Single father Jack needs a governess for his twins.
Desiree le Duc needs to earn money to fund the family plans to return to France. Neither wants to fall in love, of course. But it might have happened already.

Another wonderful story set in "Christmas". Exactly the book you should read on a cold rainy afternoon.

Jack Skeffington is a widower and a master at smuggling. He needs a governess/tudor for his ten year old twins. Eventhough he and the twins are English, his first choice is the French Mademoiselle Desiree la Duc. Her brothers are focused on returning to France to petition for their property and expect Desiree to go with them, but love has a way of changing plans. It took me a few chapters to get into the book, but the charming, precocious twins and Desiree as their companion really made it easy to read the story. I really enjoyed the development of the relationship of all four and the solution to the contention with her brothers. A short read, but a good one.

It's a match made in adventure and there's heartache up ahead. Jack and Desiree take the unconventional route to romance. The Duke's Bride is not for the faint of heart. Ridley sprinkles her own brand of captivating into this brew of lost hearts, wicked adventure and mischievous romance and creates a tasty blend of unforgettable.

Jack Skeffington is looking for a governess for his twins yet when his friend’s sister, Mademoiselle Désirée le Duc, proposes her assistance, in exchange for funds to assist her brothers reclaim their vineyard in France, Jack readily agrees. Yet as Jack and Désirée spend time together, it quickly becomes clear, that they are dreading ever being apart.
I must admit that this has been my favourite in the series, with Jack such an attractive male character with his relationship with his children. Whilst caring, he is also a strong character, enough to match the determined Désirée. Both are fiercely family minded, making them such a great couple. With two mischievous twins, presented with such detail, it is difficult not to find yourself quickly immersed in this book.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I just love this series. This book is full of family, how much we do for them, how much they control our decisions. So what happens when desires change and yet guilt keeps one from telling anyone? This book is full of delightful characters that make up a village. The brothers and Jack have strong personalities. But Desiree is a delight and made a wonderful central character. I like the book!

I recommend this book to be read because it kept me reading on until I finished it. The characters were interesting and had lots of different personalities. There was a good story to keep me reading. Another good book.

We are already at number six of the 12 Dukes of Christmas. This time it is a female Duke. Desiree le Duc to be precise. Together with her brothers Sebastian (the smitty) and Lucien she has lived with their "Uncle" John for 18 years now. When they fled France all those years ago and lost their parents, it was John who took them in and kept them under his wing in Cressmouth. However, in order to finance this, he has mortgaged his home and land, which has to be repaid in time or John will lose his home. Since his health doesn't enable him to work any longer, it is up to the le Duc's to repay this dept. After this, then can go back to France, to reclaim their heritage and hopefully their vineyard.
Up until that time, they have to make due with smuggling wine across the countries. Their partner in crime is Jack Skeffington, widower and father of the ten year old twins Annie and Frederick. Since he lost his wife to a disease, he has been raising the twins on his own. But now they come to an age, where they need to be educated further. Since he doesn't want to feel heartbroken again, he wishes to stay single. Therefore, he would like to hire a governess. Desiree wants to go back to France as soon as possible. So if working as a governess can help her brothers raise the funds even faster to move back home, she will do so. But while working for Jack, she can't help but feel attracted to him and she adores his children. But since she will be moving to France in a few months and Jack will have to stay in Cressmouth with his children, they can never be involved. But it wouldn't hurt to steal some kisses? Right?
Heartwarming, with a swoon worthy widower who does his best to raise his rebellious children. As always, a wonderful read. Thank you Netgalley for providing the arc. Five out of five stars from me and I'll be looking out for Duke number seven.

Erica Ridley is an amazing Storyteller! Every single book I read of hers is great! Can't wait for her next book!!

