This was a very good Regency romance novella. There was one issue with the lack of communication, but it wasn't drawn out, so not a huge negative. Also, while the cover is gorgeous, it doesn't match the hair colors of the MCs. It confused me at first when the MCs were described with the opposite hair color, but I just went with it. I know authors have little final say over covers, but it is a pet peeve of mine when the cover doesn't match the contents with specific details like that.

The story was cute, I loved the angst at the end. Also, the fortuneteller bit in the beginning was great, I really enjoyed that and how it was woven through the rest of the story. We have cameos from the first few couples from the first books, which was nice. I think the connection between this female MC and the other couples was much looser than the connection between the first four female characters and I admit I missed it. The next book follows someone who was mentioned in passing in this book, so while there is a connection, it is not as deep as in the first few books. While I enjoy the continuity and I understand that not everyone in the village are bosom friends, it doesn't connect as tightly to the other stories.

While my favorite of the books I have read so far is the last one, this one was also quite good. 4 solid stars. Recommended if you enjoy Regency romance set in a cute little town known as Christmas. Also, other than a few very passionate kisses and an almost encounter on a couch, quite clean.

My thanks to NetGalley and WebMotion for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Adam Farland, the 6th Duke of Azureford, is thought of as cold and indifferent. What he really is, is shy. He decides building a billiard room in his country estate will be a reason to attract people to his home so that he can practice his social skills. His neighbor, Carole, is outgoing and well-liked in the village. It just so happens she is and excellent billiards player with an interest in architecture and design. The two decide to help each other. She will help him learn to flirt while he will let her design the room. Two interesting characters in a short novella. If you didn't know much about billiards, you will now.

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Another delightful regency romance with lovely flirting and great characters.

It's back to Cressmouth aka Christmas and I could not be more delighted. It has been almost a year since number four in the 12 Dukes of Christmas was released. Only this time it is not winter in Christmas, but the same quirkiness in the town and its inhabitants continues. It is that quirkiness that makes these books very worth reading. Yes, there are 12 Dukes in Cressmouth, just not all of the human variety. This one features the Duke of Azureford. In the past he has come off as being aloof, but in turns out he is shy. He is a very proper member of Parliament, serving on many committees, his expertise in great demand. However, talking to the opposite sex, making friends is a little behind him. At least until he meets the whirlwind known as Carole Quincy. A ruse to find her sketchbook lost in the duke's library turns into a friendship neither expected. Will it go further than friendship? Read the book to find out. You will not be disappointed.

There is a reason that Erica is one of my favorite historical authors. I love reading her books and connecting with the characters.
In this story, from The Twelve Dukes of Christmas series, grabbed my attention from the first line to the last. I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.
The story is set in the fictional town of Christmas and the main characters are Carole and Adam, the Duke of Azureford. Carole has misplaced her sketchbook and needs to get it back which brings her into contact with The Duke. Adam would like to find a respectable woman to marry, but is shy and awkward. He decides to ask Carole, his unconventional neighbor, to teach him to flirt. Although he feels an attraction to her, she is not an acceptable choice for his Duchess.
We follow Carole and Adam as they dance around their attraction to each other. They, along with an excellent cast of supporting characters, make this an excellent holiday read.
Thank you Erica Ridley, Webmotion and NetGalley for allowing me this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

this whole christmastown is growing on me. not my favorite, i think that characters who are stoic just for the sake of it, without really any reason are boring, and the heroine was annoying for most of the book, but it was refreshing to see her chase after him for a change.

I absolutely adore this book I thought Carole and Adam made a very good couple. I loved Judith and Swindon together. Thank you for letting me read the story.

As always, Ridley's characters delighted me. Her unconventional heroine, and her shy hero both made me swoon.
Well-written, and very romantic, this story worked well in every aspect.

I love this series. Its like comfort food ... you know what you will get and it will make you feel full and happy.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC.

Dukes, Actually is a bit of a surprise, a pleasant one! The Duke of Azureford may appear to be a stuffy duke, but he is extremely shy and awkward. His silence is off putting to a lot of his peers, but he is apparently somewhat eloquent in the House of Lords, or at least a passably good speaker. The poor man is trying to find ways to overcome his loneliness and make friends. I love the new duke vs. the old duke scenarios he uses to overcome his issues.

Carole Quincy, poor woman, has left a sketchbook in the duke’s home. She is doing what she can to find it before anyone else does. Her somewhat scheming ways to search for her sketchbook have her developing an unusual relationship with the duke. I loved her honesty once she finds the book. She holds nothing back. The Duke, too, seems to appreciate her honesty.

This may be my favorite Erica Ridley book due to the unusual character traits of Adam, the Duke, and Carole. They are definitely a case of opposites attracting. This may, also, be the first book of Ms. Ridley’s that was not extremely sensual. That is not good or bad, just factual. Love this series, 12 Dukes of Christmas.

Dukes, Actually ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Duke of Azureford isn’t the arrogant, aloof lord his peers perceive him to be. Yes, he’s awkward, but he has a plan to fix it. In order to woo a respectable lady, he must learn how to flirt. The completely inappropriate girl next door would make a perfect instructor, but a terrible duchess. So why can’t he walk away?

