Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this book. It is possibly to be a romance novel and still be well written, but many authors of the genre seem to have forgotten that. A lot of this was extremely far-fetched and a bit tiring to read.

The Duke of Azureford needs a instructor to help him learn how to woo a perfect lady, and Incorrigible hoyden Miss Carole Quincy is the one who will help him. But even if all that happened between them started with them pretending to flirt, they end up falling in love.

Loved reading the fabulous and awesome fifth book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas. The Duke of Azureford, Adam, wants to be outgoing instead of socially awkward, meet someone eligible for a Duke, and plans to purchase a billiard table. Miss Carole Quincy, a beautiful, outgoing, unsuitable woman for a duke, plans to help the duke in setting up the room for his billiards table. As Adam and Carole spend time together, Carole realizes her time with Adam is coming to an end. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written love story.
I reviewed a book through NetGalley.

I've read Erica Ridley before and found relaxing comfort in her work. This book was the perfect two-day binge read and just in time for the holidays. I loved the hints at the Christmas season and gobbled up the light chemistry between the two leading characters. She's smart and gifted, he's shy and awkward. I'm a lover of heaving bosoms and seductive dukes but I loved that these characters were tame in their relationship; it was sweet and tender. I'm interested in reading her other Christmas Dukes books!

This is the 5th book in the series. I think was my favorite. But it is a stand alone.
Adam is a Duke who is a great orator in the House of Lords. But socially, he is stiff as a board. His solution is to buy a cottage in ther town if Christmas and practice for the season by having billiards parties.
Carole is his next door neighbor. She is as social as they come. She knows everyone and helps everyone. The one person she cant seem to help is her father. Since her mom died he is a recluse. Carole has resigned herself that she will never marry because she needs to take care of her father.
These two people come together and bring out the best in each other. They become the best of friends. And then more.
But can he marry someone not from the ton. And can she let go of the responsibility she feels to her father.
This book was sweet, funny and moving. It was fast paced and a quick feel good read.
I love when you see a relationship between the 2 main characters develop.
I enjoyed reading this book and reccomend it.
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

Erica Ridley’s books are so lovely and engaging, and Dukes, Actually is no exception. I loved her Dukes of War series and was thrilled with the chance to read this. I enjoyed the Darcy type hero - quiet, brooding, misunderstood. I loved the secondary romance as well. I loved the HEA. The dynamic between the couple was fun and entertaining with some tender moments. I love reading about a heroine who likes math! It seemed to wrap up suddenly - perhaps my only complaint would be that it seemed short and the little conflict resolved quickly!

This is a simple story of two people falling in love over the clearance of a library and the design of a billiard’s room. A seemingly arrogant Duke hiding his shy nature and a young woman, beholden to her father’s care and denying her happiness.
A sweet relationship develops, without any ‘steam’ — a quick and easy light romance read.

This is the 5th book in the series. I have read all 5 and loved every one. Every one is a unique premise and every one has made me laugh out loud. I will look forward to the next book!

My favorite of the Twelve Dukes of Christmas. I absolutely loved it. Miss Carole Quincy has lost a book at the Duke of Azureford's estate. She must get it back, It has drawings and other unladylike things in it. Carole lives with her father who is still grieving the loss of his wife and Carole's mother. She is known as a hoydenish woman who will never be married. When Adam stops at the castle in Christmas, he takes pity on a psychic and visits her table. When he gets his fortune told, he has no belief in it until everything starts happening. Adam is somewhat awkward when it comes to flirting, but he can hold the attention of Parliament for hours. He needs a woman that will be a grand duchess. When he meets Carole, he knows she will make a perfect instructor for flirting but not as a wife. When she helps plan a billiard party  to introduce him to the area and to help him with the ladies, she finds her book. he finds something he needed as well. I love Adam and Carole's story. I loved the interaction and seeing what the other Dukes are doing. If you like Billiards, love and a fun story, you will love this one. I received this book from Net Gallery for a honest review

Dukes, Actually ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️by Erica Ridley

If you love a story with the lead character being a shy Duke and a Holden next door neighbor, this book is priceless.

The shy Duke of Azureford must learn to flirt and converse if he ever wants to find the proper Duchess. Little does he know, the girl next door Carole Quincy fits the bill. These two are perfect for each other and this book is su ch a delightful read.

DUKES, ACTUALLY is the fifth book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. Though each will stand on their own, I highly recommend reading them all.

Usually I relate to the girl in a romance novel, because … well…. I’m a girl, but this time it was the duke; I have often been called arrogant when in truth I’m too introverted to interact. If only it were possible to build a billiards table at work and gain the admiration of my peers!

