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
Really enjoyed this action packed, funny, charming and engaging adventure filled with interesting charters, witty banter, thrilling twists and exciting passion….. was a great read from beginning to end.
Enjoyed reading this novel.
Lighthearted and fun.
I’m a fan of historical romance, although I read mostly contemporary rom-coms. When I do go for historicals, I like them to be lighthearted and fun, and Erica Ridley is one of my go-to historical authors.
Adam is a serious introvert, and he’s looking for the perfect Duchess. While he’s confident in Parliament, he’s so tongue-tied in social settings that it’s adorable.
Carole Quincy is content to be a spinster, run her father’s house, be everyone’s best friend but never have love herself.
Adam decides he’s going to be a new man, and he enlist Carole’s aid. Along the way, they discover each other, and they fall in love. It really seems like a case of opposites attract, but in reality they are each other’s complement in such a great way.
Charming as always. We learn more about Carole Quincy and her neighbor the elusive Duke of Azureford. She lost her sketchbook in the Duke’s summer cottage at a party the previous summer, but had not been able to retrieve it, because his friend, Theo, had been staying there. Once he is gone, she tries to find it, but the Duke is back in residence. She offers to help him catalog his books before he donates them to the Castle library. She finds that he is not aloof, but shy, and she offers to help him with that too, so he can find a bride, but the more time he spends with Carole, he finds that she has all he characteristics of his perfect mate.
A delight to read. Engaging characters with easy, witty banter and a appealing plot.
I read an ARC as part of the authors “Review Crew”. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Book five of the 12 Dukes of Christmas series a well written Regency story that held my interest throughout. This is Adam the Duke of Azureford and Miss Carole Quincy who he wants to help him find a wife with these Required Qualities for my Future Wife with these characteristics she must be 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, and Even though she doesn’t need me… still wants me. It will take him awhile to realize she is right in front of him. I enjoyed reading their story.
Really well written good storyline romance all the characters are likeable and well developed. The writing that just flows naturally and gives you the feeling of actually being there.
The Duke of Azureford is active in many committes in Parliament. He is highly thought of. But in social situations, he is a complete failure. He cannot find a wife. Some might think him a boar but the truth is he is cripplingly shy.
Carole is the antethisis of the Duke. She lives next door to his small cottage in the Christmas town. She is taken by the Duke but knows she isn’t Duchess material.
The story is sweet and predictable. It has Hallmark written all over it. But it works and I adore the series.
This book 5 of the Dukes of Christmas and I have loved them all. This a sweet story that you can’t put down. I love how Ms Ridley spends the time to research and add a new craft or experience in each book. This one was billiards. Each of the characters of the town of Christmas is special in their own way and it makes the reading about them special. There was no sex in this book, just lots of loving and kisses. Perfect. I received this an ARC and do my review freely.
Always enjoy the Dukes, and the bright, witty heroine..that seem to always take them to task..
I enjoyed this sweet and fun romance. I thought the chemitry between Azurford and Carole was good and I really liked them as a couple. He was shy, she was sassy and I found the whole story emotional and cute. A very entertaining romance. Of my own accord I’m posting a sincere review.
“…the perfect match is two imperfect people who happen to be perfect for each other.”
The Duke of Azureford is determined to step out of his introverted shell and become a new man…a man that can start the new London season looking for a perfect bride to be his Duchess and provide him an heir. Laying out a plan to create a billiards room in his country cottage and practice his socializing skills on the locals, the one thing he didn’t plan on was his feisty and beautiful neighbor, Miss Carole Quincy. Miss Quincy is like a ray of sunshine casting light on his dark shadow. With her help, Azureford knows he will be able to succeed in his plan…but as he spends more time in Carole’s company, he discovers that he may have found everything he ever wanted in a bride within a few steps from his front door.
