A NYT bestselling author kicks off a new Regency series of “irresistible romance and a family of delightful scoundrels” as a woman looking to recover a stolen painting accidentally kidnaps a duke instead. (Eloisa James) Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable — a curse that gives her the ability to blend into any crowd. When the only father she’s ever known makes a dying wish for his adopted … known makes a dying wish for his adopted family of orphans to recover a missing painting, she’s the first one her siblings turn to for stealing it back. No one expects that in doing so, she’ll also abduct a handsome duke.
Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father’s mistakes. To repair his estate’s ruined reputation, he must wed a highborn heiress. Yet when he finds himself in a carriage being driven hell-for-leather down the cobblestone streets of London by a beautiful woman who refuses to heed his commands, he fears his heart is hers. But how can he sacrifice his family’s legacy to follow true love?
“Erica Ridley is a delight!” –Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series
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What a great loving family! I want to know more about Bean. Was he really a Baron? If so, why did he come to London.
Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!!!
A most wonderful story of an off beat family and stolen property. With laugh out loud parts and tender loving parts, it kept me reading all night long! I have read many books from this author and have loved them all. Thanks for another great one!
When I’m in the mood for a good, fun, regency romp, Ms. Ridley never disappoints. I knew before I even read this that I would love it, and I wasn’t wrong! Adding in some mystery and intrigue, this book was such a delight to read. The storyline was well paced and the characters were well-developed and interesting. Chloe kind of accidentally kidnaps Lawrence, the Duke of Faircliffe, when she is tasked by her family to retrieve a very important family painting. Throw in a little drama, romance, and blackmail, and you’ve got quite the love story. The storyline pulled me in right from the start and kept me engrossed till the end. Ms. Ridley did a wonderful job of bringing the story and characters to life. A humorous, fun, romantic story that is sure to put a smile on your face. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
An entertaining and engaging regency romance. Chloe and Lawrence fall hard in love, despite various obstacles true love wins out. Ticked all the boxes!
Enter the world of the Wynchesters and be thoroughly entertained! A truly unique set of individuals who one can only fall in love with as each of their stories comes to light!
Chloe Wynchester just wants to be noticed for herself. Of course the one person that should not be right for her is Lawrence, a Duke none the less. She definately catches his notice, but what could come of it? He needs to marry a lady of the ton, wealthy and socially equal.
But can true love be stopped? Humor and laugh out loud moments along with anxious moments and a passion that sparks off the page. The story reinforces why I adore this author so much!
I loved everything about this story! Chloe and Lawrence were an adorable pair and several scenes had me laughing out loud. The narration of the audiobook was excellent with great voices for each character and pacing that kept the story lively. I can’t wait for the next Wild Wynchesters book!
After inheriting his fathers debts and having a horrible year with his crops, the only way Lawrence can save his dukedom is to marry a woman with a sizable dowry. Chloe was adopted from an orphanage and society turns their nose up at her. When a mishap occurs, Lawrence ends up owing Chloe a favor. While fulfilling the favor, disdain turns into interest but will interest be enough?
Opinion
I am not one to turn down an Erica Ridley novel. If I’m not mistaken, she is my most read author of the past year. I am not quite sure how she manages to turns books out so fast but she does it in style.
The book does not disappoint. It brings out all the feelings and leaves you almost exhausted. I know that I will enjoy this series as much as her others.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Great start to an unusual historical romance.
I really loved the interactions between the Wynchester siblings. Their madcap adventures were a joy to read. But given their background of being orphans, I was surprised they didn’t have more to do with orphanages once they came into their inheritance. I liked Chloe’s strength of character although her lack of self worth got a little trying. Lawrence was your typical stuck up elitist who had a secret longing for love and family. While I liked his character, he did say some things to Chloe that, for me, were quite hurtful. Chloe did forgive him but too quickly in my opinion. I always like a torturous suspense to the HEA.
I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review
I like the family of orphans that is Chloe Wynchester’s adopted family. Her father’s dying wish was the recovery of a painting that is a symbol of the family, which was in the possession of the Duke of Faircliffe. Her scheme to retrieve it ends up compromising her heart. Used to being forgettable, Chloe hopes the Duke will be the man who finds her to be unforgettable. As much as I liked these two characters, the duke’s flaw of taking too long to figure out what is important in life was a bit of a negative for me.
