Eve, aspiring journalist and sole employee of her father’s quarterly newspaper, wished she could write about more interesting things than theater schedules, sleigh ride rates and cookie recipes. Bastian Le Duc, the dandy of the French refugee siblings who run the smithy in town, seeks out her help in advertising said smithy for sale, so he and his brother can return to France. Sparks fly and Bastian’s foreseeable departure is becoming a concern, as well as Eve’s ambition to write a “real” story …

Another very cute, romantic, and well written romance novella set in the town of Christmas, where the holiday cheer goes on all year round.

Ah, another delightful whimsical romance set int eh village of Christmas. An excellent way to spend my Sunday morning. This series is absolutely enchanting.

It's hard to have to continuously prove one's self worth and ambition. When it comes to love love over ambition, there is really no choice.

Sebastien is striving to do anything he can, to return to his beloved France. His family needs come first.

Eve's past has left a tarnish on her relationship with her father and she is willing to go to any length to get the respect and recognition she deserves.

Sebastien has always seen beneath Eve's rumpled exterior, but being French, he thinks that the English ladies are only after one thing. Nothing permanent, but gratifying. When Eve enrols his help for an article in her gazette, she realises than there is more to him than his dandy demeanour.

They come to a mutual agreement of doing each other favours to reach their goals. It turns out that there is more to their feelings, and now it's decision time.

They approach and overcome their difficulties admirably, even when Eve discovers Sebastien's secret. It's a beautiful tale of the magic of Cressmouth also known as Christmas. A charming read.

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

Bastien and Eve lay it all on the line for love!

This wonderful couple just about broke my heart. They're both so perfect for each other, building each other up and wanting the best for the other. They've each had such tragic losses in their early lives; the emotional healing they received from sharing with each other was cathartic even while reading about it was heart-wrenching. I loved seeing both these characters let their guards down and be real with each other.

But this isn't a sad story; there's plenty of humor and a dash of steam as these two figure out how to fulfill the le Ducs' dream of returning to France as well as securing Eve's independence from her father. The HEA was as satisfying as it was inventive. I'm looking forward to the next visit to the charming community of Cressmouth. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

After reading the last book I was anxiously waiting on Bastien’s (and Lucien’s) book. This is a lovely story of do I or don’t I want to leave my life when I meet someone and go back to who knows what with my brother. Bastien is definitely swoon-worthy and gobble up good and you see why Eve fell for him. But can she overcome his little side venture enough to stay with him? Eve wants more than just being a pawn for her father’s newspaper and good for her she gets it. Bastien and Eve are a feel-good couple.

I enjoyed this book which is part of a series but is also a standalone. Lovely couple, bit odd hero, but love wins out. I am very interested in the next story about Lucien. These stories all take place in Cresswell, a town that's all about Christmas. I recommend this story to all.

I was given this as an ARC from the author.
The opinions are my own.

The Duke’s Embrace by Erica Ridley is book 7 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas Series. I have loved each of Ridley’s stories. They can truly be read as stand-alone books. I think this hero was one of my favorites. Monsieur Sebastien le Duc is a dandy - an incredibly masculine dandy. That sets him apart from most Regency character heroes. In other books, a dandy ( someone who is unduly devoted to style and appearance) is generally seen as foppish. But in The Duke’s Embrace, Sebastien is an incredibly masculine blacksmith. “She let her gaze linger on the muscles of his upper arm, on the breadth of his strong shoulders, on the thrilling familiarity of his wide, firm mouth and how sensual it had felt against her own.” There is a very steamy sex scene. Looking forward to the next book in this series. I was given a copy of this book.

When looking for the one news that will launch her journalist’s career, a miss must decide what is worth, love or scoop ...

With each new addition in this series, Mrs Erica Ridley offers more and more surprising portraits from this out-of-time Christmas themed town.
After the Le Duc sister, now it is time for one of the brother.
Sébastian is so much more than his dandy appearance let suggest. He is no empty headed haughty French man, but a kind, careful man who made do with what life taught him. For his family, he will do anything, even going against the law, or follow his brother because it is his goal to go back to France.
Eve since a dramatic event has locked her heart, she makes do, she bends to her father’s will, trying to mend their shattered relationship. But when in need of an advice, it comes from the person she expected the least. Now indebted, she agree to his demand and when she saw him as a ne’er-do-well, she discovers his dandy like attires are only for show, daily he is a smithy, working his hands for his family.

I confess I was upset at Eve for shunning Bastian, she based her opinion on his appearance when he was able to see past her disheveled aspect.
Hopefully she fast changes her opinion, realizing there are many layers on Mr Le Duc, he can’t be summarized by his choice of clothes.

This seventh book is one more great tale about seeking what one really wants.
5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the author, I preordered my own too.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.