I love the Wynchesters and their adventures so freaking much. They are absolutely the best found family and I cannot wait to read more and more from them. I just want them all to find their HEA.

This book is about Chloe and the Duke of Faircliffe. He's on a quest to restore his name and Chloe is on a quest to retrieve a painting his father stole from her family. I loved them together so freaking much. He's completely soft for Chloe but also, absolutely clueless. He longs for a family and it just makes him that much more endearing.

Between the family shenanigans and the absolutely adorable love between Chloe and the Duke, this book had me, 100%.

The first book in The Wild Wynchesters series a well written story with a very good storyline. I enjoyed reading Chloe Wynchester and Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe's story. I found myself smiling as I read. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

A duke and a thief, a pair totally wrong for each other, but who cannot resist the strong attraction that unites them.

Chloe Wynchestrer wants to honor the last request of the man she knew as a father, and to do that, she needs to get back a painting that was long gone.
Normally she would be able to blend into the crowd and go unnoticed, but for this mission - unfortunately, at first - she will need the help of another nobleman. A duke.

Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, wants at all costs to fix the mistakes made by his father, and for that, it is imperative that he marry very well, with an heiress. However, in an unpleasant coincidence, he ends up in a situation with an independent, courageous woman, who was not even that beautiful, much less an heiress. However, he can't stop gravitating to her, and worse, helping her on the craziest mission he has ever heard of. And so, in addition to his sanity, he finds himself totally in love with Chloe.
But that wouldn't help his situation... Or could they have a future together?
5 stars

The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley is one exciting adventure after another. A big family of orphans each with their own special skill are brought together as family by a wealthy man. he dies and the orphans want his painting back that was stolen from him. One of their siblings has found it. Now, they just need to make a plan and swipe the original with a fake. However, complications arise the minute the young sibling, Chloe, ends up taking her enemy's coach. He believes she's wanting to get him alone to make a scandal. In doing so, he thinks she wants to force his hand in marriage. Chloe allows him to think what he wants. But she tries to shake him away. Only he feels sympathy for this woman who feels unseen by him.

He understands what it feels like to be alone and no one notice him. She makes him feel like he owes her. Chloe makes him teach her to be suitable so she can find a husband. This allows her and her family to search his place for the painting. Only they cannot find the exact painting. The more time Chloe spends with her enemy the more she falls for him. Their attraction is instant, raw, and grows with each page. Surprises and twists are plenty in this fun, engaging, romance read. Erica Ridley professionally combines humor, action, and romance into one splendid historical romance novel. I enjoyed the protagonists and minor cast members.

Continuing on with my new-found interest in regency romance, my second foray into the genre was The Duke Heist. In this book, we’re introduced to the eclectic and eccentric Wynchester siblings - a group of orphans who were adopted by a baron. I love stories about found families and strong bonds, and the Wynchesters quickly became one of my new favourite groups of siblings. This book was highly entertaining - it was laugh out loud funny, had a swoonworthy romance, and a lot of heart.

Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable. This comes in handy when she needs to slip in and out of situations that require her to become a certain character - like while infiltrating a reading group to steal a painting that once belonged to her family. She’s used to being invisible and even prefers it because it means people can’t get close and she can’t get hurt. But when she accidentally kidnaps a duke, she soon finds herself in a situation she’s never been in before: Lawrence, the Duke of Faircliffe, sees her. Truly sees her. She’s no longer invisible and forgettable, and she finds herself falling for the man she once assumed was a stuck-up, pompous jerk.

This book was so much fun. I spent a good portion of it with a smile on my face and I laughed out loud often. I really felt for and identified with Chloe - feeling invisible and forgettable, longing for connection. It was so heartwarming seeing her with her siblings and watching as she learned just how much they loved, supported, and saw her in ways she never realized. Just like I love books about found families, I also love stories where people find a sense of belonging, and Chloe and Lawrence both found that from each other and from the people already in their lives. As for the romance, I loved Chloe and Lawrence’s chemistry and banter, and found it easy to root for them.

