Member Reviews
I'm loving author Erica Ridley's 12 DUKES series. Her latest installment was right up my alley. I love how the heroine stood up to the hero. I'm so glad they were given a second chance.
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
Wow, we are getting closer to the end of this series and this is one of my favorite books in the series! There is intrigue, drama, romance, and some diabolical machinations going on in this book.
Olive and Elijah both had past problems that shaped their lives and the humiliation that Elijah heaped on Olive was only so he escaped punishment from his father.
Olive rightly refused to marry to end the feud and to gain the horse farm and Elijah fought against the plot his father had concocted They both care for each other but how are they going to get out of this mess and have their HEA??
Could not put this down until the end and it was well worth every minute! Can't wait for the last book when the Duke gets his story..
The premise of this book was a very interesting one, and I enjoyed the gradual unfolding of the backstory about the hero and heroine. As with many modern romances, the ease with which the heroine through off the mores of the time was a little implausible. The hero's scruples as he debates whether to betray the heroine were to his credit, but one does wish that he displayed a little stronger character throughout.
I really enjoyed this installment of the 12 Dukes series! If you have read the preceding novella's, you will be familiar with Olive and her family's famous horse farm. It turns out her father has been feuding with a former business partner for decades and he has a scheme to reconcile by setting Olive up with Eli -his former partners son! There were a few things about this book that really stood out for me. The first is the relationship between Eli and his father, and how his hatred of Olive's father affected how he treated his son. I also loved the relationship with Olive and her dad. I thought it was so interesting that he was deaf, I so rarely see deaf characters in romance novels and it was done really nicely. And of course the love story of Olive and Eli was great, the way Eli turned Olive's feelings for him around was perfect. The only thing that felt too rushed was the ending resolution between the fathers.
This was my first Erica Ridley book. I enjoyed it, a cosy read but for me the personalities and traits of the main characters seemed a bit too modern. I enjoyed that one of the characters was deaf, and would definitely read more by this author.
This series is amazing and this installment was great. I love the tension and banter between the characters. I also really love the backstory of these two characters and how they work through the hurts of the past. Erica is such a good writer and brings such amazing characters to the page.
W.O.W!!! What a thrilling book. There was rarely a page that did not have suspense, excitement, extreme emotions and feelings. Olive and Eli were amazing characters. So lively, so realistic, so animated. It was so easy to identify with them. Their feelings of fear, shame, hurt, regret, anger but more importantly love. I love the "Duke" series. Each book in unique and exciting. I really look forward to the next book. I highly recommend this book.
Can this series get any better? I really don't think so, but I hope I'm wrong.
Because this book, people, this book!
This is one of my favorite reads of the year, OK? And I've read more than 200 books, and most of them were actually good, so I know what I'm saying.
Since the moment the plot twist in the middle of the book managed to surprise me, I was a goner. I usually predict plot twists, because I'm always thinking of all possible scenarios and consequences. Yes, I'm that annoying.
So, for a book to manage to get me into the story so much that I'm not overanalyzing it, it must be really, really good.
Also, I loved the characters so much, I might have a crush on both of them. Olive is a badass, a true feminist from the XIX century, with her horses and her stubbornness and her independence. And Elijah is such a cute guy, with his love for plants and his nerdy attitude and his vulnerability but also his decisiveness. I loved how they supported each other even when they were "enemies", and how they learned to be what the other needed without losing themselves in the process.
This book is just so good and inspiring and the Romance is just too sweet and non-toxic. Really, I can't express how much it has moved me.
So, please, read it. Please. Of you're only reading one Christmas Romance in all of your life, please let it be this one.
Eli and Olives families have been feuding for years but her father thinks it may now be time to make peace so he suggests that Olive marry Eli. The only problem is that Eli humiliated Olive when they were younger and she can’t forgive him
Olive is a fabulous character, she is strong and independent but she also adores her father and would do almost anything to make him happy. She is a brilliant horsewoman and trainer and her families farm is well known across the country, not only for the horses but also the exclusivity of owning them. Olive manages her emotions by riding, it makes her happy and let’s her be herself rather than the person Eli and his family humiliated
I loved Eli, he may not love horses but he adores botany and dreams of finding a medicinal plant that will stop other women dying from childbirth in the way his mother did. Eli had never forgotten Olive, not because of the feud but instead because of the person she is and he hated what he had done to her and wanted her forgiveness
Being able to see the story from both Eli and Olives point of view really worked and made them feel more human, let me understand more about what is happening in their minds and adore them in a way that I may not have been able to as easily
This is not a traditional historical romance but it worked so well because of that and it had me hooked right from the start
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a book full of drama with some fantastic characters and some unexpected surprises
I loved TEN DAYS WITH A DUKE! Some of the stories in this series were just 'meh', but this one was witty, poignant, and well written. Olive Harper is the mistress of a horse farm in Cressmouth, aka Christmas, which she owns with her deaf father. Her father has been embroiled in a long feud with his former partner, the Marquess of Milbotham. Elijah Weston, the son of the marquess, appears on Olive's doorstep with an offer of marriage, with the hope that the feud will finally end. Should Olive trust him? She gives him 10 days to prove his worth.
