The Duke of Azureford isn’t the arrogant, aloof lord his peers perceive him to be. Yes, he’s awkward, but he has a plan to fix it. In order to woo a respectable lady, he must learn how to flirt.
Carole who lives next door left her treasured sketch journal in the Duke's library by accident. She will do most anything necessary to recover it including helping him obtain a suitable Duchess or will she.
I have been looking forward to the continuation of this series for nearly a year.
I read the first four books as ARCs last year and am thrilled to see book #5 which is now ready for release. This tale didn't disappoint.
I read this in one sitting and am ready for book #6.
I gave this one 4.25 of 5.0 stars. This is a basically sweet series of novellas with no overt intimacy.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read from the Author via NetGalley.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Oh my God! Of all the books in this series, this one has become my favorite.
Azureford and Carole are simply PERFECT together !!!

Adam Farland, the 6th Duke of Azureford, is considered superb, cocky, and in some cases people are afraid of him. All because when he is in any event, he usually stays by himself, gloomy, talking to no one. But the great truth is that he is... SHY!
He simply gets scared in a very crowded place, and doesn't even know how to start a conversation.
On the other hand, his fame in the House of Lords - the Parliament - is that of an articulate guy who always has the best arguments for the laws that will be voted on.
He must reverse this picture of his image if he wants to find a wife and have an heir.
His plan, then, is to take advantage of his time in Cressmouth, his countryhouse, and make some changes.

His huge library will be donated - with the exception of a few books that belonged to his father - to a city location, and he will have a billiard room built instead.
This game allows not only that he can interact with other gentlemen, but also with the ladies who usually stay close watching.
There is, of course, a big problem: He knows nothing about billiards, but the plan itself is very good.
As he was approaching his property, he is challenged by his neighbor, Miss Carole Quincy, the one who has let him have wet dreams since the last time they met.

Carole has a secret. Well, an almost secret. She has a sketchbook, which would be normal among the ladies. But instead of her drawing animals and flowers, she draws... projects.
That's right. Carole has a secret desire to design environments and see them become real, as an architect.
And because of this secret of hers, she got into trouble.

The last time she was at Azureford's house for dinner, she took her small sketchbook and managed to get into one of the rooms and redraw it. But on leaving, someone bumped into her, causing her sketchbook to fly away and fall under furniture. Not wanting to draw attention to the object, she watched as Swinton, the butler, took the sketchbook and thought it was some of the duke's book, put it on the shelf.
Carole went there a long time later to try to get it back, but the shelves was totally different. Instead of the books being color-separated, as before, employees used some other method.

Her notebook was lost!

She needed to find it before someone else caught it and discovered her secret.
In the meantime, Azureford arrives at the house.

Knowing that in a few days the library would be donated - and her sketchbook gone forever - in a panic, Carole offers to help him catalog everything.
She finally finds the sketchbook, and to her despair, the duke notices when she tries to hide it in her purse.

End of the secret.

But a new opportunity has arisen.
Knowing his intention for the room, she offers to help remodel it.

A man in a possession of a fine billiard room is undoubtedly in want of a wife

Turns out Carole was an expert at playing pool. Not that it was common among ladies, but since her mother died when she was eight, Carole's father allowed her daughter to play with him, and taught her all the tricks.
Being good at calculating, she soon learned to make equations so that the white ball was exactly where she wanted it.
Azureford eventually gave in, and as soon as the room was ready (the billiards party would be 1 month from now), Carole teaches him how to play.

And they both flirt.

Adam already had a crush on Carole, but she didn't have the proper behavior to be a duchess, even though she was funny, intelligent, persevering, good daughter, good hostess, beautiful... and so receptive to his kisses.

What a hell! Who made the rules of what a duchess should look like? And then he asks her to marry him.

And she rejects it.

It's all right to want things you can't have. It's all right not to be perfect; to be sad; to be happy. It makes you human, not incomplete

Carole never imagined she would marry.
Her family had several loss tragedies and she didn't want her daughter to suffer the same as her, the same as her mother and grandmother. And seeing her father so overcome with depression since his wife's death didn't help her change her mind either.
But Adam was so wonderful! And he seemed to accept her unconventional side.
After the billiards party, he departs from Cressmouth. For good.

