From a New York Times bestselling author: a second chances, enemies-while-lovers reunion romance where nothing is as it first appears, and everyone’s motives are suspect… until her father brokers a truce by offering the Weston heir the Harper farm. The only way to get it back is to marry the knave who kissed her and humiliated her, twice—or prove to her father that some rifts can never be healed.
Scholar and botanist Elijah Weston is dreadful at feuding. For one, he prefers horticulture to horses. For two, he’s been desperately in love with his mortal enemy ever since he kissed her—and, yes, publicly destroyed her—all those years ago. When he’s given ten days to win Olive’s heart, he arrives with marriage license in hand. But where lies and double-crosses abound, how can lifelong rivals learn to trust their hearts?
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!
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I’m not sure why I’m surprised that this story applied to me so much. It was absolutely lovely story about a second chance at finding forgiveness and love at the same time.
Both Olive and Eli were so easy to love and you can’t help but root for them to let the past stay in the past and finally grab the happiness that has averted them for over a decade.
Novella no. 11 left me with the biggest smile on my face and I got to say I’ll be sad when we read the last book in the series.
***Review copy received by the author for an honest opinion***
Olive’s is one of the stories I feel like I’ve been waiting for since the beginning of the series. She and her horses have held a prominent place in the background of most of the books that preceded this. And yet, Olive wasn’t one of my favorite characters in this story. For most of the first half, I found her to be abrasive and mean-spirited. I could easily understand her behavior but knowing Elijah’s side meant that it was more difficult for me to sympathize with her. This book didn’t quite bring me all the way to tears, but it was so close as to make no difference. Eli’s situation broke my heart, and I spent the entire time I was reading wanting to hug the stuffing out of him. The happy ending they achieve is absolute perfection, made even more so by the number of times I despaired of ever seeing them get it. I can’t wait to see what the next book brings us.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
I very much love this series, The 12 Dukes of Christmas, and will be sorry to see it come to completion in the next offering. Every single book in the series has been, charming, delightful, heartwarming, and has left me with the feeling that I’m glad I read it. Of course, one gets a good feeling from reading these books as they are set in the village of Cressmouth, which celebrates Christmas year-round. This offering, Ten Days with a Duke is no different. It was thoroughly engaging. For those who would like to know, I classify it as an enemies-to-lovers trope as well as a second-chance-at-love. Olive Harper met Elijah Weston several years prior. Elijah was attracted to Olive, but because of his father, he humiliated her in front of others. The Westons and Harpers had been feuding for years. Years later, Olive has become very successful in running the family’s stud farm. Without her knowledge, Olive’s father makes arrangements to offer the stud farm to Elijah, the Weston heir, if he marries Olive. Elijah comes prepared to offer her marriage, and maybe an “I’m sorry,” but instead he is forced to accept her terms, that within ten days he can prove he can ride her prize stallion, Duke. It is at this point that it became so much fun to read this book. To read about the differences between the two characters but also how their differences complimented each one’s strengths. It was a rocky road to travel to a HEA. Misassumptions and secrets were put to rest. My thanks to the author for the ARC and for giving me the opportunity to review this work. All opinions stated are my own. Rating: 4 ½ stars with about 3 ½ stars of steaminess.
A wonderful enemies to lovers romance. Olive was hurt by Eli when they were teenagers. He made a rude comment because that is what his father wanted and she was made a laughing stock. Now grown he has a chance to seek forgiveness but his father has a sinister plan in place and Eli will have to decide if love or money is most important. Simply lovely. I received a complimentary copy and my review is voluntary.
“If the only way to be together is on your terms, then I accept them, whatever they are. I would rather have a little piece of you than nothing at all.”
Olive Harper has proven herself an expert when dealing with her beloved horses…but when it comes to matters of the heart, she’s not willing to allow herself to be once again hurt and humiliated. So, when the one person in her life that managed to turn her heart to ice shows up with a marriage license in hand, Olive swears to never yield…but little by little, her cold heart starts to thaw for a man that has just as much to lose…
Elijah Weston is once again staring into the eyes of his one and only love. After years of abuse and humiliation from his father, he’s being forced to do the very thing he swore against…hurt his beloved Olive…again…
Olive and Elijah start their rocky romance as enemies, but little by little, they grow to know each other and see the truth behind the actions of long ago…and together, their love affair may be the very thing to heal the rift between their families.
Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas is such a heart-warming series, and this latest installment may be one of my favs! Loved and highly recommend!
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
This is book eleven in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. Olive just wants to inherit and continue to run her father’s stud farm. Elijah just wants to study Botany looking for medicinal cures. When their fathers decide to end a feud by arranging them to marry, sparks fly. They agree to spend ten days together to deny any attraction and move on with their lives. I received an ARC from NetGalley and WebMotion for my honest reviews.
Ten Days with a Duke by Erica Ridley
12 Dukes of Christmas #11
A young girl wins a horse race
A young boy, smitten, kisses her
Young love thwarted by ridicule
A second chance arranged
But
Will they take it or lose out again?
Burly Botanist Elijah Weston sows up with books and a wedding license ready to marry Olive Harper only to have her totally against the idea. The two are thrust together for ten days in a semblance of courtship but will the time to suffice for them to rekindle the feelings they had in their teens? Are they compatible or truly opposites with no hope of romance at all? As with previous books…there IS a DUKE but it is not human in this story.
What I liked:
* The return to Cressmouth…most commonly referred to as Christmas
* Olive: strong, horsewoman, independent, wounded, wonderful, leery, and yet perhaps open to a HEA with the right person.
* Elijah: strong, smart, dedicated, dreamer, scientist, goal driven, wonderful, kind, and realistic though he would love to win Olive’s heart.
* Mr. Harper: I did love this man…a father who loves horses but loves his daughter even more.
* The writing, story and how it all worked out.
* Counting down the ten days
* The kind little and bigger things that Olive and Elijah did for one another.
* All of it really except…
What I didn’t like:
* Mr. Weston: a spiteful mean man more intent on feuding than much of anything else – his interactions with his son and others were reprehensible.
* The pain both Olive and Elijah endured at times in their lives
* Knowing that this series will end with the next book…
Did I like this book? YES!
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
I did like the characters of Elijah and Olive very much. Elijah had such a hard time with his father, who tried to control his every actions. His main focus was that of botany and especially the area where plants and their properties could help in a medical way. Olive was an expert at training horses but she had a poor opinion of herself. I loved the way that Olive and Eli deepened their relationship but unfortunately Eli’s father was still on the scene to cause trouble. This was a most engaging read with a satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoy this series but I thought that there was just something extra special about this entry. Olive and Eli’s story was like a Cupid’s arrow right to my heart! I fell so hard for these two characters. I felt that even though these characters were often at cross purposes, you could very easily feel for them both. I thought Olive was fierce, yet vulnerable and Eli was brilliant and quite sweet. I adored them together! The story hold your attention with a skillfully crafted blend of emotions, humor, twists, drama and heart. This book is now officially my favorite of this whole series. Of my own accord I am posting a sincere review.
Beautiful story of love and forgiveness
Olive knows from her father’s feud with his father that she cannot trust Elijah Weston, so when their fathers agree to end the feud if the two of them will marry, she’s more than a little hesitant. Having no other choice if she wants to keep the family farm, she challenges Elijah to a dare: he has ten days to convince her famous (and very temperamental) horse, Duke, to allow him to ride.
It took me a while to like Eli – about as long as it took him to grow a pair and stand up for what he knew was right. Olive’s character was strong and resilient right from the start, and I loved seeing her blossom beyond her self-imposed limitations. Theirs is a sweet romance with a satisfying HEA.
I really love the way the author has put all these different twists on the name, Duke, and how she’s connected all the various characters from all the previous books in the series. While each one is a standalone romance, seeing everyone interact together adds a richness and vitality to the little mountain town. I highly recommend binging on this entire series every holiday season. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Ten Days with a Duke is another great addition to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The Harpers and Westons have been feuding for decades. In an attempt to mend the rift Olive Harper’s father has agreed to a betrothal between Olive and Elijah. Elijah Weston has always been more interested in plants than horses undeterred by his father’s attempts, and secretly in love with Olive despite what happened when they were kids. Now all Elijah has to do is convince Olive he only wants her and not her farm.
