From a New York Times bestselling author: A forbidden love, opposites attract romp between a meticulously proper duke and an impishly improper spinster in this witty, feel-good romance!This year, the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmastide house party doubles as a bride hunt. The handsome duke seeks a blue-blooded debutante as respectable as he is, and his parlor is brimming with paragons of … is brimming with paragons of propriety.
Inveterate spinster and unapologetic hoyden Miss Cynthia Louise Finch does not fit the mold. Any mold. Her younger cousin is perfect for the duke! By matchmaking the two, Cynthia will save her favorite cousin from a horrific fate. The only problem? Cynthia has always held a tendre for the duke. And for the first time, she seems to have caught his attention…
The Duke of Nottingvale knows his responsibilities: Duty and decorum above all else. A respectable lord would never sneak away for stolen moments with a fearless, audacious minx he cannot make his duchess. He definitely wouldn’t kiss her. Or fall in love…
Welcome to a heartwarming series of fun 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!
~~~
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
I want to preface this review by stating that this is the eighth review I have written during the holiday season. Having read more than three times that number of “holiday” themed books during this time, I must say that this is a book that should not be missed. That having been said, let me proceed with my review.
SETTING: Dec 1814 .
Miss Cynthia Louise Finch, age of thirty, (having failed to capture the attention of a single gentleman during 6 seasons), acts as a chaperone for her cousin Gertie, accompanying her to the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmas house party. Gertie, who is as shy as Cynthia Louise is adventurous and outgoing, is on notice from her father that she is to make a match before returning home, or she will be exchanged for land and given to a lecherous old man. Cynthia Louise, therefore, is determined to champion Gertie in capturing the Duke’s attention, as well as his hand in marriage, at this party.
Meet Duke Nottingvale. Brought up to be the ever ‘proper Paragon that every Duke should be’, never breaks any of society’s rules. At the advanced age of 30, his mother is pressing him to marry, encouraging him to choose from among his house guests for the next duchess.
Mix: one irrepressible hoyden (Cynthia Louise) and a Paragon of Society, and one has a reaction not to be missed!
CRITIQUE:
Storyline- utterly superb! Well-paced and packed with unexpected twists holding the reader’s attention.
Character development: characters whose personalities blossom during the story, drawing us ever closer to them.
Romance- grows from a spark at the beginning of the story to a blaze at the end. Kisses but otherwise perfect
for younger readers.
Is there a HEA for our H and h? Absolutely! And the world is a better place for it.
I received an advance copy from Net Galley. My review is voluntary and reflects my own opinions.
Forever Your Duke was an entertaining story by Erica Ridley. I love it when a proper straight laced Duke meets his love match in a fun and improper spinster at a Christmastide house party. It begs for a happily ever after.
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.
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.
What a way to end this amazing series. I was wondering who would be the lady that steals the heart of Duke of Nottingvale. And who better for the job than Miss Cynthia Louise. They were like oil and water but they worked really well together. He needed her to soften him up and she need to be seen.
I felt in love with them easily and I didn’t want to see this story to end.
***Review copy received from the author for an honest opinion ***
’ve been eagerly awaiting Forever your Duke by Erica Ridley. This is the last installment in Ridley’s series The 12 Dukes of Christmas. I’ve been really enjoying reading the last third of the series. This book works well as a stand alone but I suggest reading at least Dawn with a Duke (#9).
Forever your Duke was a charming and fun read. We finally get Alexander, Duke of Nottingvale’s story. Every year he throws a big Christmas party in Cressmouth and invites many friends, family and the village takes part too!
This year Alexander is also hunting for a Bride. He is now thirty and feeling ready to do his duty. He is looking for someone extremely respectable to become his duchess. He has his mother breathing down his neck about it too.
Cynthia Louise Finch is bringing her cousin to the party this year to meet the Duke. Cynthia is friends with the Duke’s sister and has always like him. Cynthia is thirty and has become infamous. She loves outdoor sports, flouting the rules and also helping everyone.