After witnessing for years the kind of marriage his parents had - they didn't even talk with each other at home - Azureford had different plans, and had even made a list for it:

Required Qualities for my Future Wife
⇝Friendly
⇝Fearless
⇝Good with children
⇝Must like each other!
⇝Honest
⇝Reciprocates feelings
⇝Thoughtful
⇝Puts family first
⇝Knows what she wants
⇝Does everything she can to achieve it
⇝Even though she doesn't need me... Still wants me

Now Carole would have to use that same determination to go after who and what she really wanted: Adam and her happiness.

The story is funny, dynamic, different and romantic.
5 stars

Dukes Actually is the fifth book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley and appropriately the theme of ‘five gold rings’ runs throughout this novella. The Duke of Azureford is a man who has no problem standing before his peers in parliament debating the latest bills but when it comes to a social setting he is painfully shy and tongue-tied giving everyone the impression that he’s arrogant and aloof. He has come to his cottage in Christmas to learn how to make friends so that on his return to London he can find a lady with the suitable attributes required to be his Duchess. He soon meets the acquaintance of his neighbour, Carole Quincy, a woman most unsuitable but gradually, as he gets to know her better, he begins to realise that she meets all the requirements on his list.

The books in this series are light-hearted, quick & easy, humorous reads, perfect to fill a couple of hours on a rainy afternoon. And Dukes Actually has got to be one of my favourite books in the series so far mainly because, other than the ‘five gold rings’ theme, Christmas itself with all its schmaltzy joy & happiness because it’s Christmas isn’t dominating the story

Adam and Carole prove that friends make the best lovers.

Adam knows he's supposed to marry someone "appropriate" to ensure the continuation of his title, yet his shyness has kept him from being able to make the rounds of the Marriage Mart to find a suitable match. Carole, still adrift from the loss of her mother as a young girl, is determined to remain single so she can focus on her devotion to her father and protect herself from future grief.

These two embark on a mutually beneficial friendship, knowing from the start that there's no possibility of a future relationship. This story was so sweet, engaging, and instantly captivating. Both Adam and Carole are likable characters, and their blossoming feelings made for a beautifully understated romance. I really enjoyed the way they each brought out the best in each other.

The heartwarming HEA was doubly satisfying as it resolved a secondary romance as well. I have loved each of these literary visits to this magical town, and highly recommend this book along with the entire series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

And now Adam and Carole’s turn in the mountain village of Christmas. While this book is a continuation of additional stories, it can be read as a stand alone.
Adam is a duke who is shy and awkward around people. He decides to create a billiards room and become proficient so that when he returns to London, he will be more comfortable socializing and searching for a bride. Carole is the girl nextdoor who has her own set of dreams. She sketches everything around her and wants to decorate Adam’s billiards room. Their HEA is a sweet tale.

So far I've loved every book in this series. Carole and Adam were fun to watch as they fell in love, but I was almost more caught up in Judith and Swinton's romance! Loved the imperfect chaperone! Thank you for the advanced copy, I only ended up crying at chapter 16!

I really enjoyed this story in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. It was such a delight to read and one of my favorites. I love the town of Cressmouth, better known as Christmas, I think I could live in a town like that. Beautiful story, beautiful characters. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early copy. I have chosen to leave a review.

It has been a while since I smiled so much and chuckled as I did while reading this book. I loved it. It is endearing, charming, whimsical, caring with a romance so sweet it was hard to put this book down. The main characters, Carole and Adam were well written, realistic, down-to-earth, open minded, relaxed with each other. There were no pretenses between them. Adam starts the ball rolling when he is convinced by Carole to help him achieve his goals. Together they achieve goals they never thought they would. A very pleasant read and I highly recommend. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Cute story about an extremely shy Duke who decides to practice his social skills on the free-spirited lady next door. I received an ARC of this book.

A shy Duke gets help from the girl next door. She teaches him not only what he is hoping to learn, but he finds out what he really needs in a wife! Very sweet romance.

