I received an ARC of The Duke's Desire from Netgalley and Erica Ridley. This is the story of Lucien LeDuc, the blacksmith and Meg, the very talkative and loving organizer. She's also exuberant and ambitious, a little eccentric but super lovable.
Both have the desire to be needed and feel important by others, but neither realizes that what they need and want has always been right in front of them. A fun, loving story with laugh out loud moments

This was requested on a whim because I couldn’t resist the synopsis.

I loved Meg. She’s outspoken and maybe a little outlandish and isn’t apologetic for it. Lucien was gruff and stoic and delightfully broken down by Meg. I loved reading their interactions and her incessant talking about sex in books. There are a lot of other characters and I’m guessing most of them are from previous books.

Plot wise, it was okay. At times, it seemed like I was expected to know about the town and the families and why there was one random castle that seemed to be a tourist attraction of sorts. My main complaint is that I didn’t really see the leap from kissing to love. There was some telling instead of showing and while the ending felt wrapped up too quickly, I did like the epilogue.

Overall, the characters kept me reading. I’m not sure if I’ll be looking into the other books, but I am mildly intrigued about them.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Mon Deau. This is such a great book filled with humor, French and of course a Duke that I want to explore books with. Lucien plans on going back to France to check on the families fortunes since the war is over. Meg is a farm girl in Cressmouth. She is tutoring Lucien in English. I loved both of these characters. I don't want to rewrite this book as it is already amazing. I have been waiting for this one to come out. It did not disappoint. My most favorite Duke but I say that every time. Each book is better than the last. I received this book from Net Galley and the publisher for a honest review.

I thought that this was a delightfully charming read. I liked Lucien and Meg so much. These opposites really stole their way into my heart!I felt that there was a real uniqueness to these characters and that held a lot of appeal for me. Together as a couple, I thought they were perfection! The story is engaging and held my attention easily. This book is a wonderful combination of emotions, humor and drama. I just loved it!

Ever since Lucien le Duc was forced to flee his beloved France during the revolution, his all-consuming goal has been to recover not only his lost land and fortune. He also wants back his birthright.
Meg Church adores three things: life in a village of perennial Yuletide, and the freedom of being a spinster with no reputation to protect and Lucien le Duc.
Her attraction to Lucien isn't something that she lets anyone know although some may have guessed.
Lucien has his ticket back to France and one for his brother in his pockets but Sébastien will not be using his as he is now married to Eve.
Will Lucien ask Meg to come with him to France?
I have been waiting patiently for Lucien to get his own story and the wait was worth it. The only drawback to this series is that the remainder will release in 2020. So far we have received four book per year. The first four released in 2018 now we get books 5 - 8 and next year the series will come to it's conclusion.
This final book for this year and they have each been a joy and an excellent holiday gift to Erica's readers.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5.0 stars for plot, story line and characterization. We had previously met Lucian in books # 6 & 7 and wondered if he would remain the standoffish brother or if there was someone that could make this tiger change his stripes.
It's going to be a long wait for the final four books of the series but I'm sure we all will enjoy them when they arrive.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to read from the author. This in no way affected my opinion of this novella which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Lucien Le Duc has worked in the smithy for 18 years toiling away until the day he can return to France with his brother and sister. The French Revolution has his parents killed and he vowed to protect his siblings any way he could. That meant relocating to England, specifically Cressmouth. The day has finally come to go back to France and reclaim his family's land, but his siblings have made love matches in Cressmouth and will not returning with him. While he waits for the day his ship will sail, he meets Meg Church, the local spinster who is witty, outrageous and intriguing. When Meg offers to tutor Lucien in English, he has no idea his life is about to upended once again.

The witty banter that comes out of Meg's mouth is outrageous, unexpected and so very entertaining. It catches Lucien off guard and yet draws him to Meg like a moth to the flame. The last Le Duc is resisting falling in love, but sometimes what the heart wants wins out against all odds. This was another delightful story in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. I can't wait to read the next one.

Loved it! Meg is such a great character! She is full of spunk and spark and doesn't care if she shocks people. Luc is just her opposite. He is afraid to show his true self. And set in the fun small town that embraces yuletide. I like that characters from previous stories pop up in the book too. This was a good escape read! Thanks for a time out from reality.

Meg Church has embraced her spinster lifestyle. She’s opted to enjoy the freedom of not having a husband dictating what she can or can’t do, and extremely happy being outrageous and bold with what she wants and she’s set her eyes on taking Lucien le Duc as a lover…if only in her fantasies…

Lucien le Duc is determined to leave England and return to his native France. A dream since he had to flee with his family during the revolutionary war, Lucien will let nothing change his mind…well almost nothing…there just happens to be a beautiful outspoken woman that may just make him think twice on his feelings of all things English…

Oh I’m so in love with Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series! These holiday romances are just the right mixture of sweet and heat! Highly recommend!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

2.5 stars.

