Member Reviews

Love v Adventure 4.5*
Priscilla wants to travel the world, to join her explorer father and grandfather in Africa but the only way she can do so, is not to marry nor cause a scandal before her 25th birthday. Then she will inherit a fortune of £10,000 and be a woman of independence. The first five years of attending society affairs but being almost invisible have been easy but now when she only has 16 months to her goal, Thaddeus Middleton, a gentleman who believes in true love, is throwing all her plans into disarray. There has been a fair amount of literary historic license with this book but the characters are so engaging that I was able to overlook this.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley is book Three in the Wicked Dukes Club Series. This is the story of Thaddeus 'Thad' Middleton and Priscilla Weatherby. I have read the previous books (and Loved them!) but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Priscilla wants to be independent but also wants to go on adventures and travels with her father. Priscilla's father also took to traveling just has his father did. But she has to go through hoops that are in place to get that independence. Priscilla must attend at 3 weekly events, have no scandals, to not marry and when she turns 25 she will inherit the money she feels will help her goal of being independent and to travel.
Thad feels that its time to marry and goes forward to meet the women that is to be his..."The One". But the only person he is attracted to is Priscilla who is the opposite of what he thinks he wants in a wife and he sure that she can't be the one for him. Priscilla knows that Thad would be the perfect husband for her if she was looking for one and goes forward to turn him away and resist her feelings. When Thad is encouraged by his friends and family to looking further into getting to know Priscilla he start to become aware that she might just be what he always wanted.
Loved their story and this series!!!

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This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes series by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. Ms Ridley will be writing the odd-numbered books, and Ms Burke will be writing the even numbered. I have read the first book in the series. Each book can be read as a standalone. 

Thaddeus Middleton is looking for a wife, he has only one requirement, that it be a love match. Neither titled or rich Thaddeus has worked hard to build his savings so that he can afford to spoil his wife whoever she may be. He believes he might have found the one, but there is only one small problem, she refuses to marry. 

Miss Priscilla Weatherby has one goal in life, remain scandal free and husbandless so she can inherit a fortune and join her father and grandfather on their adventures. She won't be left behind again like the other women in her family. The plan was working until Thad asked her to dance and she can't get him out of her mind.  

Erica Ridley is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. She writes beautiful romances full of humour and compelling characters. In this book we have Thad and Priscilla, Thad is an out and out romantic, and we do meet him in the first book as he is guardian to the heroine in book one. He is willing to support women and their unusual activities, and he doesn't want to change the heroine. Priscilla was someone who tugs at the heartstrings. She has been abandoned by the people she loves, her mother died, her grandmother has locked herself away from the world, and her father and grandfather are travelling, but Priscilla doesn't see it that way. She still has faith that she can join in the adventure and loves her grandmother in spite of her coldness.   

I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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With the two most eligible bachelors now off the marriage market, Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. With a promised inheritance coming to her in a few years, Priscilla Weatherby is playing a game of pretending-to-but-not-really-looking-for-a-husband.

One rejected invitation to a dance changes everything for this pair.

This was a fun story as both characters were quite likeable. Priscilla changes the most throughout the story, and her excited attitude bounces off the pages.

But... I had some problems becoming immersed in this tale. Thad wasn't perfect, but he was too good. He didn't really have any flaws or problems to overcome aside from winning Priscilla over, which made the conflict of the plot somewhat one-sided. Also, while I really enjoyed the banter between Thad and Priscilla, each of their encounters left me with a feeling of a too-modern cadence of conversation. I'm used to excellent historical romances from Erica Ridley, so these issues felt very out-of-place for the author.

If you're looking for something light and fluffy to read, this is a great book to kick back with. Just be prepared to not take its characters too seriously.

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One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club. The interesting thing about this series is that Erica Ridley only writes the odd number books. Darcy Burke writes the even number books. I am looking forward to read them especially with the storyline going back and forth between the authors.

Thaddeus Middleton wants to be married. He is not titled or even eventually going to be titled. What he does have is a nice annual sum that comes into him and a desire to be in love with his wife. Priscilla Weatherby does not want to be married. She wants adventures and new places. She will get an inheritance if she can stay single without causing a scandal that will help her go adventuring. Thaddeus has a new kitten. Priscilla has a parrot. He wants to be married to her, but she does not want to be married at all.