I did find the pacing of this book a bit off at times. What I assumed was the climax happened about three-quarters of the way through, and wasn’t actually the climax. Also, for some reason I can’t quite pinpoint, this book often felt like a young adult book. As I was reading, I’d frequently forget Chloe, her siblings, and Lawrence were in their twenties and thirties rather than in their teens. It’s not a bad thing, but it was a bit strange at times, especially as the romance heated up.

The Duke Heist was a delight. It was exactly the type of fun, entertaining, light-hearted yet pull-at-your-heart-strings romance I’m after these days. I can’t wait for more of the Wynchester siblings (I’m particularly excited for the second book), and I’d love to see this made into a TV series.

The Duke Has Been Kidnapped

The Wynchesters will do anything to get back a painting stolen from them by the previous Duke of Faircliffe. Thus far, the new duke has ignored them, so what are they to do? Chloe is in charge of retrieving the painting, but surely, she did not intend to kidnap the duke. The adventure starts with stealing the duke, but how will it end? Lawrence must marry an heiress, and Chloe has no dowry. Can Chloe get the painting back without losing her heart? With the Wynchesters on the loose, it sure to be a wild ride. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to those who like Regency romance infused with humor.

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. The blurb reads like something that would be right up my alley, adopted families and missing paintings and abducted dukes totally sound awesome right?

I think this was a case of the writing didn’t really appeal to me, I ended up doing a whole lot of skimming. I liked the actual idea and concept but didn’t love the execution. The found family of adopted siblings have this off-hand way of talking to each other and it left me feeling kind of meh. I also think the romantic pairing was just okay. Their chemistry didn’t really jump off the page at me.

I do realize this may be a case of me and not the book. This is will probably be 100% someone else’s jam.

What a fun, exciting read this was. Full of twists and turns, the characters keep us and each other on our toes through the many convolutions this plot takes. The characters are well=developed, with wonderful, engaging personalities that play with the reader and each other as the story develops. The Winchester siblings are so close and protective of each other, yet each such a “character”, it made it delightful to read this book. It will be fun to watch this series develop. I received a complimentary copy of this book. This is my freely given, honest review.

This book was beautifully written with two very desperate for love characters who fall in love completely by accident. Chloe decides to steal back a painting that belongs to the family by getting close to Lawrence. While the first half of this book is messy-- how does one accidentally kidnap a duke? And then blackmail him?-- the second half of the book is a lot of angsty romance of what Lawrence was raised to do vs. indulging his love for Chloe. This is my first book by Erica Ridley and I was quite impressed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was such a fun experience. It was frustrating sometimes to watch the characters interact and you want to shake them but that's the way the things work. The family of orphans is fascinating, I love the different talents they have developed and how they work together so well as a family. Their antics are amusing and I particularly knew I'd love the book when I saw the part about the "homing kitten". Hilarious. #thedukeheist #netgalley

I loved this story! Lawrence was such beautiful human who wanted the best for his future family as well as the people in his employ. The Wynchester family was amazingly chaotic and ever unique. The focus on political justice for children and low income workers was a great touch. Tommy was probably my favourite character outside the protagonists and I cannot wait to read her book!

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Erica Ridley is a prolific writer of Historical-Romance. I tend to stay away from those authors that I suspect write formula books. This is a new series, so I'll give her a try. I don't have very high standards for the books I read. They must entertain, have some character development and not bore me. Two out of three isn't bad. When I skim pages at a time - I'm bored.

Chloe Wynchester is the appointed leader of a band of misfit, but talented, orphans Baron Vanderbean adopted. When he died suddenly, he left them cared for, financially, but still on the fringes of London Society. They had a painting which depicted their happy family and the Duke who sold it to them, stole it back, then died! Chloe has made it her mission to retrieve the painting, by any means necessary. As she zeros in on the painting, she ends up stealing not the painting but the son of the Duke instead.

Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is trying desperately to live down his fathers reputation and restore the ruined estate to some semblance of solvency. His solution to that problem - marry and heiress with a fat dowry. When the upstanding Duke of Faircliffe meets the less than upstanding (in Societies eyes) Miss Wynchester, all bets are off. What is a destitute Duke to do when he falls in love with a not suitable at all woman?

