Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley is the first book that I have read in 2019 and I am so happy to have started with this absolutely lovely romance.

The story takes us to Christmas, a small town in the Northern most part of England where it is Christmas all year round. People of this town are poles apart from the Londoners. They are happier, friendlier and more welcoming to any and everyone who comes to their town. It is this warmth and acceptance that attracts visitors from all over the country to visit this remote town.

Virginia Underwood has made her home in Christmas and is happy with her life. Often made to feel unwelcome because of her unconventional and quirky ways, she has found acceptance in her small town and has friends who truly care for her but despite all this, she knows there are some milestones in her life she will never reach like falling in love, marriage, having a family and doing all the things that other people take for granted but that she has difficulty doing. A nurturer by nature, she cares for strays and is often happier with them than with humans.

Mr. T who is actually Major Viscount Ormondton has come to Christmas to heal from his war injuries before he makes it known to the world of his return and is ready to take up his responsibilities in London.
A chance encounter brings him face to face with Virginia and soon they become close.

The beauty of this book is the crisp narration that had me feeling like I was there every step of the story. Everything felt like happening in technicolor around me. I loved the characters, the world building, the emotional play and the subtle messages that the author conveyed through this book. I love Erica Ridley's writing and she outshines herself in this book and this series.

Two imperfect people, braving their own fears and insecurities can become perfect when they come together to complement each other. The importance of acceptance of one's partner in a relationship is beautifully brought out in this beautiful book.

Ormondton's acceptance of Virginia's quirkiness and readiness to see beyond while Virginia's acceptance of his drawbacks to look beyond them to his heart had me openly crying and then falling in love with these characters a little more as the story progressed.

I absolutely adored Virginia's cat and his antics had me laughing all through the book.

A perfect mix of humor, clean but intense romance and an emotionally rich story, Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley is another great addition to the already must-read 12 Dukes of Christmas series. I have read all the past three books in this series and they keep getting better and better with each new installment. All are standalone romances but the characters make appearances across the books.

A book that left me goofily smiling at the end and feeling proud of the protagonists, I enjoyed each second spent reading Never Say Duke by Erica Ridley and give it 4.5 super shiny stars out of 5 and Njkinny strongly recommends it to everyone.

An inspiring story that teaches us to stay strong, believe in ourselves even if others don't and never stop trying to better ourselves without letting the negativity get to us, I know I will re-read this book any time I feel down and so look forward to the next books in this series.

I received an ARC from the publishers via Netgalley and I am very thankful to them. The above is my honest and unbiased review that is in no way influenced.

Okay, I know this series is only part way through but this is my favorite book in this series so far. Virginia and Theodore are lost characters who find companionship and trust in each other. I admit to laughing out loud at the Duke’s antics and Theodore’s surliness with him. A fantastic story for everyone to read and realize we are all different and that we must find happiness for ourselves.

Brilliant! That’s the first word that came to mind after finishing “Never Say Duke” by Erica Ridley. This is Book 4 in the 12 Dukes series, and the first I read of this author. I did not know what to expect of a book taking place in a town called Christmas.

The dialogue was effervescent as champagne, a perfect read to start the New Year. Virginia was a pure delight. She was quirky without being annoying, tragically situated without wallowing and being a downer. Her chemistry with Theo, the grumpy viscount, was refreshing, and I couldn’t wait to see how they’d turn out. Very romantic, light on the passion, and I am okay with that. It’s been a while since I’ve a read a book so pleasant.

I enjoyed reading the story so much that I am looking forward to the next one in the 12 Dukes series… and I may go back and read the first three to get caught up.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced electronic copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was another enjoyable novel by Ms. Ridley, bringing together romance and Christmas. Miss Virginia Underwood is does not fit in with London society and has lived several years in the town called Christmas. She does not do well with crowds, but has a good heart. She rescues strays and cares for them until they are healed. Her next “project” becomes Theodore O’Hanlon, Viscount Ormondton. Theodore went to war to prove himself, but was injured and scarred. He goes to Christmas to heal and be away from society. He knows his duty, even though is not what he wants but what is expected of him. Theodore does not want help from Virginia, but he grows to enjoy her presence and they begin to fall in love. However, Virginia has no plans to ever marry, enjoying her freedom and her past would embarrass Theodore in society. Still, no one can deny who the heart loves and one has to face their fears to move forward in life.

Virginia does more than help heal Theo's knee. Also his pride. Theo doesn't know how he's helping Virginia heal just by being himself. The fact that she's willing to be in a crowd shows the trust and love that they share. My heart hurt for Virginia while learning what she has had to go through.

Never Say Duke is Erica Ridley’s latest entry in the Dukes of Christmas series, and another entertaining romp through the town where Christmas is decidedly not just one day in the year. This is Virginia’s story, and it is a vindication of the specialness of this rather odd woman who has been appearing in the previous stories as a side character.

