This is kind of charming and sweet. If you want something steamy, it’s probably not for you.

He is lovely and she’s kind of kooky, I thought they were well matched . There’s actually something special about Virginia, she’s lovely and different. I thought her challenges were well handled. And it made my heart smile

I’m not convinced it’s historically accurate but it is a lovely easy read.

I really liked this addition to the Christmas Dukes series. Theo is a war hero and ends up in Christmas to recover. Virginia is an animal lover and can’t help but heal any wounded creature, even if it’s a Duke that doesn’t want it. Great characters and a wonderful historical read. Such an entertaining read.

Yay, Duke 4 of the 12 Dukes of Christmas! This time it is Theodore, who comes to Christmas to hide from the world, while recovering from his war injuries. He is a surly and stubborn man. When Virginia accidently meets Theodore, while pursuing her escaped cat Duke into the Azureford estate, she decides this man needs some care. Together with butler Swinton, she tries to help Theodore to recover.
Virginia however, has always had problems in interacting with people. They don't understand her and they mock her and therefore she has always taken her refuge to animals. Caring for animals has always made her happy and in Theodore she recognizes a wounded animal.
Together with her crazy (and very funny) cat Duke, she is on a mission to help Theodore to be able to dance in London with his bethrothed at the next Season. While they spend time together, however, Theodore realizes he comes to care for Virginia. But can he break the vows his parents have made to the parents of his bride-to-be? And can Virginia overcome her fear of people to be with Theodore? Find out for yourself in this wonderful story. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc. And I'm already awaiting the next Duke! Keep up the good work, Erica.

Oh! I have waited for Virginia’s story, Temple Grandin of the Regency Era. Ms. Ridley masterfully creates an endearing and enduring story of love, loss and acceptance. This story is so wonderfully tender and heartfelt. It was pure joy to read!

A moving and romantic story..Theo is a disabled and scarred veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, hiding out at a Duke's estate. He is rescued from his misery and hopelessness by Virginia, a quirky woman who is hiding out herself. She has a traumatic past that has left her without self confidence but hasn't damaged her sweetness. The two develop a relationship and then must face their demons to have a HEA.

Virginia Underwood was discarded by her parents. They had no love for their eldest daughter. When she escaped from the asylum where they sent her, she found her way to the village of Christmas. Here she keeps to herself and helps save strays. She has found acceptance here. When her roguish cat, Duke, decides to pay an unannounced visit, Virginia meets Theodore O'Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton. He has come here to heal after being severely injured in the war. He wants to be left alone to brood which is impossible with Virginia around. From the first meeting I could feel their spark of attraction. They have common ground - parental expectations. It was unbelievable how Virginia's parents acted when she didn't make an advantageous match. I admired how she created a life without them. She's a capable woman with a loving heart. Mr. T doesn't want to see people until he's healed from his injuries . He's understandably upset about his upcoming engagement. I laughed at his first encounter with Virginia and Duke. It was a pleasure to see them grow together and find love. I was glad that Theodore was strong enough to ignore family and society's expectations and go for love. I am always happy visiting Christmas. It's nice seeing familiar people. Romance and HEA are always possible here. Erica Ridley writes such strong characters. They leave an impression with their passion and sassy dialogue. I'm looking forward to the next 12 Dukes of Christmas story.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

This series never disappoints. It's light and fluffy, funny and heartwarming. True, it's fluff and every little thing is neatly wrapped up in the end, but on the plus side, there is very little drama, and just a story of two people who couldn't deserve happiness more finding their happily ever after. I loved that both protagonists were more than the cliché they seemed at first (tortured war hero meets young and eccentric/ "different" heroine). I loved that Virginia, who in the previous stories was forever saying the wrong thing, got her own book. She is one heroine who deserves the adjective "unique": shipped off to an asylum by parents who never understood her and her anxieties and wanted to be rid of an unmarriageable daughter, she has carved out a life for herself where she can be whatever she wants to be, and in Theo she finds the perfect person for her! I just wish her issues would have been explored more deeply and not everything had been so easily solved. If you're looking for lovely, short, cozy stories, give this series a chance.

Never Say Duke is the fourth installment in Erica Ridley's charming series, 12 Dukes of Christmas. Don't let the series title fool you, it's not specifically a Christmas story but instead takes place in the charming little town called Christmas.
Virginia is a caring recluse who suffers from extreme social anxiety. She could be described quite accurately as an empath, caring for injured animals and those who need her most. One day during her morning constitutional with her curious cat, Duke, she finds a baby bird who has fallen from it's nest. She climbs the tree and returns it to its home. But while she is doing her act of charity, the insufferable Duke runs into the open window of an unsuspecting guest.
Thomas, or Mr. T as the house staff knows him, is in hiding. He's a war hero who has returned home battle scarred. His face is covered in bandages to hide the scars that he has sustained. He is confined to a wheel chair and fears that he may never walk again. But when a beautiful woman comes knocking on his door to retrieve her cat, she sees his state and her heart goes out to this man. Virginia removes his bandages and realizes that here is the most handsome man her eyes have ever beheld. Much to the dismay of Thomas, Virginia takes it upon herself to help this man heal. Will they weaken each others defenses, much like the bandages that were hiding Thomas' scarred face?

