Book Review: The Duke’s Dream by Giovanna Siniscalchi

 

The Duke's Dream
(The Swans of Paris Book 1)
By Giovanna Siniscalchi

Publication Date: 28th May 2025

Genre: Regency Romance

Helene de Beaumont, a French émigrée in Regency London, is poised to become the star of Sir Walter Scott’s new ballet, La Sylphide. With flawless technique and a self-taught mastery of dancing en pointe, her dreams of ballet glory are finally within reach.

But when she captures the attention of William Harcourt, the powerful and enigmatic Duke of Albemarle—known in political circles as the Silent Sovereign—everything changes.

He’s spent years haunted by the image of a sprite glimpsed only in restless dreams—graceful, untouchable, and maddeningly out of reach. Now she stands before him on stage: Helene. And the moment he sees her, he knows one thing with certainty—he must have her.

As fascination turns to obsession, Helene is swept into a dangerous waltz of power, passion, and surrender. In a season glittering with promise and peril, she must choose between the life she’s fought for… or the man who could unravel it all with a single touch.

A steamy historical romance with high stakes and heart. Perfect for lovers of forbidden romance, brooding dukes, and heroines who rise from the shadows to claim center stage.

“She sought his gaze—and found it ablaze. His hair tousled, his eyes lit from within. The music had set his fire free, and she felt it inside her now, stoking her own. He sped the notes, and she flew. He twirled them, and she pirouetted. He lifted them, and she rose in arabesque. He pulsed, and she trembled. When she drifted, he drew her back. When she faltered, he gave her wings. The duke played—God, how he played—his fingers racing, plunging, deliberate and divine. A virtuoso. How had she not seen it before?”

She was a ballerina. He was the Duke of Albemarle. Under no circumstances were the two of them to fall in love.

With soaring arpeggios that sweep the listener into a realm of dreams, soothing adagios that evoke a sense of tranquillity, and vibrant, fast-paced allegros that quicken the heart, “The Duke’s Dream” by Giovanna Siniscalchi weaves a captivating tale. This passionate and romantic novel tells the enchanting story of a prima ballerina, whose grace and artistry captivate all, and a broodingly handsome duke whose mysterious allure draws her in. Their story is one of longing and desire, enveloped in the ethereal beauty of music and dance.

 

William, the Duke of Albemarle, has been plagued by dreams of a beautiful, bewitching sylph. These dreams are so intense that he cannot sleep, and even the medicine prescribed by his doctor seems to have no effect. During the waking hours, he leads the Public Safety Committee, wielding more power than the Prince Regent. He is committed to ensuring that England wins the war with France. As a patron of the arts, he is often referred to as the Silent Sovereign. William embodies the archetype of a Regency romance hero—a man who appears to be in control of both his actions and his thoughts. Yet, beneath this facade lies a man of intense passion. When he meets Miss Helene de Beaumont, an overwhelming sense of familiarity washes over him. Is Helene the sylph of his dreams? William’s portrayal is captivating, and his internal conflict feels very real throughout the narrative. He is meticulous in presenting his image, but once Helene enters his life, the pressing matters of war, politics, and respectability are cast aside. For a moment, he permits what he calls the “beast”—though the reader understands it to be his true passion—to take control, as he seeks to claim Helene as his own. William’s character enchants the reader as effortlessly as he mesmerises Helene. Yet, just as Helene refuses to be merely his mistress, the reader is equally unwilling to accept such a fate for her. This tension reveals a profound conflict between his social obligations and his overwhelming desire, prompting William to confront a troubling dilemma: must he relinquish one for the sake of the other? The reader can only hope that the delicate bond between William and Helene does not come to a sorrowful conclusion, reminiscent of the tragic endings found in La Sylphide or the heart-wrenching tales woven by Shakespeare.

 

Helene is initially depicted as a disciplined and ambitious young woman, with an air of emotional reserve that sets her apart from her friends. While they chatter about social outings and carefree escapades, Helene immerses herself in the intricate world of ballet, honing her positions with relentless dedication. She yearns to be recognised for her talent, aspiring to achieve the coveted role of prima ballerina in the company. Yet, this initial demeanour of restraint dissolves the moment she steps onto the dance floor. In those magical moments, the music seems to envelop her, guiding her movements as if she were a marionette under the sway of a skilled puppeteer, allowing her true self to emerge. When she encounters William, an undeniable spark ignites between them, igniting a tension she struggles to ignore. However, Helene is resolute in her decision not to fall in love with someone whose social status does not align with hers. Despite her determination, this conviction is ultimately challenged as the story unfolds, leaving her to grapple with the complexities of love and ambition.

