I’ve always enjoyed this author, and this is a sweet Christmas story, but the couple didn’t really click for me until just at the end of the story. Neither is really willing to make any strides toward compromise, but neither was there really a relationship that seemed fully worth compromising for, until the near end of the story. There was a bit of yearning, but no real feelings expressed, and not great chemistry between the couple. Other of the authors stories have been far more romantic and passionate. The story was actually a little depressing until the HEA.

Just in time for Christmas! The start of a new series, set in a snow filled village (cressmouth) described as so far north “the next town is in Scotland”. It’s January, when the Duke of Silkridge is visiting his maternal family’s house to hear the will of his recently deceased maternal grandfather.
Silkridge dislikes Christmas, the town and his grandfather for various reasons, including being born at Christmas, his mother dying not long after, his father also dying several years later (also at Christmas), and his grandfather blaming him for his part in his mother’s death….giving him reason to deny Silkridge the pendant with the only known picture of Silkridge’s mother..

He is annoyed to hear that the town has unofficially been renamed as “Christmas”, and the house he thought would be in a deep state of disrepair was actually warm and homely. It turns out that his grandfather had given the town a reason to exist (not fade away) and that everyone in the village seems to have a reason to love Mr Marlowe.

He sees Noelle on the first night, and both remember the attraction between them previously. Noelle, not understanding his history with his grandfather cannot understand his animosity, which seems to be made worse when Marlowe’s will only gives him the locket if he finishes the aviary by the end of the month. Things are made worse when he finds out that Noelle has been asked to be his assistant, since she has reinvigorated the counting house over the previous 4 years.

Whilst not a rip roaring laugh, this book certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously – e.g. Silkridge reacts to everything as “humbug!”, the aviary contains a sick pygmy goat nicknamed “Tiny Tim”, and there’s a general cheeriness around the place that puts paid to Silkridge’s Scrooge-like mood. As per all good romances, things work out in the end with both characters having learnt that they both have value, not only because of what they do but of who they actually are.

Having read several books by this author before, I can see there are plenty of unique characters in the wings just waiting for their own books to be written.

I liked reading Once Upon a Duke. This one told the story of Noelle and Benjamin, Duke of Silkridge. This is a sweet story about second chance at love. Five years prior Benjamin decides not to pursue his relationship with Noelle due to his grandfather's behavior. It was heartbreaking to see the reason of why he left Noelle without saying goodbye the first time and how it almost happened again. Noelle was a very strong character who because of her past decided to become an important member of the village and therefore become Benjamin's grandfather close adviser. Because of this Benjamin really admired her for who she became.
It is this village that adds a whimsical element to the story. The village is called "Christmas". The author incorporated Christmas tales, characters and songs throughout the story. Very cute!

A delightful, quick read, full of holiday references and several running puns. Although the hero has been forced to return to the town he gladly left and to the girl he reluctantly left behind, he resists the draw and appeal of the place until it and she whittle his resistance down. Both characters have grown up and apart, each with valid reasons to shield their hearts. The town is as much a character as its occupants, nicely developed without any heavy handedness which could have weighed the plot down. No real villains to overcome, except for the damage caused by the past. A fun read.

I received a copy from NetGalley via the author, and then I bought it; this is my honest review. #12dukes #NetGalley
-Fun, quick read. No drama, just a bit of looking back at past mistakes on both sides. Love the people in the village.
-I loved the end where Benjamin and Noelle come to the same conclusion in totally different ways.
-I thought the idea of the 12 dukes of Christmas hilarious. The now-deaf man (forgot his name) was an even more rib-tickling idea.

I had so much trouble getting into this book. It had a slow beginning with so many people being introduced. I almost gave up on it, but I'm glad I didn't, I didn't want it to end.
It's a second chance love story. Benjamin and Noelle are two very likable main characters. They have each been very effected emotionally by their childhood.
This is a story of how they have to overcome these issues in order to love each other freely.
It was as always a happy ending.

Far too much of this Christmas story was taken up with a hero and heroine who were more interested in their careers than in their love life. OK, that would be fine, but they both seemed unhappy with their careers if that meant they had to sacrifice their love lives. Their inner conflicts made it impossible for them to compromise, until (yes, you guessed it) they decided they were in love, and voila, a path to true love is discovered.

The setting was lovely, the characters were likable, but the plot was too bogged down for me in what was really a fairly resolvable problem.

