Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm this book had promise but any chance of character growth or plot but fizzled right out.

Home Alone as a gothic romance

I loved this book so much! Myrtle is just barely 18, and always seems to be the one in her large family that gets pushed to the margins. So it's no surprise that when the family takes off for their country estate just before Christmas, Myrtle is mistakenly left behind to fend for herself in a home devoid of servants and quite possibly plagued by would-be burglers. She's a delightful character, mature for her age but still a very young woman.

Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, is still mourning the untimely death of his wife a few years prior, and has no intention of ever falling in love again. His despondency has led to rumors questioning everything he does, which is fine by him because it keeps his neighbors and prying Society from bothering him. Fortunately, it's no defense against Myrtle's cheerful optimism and determination.

I really enjoyed this romance. The writing was inventive and story just flowed so smoothly. It's a wonderful grumpy/sunshine pairing, and their HEA was absolutely divine. I can't recommend this book enough. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This romance penned by Christi Caldwell was delightful! I fell in love with Brooding Val and Myrtle who refused to leave Val be by himself. When 2 lonely souls meet, there follows a story one can’t put down.

The blurb of this book was definitely a selling point to me, I have read a few historicals with a similar theme of the heroine being left behind during the holiday season and of course falling for the hero as they both work together. This novel is overall an okay read, if you love Christi Caldwell and you enjoy a sweet and simple holiday romance you will probably enjoy this. This book to me was okay, will I think about it long after I finished it…no, was it enjoyable during the read…moderately. I think Christi Caldwell is a fine writer, I have enjoyed other works by her, but this novel overall felt slow in the pacing and the romance just did not fully hold my attention. This novel is a closed door romance, so if that is appealing to you, definitely pick this book up. Overall, this novel felt too long for the overall premise, the romance did not have an emotional depth and build up that I tend to lean toward, so I left this novel with mediocre feelings. Do I recommend Christi Caldwell, yes I do, she is a great indie historical romance voice so definitely worth checking out.

I love this time of year when Christmas stories begin and it puts you in just a joyous spirit!

Having just returned from school to her family home in London, Lady Myrtle wakes up and find her family has left for their home in Scotland for Christmas... without her!

When she tries to befriend the new neighbor next door, Val the Duke of Aragon, she finds a wonderful large dog and a grumpy, reclusive man. He had shut himself away with grief after the loss of his wife.

A delightful story as two people help each other and thwart some thieves while finding love

I really liked this story, and both characters of Myrtle and Val. They were well suited and their romance developed at a nice pace. The book was written well enough to make me hate Myrtle’s family for overlooking and forgetting her, and I loved the christmas time setting,

My only real complaint was that she was just too young. I can buy a certain age difference in historical romance but the fact that she only turned 18 during the novel was really hard for me to overlook. Her age pulled me out of the story a little bit. I liked them together, but I would have enjoyed the book just a little more if she had already had her debut seemed a little less naive.

When her family leaves London for the country for the Christmastide season, Lady Myrtle McQuoid finds herself left behind. It seems they just forgot about her. She hopes it won’t be long before they realize she is not with them and return for her. What to do until then? Val Bancroft, Duke of Aragon, wishes to be left alone with his grief and guilt. Silly rumors say he killed not only his wife, but his servants, and probably a couple of innocent animals. Myrtle doesn’t believe it, so, with time on her hands, she decides to meet him and check it out. It takes a while for Val to warm up to the chatterbox from next door, but she is hard to resist. Could the sprite be what he needs to restart his life? Could the duke be Myrtle’s Prince Charming underneath his gruff exterior? This is a cute grumpy/sunshine holiday story. There is a sullen duke, an ancient loyal butler, a loving brother, a huge dog, an irresistible chatterbox, and a spectacular ending. As always, Timothy Campbell does an excellent narration.
I received an ARC of the ebook via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Outside of family and staff, no one wants to talk to grump Val Bancroft except sunshine Lady Myrtle McQuoid in “The Duke Alone" by Christi Caldwell!!!

If you love the Home Alone franchise then you will love this retelling between forgotten, middle child Myrtle and the brooding, surly Duke of Aragon! I love this retelling because of course this is a romance and many things can happen in town and on the road north. Then her family makes you teary-eyed, especially her mother who tells her the story behind her childhood nickname!

If you love sad boys then you will love this book! Val wants to be left alone forever after losing a loved one, however Myrtle’s assertiveness, kindness, and singing gets through to him. Her easiness with his wolf-like pup also thaws him!

It takes the right person to make us feel alive again and “little star” Myrtle shone bright to Val. This book is emotional and funny, I highly recommend reading it!!

PS. This is a slow burn and closed door romance, but you get all the feels!

Thank you to Net Galley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I loved reading this charming historical romance, which to me was a close take-off of the Home Alone movie so many people have enjoyed. The author successfully offers us a grumpy character who enjoys being alone and another character whose family generally ignores her, but she manages to stay cheerful and sunny despite that.

