3.5 stars

The novella is a rivals to lovers that is very sweet while still bringing spice. The main characters have had a series of mishaps when they’ve met that led them to be rivals. They are then forced to contend with one another due to them being the only single people in a group of friends. They are forced to spend the night together in a cottage where they start figuring out their differences.

I deducted a star and a half due to the fact that the language used was from today and without the mentions of petticoats and corsets the story could take place now. It is still a fun read and worth a try!

Tropes: rivals to lovers, forced proximity, arranged marriage

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Zealous Quill Press for allowing me to review this book.

What a sweet read! The interactions between Cecilia and John were lighthearted, especially since they were enemies turned lovers. I would recommend this book if you are looking for an afternoon romance read.

Darcy Burke is one of my favorite authors and this fun adventure reminds me why. When Cecilia Bromwell has to endure the Yule Log hunt and night with her sworn enemy the “menace” John Rowely she thinks it will take everything in her to get through the night. Her family is determined to join the two in marriage but ever since they were teens and he scared her and ruined a dress she wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. He doesn’t want anything to do with the “shrew” either. But, when her plans to avoid him are ruined they are forced to stay the night together everything changes all too quickly for them. Can they get over their past and embrace the passion?
As always Burke writes with such detail and some fun and strong characters that really make her stories come alive. This adventure is a fun one for sure. The perfect amount of humor, tension and of course passion make an incredible story. You will love this adventure.

A cute short story. John and Cecilia are enemies to lovers in this tale. Not sure why she had to point out which women were white (left a bad taste in my mouth).

Darcy Burke's regencies are always so sexy and fun! A prequel to her Matchmaking Chronicles series, Yule Be My Duke is a holiday novella with John and Cecilia as enemies who eventually become lovers. This novella is quick to read and easy to love.

Yule Be My Duke is a great read if you are looking for a short, sweet historical romance with cozy vibes. Cecelia and John (a handsome Earl) are each others nemesis after an unfortunate series of events five years ago and their parents are conspiring for an engagement between the two. They are both inclined to say they don’t suit until they are thrust together during a snowstorm while searching for the perfect Yule log.

Overall the story kept my attention and a very cozy setting. I would have liked a bit more lead up to their conflict resolution. Maybe a little more flirting along the way but I can also appreciate that this is a quick read that scratches that historical romance, holiday itch. It was an enjoyable enemies to lovers, historical romance!

The title of this book really popped off. The book also included some of my favourite tropes like enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Cecilia and John were so fun to read about! All the fun parties and Christmas-y vibes really added colour to this book.

This novella is perfect if you want a palette cleanser AND if you want to reach your reading goal of the year LOL

I enjoyed the historical feel of this book as I read it. The parties and traditions that were held in this story seemed relevant and not far fetched.
The world building was just enough for me to be able to picture what I needed but not over done to where I was trying to build rather than enjoy the story.
The enemy to lover trope was spot on. It was a fast paced novel as well. I don’t normally read faced paced stories as I like a little more in depth of the characters and the reasons for the hatred and to get a little more angst. But this book was written very well. It hit all the points you needed, just fast.
There seemed to be a couple errors in the text (I highlighted the ones I found). Overall though it is a good, spicy, historic-themed romance.

When Cecilia Bromwell met John Rowley, the Earl of Cosford five years ago she was not impressed when his prank caused her to ruin two of her gowns. The thought that her parents would consider her marrying him even after so much time has passed, is inconceivable to Cecilia. She calls him “Menace,” and has no reason to talk to him, let alone marry him, especially after he spills wine down her bodice. Likewise, John does not want to marry the “Shrew” but when a snowstorm finds them alone and sheltering in a cottage overnight, their dislike for each other soon turns to passion.
Darcy Burke always knows how to draw out the most of her characters, particularly in a novella, which is a difficult task. The animosity between the couple is obvious as is their attraction, when alone together. So much so, that the transition is so seamless. Two interesting characters which despite their young age, and sometimes lack of maturity, seem to just be a perfect match for each other.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A cute, fun Christmas novella. It's enemies to lovers, literally overnight. Only in an historical, forced proximity romance would that work, but it actually does here. The characters are fun and charming, their chemistry feels real, and there are a few Christmassy details. I think a full length novel could have fleshed things out more, given them more depth, and I would have liked it even better. Still, it was a lot of fun.

