All Priscilla Weatherby had to do was stay single until she reached twenty-five. Making herself less than desirable should do the trick, until hopeless romantic Thaddeus Middleton finds himself drawn to the prickly woman like a moth to a flame. He is everything she could ask for in a man, hardly the rake she envisioned him to be, but will the lure of money and the dreams of adventure stand a chance against love?

ONE NIGHT OF PASSION by Erica Ridley puts a little different twist on the “Rake falls for the lovely young woman” theme and trust me, it is marvelous! Priscilla has big dreams, big goals, but are they realistic or part of a child’s dreams? Thaddeus is swoon worthy, period.

Historical romance with heart, some humor and a few moments of clarity that speak to the heart!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Erica Ridley & WebMotion!

Series: Wicked Dukes Club - Book 3
Publisher: WebMotion (May 14, 2019)
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

One Night of Passion is another romantic, fluffy addition to Ridley and Burke’s Wicked Dukes Club series. Thaddeus proved to be as sweet and sensitive as his fellow Wicked Duke patrons that we met in the two previous books. It’s not very often when I read a Regency romance where the leading man doesn’t have a title, which seems like an oversight on my part. Thaddeus’s search for “Princess Charming” and true love was adorable. The teasing banter between our hero and lady never fails to bring a smile to my face.

I didn’t care for Priscilla in this book. I loved her antics in the beginning but I grew weary of her fixation on an adventure for the sake of adventure. For me, her saving grace was the beloved Koffi and her lightbulb moment.

Even with my complaints, I enjoyed this installment of the Wicked Dukes Club series. It is a breath of fresh air to read about kind, progressive leading men and strong women with atypical hobbies for the era (at least for women of their station or lack thereof).

Priscilla's father and grandfather left her with her grandmother several years ago, to go adventuring around the world. Her grandmother told her that while they left no dowry, they did say that she would have 10,000 pounds if she was still unmarried by the time she is 25. Ever since, she has planned to remain unmarried in order to get the money and use it to follow the men on their adventures. Her grandmother is a dour woman who constantly harps on Priscilla's need to find a husband instead of chasing after them. Priscilla is now 23 and has managed to put off every man who has approached her with interest. That is, until she meets Thaddeus Weatherby. Thaddeus is a sweet, funny and intelligent man who is looking to settle down. He isn't put off by her manner but instead, finds her unusual as well as fun and exactly the type of woman he wants to marry. Their trying to resolve their seemingly insurmountable differences is the crux of the story. There is more depth to the characters than usual, with exploration of the feelings of abandoned or neglected children among other issues, This is an Involving story about two interesting people.

Oh Wow, I have read all of the Wicked Dukes books, and each one was my new favorite.
Well this one is the best, I could not stop reading it... Thaddeus Middleton has no title, and really doesn't care. He has good friends that are titled and friends that are not. Thad as he is called by his friends
is a good guy. He is always warm, cheerful, fun loving, and loyal to family and friends.
He is well liked by all he meets.
So when he ask Miss Priscilla Weatherby, a wall flower by all counts to dance at Almack's and she
not only says no, but is rude and nasty. He is at a lost to understand what when wrong.
He looks for ways to run into her and when he finally calls at her Grandmother's house he is even more shocked. Her Grandmother doesn't even know his name and tells Priscilla to marry him.
They are left totally alone, and unchaperoned.
As they start talking he learns of her Parrot, Koffi and tells her about his kitten, Wednesday. Priscilla has a desire to learn French so Thad offers to write her letters twice a day in French.
As the two become friends, and more the story is full of fun, mistakes, hidden secrets and of course love.
I don't want to give anymore a way, but I do think this is the best book I've read so far this year !!
Which says a lot for this wonderful book, as I have already read 40 so far.
I received and ARC of this book from the Author, and am giving my honest review
Don't miss this book. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone, but so much better read in order.

