Cover Image: One Night for Seduction

One Night for Seduction

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Member Reviews

I dislike modern heroines in "historical" romances. I really do. And Diana on her warpath against vendors who don't adhere to the rules of measurement and weighing certainly fit that bill. She was forever going on about this cause and that, completely blind to everything but her cause, bristling when a man has the nerve to warn her that what she's doing is dangerous, because she is independent, thank you very much. For me, she just did not fit into her time. If you like that kind of heroine, you are going to LOVE Diana, but sadly, I don't.

I did like our Duke, though. He was from rather humble backgrounds, inheriting a Dukedom he didn't even know he was in line for, and fought hard to be worthy of it. He was the ultimate good guy, decent, hard-working, funny, and kind. I wish there were more heroes like him.

The romance itself was sweet. Opposites attract, sparks fly, banter ensues. All things I immensely enjoyed. If only it hadn't been for the clichéd "I can't marry you because you deserve better" drama towards the end...

But then, I know I'm in the minority, and always will be. I dislike that sort of drama, and that does not make this a bad book. I always enjoy Erica Ridley's book, despite whatever little things annoy me. She has wonderfully original characters, and her writing is easy to get lost in!

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In this historical romance Caleb Sutton, Duke of Colehaven, owns an establishment known as The Wicked Duke, named after the name given to him and his close friends. He's sewn some wild oats in the past, but is dedicated to his sister and living up to his duties, unlike his father.
Still a bit rowdy with his friends, he enters into a bet...one that will end his bachelorhood.
Diana Middleton, a tiny slip of girl who browbeats vendors into not cheating their customers, by pretending to be someone else. She turns Caleb on his ear. She's not anything like he pictured for his future duchess, but she's more than he ever dreamed of encountering.
Defined characters and vivid descriptions make this an enjoyable read. It is a short tale, but not too short.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse and enjoyed the escape.

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While this was a cute romance, I found the female protagonist pretty annoying with her impertinent preoccupation with "weights and measurements" and a behavior that did not seem to fit the times and social place she was living in.
Nonetheless an entertaining, well written historical romance novel.

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The wildly prolific Erica Ridley has a new series, that she will be co-authoring with Darcy Burke. This first in the series introduces Colehaven, the ducal friend of Diana Middleton’s cousin and guardian Theo. Colehaven, in a somewhat off-handed wager, claims that he can find a husband for the wallflower Diana. Little does Colehaven know what kind of challenge he has taken on.

Although “The bet” is a bit contrived, their is nothing lacking in the sparks that fly between Colehaven and Diana. They are likable characters and their story makes a great start to the new series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Typical Erica Ridley book: a quickly read and entertaining book with lots of intrigue and romance. Highly recommended as always.

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There is just something i love about characters that own or manage a tavern or gentleman's club. They always seem the most roguish! Caleb Sutton, the Duke of Colehaven, takes a wager to help a pal out. He will find a suitor for said pal's ward. However, Diana is not your typical spinster, I enjoy the double life scenario when one of the main characters is doing things on the sly. It keeps up the drama of when will they be found out, etc. The interactions between the H and h were funny, especially when they first meet. Can't wait to read more in this series. I think it's fun that 2 authors are alternating books. I love both of them so win win for me! Very enjoyable book, as all of her's are! Recommend!

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One Night for Seduction is a historical romance laced with humor and a unique hero and heroine. The Duke of Colehaven accepts a bet that he cannot find a spouse for an unmarriable lady by the end of the season with the stipulation he cannot marry her himself. Diana Middleton goes out of her way to blend in with the wallpaper. The self appointed weight and measurement inspector for all the businesses of London, Diana needs to not draw attention since her important mission is not quite legal. A meddling duke with a penchant to fight for the underclasses and a wallflower on a mission, its inevitable that the two clash in a humorous, sexy battle for equality and love that will leave the duke throwing in the towel on his ten year winning streak.. A page-turner of a story that will make you giggle and leaves you with a smile for a happy reading good time. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

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One Night for Seduction was an excellent start to the Wicked Dukes Club series with an absolutely delightful romance.

