Yes, Virginia, there is a Viscount… out of Town during her very first Season.
Theodore O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton, sequestered himself far from London to heal in anonymity. For now, he can be himself. As soon as he returns, he’s meant to wed the woman his father selected years before. But when Miss Underwood turns his carefully mapped life upside-down, Theo must decide which battles are truly worth fighting for.
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley’s newest regency romance series features twelve delightful laugh-out-loud romps… and plenty of delicious dukes!
The 12 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
Get your Duke today!more
This was an absolutely-delightful, romantic romp. It had all the essential elements that make for a great, historical romance read. The story line was interesting, and the characters were complex and rich with life. I enjoyed this book immensely!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & WebMotion in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.
#12dukes #NetGalley
I just love this series – they are all so romantic (just kissing) & I haven’t missed the spicy scenes because the stories and characters are so wonderful. Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton, heir to a marquessate has come to Cressmouth/Christmas to stay in a cottage on his friend’s estate, Duke of Azureford, to recuperate. After finally settling in the cottage, Miss Virginia Underwood comes knocking on his door to retrieve her cat, Duke, who had jumped into the cottage through an open window. This starts all the fun of Virginia’s help in healing Theo and him helping her to believe her worth. The cat, Duke & the butler, Swinton were both great secondary characters!
I highly recommend this book and the whole series to ALL historical romance writers and every book gets me closer to moving to Cressmouth/Christmas!
Book four in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series is here. Never Say Duke hit booksellers shelves on January 5th. Not having read any of the previous stories in this series I had no expectations, only a fresh set of eyes. I’m enchanted. Erica Ridley has a new fan.
Theodore “Theo” O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton, is a military man, devoted and proud. A horrific battlefield wound has him on his way back to England, discharged from service, unhappy and looking for a place to hide out and heal. A friend of his has loaned him a cottage on his estate, a few servants and the promise of anonymity while he recuperates. When his family finds out he’s back in England, he’ll be expected to take his place in society. This includes becoming betrothed to the woman picked out for him when he was a child. He wants to be at his best when he has to tackle this change in his life.
Miss Virginia Underwood is a lovely young lady headed for spinsterhood on the express train. She’s lived in the village of Christmas for some 6 years now. She’s carved out a life for herself with friends, a place to live and a purpose in life. Virginia rescues wounded animals and nurses them back to health. She has a way with animals, they take to her and she to them, they are much, much easier to deal with than people. Theo is a wounded soul that she feels the need to help on his way to recovery. She has a huge secret, not even her friends in Christmas know. I also suspect that she suffers from Asperger Syndrome, making her socially awkward. This is unforgivable in the world of the ton.
You may start reading this story for the plot and romance, which are great, but you’ll stay for the cat.
I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy, ARC, of this sweet story. I enjoyed it very much and consider it a pleasure to share my opinion with you. Both are free and without obligation. Enjoy the happy ending, it’s lovely.
#12dukesofchristmas #neversayduke #Erica Ridley #netgalley
When Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton arrives at the Duke of Azureford’s cottage in Christmas, he expects to recover from his war injuries in peace and remain completely anonymous – but what he got was a cat named Duke who changed his entire life.
Virginia Underwood is a resident of Christmas and a nurturer by nature, she cannot resist rescuing strays or tending the wounded. So when her cat Duke invites himself into the Duke’s cottage and she finds Theodore, she insists on helping him – despite his refusal. Virginia has secrets and suffers from what appears to be Asperger’s Syndrome. She cannot abide crowds, bright light or loud noises.
Theodore is intrigued by Virginia and begins to look forward to her visits. They talk and she learns that he is expected to marry the daughter of his father’s friend – he will do it, because Theodore always keeps his promises and does his duty. But why is he beginning to question that decision?
The more time they spend together, the more she pushes him and under her care, he begins to heal, both physically and mentally. He learns more about her past, which is as shocking as is it heartbreaking. She loves Theodore, but when she learns who he really is, isn’t sure she could stand being part of his world, plus there is the little problem of the soon to be betrothed.
