From a New York Times bestselling author: The Duke of Azureford isn’t the arrogant, aloof lord his peers perceive him to be. Yes, he’s awkward, but he has a plan to fix it. In order to woo a respectable lady, he must learn how to flirt. The completely inappropriate girl next door would make a perfect instructor, but a terrible duchess. So why can’t he walk away?Incorrigible hoyden Miss Carole … walk away?
Incorrigible hoyden Miss Carole Quincy likes fast carriages, carom billiards, and the beautiful, buttoned-up Duke of Azureford. She’d be delighted to help him out of his shell and into her arms. Who cares if they’re just pretending to flirt? The heady, breath-taking, soul-consuming feeling inside her runaway heart surely can’t be love…
The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
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The Twelve Dukes of Christmas:
- Once Upon a Duke
- Kiss of a Duke
- Wish Upon a Duke
- Never Say Duke
- Dukes, Actually
- The Duke’s Bride
- The Duke’s Embrace
- The Duke’s Desire
- Dawn with a Duke
- One Night with a Duke
- Ten Days with a Duke
- Forever Your Duke
more
Cute and fun
This is my favorite…
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: 12 Dukes of Christmas
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC.
Oh my God! Of all the books in this series, this one has become my favorite.
Azureford and Carole are simply PERFECT together !!!
Adam Farland, the 6th Duke of Azureford, is considered superb, cocky, and in some cases people are afraid of him. All because when he is in any event, he usually stays by himself, gloomy, talking to no one. But the great truth is that he is… SHY!
He simply gets scared in a very crowded place, and doesn’t even know how to start a conversation.
On the other hand, his fame in the House of Lords – the Parliament – is that of an articulate guy who always has the best arguments for the laws that will be voted on.
He must reverse this picture of his image if he wants to find a wife and have an heir.
His plan, then, is to take advantage of his time in Cressmouth, his countryhouse, and make some changes.
His huge library will be donated – with the exception of a few books that belonged to his father – to a city location, and he will have a billiard room built instead.
This game allows not only that he can interact with other gentlemen, but also with the ladies who usually stay close watching.
There is, of course, a big problem: He knows nothing about billiards, but the plan itself is very good.
As he was approaching his property, he is challenged by his neighbor, Miss Carole Quincy, the one who has let him have wet dreams since the last time they met.
Carole has a secret. Well, an almost secret. She has a sketchbook, which would be normal among the ladies. But instead of her drawing animals and flowers, she draws… projects.
That’s right. Carole has a secret desire to design environments and see them become real, as an architect.
And because of this secret of hers, she got into trouble.
The last time she was at Azureford’s house for dinner, she took her small sketchbook and managed to get into one of the rooms and redraw it. But on leaving, someone bumped into her, causing her sketchbook to fly away and fall under furniture. Not wanting to draw attention to the object, she watched as Swinton, the butler, took the sketchbook and thought it was some of the duke’s book, put it on the shelf.
Carole went there a long time later to try to get it back, but the shelves was totally different. Instead of the books being color-separated, as before, employees used some other method.
Her notebook was lost!
She needed to find it before someone else caught it and discovered her secret.
In the meantime, Azureford arrives at the house.
Knowing that in a few days the library would be donated – and her sketchbook gone forever – in a panic, Carole offers to help him catalog everything.
She finally finds the sketchbook, and to her despair, the duke notices when she tries to hide it in her purse.
End of the secret.
But a new opportunity has arisen.
Knowing his intention for the room, she offers to help remodel it.
A man in a possession of a fine billiard room is undoubtedly in want of a wife
Turns out Carole was an expert at playing pool. Not that it was common among ladies, but since her mother died when she was eight, Carole’s father allowed her daughter to play with him, and taught her all the tricks.
Being good at calculating, she soon learned to make equations so that the white ball was exactly where she wanted it.
Azureford eventually gave in, and as soon as the room was ready (the billiards party would be 1 month from now), Carole teaches him how to play.
And they both flirt.