It is lovely to read a historical novel(ette) without miscommunication as a necessary plot device. Virginia and Theo communicate clearly and honestly from the beginning, even if initially Theo’s communication is mostly made up of grumpy growls. Definitely readable as a stand-alone, but also enjoyable as part of the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Never Say Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas, #4) by Erica Ridley I absolutely love this series...Thank you Erica for letting me review this book. Virginia Underwood(collects wildlife strays and fixes them ..she is some what of a stray herself) Theodore O'Hanlon (Major Viscount Ormondton.. wounded in war and hiding out in Christmas to heal) Virginia takes on healing him and they heal each other. There is Duke the cat and other animals ... Plenty of feelings, laughs, some tears, and romance all leading to a very HEA. I can't wait to read DUKES, ACTUALLY the next book in the series.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Romantic Entertaining Whimsical Easy-to-read Page-turner Wonderful characters Great world building Funny Happily Ever After

So Far Theodore O’Hanlon is my favorite male character in the 12 Dukes of Christmas. However he is not the Duke in this story. That goes to a scene stealing cat named of course Duke. Duke is the reason that Theodore even meets Virginia setting the stage for them to fall in love. Are there problems? Yes some but they are very real feeling and do not keep the two apart for any time. A fun addition to the series.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This is my fair and honest review in return for being allowed this ARC. I LOVE this series. I am not a Christmas kinda story woman but this entire series has been so refreshing! There is hurt and darkness and and joy and obstinance and laughter and tears and just wonderful tales in EVERY SINGLE ONE. Seriously, buy the entire set and read from the first to the last.

A Sweetly Engrossing Tale.
Virginia I guess falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. Her family abandoned her due to her social awkwardness but years later she has managed to make a life for herself despite them. She is an unusual woman and has a talent for healing broken animals, such as Duke the cat, who thinks he’s a dog, and a partridge she has named Dancer. When Duke’s antics lead her to discovering an injured man, she uses her talents to heal him and in the process they fall in love. I loved this story and how all the loose ends were neatly tied up in the last chapters.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So far, this series has not disappointed! Theodore is hiding out in Christmas to recover from his war wounds. Virginia has escaped her life by living in Christmas. This is the story of them both learning to face their fears and learn to live life which they do while falling in love. I loved Duke, the cat. His high-jinks were funny throughout the book. Swinton, the Duke of Azureford's butler stole the show for me! Thank you for the advanced copy. This is a series that I will be sad when it ends!

Miss Virginia saved the life of a cat, a magnificent creature whom she has named Duke. He answers to it with a hiss. But if you respond with 'Thank you Your Grace,' he will present his belly for petting and purr. Once he has approved of the grouchy invalid Viscount Ormondton, he is well on his way to benefiting from her incomparable way with healing creatures.

Duke is the matchmaker in this tale set in the holiday village of Christmas. Since being carried from the battlefield incognito, Ormondton has been presumed dead by the press, when he is simply hiding from an arranged marriage. Years ago, Virginia's parents committed their 'inconvenient' eldest daughter to a sanitarium, whence she escaped and was also presumed dead. Instead she became Mr. Marlowe's ward and has followed her inclinations into biology and medicine, in the estate's shelter.

Will they both step back into society, giving one another the strength to face challenges as their true selves? Theo Ormondton has the heroism and Virginia has the endurance. It's all in how they phrase it.

When Theodore O'Hanlon, Major Viscount Ormondton arrives at the Duke of Azureford's cottage in Christmas, he expects to recover from his war injuries in peace and remain completely anonymous - but what he got was a cat named Duke who changed his entire life.

Virginia Underwood is a resident of Christmas and a nurturer by nature, she cannot resist rescuing strays or tending the wounded. So when her cat Duke invites himself into the Duke's cottage and she finds Theodore, she insists on helping him - despite his refusal. Virginia has secrets and suffers from what appears to be Asperger's Syndrome. She cannot abide crowds, bright light or loud noises.

Theodore is intrigued by Virginia and begins to look forward to her visits. They talk and she learns that he is expected to marry the daughter of his father's friend - he will do it, because Theodore always keeps his promises and does his duty. But why is he beginning to question that decision?

The more time they spend together, the more she pushes him and under her care, he begins to heal, both physically and mentally. He learns more about her past, which is as shocking as is it heartbreaking. She loves Theodore, but when she learns who he really is, isn't sure she could stand being part of his world, plus there is the little problem of the soon to be betrothed.

When it seems like they will finally have a HEA, a surprise visitor reminds Virginia why they can never be and a twist of fate gives her choices in her life - will she choose Theodore or will she let her past experiences ruin any chance for love?

This is a sweet story, that is well written and paced nicely. Theodore and Virginia are wonderful leads and Duke the cat is definitely a scene stealer, the love scenes are sweet (no heat) but there is a sizzling chemistry between them, there are lots of twists and turns, a hero that you will want for your own, a wonderful ending and an epilogue that will make you smile.

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

This was the most charming book of the Christmas Dukes series! Virginia is an interesting character, possibly autistic, in that she does not understand social situations. Her family has put her in an asylum from which she escapes and ends up in Christmas where she has spent the last 6 years treating sick and broken animals. Enter Theo, war hero and viscount, who is broken person physically. Their story had me smiling the entire way through. Thouroughly enjoyed reading this book by Erica Ridley!
I did receive an ARC of this book.