Caleb Sutton, the Duke of Colehaven, is a man who doesn’t like to lose and he’s on a ten year winning streak. When Cole is dared to find a suitor for a friend’s unmarriageable ward, he figures how hard could it be? But upon meeting Diana Middleton, Cole soon finds he wants her for himself which is strictly against the rules of the wager. Determined not to end his winning streak over a wallflower, Cole tries to set his attraction to Diana aside but as the pair spend more time together that proves harder to do.

Cole and his sister grew up incredibly poor as distant relatives of a duke who no one in the family ever thought about. Cole was never meant to become a duke, but a series of incidents led to him inheriting his title. As a result of the late start to his education, Cole forced himself to work harder than everyone else so he wouldn’t be looked down upon. But his late start also meant Cole didn’t feel like he was owed more simply because of his title and as a result he treated everyone with respect regardless of their place in society.

Diana is an incredibly intelligent woman who hopes to make life better for normal people who are taken advantage of on an everyday basis. She secretly works to stop corrupt businessmen who steal from their customers due to loopholes in the current laws. Because of the work she does, Diana knows she needs to be someone society will forget about so she can go about her work unnoticed. As a result, Diana ignores some of the more feminine aspects of life she enjoys and instead makes an effort to blend into the background.

Diana and Cole’s relationship was fantastic right from the beginning. Cole is so sure of himself and his goal that he misses the fact Diana has her own vision for her life resulting in her giving him the dressing down he deserves. I loved watching her put him in his place and how it forced him to realize that he wouldn’t be able to make Diana do anything she didn’t want to. The attraction between the pair was apparent immediately and I loved watching them dance around it until they weren’t able to resist anymore. Their physical relationship was amazing and the chemistry between them was perfect. In the end, the grand gesture by Cole to win Diana over was perfectly suited to her specific interests and I loved that he paid enough attention to know what truly mattered to her.

One Night for Seduction was the first book I’ve read by Erica Ridley and it certainly won’t be my last. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and I hope to check out more from the author soon.

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What delightfully wicked fun ONE NIGHT FOR SEDUCTION by Erica Ridley is, indeed!

Have you ever seen a wicked duke who didn’t love a good wager? Pretty sure when the Duke of Colhaven took that bet to be a successful matchmaker for the unruly ward of his best friend, he never considered what he was up against!

Diana Middleton is a feisty, independent woman who possesses great beauty and even greater intelligence, as well as a keen sense of order. The last thing she wants is to be tied down with a husband, serving tea and being a mindless piece of elbow candy.

When these two clash, there is more than the fire of tempers flaring as passions ignite a raging inferno, even if it is for just one night…but will that be enough?

Erica Ridley has reading entertainment down to an art as she whips up two characters who make each scene and every word pure pleasure.

Fun, romantic and simply delightful, this romance is sure to go down in "history!"

I received a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion!

Series: Wicked Dukes Club - Book 1
Publisher: WebMotion (April 16, 2019)
Publication Date: April 16, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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Publisher's Description:

Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough...

When the Wicked Duke dares the Duke of Colehaven to find a suitor for an unmanageable ward, Cole immediately accepts.

Supposed wallflower Diana Middleton lives a double life, bringing dishonest businessmen to justice.

My Thoughts:

This is a quick read which is tied to books also to be written by Darcy Burke. Ms. Burke will be writing the even half of the books and Erica Ridley the odd half.
I just finished One Night of Seduction, Book #1 and One Night of Surrender, Book #2.
Both books are relatively short reads and although by two authors the stories blend together very well.
When the Wicked Duke dares the Duke of Colehaven to find a suitor for an unmanageable ward, Cole immediately accepts the bet, after all he has never lost a wager.