I’ve loved Erica’s stories for a while now, but I think this one definitely is one of her best ever (if not the best)! It had witty banter, sweet romance, great characters, and a bit of adventure. The characters especially Chloe were great and I enjoyed their story a lot! They were entertaining and the banter was great. Chloe and Lawrence’s romance was steamy but sweet and swoon-worthy. They were both interesting characters and they both improved as the story went on. The overall premise and plot had romance but also adventure. Chloe’s family added some adventure, as they tried to get their stolen painting back. I loved how Erica combined romance and humor and adventure to make a great story! This is a must-read HR and I can’t wait for more!
*Reading the prequel “The Governess Gambit” helped me understand a bit more of the story, but this book is a stand-alone.
I WANT TO BE A WYNCHESTER!!! Chloe pulls you right in and you are rooting for her and the Duke from the very beginning. I’m ready for book 2!
Stole My Heart
The Duke Heist is a wonderful start to a new series. The story moved slow at times, but that felt necessary in order to set up background and establish world building for the series. I loved the plot and characters. This story felt fresh. It had introspective moments, suspense, and definitely ample feels. The unique family of diverse characters was welcome and intriguing. I loved the bits of misdirection used by Chloe and her siblings to divert suspicioun from their true mission. This was a new spin on opposites attract that included a con that ended up ensnaring both the Duke and Miss Wynchester. I can’t wait to see more of these zany Wynchesters.
I loved this book. From the accidental kidnapping to the delicious end, it had me gripped all the way. I already loved Chloe from the Governess Gambit, in which we were introduced to Lawrence as he appeared to the world. In The Duke Heist, we get to know him, and he’s a sweetie. I loved how he and Chloe brought out the best in each other. So looking forward to more Wild Wynchesters.
The Duke Heist was such an exciting and entertaining read. The Wild Winchesters are wild indeed! I enjoyed getting to know Chloe and Lawrence and watching them fall in love. It was outrageous fun and I had a blast reading it!
Erica Ridley’s The Duke Heist is first in a new series and a delightful and witty romp that you don’t want to miss!
There were so many witty and adorable moments in this book that I wish I had enjoyed it more. I enjoyed Chloe’s character and the way she called Lawrence “His Arrogance”, or “His Infuriating Loftiness” if only in her own thoughts, made her endearing in a way that I did not expect.
I just wish that I could say the same for Lawrence. No, instead he is one of those stereotypical dukes whose estate as broke, and who needs to marry a wealthy woman “the sooner, the better” in order to keep his estates from crumbling. And while he does show signs of the person he is meant to be underneath all of that (the hat thing was hands down one of the funniest and most romantic things I have read in awhile), then he goes an ruins it all by not using Chloe and telling her that his plan was always to marry a rich “more appropriate” wife, but he also takes something she says and completely blows it out of proportion even though he was partially to blame for the way things came about. Of course, he comes to his senses, but I would have liked to have seen Chloe show some of her backbone instead of just forgiving him right away.
One thing that consistently threw me were the constant references to “Tommy” as I had to keep reminding myself that this was in fact NOT Chloe’s brother, but in fact her sister Thomasina. I also was confused as to who the actual heir to their adopted father’s fortunes and estates were as I don’t think a name was ever mentioned other than an “imaginary heiress” that mentioned early on. This was made all the more confusing near the end of the book when it is mentioned that the late Baron’s “son” inherited everything, but his “adopted children” were also left money. Who owns their house then? Is one of the Wild Wynchster males the legitimate heir?
Despite the things I mentioned above, there was much to recommend this story, and I do think I would have enjoyed Lawrence a whole lot more just because of the gentle care he showed Chloe and the way he helped her “become herself” if not for the fact that he was so callous towards her other times. I will continue to read more of this series, because I can just tell the other siblings have exciting stories of their own to tell.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
The first book in The Wild Wynchesters series a well written story with a very good storyline. I enjoyed reading Chloe Wynchester and Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe’s story. I found myself smiling as I read. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A duke and a thief, a pair totally wrong for each other, but who cannot resist the strong attraction that unites them.
Chloe Wynchestrer wants to honor the last request of the man she knew as a father, and to do that, she needs to get back a painting that was long gone.
Normally she would be able to blend into the crowd and go unnoticed, but for this mission – unfortunately, at first – she will need the help of another nobleman. A duke.
Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, wants at all costs to fix the mistakes made by his father, and for that, it is imperative that he marry very well, with an heiress. However, in an unpleasant coincidence, he ends up in a situation with an independent, courageous woman, who was not even that beautiful, much less an heiress. However, he can’t stop gravitating to her, and worse, helping her on the craziest mission he has ever heard of. And so, in addition to his sanity, he finds himself totally in love with Chloe.
But that wouldn’t help his situation… Or could they have a future together?
5 stars