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 love this series because of where and when the stories take place, but also because they are full of fun and romance. This book has the same nuances with different characters and their story. Olive is talented and smart, but lacks self-confidence in one area due to something in her past. Elijah has ten days to change her mind about marrying him and decide who is more important in his life. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down!
This is such a fun series to read. Ridley never fails to provide unique and likeable characters, who have experienced some sort of childhood trauma that shaped them into the strong and interesting individuals that live in her stories.
The Harper horse farm had been mentioned in previous books. This one is about Miss Olive Harper, the horse whisperer. The horses that she and her father breed and train are renown, and even Prinny wanted to purchase Duke, but Olive refused, making an enemy of the Prince. She and her father also have another enemy, her father’s former best friend and business partner, Lors Milbotham, who years ago had forced his son, Elijah Weston, to ridicule her, making her an outcast from London society. But who needs London when you live in Cressview? She has given up the idea of marriage and does what she wants. But it appears that the fathers are back to machinations, wanting to pair their children. Elijah comes calling at the bidding of the fathers to propose marriage. Everyone here has their own agenda and secrets, but written as a comedy with lots of amusing banter and situations. Reminds one of a Shakespearean comedy without the Elizabethan dialect.
I read an ARC that I received from the author as part of her REview Crew. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Blazing Stars!
The more I read in this series, the more I am enjoying it.
This particular story has so many very amusing scenes between the 2 main characters that I found myself grinning and chuckling. It was 10 captivating and entertaining days’ worth of story.
Oh, it had its serious moments and passionate ones too but the tongue in cheek humor is very much in the forefront.
I must mention that it is a romance of note with two meddling fathers who just have to be taught to toe the line and to mind their own businesses.
Love every minute of this story and can hardly wait for the next one!
I have just finished reading an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and this is my voluntary and unbiased opinion of it.
I have enjoyed this series immensely and have eagerly anticipated each book in the series. Ten Days with A Duke, the elleventh book in the series, did not dissapoint. It is the story of Olive Harper of the Harper Stud Farm, who refused to sell one of her prized thoroughbreds to Prinny. She is heir to one of the most famous horse farms, even though not the biggest. The heir to the biggest horse farm is her mortal enemy, Elijah Weston, and not she has found out her father plans to give him the horse farm if he will marry Olive. When Elijah shows up with marriage license in hand Olive has stipulations; court her for ten days and ride Duke, her unrideable stallion. I read this book in one sitting because I couldn’t stop reading. The characters are witty, gritty, and just full of soul. Each book gets better than the last. I would definitely recommend this book!
“Ten Days with a Duke” by Erica Ridley
Yes, I fell in love with this story. A second chance to reach the right destination, or is that the right beginning. Yes, there is some heart-ache, and some sizzle, and a lot of learning to be had by the folks in this story. I hope you enjoy their story as much as I did. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I received an ARC of this story from the author, and, this is my honest and voluntary review.
I think this is the best one so far. Even thought I have enjoyed All of them. This one spoke more to me since I read lips to hear part of conversations, due to eat damage.
Olive Harper, the infamous horse breeder, just wants to have her horses. She was humiliated as a young early teen and never really recovered. He can out ride, race, and horse break any man. But to overcome a childhood hurt will take more courage than she might have.
Elijah Weston, botanist researcher, does not like horses. Having been raised around them he is able to ride them, care for them, and work with them. He just prefers not to. His father always used that against him.
Mr Harper wants to end the feud with his old business partner, Milbotham, so to get his wish he writes to offer marriage and his shares of the stud farm as bait. Meanwhile, Milbotham has a plan of his own.
Olive offers to consider the marriage IF Eli wins over the prized stallion “Duke”. If Eli can do that before 12th night is done. Eli tells her not to trust him, while secretly wanting more.
This wild, adventurous ride has a few twists and turns mostly towards the end. How you act and test others is still the golden rule that can make or break a person while is the underlying plot that is very elegantly done, matchmaking papa, evil parent, acceptance, and patience all play major roles between Olive and Eli.
You will not want to put this fantastic read down
4.5 Star
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 a decade ago. 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 licence in hand.
This is the penultimate book in the series & it’s certainly building to a stunning finale. I loved the horse mad Olive & the plant loving, horse fearing Elias. They’d been attracted to each other as teenagers but disaster in the form of Elias’ father struck, now they are thrown together again. A lovely story of them having a second chance but only if Olive can learn to trust. Of course there are secrets & the manipulations of their fathers, all of which made for an engrossing read.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Another great story set in the town of Cressmouth. I love that Elijah is a hot nerd who found the best way to thwart his father was by building his body physically. Olive is a wonderful person who shows how even though you have been hurt in the past you can still use that hurt and focus on being something great. This is just the best of love stories as Olive and Elijah find that what had separated them as teenagers is no longer important. What is important is the future and the love they have for each other.
For me, this is one of the best among the 12 Dukes. I much enjoyed reading this pretty quick read. It seems Olivia and Elijah have no interests in common, which hinder Elijah’s attempts to woo her. During their courting time together they learn some ugly truths about their families’ past. Some sober, some amusing scenes. Nicely executed.
I read an advance copy; the thoughts expressed are my own.