Cover Image: Dukes, Actually

Dukes, Actually

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Imagine a shy and introverted Duke and an outgoing, flirtatious young miss striking a bargain to help the socially awkward lord come out of his shell and find an appropriate wife.

DUKES, ACTUALLY by Erica Ridley is another quirky, yet charming tale filled with fun characters, a little romance and, as always, Ms. Ridley’s ability to pull it all together and leave her readers smiling!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Erica Ridley/WebMotion! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas - Book 5
Publisher: WebMotion (October 22, 2019)
Publication Date: October 22, 2019
Genre: Historical Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Was this review helpful?

The Duke of Azureford more than anything wants to find a wife, but in a social setting he is uncomfortable and shy. His neighbor Carole Quincy like fast carriages, billiards, but she’s is charming and friendly everything he wants to be in order to find a wife. He believes Carole just might be the one to help him find a wife. Carole has always loved the Duke and now is her perfect opportunity to help him and win him for herself. An enchanting story with wonderful characters I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a wonderful addition to the series. It was Adam, Duke of Azureford, and Miss Carole Mortimer story. The Duke suffers from extreme shyness and needs to learn the art of flirting in order to find his perfect Duchess. His next door neighbor, Miss Mortimer, needs to find her journal left at his home after dropping it at a soirée six months ago. Where he is introverted, she is outgoing and bright. Opposites attract. Their road towards love is a delightful journey that Ms. Ridley excels in writing. Her characters are well developed and easy to love. Secondary characters as well. There are always humorous moments throughout. I enjoyed this Regency romance immensely and highly recommended it. I was gifted this book by NetGalley and the publisher and am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Books and billiards, can they lead to love?

Another light romance in Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The painfully shy Duke of Azureford covers his natural inclination up with a brusque and severe front. A warm young lady, Miss Carole Quincy, hides the pain she's known since her mother's death.
A lost sketch book and billiards bring them together--as friends. Nothing more as both have responsibilities. Carole undertakes to help Adam to learn to flirt and converse to make his quest for a Duchess easier.
By the time Adam comes to understanding that incorrigible Carole is not only a tour de force, the glue that holds the village together, and more importantly holds his heart, things are coming unstuck.
A charming piece, nicely put together. The main characters are likeable and well drawn. As are the humorous secondary pair.
BTW pleasing title nod to one of my fav. Christmas movies.

A WebMotion ARC via NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

A cute story!
Loved the characters opposites attract vibe. As well as the idea that he was willing to listen to jer ideas and implement them. The characters worked well together :). Only thing I didnt like about the book was I felt that it was rushed and you didnt really feel like you knew the characters and boom its over HEA. Just felt like there was something missing.

Was this review helpful?

Romantic, sweet, thoughtful and swoony. A novel that will surely warm your heart. I love that they inevitably fall in love with each other. I love that the novel have just the right heat level. A perfect romance. 😊

Was this review helpful?

This one was super cute. A love story of opposites attract. I enjoyed the fact the heroine in this one was full of confidence and skills usually unheard of for a lady of that era. It was really sweet and I will definitely check out more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Nice story of the duke that fell in love with the girl next door. But he is shy, doesn't know how to interact with people. She is outgoing, a people person, and a closet artist. The characters were fun, their interactions a bit of fun. A delightful escape read.

Was this review helpful?

Another winning book. Christmas with a unique twist. loved all the books in the series. Each one was a little bit better. Packed with emotion. The only villains in this book are the characters themselves. Each with their own unique problems. The father. Who has stopped Living After the death of his wife. A daughter who is morning in her own way and not going forward with life. A shy Duke Was finding everything you always wanted right in front of him. In the story of how they all become healed. Christmas story with a twist

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed Dukes, Actually though I felt it progressed too quickly. I would have liked them to overcome more of an obstacle. The characters themselves were fantastic, it was just over too soon!

Was this review helpful?

Another terrific quick read by Erica Ridley

A shy, introverted duke comes out to his cottage where he hopes to reinvent himself by becoming less awkward in social situations. His assumption is that if he can be more outgoing, funny, interesting here then he can be like that in London and thus find himself the perfect duchess. Unbeknownst to him, his complete opposite is about to change his life. I love that Adam and Carole were honest with each other and had no issue with revealing their true selves. You wouldn’t think that two opposing personalities could be so interesting together. This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of Erica Ridley’s books.

