Another Erica Ridley book read and it was just as fantastic as the previous ones. My favorite author for a bit of lighthearted romance. I love it so much.

This is second part of Dawn with a Duke. This story take part at the same time as Cavin McAlistairs and Lady Isabelle does. Both are snowed in and can't leave. Jonathan McLean is a partner to Cavin.
He is the artist for the new line of affordable clothes that are high quality, affordable, and require no valet. They are for the common people who want to look like a Duke for special events.
He has made it to Cressmouth, the town that is Christmas all year. Unfortunately, Jonathan doesn't hold much with anything to do with the season. He has traveled everywhere looking for business ventures. He never goes to the same place twice and usually only stays one night at any of them. If no one knows you then you can't get hurt.
While looking for something to do he goes into a jewelry store and sees the most beautiful women he has ever come across. Jonathan is never at a loss for words till now. Angelica is the owner of the shop, very busy with orders and does not have time for a Handsome stranger. She has worked hard for recognition. She had a lot to overcome, she is black and on her own. Her own family can't understand why she didn't just stay in London and work for her brother who took over their father's shop when he died. She has a loving big family. Loves Christmas and all that goes with it.
At first it seems these two have nothing in common. But as they spend time together, we learn
more of Jonathan's past, why he travels and has no true home.
Angelica also has a past she keeps hidden. Will these two be able to overcome all and find a happy
ever after? Can they see past hurts and move on to what both really want? Will they wait till it is too late ?
This is a sweet loving story of two people with more in common then they think.
It is a clean story and any age could read and enjoy it.
Other great tale with the Cressmouth village and all its wonderful characters.
I do hope you give it a try all the books in the series can be read as standalone but so much
better read in order.
I received and ARC from the author and want to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.

I loved, loved, loved this story! It was so nice to see a story with a strong independent woman that doesn't end up being filled with sex scenes and nothing much besides. This was a clean story told from the points of view of the gentleman without a home who was lonely and wandering the country, and the black female jeweler who was trying to make a name for herself whilst fighting against preconceived notions of her race and gender. Despite all this the story wasn't depressing, instead it was uplifting and heartwarming and one I'll be recommending to others.

Jonathan MacLean is on his way to Cressmouth to meet with the Duke of Nottingvale about investing in a business venture. Jonathan is a bit of a nomad, traveling around the country, but never staying anywhere long enough to lay down roots and he has a steadfast rule – he never visits the same place twice. He arrives to learn that the snow will certainly keep him in town longer than expected and will delay the arrival of the Duke and his business partner Calvin. Unable to just wait around for the snow to stop, he decides to venture out and meet the people of Cressmouth. He enters the jeweler’s shop and feels like he has been struck by lightning – the jeweler is the most stunning woman he has ever seen!

Angelica Parker is the jeweler in town, she came to Cressmouth seven years ago to make a name for herself. She was invited to set up shop by Mr. Marlowe and he made her an outrageous offer – he would provide her with rooms in the castle and a shop at no charge, but she must stay in Cressmouth for seven years – no exceptions – if she leaves, even for a day, the contract is void and she will owe an obscene amount of money, however, if she fulfills the contract, everything is hers, free and clear – this Christmas will be her seventh year and she is looking forward to travel – but she plans to stay in Cressmouth. Her family comes each year to visit her, but they don’t understand why Angelica agreed to the contract – they have a successful shop in London and think she should have married and stayed with them. Angelica longs to be acknowledged for her talent and knows that if she stayed in London – that would never happen. She is happy in Cressmouth, but still hasn’t achieved the recognition she dreams of. She has no idea how much her live will change when a handsome young man comes into her shop!

What a sweet novella this was! It is well written and chocked full of interesting historical facts regarding slavery in Regency-era Britain. Jonathan and Angelica are very complex characters and I am impressed by how well Ms. Ridley was able to flesh them out considering this is a novella. The story has a lot of emotion, some laughs, warmish love scenes, delightful secondary characters, compromise and a sweet HEA, complete with an epilogue. This book is the tenth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me.*

4 stars

I liked the story, though I got a bit miffed in the way the author kept reminding me throughout the narrative that the heroine was Black. Angelica is a talented jeweller and took the opportunity to have her own shop in Cressmouth, the Christmas Village that is the location for this series of books. To ensure she didn't have to pay a large mortgage she had to commit to 7 years toil (which as the story was making references to the iniquites of the slave trade, I couldn't help but notice the link the author was making with semi-voluntary indentureship). Our hero is a trust fund kid, who resents the money his father has provided him with in lieu of a relationship (a bit like a remittance man). He travels around the country, giving said money away, whilst acting as an entrepenuer to struggling artists. The previous book was about Jonathan's partner and their plan to create a range of ready to wear clothes. Both of them are lonely in their own way, Angelica because she misses her family and Jonathan because his continual travelling helps to cover the shallow relationships he finds on the way. I thought the passion was a bit missing in this book but then there was a lot of detail on culture, psychology and transformation.

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

This was a short and entertaining, well-paced read with a charming sense of place and time and well written dialogues. I do wish it were longer, it helps with build up and really getting into a story. But for a quick read, this is a good one.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Since they occurred concurrently, it was fun to read Jonathan MacLean's story after reading Calvin McAlistair’s story in Book 9 Dawn with a Duke. I loved how Jonathan interacted with everyone far and wide, it was very entertaining. Angelica Parker was such a strong woman to set out on her own to achieve her dreams! Another great addition to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series.