I would like to thank netgalley and Zealous Quill Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The romance is very fast.

A short fun enemies to lovers forced proximity story that keeps you turning the pages. However it should be mentioned that this is an extended version of a novella that appeared in the Duke in a Box anthology in autumn 2022. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A short, sweet and steamy novella from the great Darcy Burke. What can go wrong when 2 enemies, Cecilia Bromwell and John Cosford are reunited at another house party? They quickly find they are the only single people at the house party and their parents have decided to match them in marriage. Cecilia remembers John as a menace who ruined her dresses and caused she and her friend Dinah fall into the lake when a snake was discovered in their boat. John recalls Cecilia as the shrew who put jam in his boots which prevented him from riding with his friends at the house party 5 years ago. Even though they have grown and matured a bit, they are still in agreement with each other- they do not want to marry. As usual, you should always be careful what you wish for. A short, fast read about a couple who are destined to be together even if they don't think so. What a fabulous start to a new series by Darcy.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
-I'm not sure why it's important for the author to let us know (6x) if a person is white or black; does it really matter? It's a bit annoying → one star off.
-Lovely story between John and Cecilia, with an enemies to lovers trope. This story is the most steamy I have ever read with this author (over 30 books) and with the most taste in drama, bedroom scenes, family matters, etc.

This was an easy read and the perfect way to ease into Christmas romances this year! Of course I wish it was longer but that’s just me.

The Menace and The Shrew, John and Cecelia, played pranks on each other as teens. Now, both are of marriageable age and still loathe each other for those past indiscretions.

Surprisingly, Cecelia’s parents have forgotten past mishaps. They seem to prize a dukedom more than their daughter’s happiness. During that time period, a good match was all that was important. Not one to appreciate a practical joke, I struggled with this one. And, I had trouble getting past Cecelia’s parents great desire for her to wed into a ducal family. Ms. Burke is a great writer, fun, witty banter, but I’m still not appreciate of the practical jokes.

It was “hate at first sight” for Cecilia and John. At least, until her plan to get even with him for yet another spilled drink goes sideways, stranding them alone together when the weather cut them off from the rest of their party. Will these two come out of this experience with a better understanding of one another, or will only one of them make it out alive? I have been loving the Matchmaking Chronicles, so to come back to the beginning and learn how it all started has been a lot of fun. The snark and sass these two are able to throw at each other kept me laughing all while I watched them lower their defenses and really get to know one another. Now that I’ve come back to where it all began, I think I need to give the whole series a re-read.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

“Yule Be My Duke” is a prequel in the Matchmaking Chronicles by Darcy Burke. It tells the story of Cecilia and John.

Like always Darcy Burke didn’t disappoint. Every that this winter read is short you don’t feel it because the author has incredible talent to say the full story even around 100 pages.

“Yule Be My Duke” is a fun enemies to lovers that keeps you turning pages and shaking with laughter and anticipation.

I highly recommend this book! It is a great addition to the series.

This is my first book by this author and I quite liked it. It is very quick read as it is a novella. Cecilia and John met a few years ago and at a house party and became enemies. Their parents are trying to force them together 5 years later, and Cecilia has come up with the plan to win the war. However, the plan goes a wry and they end up falling in love. It’s steamy and sweet. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book

3.5 stars

Cecilia met John at a party but after a certain mishappen pranks loathe each other. Shes the Shrew and he the Menace. 5 years later as the only single couple at a Yuletide house party, they meet again. both their father's are having hopes to arrange them in marriage. They both are aware but at least they'll try so then they can tell their parents they don't suit. Well as the search for the largest Yule log begins...a heavy snow storm appears in the forest and neither one of them are good with directions at all. They end up in a one room cabin. I thought this was a quick read for a bit of a touch of a holiday novella, but I think there needs to be more chemistry between the Cecilia and John.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.