I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Adam Farland, Duke of Azureford, has been mistaken for an arrogant, aloof lord. What he actually is, however, is a quiet and shy lord. Adam devises a plan guaranteed to help him break out of his shell and find the society bride he needs. Miss Carole Quincy is as outgoing as she is unconventional, and will be the perfect practice for Adam’s flirting. Until that practice starts to feel very real...

I absolutely ADORED this title. Erica Ridley excels at creating heroes and heroines that are more than rakish lords or society ladies. And I love those heroes and heroines. Adam is one of my favorites for this series because I’m a sucker for a shy guy. Even better if people have assumed him to be arrogant because of his shyness. He was a great guy and I think Carole was the best heroine for him. She was fabulous in her own right and I enjoyed reading her emotional journey through the story.

This was not a very plot driven title but I found myself turning page after page regardless. I just could not wait for more moments between Adam and Carole. I was not a huge fan of the billiards games but they didn’t take away from the story at all.

Of course I cannot wait for the next title in this series! This title was well worth waiting a year for!!

Was this review helpful?

A delicious romance a wonderful series.A shy duke an outspoken woman sparkling dialogue characters that come alive.A book to sit back cuddle up and enjoy.#netgalley#webmotion

Was this review helpful?

This Christmas series by Erica Ridley is enjoyable and till now (5 books) ‘quick’ reads that are perfect for the season. Who does not enjoy a Christmas novella? And here it’s always Christmas!

The hero, Adam, is painfully shy and this shyness and awkwardness around people is always mistaken for arrogance. This leads to some funny some heartwarming moments throughout the book. And he wants to change that and find himself a duchess. He meets, next door neighbour Carole who is anything but suitable but with whom he has many friendly, passionate, playful moments that finally lead to them falling in love and eventually marrying.

I enjoyed this book immensely more so because following a series is always fun, as new characters are unveiled and new stories are added all the while keeping to the same setting of a familiar village nicknamed Christmas.
I received an ARC to review from #netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

Miss Carole Quincy likes billiards, fast carriages, and the beautiful, buttoned up Duke of Azureford. She’d be delighted to help him out of his shell and into her arms.When I started reading I couldn't put it 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.

Was this review helpful?

3.25 A cute, quick romance that was an easy read but I thought the brief glimpses of the side characters in the servants were more interesting than the main characters.

Was this review helpful?

Another magical romance by the amazing Erica Ridley! I know when I start to read one of her stories, I will not be moving anytime soon. Plus there may be times I burst out laughing and others when I can only sigh.
Imagine a shy, introverted Duke. One who needs to learn to flirt to attract a potential bride. Then imagine a lady who is totally the opposite to the point of being everything bright and fun.
So begins Carole and her part time next door neighbor, Adam the Duke of Azureford's story!
Carole had been to a dinner party the Duke had given and lost her precious sketchbook. Well precious my not be the word for it... Scandalous is others got hold of it! Trying to find it, with an excuse of a lost earring, she begins to have conversations with him and realizes he is really shy.. That is the reason he hardly talks to anyone! But oh, did I mention how handsome she found him?
All I want to do is tell you the entire story because it was so humorous and truly delightful! I loved these two opposites that really did have one thing in common and who could have possibly know!
Prepare to be thoroughly entertained and smiling like crazy as you turn the pages!!!

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review - #12dukes #NetGalley
-I loved the wicked conversations between Adam and Carole. I loved how he didn't laugh at her sketches and she at his memories of his father and the books.
-Good pace, great descriptions, good character development.
-Fun to see other characters from the previous books.

Was this review helpful?

This story is about a very shy duke that wants to “practice” his social skills throwing a billiard party. And his outgoing and self-named spinster of 24 years neighbor. Is a very cute story.

The only thing I didn’t like that much is that there’s not very much characters present. Yes, they are some of them but that actually have a dialogue are around 10 and that’s at max.

Overall, very cute to read and would recommend.

Was this review helpful?

Dukes, Actually is a standalone book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The Duke of Azureford is extremely shy and awkward but everyone mistakes his behavior for rudeness or snobbishness. But the Duke has a plan to force himself into social situations and to find himself a wife. Miss Carole Quincy loves to draw the life she imagines for herself, a life of smoking, drinking, and playing billiards, doing the things men take for granted. A misplaced sketchbook puts Carole at risk and the only way to find it is to help the Duke of Azureford convert his library into a billiard room. Some corny pick up lines later and I found myself falling for the Duke. Funny and sweet, the story amuses and ends with a charming HEA that is totally predictable but irresistible just the same. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?