I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

I haven’t read any of Erica Ridley’s historical romances before, but this holiday novella, Forever Your Duke, sounded like fun, and I was in the mood for something lighthearted and holiday themed.

The Duke of Nottingvale owns a vacation home in Cressmouth, a mountain village that celebrates Christmas cheer year round. Its Christmas celebrations are famous, but the duke doesn’t have time to enjoy them. Weighed down by the responsibilities of being a duke, he holds yearly Christmas parties, which he also doesn’t have time to enjoy. This year, he is hosting a party that a bevy of young debutantes will attend, because he has to pick a wife–another duty. The young ladies have been chosen for their breeding, good looks, and suitability to be a duchess. One of the attendees is Lady Gertrude, an eighteen-year-old beauty whose debilitating shyness is her only flaw. She has no particular interest in the duke, but if he doesn’t choose her, her father will marry her off to an old lecher friend who has promised her father a piece of land in exchange.

Gertie is accompanied by a chaperone, her cousin, Miss Cynthia Louise. Cynthia is a thirty-year-old spinster, an orphan raised by her aunt. At her own coming out, twelve years earlier, Cynthia made very little impression on anyone. After six years of trying to attract a mate, playing by society’s rules, Cynthia decided enough was enough. She plays by her own rules now. She lives near Cressmouth and has made friends with the villagers, who call her by her given name. She plays billiards, swears, gambles, goes skiing, and generally has fun. She is not at all what the duke is looking for in a wife. And, although Cynthia is attracted to the duke, her aim is to match him up with her cousin, not win him for herself.

Over the course of a two-week house party, the duke and Cynthia flirt and court and fall in love.

The story is short and sweet. Cynthia is an amusing character and the duke is a nice guy.

Forever Your Duke is the twelfth book in a series: The 12 Dukes of Christmas. That’s probably more Christmas dukes than I need to read, but I may look up a couple more!

I think Ms. Ridley has done wonders for the literary society with this fun and very enjoyable story. Alexander Borland, the Duke of Nottingvale, Has his own cottage at Christmas and throws a party every Yuletide. This year he has decided to choose a bride.
Lady Cynthia Louise Finch is a spinster but she is a lively one. She never sits still. She is climbing mountains, skiing, and playing Billards, for instance. She loves her life except for one thing, as far as the ton goes she is no one and deserves no consideration. She never seemed good enough. She brought her young cousin to Christmas to see if they liked each other, the duke and Gertie.
There is laughter and fun and a lot of people. The characters are so engaging and amusing. When she went skiing at the castle and he joined her and she spent time teaching him how to ski. He loved it. There was so much to do in Christmas, He had never even been in the castle. When he went, he was amazed at how beautiful it was.
There were some things they had trouble admitting to themselves.
I received this ARC from Net Galley. and voluntarily reviewed it.

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at https://hookedbythatbook.com --

This delightful series concludes with an actual duke this time. Alexander, duke of Nottingvale, is hosting his annual Christmas party in Cressmouth, but this year he is also looking for a bride. His house is besieged by young eligible ladies and their chaperones and Alex is feeling overwhelmed. But he knows his duty, and he is a stickler for the rules. Until Cynthia Louise waltzes in, accompanying her cousin, Gertrude, who is one of the eligible young ladies on display for the duke’s perusal. But Alex only has eyes for Cynthia Louise, the absolutely last person he should consider as his future duchess. She is full of life, passion, wild ideas, and hasn’t yet met a rule that she didn’t break.

Another great story of a love that defies all rules and duties, filled with funny moments and steamy romance. A definite must-read for your Christmas list this year.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the Duke of Nottingvale. Ms. Ridley made him very stuffy throughout the series and she had to work hard to undo this in this book. I'm still not a great fan of him. Maybe it needed a longer book. It is still very well written, like all her books, but it didn't have me all gooey like most of the books in the series. The Dukes first proposal was atrocious,. he second proposal was kind f cute, but I wanted our heroine to be in her best dress and absolutely brilliantly outdoing everyone else with her wit. so all in all not my favorite.

The heroine Cynthia was orphaned and brought up with her cousins, mothered by a Duchess. She wants to repay the kindness by ensuring that the girls, now motherless as well, make happy alliances. The Duke of Nottingvale is a near neighbor and also on the hunt for a bride; he seems ideal. She's not including herself on the list because she has been making the best of her spinster status to court adventure and fun.

For the Duke, there is constant pressure and fun is the last thing he intends to allow himself. If only that notorious 'ape leader' Miss Cynthia Louise Finch did not strike him as a goddess among the crowd of insipid debutantes being thrust at him! She's beyond the pale. Her young cousin, who would rather marry his pianoforte, will probably do if none other... But although they try to keep within the bounds of friendship, both of them are being led out of their own preconceptions.

Erica Ridley again does not disappoint.

When I picked this up, I was looking for something cute and simple. Something that would hold my attention, and not require a lot of it. This was exactly what I was looking for.