Lady Myrtle McQuoid’s family mistakenly left her at the family home in London when they set off to celebrate Christmas at their country estate. Even though he tells her to go home and leave him alone, Myrtle manages to strike up a quasi-friendship with Val Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, who lives nearby. She befuddles and overwhelms Val with her constant conversation and convoluted sense of reasoning. She has a vivid imagination and is sure the men who had been inventorying her father’s artifact collection before the family left, have plans to come back and heist the items.

I loved the author’s writing style in this work...I felt like I was experiencing what Myrtle was, it was that good. Several really good LOL moments. And also tenderness as the romance between Myrtle and Val blooms. She manages to warm his frozen heart.

I loved the story, the characters, the prose, and of course, Horace the dog. My thanks for being given an advance review copy of this work. All opinions stated are my own.

The heroine's family left her alone at home as they traveled to the country for the holiday season. As the heroine learns to cope with her current reality, she acquaints herself with her neighbor, the hero who just wants to be left alone. Yet the heroine doesn't realize that her home will be the location of an attempted robbery, and that her growing relationship with the hero will amount to much more than neighborly acquaintances.

This is a nice holiday romance story featuring an older hero and a younger heroine with plot twists that are reminiscent of some modern movies that may be familiar to readers. I like the premise, but the book could have been better with more details to enrich the story. I also wanted a better resolution to how the heroine is treated by her family. Overall, this is a nice holiday romantic read.

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, sweet, and held my interest. It even included an adorable dog. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Left behind when her family vacates London for the country, Lady Myrtle spends Christmastide coaxing the reclusive duke next door out of his shell, and avoiding thieves set on robbing her house.

This Regency romance take on the film HOME ALONE is hilarious and heartwarming. Lady Myrtle is quirky and adorable, while widower Val is grumpy but honorable. As much as he wants to be alone, he can't help wanting to make sure Myrtle is okay. A must-read this holiday season.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was Regency England meets Home Alone - the person left behind was a few days away from her eighteenth birthday, Lady Myrtle McQuoid and yes, there were two thieves casing their home to steal collectables belonging to her father. Myrtle had just returned from being at a finishing school for four years and her family was leaving the next day for Scotland to celebrate Christmastide. She had never fit it with all her five siblings, and was just left on her own, so when she woke up this morning and discovered her family and servants had already left; well, she wasn't surprised, but she also had no idea how to take care of herself - lighting fires, candles, cooking, etc. had never been learned.

Valentine "Val" Bancroft, Duke of Aragon, is a neighbor of the McQuoids. He is a recluse, wants to be alone, he's surly, gruff and rude - and he has a wolf for a pet. He has reasons for his dark demeanor but rumors swirl about him murdering his wife, killing his servants and feeding their bodies to his wolf - none of it true but he did lose his wife and unborn child four years ago and the loss changed him from a laughing, fun-filled, smiling duke to the duke with a broken heart.

Myrtle needs help - Val refuses to be kind - they banter madly - his horse and his wolf both fall in love with her (which they never did) - things soften between them - feelings grow. I enjoyed the couple and loved, Horace, the wolfdog & Val's stallion, Lady (yes, Lady) but I felt the story was too wordy, they were so many characters at the beginning of the book that it muddled my mind and then we didn't see any of them again until the very end. I did enjoy the bantering, I thought there were too many pages of Christmas Carols, I missed the intimacy (even a small amount) after all they had been through but we only got kisses and fade to black. I still gave this 4 Stars as the author always writes such wonderful characters, but I definitely think this would have benefited being shorter or made a great Christmas novella . I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.

I normally love Christi Caldwell. I have read a large number of her books and have rarely been disappointed. This book, however, is one of those rare disappointments. I loved the premise - a wounded hero, a spunky heroine guiding him to healing. But Myrtle just comes off as so so so so so so young. She is seventeen/eighteen during the course of the story but she feels so much younger, and the romance with Val, who is at least 10-12 years older than her in age and thirty to forty years older in terms of life experience, just feels a bit...icky. I know that there are often large age gaps in regency era romances but here it just doesn't sit right. The love scene being largely behind closed doors - normally something I don't like - was welcome here.

I found the premise of them being alone and unsighted in London - and then expecting to make it to Scotland without being seen - a bit problematic. London might shutter, but there would still be people around. There is zero chance Myrtle's reputation would not have suffered or been destroyed. The "villains" are a bit boring and the ending was underwhelming. I did love Horace but this book is overall a miss.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love a good Christmas romance, and The Duke Alone is Christmas romance perfection. This story blends elements of grumpy/sunshine, Home Alone, and A Christmas Carol and references Pride And Prejudice. Oh! I can’t forget Horace – Val’s lovable monstrosity of a dog!

Val is a widower who has become an angry and bitter recluse, shutting himself off from friends, family, and any happiness. Only Val’s butler and his dog, Horace, are left in Val’s life. Val blames himself for his wife’s and unborn son’s deaths. Myrtle is a middle child in a vast family. She is misunderstood and ignored mainly by her family. Through it all Myrtle maintains her sunny disposition. When Myrtle gets left behind by her family at Christmas, she and Val strike up an unlikely friendship that evolves into something more.