Ms. Ridley's writing is one continuous breeze of fresh air after another. In One Night of Passion, we find a hero out of the ordinary in Regency writing. Thaddeus Middleton, a man who is neither rake nor titled, is a romantic that will not marry for anything less than true love. Nice, handsome, and agreeable, Thaddeus is still looking for Princess Charming among the marriage mart of the ton and would be considered quite a catch by everyone except the fair lady that catches his eye. Miss Priscilla Weatherby is not looking for love at all, all the men in her life up and left on adventure and treat her and her grandmother as afterthoughts. Priscilla wants to reach her twenty-fifth birthday single so she can receive her trust and set out on adventures of her own. She is definitely not looking to fall in love with a man who is just too perfect and is content with his life in London. Many written letters and stolen moments later what can a girl do but fall in love a Mister who worms his way into your heart and leaves you sighing in pleasure.. I enjoyed the sweet love story with an adventuress who rediscovers who and what she needs. The book ends with a wonderful HEA that leaves you smiling. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Heat Factor: A comfy chair and a roaring fire
Character Chemistry: They are soulmates
Plot: Sometimes jarringly abrupt
Overall: Mostly charming


As I was reading this book, my main emotion was low-key delight. The characters made me smile, and their interactions immediately showed their compatibility and capacity for friendship based on mutual respect.

Thaddeus, our hero, is a hopeless romantic, and I dug that minor gender role reversal. He is a mere mister - no title, no fortune, but comfortable enough to participate in some activities of the ton (mainly: Almack’s). And he’s looking for a wife in all the normal places, but not for dynastic legacy purposes, but because he wants to find a life partner (hence: Almack’s). However, he hasn’t had much success thus far. When another character asks him what he’s looking for, he declares: “Easy. There will be rainbows, and bluebirds, and a ray of shimmery, heavenly light, and… er…”

No wonder he’s not making progress in the marriage department.

But then, he meets Priscilla. Who rebuffs him. But there are sparks, so he visits her home, and a rainbow appears. It’s a sign! (She also has a bird! Another sign! No rays of heavenly light, unfortunately.) Ridley includes these extremely cliché fairy tale details, but her characters are fortunately self-aware enough to laugh at them, which is part of what makes this book so fun.

The roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she absolutely does not want to get married. In fact, she has dedicated the past 5 or so years of her life, ever since she came out, to not getting married. See, Priscilla’s father set up a trust for her. The stipulation: she gets the money when she turns 25, as long as she’s unmarried. But she has to participate in the marriage mart, and there can be no scandal attached to her name. So she has this whole game she plays where she strategically shows up at places like Almack’s, but never dances with truly eligible men. Her master plan is to take the money, and use it to travel to Africa to meet up with her adventurer father, who, I should mention, has visited her literally twice in her entire life (and doesn’t even write her letters - she follows his adventures in travel journals, which is indicative of how fucking terrible this dude is). So a bonus roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she has severe abandonment issues (well-earned), and therefore is also afraid of marriage.

But she can’t deny the sparks she feels with Thaddeus either, so they develop a friendship, and then a desperate longing for each other, but the whole issue of her inheritance stands in their way. Because she can’t give up the promise of freedom, even for love, and Thaddeus will not ask it of her because he is a true gentleman.

The main problem with One Night of Passion is that there’s not a lot of build up or explanation. Things happen abruptly - and not just on the larger scale of plot, but on the smaller scale of how scenes are written. Here’s an example. Priscilla and Thaddeus are talking about her teaching herself French:
“How much do you know?”
“Vocabulary? Quite a bit of it. I’ve memorized every list I can get my hands on. Grammar? Just what I can puzzle out from books. I’ve never had a proper tutor, and poring over Voltaire and Beaumarchais line by line isn’t the best way to - “
“I’ll write you letters,” Mr. Middleton said without hesitation.
In the version I read, there was a page break between Priscilla’s explanation and Thaddeus’s response, and I thought I had skipped a page, because his response seemed like a non-sequitur. She has given no indication that getting letters would be welcome or helpful. Thaddeus makes no indication that these letters will focus on French grammar in any way. (Plus, her real stumbling block is pronunciation, since she’s only learning by reading, not by conversation.) I get that this is a way to have them interact (a lot!) without seeing each other, and to develop their relationship, and give Priscilla some space for pining, but like I said: no build up or explanation.