Carole Quincy is fascinated by her neighbor, the Duke of Azureford. Coming off cold and snobbish, she quickly realizes he’s actually shy and socially awkward. Carole agrees to help him learn the art of billiards, and introduce him to the village residents so he may practice before returning to London to search for a bride. But with each passing day, Carole grows to care more and more for her Duke, who does not seem to mind her own personality quirks. If only she had the qualities and resources to be a Duchess…if only she were free to love him wholeheartedly.
Hidden away in the confines of a country cottage, Adam and Carole become the best of friends who don’t have to pretend to be something they aren’t and grow to love each other just as they are.
Dear Reader, I absolutely loved Erica Ridley’s Dukes, Actually. This story is a sweet romance that warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face with their HEA. Highly recommend this quick read and look forward to future installments to the series!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
I am loving this set of stories. The author writes stories that make your heart happy and go zing. This duke could not believe his destiny would be found with five golden rings and the smart, witty and untitled girl he falls for. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Dukes, Actually is the 5th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas Book series. It is another great novella by this author and perfect for a cozy read on a cold day. The novellas in this series all take place in the town of Cressmouth, that had been nicknamed Christmas. They are all fast past, have fun characters and can be read as standalones.
Adam, the Duke of Azureford, appeared cold and aloof, but instead he was shy and didn’t know how to make conversation. It was spring and he decided to return to his summer cottage in Christmas to learn how to converse and flirt in order to find a bride. He is going to change his library into a billiards room, learn to play billiards, the have a party and practice conversing with others before he returns to London for the season.
Carole Quincy loved her father, architecture, and billiards. She was cheerful, outgoing, and loved by all. She had dropped her book of drawings at Adam’s party six months prior and needed to retrieve it before anyone saw her drawings. She wasn’t expecting Adam to be at his summer cottage or his library to be rearranged and complicating her search for her book. Once she learned of Adam’s goals, she wanted to help him.
Carole knew she could never leave Cressmouth because her father would have no one to take care of him. Adam thought he had to marry brilliant society lady. Could their future be together when they both had different plans? I received an ARC and am voluntarily providing a review.
Billiards, New Adam, five golden rings and sharing his balls.
Adam, the Duke of Azureford, is shy, tongue tied and trying to make friends. His plan is New Adam, donating his library and setting up the best billiards room. He’s lonely.
Carole lives next door, bold and adventurous, she sketches architectural designs and lives with her father who ignores her. She’s lonely.
Can these two lonely opposites find happiness with each other?
I loved the socially awkward Adam and the clever Carole.
Recommend
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Dukes, Actually, by Erica Ridley, is available at booksellers on 10-22-19. Book 5, in Ms Ridley’s 12 Dukes Of Christmas series, may be the best yet. I became invested in the characters, mostly the hero, and that makes for a pleasant read. Our couple are immensely likeable, although not a contemporary book, their situations are relatable in 2019.
Adam Farland, Duke of Azureford, is an exceedingly shy man. Handsome as any duke ever, smart, sought after in Parliament, he’s tongue-tied in social settings. He has a wonderful home in Cressmouth, aka Christmas, and his plan to become New Adam revolves around it. Like so many of us he thinks there must be a list of things to do in order to change. I like list too so I understand Adam. He wants so much out of life but can’t get out of his own way. Miss Carole Quincy is a resigned spinster who looks after her emotionally cutoff father. She also runs the house, plays with local children, plans parties, is a BFF to everyone in the village. Anything to keep busy and not feel so abandoned, lost, and alone. As Carole helps Adam with his plan it beings up old feelings of loss, her family, her future family. She so attracted to Adam, he makes her want things again. Adam opens up to Carole and it’s a case of opposites attract. In this case they help each other to find the path to healing. My current favorite line is “A man in possession of a fine billiard room is undoubtedly in want of a wife”.
I won’t go into to much explanation of the plot, that’s your treat to enjoy. These two characters deserve an HEA, they try so hard you root for them. I appreciate that Ms Ridley sent me in search of a definition, that’s always fun. I now know what a belvedere is. I hope you enjoy Adam and Carole’s story as much as I did. Happy reading.
