A laugh-out-loud romp from a New York Times bestselling author: Meg Church adores two things: life in a village of perennial Yuletide, and the freedom of being a spinster with no reputation to protect. Oh, very well, three things: She’s harbored a secret tendre for Christmas curmudgeon Lucien le Duc since the moment she first glimpsed him. But the sexy blacksmith won’t give her the time of day, … But the sexy blacksmith won’t give her the time of day, much less a night of torrid passion.
Ever since Lucien le Duc was forced to flee his beloved France during the revolution, his all-consuming goal has been to recover not only his lost land and fortune, but also his rightful place among the French aristocracy. He would never be distracted by an English dairy maid’s sultry glances… or her soul-consuming kisses… or the temptation to turn one night into forever…
The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. Twelve delightful romances… and plenty of delicious dukes!
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The Twelve 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
more
Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Just enough romance! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!
#12Dukes #NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up
Margaret “Meg” Church is happy with her life, she lives with her cousin Jemima and her husband Allan (who own the local dairy farm), she has friends and spends most of her time at the castle surrounded by people. She is visiting her newly married friend Eve when she learns that Lucien le Duc is planning on returning to France. Meg is disappointed, she can’t imagine anyone wanting to leave Cressmouth and she has long harbored a tendre for Lucien. And even though the le Ducs have been saying they are leaving forever, she never actually thought he would go, especially now that his sister and brother have married and are staying in England.
For Lucien, the twelfth day of Christmas cannot come soon enough, he has been dreaming of returning to France and reclaiming his birthright since the day he and his siblings had at to flee 18 years ago. Lucien was raised as an aristocrat, he and his family lived in luxury, owned a fine home, vineyard and were distantly related to the King, but all that disappeared the day his parents were killed by an angry mob. Lucien, Sebastien and Desiree would have suffered the same fate if not for Jasper, an Englishman who saved them and brought them to Cressmouth. Lucien helped Jasper in the smithy and eventually took over, now that they have sold the smithy, there is nothing holding him back. Lucien has long resisted acclimating to England, even though he understands the language he refuses to speak English, but now that his sister has married and has stepchildren, Lucien agrees to try harder with his lessons. But his sister’s efforts to teach him have left him irritated and he needs a better teacher.
He is returning books to the castle library when he runs into Meg, literally. She flirts shamelessly with him and offers to help him learn to read, he is offended and leaves. Meg returns home and is dealt another blow, Jemima tells her that she is pregnant and needs the room that Meg uses for the baby. Meg is stunned, when she came to live with her cousin 8 years ago, it was a Godsend, Meg’s life had been filled with loss and heartache and she longed for a home, which she thought she had found, but now she doesn’t know what to do, she has nowhere to go, save a small plot of land in France and for her returning to France is not an option. She tells Jemima that she will be fine and starts planning her next move.
While in the park with Jemima, Meg learns that Lucien can read and realizes she insulted him, she tries to make amends and when he asks for her help in learning English, she readily agrees. They spend a lot of time together and the attraction between them grows, but with so many things potentially keeping them apart – most notably, his desire to return to France and her distain for the aristocracy, it seems like their relationship is doomed to end in heartbreak.
This installment was not as lighthearted as the previous books in the series, and while it is a well written, paced nicely, interesting and entertaining read, it is not my favorite in the series. I personally had a hard time with Meg’s very casual and frankly 21st century, cavalier attitude about intimate relations – I know that the author was trying to portray her as a woman who didn’t have to conform to “society” and therefore didn’t have to adhere to the rigid set of rules and restrictions that a debutant would have – but it just made her seem promiscuous and I can’t believe that she wouldn’t be shunned as loose woman, especially in such a small community. That said, I did enjoy the cameos with the other le Duc siblings and loved the epilogue. This is the eighth book in the series and it can easily be read as a standalone title – but you might want to read at least the two previous books – The Duke’s Bride and The Duke’s Embrace to get a bit more background on the le Duc family.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
This has to be the funniest story I have read in a while & especially when all the off color, straight forward humor was by the female in the prospective couple. Meg Church has lived in Cressmouth for 6 years & has stayed with her cousin & her husband since her arrival. She is 28 yrs. old, a spinster (but not an innocent one), which makes her happy & she has had a crush on the smithy, Lucien le Duc since she first laid eyes on him but they have never spoken as he is so surly.
Lucien le Duc escaped from France after his noble parents were killed & he came to Cressmouth with his younger brother & sister & had taken the responsibility to provide for them as his father make him swear to do before he died. Now his sister & brother are married & he finally has enough money to return to France & take back his family’s properties, etc. He had never bother leaning much English until his niece & nephew made deal with him – if he would learn English, they would learn French so when they went to France they could speak the language & when Lucien came to visit in Cressmouth, he could speak English. Now he needed a tutor & oh what a tutor Meg Church would be. She is full of suggestive & downright blatant statements as to what she would like him to do to her – she made any of London’s best rakes & rogues pale in comparison & his reactions were hilarious. Needless to say, this has a HEA & a lovely epilogue but what a fun trip it was getting there!