I absolutely LOVE this book. The story is really sweet and romantic. Super enjoyable.
Chloe Wynchester has the ability to blend into any crowd. When the only father she's ever known died, his adopted family of orphans decide to recover a painting that the previous Duke of Faircliffe stole from him. So Chloe is the first one her siblings turn to for stealing it back. No one expects that in doing so, she'll also abduct a handsome duke.
Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father's mistakes. To repair his estate's ruined reputation, he must wed a highborn heiress. Yet when he finds himself in a carriage being driven hell-for-leather down the cobblestone streets of London by a beautiful woman who refuses to heed his commands, he fears his heart is hers. But how can he sacrifice his family's legacy to follow true love?
This book spoke to me. It was beautiful and emotional. It´s funny, sweet, romantic, passionate. Chloe and Lawrence have great chemistry. The dialogs between them are smart and witty. There are few but really good steamy moments.
I adore that he SEES her. And when the time comes, he stood by her making sure anyone else sees her too.
I highly recommend this story.

Love this new series about a Baron Vanderbean, very rich man adopted six orphans. They became known as the Wynchester orphans and he left them his home and fortune. Chloe Wynchester and her siblings each has a special talent and they put them to use finding things. As his dying wish he wanted them to retrieve Puck or Robin Goodfellow the painting from the Duke of Faircliffe and bring it home. Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father's mistakes, but first order of things is he must marry an heiress. Lawrence is trying to show society that he’s not the man his father was. Chloe is a wallflower, chameleon she blends in where ever she is. The first time Lawrence sees her driving his carriage he knows he’s meet his match, but he needs an heiress to wed not this strikingly attractive woman who sets heart on fire. A captivating story of how these orphans are doing good works right under other people’s nose to right the wrongs. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance reader copy (ARC) of this story.

The Duke Heist, by Erica Ridley, is available at booksellers on 2-9-2021. Heist is book one in a new series, The Wild Wynchesters. There is a prequel to the series called The Governess Gambit if you'd like to start there. The Wynchesters are a culled together family. Orphans taken in by a loving, childless Baron. This gives us many characters stories to look forward to in the future.

I love that the Wynchesters had an unconventional upbringing. The characters have way more fun than a typical Ton figure. They have developed special skills and use them for good. Chloe is our first heroine & she's a good start. Chloe is the de facto leader of the group. She a skilled thief & that's how she gets involved with Lawrence, he has something she wants. He's a scared guy, trying to restore the family coffers and reputation. He and Chloe seem like polar opposites but in the end are really so much alike that their HEA is a given. Quite an enjoyable read. Lets get on to book #2.

#EricaRidley #TheDukeHeist #TheWildWynchesters #Netgalley #Forever #Romance #HistoricalRomance

February New Release Alert!

Erica Ridley just dropped The Duke Heist from her Winchester's collection. And I have to say, after reading Chloe's story here I'm going to have to keep an eye out for the next Winchester novel. A giant home full of 6 collected orphans that created their own family. There should be some interesting backstories there!

In The Heist we have Chloe and Lawrence (the very naive Duke in question) forming a romantic relationship out of what should be a rouse for a platonic favor to cover up a high-value heist job.

Think Ocean's Eleven (or 12, or 13 lol) meets My Fair Lady.

This one is adorable and you end up rooting for all-- Chloe, Lawrence, and her lovable clan of misfits.

Who will be next?

Thank you @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for a honest review. @ericaridley is always an auto-purchase with my kindle.

#ericaridley #historicalromance #booksofinstagram #bookstagrammer #bookishmommyblog #romancereadersofinstagram #netgalley #winchesterseries #thedukeheist #kindlereader #romancebooks

The Duke Heist features an amazing romance between a bankrupt duke and a woman determined to reclaim her family's stolen painting.

Chloe Wynchester has the ability to blend into any crowd and be immediately forgotten after meeting someone which are skills that serve her well. After her family's treasured painting is stolen by a degenerate duke who dies shortly after, Chloe sets out to recover the painting from his son, Lawrence Gosling, the new Duke of Faircliffe. But when all attempts to lawfully retrieve the painting fail, Chloe devises a new plan that ends with her accidentally kidnapping the duke instead.