I had so much fun reading the adventure in this book. It was fun to be at a party in the book when we can’t in real life (2020).
It is low on steam for those that are looking for just kissing. If you need a cozy, winter escape this will be delightful.
Thank you #NetGalley and Erica Ridley for the chance to read an ARC! All opinions are my own.
#ericaridley #onenightwithaduke #12dukes
This was such a great read. I found it quite easy to get swept up into this fun and heartfelt romance. I really liked Cynthia and Alexander. I could connect and sympathize with Cynthia on so many levels and I admired her for letting go of all the expectations and just being. That is something so many of us struggle with. Alexander may have been a bit straight-laced but he was just waiting for the right woman to wake him up and help him embrace life. Their story heavily features a war between what they firmly believed with their heads and what their hearts truly wanted. Such a terrific read to close out this wonderful series. This is my elective, unbiased review.
Erica Ridley’s stories are always so much fun to read and this one is no exception. I also think Cynthia Louise is now my favourite heroine:) What a delight she is, caring not what the ton thinks of her and doing what pleases her and makes her happy. Her least favourite thing is following rules!
The Duke of Nottingvale is the absolute opposite, rules are to be followed and doing what is expected of him is at the forefront. Now he is looking for the perfect lady to become his Duchess…..certainly no one like Cynthia Louise!! I adored their interactions with each other.
Very well written and a perfect ending to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Forever Your Duke is the perfect ending to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. It’s been a fun ride, these past 12 books. I am sad to see the end. The Duke of Nottingvale is on the hunt for his perfect bride. He uses his annual Christmastide celebrations to find her. Miss Cynthia Louise Finch is well and truly on the shelf. She is at the party hoping to match her cousin to the Duke. There is a bit of a problem as she has a tender for him herself. It was wonderful watching these two characters get together and seeing their journey to HEA.
I can’t believe we are the end of the 12 Dukes of Christmas. I think Erica was holding out on us and saved the best for last. I cannot tell you how much I loved Alexander and Cynthia Louise. They are polar opposites but each bring out the best of the other. While you might think that Cynthia Louise changed Alexander and she stayed the same, oh no my friends. It was a double changing (yeah, just made up that wording). He’s stuffy and she’s a hoyden. But why is she a hoyden? She needed the right person to come along and each teach the other the meeting in the middle is the way to love.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
Forever Your Duke: A Regency Christmas Romance
12 Dukes of Christmas Series #12
Erica Ridley
https://www.facebook.com/ericaridley
Release date 12/18/2020
From a New York Times bestselling author: A forbidden love, opposites attract romp between a meticulously proper duke and an impishly improper spinster in this witty, feel-good romance!
This year, the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmastide house party doubles as a bride hunt. The handsome duke seeks a blue-blooded debutante as respectable as he is, and his parlor is brimming with paragons of propriety.
Inveterate spinster and unapologetic hoyden Miss Cynthia Louise Finch does not fit the mold. Any mold. Her younger cousin is perfect for the duke! By matchmaking the two, Cynthia will save her favorite cousin from a horrific fate. The only problem? Cynthia has always held a tendre for the duke. And for the first time, she seems to have caught his attention…
The Duke of Nottingvale knows his responsibilities: Duty and decorum above all else. A respectable lord would never sneak away for stolen moments with a fearless, audacious minx he cannot make his duchess. He definitely wouldn’t kiss her. Or fall in love…
Welcome to a heartwarming series of fun 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!
Will her inadequacy sentence any relationship between them to failure …
I have followed this series from the very beginning and each new addition had been like adding a new gem to a jewel. I thought It could not get any better and each time I was wrong.
I just adored Cynthia Louise, she is outrageous and making it her duty to thwart society’s rules and enjoy her life at best as she can.
After years of abiding to the ton’s dictates and being shunned because she didn’t fit, she decides that if she would be snubbed, it might be because of improper behaviors. Why she is walking the thin thread between suitable and extravagant.
Nottingvale is her right opposite, always following the rules, observing the right demeanor. But in doing so for so long, he does not know any more who he really is.
