I am an avid reader of Erica Ridley's work, but this one wasn't a favorite. I really liked the main female character, Angelica. I loved the fact that she is a POC and has a real talent for jewelry. The main male character, Jonathan, was kind of a turn off. I don't mind that he was driven by work, but his instant feelings for Angelica struck me as way too much. I enjoyed going back to Cressmouth and learning more about people we have seen in previous novels in this series. It's a nice read, but not the best male lead.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful Christmas romance novella with a great POC main character. I loved the wittiness of the story. I am normally quite apprehensive about picking up novellas because a lot of times it is not long enough to get much character development. However, that was not the case with this novella. This was super character-driven so we were able to get some good development, a sweet Christmas story, and a great relationship between the two main characters. I really enjoyed this story.

- 4 stars -

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first book by Erica Ridley, and I'll definitely be going back and reading the others in this series! Short and sweet, One Night with a Duke follows Jonathan MacLean, a happy-go-lucky philanthropist who seeks constant adventure and talented jeweler Angelica Parker who has spent her life fighting for recognition.

This is a character driven romance, and I loved these characters! Angelica is driven, determined to make a name for herself and fight against society’s view of her as a Black woman. Jonathan is a riot. He’s sweet, outgoing and fun while also secretly haunted by his past and therefore keeps people at an arms-length. The romance between these two was sweet and so fun to read; I had a smile on my face the whole time. I also liked that this was a mixed race couple and Ridley wrote about the Black community and abolition in 19th century England.

I would recommend if you’re looking for:
- Regency time period: takes place in 1814
- Christmas romance
- Novella length
- Low steam: a few kissing scenes

I enjoyed both lead characters. The relationship was sweet and I enjoyed a story featuring different representation than the traditional stories of the time period.

Another nice story in this series by Erica Ridley. The setting is lovely for a Christmas story and the characters are interesting. It was a quick and easy read.

This series lost a little bit of its sparkle with this entry. While still containing Ms Ridley's signature wit I found it less entertaining than others I have read. Perhaps because our hero simply comes across as very lonely and at time unintelligent and flighty I wasn't as enamored as I have been. I'm hoping the next book will be a return to form for one of my favorite authors.I received an arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *Blurb and cover image via Goodreads.

I have loved the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, and this one was no exception! She jeweler and shopkeeper Angelica and vagabond businessman Jonathan seem like an odd couple. But it is obvious from the start that each possesses a quality the other needs, to find true happiness. Despite their growing love, compromise does not come easily, but as always love wins out.

Another delightful Regency romance from Erica Ridley! The hero, Johnathan, was such a surprise that it took a bit for me to figure him out. His larger-than-life antics are the perfect contrast to heroine Angelica's ordered nature. What a fun holiday read—don't miss it!

I received a NetGalley ARC, and this is my honest review.

Erica Ridley has proven herself a master of vivid imagery. Her descriptions of Cressmouth (Christmas) enthrall her readers to the point we actually feel as if we are there. The storyline focuses on the characters growth, both apart and as a couple, instead of the steamy physical aspects of the relationship. This is a very sweet family friendly read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I received an advanced reader copy of this work from netgalley and all opinions expressed are my own. Regards, Anna

One Night with a Duke is the tenth book in Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series set in the village of Cressmouth, more commonly known as Christmas because they celebrate the holiday year round. The series features full time villagers and tourists, and in this instalment, our heroine is Angelica Parker,  the local jeweller, while the hero Jonathan MacLean is a Scot visiting on business. Jonathan never visits the same place twice but Angelica has ties to the village that keep her there, so they must figure out a compromise in order to be together.

Seven years prior to the events in the story, Angelica was given the opportunity to own her own shop in Cressmouth and jumped on it – but there was a catch.  That catch was that she would be unable to leave Cressmouth for any reason for those seven years. After that time however, the shop is hers free and clear. That’s fine with her because she has no time to do anything but work, and certainly no time to spend with her large, boisterous family. And then Jonathan MacLean (and no, he’s not the titular duke; in fact the only duke in the story is very peripheral to it) enters her shop for the first time and turns her world upside down.