When it seems like they will finally have a HEA, a surprise visitor reminds Virginia why they can never be and a twist of fate gives her choices in her life – will she choose Theodore or will she let her past experiences ruin any chance for love?
This is a sweet story, that is well written and paced nicely. Theodore and Virginia are wonderful leads and Duke the cat is definitely a scene stealer, the love scenes are sweet (no heat) but there is a sizzling chemistry between them, there are lots of twists and turns, a hero that you will want for your own, a wonderful ending and an epilogue that will make you smile.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Never Say Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas, #4) by Erica Ridley I absolutely love this series…Thank you Erica for letting me review this book. Virginia Underwood(collects wildlife strays and fixes them ..she is some what of a stray herself) Theodore O’Hanlon (Major Viscount Ormondton.. wounded in war and hiding out in Christmas to heal) Virginia takes on healing him and they heal each other. There is Duke the cat and other animals … Plenty of feelings, laughs, some tears, and romance all leading to a very HEA. I can’t wait to read DUKES, ACTUALLY the next book in the series.
Laughed my way thru this story. Virginia is not much on people, but loves to take in wounded strays and nurse them back to health. Theodore has been wounded in war, and is in hiding from society until he gets better. When Virginia decides to nurse Theodore back to health, the fun starts – helped by an aristocratic, opinionated cat named Duke. I received an arc of this delightful book.
Erica Ridley has another good feeling book. This story is about Virginia and Theodore. Theodore is in the town of Christmas to heal from wounds he received in the war. He does not want anyone to know who he is or where he is. Virginia lives in Christmas and takes care of all stray animals. Virginia meets Theodore and helps him heal, he helps her realize she is worth keeping.
After finishing this story and other Erica Ridley stories I can not wait to start the next. That’s how much I enjoy them.
I would recommend reading all the books published so far in the 12 Dukes of Christmas for the enjoyment it will give you.
Each book in this series is better than the last. The hero and heroine in this book are special. The heroine has to overcome a lot and the hero has issues too. This story is both laugh out loud funny at times and also tear inducing. The heroines in this series so far have been wonderful. The heroes are awesome too. I would recommend this book and the previous ones as well. They are stand alone stories but all are well worth reading, so why not start with the first one?
Miss Virginia Underwood cannot resist rescuing a stray. Her latest find turns out to be a surly, reclusive war hero trying to recover from his wounds in peace. Theodore O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton, sequestered himself far from London to heal in anonymity. For now, he can be himself. As soon as he returns, he’s meant to wed the woman his father selected when he was a child. But when Miss Underwood turns his carefully mapped life upside-down, Theo must decide which battles are truly worth fighting for.
I think this is my favourite of the series so far, I laughed, I smiled & I cried. Theo & Virginia are just so adorable & absolutely perfect for each other.
A lovely story that flowed effortlessly, which I read it in two sittings. Two wounded souls who are drawn to each other but who also like each other & are able to talk & laugh together whilst gradually falling in love. Virginia had no self esteem at all & how this changed had me captivated & also brought tears to my eyes when she was at the soiree. Theo also changed from the grumpy injured heir to finding joy with Virginia but also discovering he should live for himself & not to please his father & society.
Duke & ice cream added a light heartedness to the story & Duke certainly had me chuckling
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another clean, glorious romance by Erica Ridley! Virginia has always been disposable even to her parents. Theodore has always been the responsible son especially to his father until he left for the war and ended up seriously injured. This is truly an odd couple—isn’t it? Sweet, humorous, and happy ever after.
Another classic from Erica Ridley. Theo and Virginia make an amazing couple. I love Virginia because of her Autism symptoms. I especially love Theo for loving and accepting her just the way she is. The duke in this story is the cat and he is adorable and hilarious. He is a character by himself. The butler Swinton is also not to be missed. This series just keeps getting better and better. Very excellent read!
I give this 5 stars as it was a delight to read. Having been rejected, Virginia is hiding from society, yet she is not afraid to approach and challenge the grumpy man she finds in her friends’ home.
While the story is whimsical, Virginia’s yearning for someone to cherish her was movingly written. This is (so far) my favorite of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy.
