What a fun twist on the Duke theme. I think I smiled through most of the book. The characters are fun and interesting. The idea of using a duke to sell product is different from most books and the twist of relationships in the end is delightful.

I really liked the story. This author does keep me entertained. I never go wrong selecting one of her books to read.

5 of 5 stars

I love this series! The latest books features Calvin McAlistair, a talented tailor, and Lady Isabelle, daughter of a duke. Calvin is working toward a dream of having the duke invest in his ready-made clothing line. Lady Isabelle has been drilled over and over that her reputation is her most precious commodity. When a snowstorm traps both Calvin and Isabelle, they soon learn that everyone needs a champion to believe in them. Is there a world where a commoner and a lady can find true love?

Calvin was such a good and honorable hero who had his own insecurities to overcome. He's terribly awkward with people, but when Isabelle enlists his help to button and unbutton her gowns while her maid is in the sickroom, he becomes comfortable with the beauty. For the first time in her life, someone is seeing the real person instead of her rank. When Calvin agrees to let her to paint his illustrations, Isabelle is overcome with emotion that someone believes she is a talented painter. I felt bad for Isabelle especially the way her family treated her as an object instead of a young woman. That was the way of the ton in that era and I was so glad when Isabelle finally stood up for herself. Ms. Ridley writes such compelling characters and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I’ve read a lot of Erica ridleys books and this one has been as cute as ever. The couple has a great connection and the scenes in which they watch the sunsets every evening, had me just sighing with happiness. It’s the first time that I’ve seen a tailor being made the hero in a Regency romance book and it was very well done indeed. The whole thing was just cute as a button like all the ‘Duke at Christmas’ books.

Lady Isabelle and Calvin McAlistair are both stuck at the same posting inn on their way to Cressmouth (aka Christmas). Belle is on her way to her brother’s annual Christmas party and Calvin is on his way to secure an investor for his company. They soon discover their interlude at the inn might jeopardize those plans.

Erica Ridley writes the BEST heroes and Calvin was no exception. I adore historical romances but they’re so overrun with the arrogant hero that’s slept with everything in skirts that it gets old. Calvin is a great guy without being boring. He still has a past and I loved learning about it.

Ridley’s heroines are also fantastic. Belle might be a lady but she’s not a typical one. She dreams of something more, especially beyond the kind of marriage her family expects her to have.

This was a super easy read and a great addition for a fabulous series. I cannot wait for the next title!!

I think this was my favourite 12 Dukes book so far, it’s such a fun series. I particularly loved Isabelle and Calvin, both as individual characters and their relationship with each other.

This was a nice, easy to read book. The plot was a simple straight forward A to B design with a couple of unexpected scenarios. I read it in one sitting and will be going back to this author for more.

As the daughter of a duke, Lady Isabelle’s pristine reputation is paramount. Her high status is how she’ll attract the titled suitor her mother insists she wed. When Belle’s chaperone falls ill en route to a party, she must pose as an independent widow to avoid gossip. Why not have a wee innocent flirtation with a handsome tailor staying at the same inn? She’ll be gone in the morning…
The storyline is one that has you captivated from the first paragraph..
This is a sweet romance.

This was, as one says in fanfic, tooth-rotting fluff. I adored it.

Yes, there's very little actual plot, and the sequence of events is improbable to say the least. But the way Belle and Calvin interact was so warm and cozy. Reading this book was like sitting by a warm fire with a cup of tea and a good book. They're both insecure and a little awkward, but once they start sharing their space, him designing outfits and her painting, and appreciating one another's talent, they blossom. (I could have done without the sex scene, but that's just me.)

Excuse me while I go and search out every book Erica Ridley has written.

A delightful, charming romance. Belle and Calvin are cut from the same cloth, without each other realizing it. Their subtle, slow burning attraction lends a flourish to their serendipitous meeting, “contract”, and eventually their HEA. I loved how they slowly brought out the best in each other and ultimately lead Belle to blossom into the strong woman’s she was meant to be.

