This Christmas village installment deftly handles two lead characters with disabilities--a heroine who seems to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, and a wounded hero with a permanent mobility issue. That their courtship and happy ending don't involve magical transformations, but accommodation and acceptance makes this a real winner.

A quote [from ARC]:
“Scars aren’t evidence of failure,” she said softly. “They are proof of survival.”
4.5 stars
This was such a fun, enjoyable read, yet tackling serious issues and featuring a wounded hero.
The main characters are captivating and complicated, full of layers and nuances, their romance sweet and sexy.
Theo and Virginia are great characters, both wounded in ways that might never be healed. Their relationship has some obstacles, of course, but they are so good together, and they really talk and communicate. The intimacy, the sexual tension and the special moments they share are very well written.
I loved Erica Ridley’s writing style, the humor, the witty dialogue and banter, the story’s flow. And the cat is delightful, (I found myself often laughing with the feline peculiarities).
There’s a world of resonances and analogies in this story featuring a wounded hero, with real issues which aren’t underestimated, gruff yet sweet, caring and charming, a wounded heroine – with hidden scars –, whose sense of inadequacy is slowly revealed, and wounded strays in need of rescue.

I received a free ARC from netgalley.

This is my favorite so far in this series!

A heroine with a sensory disorder, an injured titled war hero, and a cat named Duke. I was entertained from first meeting to the perfect epilogue. The cover is the most scandalous part about this book--frank dialogue and some kisses make this a clean romance.

Never Say Duke is the fourth book in Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas. I have read one other book in this series and while part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Theodore wants to be left alone. Severely wounded on the battlefield he has journeyed to his friend, the Duke of Azureford's cottage in Christmas, a town that celebrates Christmas year round.  He wants to hide away while he heals before he must journey to London and marry the woman his father selected for him. His plans are ruined when a cat finds its way into his bedroom.

Virginia is a long term resident at the castle in Christmas. While out on her daily constitutional with her beloved companion, Duke, she is annoyed when he once again escapes through a convenient window. Following him, she meets Christmas’s newest resident and can’t help involving herself in his care.

I loved this book. While it’s light-hearted and funny it doesn’t shy away from the harshest realities of Regency England. Virginia was sent to an Asylum by her family just because she is a little different. In today’s world I have no doubt that Virginia would be diagnosed with autism, but in those days she would have been locked away just because she sees the world in a different light. I loved the dynamic between the two main characters and I loved how Theodore never once thought any less of Virginia, in fact, he appreciates, even loves the traits that make her special.

Virginia has been shown little love from her family during her lifetime. After a disastrous first season, her father sent her away so her younger sisters might have a chance at good matches. Through perseverance and a determined spirit, she made her way to the town of Christmas and has made a life for herself at the Castle. She cares for every living thing and is content to do so until she realizes she wants more.

Theodore O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton, has come to his friend’s estate in Christmas to recuperate after severe injuries occurred while fighting in the war. He wants no soul in Christmas to know who he is, including the woman who has taken it upon herself to become his personal nurse. Virginia takes to the mysterious Mr T like she does all her wounded animals and begins to make progress despite the stubbornness she’s met with.

Ridley takes a fresh turn on the nurse/patient love story. She gives us a young woman terrified of the ton and large gatherings, yet is completely selfless when it comes to helping others. She doesn’t know the Viscount and doesn’t care who he is. He needs help and she desires to give it. I absolutely adored Virginia! She’s sweet, a little sassy, and doesn’t give in to her patient’s grumpiness. I completely understood why Ormondton chose to hide away once his family history and experiences in the war were explained. I love how Ridley brought him to life slowly as he interacted with Virginia.

Never Say Duke is a slow burn with a well earned happily ever after. I’m excited to see what Ridley has in store for the rest of the dukes!

