A delightful story of two people reluctant to fall in love – one wanting to return home to France with her brothers and the other not wanting to open his heart to love again after watching his first wife die. Ten year old twins, Annie and Frederick provide laugh out loud moments. I would have loved to see more of Desiree’s brothers, Lucien and Bastien as the moments between the three siblings were some of my favorite scenes in the novella.

A welcome addition to the Dukes of Christmas series. A quick and relaxing read, romance and a bit of intrigue set in the village of Christmas

Désirée has lived most of her life in England after fleeing France during the French Revolution after her parents’ death. Her brothers are very intent on going back in France and demand the inheritance to which they are entitled, and she’s decided to go with them even if the idea of the possible consequences on her life doesn’t thrill her much. She’s a young woman very resourceful, who loves finding solutions to anything (even before the problem arises) and she has a lot of knowledge, in part because of the books she borrows at the castle’s library. She’s kind, attentive and funny, and I liked how she passes on her thirst for discoveries to the twins.

Jack is likeable hero, kind, and much attached to his children to whom he gives a lot of time. He also knows how to dress his daughter’s hair, and he always has hairpins in his pocket, to the heroine’s amazement. He has an ability to analyze problems and find alternatives that serves him regularly to manage his smuggling ring, and he already has imagined how to live when smuggling won’t be possible anymore now that war has ended. He doesn’t want to attach himself to a woman in order not to risk losing her like for the children’s mother, and he’s very clear on this point.

Between them the attraction exists even before the beginning of the book but no one has admitted it to him/herself yet. The fact they begin living together emphasizes this desire, both hesitating because family comes first for each of them. I liked that when they decide to go forward, it’s after each clearly expresses the fact they don’t want anything lasting. By the way Jack asks several times to Désirée if she’s certain of her decision.

As for the secondary characters we have of course Jack’s children, and Désirée’s brothers. All of them are here to show the deep connections between each hero and his/her family, and they put a –slight- obstacle on the couple’s way because each must learn to open to other people.

It’s with pleasure that I found the humor I already experienced in another book by the author, a light humor with exchanges of witty comebacks, sometime ironic. There are also more moving moments like when the heroine makes the twins understand that loving a new person doesn’t mean she’s going to take someone else’s place in their hearts.

Unfortunately I found the story wasn’t deep enough, it stays a bit too superficial, probably because the book is quite short. Especially Jack’s job as a smuggler isn’t really present when it’s not so often we have this kind of hero. But I had a lovely reading time all the same with this cute story.

Erica Ridley has quite the imagination. Each of her 12 Dukes of Christmas characters are unique, quirky, lovable, and just plain fun. Most of all, I love that the dukes can be anyone or anything. With each book you wonder which duke will show up next. In The Duke's Bride, the Duke is not male, but the very feminine, one Desiree le Duc. She and her family came to Cressmouth after fleeing the reign of terror in France. They have made a comfortable life, but are anxious for the day they can return to France. Jack Skeffington and his ten year old twins have found a home in Cressmouth after becoming a widower. Friendship over billards and Jack's wine smuggling enterprise, has made them friends. The twins need a governess. Desiree becomes the interim, temporary governess. What happens when friendship becomes more? What will happen when the le Ducs are able to return to France? Will Desiree left with her brothers? This is one of the best series I have read!

I’m y mistake I ready the book after this before this one. I love how the books allow you to read them in order (and notice some extra things) or mismatched at no great loss. That said I loved this book and the characters within. I smiled so many times while reading and am so glad I came across this author.

Another sweet tale from the mountain town of Christmas! Each tale has brought very different characters together and this one is no different! The French emigre and the smuggler!

The Duke's Bride (12 Dukes of Christmas #6) by Erica Ridley is another enchanting story for this little town of Cressmouth. This is the perfect time of year to treat yourself to this festive story. Intriguing Jack Skeffington is in need of a governess for his twins. Desiree le Duc signs on to fill the position until a proper governess can be found. This story is completely heartwarming in every way. I enjoy being swept away to this little village each and every time.

This book was very cute and romantic. If you have read any of the previous books in the series, we have met Desiree leDuc already. She is very beautiful and sweet. She agrees to be a temporary governess to Jack's children while he looks for someone more experienced. Of course, these two have been attracted to each other for ages but have never acted on it as they know there can be no future between them. But this is a romance novel, so guess how that goes?

This was a quick read, but very entertaining and lighthearted.

Another great love story from the author that has become one of my favourite for the historical romance genre and an autobúy as well.
All the great love stories have to go through a lot to get that well-wished and deserved happy ever after and this story is not missing anything.
Great writing, great characters and the interesting story overall, I honestly cannot recommend this book enough.

This was an interesting book. It was a little hard for me to get into at first which surprised me as I have been able to get right into the rest of the books in the series. I did end up liking it though and thought it was a fun story :)

such a cute book. i loved these characters and series. I can't wait to get through the whole series though i will be sad to see it over.

I really enjoyed Jack and Desiree’s story. It was an easy, sweet HR read. Single dad needs a governess who just so happens to be beautiful and French. Great light moments with the children and I enjoyed Desiree’s wit and sense of humour. This is a great series of books.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC to read and give my honest opinion.

Love the bodice ripper cover, it is absolutely perfect! Book starts off with Jack, a privateer that smuggles wine and champagne, looking for a governess for his twins. Desiree is a jack of all trades woman who agrees to teach Jacks children, who seems to have a keen eye on a Jack. Sparks fly.