Forever Your Duke follows Cynthia Louise Finch, a thirty year old spinster who’s escorting her younger cousin to the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmas party. Her goal is to set them up, to save her cousin from being married to a man thirty years her senior. Her plan is soon derailed by her feelings toward the Duke, and his feelings towards her.

I just want to say that even though I’ve shelved this as historical fiction, it isn’t super historical. It’s set in the time period, sure, with the fancy ballgowns and social standards, but no history is discussed. I enjoyed this, because I didn’t have to remember names, titles, or events, but if you’re a history geek, this might not be the book for you.

This book was full of adorable characters! I loved Max, Gertie’s puppy, and how he was constantly causing trouble. Gertie was a super fun character to read, and I’m really happy with where her story seems to be taking her. Cynthia and Alexander were cute together, I really enjoyed all of the scenes when they interacted. Their romance felt natural, and not like it was thrown in to add extra drama.

Now, don’t go into this expecting anything that’ll shock you. It’s a predictable, short, and sweet Christmas romance. The setting is magical, and I loved how carefree this is. If you enjoy romances set in medieval times, this book is for you!

Thanks to Netgalley and Erica Ridley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

WOW! What a perfect end to this series! I just loved it and can't wait to read more of Ridley and her new series!

Cynthia Louise Finch is known as the spinster and had no luck during her 6 years of coming out so she gave up and started to live her own life. She started to make new friends, have some fun and learn things like skiing and pool! Alexander aka Vale aka Duke is up tight and is a rule follower to the dot. He really likes Cynthia Louise but she is not titled and is known as a bad egg. He finds that she is funny, bright, fun to be around, and the life of the party. She teaches him to ski but it ends in trouble.

I just loved these characters as they were both fighting to not like the other. The setting is so fun and loved getting one last look at all the other characters we have meet along the way! Perfect!

5 stars

What a brilliant end to The Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. It was everything we have come to expect from Erica in this romp of a regency series.
The main characters were all that we had expected with opposites attracting and going against convention regardless of the cost.

FOREVER YOUR DUKE by Erica Ridley is as close to perfect as a Regency historical romance can get. It has everything you’d hope for in a holiday romance and is brimming over with good cheer!

The h and H, Miss Cynthia Louise Finch and Alexander Borland, Duke of Nottingvale, are delightful. Cynthia Louise, which i what everyone calls her, is a spunky spinster who delights in the world around her. Alexander is a sweet gentleman who is bowed down by the weight of his ducal responsibilities. However, he spends every year in Cressmouth, a quirky village in northern England, that is actually known as Christmas, where the holidays are celebrated year round. It is here that he holds his annual Christmas celebration. This year is different, however, as it becomes known that His Grace will be choosing a bride from among all the ladies who have been invited.

The interactions between Alexander and Cynthia Louise are hilarious! I cannot recall a novel that I’ve read that made me laugh from start to finish. Cynthia Louise gallops through life without a care and Alexander watches with his mouth hanging open — at least until Cynthia Louise invites him to come along on some of her adventures. The interplay between these two characters simply sparkles!

This is one book that will move from my virtual TBR pile to that special section of my Kindle reserved for “The Best of the Best.” It really is that good and that is why you need to read it for yourself. I did receive a prerelease copy of FOREVER YOUR DUKE from the author via NetGalley, but I honestly believe it is one of the funniest romances I have read in a long time. As this is the twelfth and final book in Erica Ridley’s series, Twelve Dukes of Christmas, I firmly believe that the best was saved until last. It really was that good!

Saving her best for last, Erica Ridley writes about a duke, Alexander, who follows all the rules. When he decides to invite debutantes to his Christmas holiday house party he does so with the intent to find one to marry. What he does not expect to find is Cynthia, a local spinster who is chaperoning her young cousin, Gertie. Cynthia has been attracted to the duke for many years, but feels she is too irresponsible to be a duchess. Cynthia pushes Gertie toward the duke. The duke becomes torn between choosing a perfect woman to be his duchess or choosing the delightfully fun, inappropriate, and rule breaking Cynthia. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Webmotion for my honest review.

Loved reading the fabulous and fantastic twelfth book in the series. The Duke of Nottingvale holds his annual Christmastide house party, but this year his is looking for his respectable, blue-blooded duchess. Cynthia Louis Finch, known for her hoyden ways, has the perfect bride to be for Alexander, her younger cousin, Lady Gertrude. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, full of humor and romance, and a must read love story.

4 stars

I was looking forward to the last book in this series and on one level it didn't disappoint. The heroine, Cynthia, has had disappointments in her acceptance by society so she decides to just enjoy herself. The hero has been a presence through the series as the host and major landowner of the castle at Cressmouth. He is a Duke and his mother is keen for him to find and marry a suitable debutante. Cycnthia's cousin Gertie is threatened with marriage to an undesireable and so Cynthia wants Alex to save her. Alex has avoided Cynthia as she doesn't have the traits of a quiet demure Duchess. Luckily he loosens up and we get the HEA. The romance is mainly kisses and I think I wanted a bit more passion between them.. It doesn't feel as passionate as Book 10, Alex's business partner, or Alex's sisters romance in Book 9. I've really enjoyed the series and would recommend you try it!