I received Never Say Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Another great book in this series. I always finish one looking forward to the next one. Loved the story of Theo and Virginia! Two people who have been hurt by family and want to avoid people as much as possible. But they find each other and overcome all of those feelings. And I love Duke!! Great book!

I thoroughly loved reading the awesome fourth book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. When Theo, Major Viscount Ormondton, comes to his friend's cottage to rest and recover from the war, his peace and quiet ends with the appearance of Virginia Underwood. Even though Theo is promised to another woman, he finds himself looking forward to Virginia's visits and not wanting them to end. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written romance, riveting and engaging story line, and a must read love story.
I reviewed a copy of the book from NetGalley.

I was so excited for this title and, for the most part, it lived up to my expectations!

I loved Virginia and thought she was a lot of fun in the previous two books, and this title made me love her even more. She’s just such a unique and fun character. I felt it was refreshing to have a heroine that wasn’t perfect but was socially awkward.

I thought Theo was great, too, even if he stopped being beastly relatively early on. I’m a sucker for injured heroes that have bad attitudes in the beginning but are secretly sweeties.

The story itself moved along nicely and I never felt bored. In fact, I found myself wanting to pick the book up at times I wasn’t able just to see what would happen next. I will definitely be eagerly awaiting the next title in this series!!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Never Say Duke is another short heart-warming read from Erica Ridley. Viscount Theodore Ormondton went off to war because he believed it was a cause worth fighting for and also to prove himself to his father. Major Theodore O’Hanlon came home from the battlefields of France a broken man with no thoughts other than to recover his strength and mobility enough to dance with his young cousin at her coming out and to fulfil his father’s wishes by marrying the bride who was chosen for him when he was eight because of the advantages such a match would bring. Virginia Underwood who has a history of collecting waifs and strays, albeit usually the feathered or four-legged variety, immediately sets out to help Theo, along with the assistance of her erstwhile cat ‘Duke’ whether he wants it or not.

While I didn’t take to the character of Virginia in the previous books I found myself warming to her here after learning more about her past. I would have loved a bit more of her history to have been shown maybe in a flashback type of scenario to certain events just to give a bit more depth to her. I loved the character of Theo but for me the star of the show though has to be the infamous ‘Duke’. All in all this is a good book to while away the hours of a wintry afternoon.

I have grown to love the town of Christmas and all its characters. I loved Virginia and Theo's story. They are both beautifully broken in their own ways. Love brings them together and heals the hurt in both of them. This is a book you will enjoy from start to finish.

4.5 stars - I enjoyed Never Say Duke. It’s a clean romance with three main characters. The heroine is beautiful, but socially awkward. It actually seems like she has Asperger’s or something similar. The hero is a handsome and well-respected war hero, who also happens to be heir to a Marquessate. While still a young boy, his father arranged a marriage from him to a family friend’s daughter. Now a grown man, he doesn’t love his intended, but is resigned to uphold the arrangement and do his duty for the betterment of the Marquessate. These’s also a clever cat, the duke of the story. He thinks he’s a dog and maybe a real duke as well. The funny thing is that he has all the training and hauteur to carry it off.

This is the story of how these three characters enter each other’s lives, shake them out of their contort zones and open them up to the power of love of friendship.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Cute

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Duke
Part of a series: 12 Dukes of Christmas
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This is a sweet story and I found Virginia and Theodore to be an adorable couple. I loved how they met and how the romantic relationship was developed between the two. The interactions between Theodore and the secondary characters was entertaining. Even while the hero and heroine were dealing with their issues, the story maintained a lighthearted feeling throughout.

I can’t wait to read the next story in this series.