Jonathan hates Christmas and is only reluctantly in Cressmouth so he and his business partner Calvin (from the previous book) can pitch an idea to the Duke of Nottingvale.  When a snowstorm means Calvin is unable to meet him there, Jonathan begins exploring the village to pass the time, and happens upon Angelica’s shop. Before long he finds himself returning there every day to read to her as she works. As their feelings for each other grow, Angelica must decide if some things are more important than work, and Jonathan must decide if he’s finally found a home.

Oh, how good it always feels to be back in Christmas!! Erica Ridley has done an excellent job of world building so whether it’s been a month or year since I read the last title in the series, I have no problem jumping right back in. And it’s always a delight to visit the different villagers.

In this case, our heroine is a local businesswoman. I loved her strength and her determination to make it on her own, especially since she had to work so much harder, not just as a woman but also as a Black woman. I found her point of view to be fascinating. At times she can be too focused, but Jonathan’s almost bubbly personality pulls her out of that focus so she can enjoy herself, too. In that, he’s the perfect hero for her.  Jonathan is a nice change from the typical brooding or too serious heroes often found in historical romance.

The main conflict is interesting and one faced by real couples. Yes, it’s solved fairly easily with a conversation, but since it wasn’t a conversation that could’ve happened at the beginning of the story, I was still intrigued to learn how they would solve the problem.

I am going to be so sad to see this series end. It has been such a delight to get to know the residents and visitors of Cressmouth and with a strong heroine and fun-loving hero, One Night with a Duke was no exception.

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Loved reading the engaging and enthralling historical romance. When Jonathan MacLean, a philanthropist, traveler, and adventurer, is stuck in town due to a blizzard, he meets a talented, beautiful jeweler in her shop, Angelica Parker. Even though sparks and attraction ignite between Jonathan and Angelica, Angelica knows that Jonathan is just passing through the town onto his next adventure taking her heart with him. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read love story.

Honestly, Erica Ridley does historical romance so well. I love dipping into her books when I get the chance!

The 12 Dukes of Christmas is one that I've been working my way through slowly but surely. When another one popped up on NetGalley, I jumped at it! Who doesn't love a little historical romp? Well, obviously some readers. But I like them!

Jonathan MacLean is one handsome Scot and, my oh my, does this book show it! He's a charming man ready to woo out leading lady. Or is he? Temptation is gonna get this man, I tell ya! He meets Angela, a jeweller, and suddenly our story takes off.

This romance is hot and sweet and everything I want in this series. It met my expectations and exceeded them. I was whisked away, swooned over the couple, and fell in love hard. This series gets me every time.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to WebMotion and NetGalley for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

This was a sweet, charming story I thoroughly enjoyed. Lovely hero and heroine. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, this was a fun read.

What a breathless whirlwind of romance!

Jonathan has a frenetic, relentless energy with his constant questions and carefully cultivated bon homie, that for some reason remind me of a Roald Dahl character. Angelica is talented, skilled and beautiful, determined to succeed in her 7 year commitment to her jewellery business.

Both are focused on making their mark in the world for different (albeit family related) reasons, and their growing relationship and desire to be together is hostage to their very different plans to achieve this.

Christmas at Cressmouth, the town's traditions, family frolics in the snow, and constant mouth-watering biscuits make a great seasonal backdrop to their tale, and how they try to work out if their future can be combined.

Its great to read a historical romance that shows how black people were already integral to C19th English life, whilst also touching on the more current/recent history, and I will certainly be following up on the links and sources at the end.

My only query was about the mistletoe tree decorations having red berries, when they are more usually white in the UK.

The idea of an interracial couple in early 1800’s was intriguing and I had never read anything from this author.. Unfortunately the book was not intriguing and I won’t be reading further books. Seeing the reviews of her books, there are others who would disagree with me.

Nothing really happened. They met, they interacted, they figured their stuff out. I couldn’t really see the romance building. Also, another miss for me was Jonathan’s rambling nature. Not that he was always traveling, though he was. But the fact that he just talked and talked and talked. I was over him pretty quickly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. This did not Influence my opinions.

Mini review for One Night with a Duke by Erica Ridley. I received an ARC from NetGalley for the review.