There is something about this author that has me coming back for more from this time period. I so also delight in the governess story line like this one has. Jack is the single parent that has not one but two that need tending too. In this time that usually meant about all aspects of life. Desiree needs to work so she is the one for the job. As the story unfolds you are caught up into the path it takes. The chemistry builds but that doesn't change what a part of her heart desires. You stay with this one because you want to know what transpires. Do we get torn or do we get the prize only the end will tell.

She longed for home, the French vineyard her family lost, but how could she get the money she needed? He may be a successful smuggler, but as a single father of creatively mischievous twins, he was floundering…and their story is a wickedly fun and flirtatious tale by Erica Ridley called THE DUKE’S BRIDE, because sometimes two hearts, two ten-year-olds and necessity equal love when you least expect it!

Quick, fun reading with just enough spice and “kid cuteness” to make me smile! Desiree was a delight and watching another man fall to a strong-willed woman was priceless! It never gets old! Erica Ridley has another hit in a spirited series that any historical romance reader will love!

I was invited to receive a complimentary copy from WebMotion!

Series: 12 Dukes of Christmas - Book 6
Publisher: WebMotion (November 12, 2019)
Publication Date: November 12, 2019
Paperback: 200 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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This is part of the 12 Dukes of Christmas, so far I have loved them all. Can't wait for the next one !
This one is about a Jack Skeffington a single father, widower, and smuggler. He lost the love of his life when his wife died.
Now he has closed his heart to anyone but his rambunctious, 10 year old twins, Frederick and Annie.
These two are way to smart and crafty for their own good. Their mother was teaching then before she passed and since their father has let them run loose. It's time for a governess. But where or how will he find one. Sebastien and Lucien le Duc are the only blacksmiths in Cressmouth and Jack's favorite billiards
opponents along with their sister Mademoiselle Desiree le Duc. They are french and had to flee during the revolution that claimed their parents. The children love going to their house for the pet pig chef . The brothers need to pay off the land for Uncle Jasper who saved them and has been their only family. He has two years left on a twenty-five year lease. As soon as they have it paid they can return to France and take their place in society again. As Desiree was only nine when they left she doesn't feel she fits in totally at Cressmouth, or will fit in back in France either.
When Jack ask Desiree to help him find a tutor for his children and tells her the amount he is willing to pay she is shocked. She doesn't know anyone but knows the amount will help pay off their debt much sooner.
Her brothers hate the idea of her working or being close to Jack.
As she falls for the children and Jack they will both have to re-think what they really want out of life.
While Jack be able to keep his heart closed off to all, or can he chance loving and maybe losing other he cares for. Will the Children every accept other woman then Desiree who they love cause she can do
everything they like only better. Desiree has always thought she would be leaving for France as soon
as the loan was paid. Could she live without her brother's , even for the man she is in love with ?
So many questions and twist and turns. You need to get a copy and get started to see how it all works out
for everyone. Truly a good read all around.
I received and ARC from the author and would like to thank her. I'm voluntarily giving this review.

This was a such a fun, fast read. I was so invested in the little family from the get go. Each of the characters, especially the children had wonderful personalities and were written so beautifully. Really enjoyed this story.

Confirmed bachelor Jack Skeffington needs help with his ten year old twins, he can’t run his smuggling business with all the interruptions and decides he needs a governess. Desiree learns that Jack needs a governess she offers her services at least temporarily until he can find somebody more qualified. She needs to help raise funds to buy the land and their freedom so family can return to France. During the day she’s the governess the children love and by night as the sparks fly between she’s the woman Jack loves to seduce. An excellent story I loved and I voluntarily wrote a review.