I thought the main characters were interesting and I loved how their animals got along. Priscilla’s grandmother was funny with her practically throwing Priscilla at Thaddeus. As we know not everything is always simple especially with two very determined people. One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley was a good, quick read.

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This pair is just as loveable as they are heartbreaking. Thad is utterly adorable to me. He grew up in a home filled with resentment. The only quality he knows his future wife must have is the desire to pick him first; that a life with him is more important than any other dreams she might have. Priscilla longs to travel the world with her father and grandfather; to have innumerable adventures where she’s not the one left behind. How can a man who wants to be first in his lady’s affections make a life with a woman whose heart is set on leaving everything she knows behind? Watching these two as they tried to resist their feelings left me fighting the lump in my throat and blinking my suspiciously watery eyes. All the way through, I longed for them to find the compromise that would give them love and adventure. The story is quite emotional while also being cute and sweet and laugh out loud funny at times. The pets completely stole the show.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author though NetGalley.

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I’ve never been disappointed by an Erica Ridley historical romance, reading One Night of Passion hasn’t changed that. If anything, I wish her stories were longer. They don’t feel like novellas, or anything, but I’m always left wishing I had just a little bit more.

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

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I thought I had loved the two previous books in this series but this third is even more astounding.
There is no bad guy in this story, just the limitations people put around them, Priscilla Weatherby has shaped her future because of her past, while Thaddeus Middleton has none, he won’t settle for less than he thinks deserving.

« Extensive research into the art of ‘happy ever after’ indicates I should either paint my horse white, build a library with a ladder, or seek a vengeful sorceress to enchant me via rose petals and ill-tempered rhymes. »

Thad is a hero as there are so few, no rogue nor rake nor cad. He is just looking for love, but not the easy one, he wants the whole package, he wants to be his bride-to-be only and first choice.
I loved he refused to compromise, he thought too but knew it would be a wrong decision.
He is such a magnificent man, happy with what life has to offer to him, pleased to meet everyday his friend or new people, delighted by all the tiny things life provides. But his world is turned upside down upon his sighting of Miss Weatherby, next to her he felt something, not the strike from a lightning bolt nor birdsongs but a spark of interest because after an entertaining discussion she gave him the cut direct.
But he is not a man to be deterred but some rebuffs when he fells the other part was as much interested as himself.
Priscilla devotes her whole life to become the perfect companion for her estranged father and grandfather, for this she just have to remain unwed until her twenty fifth birthday. She thinks then she will win his respect and maybe love.
At some points, I was upset with her but at the same time, it was what she has always known, the memories of her absentee father who left her behind her whole life, just coming back after her mother’s demise when she was nine. The little girl in her has engraved this vow in her soul, that by her twenty fifth birthday, she will be enough, she will matter enough to be able to follow her father.
In some way, Thad and Priscilla have the same goal, to be enough, but when Thad wants to be the first and only choice, Priscilla wants to be un-leave-able.

« He would be destroyed if he married the girl he adored only for her to fall out of love because he couldn’t be what she needed. That was not a road he was willing to travel. He tightened his jaw with determination. For the right woman, he would be the best option. That was what would make her The One and lift her above any other. »

But this was not a sad story, Thad’s personality elevates the mood of their tale.
I had a goofy smile for most of my reading with their nonsensical witty and funny banters and him searching for proof he was on the right path.
A 10 stars story.

I received this book as an ARC by Netgalley but I had already preordered this one book.

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Thaddeus Middleton is every woman’s perfect male. He is financial, good-looking and respected by many. However, Thad can’t seem to find his perfect woman despite attending all the necessary ton functions. When he meets Miss Priscilla Weatherby, he finds himself fascinated yet everything he does to draw her attention, seems to offend her. Unbeknownst to Thad, Priscilla is trying to stay unmarried until she is twenty-five in order to gain her inheritance.
This was a delightful love story which developed from a sweet friendship. Both background of each character was well explored, and it soon becomes apparent that despite their attraction, they have certain ideas that may keep them apart. Whilst Thad would like to become a biographer, he is not interested in travel yet Priscilla longs to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, who took the notion of travelling to another level, leaving their family for several years. Their conversations were enjoyable, with an easy style of banter. Whilst it was frustrating to be a part of Priscilla’s hesitation to form a relationship with Thad, his genuine fascination and love for Priscilla compensated for her reluctance.
Once again, this is a wonderful addition to a series that just continues to get better with each story. Each story, adds just another delightful layer, with appearances from great characters from past books!
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Lifelong romantic Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. He hopes to find a woman more attracted to him than to money. Instead, he finds himself drawn to a spitfire who isn’t interested in him at all! At least, that’s what she says when she’s not kissing him beneath the stars...