Adam already had a crush on Carole, but she didn’t have the proper behavior to be a duchess, even though she was funny, intelligent, persevering, good daughter, good hostess, beautiful… and so receptive to his kisses.
What a hell! Who made the rules of what a duchess should look like? And then he asks her to marry him.
And she rejects it.
It’s all right to want things you can’t have. It’s all right not to be perfect; to be sad; to be happy. It makes you human, not incomplete
Carole never imagined she would marry.
Her family had several loss tragedies and she didn’t want her daughter to suffer the same as her, the same as her mother and grandmother. And seeing her father so overcome with depression since his wife’s death didn’t help her change her mind either.
But Adam was so wonderful! And he seemed to accept her unconventional side.
After the billiards party, he departs from Cressmouth. For good.
After witnessing for years the kind of marriage his parents had – they didn’t even talk with each other at home – Azureford had different plans, and had even made a list for it:
Required Qualities for my Future Wife
⇝Friendly
⇝Fearless
⇝Good with children
⇝Must like each other!
⇝Honest
⇝Reciprocates feelings
⇝Thoughtful
⇝Puts family first
⇝Knows what she wants
⇝Does everything she can to achieve it
⇝Even though she doesn’t need me… Still wants me
Now Carole would have to use that same determination to go after who and what she really wanted: Adam and her happiness.
The story is funny, dynamic, different and romantic.
5 stars
Dukes, Actually
12 Dukes of Christmas Series #5
Erica Ridley
https://www.facebook.com/ericaridley/
Release date 10/22/2019
Publisher Webmotion
Blurb :
The Duke of Azureford isn’t the arrogant, aloof lord his peers perceive him to be. Yes, he’s awkward, but he has a plan to fix it. In order to woo a respectable lady, he must learn how to flirt. The completely inappropriate girl next door would make a perfect instructor, but a terrible duchess. So why can’t he walk away?
Incorrigible hoyden Miss Carole Quincy likes fast carriages, carom billiards, and the beautiful, buttoned-up Duke of Azureford. She’d be delighted to help him out of his shell and into her arms. Who cares if they’re just pretending to flirt? The heady, breath-taking, soul-consuming feeling inside her runaway heart surely can’t be love…
My review :
When a shy duke decides to reshape himself in a more confident version of himself, who’s better to help than his loved by everyone neighbor’s daughter…
Wow it has been close to a full year since I am waiting for this new installment in the Dukes of Christmas series.
What a sweet story it was, both heroes have set their path, him open himself to the other to find his perfect bride, she continue to manage her little environment and take care of her entourage.
Adam is good man whom hides himself from society’s lenses behind a stern aloof composition when in fact he does not know how to fight his own awkwardness and bashfulness.
So in order to change himself he has a special project, which leads him to agree to Carole’s offer.
And the closer they are together, the more it shapes his own requirements for his future duchess.
Carole has devoted her entire life to her father and his household, but her talent to manage everything had been put to use even outside her home as she is a caretaker in the soul.
Upon meeting Adam, she understands his needs and proposes her help to arrange what he has in mind.
Their journey together was a sweet tale with funny moment like the fortunes teller’s scene and the interactions between Adam’s butler and Carole’s Lady’s maid. A cute story of refusing to follow society’s expectations to create their own requisites.
4.5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, and I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/482431215679388?sfns=mo
“Dukes, Actually” by Erica Ridley
Loved this story. A light sweet clean Regency romance romp that in my humble unbiased opinion will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next. It is book 5 in a series, and a stand-alone story. Yes, when we read a lot of novels we tend to get pretty good at guessing where the author will take us next, but there is also the very good chance that the author will surprise us. Whether the author surprises us, or not, a good story is still a good story. We read fiction to be entertained and escape our real world, otherwise we would only want to read non-fiction, the truth and only the truth, usually as someone perceives it which may or may not be the way you view the real world. But I have wandered off track. I received an ARC of this story from the author, and it is my considered opinion this story is ‘well worth the read’. Hope you agree. Happy Reading! !
