One Night of Passion (Wicked Dukes Club, #3)

I voluntarily read and reviewed and advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This May 14th One Night Of Passion by Erica Ridley hits the bookstands. Do we still say bookstands? Book 3 in the Wicked Dukes Club hits the right notes as a continuation of the series. Ms Ridley and Darcy Burke are taking turns writing the books with Ms Ridley taking the odd numbers and Ms Burke the evens, so far it’s working out great.

Mr. Thaddeus Middleton is looking for a love match, The One, and he’s looking at every event this season. He’s danced with every wallflower and searched out every corner of the tons ballrooms. He meets Miss Priscilla Weatherby one Wednesday evening at Almack’s. He asks her to dance and she says no, what???? Well, he’s intrigued and tries over and again to speak to her, to no avail, she dismisses him every time. The crux of the problem is a 10,000 pound trust her father put restrictions on. She must remain single and scandal free until her 25th birthday. The money means freedom and a life less ordinary. Thad is about to turn that plan on it’s ear. He starts to see fairy tale signs and omens so he knows he’s right about The One. While there aren’t bluebirds singing in the trees we do have an African Grey Parrot who’s a hoot. When Priscilla lets her guard down these two have such an interesting, witty back and forth, it’s fun. Their journey to a happily ever after has such ups and downs that I was relieved when they got the HEA. I truly think you’ll enjoy One Night Of Passion. Happy reading.
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I love this series! Now in the third book, Thaddeus Middleton, is still looking for his Princess Charming. Thad is a kind, considerate and hopeless romantic who believes in marrying for love. However, year after year goes by without any one lady captivating him, that is, until he asks Miss Priscilla Weatherby for a dance. The set down she gives him should have discouraged him from further contact with her, but it has the opposite effect. Thad feels the spark with Priscilla and he’s not willing to turn away. Priscilla doesn’t want to marry. She’s holding out until her 25th birthday when she’ll inherit a fortune and realize her dream of being an adventurer, but is she missing out on a lifetime of happiness with Thad?

The characters in this story had so much depth–both Thad and Priscilla holding onto their dreams and finally realizes that a dream can change over time. There is no villain in this story. It’s a sweet, lovely story of how sometimes what you think you want isn’t the dream you think it is. Priscilla always wanted to travel with her father and thought he would want her now that she was grown, but what Priscilla finds out is that you don’t need to go half-way around the world to enjoy new adventures. Ms. Ridley has written a wonderful story and I can’t wait to read the next story in this series.

This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Series. I found this one a little slow to start with but it did come up the the standard that you would expect from Ms Ridley. There was some very heart warming moments, the expected humor, passion and some lovely surprises thrown in. Even though the hero was not a duke, he was good friends with some and a very likeable guy. The heroine was trying very hard to be strong because of her past but came to fine herself and love. Even after the slow start I found it hard to put down. I read it in a bit over a day. There was a touch of sex. As usual Ms Ridley’s book was well worth reading for the good feeling to get out of it. I received this book as an ARC and was very happy to read and review it.

Untitled and unfettered, Thaddeus Middleton wants only one thing: a love match with a woman who’s actually interested in him, rather than money and title. He’s determined not to repeat his parents’ mistakes in that regard and instead holds out for the ever elusive spark. He’s not exactly sure what he wants in a wife, but knows he’ll surely recognize her when he does finally meet her. Except when he at last finds a spark, it’s with a woman who claims to not be interested in him at all, even if her kisses say otherwise.

Miss Priscilla Weatherby only has to hold out for a few more months, unwed and scandal-free, then she can claim her inheritance and be off on an adventure, where she knows her long-absent father and grandfather are surely waiting for her to join them. Her ever-growing attachment to Thad could threaten all of her plans and despite her increasing feelings, Priscilla is determined to have her freedom and no attachments and refuses to lose sight of her longtime goal, even if it may not be what she truly wants anymore.

These two are both desperate not to repeat the mistakes of their parents. Thad wants love, but he won’t force himself on anyone who doesn’t want him just as badly. Priscilla has been so single-mindedly focused on her goal of adventure and travel that she’s been stagnating just waiting for her life to begin, never realizing that her happiness could be right in front of her, if only she can trust him not to leave as everyone else has.

Thad was hilarious and adorable and just wanted someone to choose him. Priscilla frustrated me with her naivete, but ultimately, just like Thad, she wanted someone who’d choose her and love her. When she finally realized that, it sealed my liking for her. This was a great little story with some deep insights about love and happiness. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

One Night of Passion is the 3rd book in the new Wicked Dukes Club series, a joint project produced by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. One Night of Passion is Ridley’s work. It is an amazing story with layer upon layer of complexity. Ridley is a master at giving her characters depth and believability. She has outdone herself with this story. I loved the hero in this Thaddeus Middleton – sweet, cheerful, fun and kind hearted. “As if he felt the whisper of her breath upon his skin, Mr. Middleton abruptly lifted his head and turned in her direction. His gaze locked with hers, too far away to see the golden flecks in his dark brown eyes, but hot enough to warm her to her toes all the same.” I don’t know if Ridley is a psychiatrist as well as an author..but her insight into people and their reactions to their environment is spot on. Her stories peel back the human condition layer by layer – everyone’s longing to be loved and belong. Amazing story. I was gifted a copy of this book.