Miss Priscilla Weatherby will inherit a fortune… provided she remains unwed and scandal-free. Easy enough, until she meets a man more dangerous than haughty lords and heartless rakes. Thad is a sweet, sexy delight, whose passionate embrace will ruin everything—including her! She’ll sacrifice anything for independence. Even love…

I adored this story. Thad is such a lovable character and I had a sweet dopey face every time he was in a scene. Priscilla was a likable character as well and you couldn't help but feel for her. My favourite part of this story was how the author reversed their 'roles'. Those that have read it will know what I'm referring too. If I finish a romance with a big sigh and a smile on my face, it's definitely a 5 star read.

Out May 14, 2019. Review manually added to Goodreads as ISBN did not work.

*I received an advance readers copy from NetGalley for an honest review.*

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Definitely a light and entertaining read. There is humor and romance. A foolproof combination.

It is refreshing for me to read about a hero looking for a love match. None of the dark and brooding traits that I usually read about. I actually really liked the hero in this book. He has humor, good looks (nothing too overwhelming), and pleasant disposition. The heroine is equally pleasant. She has a bit of an emotional baggage from her family that kept her from fully committing head on to the hero but overall she is likable. The love story in itself is simple yet it appealed to me as a reader because even in real life love does not have to be too complicated. And the hero and heroine in this story had real choices to make before they secured their happy ending. The love story has depth in the sense that it is genuine and relatable. It is, however, not an intricate storyline filled with twists and turns. The book has a lovemaking scene but nothing too sensual or graphic. I appreciate that it has an epilogue because the book is short as it is so an epilogue helps to tie everything together.

This is my third book from this series and I truly appreciate the copy given by NetGalley.

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Thaddeus Martin has watched his 2 friends fall in love and get married. He wants to find the same. He isn't titled and he isn't rich. But he is well liked by everyone.
Priscilla lives with her grandmother. He mom died when she 9. Her father and grandfather are off seeking their adventures exploring in Africa and India. They haven't been seen in .6 years. Priscilla doesn't want to marry.
But the sparks are there. Can Thaddeus and Priscilla put aside all distractions and fond their way to each other.
I enjoyed this book. It was different. But I thought it was a little sappy too. Hence the 4 stars.

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This was an ok book for Ms. Ridley. I’m not sure why but it had a hard time keeping my interest. The H was sooo sickly sweet and the h was just alright. Neither of them really had me interested in them. I just didn’t connect with this one at all.

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5/5 stars.

What a novella! This was like cuddling puppies!

I received this book from the author and publisher for an honest review. Thsi does not in any way affect my opinion of the story or character.

I have read Erica Ridley before and found her books enjoyable, but never did I expect to have such a reaction to this novella. It is truly one of my favorite ARC's of all time! This book combines brilliant dialogue work, unique and relatable characters with a beautiful love story. I'm floored!

Thaddeus Middleton isn't titled, or rich or looking to get either one of those. He has his eye on something even more revolutionary. True Love! Yup, that whole hallmark-y, tropey stuff we're wired to expect from the female leads. So refreshing to see the Hero as the character who believes, wishes and works towards finding a perfect match - not one to further an agenda - but someone he truly loves and wishes to spend his life with. And all this was done without once making Thad too campy or cheezy, which instantly ruins the feel of the book.

Priscilla is a beautiful character, and I felt so sorry for her at times. The internal struggle she's lived through is palpable and definitely makes you feel for her. But she doesn't turn into a watering pot or whine about her misfortune and pain. She's resiliant and take's fate into her own hands.