This series has been the perfect quick escape this holiday season when I haven’t had the brainpower or emotional energy to devote to an entire novel. Ten Days with a Duke is my favorite so far, I adore Elijah’s nerdiness and love of plants, and devotion to his cause. Olive is amazing, she’s so strong and brave and I loved watching her come out of her shell. It’s sweet and charming and left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. As sad as I am to see this series come to an end, I’m really excited for the 12th installment!
Another Fun and Lighthearted Romance.
Olive’s enemy turns up on her doorstep with a marriage license in his pocket. Manipulated by her father, she makes the stipulation that Eli must earn her acceptance by winning the trust of her stallion Duke (who only allows her on his back) within ten days. And so begins a courtship of both woman and horse, but Olive whilst she knows her father’s reasons for wanting her betrothed, has no idea of the game being played by Eli’s father. Eli himself is caught between a rock and a hard place, further aggravated by the fact that he has been in love with Olive for the last decade.
Nearly the last book (No. 11) of these Christmassy tales set in the fictional town of Cressmouth but readers will have no problem in following along even if they have not read the other stories. Only one more book to complete the set, I can’t wait!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
OH if only I could give this wonderful story more stars. I have read all of the Duke of Christmas books and loved them all but this one is by far the best yet. It is because of the characters and what they have gone thru. Both have had hardships to over come. Olive Harper is a horse woman. She had devoted her life to the raising and breeding of her famous Harper Horses. Even the Prince wanted to buy one and she turned him down. All she wants in life is to run her farm with her father. Her father is deaf and she as always helped him understand what is being said around him.
Elijah Weston is the son of another horse breeder Weston Horses . His father and Olive’s use to be best friends and partners. They have been feuding for decades. Eli has never been what his father wanted him to be. He is afraid of horses thanks to his father. He is a scholar and a botanist. He is trying to use his knowledge to make medicine to help people. Now both fathers want the kids to marry for very different reasons. The kids are being used as pawns.
Eli and Olive met when they were younger and want could have been a great meeting went all wrong
again, thanks to Elis’s father. His father is mean and revengeful person.
Olive wants nothing to do with Eli after he publicly humiliated before. She hates him for all the pain he causes her. She sets him up to fail by using Duke her horse. Duke lets no one ride him are get close to him but her.
Eli has always felt bad about what his father and him did, and has secretly admired her.
This is such a fun story; Eli is easy going and laughs at himself. His interaction with the horses is priceless even if you have never been around them you will be laughing out loud.
As much as Olive wants to hate him, she just can’t say mad at him. There attraction is off the charts.
For those of you who don’t like steamy romance this may not be the book for you. But I will say the love scenes are just that love scenes. These two have so much to work thru to any happy ending but the trip is a great read and the ending will leave you smiling for days.
I hope you get a copy , find a comfortable chair, grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to laugh, cry
shout at the fathers, and fall in love with one of the best books of the years. Enjoy.
I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.
Ten Days with a Duke: A Regency Christmas Romance
12 Dukes of Christmas Series #11
Erica Ridley
https://www.facebook.com/ericaridley/
Release date 11/13/2020
Publisher Webmotion
From a New York Times bestselling author: a second chances, enemies-while-lovers reunion romance where nothing is as it first appears, and everyone’s motives are suspect…
Olive Harper’s family has been feuding with the Westons for decades. The Westons’ stud farm is the biggest, but the Harpers’ is the most famous… and she’s the sole heiress. Or was, until her father brokers a truce by offering the Weston heir the Harper farm. The only way to get it back is to marry the knave who kissed her and humiliated her, twice—or prove to her father that some rifts can never be healed.
Scholar and botanist Elijah Weston is dreadful at feuding. For one, he prefers horticulture to horses. For two, he’s been desperately in love with his mortal enemy ever since he kissed her—and, yes, publicly destroyed her—all those years ago. When he’s given ten days to win Olive’s heart, he arrives with marriage license in hand. But where lies and double-crosses abound, how can lifelong rivals learn to trust their hearts?