#Netgalley #EricaRidley #Dukes,Actually #12DukesOfChristmas
A light hearted, engaging story by a new author to me. Great likeable characters – I loved that Adam was not a dissolute rake as in many of these historical romances. Carole is the more confident one who proposes to teach Adam some social skills. I loved how her interests were not typical of females of that era. Funny dialogue especially as Carole and Adam become more comfortable with each other. Sweet romance. Enjoyable read.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
I loved this story as it different from most romances in that the Duke is the one who needs help and his neighbor, a hoyden who loves fast carriages, is a whiz at billiards playing with her father from the age of 8,
The Duke of Azureford, Adam Farland has no friends, most think is too arrogant, cause he never speaks to people unless he has too. But it is because he is an introvert, shy never know what to say or how. Now he has a plan that he hopes will change all that. He is going to build a billiard room in his house and invite
people to come play. Before he can do that he needs to get rid of most of the books in the library.
Carole, is the neighbor to Adam, and during the only parry he had she lost her most important item she owns, her sketchbook.
As she tries to find it helping Adam catalog the library and then teaching him to play billiards these two learn a lot about each other.
What both thought they needed and wanted and what is really important to them
This is a great romance, funny, sad, sexy too, with help from her 60 year old maid, who has been with her since birth and his butler who has been with the Dukes family forever these two find the greatest gift,
I was given and ARC from Netgallery and am giving my honest opinion.
Be sure and get your copy, do not want to miss this one. Enjoy
This was a wonderful addition to the series. It was Adam, Duke of Azureford, and Miss Carole Mortimer story. The Duke suffers from extreme shyness and needs to learn the art of flirting in order to find his perfect Duchess. His next door neighbor, Miss Mortimer, needs to find her journal left at his home after dropping it at a soirée six months ago. Where he is introverted, she is outgoing and bright. Opposites attract. Their road towards love is a delightful journey that Ms. Ridley excels in writing. Her characters are well developed and easy to love. Secondary characters as well. There are always humorous moments throughout. I enjoyed this Regency romance immensely and highly recommended it. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own.
Dukes, Actually by Erica Ridley is book 5 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas. This is the story of Carole Quincy and Adam Farland, The Duke of Azureford. I have read the previous books but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Adam is a shy person but it comes off as being arrogant. Now that he has to start looking for a wife he thinks he needs to work on his issue. Carole is young women who doesn’t let most things get in her way to do what she wants. Which has lead her to some wild situations and to be what they call a hoyden. Adam and Carole are neighbors and she happened to leave a questionable book at his house. So she tries to go get it back but is caught by Adam who she tries to act like she was looking for something else. This encounter starts Adam thinking that Carole would be a good person to help him get over his shyness. But the more time they are together the more he might be changing his mind on her not be Duchess material.
Enjoyed their story.
The Duke of Azureford is confident and respected in the House of Lords, but in a social setting, he is uncomfortable and shy. More than anything he wants to make friends and find a suitable wife. Carole Quincy is Azureford’s neighbor. She is charming and friendly, outgoing, everything Adam hopes to be. She has been the head of her household since her mother died when she was a young girl. She has a vivid imagination and likes to illustrate her thoughts and ideas in a sketchbook (which she misplaced at Adam’s house at his last attempt at a party). When he comes to his summer cottage in Cressmouth with a plan to gain and practice the social skills he needs to accomplish his goal, he believes Carole might be the one to help him. Will it work? Will it lead to more?
Each visit to the village of Cressmouth, the town that honors Christmas year round, is full of fun and romance. Dukes, Actually is no exception. This is a quick, entertaining story with likeable, engaging characters, lots of humor, and a few surprises. Adam and Carole are a great hero and heroine, and there is a delightful cast of secondary characters. I especially liked Judith and Swinton and enjoyed their budding romance. Dukes, Actually is an awesome addition to The Dukes of Christmas series. I recommend this one. You have to read it and find out why Adam sees five golden rings every where he sees Carole. I love Swinton’s answer.