This is such a great series and “Never say Duke” is a great edition. Theodore O'Hanlon’s (Major Viscount Ormondton) life is irrevocably changed when he attempts to recover from his war injuries, at the cottage of the Duke of Azureford, in the town of Christmas. Upon meeting Virginia Underwood, he discovers a woman who heals his injuries but also the mental injuries he suffers, having been in battle. Virginia soon realises that Theo is accepting of her differences – an inability to cope with crowds and loud noises. Together, they find that passion and the strength to face the ton and family, despite their own personal injuries.
This story deals with many issues and does so with detail; however, in no way does the pace ever let up. I particularly loved Duke, the cat, who manages to make the two main characters, all the more interesting. I so look forward to reading the next in this delightful series.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Virginia Underwood is known in Christmas for her love of animals, especially taking care of strays. She rescues the wounded ones and brings them back to health. One such rescue is her cat, Duke. He plays a big role in the story.
But as comfortable she is with animals, she is uncomfortable with people, suffering from a social anxiety disorder.
She has her few close friends but cannot be in crowds.
Theodore, Viscount Major Ormondton, has gone to Christmas to heal from his war wounds, anonymously. He is in pain, suffering and wants nothing to do with anyone.
Virginia sees his pain and suffering and decides she needs to help him get thru this and get better.
The development of their relationship begins here and grows so sweetly. Each helping the other to heal. As with all recoveries there are challenges and setbacks but that helps make the healing all the stronger.
This book was such a feel good story. I just loved it. Enjoy!!!

Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series is delightful. I would still like them to be a bit longer...but they are wonderful historical romances.

Theodore O'Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton, being injured in the war, needs a place to heal away from society's prying eyes and ears. His friend, the Duke of Azureford, has graciously lent him his place, a small cottage on the outskirts of England, in a town called Christmas. Theodore is doing his best to stay incognito until a certain little devil named Duke, and his whirlwind owner come waltzing into his life.

When Virginia Underwood's cat, Duke, enters a friend's residence, Virginia gives chase. That is how she meets Theodore and decides to make him her patient. He refuses at first, but Virginia knows just how to soften him up. It doesn't take long before a real friendship develops between them. What will happen when it's time for Theodore to go?

NEVER SAY DUKE really earned it's 4.5 star rating for me. Virginia and Theodore are not your typical couple, but that makes their HEA all the sweeter. Both are suffering in very different ways, but the healing process begins for both of them when they are together. Virginia's family had her committed to an asylum in her younger years for her disappointments, being awkward in social situations and not marrying. I cannot even imagine what all she has been through in order to achieve her freedom and to be as well-adjusted as she seems. Theodore's problems are mostly just worrying about what his father wants and doing his duty. Virginia makes him see that the only way to really be happy is live for the things that you love. NEVER SAY DUKE is a beautiful story and it's a wonderful addition to author Erica Ridley's captivating 12 DUKES OF CHRISTMAS series.

A beauty and the beast type romance, this novella is sweet, humorous and entertaining. Having met Virginia in previous books in this series, I wondered how this gentle woman’s quirky nature would evolve. Despite her fear of noise and crowds, she is nevertheless a determined personality, especially when it comes to rescuing strays. Theo, on the other hand, is equally determined not to be rescued but Virginia’s determination and her sly ally break through his solid wall of resistance. I enjoyed the humour and interaction between Theo and Virginia, but Duke added his own flavour to the story. This story is well written, clean and can be read by most age groups. Despite the fact that it is part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a delightfully happy ending. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

A super sweet, Christmassy romance. Throughout, I kept thinking of the word “gentle.” The characters each showed a gentle love toward one another that was so soothing to read. I especially appreciated Theodore’s spoken commitment to effective communication that meant the relationship between the two of them would remain open and honest and trusting. Though the plot itself was relatively lowkey, the emotions packed in were intense. At one point, I even got rather teary-eyed over Virginia’s relationship with her cat. A delightful read.

A wounded soldier returns to England only wanting to hide till his wounds heal. A young lady makes it her mission to help him heal in unconventional ways. As each day passes their attraction grows. A cat named Duke and lots of ice cream contribute to healing them both. Only their identities remain a secret. Once they are revealed will it make difference? A charming love story that with squeeze your heart. A keeper.