And while Nottingvale is not any more shocked by Cynthia Louise many adventures, he still feels she is the worst prospect he could envisage all the while envying her freedom and her lack of regard on what everyone might think about her.
Why both believe they must avoid one another as they are the most unsuitable couple possible for the seeking-a-scandal-free-bride Duke and the daring spinster.
While this last in the series can be read as a standalone, do not miss the other books in the series. It is a series full of humor, witty banters and silly games, and this one is full of everything and even more.
Thus the 5 stars.
: hot kissing scenes
I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/765421657380341/?d=n
This was such a cute addition to this series. I loved the premise – chaperone trying to secure a good marriage for a cousin has a tendre for the duke instead. I really enjoyed all the silliness she got up to, all the fun that was had, and the sweet ending. Definitely a fantastic one to pick up at Christmastime.
I have looked forward to the Duke of Nottingvales story and dreaded it at the same time. This is the last of the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. All were wonderful and I looked forward to reading them all.
The Duke of Nottingvale follows the rules of society to the letter. He is perfect in the eyes of the ton.
Handsome, wealthy, never steps out of order and no scandals in the family. He has been the Duke since he was 17 and learned to follow the rules so he did not mess anything up. He has no time for fun, love or being anything other than the Duke and doing what is expected. He is thirty now and needs a wife and an heir. In order to do get this done. He has let it known that at his Christmas House Party held every year in Cressmouth he will pick a bride. All the eligible young debutantes were going to be there. They are the best of the best. Young, Aristocratic Ladies with honor and decorum. Except they are all same they dress alike, talk alike, and all have had the same lessons. He could close his eyes and pick one and she would make a perfect Duchess.
Miss Cynthia Louise Finch is a spinster and hoyden. She was a perfect Lady till after six failed season she gave up on following the rules. If she was going to whisper about it would be to her face and not behind her back. She does what she wants and goes where she wants.
She is at his house acting as the chaperone to her cousin Lady Gertrude. Who she is hoping to be The Dukes choice?
This is a wonderful story with many things going on. There are lessons to learn, hearts to break and mend. Family and expectations to break or keep. What is happiness and when is duty too much.
I hope you get a copy, pour a cup of coffee and settle in for a wonderful read. You will not want to
put the book down till finished.
I received and ARC from the author and want to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.
It’s been a delight getting to know the village of Cressmouth (Christmas), and its residents and visitors in The 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Forever your Duke, being the last in this series is witty and entertaining and a perfect ending with the Duke’s annual Christmastide Party. I loved Miss Cynthia Louise Finch! I was amused and entertained by her outlook on things and how she brought so much joy to those around her, regardless of social norms of the times. I was happy that the extremely straight-laced, rule-following Duke’s true goodhearted ways and actual willingness to start looking at life in a new way and beyond his little scope of the ton took hold. Opposites do attract and these two brought out the best of each other. Erica Ridley always writes engaging characters and story lines. I shall miss new episodes from this lovely year round Christmas village, but can always go back and re-read to visit it over and over again. I also look forward to new journeys and new characters in Erica’s upcoming The Wild Wynchesters series in 2021.
Alexander Borland, seventh Duke of Nottingvale, holds an annual Christmas party, but this year he’s going to choose a bride on the last day. His mother has invited all the eligible young women including Lady Gertrude. The only downside was that Gertrude would be accompanied by that spinster hoyden Cynthia Louise Finch. Society had decided years ago that Cynthia Louise was not marriage material. When she finally stopped trying to fit in and follow the rules, her life became so much better. She would be a disaster choice for Nottingvale and his mother reminds him throughout the fortnight party of that fact. How long can Alexander and Cynthia Louise deny their feelings just to please the ton?