Thad falls head over heals for her, and she can't help but fall in love with this wonderful man who cherishes, respects and takes the effort to understand her. But, they both want different things in life and can't decide if they must sacrifice what they've always wanted for each other.

Of course in a fully fleshed novel we could have had more time on this particular conflict, but for a novella I truly loved the way the author dealt with this. A delight to read!

Do yourself a favor, and just read this on one of those days when you want to murder your boss. Thank me later!

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One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just love Erica Ridley’s books and this one was no exception!

Thaddeus Middleton has always believed in true love and won’t marry for anything less. Miss Priscilla Weatherby is determined not to marry at all in order to claim an inheritance and travel the world.

Erica Ridley’s heroes are always a mix of sweetness and confidence, and Thad is no exception. I loved him from the fb start and he never disappointed me. I liked Priscilla but felt her inability to realize the kind of men her father and grandfather were was very naive and got kind of annoying.

As always with Erica Ridley’s writing, there was plenty of humor in this title. I found myself laughing several times at Thad and Priscilla’s interactions.

I thought the plot was very believable and that Priscilla had a good reason NOT to want to get married. I also felt it was relatively unique to have a heroine not wanting to get married for some reason other than being a widow that had a bad marriage.

I will, of course, be reading the next installment in this series.

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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This is one of the Wicked Duke series books, and it's all about Thaddeus Middleton who is looking for true love. He's not titled and he makes a gentle, kind and level-headed lead in this light romantic read. I enjoy a good rake, who's outrageous antics make me laugh, so he's a little tame for me, but he makes for quite a sweet gentle read. His eventual love comes in the form of Miss Priscilla Weatherby, however love is certainly something she is not seeking. Priscilla seeks a life of travel and adventure. So these two contrasting characters come together though attraction and companionship.
There's some cute humour throughout this read, a delightful parrot and a cute little kitten to keep the animal loving reader entertained (me) - both are also quite useful in bringing both Thaddeus and Priscilla together.
A gentle story of two seeming opposites coming together through compromise and an ultimate deep love and mutual respect.

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One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley - Historical Romance.

Pricilla Weatherby is almost there to her dream of becoming an adventurer. On her twenty fifth birthday she will receive fund held in trust providing she is unmarried and free from scandal. She will be able to catch up with her wanderlust father and grandfather.

Thaddeus Middleton wants to share his life with the love his life. He believes in love and fairytales and feels Pricilla is The One. Yes they share the attraction, the passion and connection but can he persuade Pricilla to love him?

I love Erica Ridley's books and try and get all of them. This one was sweet with cute lovable characters and the Happily Ever After that delights.

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This wasn’t my favorite book by this author, but it was amusing all the same. It was a quick read and rather silky, but had a nice HEA. Thank you for the ARC!

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Thaddeus Middleton wants a wife. He wants them to choose him for love and not money. No one catches his interest except Miss Priscilla Weatherby, and for some reason the lady wants nothing to do with him. Thaddeus feels a connection to her, and so the pursuit is on.

Priscilla is waiting on her twenty-fifth birthday to inherit a small fortune. All she has to do is stay scandal-free and unmarried. Easy enough being a wallflower, or it was until Thaddeus took note of her. Although she tries to deny the attraction, Thaddeus is worming his way into her heart. How will she ever part with the man she loves when the time comes?!

I am thoroughly enjoying authors Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke's WICKED DUKES CLUB series. What a unique way to write the series, with Ms. Ridley doing the odd number books and Ms. Burke doing the even. Their writing styles are similar and blend this series together so well. Ms. Ridley's latest addition, ONE NIGHT OF PASSION, follows up with Diana's cousin, Thaddeus's story. For more backstory, read ONE NIGHT FOR SEDUCTION and ONE NIGHT OF SURRENDER. Back to ONE NIGHT OF PASSION... in it Thaddeus finally meets his match, but things aren't going to be easy. He's going to have to work to woo this young lady. Addie is headstrong and set on being independent and traveling the world. Deep down, she also wants love. Can she give it all up for her dreams of adventure? All will be revealed in Ms. Ridley's ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.

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I really liked that there was so little drama in this book and I liked that Thad was so nice and didn't really know what he was looking for. I liked Priscilla being so strong and so sure that she wanted adventure and not love. This was really such a sweet story.

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