This abruptness doesn’t make One Night of Passion less fun, necessarily, but it was jarring enough that it brought me out of the story. I would say: go for it if you want something light with likeable characters who are aristocracy adjacent. Skip it if you want amazing prose or a tightly continuous plot.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

One Night of Passion by Eric Ridley will keep you reading. This is the first novel that I have read that the main characters are so different. Thaddeus Middleton doesn't have a title or money. Priscilla will inherit at the age of 25, if she remains unmarried and her name is keep pre. She has wanted adventure all her life so she can go with her father and grandfather, who are always away. Priscilla pretends to look for a husband. He decided that it is time to marry, but it must be for love. Priscilla meets Thaddeus and sparks fly with fireworks. Do you risk everything for love? That is what Priscilla has to decide. Will Thaddeus give up his favorite place to live and go on adventures with Priscilla? Priscilla lives with her grandmother and she has to make the big decision when her father returns ks, but this can be read as a stand alone book.whether to marry Thaddeus or go with her father.
I received an ARC of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I have not read the first two book. One Night of Passion can be read as a stand alone book.

Thad wants a wife to come home to and Pricilla plans to leave on a big adventure. Can the two get together? Looking at what you think you want and what you really want takes time. Thad and Pricilla love passion enough for a life time if they can just decide what lifetime they want. Great story with tension and a surprise at the end.

It's a 3.5 for me because while I absolutely love sweet romances and I relate very much to characters who are lonely that are seeking love and happiness, this didn't have an emotional punch to it. It's more of a casual read that's warm and easy, rather than one that makes your eyes tear with joy.

In that sense, I did find The Mannequin by S.G. Rogers to be a better 19th century read (though it is Victorian in setting and One Nigh of Passion is Regency, set in 1817) because I did tear up, though if you're after a sweet story in the same vein, this book will serve nicely!

Thaddeus is a great hero; sweet and loyal and thoughtful. He knows what he wants but is a good and conscientious enough person to realize the other person has to be on board too or his happily ever after won't happen. Priscilla is clever and amiable, with the story centering mostly around the crux of her realizing what she really wants and how she thought she knew, but was misguided.

In terms of historical accuracy and what not, I do feel like there wasn't total commitment to the language and mannerisms, it feels like they are intimate far too easily and that some of the language is modern vernacular trying to seem more antiquated, but nothing stood out as thoughtlessly out of place. I don't think the intent was to be a dead-ringer for historical accuracy or to pay enough mind to really drive home the details of London in the early 1800s, but to write an easygoing novel of Regency England romance and it did make me feel the setting enough that I can't complain.

The worst mistake outright that I saw in this book is probably that the bird is clearly saying "good-bye, my love" in Spanish "¡Adios, mi amor!" (I would know; my best friend is Cuban and he calls me "mi amor" affectionately) yet the character act as if he's speaking French. To say the same sentence in French is "Au revoir, mon amour!" I know they're somewhat similar but... yeet.

But I did read an ARC copy, so hopefully this is remedied in the final publication.

Overall a short, sweet, simple read that's romantic and happy. I got through it very fast, I think it took me about 2 total hours this morning in one sitting. It seems like a good little 99 cent or 1.99 kind of kindle romance. I checked and it's at preorder for $2.99 and isn't a KU title, so... in my humble opinion, it's a bit overpriced and I personally would not buy it for that amount. Wait for a 99 cent deal.

I have two more in the series (I skipped ahead to book #3 because its blurb appealed the most) and I'll probably read them. The reference to the "wicked dukes" of the series is the fact the everyone of the heroes is a patron or partner in a tavern; Thaddeus is neither a duke nor wicked. Since this is book 3, I probably missed out on some connections from the last two books, I believe Diana was married in one of them and another character mentioned found his love as well, but I wasn't at a loss for the context of things without them since this book is focused on a new character and doesn't have any complex overarching plot to deal with that would make prior books mandatory to get the full picture.

I received an advance reader copy of this title for free from NetGalley, but in no way does that fact impact my opinions, for better or worse.

5 stars

I read this quickly and loved it. Thaddeus is such a lovely hero and Priscilla an engaging and interesting heroine. I must admit I'd guessed about the characters of father and grandfather. The Grandmother was irascible and loyal. I was pleased it worked out well.

Erica is a great author and virtually an auto-buy. I recommend this book and will look for the others in this series.

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

I'm a bonafide fan of Erica Ridley because I know that every story I read will be a fun ride through historical romance. The way she creates characters and the chemistry they have between each other is right up my alley. Whether it's a slow burn or instantaneous, I know I'm bound to fall in love with the story and the characters. One Night of Passion is no different.