Supposed wallflower Diana Middleton lives a double life, bringing dishonest businessmen to justice.
This scenario is made believable by the very real legislation it is based on.

Can Colehaven win this wager or will he find himself so enamored with Diana that he doesn't care?

I gave this book 4.75 of 5.0 stars (rounded up to 5 stars) for story line, plot and character development. This book is
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

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This is the first book in a new series by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. Ms Ridley will be writing the odd-numbered books, and Ms Burke will be writing the even numbered.

Cole, the Duke of Colehaven, has never lost a bet. When he is challenged to find a husband for his friend's wallflower ward, he is quick to take up the challenge, but this may be one bet he will not win.

Diana Middleton has deliberately masqueraded as a wallflower so as not to attract attention. She has no wish to marry as a husband will interfere with her hidden life. Diana has devoted herself to mathematics and establishing that merchants and shop keepers are giving accurate measurements.

The two main characters could not be more perfect for each other if they tried. Cole uses his position in the house of lords to better enact change, and he finds himself agreeing with Diana's ideas, but he doesn't understand her reluctance to remain a spinster.

I love Erica Ridley's books she crafts characters who are not typical of the historical genre. She excels in writing characters who are different but still fit with the time. There is never any complex plots simply two people who are falling in love and the difficulties that love brings.

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Caleb Sutton, fifth Duke of Colehaven, Cole to his friends, has entered into another wager. He never loses and he doesn't intend to start here. Cole will see his friend's ward, Miss Diana Middleton, matched and married before the season is out. What he isn't counting on is falling for Diana himself.

Diana does not wish to marry. She has other plans for her life. Even though Diana has to do her work in disguise, she loves it and cannot imagine giving it up. Cole is a thorn in her side, but Diana finds herself coming to like him. Although she does not want to marry, she wonders if Cole would be open to one night of seduction.

ONE NIGHT FOR SEDUCTION is the first installment to what promises to be a lovely series. THE WICKED DUKES CLUB is written by two authors, Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke, each writing their own books in the series. These two collaborate wonderfully together. I love that the idea focuses on The Wicked Duke, which is a pub that includes all manner of men, not just those gentile. The owners are two dukes who have been best friends since their school days. ONE NIGHT FOR SEDUCTION is beautifully written. I instantly fell in love with all of the characters, especially Diana and Cole. Their story is simply delightful and I cannot wait for the next book, ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER. THE WICKED DUKES SERIES is highly recommended!

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Loved the ‘double life’ aspect that Diana lived in trying to help her fellow man/woman. She is determined to be a spinster so she can help others. She wants no man to rule or control her activities. The Duke of Colehaven has taken a bet to find her a husband. He is a friend to her cousin and co-owner of the Wicked Dukes Club.

Although a novella, the love between these two seemed to grow slowly. Ironically, they both are ‘working’ to help others. He does so through the House of Lords. She does so clandestinely and on the street. Diana’s secret activity helps others not be cheated by dishonest businessmen. She wants to change the measurement system so it is more understandable and more correct.

As a beginning of the Wicked Dukes Club, this book is a great beginning and hints of others who will be part of the series. I loved the messed up proposal and the final one. Each are special and unique in their own way.

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Loved the story. Cole has taken the challenge from one of his best friends to find a husband for Diana before the end of the Season. Diana has vowed to never marry and sees Cole as an intrusion but as time passes she comes to care and later love him but not enough to give up her freedom. Cole who is suppose to find her a husband, to uphold a bet he accepted, has decided he does not another man to marry her because he wants her. The book is a great read and holds your interest until the very end. The banter between Cole and Diana is hilarious at times as she is a very opinionated woman and has no qualms in expressing her opinion or displeasure. I would highly recommdnd this book.

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Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not impressed by this historical romance. It lacked originality and depth. The heroine not only was described as undesirable but too old and too smart to be marriageable. While I understand this is reflective of the time period the author went overboard in her characterization. Cole doesn't initially find her desirable just a means to an end. Did not enjoy this short Novella.