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.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
A great story about an autistic woman and a man just back from war, and how it all comes together – really lovely story. Made me smile and get the ‘feels’.
Very much enjoyed this book with Virginia and Theodore O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton. A time to heal and learn to love.
Ebook from net galley and publishers with thanks .Opinions are entirely my own .
This was a fun and entertaining read. The character development is organically woven into the story. Virginia is delightful and quirky (I recognize the Asperger traits and think she is well written). I loved the conversations between Virginia and Theo, as well as their internal dialogues. The setting is familiar as I have read the previous volumes in the series; this adds to the world building, as well as catches us up on familiar characters. This is a great read to fill a few hours with sweet, sentimental smiles. Safe for all ages of romance readers.
I voluntarily read an advanced review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley and I offer my honest opinion in response.
Are there really 12 dukes in the village of Cressmouth aka Christmas? Well, there may be but not all may be of the humankind. The first three books in this series were wonderful, full of humor, quirky characters along side of some absolutely adorable ones. This fourth book is much the same, but even better if that is possible. As much as I loved the characters in the previous books, Virginia and Theo quickly became my favorites. Both are very vulnerable, hiding out in Christmas. It was a very lucky day when Virginia’s cat, Duke, snuck into Theo`s room. In Christmas to heal from war wounds before returning to London and his family, he was in need of someone to push him. Virginia turned out to be that someone. How will they deal with each other? What about that crazy cat? And why should you not say duke around him? Just what is so terrible in Virginia’s past that she is hiding away? The answers are in Never Say Duke. A real delight to read. Looking forward to book five.
Virginia was ousted from society due to her anxiety issues and now lives in Cressmouth (Christmas town).
She collects strays and her latest stray is a viscount.
Theodore “Theo” is a viscount wounded in the war.
But his plan is to marry and return to society.
Can they heal each other’s wounds?
Never Say Duke proved to be another adorable installment of the 12 Dukes of Christmas by Erica Ridley and without a doubt is my new favorite of the series.
I have adored Virginia throughout the series and was pleased to see her get a chance at her own happily ever after. Struggling with large crowds, loud noises, and the intricacies of social interactions, Virginia spends much of her time avoiding extended interactions with the other residents and tourists of Christmas. Theo has just returned from the war, suffering from debilitating injuries. Determined not to return to London until fully healed, he chooses to convalesce at a good friend’s cottage in the village of Christmas. Virginia, a resident of Christmas, takes in injured strays and nursing them back to health. When she meets Theo, she decides to nurse him back to health. Theo initially rejects Virginia’s expertise but soon she and her quirks woo Theo. Watching their relationship bloom was adorable and I am hoping that the rearrangement of the library is noticed by the Duke of Azureford and that he will give the reaction I’m hoping for.
Never Say Duke is a quick, cozy romance with a cast of lovable secondary characters. Theo will forever be on my list of book boyfriends. His adoration and complete acceptance of Virginia is swoon-worthy. I am looking forward to the next story coming out of the village of Christmas.
**I received an advanced copy through Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
An emotionally heart-wrenching story of the misunderstood, the abandoned and the unloved. Our heroine, Miss Virginia Underwood because she is deemed to have an odd eccentric personality, she is told she is unfit for society and is cast aside to an asylum. (heavy sigh) I cannot imagine what that must have felt like. To be so unloved by parents and tossed away as if one did not matter. While reading this my heart went out to Virginia and her sweet gentle ways. She was always trying to learn how to fit in. She just wanted to be “normal”. (whatever that means) This book touched my soul. Our hero, Theodore O’Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton is a military man who was stationed in France to fight the war against Bonaparte. His face and leg were injured. One side of his face was disfigured and his knee was so broken that it was impossible to be set correctly. Theodore lived in the shadow of a domineering father who expected him to put duty above all else. He just wanted to be accepted for himself and valued, to be helpful, to be useful. He was also feeling dejected by the injuries to his face. He believed he was to ugly to look upon and that others would cringe in fear looking at him. At first, when Virginia and Theodore met, they semm not have very much in common. But as you read the story it reveals the pain and sorrow of the similarities between them. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.