When I received an arc from Erica Ridley, I knew it would be good. I devoured the Rogues to Riches series and now there is a new series about Christmas and twelve Dukes. Life is good...
So I started on Once Upon a Duke to meet Benjamin, Duke of Silkridge, who returns home to Cressmouth to bury his grandfather and to retrieve an heirloom. After that he quickly wants to return to London, because he doesn't harbour very fond memories of Christmas or Chressmouth. He is surprised to find the estate expertly run by Noelle Pratchett, the girl he left behind years ago.
She was his love, but because Benjamin wanted to escape the estate, he left everything behind, including her. And now she has taken over the management of the estate. Can Noelle reinstate the Christmas spirit in Benjamin, or will he be a grumpy Stooge forever?
A wonderful read, with hilarious characters and a cosy feel. Four out of five stars from me and looking forward to the stories of the other Dukes. Thank you Netgalley for providing the arc.

2.5 rounded up

Benjamin Ward, the Duke of Silkridge has returned to the one place he swore he would never go - the village of Cressmouth, the home of maternal his grandfather, Jacob Marlowe. He has come for one reason, to retrieve his mother's locket which holds the only portrait of her. His grandfather took it from him five years ago and refused to return it - he blamed Benjamin for his daughter's death and said he didn't deserve to have it. But now the man is dead and Benjamin wants it back. He will get the locket and return to London and Parliament. Since inheriting the dukedom, Benjamin has devoted himself to England and has no time for anything (or anyone) else. He met Noelle during his last visit and shared an amazing kiss, but left her without a word.

Noelle Pratchett (see a theme here?) was abandoned as a baby and taken in by Mr. Marlowe. She loves Cressmouth, which the citizens call Christmas and works tirelessly at the counting house to prove her worth. She thought she and Benjamin shared something special, but when he left without saying good-bye, she threw herself into her work and has decided that Christmas would be her family. She is not shocked to see him at the reading of the will, but wonders why he didn't come to see his grandfather before he died. Jacob Marlowe is revered in the village and no one can understand the animosity his grandson holds him in, especially Noelle. She will just have to stay away from him and guard her heart from further pain.

When Benjamin learns his grandfather left stipulations to his inheritance, he is livid - he hates this town and Christmas and just wants to get his locket and go back to London because there is nothing else in this village that he wants - if he keeps telling himself that, maybe he will believe it - Noelle is even lovelier than the last time he saw her - whatever was between them still burns bright and is still just as impossible as it was five years ago.

As Benjamin and Noelle work together to fulfill his grandfather's demands, they have a hard time remembering why they can't be together. Will the magic of Christmas be enough to give these too a HEA?

I'll be honest, the first 75% of this book was just too corny for me, Cressmouth comes across as some weird cult-like type of Christmas commune and the Dickens "Christmas Carol" references and tie-ins where a bit over the top. I was surprised because I usually love anything Erica Ridley writes, but this book just wasn't doing it for me. However, just when I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish it, it takes a turn out of the absurd and the last 25% is fantastic with the depth and emotion that I have come to expect from Ms. Ridley. It is not as steamy as usual, but the love scene is well placed and well done, the ending is sweet and satisfying. So for me the first 3/4 of the book was 2 stars and the last 1/4 was 4 stars - I settled for 2.5 stars overall. This is the first book in a new series and I will read the next one and decide from there if I will be continuing with this series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Strange retelling of the Christmas story along with the 12 days of Christmas added in. While the romance part was good, the Christmas parts and the addition of things like Tiny Tim (a goat) and the will asking for an aviary that has a partridge (in a pear tree) was just too quirky for me.

I liked that they both were willing to compromise in the end and it was not all one sided. I wish there was some letter from the grandfather that maybe was sorry for being so cruel to Benjamin his whole life. It just seems strange that he was so giving to the community but hated his grandson.

Usually love Erica Ridley's romances so was a bit disappointed in this one but will still look for the next book in the series.

This creation of a year-round Christmas village on the northernmost bit of England got Erica Ridley's creativity into motion and is an essential start for the rest of the series. Be prepared for non-stop plays on words from A Christmas Carol, beginning with the fact of the first Duke, named Marlowe not Marley, being dead as a door-nail. Of all the harebrained schemes the man had in his life, this is the one which his wily subjects encouraged, to the betterment of them all.

The second Duke is our hero, his estranged grandson; the third a willing citizen of the village who presents Shakespeare's plays there, the fourth a race-horse, and the fifth a fragrance.