Once Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley was an odd compilation of a fun Christmas story, love story and a mashup of a bunch of old Christmas stories. I think the way Erica had twisted all of the parts together to make a complete story made the book more fun. It all starts when the Duke of Silkridge has to travel to his ancestral home for the reading of his grandfather’s will. Benjamin knew his grandfather hated him. He was blamed for his mother’s death and his grandfather took the only picture he had of his parents. Benjamin is determined to get it back. Only his grandfather has stated in his will that Benjamin must build an aviary and populate it with a partridge.

Noelle was raised in Christmas (as the town calls itself). As an orphan she was raised by the town and has earned a place as the head bookkeeper. She and the town exhibit Christmas love and spirit to all her come to the town. Not that Benjamin is a willing participant or even someone who finds this amusing. Benjamin and Noelle have a history from Benjamin’s last visit to his grandfather.

While I did not find the book laugh out loud funny, I was quite amused with the various Christmas motifs (stories) that wound their way into the story. I love how the characters within the story, each with some really interesting skills. I found myself really cheering for Noelle and Benjamin. I enjoyed reading Once Upon a Duke by Erica Ridley.

Benjamin and Noelle's relationship was one forge in hurt and betrayal, but one that withstood the test of time. Keeping out of each other's way was easier said than done. There were pockets of frozen ice like icebergs in their pathway hindering any progress towards renewing their never dying love. In the village of Cressmouth where he was brought up, Benjamin had no Christmas memories that were good but together he hoped they can form new and memorable ones. Getting rid of the icebergs was the first task to such. A mild and engaging read that warms the heart with it tender romantic moments.

A sweet Christmas story about Benjamin, the Duke of Silkridge, who despises Christmas. He is forced, through the specifics of his Grandfather’s will, to return a town that celebrates that very holiday every day of the year. While there he sees Noelle, a young woman he left behind years before, and she has grown into an even more attractive adult. The two people are faced with their past, the present, and an uncertain future as their need for each other grows.
The story is quaint, short, and humorous. It’s filled with quirky references to Dickens’ Christmas Carol, and has characters that are definitely entertaining. It’s a town well worth visiting.

Benjamin Ward, the Duke of Silkridge, was on his way to the small town of Cressmouth, England, utterly grumpy. He had not been there for years, but with the death of his grandfather, he had to go to the reading of the will.
As he approached, the town, very cold at this time of year (January) had a strange feature: it seemed to have been frozen in the middle of Christmas.
The inhabitants - everyone knew each other - lived on this day, and even renamed the city of Christmas.
Ben had strong reasons to avoid going there. Beginning with his own grandfather who, in a stern attitude a few years ago, took from Ben the only memory he had of his mother, who died shortly after giving birth to him.
There, too, was the only other person Ben had a feeling for, Noelle Pratchett.
After reading the document, Ben should stay for at least the next 30 days, since there was a clause in the will that compelled him to do so as a special mission.
Ben did not know why his grandfather had given him such a strange order, but he would do it the best he could, if only to prove to the people of Cressmouth/Christmas that he was capable. He just did not count that the same will stipulated that Ben would have Noelle as his helper.
The city, always festive, enervated the duke, but as the days pass, the spirit of Christmas begins to do its magic. Even if Ben felt more comfortable in the midst of so much snow and such a party, how could he convince Noelle that he would never run away from his feelings and, consequently, from her?

For those who know Lewis Carroll's Christmas Tales, will identify some similarities.
The funniest thing is trying to figure out who (or what) are the other 11 dukes in town.
The book has 17 chapters and epilogue and brings magic and love to make the reader's heart lighter.
3,5 stars

My favorite Erica Ridley yet! This was a Christmas book that combines a lesson of Christmas spirit to be learned with a second chance romance - two of my favorite things!

In a world where nothing lasted, it was better not to try, not to be disappointed, not the get hurt.

Benjamin Ward, Duke of Silkridge, has every reason to hate Christmas. The season is associated with tragedy and the worst of memories, and now he is forced to return to his grandfather's Christmas village (no kidding, the man invested his fortune in a village where it could be Christmas all year around…) to reclaim a piece of family history his grandfather had stolen and kept from him while he was alive. He is not prepared for his feelings for his childhood friend, Noelle, to not only rekindle, but discover that they had never gone away. He is not amused when he discovers that his grandfather's will comes with even more manipulation and forces him to stay away from his duties and responsibilities to fulfil a ludicrous scheme.