As usual Erica Ridley has written a heartwarming and wonderful story. It starts at Cressmouth in England, also called Christmas. The atmosphere is Christmasy, people are friendly, happy and kind.
The Duke of Azureford, Adam, has given the impression of unfriendliness because he is so shy. He has come back to try to change himself and become more. He meets Miss Carol Quincy, she helps him
with the billiard room he wants and over 5 or 6 weeks, they become close. Carol's father lost her mother a few years back and has not left his office but one hour a day to play billiards with his daughter.
I love this sweet tale of giving, friendship, and love. The characters were great and put this novel over the top. It kind of makes you feel all fuzzy inside. I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

Dukes, Actually is the 5th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley. Ridley is one of my “go to” authors. Her stories have humor and heart pounding romance. I have especially enjoyed this Christmas series. Each story takes place in a wonderful little town called Cressmouth. In Cressmouth, the inhabitants celebrate Christmas all year round. Ridley has a talent for creating characters of depth and feeling. I loved the heroine Carole Quincy - she is the sunshine in the town. Adam Farland, the sixth Duke of Azureford was a little confusing at times, but I loved his shyness. He was a very relatable character. “He wasn’t holding back now. He was taking, demanding, giving, pleading. Two souls caught in a tug-of-war between we shouldn’t be doing this and I never want to stop.” Bravo Ms. Ridley! I was given a copy of this book.

Sweet Historical Romance
Miss Carole Quincy has been raised by her father after her mother's death in the village of Cressmouth. She is an integral part of village life, graciously handling any task she is given to make village life easier, and is very popular.
The Duke of Azureford is shy and seeks to become less so by immersing himself in village society. His end goal is to marry, but if he is tongue-tied, how can he?
Carole comes to his rescue. The plan is to help him learn billiards, become comfortable socially and help him find a wife...problem is...the more he learns about Carole...the more he wants HER to be the one.
Will he convince her that despite the difference in stations, she is his ONE.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc and enjoyed this addition to the series.

The Duke of Azureford appears over-confident, aloof, and untouchable amongst his peers. But he suffers from anxiety when it comes to social events. So much so that he becomes almost mute, unable to find the words to converse. Especially when it comes to the opposite sex. But he is determined to learn how to interact with others beyond the matters with the House of Lords.

Enter his neighbor in the village of Christmas, where the Duke owns a cottage. After having a very unsuccessful dinner party months ago, he is returning, donating his books, and forcing himself to learn how to interact with others rather than hermit in his library. Hence why he is donating the majority of his library.

Only Miss Carole Quincy had left her beloved sketchbook in his library on accident during his dinner party. And she needs to figure out a way to retrieve it.

When Adam and Carole accidentally meet up again, as Carole sneaks into the Duke's cottage to look for her sketchbook, Adam realizes Carole can help him learn how to socialize. And as you can imagine, the two are perfect for each other.

I adore Erica Ridley's historical romances. They're always fun, engaging, witty, light hearted in some areas and touch upon real issues in others. The chemistry is always excellent and the love scenes never feel gratuitous or over the top. I know whenever I read one of her novels, it will be in one sitting and this was no different.

Add in some fortune telling and billiards, and we have another lovely installment of the 12 Dukes of Christmas.

Dukes, Actually is the latest installment in Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Adam Farland, the shy Duke of Azureford visiting his cabin in the village of Christmas (Cressmouth), asks extroverted socializer Miss Carole Quincy for help with his lack of conversational skills and the design of his new billiard room. The story is short and sweet, with the usual quirky cast of characters you can expect in a 12 Dukes book.

Carole has many passions, but the ones that burn most brightly are architecture and her commitment to her father’s well-being. Her commitment to caring for her absent (yet present) father is pretty extreme, and little by little you see her shed the mantle of caretaker that she never should have taken up in the first place. Adam nurturing her other interests helps her to gain the freedom of choice she was missing.

Adam seems aloof on the surface, but is so shy that he pretends to be detached. It isn’t until he sets aside his year-round dedication to Parliament and spends time talking about his real self that he learns to shed this fear—at least around Carole. He’s a bit hardheaded in his view of what his duchess should be (as are most dukes in historical romances), but nuances like his list of qualities modeled off of Carole are endearing and lead to Adam realizing that he doesn’t need perfection, but instead, the right person.