NEVER SAY DUKE is the fourth book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. Each will stand on its own, but I recommend reading them all and in the order of release.

Virginia has been present in the previous three books, each time poetically providing insightful suggestions or observations that lead to a happier conclusion. For herself, she doesn’t see happiness. She believes herself to be disposable. After all, her own parents said she was. I understand that perception. I’ve been there.

Then her cat, Duke, leads her on a merry chase that ends at the home of the Duke of Azureford’s front step. There, his friend Theo is convalescing his battle wounds. This is the beginning of an unasked-for friendship that could be more… if only Theodore didn’t have responsibilities in London and Virginia didn’t believe she was incapable.

Like a little girl who wrote a letter to the New York Sun, this Virginia needed to also see a newspaper. In the end, a follow up article could have said, “Yes, Virginia, there can be a happily-ever-after for you too. You only have to believe in yourself and accept that he does too.”

I loved this Christmasy story and I’m sad that I will need to wait until October for the next one to be released! Meanwhile, I’ll tell you that the cat, Duke, stole the show (and more than his fair share of ice cream).

One of my favorite bits of this series is how the lyrics from the 12 Days of Christmas are brought into the story. There is a partridge and a pear tree in ONCE UPON A DUKE. The two turtle doves in KISS OF A DUKE are beautifully brought to life as perfume bottles. In WISH UPON A DUKE, three French hens are found in the stars. The fourth book had the four calling birds drawn on cards along with an explanation about how they are actually Cally Birds. I’m looking forward to five golden rings!

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

For the fourth Duke of Christmas, Erica Ridley gave to me… an autistic heroine.

Yep. An honest-to-goodness historical romance heroine who is very clearly on the spectrum, Virginia has trouble reading the emotions of other people unless they’re smiling or frowning. She hates crowds, loud noises, bright lights, anything sudden, and people who don’t say what they mean. She loves animals (especially Duke, her irascible and hilarious cat) and in her own way, she’s quite brilliant. It’s just that to most people, she appears extremely peculiar.

Of course, in the early 19th century, diagnosis for autism was a long way in the future, and what happened to Virginia was something which probably happened to all too many people, most especially powerless young women - her family put her in a lunatic asylum. Fortunate enough to escape and find her way to the tiny town of Christmas, she carved out a place for herself under the town’s benevolent guardian and vowed never to set foot in the society world which so utterly rejected her again.

Theodore is in Christmas to recover quietly from a serious injury he sustained on the battlefield, and Virginia takes him on much like one of her injured wildlife patients. The more time he spends with her, the better he comes to understand her. There’s a lovely line where he finally figures out why her cat is so irascible which is a perfect allegory for Virginia herself:

“The cat wasn’t the prickly, antisocial creature he had seemed. He had just been waiting to be treated like he mattered.”

Theodore is the first person in a long time to treat Virginia as though she matters, to be fascinated with her just as she is. He’s one of the nicest, most considerate heroes I’ve read in a long time, quickly coming to understand what she needs and careful of her special nature. This is a beautiful romance and probably my favourite of this genuinely charming series so far. Five stars.

This is a super sweet romance that will have you melting

Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton has returned from war as scarred man and he has retreated to Cressmouth to recuperate This is the Christmas town that Miss Virginia Underwood has also retreated to after getting out of the asylum her parents placed her in after her social awkwardness embarrassed then to their friends in the Ton. They meet one another when her cat Duke escapes and hides in the cottage that tHeodore is staying in. Virginia has never been able to resist a stray and decides that he will be her next patient. As they get to know on another first they become friends then they fall in love Do they have any chance at a HEA when she is afraid to go in public and he has obligations to his name and estate. Will they find a compromise You will have to read to see

I was given a copy of this book but thi is true and honest review

After being shot and trampled, Theodore heads to a village called Christmas to recover from his severe injuries. He's hiding and wants no one to see him or know who he is as he tries to recover. Enter a sweet lady with a funny cat who doesn't quite fit in to society and struggles with social situations. She takes care of strays and when she sees Theodore immediately adopts him as one of her strays to heal whether he likes it or not. I loved this story, grumpy, hurt man, learns to heal and be vulnerable in the face of Virginia's quirky strength. This is a feel good romance with endearing characters, that heal and support each other. This is a new to me author, I hope to read more of, I'm so glad I received a copy from #NetGalley to review.

Another fabulous installation in the Dukes of Christmas series.

I truly liked both main characters; their characters, problems and inhibitions were very realistic.. The banter was hilarious, as was the feline MC.

The library scene was my favourite of all. You'll know why, when you get to it.

Take a short break from real life and dive into Christmas for a few hours.

This author has been a bit of hit and miss for me, this one was a winner I’m happy to say. Implausible though it was.

The oldest of 4 girls, Virginia is awkward in social situations & is intimated by crowds. So much so that her parents consider her a misfit and banish her to any asylum while putting out that she is unwell & in seclusion. After several years. Virginia manages to escape (don’t ask how?!) and finds herself in the Christmas where she finds a home in the castle and even makes a few close friends. Initially nervous around animals, Virginia decides to conquer her fear and does a 180 degree turn by saving just about every stray and wounded animal she comes across.