What did I like? Desiree was an above average woman which made her a delightful governess for those hellion ten year old twins. The whole story was just pleasant, and an easy page turner.

Would I buy this book? This is a delightful series, and yes I would buy or recommend to anyone who loves historical romance. It’s a light romance with no drama or dark stuff. An easy and happy read.

Thoughts for the author? Thanks for a quick and beautiful story! 12 dukes is a great series!

To be honest - I had to warmup to Jack and Desirée. But as I was reading they slowly but surely stole my heart. I loved the twins and her brother's. Together they made this story special.

It was a quick, fun and delightful read and let's not forget - swoony!!!

"I grieved for years, too scared of another loss to risk putting my heart and my children through pain like that all over again. I wanted to shield them. To keep them safe. I was wrong.”Her brow furrowed. “Wrong?”“Running away is the right answer when you’re facing cannon fire or giant wasps. It’s the wrong answer if you’re running away from love. You are worth it. My children are worth it. I am worth it.”He reached out his hand. “Marry me.”

Now we wait to see the next duke finding his HEA.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

3.5 Stars

Désirée and Jack's romance was short but oh so sweet and enjoyable. Jack was in need of a governess for his unruly ten year old twins and Désirée was the answer to his prayers and so much more as their relationship develops into love. I just wish their story had been longer.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy provided by the author/Netgalley.

Désiree and her brothers are trying to get home to France. They've been saving up money for 18 years while living in Cressmouth. Now she's going to be an interim governess to the Skeffington children (who by the way are exceedingly cute) but just until Jack can find another governess.
Despite everyone's best efforts all the Skeffingtons can't resist falling for the charming Désiree - children and father alike. And when plotting gets inventive, well you'll have to read it for yourself to find out more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am excited to read Sebastian's story next.

THE DUKE’S BRIDE is the sixth book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. Though each will stand on its own, I highly recommend every book in this series.

The le Ducs were French aristocracy in line for the throne at the time of the revolution. Their parents met the guillotine, but Désirée and her two brothers were smuggled away by a family friend. This makes Désirée French by birth and blue blood, but she has spent most of her life in England.

Jack has no title. In fact, he is one step up from a pirate. Well, in truth, he used to be a pirate! What could he offer a lady of breeding?

Oh, come on! You know the answer by now. This is what I love about romances. True love doesn’t care about your background or pedigree. True love cares about your heart, your humor, and your character. Désirée and Jack are both the strong type of people I would want to know.

One of the reoccurring elements of this series is to weave a bit of the 12 Days of Christmas into the story and they have been coming in order. This is the sixth book, so we had six geese a layin’. Jack’s children loved to see the geese in the park and are excited to know that there will soon be new goslings. We’ve also had billiards playing (in book 5) that returned, stargazing (book 3), and racing horses (repeatedly).

We are only half way through the 12 Days and the 12 Dukes. I am looking forward to swans, ladies, maids, etc.

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

Title: THE DUKE’S BRIDE
Series: Twelve Dukes of Christmas #6
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: book received as an unedited ARC
Received from: Erica Ridley

Overall an enjoyable book! There was much more of the dynamics between the MC's with Jack's kids but I find that I didn't mind that. He was quite a devoted father, so anyone who had to come into his world had to be good with them.

What a lovely story :)

This is Desiree le Duc and Jack Skeffington’s story, 6th in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series; a standalone, happily ever after, no cheating, historical romance with sizzle.
Exiled from France along with her 2 brothers, Desiree’s dearest dream is to return to her homeland with her brothers and reinstate their lands. Can an English smuggler with a wine cellar to match any back in France convince Desiree, that her true desire is to stay with him and his twins? This well written story is a great escape, with fun characters, lovable children and a beautiful romance.
Looking forward to the next in this series.
I received an electronic copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Book 6 of the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, “The Duke’s Bride” is a historical rom-com delight complete with an international smuggler and a French aristocrat.

If that sounds so sinister, please don’t get your hackles up. Author Erica Ridley added so many humorous moments that it’s actually a frolic in a snow.

This is not your usual historical romance. Our hero, Jack Skeffington was an outlaw so similar to those who smuggled liquor from Canada to the U.S. during prohibition that you simply could not help but be thankful they exist. “The Duke’s Bride” was set around the French Revolution when obtaining the highly desirable and covetable French wines simply could not be had using normal channels. Hence, the birth of smuggling across the English Channel.

Speaking of the French Revolution, our heroine Mademoiselle Désirée le Duc belonged to the French aristocracy. She and her brothers were the only ones in their family to escape the guillotine and found safety in England only with the clothes on their back.

To survive, they had to work and to help out her family, Désirée became a temporary governess to Skeffington’s 10-year old twins. She was just supposed to give them lessons, but Désirée found herself falling in love with the twins and soon enough, she also fell in love with their father.

So Désirée had to choose – go back to France and reclaim her heritage or stay in England to be with the man she loved. She was in the proverbial “damn if you do and damn if you don’t” because choosing either one would mean losing something she loved.

“The Duke’s Bride” is a historical rom-com so there really was no existentialist monologue worthy of Descartes. Still, the dilemma that Désirée was in provided enough drama to tug at your heartstrings. How this was resolved is the surprising ending of the story.

“The Duke’s Bride” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance strongly advised due to some sexual content that is so far from being graphic, but it is still there, nonetheless.