This was just okay. The plot was fine and the characters weren’t the most unique or compelling. I think that after reading this and another of Ridley’s books, I’ve realized that she is just not my favorite historical romance author, nor is she an author that I feel the need to keep reading from.

Such a sweet book. I loved these characters and the du lacs. Such a fun series. I love how each book is it's own but learning the whole town.

Wildly bold Meg breaks through Luc’s cold demeaner to find he is an honorable and loving man. Can’t wait to read the next one! I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

The Duke's Desire is book eight in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series.
This one has been one of my favorites in the series. I loved reading about the older brother, Lucien le Duc, finding love in England when all along his plan was to go to back to France to reclaim his land and possessions and get married to a nice French girl.
His plan gets thwarted when he bumps into Meg at the library. He hires her to be his tutor. Even though he is determined to leave he does want to improve his English. I loved Meg. She was so outspoken and did what she wanted. I liked how she would make Lucien uncomfortable with her comments. She lets him know that upfront what she thinks about him. Feelings that she has had for six years. She lets him know that she wants to be with him and it throws him off guard. As they get to know each other their feelings begin to go deeper and he has to decide to either leave or stay. Luckily they both decide what is best for both of them.

Great story and highly recommend it!

Meg and Lucien's story at last!

I've wanted to read this for a long time. I knew there was more to Lucien than death stares and the story definitely doesn't disappoint. Meg has a great sense of humour and I really liked how the two of them got together.


Wondering how you're going to top this story, Erica.

This is book 7 in the 12 dukes of Christmas series. You do not have to read them in order but I think you will get more enjoyment if you do.
This one is about a young woman, Miss Eve Shelling who dreams of being a great journalist. She works
and writes for The Cressmouth Gazette a paper her father owns. Eve does all the work for the paper, runs the press, writes the articles and make sure the shipping is on time. Her father orders her to write and print only what he wants in the paper, positive things, stories of Christmas, Sleigh rides, wassailing . These will bring more tourist to a town know for Christmas. She wants to write about life, and how the village is so much more and about the people. Eve lost her mother years ago and carries not only sadness but quilt
the has taken over all her feelings. Her father does nothing now but stay in his den by himself.
She does not trust men period. Her best friend is Duenna who just happens to go ever where with her. She is a Hugh Bull mastiff dog that protects her and keeps men at large.
Monsieur Sebastien know as Bastien is the towns dandy, and one of the black smiths along with his brother Lucien.
They have been in Cressmouth for the last nineteen years, since having to flee from France.
Even thru Eve and Bastien have known about each other they just now start talking as they need each other now.
Bastien needs to sell the smithy so he and Lucien can return to France.
Eve needs a story she can write that is not about the some old things even if it upsets her father.
She and Bastien make a deal , she gets to write about the Brother's and in turn will help him sell the smithy.
As the learn about the other, and share things with each other, alone with some hot kissing.
Just as they are working it all out danger rises to end everything. There are many secrets in this small town,
and the wrong people finding out could hurt many. Saying any more would ruin the book for you.
You don't want to miss any of these books, but I think this may be my favorite. (I say that after each one)
I want to thank the author and NetGalley for giving me and ARC . I am voluntarily giving my honest opinion.

Delightful, fun and flirty romance!

Meg is everything that Lucien is not. She's outspoken, flirty, adventurous, and wants nothing more than to live in Cressmouth forever. He's broody, taciturn, frustrated, and can't wait to return to France. What they have in common is a deep loyalty to their families and an undeniable attraction to each other.

Lucien's family suffered greatly in the recent French revolution, but after twenty years of safety and security in England, all Luc wants is to return to the home and heritage he left behind. Meg's family had a much different experience in France, one that she has no desire to return to.

I enjoyed the banter and playfulness between these two, and appreciated the deftly-handled role reversal that was unusual in a Regency-era story, yet it perfectly matched the personalities of the main characters. It's always wonderful to see the emphasis on family in a romance, and here it was used to great effect all around.

As the third story focusing on the le Duc siblings, this one brings a bit of closure for the entire family. I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, and my only disappointment is that we have to wait another ten full months before the next Dukes of Christmas tale is published. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

5 stars

I've read quite a few of the other Dukes of Christmas books but I think Lucien/Meg book is the really poignant and happy making. We learn lots about Meg and share in the building friendship between the two of them.

I thought there were going to problems with a HEA but it all worked well..

I think this is the best of the series but then I might have to revisit some of the earlier Dukes.