Benjamin Ward, Duke of Silkridge, was born on Christmas, lost his parents at Christmas, and hates Christmas in general. He knows deep down that Grandfather Marlowe blamed him for his mother's death and changed Cressmouth's name to Christmas to keep him away. But for Noelle Pratchett, left as an infant on Marlowe's doorstep, her useful service to Christmas, the town, means everything. For years they have denied their mutual attraction as teens, but it's time find out their inheritances and perhaps a happy ending.

The Christmas puns can be annoying, but somehow Ridley makes even the minor characters come alive.

Love this story! Erica always delivers original awesome stories that bring out all the feelings in the reader. She has a gift for bringing the characters alive that leave you wanting more!

ONCE UPON A DUKE is the first book in the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series. I believe we will need to read them in the order of release.

There are only thirty dukes in England. Surely not a third of them are all in one small village at the same time! Well, if you love Christmas, why wouldn’t you be, no matter the calendar date?

I loved all of the irreverent references to classic Christmas stories and songs such as A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, and many more.

Even though Benjamin is a real #ScroogeMcDuke, he has his reasons. Even so, this doesn’t become a retelling of the classic. ONCE UPON A DUKE is sweet, tender, loving, hilarious, and romantic.

I loved this story – especially the unique characters and their wonderful personalities – and I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the dukes in residence in Christmas (Cressmouth) England.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

This is a charming and humourous historical romance set in the cold, picturesque and remote village of Cressmouth.

Benjamin is a Duke who is dedicated to his role in the House of Lords. Between looking after his estate and his official duties, he doesn't have time for much else.

Noelle has only known one home. Cressmouth. It's a close knit community where it's Christmas all year round. She works hard to play her role in this community that she loves.

Benjamin left Cressmouth five years ago and had no intention of returning. His only good memory of the place is Noelle. Before, he left, he was robbed of his most treasured family heirloom. He now has the chance to retrieve his family legacy and makes the journey to Cressmouth where Christmas is still being celebrated. He doesn't celebrate Christmas. It only brings bad memories. He hates the jolly atmosphere and his only reprieve is Noelle! It doesn't matter as he has no intention of staying, but the reading of the Will gives him no choice, but to stay and complete a task before he can claim his legacy!

He finds himself working alongside Noelle and as hard as he tries, he is a unable to stay away from her. Memories of the past come flooding back, but he doesn't want a repeat of what happened before. If only their situation were different and the society wasn't so rigid in its expectations. He is impressed by Noelle's abilities and the numerous tasks that she undertakes in the castle. She fights her feelings too, but finds herself doing little things that mean a lot to him. She also finds a different side to him and the real reason why he left without saying goodbye. Will history repeat itself or will they find a way to give their hearts what they want?

This is an easy to read story. It's humourous, but there is angst too. The inhabitants of Cressmouth are a jolly bunch. They also have a strong tie with one another. Noelle considers everyone to be family and nothing makes her happier than to make everyone happy. She is kind and understanding and is willing to put her heart on the line once again. Benjamin doesn't fare any better, but they both decide to fight for their hearts desire and it proves to be more than worth it. It's an entertaining and festive read and would appeal to fans of historical romance.

I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. My favorite Erica Ridley yet! This was a Christmas book that combines a lesson of Christmas spirit to be learned with a second chance romance - two of my favorite thing

A sweet piece of Christmas fluff that has a lot of fun putting elements of A Christmas Carol into a Regency romance setting. Benjamin (Scrooge-ish), Duke of Silkridge, hates Christmas. How unfortunate for him that his recently deceased grandfather created an "all-year-round" Christmas village, far in the North of England where snow can fall in any season and every day is Christmastide. There he is reunited with an old flame, the orphan Noelle, and required to fulfill a ridiculous task in order to receive his small but beloved inheritance. Can they find a way to be together? Of course they can! It stretches the powers of belief beyond breaking point, especially if you know much about the north of England's environs and climate (it's not particularly mountainous, it rarely snows heavily, there are no possums) but gets away with it because it's a Christmas romance. Light, fun, and festive.

This is the first book I have read by Erica Ridley. It will not be the last. It was a sweet, fun historical that I really enjoyed. Can't wait to read the next book in The Twelve Dukes of Christmas series!