Erica Ridley is becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors. This is the fourth book I've read from her "12 Dukes of Christmas" series, and the one I've liked best so far--a scientist and an equestrian fall in love despite a family feud--what's not to like? There were a few plot twists I wasn't expecting.
Ms. Ridley also includes diverse characters in her books, along with some factual notes at the end. In this case, it's a deaf character who must lip-read since very few people can communicate with signs. The postscript discusses the state of sign language in the regency period.
I think I will be attempting to read all 12 stories by Christmas. Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for a chance to read this one in exchange for an honest review.
This was another great book to read. The plot kept me interested and wanting to know what was going to happen. The main characters were interesting, funny at times and l was so pleased with the ending l do recommend that you read this book.
A historical enemies to lovers romance.
Continuing in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, book number 11 features Olive and Elijah who are both casualties of a feud between their fathers. Trying to mend the rift, both of the fathers agree to marriage between their offspring and Eli is sent to Christmas with a marriage license to propose to Olive. Olive is not ready to hand her home and her whole purpose in life to the man who humiliated her and sets Eli a nearly impossible challenge over 10 days.
This book contains everything I have come to enjoy from an Erica Ridley story in that it is well written, has strong female characters that are able to fend for themselves which is unlike a lot of other books set in this time period. Not everything as it seems as well with a couple of plot twists that had me shouting ‘dont do it’ and a few humorous moments also.
I like that these books can be read as standalone yet give the reader an increasing sense of this charming place known as Christmas.
The Duke in this book is also as many dukes appear to be, standoffish and unapproachable at first yet once you get to know them they are loyal and caring.
Another great read!
I love Erica Ridley's style of writing -- and her regency romances are THE BEST. This book really had me connected to both Olive and Elijah. Especially with that enemy to lovers feel.
Olive and Elijah met as children of rival horse breeders. That meeting set in motion a most horrible time for Olive. 10 years later, they meet up again. Elijah, blackmailed by his father, has come to Harper's farm to put an end to the families' feud. Olive is ready to exact her revenge, having never gotten over her public humiliation all those years ago. Olive gives Elijah 10 days to win her heart. And Elijah quickly begins to feel attracted to her. He begins to falter in his resolve obey his father. Desperate for the money promised to him if he publicly jilts Olive, Elijah finds himself caught. Can he outwit his father, get his money and marry Olive? Or is he destined to break her heart once again? And Olive? Can she forgive the deception? A great read in this series. Although it can be read as a standalone, it makes a wonderful addition to the theme of the books. The characters are lovable and the setting makes you wish you were there.
The bad: I had a hard time with the cruelty of a certain teal character in this book. The good: the MCs were delightful. It was good to see a male MC who so clearly respects the intelligence, talent, and character of the female MC. Overall, a good, quick read.
I just loved this story. Eli and Olive were such good people. I won't spoil the story, but I think a lot of us will commensurate with our h&h.
I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine
I've read a few of thus author's books now and this is another belter
Thoroughly enjoyed
Olive and Eli have a long history together. A feud has raged between their families and Eli humiliated Olive many years ago and now her Father want's the two of them to marry.
Olive is crushed and angry at herself for still finding Eli attractive but she comes up with an impossible demand on his part before she will say I do.
The arrangement however puts the pair in even closer proximity an helps never forgotten feelings grow. It took me a lot longer to warm up to this couple. I did find Ridley's showing how the the past haunted Olive despite he skills, a very important part of Olives reactions. Eli was interesting but I didn't really click with both characters until midway through the book. Still overall a very sweet read.
I read almost everything that Erica Ridley writes, but it's rare that her books rise above 3-stars for me. I enjoy everything, but they tend to be more pleasant than exceptional. However, sometimes she comes out and wows me, and Ten Days with a Duke was one of those times.
One of the best things about Erica Ridley is her pacing. Her stories are quick and move along speedily, and they never fail to keep my attention. However, that's often a double-edged sword because sometimes the relationship building feels rushed. In Ten Days with a Duke, it felt just right.
I love, love, love a good enemies-to-lovers story, and I got a true one here. Sure, the male MC doesn't feel the animosity that the female MC experiences, but it was a real enemies-to-lovers. Elijah had to really prove himself to Olive to win her over, and I liked how Olive didn't give in easily.
I enjoyed the fact that Olive's father was deaf, and I liked the addition of sign language in the story. It was interesting to read the afterward from the author and find out a little bit more about sign language during that time period. I also loved the details about caring for horses and botany, which is Elijah's passion.
My one issue is that I didn't think Elijah's father needed any sort of redemption storyline. I won't go into it much, but I thought he was a cruel, horrible man, and he didn't need to be softened up at all. It actually knocked the story down 1/2 a star for me because it felt off for his character. However, despite that, I enjoyed the heck out of Ten Days with a Duke, and it gave me the lovely Christmas warm and fuzzies that I crave this time of year.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*