Enjoyed the book. The story is well written and entertaining. Carole and Adam start out with a friendship and end up in a romance. She is an unlikely person for a duke to marry but Adam’s list of qualities that he desires in a duchess is exactly everything that is Carole. The story is a sweet romance acceptable for any age.
Dukes, Actually (12 Dukes of Christmas # 5) by Erica Ridley …I am loving this series..each can be read as a stand alone..but please read them all. Thanks to Erica for letting me preview this book. Adam (the Duke of Azureford) Carole Quincy (the girl next door) They both have obstacles to finding love…he is shy and wants to become the “New Adam” and she feels her father needs her but wants to help him. Erica always grabs me from the start and keeps me til the end..there are lots of laughs, some tears, some old friends all building to a very HEA. I am so looking forward to the next book THE DUKE’S BRIDE.
Dukes, Actually is the 5th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley. Ridley is one of my “go to” authors. Her stories have humor and heart pounding romance. I have especially enjoyed this Christmas series. Each story takes place in a wonderful little town called Cressmouth. In Cressmouth, the inhabitants celebrate Christmas all year round. Ridley has a talent for creating characters of depth and feeling. I loved the heroine Carole Quincy – she is the sunshine in the town. Adam Farland, the sixth Duke of Azureford was a little confusing at times, but I loved his shyness. He was a very relatable character. “He wasn’t holding back now. He was taking, demanding, giving, pleading. Two souls caught in a tug-of-war between we shouldn’t be doing this and I never want to stop.” Bravo Ms. Ridley! I was given a copy of this book.
I am so happy that we get to go back to Cressmouth/Christmas & Erica Ridley returned us there with an entertaining story & wonderful characters, once again!
Adam Farland, the sixth Duke of Azureford, has left London for the little town a 100 miles away to stay in his summer cottage. Adam needs to become the “new Adam” as he needs to find a wife to carry on his ducal duties. Society looks on the duke as being arrogant & aloof but in truth, he is shy, socially inept & he needs to overcome these drawbacks & the little town just may be his answer.
Miss Carole Quincy is a hoyden who loves billiards, fast carriages, romping with children & has been fascinated by the handsome duke since she first saw him & then attended a party at his house & he never spoke to her, She did, however; leave her very important sketchbook in his library.
They meet again after several months & she agrees to help him with his social problems if he lets her design his billiards room. The humor & romance to follow are so entertaining & his butler & her ladies maid are really fun!
I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
The fifth of this series set in Cressmouth, the town and its quirky inhabitants play a minor role. To secretly get her sketchbook back, undaunted Carole offers to assist Adam in cataloging and packing his library. After that, it’s planning a billiard room. The time spent together serves to bring them closer and – of course – fall in love. But she’s a determined spinster caring for her father, or is she?
I enjoyed reading a free advanced copy and voluntarily post my review.
This is a book which made me happy and kept a smile on my face all day. Adam, the Duke of Azureford, seems to be arrogant, but in reality he is shy, and does not know how to act around strangers. Carole lives in the village of Cressmouth and takes care of her father. Adam has come to Cressmouth to become a “new Adam”, to not be shy and awkward any more. Carole decides to help him achieve his goals. Adam and Carole are just so cute together, they laugh, they have fun and they enjoy each other. I enjoyed reading about them. I have to also say I love Carole’s lady’s maid, Judith and Adam’s butler, Mr. Swinton. I have read the first 5 books of the 12 Dukes of Christmas and can not wait for more.
This is such a fun, whimsical book! I love the books in this series. The setting of the story is the town of Christmas. The Duke of Azureford has come to find a personality and who better to help him find it than the most out-going lady in town, Carole. If you want a quick, relaxing read that is humorous, and romantic, this is it. I would definitely recommend this book!
On the rare chance an author brings tears to my eyes, they automatically get 5 stars. Erica Ridley did that as well as making me laugh out loud at the carefree antics of Carole as well as the incredibly awful pick-up lines (though I admit to really liking one). The romance was perfect and clean while still managing to keep a nice simmer. The characters were all wonderfully written and I desperately wish I could fall into the pages and find myself in Christmas.