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 the past and scheming parents keep them apart …
Oh my!
I adored this one.
This series is fabulous and each new installment is a marvel to cheer the mood.
After I am a sucker for romance with scholars as they are the male counterpart of Bluestockings or wallflowers as often overlooked with disdain.
And Elijah is seen as unworthy by his cruel father.
How he made do with such an ugly soul, is simply astonishing, a proof of his resilience.
Yet sure, he was ready to follow his father’s scheme but it is for a greater cause.
He is such a good man but embroiled in his sire’s need of revenge, he is torn between two fires when he wants only to make things right for the woman he wronged a decade ago and has never stopped to think about.
Olive emerged stronger from the issues of her youth, and while she made a cross on some of her dreams, she rebuilt herself in a more successful and liberated version of her old self.
She is suffering from the after effects of her encounter with Eli’s demonic father, yet, she is no more the young girl of 14 who ran away.
And what began as a lark with Elijah, turns into an exploration of their feelings and the healing of their twisted relationship.
I just loved them together, they chalenge one another, reopen festering wounds to better cure them but also smooth their scars.
I just does not agree with the non punishment of the Marquess, he deserves to be thrown from a horse and trampled by it, or the less bloodthirsty version a bit of groveling to request his son and Olive’s forgiveness.
5 stars
I was granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
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Wonderful Christmas story. Elijah & Olive are brought together again after many years, through the design of their fathers. Will Olive be able to forgive Elijah’s actions in the past? Can Elijah foil his father’s plots and prove his love to Olive? Well-developed characters, who encourage the reader to walk alongside them as they traverse the trials on their way to romance. A delightful read for a wet Sunday afternoon. Don’t miss it! I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The Weston & Harper feud has been going on for years – the two best friends once owned a horse breeding/training facility until things went sideways & the two men parted ways with hate and redemption on their agenda. Now they are using their two grown children as pawns in their cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous redemption plans.
The two pawns, Olive Harper was a trainer & breeder of Harper’s famous horses in Cressmouth & she loved her horses more than anything. The second pawn was Elijah Weston of Weston Horse Breeding; however, he was a scholar & botanist & preferred horticulture over anything to do with riding or training horses.
I love this story & part of it is the fact that I grew up with horses but even if you didn’t, the humorous interaction between the horses & Eli was so funny. Olive’s love for the horse was touching & Eli really did try hard to please the horses & her. I highly recommend this book & the entire series & my greatest wish would be to live in Cressmouth for the rest of my days.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
This was a subtle slow burn regency romance all about revenge, mistrust, redemption and a love that conquers all in the end. Olive and Eli come from feuding families, brought together to forge a marriage alliance based on revenge and lies. They have great chemistry between them and this is a well written and paced story by Erica Ridley.
This is a different story from Erica. It veers off her normal path and it is a lovely story. It is subtle yet packs a powerful punch. Elijah is a bit of a nerd but how he is described is totally sexy and Olive was humiliated as a child but learns that she should not be embarrassed. It is a bit like the training of the horses, you just have to have patience. So who has the upper hand? Not who you think.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
Ten Days With A Duke is book 11 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas romance. I enjoyed this book. It is a powerful story of betrayal and redemption. The heroine’s wounds from the past have shaped her response to the world – a relatable theme. Her bitterness threatens to rob her of a happy future. Will she let go of her pain and move forward, or will she stay trapped in her past? The characters are unique; the storyline has depth. There are quite a few steamy scenes throughout the story. I think this story was one of my favorites in the series.
Ten Days with a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #11) by Erica Ridley
This is a great series and each book can be read as a stand alone … but I think you will love them all. I can’t wait for the last book in the series.
Olive Harper’s family has been feuding with the Westons forever.. She will never forgive Elijah Weston who kissed her and humiliated her. Her father offers their stud farm to Eli if he will marry her and end the feud. This is where the fun starts, the laughs, tears, angst, deception and steam all to get us to a very HEA.