Cressmouth, England, may be considered the happiest place on earth by many, but not by Benjamin Ward, the Duke of Silkridge. It reminds him of his Grandfather's betrayal. Noelle Pratchett loves living in this holiday world. She cares for the friendly people and enjoys the feeling of being needed. Both remember the kiss they shared. Even though it was five years ago, the magic still remains among their broken dreams. Can they get a second chance at a HEA? I enjoyed Once Upon A Duke. The interaction between Benjamin and Noelle is both sweet and sassy. Sparks fly whenever these two are near each other. I loves these characters. They draw you into the story and make you want them to find happiness. The setting is over the top and the dialogue is filled with humor and sweetness. Erica Ridley did a wonderful job. I enjoyed my visit to Cressmouth. The first book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series is an enchanting romp filled with sweet romance and rollicking humor.

Silkridge and Noelle's story is truly a great Christmas read. Silkridge is a true scrooge when it comes to Christmas, however Noelle is great at showing him what he has truly missed by not returning to the village sooner. This book makes the reader feel the Christmas spirit!

Sheesh, it's just a locket! Why wouldn't his grandfather give it to him?

That's a sad lesson for her to learn.

What is she, the mayor?

That was my grandfather's favorite nursery rhyme.

He has compassion at least.

Where is her family? Who raised her?

Who doesn't go to plays?

I feel sorry for Nicholas.

He couldn't have written her a note after he got out of bed?!

I guess he had nothing to worry about, class-wise.

Charles Dickens behold. I love Erica Ridley, but this story didn't grab me. The characters just didnt seem to care about each other, so i couldnt care about them either.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

This is a charming, offbeat story with references to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. There were some quirky characters and scenes. It’s a light hearted read perfect for the holidays.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this series develops.

Wonderfully quirky, witty and fun Christmas story. This romantic journey is filled with sweetly endearing charters, picturesque countryside and undeniable passion.... really enjoyed reading this!

She is a smart, sweet and charming woman that practically runs this small town, he is only back due to the terms of a will that have to be honored.... He once disappeared with out warning, now she knows he is only in town temporarily. Loved the charming banter and exciting twists.

I enjoyed this story although it would not be my usual choice to read. A nod to Charles Dickens story, and a very cute story.

This book was cute and had a good romance between Noelle and Silkridge, but it was a little too drawn out for me in a simplistic way. Made it a little hard to stay concentrated. I thought there were some funny scenes and the way the author put a fresh spin on the Christmas Carol was new. Book provided by NetGalley.

I’ve always enjoyed this author, and this is a sweet Christmas story, but the couple didn’t really click for me until just at the end of the story. Neither is really willing to make any strides toward compromise, but neither was there really a relationship that seemed fully worth compromising for, until the near end of the story. There was a bit of yearning, but no real feelings expressed, and not great chemistry between the couple. Other of the authors stories have been far more romantic and passionate. The story was actually a little depressing until the HEA.

Just in time for Christmas! The start of a new series, set in a snow filled village (cressmouth) described as so far north “the next town is in Scotland”. It’s January, when the Duke of Silkridge is visiting his maternal family’s house to hear the will of his recently deceased maternal grandfather.
Silkridge dislikes Christmas, the town and his grandfather for various reasons, including being born at Christmas, his mother dying not long after, his father also dying several years later (also at Christmas), and his grandfather blaming him for his part in his mother’s death….giving him reason to deny Silkridge the pendant with the only known picture of Silkridge’s mother..

He is annoyed to hear that the town has unofficially been renamed as “Christmas”, and the house he thought would be in a deep state of disrepair was actually warm and homely. It turns out that his grandfather had given the town a reason to exist (not fade away) and that everyone in the village seems to have a reason to love Mr Marlowe.

He sees Noelle on the first night, and both remember the attraction between them previously. Noelle, not understanding his history with his grandfather cannot understand his animosity, which seems to be made worse when Marlowe’s will only gives him the locket if he finishes the aviary by the end of the month. Things are made worse when he finds out that Noelle has been asked to be his assistant, since she has reinvigorated the counting house over the previous 4 years.

Whilst not a rip roaring laugh, this book certainly doesn’t take itself too seriously – e.g. Silkridge reacts to everything as “humbug!”, the aviary contains a sick pygmy goat nicknamed “Tiny Tim”, and there’s a general cheeriness around the place that puts paid to Silkridge’s Scrooge-like mood. As per all good romances, things work out in the end with both characters having learnt that they both have value, not only because of what they do but of who they actually are.

Having read several books by this author before, I can see there are plenty of unique characters in the wings just waiting for their own books to be written.