So our hero- I especially love him. Because he's not your typical jaded romace sucks type leading man. Rather he's a helpless romantic. He's seen two of his best friends fall in love and he knows it's in the cards for him. Of course it is! And I love how optimistic Thaddeus Middleton is about finding his Princess Charming. No, he won't settle, and he doesn't have to worry about anyone marrying him only for money. As our Mr. Thad is not a peer, nor does he have a plethora of money. THough he has plenty to keep a happy home, as long as he's not too extravagant.

Enter our heroine, Miss Priscilla Weatherby. She's been told that she will inherit a great deal of money if she is still single by the time she's 25. So she does her duty by attending balls, but does nothing to encourage any suitor. Because at the time, she's not an heiress either. Her ability to inherit is a secret. But once she gets her money, she'll join her absent father on their wordly adventure.

But when Thad meets Priscilla, he's certain she's the one. But she's not taken with his charm. Rather she turns down his suit. And Thad is not used to women even showing a bit of interest. Because he is charming and handsome, despite not being uberly wealthy.

And so, One Night of Passion follows their story. How Thad doesn't give up and how Priscilla realizes what is truly important to her heart. Not the inheritance and an ability to travel the world with a father she hardly knows, but being with someone who loves her and won't abandon her.

Clever, witty, and romantic. The characters are likable, even when being a bit hard headed. An entertaining and well written book. My favorite of the series thus far.

Thaddeus Middleton has decided that he is ready to take a wife, so like any respectable gentleman of means, he begins his search at Almack's. Thad is a romantic at heart and is sure that he will recognize the love of his life at first sight - there will be a sign, a spark, a bolt of lightning - something to let him know that he has found "The One". But this night what he finds is Miss Pricilla Weatherby - most definitely not "The One", but he asks her to dance is shocked when she turns him down.

Pricilla has a plan and it does not include marriage - her father and grandfather are adventurers and she longs to join them on their journeys, she hasn't seen her father in years, but when her mother died he told her that he set up a trust for her - ten thousand pounds will be hers on her 25th birthday if she has not married. But there are conditions, she must not avoid the marriage mart, attend 3 events week, no scandal, she can't ruin herself and she can tell no one of the trust. Priscilla knows exactly what she will do with the money - join her father in Africa - so she has followed the terms to the letter and perfected the art of attending without participating! But if she was looking for a husband, Thad would be exactly what she would want. He is intelligent, kind and handsome. When the meet again in the park and they chat, she really likes him but refuses to risk her heart and again shuts him down.

Thad wonders if insisting on a love match is just prolonging his loneliness, he misses his cousin Diana and when she comes to visit him, he wonders if he has missed "The One" - he does mention Priscilla to Diana and she is surprised that she was rude to Thad - he says it doesn't matter, because she is not "The One" - Diana askes how he knows that and he says there was no sign. Diana tells him to try to get to know her before he decides that she is not "The One", he receives similar advice from his friends at the Wicked Duke. And sets out to befriend Priscilla. When he arrives at her house, the weather clears and he sees a rainbow. He thinks he might have been wrong and decides that he needs to get to know her.

Priscilla is surprised to see Thad, she thought she made it clear that she was not interested, but as she gets to know him, her desires become blurred. And when her father returns unexpectantly and offers to take her with him on his travels, she will have to decide if she should go or if loving Thad is the real adventure.

This was a very sweet story, more emotional than I expected, but a true delight to read. The characters are engaging, the love scenes mild and the ending is wonderful. This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title. I truly enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it!

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

Good Book, my only complaint is that is wasn't longer! I am so glad that Thaddeus finally found a girl whom appreciates his sweet nature and that Priscilla opened her eyes! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

My absolute favorite of the series so far! It was sweet, drama-free, and absolutely delightful, exactly the kind of romance I love (and which, in all fairness, most other people find boring, so.)!

What I love most about this series is that it seems to be a competition between Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke and who can write the nicest hero. All three heroes so far have been the nicest, kindest, sweetest, best beta heroes ever. I'm not kidding, all heroines say at one point that their heroes reputation is that of a genuine nice guy, with no scandals, tales of womanizing, or anything. And Thaddeus is the nicest so far. He is an actual head-in-the-clouds romantic, a guy who believes he will find true love with a little help from the universe, which will surely send him some sort of sign when he meets his perfect match. He's also the kind of person who adopts kittens and spends his time cuddling with them and taking them on morning calls to the heroine, protesting that his kitten is the most well-behaved genteel cat of all. Did I mention eh is absolutely adorable? It bears repeating.