Noelle has most definitely not been pining all those years after her first crush. She has learned to make herself useful, carved out a space for herself in a world dominated by men where her talent for organization comes in handy, even if it goes completely unnoticed. When Ben comes back and not only sees what she has accomplished, but her, too. she is not willing to open herself up again to the hurt of being left behind. And she knows he has to go back to London, where he is needed. But that doesn't stop her from wanting…

I really enjoyed this story! Both leads where just the nicest people, and it was rewarding to see them get reacquainted, to discover their feelings had only been pushed aside, but never forgotten. I also really really loved that this Scrooge didn't do a full one-eighty and was miraculously cured. His hurt runs too deep for that, but by the end, he realizes that some things need to be let go and it's time to make new memories, and for me, that makes the story incredibly moving.

If you're looking for a good, satisfying Christmas story complete with a grumpy Duke and a sweet, lovely heroine to remind him of what home and Christmas are all about, give this one a try!

The 12 Dukes of Christmas #1, A brand new series by Erica Ridley this first story is a fun Regency era retelling of The Christmas Carol. It was a quick and fun read I enjoyed all the little similarities to Christmas Carol, stuff like a pygmy goat named Tiny Tim.

Benjamin Ward the Duke of Silkridge returns to the place he never wanted to come back to his grandfather's home, a small village up in the mountains called Cressmouth or as the local affectionately call it Christmas. His grandfather, Marlowe, was eccentric and much loved by everyone in town but to Benjamin he was cruel and hateful. Five years ago Benjamin's grandfather took something of his and than kicked him out of the town. It no longer mattered that Benjamin fell in love there he only cared about when he could get his family heirloom back.

Noelle Pratchett was abandoned as a baby left on a doorstep. Noelle thankful for the care she received from Mr. Marlowe and the entire town she makes herself indispensable by being at their service making sure the town runs smoothly. She took over for the clerk and now practically runs the town. Now that Mr. Marlowe is dead she was bequeathed enough money that she could do whatever she wanted but she loves her little town and wouldn't dream of leaving Christmas. Noelle never planned to fall in love with Benjamin but then he left without saying goodbye and suddenly every other man paled in comparison to him. Now he's back, an older colder version of himself but hour by hour she sees the man he once was but try as she may not to fall back in love because he still plans on leaving Christmas again never to return she still does. Noelle can only hope his love her her is greater than his hatred for his grandfather.

Overall, this was a great read. It's a fun historical romantic Christmas comedy. The characters were all delightful and quirky. Erica Ridley's writing is as always fantastic. I can't wait to met the other dukes.

The Duke of Silkridge has returned to the reading of his grandfather's will in the mountains where his grandfather lived. The Duke was not there for any reason except to get the necklace with the family image inside. His grandfather blamed him for the death of his daughter as she died soon after Benjamin's birth. Noelle was deeply involved in the town that celebrated Christmas all of the time. Can these two who have an attraction for each other from the last time he was there? This story teaches them about there is more in life than they think to have a future.

Once Upon a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #1)
by Erica Ridley

Funny, witty, entertaining, and CHRISTMAS.... all my favorites !

It is definitely a buy buy buy buy buy book. I love Christmas... so reading a historical romance with so much of my favorite was wonderful! This book was witty at times, snarky at times, funny with comebacks. Then it turns and becomes heart touching and romantic and passionate. Each element made this one a great read for me. It is light but deep, funny but serious.... All in all I absolutely adored it! The writer has such a special way of expressing her stories that create pictures in my own mind as I read. I so enjoy that part! I refuse to write more as I do not write spoilers.... so I will say this buy buy buy buy buy! Sit when you can be alone, relax and let it take you on an enjoyable journey of another time and place. I was given this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own. Regards, Anna

Once Upon A Duke ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Erica Ridley

A Christmas tale of a Scrooge like Duke and his hate for Christmas and all its trappings.

It was an amusing book with the thought of a town celebrating Christmas every day year round but a bit lacking of any general substance to the story.

My four stars are for this fabulous author only.

I enjoyed reading the majority of this book. There were a few chapters that would not be appropriate for a church library so that is the reason we will not purchase it. I will tell my friends about it. Many enjoy reading period pieces and this one is good. The characters were well developed too.

A lovely Christmas story about second chances, learning to compromise without giving up your self, Christmas spirit and so much more. Really enjoyable story. Thank you #NetGalley and publisher for a chance to read an advance copy.

Beautiful story. Erica weaves such a world you feel you are apart of it. Lovely. Such great funny characters.

This is a nice holiday read with a nod towards the classics. It was quirky and cute. Not totally my type of read but I did enjoy it.