Anjelica Parker is the undisputed jeweler of Cressmouth (Christmas). Everyone knows she makes the best pieces. And after committing 7 years to the Duke, she'll own the shop outright this Christmas. Making a name is a lot easier when there's no mortgage payment. Meanwhile irreverent Jonathan MacLean arrives in town to partner with the Duke for a ready-made menswear line. What happens when a talented dreamer meets a man afraid of setting roots?

Since this is a mini, I won't completely into detail about how much I loved this story. The relationship felt organic, no instalove, but a growing companionship with layers of respect and agency. Ridley is fantastic with consent in general.

As much as I loved Jonathan and his story, Angelica's story was so much more. From an acknowledgment of how her race would success harder, the conversations on abolition, to the family dynamic of the many Parkers. She was complex, aware, and filled with ambition.

And that ambition helped solidify their relationship. Both wanted to strike out on their own. And I appreciated their family nuances. The romance was solid and works as a companion story to Dawn with a Duke.

Giving it a 4.25/5. Only knocking off points because I would have enjoyed more Parker chaos in the castle and less tell about how Jonathan interacted with them.

This book was just such a joy to read. The hero, Jonathan MacLean, is a traveling salesman and investor who gets stuck in a small village during Christmas because of a snowstorm. The heroine, Angelica, is an ambitious and talented Black woman who runs her own jewelry shop. Where Angelica is serious and focused, Jonathan is bursting with energy and chatter. I adored watching these two opposites attract and learn from each other. Erica Ridley's writing is clever and sweet in equal turns. This book is all fluff and heart without much heat, but it's a lovely family-friendly read for the holiday season.

I read all of Erica Ridley's books, and I always enjoy them, even if they don't often wow me. One Night with a Duke was another pleasant historical holiday read from Erica Ridley with some really great features that will stand out to readers.

I adored the fact that we got a Black female MC in a historical romance. I read a lot of historical romance, and to find diversity there, especially in European romances, is exceedingly rare. POC existed, of course, during that time period in Europe, and they deserve to be included in historical romance. I was so, so pleased to see the cover of this book, and I couldn't wait to get started.

The story is sweet and has a ton of Christmas spirit, just like I was expecting from this series. I think it's a bit better if you've read Dawn with a Duke prior to reading this one, since the stories are intertwined, but it isn't necessary.

I enjoyed the female MC, Angelica, a ton. She is a strong, talented jeweler who has worked hard her entire life to prove herself. I really enjoyed her, even though I thought some of the details of her life and past were slightly underdeveloped (not that surprising for a novella).

The male MC, Jonathan, on the other hand wasn't quite my cup of tea. He seemed a bit... manic, and he came across as a kind of a lot. I thought his boisterous personality was overwhelming, and I found him to be edging towards annoying rather than charming. I also didn't love his instalove with Angelica. I prefer my romances to be more slow burn in general, though I know that's harder for a novella. His backstory was interesting as it evolved, but I also think it could have used more fleshing out.

One Night with a Duke is a sweet, easy to read romance that will please Erica Ridley fans. I loved the diversity, and I hope Erica Ridley continues to use more non-white characters in her romances.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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Well... I just loved this story! Angelica is the heroine and has worked for everything she has. She is set on accomplishing her goals with no distractions. Hmmm enter distraction in the form of Jonathan, the Scot. He so fun and confident, he slowly wins her (and himself) over to love. Fabulous story! I agree with other reviewers--I am black and learned so much about race in the time period in England. I loved that this was a positive book and so refreshing, especially in comparison to what's going on in the "real" world. 5 stars to the author for bringing us this joyful and romantic story! It made me happy!!!!

This is a sweet romance (no heart pounding steam here!) and I really enjoyed it. A true palate cleanser.

I loved Angelica, a Black shop owner who has her goals prioritized. Jonathan, a Scottish rich traveler walks into her shop. Jonathan has abandonment issues and likes to hop from place to place. Angelica is worried about her life’s work and wants to be successful.

All in all, a very short sweet romance with no real steam (all the clothes stay on in this one, folks!) which I didn’t expect after reading the last Duke book by Ridley, but I really enjoyed it. Love a Christmas story and I will read the next in the series!