Chloe and Lawrence's relationship starts out slowly as initially she just wants to get close to him in order to find her family's painting and he doesn't want his family's name tarnished by association with hers. The pair's first one-on-one interaction in this book when Chloe accidentally kidnaps him was an absolute delight. Going into this book I was very intrigued by such a premise and the scene did not disappoint. To avoid anyone finding out what happened, the pair strike a deal where Lawrence will help Chloe with society introductions and deportment lessons in exchange for her silence. This deal provided the perfect opportunity to search the duke's residence for the painting, as well as for some great scenes between the pair. Ultimately I liked that the reveal about Chloe's search for the painting wasn't turned into this huge thing between them and they actually handle it maturely.

The gradual build-up in the pair's relationship was great as it allowed them to become friends first before it developed into something more. Plus I liked watching them open up to each other about things they never tell anyone else. The chemistry between Chloe and Lawrence really is fantastic and I loved how during their lessons they were unable to keep away from each other. Those lessons definitely led to some very steamy moments between the two which were very well done. With Lawrence's dukedom on the verge of bankruptcy, he does intend to offer for the daughter of a wealthy colleague. I thought that situation was handled well and it didn't detract from Chloe and Lawrence's romance. Overall I was very happy with the romance in The Duke Heist.

The Wynchesters are a very unique family, six orphans adopted by a foreign baron and taught unusual skills. After the loss of Bean, their adoptive father, the siblings are closer than ever with their common goal to retrieve their stolen painting. Throughout the book, each of the siblings plays a part in trying to recover the painting, with Chloe and Tommy playing the largest roles. I like how well all of their skills and talents complement each other's allowing them to execute their plans. Of the siblings, Tommy is definitely my favorite as she's such a delightful character. I can't wait for book two in the series which looks like will be her romance with Phillipa, Lawrence's original intended in this book.

Overall The Duke Heist was a fantastic read and I will definitely be continuing on with the series. I definitely recommend this book if you're looking for a fun, new historical romance.

Unfortunately, this ended up being a DNF for me. After the (VERY) early conclusion of the major plot hinted at in the book description, the book just kind of fizzled out. Much of this book works in theory (the duke, the con artists heroine, the found family aspect), but in practice I found it was rather weak in what it set out to do. I found that I put it down one day about half way through and had no desire to go back to it. I enjoyed the characterization of the duke who wants to correct his father's wrongs, although I was significantly less moved by the heroine.

1. This cover is amazing, I love it.
2. The Wynchester Family is a ridiculous delight and I sure hope Tommy gets her story next.
3. A hero who wants to do right by his title but is conflicted by love.

Our heroine, Chloe, can be anyone but herself by being so plain as to be invisible. Our hero, the Duke of Faircliffe, needs to bring his dukedom back from the brink by marrying an heiress. The Duke, of course, sees Chloe despite her affected drab. Problem is, she's trying to steal a painting from him.

It's a little bit of a heist caper and a lot of learning to love yourself. It's pretty light hearted - the Wynchester family is a rollicking circus of characters - and a good fun time. There's a touching scene with very silly hats.

For me, though, Great Aunt Wynchester stole the show. Once again, I've fallen for the secondary character whose book will arrive someday in the future.

While thoroughly enjoyable, the dark moment bothered me. The duke turns on Chloe when she reveals the truth in a vulnerable moment - not unfamiliar, but the speed and vehemence with which he did it shocked me.

Overall, I'll be checking in to see what the Wild Wynchesters are up to in the future.

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

This was a very fun read. The well crafted and extremely clever storyline grabbed my attention with its blend of romance, emotion, drama and adventure. I was totally charmed by Chloe and Lawrence. I thought that their quirks and foibles made them immensely likeable and I adored them as a couple. I felt that they kind of needed each other to give them some balance in their lives. This book of course introduces the reader to Chloe's siblings and I am intrigued and excited for future books in this series. Absolutely delightful!