans of: Beverly Jenkins, Sarah MacLean, and anyone who thinks historical romance could use a little extra fire.
🔥 Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts, flailing, and excessive fanning are completely my own.