I love this story of shy mutual interest that builds and builds as the room around them builds into something more useable for party he has planned. Their journey together is sweet and sassy with some great laugh out loud moments.

I loved Adam’s slow growth in confidence and his quiet acceptance of Carole just as she is. Instead of wishing she were different, he hopes his future duchess will be just like her… until he can only see her as his future duchess. Sigh!!

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

Title: DUKES, ACTUALLY
Series: Twelve Dukes of Christmas #5
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC
Received from: Erica Ridley

This is the #5 book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. I am normally a fan of this author and look forward to her offerings. However, in this instance, I felt the storyline was very weak. It failed to obtain my interest much less to keep me enthralled. I am sure this is just an off story by this author. I look forward to reading her next offering as this is not indictive of her excellent writing style and story telling.

I have rated this book 2 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

Erica Ridley always writes compelling romances with witty, smart characters. It's a quick fun read.

This book is the 5th in a series, but completely stands on its own if read alone. The characters, Azureford and Carole, are so real. Azureford is incredibly shy and cannot express his feelings and thus, worries about his ability to catch a proper duke's wife. Carole has aspirations that, as a daughter without her season and in charge of her father's household, are unlikely to come to fruition. She longs for greater freedom and has become a master pool player to spend time with her distant father. She agrees to help Azureford break out of his shell, and he gives her the opportunity to challenge herself. At the same time, they become close and develop feelings for each other. I can understand Carole's choices and empathize. They both seem true to life and very engaging -- once you get past initial shyness. The writing is easy, flowing, and descriptive enough to draw you in. I will definitely seek out additional choices in this series and by this author!

This book 5 of the Dukes of Christmas and I have loved them all. This a sweet story that you can’t put down. I love how Ms Ridley spends the time to research and add a new craft or experience in each book. This one was billiards. Each of the characters of the town of Christmas is special in their own way and it makes the reading about them special. There was no sex in this book, just lots of loving and kisses. Perfect. I received this an ARC and do my review freely.

4 stars

Book 5 in a series of twelve. I've now read book 1, 4 & 5. The story is set in a village called Cressmouth which confused me a bit because the author said it was in the north of england and then talked about Essex! The place is supposed to be christmas themed and incorporates folk who like to play and watch plays. Tessa Dare did something similar by theming a series of her books around Spindle Cove.

Adam, the Duke is shy and decides that he needs to interact more and learn to flirt. He decides to do this by changing his library into a billiard room and inviting the local townfolk to visit. The heroine, Carole, plays billiards well but is of a lower class, though well liked.

The romance buildup is quite slow, there's no danger or villians and eventually we get a HEA. A bice fairly witty read for an afternoon

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

If you haven't read any of Ms Ridley's Dukes of Christmas series, then you're in for a treat. I have read all of the current works. Each one can be read as a standalone, I read the books out of order, and it didn't affect my enjoyment of the series.

I loved Azureford, his shyness has held him back, and he is perceived as aloof. All he wants is to have friends, he has everything else he could possibly want, wealth, good looks, intelligence but no one to share it with. 

Ms Ridley creates unique characters, women who are atypical for historical settings and male characters that you can root for. all set in a small village that celebrates Christmas 365 days a year. The stories are light, mostly clean sweet romances. 

There were some slight issues where the lack of Azurefords friends is forgotten to move the plot forward, but this is only a minor issue. 

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

Dukes Actually (12 Dukes of Christmas, #5) by Erica Ridley is a charming and whimsical historical romance set in Christmas (Cressmouth), England. I love this series. Every time I’m in a reading funk, all I need to do is pick up one of this author’s books and I’m instantly transported into a fun and fanciful place and time. The Duke of Azureford, Adam Farland comes off as arrogant and aloof when all he really is, is shy and misunderstood. Leave it to bubbly Miss Carole Quincy to effervesce his true personality to the surface. “The New Adam”. I love it! I’ve really enjoyed each of these books in this series and they successively get better and better. And what a great time of year for them too. I’m looking forward to reading more about this quirky little slice of England. I also recommend The Dukes of War Series by this author.

I enjoyed this sweet and fun romance. I thought the chemitry between Azurford and Carole was good and I really liked them as a couple. He was shy, she was sassy and I found the whole story emotional and cute. A very entertaining romance

Charming and lighthearted like the previous books in this series, I enjoyed this historical romance. The characters are likeable and easy to root for. I even learned some new things about billiards and Parliament.

It was fun that this a neighbors to lovers plot but there is also a commoner/nobility slant that seriously affects the story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.