I have loved every trip to Cressmouth/Christmas & I am sad each time I have to pack my bags to leave again. I was gifted the Advanced Reader Copy of this book & all opinions are my own & have been voluntarily given.
The third and final Le Duc finds someone to love. Lucien is the taciturn older brother who wants to return to France and his heritage. Beneath that stern exterior he is a giver and loves his family. Meg is an independent mind who has been ogling Lucien for the 6 years she has been in Cressmouth. What was to be language lessons soon turning to kissing and falling in love. This is another sweet and adorable story in this series that reminds us all that true love never fails.
This is one of the sexiest stories I have read that is pretty much clean. Meg had me in stitches waiting to see what Lucien would say or do with her innuendoes. I could imagine his face and had to laugh. This is by far my favorite book and couple in this series. Meg and Lucien are delightful characters who grow to love each other deeply. Ms. Ridley’s writing is impeccable as always and her storytelling is flawless.
I received a complimentary copy from the author.
The Duke’s Desire by Erica Ridley
12 Dukes of Christmas #8
Lucien le Duc is a man who has had the goal of returning to France with his siblings since he first arrived in England many years ago. He has worked hard to earn enough to keep the family safe and keep them together even though what he was doing was not what he dreamed of. Recently both his brother and sister have found spouses so he might be returning to France alone. He has remained “French” even in his speaking until…something happens that makes him think he might want to speak English, too.
Meg Church lives with her cousin and is a bit of a free spirit. She has eyed Lucien a time or two (or three or four or more) and thinks he is a hunk and a half but as he will soon leave he is more a dream to her than anything else…until…he asks her for English lessons.
Their time together is spent talking and some of the talk is…earthy, fun and had me smiling…a lot. The two have an issue that will need to be resolved before they can achieve their HEA but the journey, at least for this reader, was a treat and a half.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Another fun story from Erica Ridley. I have been looking forward to reading Lucien’s story and how it would play out. Meg Church has lived in Cressmouth with her cousin and her husband for 6 years, scraping by with the rent money she gets from her inherited property in France, helping the village people as she can and ogling the handsome but always scowling Lucien le Duc. But now his time in Cressmouth is drawing to a close as he has his ticket to return to France, but meanwhile with time on his hands, he asks Meg to help him with his English, something he has spurned all the time he has been in England. In some ways the two of them are very different, that he can’t wait to return to to the country he fled, to reclaim his family’s title and property, while Meg has made her home in Cressmouth. But both of them have long to feel needed, always felt that others saw them “as not good enough”. Meg considers herself a spinster and wants to bed the handsome Duc, before he leaves town. But neither of them counted on falling in love with the other.
As always, the characters are appealing, interesting situations and amusing banter. I read an ARC as part of the author’s Review Crew. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
4.5 Stars
Meg Church adores two things: life in Cressmouth, a village of perennial Yuletide, and the freedoms of being a spinster with no reputation to protect. Oh, very well, three things: She’s harboured a secret tendre for Lucien le Duc since the moment she first glimpsed him. Ever since Lucien le Duc was forced to flee his beloved France during the revolution, his all-consuming goal has been to recover not only his lost land and fortune, but also his rightful place among the French aristocracy. Luc has his passage booked & will be returning to France on Twelfth night.
This is the eighth book in the series, it could be read on its own. I loved Luc & how he’d fought to remain totally French until Meg made him realise that embracing both countries wouldn’t diminish him but the opposite. Whilst I liked Meg I did feel she was too modern for the period. I found this to be an amusing but bittersweet read. I loved how the relationship between the pair grew & also how Luc’s attitude changed as he came to realise what was really important
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
“The Duke’s Desire” by Erica Ridley
I am so lucky to be on this author’s review team. I received an ARC from the author for an honest review. I really love this story. I wasn’t sure at first as there is a great deal of “spicy” talk, but I can readily handle talk since that is what a story is… “talk”. Isn’t it? I do love my visits to Regency Cressmouth the perennial Yuletide village. This is a stand-alone story. But those who have been reading this series, well they just may have a deeper appreciation of Lucien & Meg’s story. This is a clean sweet Regency romance with some spicy banter twixt a couple of the characters. I truly enjoyed my time within these pages. (Hope you will, too!) Happy Reading ! !