Jack Skeffington is in his element running an international smuggling ring, but he has trouble controlling his twins. I had to smile at how he struggles with the children. They are one step ahead of him. I could tell how much he loves them. His plan to hire a governess complicates his life further. Desiree le Duc is a French woman who has been in England for 18 years. She needs money so that her family can return home. She agrees to help Jack. It's a perfect arrangement. The children love her. Jack should be very pleased but he's distracted by this spirited woman. What happens next is a touching romance that made me sigh. I hoped for a HEA but I wasn't sure it would happen. Erica Ridley created characters that I cared about, spirited dialogue and a romance that warmed my heart. All this set in my favorite place. I couldn't ask for more.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

The Duke’s Bride is the sixth instalment in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series and I have to say that this series just keeps getting better with each new book. Jack Skeffington is a widowed father of 10 year old twins. After the death of his beloved wife he’s decided he’s not risking his heart again and devotes his life to raising his twins, Fred and Annie and filling his substantial cellar with contraband wines and champagnes smuggled in from France. He wants more for his children though and, worried about their education, decides to engage the services of a governess for them. Desiree Le Duc is the only sister of the village blacksmiths. Exiled from France 18 years ago the aristocratic Le Duc family’s only dream is to return to their homeland and reclaim their vineyards as well as their standing in the community. But is this Desiree’s dream as well or will she have to choose between her family and the man she loves?

I loved the characters in this book especially the mischievous twins whose personalities shone through. The way the relationship between Jack and Desiree develops slowly as they gradually go from being friends to realising how much they have come to care about each other is done at a pace so nothing feels rushed even though this is a novella length story. A five star read from me.

Another fun read in this series. Desiree le Duc has been asked by Jack Skeffington to be a temporary governess to his ten year old twins. They have all know each other for years. Her brothers are his partners. Her plans are to go back to France with her brothers and Jack's are to never fall in love again. It hurt to o much to lose his wife when she died. But they all fit so well together, can they make it work? What about France when they live where there is Christmas all year long.

This romance is filled with amusing, heartwarming scenes. The children steal the show, but the simmering passion between Désirée and Jack is a delight. Waiting for them to acknowledge what is obvious to everyone makes this story a page turner. The characters in this series of holiday-ish romances are what make them addictive. A myriad of oddball misfits, women with unusual talents and the strong men with interesting pasts that fall in love with them in this magical town all come together in a most entertaining series!

Jack was a very successful widower in his activity as a international smuggling ring, especially champagnes. He was an expert on the subject. But if there was one thing he needed help with, he was dealing with his 10-year-old twin children, Frederick and Annie.
When one of his friends tells him that he needs the help of a governess, Jack nods.

The le Duc siblings (Sebastien, Lucien and Désirée) had fled France not to suffer the same end as so many family and friends, the guillotine.
They were welcomed by Uncle Jasper, who was now too old, needed their help to pay the lease. But they could not wait to return to their country and take possession of their property, especially the vineyard (Désirée's big dream).

They helped Jack with some of his business, and when Désirée found out how much Jack would pay the governess, she volunteered, even if it was temporary.

The truth was, the twins were very intelligent and all that energy of them soon turned to love for Désirée.

Jack was also more than fascinated by the French girl, but he knew her work there was temporary. How could he convince her that it was worth her to stay in England and together raise a family?
5 stars

Single father and confirmed bachelor Jack Skeffington is the mastermind behind an international smuggling ring, yet unable to control his rambunctious ten-year-old twins. What he needs is a stern, experienced, no-nonsense governess. What he gets is his business partner’s untouchable sister, whose delectable body Jack yearns to pull close.
Mademoiselle Désirée le Duc cannot wait to return to France and regain her lost vineyard. But to do so, she must repay crippling debt.
This is Book #6 of the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. The first four were published last year and it keeps us on our toes anticipating the latest book in this wonderful Holiday series. I have read all of them so far and as I indicated look forward to the next one to release. All of these books contain a Duke tucked away in the story although it may not be the main character. These are fun and well thought out Holiday tales, some are Christmas and some continue into the New Year.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for story line and characterization.
I received this book as a complimentary ARC via NetGalley.
I read and reviewed it voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.

This is a fun and cute Christmas novella, with a little dose of steam for added pleasure. I enjoyed it!

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