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

Erica Ridley shines with Forever Your Duke. The Duke of Nottingvale meets his match in the final book of the series, complete with wassail, skiing and a precocious puppy. This lovely sweet Regency romance is just the ticket for a little Christmas cheer any time of year.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

While the books in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series all more or less are standalones, the Duke of Nottingvale and his Christmas party have been mentioned a few times as an upcoming event in the previous books, and the event itself is finally here with Forever Your Duke.

And while I wasn’t sure how I would feel, given my feelings about prim and proper dukes, he has enough beneath that facade to make him compelling. I particularly like that while he is concerned with finding someone of good standing to marry, he is also good hearted and can recognize someone in need of support and security, and is willing to selflessly go out on a limb for them.

And Cynthia shares a similar sense of compassion for others, and she’s even the one who recognizes that in the Duke and is willing to suppress her feelings so that her wallflower cousin doesn’t also end up a spinster.

This is a great conclusion to the series, coming through on depicting the long-foreshadowed holiday event and providing yet another heartwarming Regency Christmas tale. If that sounds good to you, I recommend picking this up.

Wow I loved Alexander and Cynthia's story. You will adore Cynthia, ignored as a wallflower for 6 seasons, she becomes a hoyden...in love with the most proper Duke! No spoiler here. Just sit back and enjoy their adventure!

Erica Ridley has yet to disappoint me with any of her stories.  "Forever Your Duke " is another superhit. This is the 12th and final book in the Dukes of Christmas series. Cynthia Louise Finch wants to help her 18 year old cousin Gertie win the Duke of Nottingvale's favor so that he can marry Gertie and avoid her father's ultimatum that if she doesn't marry the Duke, she will have to marry a man 30 years her senior. Unfortunately, Alexander, the Duke much prefers the company of the completely unacceptable position as a Duchess because she never follows the rules and does anything and everything she wants to do, Cynthia, the spinster chaperone. Their mutual attraction,  their complete unsuitability, and their complementary personalities makes this another absolutely fabulous story

I heartily enjoyed this final? installment in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. As usual, Erica's characters jump off the page and seem vividly, vitally real. The romance was swoony and felt natural and inevitable.

Cynthia Louise has cast off the rules of society and embraces rule-breaking. The Duke of Nottingvale follows every rule as if his life depends on it. Of course, sparks fly and they can't seem to stay away from each other. Despite the obvious mismatch in outlook, they're both genuine and kind, and bring out the best in each other. My favorite kind of romance.

Erica Ridley has become a new favorite author, and I eagerly look forward to catching up on her backlist and reading whatever she writes next.

This was a fun read, with laugh out loud moments from likeable characters. There are plenty of anachronisms but I overlooked that because I enjoyed the story. Cynthia, the heroine, is a 30 year old spinster who enjoys herself doing pretty much what she wants, now that she is no longer considered eligible. She is considered impossibly eccentric and badly behaved. This doesn't bother her, as she never really had anyone interested in her, even when she was younger.. So now she can concentrate on simply enjoying life. She is now her cousin Gertie's chaperon and the two of them have come to the Duke of Nottingvale's home for Christmas to try and interest the Duke in marrying Gertie. Gertie is a gifted musician but painfully shy, so Cynthia has to encourage and look after her to give her the best shot possible at the Duke. The Duke is a stiff, conventional sort who has a sneaking attraction for Cynthia, in spite of her obvious lack of the qualities considered necessary for a duchess. I enjoyed both Cynthia .and her cousin Gertie, who eventually shows hidden depths. I hope to see a book about her soon.A fun read..

This was another sweet entry in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, but not my favorite. I enjoyed how Cressmouth, a town called Christmas by its villagers, played a more active part here than in the other entries I've read so far. There was archery contests, skiing, talk of ice skating and so on, very fun.

But after ruminating a little on Forever Your Duke, I've begun to think that I just didn't buy the love between Alexander, the Duke of Nottingvale, and Cynthia Louise, a spinster with the audacity not to hide away. Cynthia Louise was a fun character and I think she deserved better than Nottingvale, a rather bland hero whose main characteristic was his sense of duty. Who was he outside of that? I really can't say (except that he was an appalling singer, which I rather liked). I missed a little more tension between the two or a better understanding of what exactly drew them to each other, other than the narrative wanted them to.

But like the other books in this series, Forever Your Duke was a fun, light, somewhat Christmassy read. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed myself throughout.

I received this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have loved the #12Dukes of Christmas so much so this book was bittersweet because I couldn't wait for Nottingvale's story but also knew it would be the end of the series. Cynthia Louise Finch is attending the Duke's holiday celebrations to help her cousin stand out as a potential marital partner. However it gets harder and harder to succeed since she finds herself in the midst of a powerful attraction to him. As the days move closer to the Ball the futures of Cynthia and the Duke seem to be destined to be apart. I really loved the Holiday spirit of the book and the sweet romance. There also is some wonderful cameos from the other books in the series. A satisfying conclusion.