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Diana Middleton lives a double life, bringing dishonest businessmen to justice. Shaking off a meddling duke should be child's play. When I started reading I couldn't put down.Erica Ridley is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

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Chandler Sutton, the Duke of Colehaven "Cole" loves a good wager and is currently boasting a 10-year winning streak, so when he joins his friends at the tavern he co-owns and is offered a wager to get Thaddeus Middleton's "unmarriageable" ward married off - he happily accepts. Thad has some rules - Diana must be married before the end of the season, Cole can't marry her himself or show any interest in her to provoke others to marry her and she must approve and want to marry the man.

Diana Middleton has no desire to marry, when her parents died, she needed a purpose and began "working" as a weights and measures inspector - not officially, she disguises herself and pretends to be in the employ of a barrister - she is passionate about this cause and wants the government to do more - but without resources, she settles for going to local businesses and checking their scales and reports her findings to a clerk who really does work for a barrister. She has no desire to marry, she is sure that she would have to give up her freedom and that is unacceptable. She doesn't refuse to attend ton events, but she has perfected being a wallflower because she doesn't want anyone to notice or recognize her and jeopardize her "work". So when the handsome Duke of Colehaven comes to her home and makes it clear that he plans to help her find a husband - Diana holds her ground and makes it clear that she will never marry.

Cole will not concede defeat, and when he sees her at a ball, he enlists his sister to help him. Felicity tells Diana of Cole's plan and Diana is livid - the man must be stopped. She doesn't care about her own reputation, but she will not let him expose her and possibly ruin Thad!

Val, Duke of Eastleigh is at the ball and mentions to Cole that two committee chairs in Parliament will be up for vote as the Earl currently holding the seats has been injured. Cole wants to chair a committee - desperately - he doesn't feel worthy of the title and works ten times as hard as other peers to prove he deserves his title - he feels like being in charge of a committee would do that. Later he meets Diana in the Library and they have words - she then learns that he was responsible for the 1815 Weights and Measures act - she still doesn't want to marry - but maybe Cole could help her stop the corruption!

These two go back and forth - neither willing to back down or give up. They are each attracted to the other, but it can never be - she doesn't want to give up her "freedom" and he wants to prove himself worthy. Can they compromise? Will love win? Will Cole's 10-year streak come to an end?

This was a cute story with extremely likable leads, a lot of emotion, funny moments and great secondary characters. It is well written and flows nicely, the love scenes are mild and the ending is very sweet.

**I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.**

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Fun, lighthearted, angst free story about a Duke and a spinster and measurements. Perfect for a light, quick read. I would have liked if it was a little more fleshed out.

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I really enjoyed Cole and Diana's story!

Cole was so sure he would be able to marry off Diana and win another bet. No way would his winning streak end! That was until he met the young woman he was determined to marry off. He was intrigued by her and was soon questioning whether he wanted to win the wager or not??

I loved Diana and her nonconformity with society. She was her own woman and did what she wanted without scandalizing society too much.

This was a great start to a new series by Ridley and Burke. I'm so excited to see what they have in store for us!

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This is the first in a new series “Wicked Dukes club”written along with Darcy Burke. What a wonderful way to start. As usual Ms Ridley has written both her heroine and hero with intelligence, strength, humor, honor and independence. I love the way Ms Ridley brings so much more to her characters. Each has so much understanding of their favourite interest and Ms Ridley puts so much research into it so that the reader has no doubt that the characters truly know what they are talking about. It is also wonderful the way difficulties of the era are brought to light and with the help of her characters, changed. But these books are HEA and there is the heart warming and often humorous romance to keep you reading and feeling engaged with the story. There is some very mild sex in this book which for this reviewer who always skips the sex found very acceptable. I received this book as an ARC and am now hanging out for MS Ridleys next one but in the mean time will be reading MS Burke’s, the second in the series

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