Thank you to NetGalley, Erica Ridley, and WebMotion for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.
A good collection of romances. One especially was with Noelle and Benjamin, two people in love that are both set in their ways and seem to be resigned to being apart, because of their life styles. But they have overlooked acceptable possibilities until they finally open their minds to see them. Very enjoyable reading.
Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton is trying to recover from his war injuries in solitude at the Duke of Azureford’s cottage in Christmas. When he receives an unexpected visit from Miss Virginia Underwood, a resident of Christmas, he has no idea how much his life will change. Virginia is a nurturer of animals and she sees the reluctant Theodore as another creature who needs her help. With patience and an unfailing courage to endure the cranky and often gruff Theodore, she slowly rehabilitates him. Both are scarred, some physical and some emotion, but they grow closer. Can these two tortured souls heal each other’s wounds?
This was my favorite story of the “Dukes” series so far. Virginia was such a sweet, warm-hearted and kind young woman. While her parents had thought her worthless and shipped her off to an aslyum, she managed to escape and live a quiet life in Christmas. Ms. Ridley’s sensitive handling of Theodore recovering from his war injuries saved the book from being too dark. Theodore and Virginia definitely deserve their HEA.
This was a very cute and quick read. The premise of opposites attract is an oldy but a goodie. I loved how shy but determined the Duke of Azureford (Adam) is. Carole on the other hand is bold and outgoing, together they are adorable. I enjoyed the unique twist this book took with opposites attracting. The characters and plot were so cute, I could not put it down.
An Adorable, Sweet & clean Romance.
Adam Farland & Carole Quincy’s Journey to HEA was a Wonderful one.
To think a Man who is not only a Duke, a member In the House of Lords & Extremely Reticent .
Carole dropped her Book in Adam’s house the last time he was home & she is desperate to get it back. So she hides an earring on her person & heads over before he arrives to find out he just arrived.
Adam invites her in & ends up letting her help him overcome his awkwardness of not being sociable. He can speak in the House of Lords & his colleagues but with others & especially women he can’t.
They find her Book & she is terrified he is going to laugh at her. Yet he is astonished at how brilliant she is at how she Designs Scenes in the Book. She helps him Design a pool room as well as how to speak to women the best she can.
During their time together, they start developing feelings for one another. But as a Duke, he can’t marry a woman who is not titled.
What are they to do with their feelings?
It’s back to Cressmouth aka Christmas and I could not be more delighted. It has been almost a year since number four in the 12 Dukes of Christmas was released. Only this time it is not winter in Christmas, but the same quirkiness in the town and its inhabitants continues. It is that quirkiness that makes these books very worth reading. Yes, there are 12 Dukes in Cressmouth, just not all of the human variety. This one features the Duke of Azureford. In the past he has come off as being aloof, but in turns out he is shy. He is a very proper member of Parliament, serving on many committees, his expertise in great demand. However, talking to the opposite sex, making friends is a little behind him. At least until he meets the whirlwind known as Carole Quincy. A ruse to find her sketchbook lost in the duke’s library turns into a friendship neither expected. Will it go further than friendship? Read the book to find out. You will not be disappointed. I received this eBook from NetGalley for an honest review.
What I love about this book and all Erica Ridley books is that the are just down right entertaining. Perfect book for a warm fuzzy. Thank you.
I’ve enjoyed reading this series. A Christmas village situated in northern England that seems to have a year round Christmas spirit. Carol’s life changed when she was 10 and her mother died. Her father was devastated and Carole did everything she could to help him recover but he was reclusive and just became more committed to her father. Until the Duke moves into the cottage next door. Her passions for architecture and billiards bring them together for a project . A wonderful sweet live story with some Christmas magic and whimsy.
I liked this installment in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, as I enjoy the community dynamics and the complicated and sometimes quirky characters. I was amused by the mature romance going on in the background behind the lead characters’ story. The twist that brought about the happy ending was a terrific departure from the typical direction I was expecting things to take.
I voluntarily read a complimentary copy provided by the author via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.