Meg is on the wild side; Lucien is sober and determined to return to France. Opposites attract, right? In this installment of the series Lucien realizes he has a very good reason to finally learn English – his sister’s stepchildren and possible future nephews and nieces. The English lessons with Meg also serve for them to learn more about each other, although they both believe it will probably lead no where, except heartbreak. Nice story.
I read an advance copy and voluntarily post this review.
As soon as I received this book, I had to start it. I was anticipating Lucien’s story since I finished The Duke’s Embrace. Reading about Lucien and Meg had me feeling bad for them both. Lucien never felt at home in England and Meg was always looking for a home. They had me hoping they would find their happy ever after. This is the 8th book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series and I have enjoyed everyone of them. I cannot believe I have to wait until next year for the balance of the books. I cannot wait to see who the stories will be written about.
PS The bonus Epilogue was a Bonus for me and I loved it.
Wow, what a great book! The characters are hilarious. There is Margaret, or as her friends call her “Meg”, and there is Lucien. Lucien is a dark, brooding, gorgeous, blacksmith and Meg is a well-read, uncensored, infatuated young lady. Although determined to return to France, Lucien asks Meg to tutor him in English. This book contains romance but it is so much more. I loved the humorous interactions between the characters. It added so much depth to the book. Each book in this series has surpassed the next! I highly recommend these books.
The Duke’s Desire by Erica Ridley is book 8 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Lots of fun and very entertaining. I loved Meg Church and Lucien le Duc. Meg wants to be free and not beholding to anyone and Lucien wants to get back to France and have his family name restored. While the story is fun and lighthearted, our couple has some issues they need to work out before they can have their HEA. I definitely recommend.
Lucien Le Duc has worked in the smithy for 18 years toiling away until the day he can return to France with his brother and sister. The French Revolution has his parents killed and he vowed to protect his siblings any way he could. That meant relocating to England, specifically Cressmouth. The day has finally come to go back to France and reclaim his family’s land, but his siblings have made love matches in Cressmouth and will not returning with him. While he waits for the day his ship will sail, he meets Meg Church, the local spinster who is witty, outrageous and intriguing. When Meg offers to tutor Lucien in English, he has no idea his life is about to upended once again.
The witty banter that comes out of Meg’s mouth is outrageous, unexpected and so very entertaining. It catches Lucien off guard and yet draws him to Meg like a moth to the flame. The last Le Duc is resisting falling in love, but sometimes what the heart wants wins out against all odds. This was another delightful story in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.
The Duke’s Desire is the first book from this series that I have read and I love it. If the rest of the books are anything like this one I will definitely be going back to read more of them. I enjoyed following Lucien and Meg’s story. He wants to return to his home in France and has no idea she grew up in his home country. If you love Regency romance stories, Erica Ridley is the author for you.
The Duke’s Desire is the eighth book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Lucien is the last unmarried Le Duc sibling. After seeing his sister and brother settle down and marry Cressmouth locals adding a nephew and niece to his growing family, he’s decided to put aside his dislike of all things English and finally become more fluent in the language of his adopted homeland. Enter Meg Church, a local dairymaid who has no filter whatsoever on her mouth, often blurting out the first thing that comes into her head but who is determined to help him no matter how much he tries to resists her.
This is a fantastic addition to the series. As usual the hero and heroine are engaging characters with a humorous storyline set in the town where it’s Christmas all year round. An additional bonus though was more participation from previous characters in a little bit more depth than usual.
This is the #8 of the series Dukes of Christmas and was sorry to say not my favourite. I found the heroines moral a little too loose for the time period. I like forward sassy heroines but I found Meg a little too forward. Although you can read this as a stand-alone, it is much better to have read some, if not all the books before to understand the town and know the people. I reviewed this as an Arc and freely do my review.
I received this copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review and all thoughts expressed are my own and freely given.
This was a short read . Luc and Meg are opposites that are attracted to each other. She teaches him to read and speak English and their interactions together are very humorous and heart warming. The
Chemistry sizzles between them and the romance was sweet with heat. This will appeal to fans of Grace Burrowes and Eloisa James
Even though I got to this one alittle late the author drew me to this one because she knows how to transport us back in the day of grand romance. In this one we follow Meg and Lucian with their dance around each other as they get closer to each other. You also want to see Lucian get his back too. This character takes your heart along with his. You are also glad to see others in this also.
“I’ve been dying to be alone with you for six long years. I thought I’d imagined every possible way it might happen, but you’ve just exceeded my every expectation.“
That was all it took and I was captivated. I could not put this book down. It is amazing and well worth the read.
Meg is the heroine I have been waiting for; full of spunk and not afraid to take what she wants. It was amazing to see the self reflective journey Meg and Lucian go though, while keeping everything lighthearted and full of laughs.
The Duke’s Desire was simply perfection and left me so excited for Dawn with a Duke.