Incorrigible hoyden Miss Carole Quincy likes fast carriages, carom billiards, and the beautiful, buttoned-up Duke of Azureford. She’d be delighted to help him out of his shell and into her arms. Who cares if they’re just pretending to flirt? The heady, breath-taking, soul-consuming feeling inside her runaway heart surely can’t be love…

Who knew so much could happen in a little village called Christmas? Certainly I didn’t expect it. While I typically avoid the “holiday themed” romance stories because well...they are typically over the top sticky sweet.

A light hearted tale of true romance. Not too angsty or overly dramatic, no kidnapping or damsels in distress here. This hit all my marks for a quick rainy weekend romance read

I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you NetGalley, Erica Ridley and Webmotion.

My Rating : 4
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Thank you so much Net galley for the review copy. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.
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I was already a fan of Erica Ridley since I had read few of her books when I requested this book. When I read the blurb, it really intrigued me and made me want to read this book so much that I requested it.
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This book follows our main characters, the socially awkward Duke of Azureford and the quick witted hoyden Miss Carol. The first thing I loved about this was the character traits assigned to the main characters. I have read a lot of historical romances and this book definitely stands one step above the usual cliche characters and the way they communicate. Carol is quick to determine what she wants in life and is really determined to make things work in her favour. And the Duke is just an absolute sweetheart who is absolutely smitten ( but can't recognize that himself ) and is ready to learn from Carol on how he should behave.
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The second is obviously the story telling style and the way this plot progressed. There are a lot of moments where the decisions of the characters doe not lead to more drama but just expresses what they actually want is quite refreshing to read about. I was so used to the historical romances etiquette that this was quite a fresh breath. It is no the most uncommon thing in these books by any means, but this just surprised me because of my previous reads.
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Overall, if you are a fan of historical fiction or romance or just quirky characters in a book who knows what they want and is confident in expressing their opinions, definitely give this a try! This series is not a continuous series but a collection that follows different characters based on the previous books.

I enjoyed reading this book. Adam and Carole were meant to be together. I found Adam's character to be very sweet. I liked his list of his requirements for the perfect bride. Each one listed after something that Carole inspired. Very sweet, charming book.

Love this series! Will definitely come back to the author. Love the unique plot and setting. No rakes or ton beauties, pure charm.

4 1/2 stars.
This sweet romance, like others in the series, can be read as a stand-alone. There is very little tension as the book focuses almost entirely on the two main characters. Rather, we are treated to the gentle, well-written tale of a shy duke confronted with an outgoing and accomplished young woman. Adam is determined to overcome his shyness so as to be comfortable attending the kind of functions where he might meet a future wife. He decides that learning to play billiards might help him to make friends. To that end, he will remove all of the books from the library at his summer home in Cressmouth, and replace them with a billiards table. His neighbor, Carole, is a budding architect and an expert billiards player. She has honed the skill in order to play with her father in hopes of helping him overcome his melancholy due to his wife’s death. They meet when Carole sneaks into Adam’s presumably, finally, vacant cottage to retrieve her sketchbook, which she had accidentally dropped there months before. There are very few surprises here. Each resists the attraction as unsuitable, but we know how this tale will end. The delight is in getting there.

This delightful book was a fairly quick read and although I would have liked more description of the town, I was charmed. The book was surprisingly clean despite some kissing between the main characters, focusing more on the romance than the sexual tension between the characters. I liked that the duke was shy but was trying to become a new man by going outside his comfort zone. I felt the fortune teller towards the beginning of the book was unnecessary for the storyline but I guess it added a quirk to the book.

Erica Ridley is an amazing Storyteller! Every single book I read of hers is great! Can't wait for her next book!!

Dukes, Actually by Erica Ridley is another gem. The personality of each character is so distinct! They are delightful as I got to know each one. And, in combination they are dazzling. The storyline is cute and fun. I enjoyed every page! Love the Christmas "themes!"

Absolutely adored this book. I love whenever Erica has a new book in this series and can’t wait to read them. I love how completely pulled into the characters you get and how invested you are. There is enough explanations in the book to read it as a stand-alone but if you read them in order you might pick up on more. A great read.

Yay, Erica did it again! I love coming back to Christmas, to meet new inhabitants and see how they learn to enjoy the village. This time it is the Duke of Azureford, Adam, who realizes that he needs to overcome his shyness if he ever wants to find a wife. Because currently, everybody thinks that Adam is an arrogant prick, because he doesn't talk to anyone. So, he has decided he will give a big party in his winter estate at Christmas. But the idea of having to talk to people all the time pretty much scares Adam. So, now he has an idea to transform one of his rooms into a billiards room. Surely, that can't be too difficult?
Miss Carole Quincy is the neighbor of Adam. She isn't shy at all, but she hides a secret: she loves architecture and she would like to reorganize rooms. But no woman is allowed to do stuff like that. When she accidentally loses one of her secret sketchbooks at the Duke's place, she tries to retrieve it. But she is caught by Adam. In exchange of his silence on the sketchbook, Carole promises to help him create his billiards room and help him overcome his shyness. But while they bicker and banter, a beautifully romance is blossoming. And not only between Adam and Carole... Swoon and sigh and enjoy the story! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.