I did something I rarely do in novels, I cried. Val’s haunting, heart-wrenching pain was so organic that it ripped at my heart. Also, watching Myrtle heal Val piece by piece grabbed me and resonated with me viscerally. Val’s pain and Myrtle’s cheerfulness collide to create a fiery attraction that builds into a unique romance.

The plot married drama, romance, and humor perfectly. It took many literary elements and blended them perfectly. There were some scenes I felt could have been shortened and some scenes I would have liked lengthened. The Duke Alone stole my heart! Val and Myrtle are two characters I will remember lovingly for a long time. Christi Caldwell has made holiday magic with an eye-catching enchanting romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I rarely read closed door books, but I made an exception for Christi Caldwell, because I love her books and her writing and I couldn’t miss this book. And I wasn’t disappointed at all! The story is so good, inspired by the movie Home Alone, and this time it’s the heroine who’s left behind by her boisterous and chaotic family. And the characters are sweet and there’s chemistry between them. The one fault I can find is that the heroine is much too young and inexperienced for the hero and maybe their relationship is somewhat unbalanced. I would have preferred an older heroine, less unsure of herself. But I loved the book all the same. An inspiring Christmas tale of love and healing.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Val, Duke of Aragon was still grieving from the death of his wife and had virtually cut himself off from family and friends. Myrtle was back home from boarding school but even amongst her large family, she felt lonely and the odd one out. I think her singing off key would have got on my nerves though and also her chatter about random things. I particularly liked the ending which did redeem the story. I’ve always enjoyed this author’s work but unfortunately this one didn’t seem up to her usual standard. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christi Caldwell is amazing. Her ability to capture the essence of details, draw her readers into her characters lives, make them feel their turbulent emotions is mind blowing. I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of The Duke Alone from Christi Caldwell via Netgalley. Myrtle McQuoid has always tried her best to live up to her family's standards, but she is invisible to them. She is an enigmatic, full of life, intelligent young lady.
Valentine Bancroft, the Duke of Aragon, a solitary widower, is continually bothered by his neighbor and keeps thinking of Myrtle as a problem, a nuisance of sorts. He enjoys his loneliness as repentance for having lost his wife and unborn child. Their first encounter with each other is unbelievable, so charismatic, so full of wonder, so completely unexpected. In this story,  we see two people who feel alone in this world, but together, they make a dynamic duo. We sometimes lose our faith with the occurrences in our lives, but there is always a reason for every action. This is a must read, especially if you wish to laugh out loud reading some of the banter and fall in love with a brooding hero who learns to live again.

Grumpy meets sunshine.

Myrtle is left behind during the holidays next door to a duke. A grumpy duke. Val is a widower, once a rake, but now a grumpy, cantakerous, duke who only likes his dog Horace and his solace after loosing his wife and child.
Myrtle has always felt invisible in her boisterous and large family, after four years of finishing school, she gets left behind (sort of Home Alone-ish). I enjoyed this grumpy duke meets Lady Myrtle.
Recommend.

I have enjoyed this book because it is so much fun and more than that, it is one of the sweetest books that I’ve read. This is a Christmas novella about a girl of almost 18 whose parents barely notice. She’s the middle one in a bunch of six children and a similar number of cousins and she has spent four years in a finishing school. One day her parents announce that the house needs to be renovated and because of that the family must leave it and go to their Scottish lands to spend the holiday season. But the morning they leave they forget about Myrtle and she finds herself alone in a very big very empty house.

Valentine, duke of Aragon lives just next door to the family. He’s a widower who lives in mourning despite the years that have passed since the accident that killed his beloved wife. He loves his solitude and begs all of his servants to go stay with their families during the festivities, so soon he’s left alone with his dog Hector. And a very alone, very scared, very innocent young neighbor.

This story is both inspired by “Home Alone”, the movie with Macaulay Culkin, and gothic stories. The book is very short for it is a novella but the romance doesn’t fully bloom until the last part, although you can see it growing as Val’s metaphorical shield cracks. He’s a very dark very grumpy hero who used to be a rake until he fell in love with the sweetest woman and married her only to lose her a couple of years later. But Myrtle, step by step, knock after knock on his door finds his true self and gets into his heart. That was very sweet and lovely.

However I must say that there was an aspect of the story that disturbed me a bit. Myrtle isn’t a girl but she’s not yet a woman. She’s not only very young but she is very naive and she has moments when her behavior is more childish than mature. That’s appropriate because she’s in that nowhere land between childhood and adulthood, that was not the problem. The problem is that when we read the way Val sees her sometimes, he sees a child, a young girl, a very young woman who is about to make her debut. There is a scene in which she’s taking a bath in the kitchen and while she’s at it she asks him to find her some clothes in her bedroom, the way he describes her undergarments as very white, very childish with a pink bow on them was a bit shocking. Of course in that day and age girls of 17 were of a marriageable age, but he sees a child in her. That’s not a nice thing to read honestly.