"Fate isn't life," she interrupted. "Fate is waiting around for the future to come to you, rather than going out and making it happen. Fate is in the palm of your hands."

Our heroine, on the other hand, is the pragmatic one. The one who was promised by her famous adventurer of a father that if she is still unmarried at a certain age, she will inherit a trust that will allow her to be independent. Since all she has dreamed about since she was little was to not be left behind again and seek her own adventures, she is determined to stay far away from the nicest guy she has ever met. But soon she comes to realize that the adventure she truly wants might be found a bit closer to home. If only she will take a chance and fight for it...

One Night of Passion is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series. I will say that up to now this is my favorite one! It was a very romantic one! This story is about Thaddeus Middleton and Priscilla Weatherby. Roles are reversed in which Thad is who wants to settle down, have a family and marry for love. He was so sweet and a true romantic at heart.
While Priscilla is interested in staying a spinster and wanting to travel the world. She wants to be an adventurer and catch up to her father and grandfather, who left England many years ago to pursue their traveling dreams. Priscilla feels lonely and abandoned by her father. She believes that those that she loves leave her behind. Therefore she does not want to fall in love, but does want to experience kisses.
Thad tries his best to persuade her that it's okay to stay in one place as long is with the love of your life. It is when he finally asks the question that Priscilla's future decisions are put to the test.
I loved the ending and how Priscilla proved herself to Thad.
I highly recommend this one and I will continue with the series!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2810666244

Mr Thaddeus Middleton wants a wife, not someone who looks good on his arm, but someone he can love forever. He spends his time at Almacks looking, as it is known as a marriage mart. He is not rich, not does he have a title. He meets Miss Priscilla Weatherby who is someone he wants to know better. She lives with her grandmother, and never knows when her father and grandfather who are adventurers will come back. If Priscilla has no scandal, she inherits a tidy some that will give her enough money to become an adventureress herself. She and Thaddeus become close and realize they are falling in love. Will she be able to leave him when it it time for her to inherit? When her father comes back, it is the perfect time to ask for her hand. This is book three in the Wicked Dukes and I had hoped it would be about Thaddeus as I am in love with him. It was a sweet and spicy romance. I absolutely loved it. I received this book from Net Galley, WebMotion and the author for a honest review.

Priscilla has a dream, one that is based on the fantasy that someday her father will return to England's shores for her and take her adventuring across the plains of Africa with him. Failing that, she has her future trust that she can rely on. It will give her independence and even if she doesn't join her father, she can fill her life with all the adventure she wants. When Thaddeus sees Priscilla in a crowded ballroom, he knows that she is the woman who will steal his heart. His friends jokingly tell him to look for signs, and before he knows it, all the signs align, leading him straight to Priscilla's side. When he finds that her heart is set on being totally independent, he is heartsore, but nevertheless sets about wooing her in a way that only she can appreciate. I loved the characters in this book, although I could have quite gladly beaten Priscilla's father about the head with an umbrella, as it would seem her grandmother would have liked to do as well. The story is well written, with a charming, romantic and witty hero and Priscilla is a woman who knows what she wants, but my heart ached for her when reality intruded in on her dreams. I was glad to know that she had the ability to sift out what was really important in her life. I received a copy of this book as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Thaddeus Middlefield is in want of a wife.
Miss Priscilla Weatherby, living with her grandmother, is just trying to arrive at her goal of two more unattached seasons to get control of her trust money. Unfortunately she doesn't possess all the facts.
However both will encounter a big problem...a very strong attraction to each other. The tale is woven around each trying to reach their goal, hers, a life of adventure, his, a wife, preferably her.
Containing strong emotions, steamy love scenes and well defined characters, this book in the Wicked Dukes' Club series delivers.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse.

The Wicked Dukes Club are some of the most romantic stories I have read. They are so very sweet and awe inspiring. Third book in and I am smiling and grinning like a loon at the end of each book. Thad is such a gentleman and I love his camaraderie with everyone from other guys to wallflowers to diamonds. Now Priscilla on the other hand is a little sad – most people have very upstanding fathers but her father leaves her and rarely comes back. She just wants to believe so much that her whole life was seen through rosy glasses. You have to feel sorry about that. Fortunately, Thad is a perfect foe/friend to her. The ending is fantastic.