After losing her sketchbook in Adam’s library during a house party, the two are brought together as Carole insists on searching for it while he packs up his books for donations. Adam discovers her architectural talent, and the two find themselves in each other’s company for weeks as she directs the design of a new billiard room in Adam’s cabin. Though this is the premise that throws the two together, it’s the connections they make that seals the deal.

The town of Cressmouth/Christmas is as quirky as ever, with a spookily-accurate fortune teller, the never-ending feast at the castle, and familiar faces from the previous stories. Carole’s maid and Adam’s butler have a side romance going on as well, adding some hilarity to the book.

This is a witty and fun story that proves Paula Abdul’s assertion that opposites attract. The only drawback for me was that the ending felt rushed, especially after all the build-up that went into their relationship. It was a bit too easily resolved, but still gives a satisfying conclusion.

Falling for the Girl Next Door.
Yet another sweet and funny story of love and romance in the village of Christmas. A shy and socially awkward Duke and an outgoing spinster, with no pretensions of haut ton (but one who can play a wicked game of billiards) find their HEA together.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wasn't very far into the book before I realized had been smiling quite a bit. Carole was totally unique with quite the imagination too! An imagination that she used as an escape with her drawings; into a world that could be instead of what was. She sure had some interesting ideas. That is some of the places that made me smile.
While I am NOT a fan of fortune tellers, the brief appearance of one in this story does shake things up!
Adam also adds his flavor to the story and he has way more depth than most people get to see. He is brilliant when standing and speaking before a group of people like Parliament. But one on one with another person he comes across as cold, rude and graceless. Only his butler Swinton, is privy to the fact that small talk almost gives him hives. That small talk is an agony for him.
Carole is brilliant in her own ways and has a robust love of life. She is the opposite of Adam. She has a way of drawing people to her like bees to honey. Sure, she has her flaws but she's also on the lookout for how she can help people. Carole's lady companion, Judith was a hoot and added even more smiles to the story. She had been with Carole so long that she was almost family. But that didn't mean she was much of a deterrent to many of Carole's hoydenish ways.
Let me say that I enjoyed every minute of this book. It was a fun story with a good Epilogue included.

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

Carol and the Duke are marvelous together. I couldn't put this book down. Ms. Ridley continues to write stories that readers want to read. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Easy to read, lovely storyline, remarkable characters and fun.

Adam is a Duke. Admired by his peers in the House of Lords, but when it comes to social interactions, he is considered to be judgemental and aloof.

Carole is the girl nextdoor who has dedicated her life, looking after her father. She has also sworn to be a spinster. Wishing to remain a spinster doesn't mean that she can't dream and oggle someone from afar.

She has a hidden talent which she intends to keep secret as being a woman this could be scandalous and detrimental to her father's good name. She just happens to have "misplaced" this object in the Duke's library. No matter, he is absent and she is cunning enough to find a way to retrieve this object.

Whilst in persuit of the misplaced object, she meets the reluctant Duke. He is very pleasing to the eyes, but his behaviour leaves a lot to be desired. Once she discovers what the Duke's plans, she offers help. It just so happens that they enjoy each other's company. The thing is that he is looking for "Duchess material" and Carole doesn't behave quite like society dictates. Can he ignore his obligations, and can she look after her father and listen to her heart at the same time?

The interactions between Adam and Carole are interesting. It's good to see how he navigates through his awkwardness with Carole's help. This is a sweet romance. An enjoyable read indeed.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Adam, the Duke of Azureford, is perceived as cold and aloof by his peers, but really he's just shy and socially awkward. Now he wishes to do his duty to the dukedom by marrying an appropriate bride, but he'll need to make some changes first. He's planning to reinvent himself by transforming his library into a billiards room and practicing his social skills on the people of the town of Cressmouth before trying his luck on the real stage in London. His wildly inappropriate neighbor turns out to be the perfect billiards teacher, but she's make a terrible duchess. Right?

Carole Quincy loves logic and math and has been keeping her household together since her mother's death. She's happy to help loosen up the straight-laced duke and let him practice his flirting on her. She never intends to marry anyway so what could be the harm?

This was another cute Christmas story in the 12 Dukes series. It's a quick feel-good read and I think those are always enjoyable. Although these two harping on about all the reasons they couldn't be together did get a bit old after awhile, especially given that this is a short novella, overall I liked this story and look forward to the next.

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