 

The parallels between La Sylphide and the poignant romance between William and Helene are vividly explored throughout this novel. Readers who have seen La Sylphide, will be familiar with the tragic moment when James' gift shatters his sylph’s delicate wings, leading to her heart-wrenching demise, and all James can do is watch as she is carried away by her sister sylphs beyond the treetops and forever out of reach. This haunting imagery leaves the reader with a sense of fear that William, in his ignorance, will bring about a similar fate for Helene, whose spirit is as fragile and ethereal as that of the sylph. At the beginning, readers may feel concerned that, for William, Helene is merely a fantasy come to life. He never considers the consequences of his attention to her, which makes him seem selfish. He desires to cage her, like a bird that will dance only for him, but as the story progresses, he realises that she would never thrive in a cage, even if it were a golden one. Meanwhile, Helene is not under any illusion that William can provide her with a happy-ever-after ending. Instead, she chooses to live in the moment, fully aware that each moment with him may be her last, leading to a sense of desperation in her actions toward William. As their passion deepens, the reader hopes they won’t fly too close to the sun, like Icarus, but alas, as in all great romances, they do. This is a deeply passionate story that depicts intimate sexual relations between the protagonists. However, it is more than just a meeting of bodies; it is a meeting of minds and souls and music.

 

The setting of a garret in Covent Garden is artfully established, enhancing the mood and atmosphere of the scenes. This confined space vividly captures the struggles of its inhabitants—artists and émigrés seeking their way in the world. The detailed descriptions of the garret, juxtaposed with the vibrant allure of Vauxhall Gardens, highlight the stark contrast between the dancers’ restricted lives and the tantalising allure of a different existence. The backstage area of the theatre, with its shadows and whispered secrets, evokes comparisons to a brothel, drawing the reader into a world that is both alluring and fraught with tension. The foyer de la danse, or “the warming room,” where affluent patrons mingle and gaze at the ballerinas, is described so vividly that it feels almost like a Degas painting come to life. Meanwhile, the opulence of St. James’s Palace stands in sharp relief against the modesty of Helene’s garret, underscoring the divide between aspiration and reality.

 

In the background of the story, the war on the peninsula rumbles on. William receives news of the hard-won victory at Badajoz, yet he finds no joy in it. Instead, he is haunted by the troubling aftermath, where the once-disciplined soldiers descended into disorderly thugs, ravaging the land they fought to liberate.

 

The author also delves into the topic of homosexuality during a time when such relationships were not only considered morally and religiously abhorrent, but were also criminalised. Individuals who engaged in sodomy faced the relentless grip of the law, and met with severe consequences for their love, which society deemed taboo. William fights his conscious several times over this issue, and it is an issue that is incredibly close to home for him, which makes his perspective unusual for the time this novel is set in.

 

The author has exercised creative license concerning the historical details of the romantic ballet, La Sylphide. This cherished work first graced the stage in 1832, rather than the erroneously stated 1812. Moreover, La Sylphide draws its inspiration from Charles Nodier’s enchanting tale, “Trilby, ou le lutin d’Argail,” who in turn was inspired by visits to Scotland and the works by Sir Walter Scott. Furthermore, this captivating ballet did not make its debut in London. While these alterations may diverge from historical accuracy, the author’s creative vision can surely be appreciated for enhancing the storytelling experience.

 

“The Duke’s Dream” by Giovanna Siniscalchi is a mesmerising and deeply passionate love story that captivates readers and fills them with a lasting sense of hope. It inspires the belief that someday they too might discover a love as powerful and transformative as that of William and Helene. And if not, one can always turn to the ballet for solace!

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club

Amazon

Pre-order your copy today! This novel is released on May 28th.

Giovanna Siniscalchi

Stories are the very fabric of life. I want to transport readers to exotic settings, where they can find romance and happy endings and hopefully bring some back to their daily lives. Portugal brims with beauty and passion, and I research every tiny detail of my novels, hoping to make the reader treasure my grandparents’ country as I do. I have a loving husband who still is my hero and two amazing kids. When it’s cold and rainy, I run inside to read and watch movies under blankets, sipping wine. You can find me on the beach during summer, surfing with my family.

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