If I ever entertain going back in time, I want to go back to Erica Ridley’s Cressmouth where there are women who stand against the norm, make their own lives and deal with the consequences, if any! In this warm and heartfelt tale, Angelica, a gifted jeweler who bravely signed a contract that would control her life for seven years, she has made a name for herself, in spite of her race and the fact she is a woman. All was going well until Jonathan MacLean steps into her shop and her life, churning emotions she never dreamed of having time for.

Quirky, clownish, yet clearly intelligent, Jonathan is like a breath of fresh air coming on with hurricane force winds. What has driven this man to live the life of a good-hearted nomad? What dark secrets is he hiding?

Has love come to Cressmouth again when one least expects it? How can a woman firmly rooted in her livelihood and passion tame a footloose wanderer? How does the dashing wanderer bring a bit of adventure into the serious business woman’s life?

ONE NIGHT WITH A DUKE could be one of Erica Ridley’s best romances yet! Light-hearted at times, heart-melting at others, another fun read in the town where the magic of love abounds!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion!

One Night with a Duke was a fun, short story. There was adventure, deadlines to meet, learning how to compromise was a big take away. Definitely recommend.

Already Duke number 10, but every Duke still has a wonderful story of its own. I find myself always very happy to accompagny Erica Ridley to Cressmouth (or better known as Christmas). After we heard of the Fit for a Duke clothing line in Dawn with a Duke, we now can meet Calvin's compagnon: the happy-go-lucky Jonathan MacLean. Jonathan is always on adventure, meeting new people and travelling to places he has never been before. Angelica Parker has never set foot out of Christmas for the last seven years. Because she has worked hard to start her very own jewelershop. As a woman, she has fought very hard to gain her independence. So, she has little time for the charming visitor of her shop. Even if he keeps on coming back and stealing kisses.
For the first time in forever, Jonathan starts envisioning a home to come home to. A home with Angelica in it. But Angelica isn't looking for a husband. Can the Christmas miracles of Cressmouth lend a hand? Find out for yourself in this wonderful cozy read. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

This is the first of Ridley's books that I've read that featured an inter-racial couple which was interesting and unique for the genre. The story however, was boring. They meet, they talked, they worked through their own mental issues. There was no action or much plot. There was no passion, the couple seemed luke warm. I prefer the "high stakes" forbidden romances. That may be why I much prefer her Gothic romances that typically have a mystery and action included in the plot. I don't know, this one was a miss for me.

Love this series.Fun storyline charming characters a story line that keeps me entertained a series I highly recommend each book is a treat to read.#netgalley #onenightwithaduke

I love this series, each can also be read as a stand alone though, A small village, busy jeweller and a dashing Scot at Christmas feature in this story, what’s not to love. Really enjoyed the quirky characters and the whole finding oneself that Jonathan undergoes, ignore the past and make your own future. Great quick read.

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Admittedly, I am a fan of Ms Ridley and I adore this series. Who wouldn't? The 12 dukes series is so quirky and witty and so well written. Fantastic characters and story line. IMHO, these are as different as they come and you won't regret buying the whole series. My only criticism is that they are not longer.

Very unusual main characters in this story! The female, Angelica, is a black jeweler who runs her own business in the town of Cressmouth. She is trying to make a name for herself. Jonathan is an illegitimate son who has made money investing in small everyday businesses. He flits about from town to town never wanting to stay in the same place twice. When a snowstorm forces him to stay in Cressmouth, he discovers Angelica and the advantages of living in a place where everyone knows you. I received a copy from NetGalley and WebMotion for my honest review.

Another fun part of the series. Delightfully eccentric characters. and an equally delightful funny and flippant storyline.. I loved it. Definitely one for anyone to read.

Erica Ridley's love stories are fantastically fabulous. I received an ARC of "One Night with a Duke " from Erica Ridley via Netgalley. This story was so amazing and entertaining that I read it in one night because I just couldn’t pit it down. Jonathan MacLean is an always on the road, looking for an adventure, monry making and super generous kind of man. Angelica Parker is a jeweler, an exquisite hard working, super talented jeweler. The two meet, where else but in Cressmouth, during the Christmas season. Another 6 out of 5 stars for Erica Ridley.

Angelica Parker has no time for distractions. Busy with her work as a jeweler in the village of Cressmouth at Christmas, she barely has time to sleep. Will a dashing Scotsman make her rethink her priorities? Find out in this witty, charming bit of holiday cheer, the tenth in a series of twelve books about dukes.

Jonathan is too much to handle. If I were to have meet him I probably would have turned around and walked away. A little overwhelming to Angelica also. As the story goes on we come to understand why Jonathan is the way he is. I think that the town of Cressmouth, better known as Christmas, was just what he needed to find where he really belongs.

Jonathan, a Scot, doesn’t stay in one place, traveling constantly, introducing himself to strangers and encouraging them to ask him anything. Oh and giving away money, especially to ‘start ups.’ Angelica, a Black Englishwoman, has stayed in one place for 7 years designing and selling jewelry in her shop. When Jonathan gets snowed in and has to stay in the village he finds Angelica’s shop and is drawn to her, reading to her while she works and bringing her meals. How can love flourish between such disimilar characters?
This is an engaging and redemptive Christmas tale. Jonathan, so lost, is so endearing a character. Angelica is a strong Black woman, firmly planted in the village, is a fascinating character. Watching their love grow and finally come to a satisfying conclusion is gratifying.