Virginia meets Theodore while chasing after her cat who decides that an open window is an invitation to explore. Rather than be scared away by his surliness and wounds, she treats him as another stray in need of her nursing skills and starts his rehabilitation and physical therapy whether he wants it or not. Theodore too is just the kind of hero I like; honourable and no nonsense. As his father’s only son, he takes his responsibilities very seriously learning everything about the estate and his tenants only for his father (a totally odious man) to refuse him any responsibilities. Frustrated by his inability to do anything of value, Theodore decides that he is better off helping those he can & joins the war against Napoleon. Of course, he excels in the battlefield but is gravely injured.

The story is really quite charming. How Virginia developed such superior physiotherapy and nursing skills without any training was another implausible part of the story but well, fiction right? Theodore is at his grouchiest initially but amazingly, for someone supposedly socially cowed, Virginia has no problems handling him.

This is hilariously funny, heartbreaking, sweet and romantic. Theodore is gruff, sarcastic, charming and sweet. Virginia is bold, determined, caring, generous and vulnerable. Theodore was seriously injured during a battle and sent home, but he didn't want to go to London until he was healed, so his friend, the Duke of Azureford, let him stay at his house in Christmas. Virginia lives in Christmas because her parents left her in a madhouse and she escaped, when she got to Christmas she decided to stay because everyone accepted her. One day while walking her cat, Duke, the cat jumped into an open window at the Duke's home. So Virginia went to get him and found Theodore, half bandaged, sitting in his wheeled chair. She immediately took charge of him, which he didn't appreciate, and went to see him every day to help him build up his strength so that he could walk again. As they get to know each other, Theodore is incensed by the way her parents have treated her, so he takes it upon himself to build up her self-esteem, and falls in love. Their interactions are funny, sweet and entertaining. I cannot recommend this series enough, it's brilliant, every book is better than the last. They have intriguing storylines and brilliant and charming characters.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

Another terrific story in the town of Christmas in the time of the Neapolitan wars. We have two people who need to heal from terrific injuries; one physical (mostly) and one emotional. Following Theo and Virginia as they work through the healing process with their growing romance as the medicine that completes the healing process. A warm fun filled romance that leaves the reader thankful for an author like Ms. Ridley that can write stories that so engage the reader that they are able to escape their own lives to live along with the novel's characters and share in their HEA.

Theodore O'Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton was injured in the war. He is in Christmas to heal in anonymity, as far away from London as possible. His solitude is interrupted by Virginia Underwood and her cat Duke. Virginia is determined to help Theo heal from his wounds. She pokes and prods her surly patient until he starts responding. Theo has a woman who his father selected as his bride when he was young who is pushing him to make the betrothal official. But, he has fallen in love with Virginia. Is her love worth fighting for?

What a wonderful book! I loved the characters. Virginia was an amazing heroine. She was such a strong woman. Theo was the battle scared hero that needed to heal, but he found unconditional love. I like that the characters from the other books make an appearance. This was such a sweet read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!!

This is the fourth book in this series and I think it is my favorite. Virginia has been in the other books and has had a quirky personality since she is more comfortable with animals than with humans.. In this book she meets "Mr. T" while he is staying at the Duke of Azureford's cottage in the town of Christmas England where he hopes to recover from his war wounds while remaining anonymous.. He is in a wheel chair and his face is covered in bandages and she just tells him she will be his nurse. She applies her same strategies to healing his leg and wounds that she has with the many animals she has nursed. But along the way, love happens. With him she isn't shy but she has secrets in her past that she has told no one that is now alive. This is a fantastic story of two wounded people who find not only love but a completeness they neither one thought exist. And then there is "Duke" the cat with attitude. A fun uplifting love story you won't want to miss.

Never Say Duke is the 4rth book in the 12 dukes of Christmas series. It can be read as a complete stand-alone, but I got the impression that the couples from the previous books make an appearance. The title of the book is very fitting to the story and it was one of the reasons I laughed when I was reading it. The novella was heartwarming and I loved reading it on a very rare for me snowy afternoon. There was some drama with Beatrice aka the woman Theodore was supposed to marry because their fathers made a deal, but overall it was good and I don't see a reason why someone wouldn't like it. Virginia's past is heartbreaking and I felt so sad reading her story. Never say duke is a book you should (if not must) read. You won't regret it!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

This is such a fun series and I have enjoyed each of the books. Virginia is such an odd "bird" that she did not fit into society so her parents shipped her away in a very cruel way.

Theo returned from war with injuries and Virginia loves rescuing wounded animals so they kind of were meant for each other. Then, they both are injured by a statue of Cupid, so you know they are meant for each other.

Parts were funny as Virginia gets Theo to move around by tempting him with ice cream! The cat named Duke is such a fun addition and too funny that he will hiss at "Duke" but loves to be called "Your Grace!"

Not sure who is left for the real Duke as his story is next so I am eagerly waiting for the next Duke book!