I loved this book. Cynthia Louise was such a fun character and of course Alexander had to be so straight-laced and proper. Opposites attract and these two tried hard to convince themselves that Alexander should marry Lady Gertrude who was the perfect young woman who followed the rules. Once Alexander let Cynthia Louise tempted him to just have fun for once, he knew she was the only woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Ms. Ridley was very creative with this story and I read it in one sitting. I’m sorry to see the series end because I enjoyed all the stories in that fairy tale town of Christmas.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
Forever Your Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas,#12) by Erica Ridley
This is Miss Cynthia Louise Finch and the Duke of Nottingvale’s (Vale) story and the last book in this wonderful series. Their story made me laugh out loud and also shed some tears, he needs to be so proper all the time, and she is anything but. This book can be read as a stand alone …. but I strongly suggest you read them all. I was so happy to get to their HEA.
Looking forward too THE DUKE HEIST February 2021.
“Forever Your Duke” by Erica Ridley
True Love doesn’t always happen by the rules set by the minds of the folks who belong to those hearts. The song “Just in Time” by Dean Martin played in the background just as I finished reading this story. It was perfect timing as it fit this story like a glove! I have loved this whole series and I am a bit sad that it is time to move on to another time and place. Each of the 12 stories of this series is a stand-alone read. Of course, it is a series set in the same town so characters do tend to make appearances in more than one story, as it is what happens in a happy small town. If you like sweet clean fun romance stories. You really do not want to miss this story. It is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the author. This is my honest review.
I am so sad this is the last visit to Christmas (Cressmouth) but the last book in the series was oh so good!
Alexander Borland, the Duke of Nottingvale, is thirty years old, very handsome, rich, and eligible. Every year he hosts a month-long Christmas House Party, but this year’s celebration will double as a bride hunt for the duke. He will choose a blue-blooded debutante from the group his Mother has invited – one with the same high regard for reputation, decorum, rules, duty & propriety as his – someone completely different from his sister’s friend Miss Finch.
Miss Cynthia Louise Finch is thirty years old, an established spinster and an unapologetic hoyden. She had six seasons in London following all the rules and expectations of the Ton which didn’t even bring her one single dance. So, six years ago she moved to Houville, the closest town to Cressmouth and she spent a lot of time in Cressmouth making new friends, being her hoydenish self and people loved her. She attended the duke’s Christmas party for the last six years as she was friends with Belle, the duke’s sister. This year she would be accompanying her younger cousin, Gertie, in hopes of getting the duke to offer for her.
The hilarious interactions between Cynthia & Alexander were so entertaining. He is such a strait-laced, have no fun duke & she will try anything for fun or a wager! I highly recommend this rollicking, sidesplitting holiday read that will leave you feeling happy and it will put a smile on your face. I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
I loved Miss Cynthia Louise Finch! I want to be her and have her outlook on things. I enjoyed reading how her life impacted those around her, especially the Duke of Nottingvale. It was a fun read and I’m sorry to see the series ending but I know there are new series to enjoy in the future.
This year, the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmastide house party doubles as a bride hunt. The handsome duke seeks a blue-blooded debutante as respectable as he is, and his parlour is brimming with paragons of propriety. Inveterate spinster and unapologetic hoyden Miss Cynthia Louise Finch does not fit the mould. Her younger cousin, Lady Gertrude is perfect for the duke! By matchmaking the two, Cynthia will save her favourite cousin from a horrific fate – an arranged marriage to an elderly groom. The only problem? Cynthia has always held a tendre for the duke. And for the first time, she seems to have caught his attention. Alexander, The Duke of Nottingvale knows his responsibilities: Duty and decorum above all else. A respectable lord would never sneak away for stolen moments with a fearless, audacious minx he cannot make his duchess. He definitely wouldn’t kiss her. Or fall in love.
The final book in this wonderful series & I absolutely loved Cynthia Louise, her antics had me reading with a permanent smile on my face. The banter between her & Alex is superb, witty, charming & just plain delightful. Alex has been groomed since he was seventeen to be the perfect duke, to always do his duty but Alex is so much more than a duke & it takes Cynthia Louise to make him realise that he’s allowed to be just Alex. So at the start of the book he was a likeable stuffed shirt but by the end was a totally loveable man. The journey to their HEA was highly entertaining, captivating & often humorous. A truly lovely series finale
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read