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

3.5 stars rounded up

Margaret “Meg” Church is happy with her life, she lives with her cousin Jemima and her husband Allan (who own the local dairy farm), she has friends and spends most of her time at the castle surrounded by people. She is visiting her newly married friend Eve when she learns that Lucien le Duc is planning on returning to France. Meg is disappointed, she can’t imagine anyone wanting to leave Cressmouth and she has long harbored a tendre for Lucien. And even though the le Ducs have been saying they are leaving forever, she never actually thought he would go, especially now that his sister and brother have married and are staying in England.

For Lucien, the twelfth day of Christmas cannot come soon enough, he has been dreaming of returning to France and reclaiming his birthright since the day he and his siblings had at to flee 18 years ago. Lucien was raised as an aristocrat, he and his family lived in luxury, owned a fine home, vineyard and were distantly related to the King, but all that disappeared the day his parents were killed by an angry mob. Lucien, Sebastien and Desiree would have suffered the same fate if not for Jasper, an Englishman who saved them and brought them to Cressmouth. Lucien helped Jasper in the smithy and eventually took over, now that they have sold the smithy, there is nothing holding him back. Lucien has long resisted acclimating to England, even though he understands the language he refuses to speak English, but now that his sister has married and has stepchildren, Lucien agrees to try harder with his lessons. But his sister’s efforts to teach him have left him irritated and he needs a better teacher.

He is returning books to the castle library when he runs into Meg, literally. She flirts shamelessly with him and offers to help him learn to read, he is offended and leaves. Meg returns home and is dealt another blow, Jemima tells her that she is pregnant and needs the room that Meg uses for the baby. Meg is stunned, when she came to live with her cousin 8 years ago, it was a Godsend, Meg’s life had been filled with loss and heartache and she longed for a home, which she thought she had found, but now she doesn’t know what to do, she has nowhere to go, save a small plot of land in France and for her returning to France is not an option. She tells Jemima that she will be fine and starts planning her next move.

While in the park with Jemima, Meg learns that Lucien can read and realizes she insulted him, she tries to make amends and when he asks for her help in learning English, she readily agrees. They spend a lot of time together and the attraction between them grows, but with so many things potentially keeping them apart – most notably, his desire to return to France and her distain for the aristocracy, it seems like their relationship is doomed to end in heartbreak.

This installment was not as lighthearted as the previous books in the series, and while it is a well written, paced nicely, interesting and entertaining read, it is not my favorite in the series. I personally had a hard time with Meg’s very casual and frankly 21st century, cavalier attitude about intimate relations – I know that the author was trying to portray her as a woman who didn’t have to conform to “society” and therefore didn’t have to adhere to the rigid set of rules and restrictions that a debutant would have – but it just made her seem promiscuous and I can’t believe that she wouldn’t be shunned as loose woman, especially in such a small community. That said, I did enjoy the cameos with the other le Duc siblings and loved the epilogue. This is the eighth book in the series and it can easily be read as a standalone title – but you might want to read at least the two previous books – The Duke’s Bride and The Duke’s Embrace to get a bit more background on the le Duc family.

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

I would be shocked if anyone reading this latest 12 Dukes of Christmas story doesn’t fall in love with Meg and Lucien. The interaction between the two of them is entertaining. I have been waiting for Lucien’s story sever since we first met the quiet, always scowling Frenchman. All Lucien has wanted since arriving on English soil was to return to France to claim his birthright and take care of his family, but now that his brother and sister have fallen in love and married English citizens, Lucien isn’t as sure of his future. Meg, on the other hand, is happy in Cressmouth and just wants some stability and to be necessary. These two aren’t as far apart in what they want/need as one would think; they just need to open their hearts & minds.

I received an ARC of this story for an honest review.

The only thing bad about finishing this book is that I have to wait until October 2020 for the next one. Ms. Ridley has done an excellent job with these books. Meh and Lucien are just two more wonderful characters that readers will enjoy!

Another visit to wonderful to Cressmouth, a village where it seems Christmas all the time! This is Lucien le Duc the local blacksmith and Miss Margaret Church, spinsters delightful story!
Lucien's only goal had been for years to go back to his home in France and he has been saving. Alas it will be without his brother and sister who have both married and found happiness.
Meg Church was born to French parents and was raised in France during the war and time of turmoil. She longs for things she knows will just be taken away because it has in the past. So instead she embraces her spinsterhood. Secret liasons (oh yes!), loves meeting new people and helping those she can and a gift for organization all make up her person but she has had a secret admiration for Lucien for years!
As these two come together, there is so much humourous banter, laugh out loud moments, differing views on life but also an amazing attraction that yearns to break the barrier between them.
Prepare to be enchanted and not wanting this story to end! Well done!