Lady Isabelle on her way to spend Christmas with her brother the Duke has to break her journey at a Inn in Houville. Her maid is ill and cannot travel any further. Life in the Inn will come as a great shock to Isabelle used to an upper class lifestyle with servants for all her needs. To save her reputation she signs in as Mrs Levine a widow. Complications occur when she meets Calvin McAlister a tailor planning a presentation to the Duke. Smile at the comedy moments of Isabelle not able to remove her own clothes or take a bath and Calvin coming to the rescue. Calvin is not looking to marry his career means everything. Can Isabelle go against her family and society when it comes out she has spent her time with a gentleman. You will find a nice romance with a modern twist of Isabelle trying to break free from her station in life and Calvin who believes he will never find love.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Travelling to Cressmouth , Lady Isabelle and her maid Ursula are forced to stop at an inn due to the storm and Ursula's illness. Forced to stay in different rooms due to her maid's illness, she's forced to ask for help from her neighbor in the next room.
Ms.Ridley creates a romance between the lady and a commoner, a clothing designer, during a longer stay enforced by the illness and the storm. They bargain to work together.
As they interact, and the differences become less than they way they are alike, he falls in love, as does she, but she still puts duty first....until she realizes after he leaves, he is what she really wants.Their steamy encounter is what she wants for the rest of her life and sets about to get it. They do get their happy ever after I the end.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse and offer my opinion freely.

I absolutely love all of Erica Ridley books. I started it last night, had to set it aside at midnight, and finished the last bit the second I woke up. They’re feel good stories that always put a smile on my face even when I ready much too late.

An entertaining and well written regency romance. Good plot and character development. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

A lovely story that retains its historical accuracy, unlike so many books set in this period, yet still retains its romantic nature and slightly amazing choices of the heroine which she likely wouldn't have made in real life back then, which keeps the story light and enjoyable and stops it being depressing as many truly real life stories from the period are. I enjoyed this story so much I'll be keeping an eye out for others in the series

I love this series and that a duke can be a person, animal or manikin! Belle is adorable and just wants to be herself. She fought for that independence, but now struggles with what to do with it. Meeting Calvin is the best thing that could have happened to her. They are stuck in the same inn on their way to Cressmouth.

Although they are not exactly at Cressmouth/Christmas, they are as close as can be in an adorable inn in Houville (love it!). The spirit of love that reigns in Cressmouth is there with them as their love begins and grows. They innocently for a team without realizing where that ‘contract’ is going to lead them. Calvin can see the real Belle and not Lady Isabelle, offering to let her paint as she has always wanted. The ending is precious!

I enjoyed reading, Dawn With a Duke. I did miss the spirit of Cressmouth, otherwise known as Christmas. This book mostly takes place in an inn. Too funny the inn is in the town of Houville.

This is the continuation of the series 12 Dukes of Christmas, each installment well worth reading. This is a lighthearted romance with a touch of comedy. It is a fun, easy read as are all the books in the series. I would recommend it to young adults on up.

I received an arc from the author. The opinions are my own.

Dawn with the Duke
Series: 9th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas Series
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Dawn with the Duke was another great addition to this series. I really enjoyed it! Lady Isabella is stuck at an inn due to the weather and her maid has fallen sick. She is able to get the last room at the inn which is right next door to Calvin MacAlistair's. She pretends to be a widow to protect her reputation. Reputation that is put to the test when she realizes that she needs help getting out and in of her clothes (due to the the buttons being in the back of the dress). She asks Calvin for his help and he agrees. He's very attracted to her when he first meets her, but his priority is finishing a collection of clothes that he is going to present.
Since they are stuck with each other for some days due to the weather they decide to help each other. Bella has a talent for water coloring so therefore she will color his designs that he will present.
These two were very sweet and their chemistry was off the charts. I liked how they first became friends and got to know each other a little better, though Bella did keep her true identity from Calvin until she couldn't anymore.
This put their relationship to the test, but in the end Bella stood up for what she wanted and like Ursula, her maid, told her, she became her own hero.
I look forwards to more of this series.

Bella is a duke’s sister who only wants to paint and do illustrations. Calvin is a tailor who only wants to start a ready to wear line of men’s clothes. Thrown together in an inn during a snow storm Bella hides her identity and falls in love with Calvin. Will their love be enough for the duke to approve? I received an ARC from NetGalley and WebMotion for my honest review.

I have read most of Erica Ridley's books. They are always nicely plotted and filled with terrific characters. This book is no different. The hero and heroine have great chemistry and stand up on their own. It's a simple plot as all Rom-Com are but it's very entertaining. It's one of the better historical romance out there...