A short Christmas time romance about a young woman obsessed with horses and a young man who is a botany scholar. Unique for its use of sign language with the daughter's deaf father. There is an unseemly arrangement of revenge at play but kisses turn to more sensual pursuits. Can love prevail?

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Just in time for a Holiday curl up by the fireplace for a lighthearted read!
Erica Ridley does not disappoint with this book! The deception is rampant and who do you trust when it’s like the Hatfields & the McCoy’s! The Harpers and the Westons have been feuding for so long that you wonder if they remember what set off the original conflict.

Olivia and Elijah have been put in the middle of the tussle since they were children and now they are expected to marry! Watch out for the fireworks to begin because Olivia is not about to be waltzed down no aisle with someone who humiliated her! Plus, she is not giving up her horse farm inheritance.
Elijiah is being given a chance to make things right because he has always loved Olivia. It’s his father that has evil intentions, but is there truly no subterfuge behind Elijah all of a sudden announcing his love for Olivia?

The author does a superb job in keeping the flow of the storyline moving the forward? As a result I wanted to know what happens next with these two young people at the mercy of there tug of war fathers! .

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

The future Duke has ten days to charm the strong-willed Olive Harper into marrying him, yet he’ll be lucky to get her to tolerate his presence. A sturdy horsewoman who stands as the only heir to her father’s stud farm, she has no interest in giving her entitlement over to a husband, especially not Elijah Weston for numerous reasons. But sometimes, there is more to a story or a man than meets the eye…

TEN DAYS WITH A DUKE is Erica Ridley’s latest in her historical romance series revolving around the holidays and a special village where the Christmas spirit is alive and well year round. Delightfully sassy, boldly endearing and not quite what you are expecting, this time out, Ms. Ridley has a slight change in tone, but never a change in her engaging character development or the romance you are sure will bloom!

I was invited to receive a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion and Erica Ridley! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Beautiful story of love and forgiveness

Olive knows from her father's feud with his father that she cannot trust Elijah Weston, so when their fathers agree to end the feud if the two of them will marry, she's more than a little hesitant. Having no other choice if she wants to keep the family farm, she challenges Elijah to a dare: he has ten days to convince her famous (and very temperamental) horse, Duke, to allow him to ride.

It took me a while to like Eli - about as long as it took him to grow a pair and stand up for what he knew was right. Olive's character was strong and resilient right from the start, and I loved seeing her blossom beyond her self-imposed limitations. Theirs is a sweet romance with a satisfying HEA.

I really love the way the author has put all these different twists on the name, Duke, and how she's connected all the various characters from all the previous books in the series. While each one is a standalone romance, seeing everyone interact together adds a richness and vitality to the little mountain town. I highly recommend binging on this entire series every holiday season. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

“If the only way to be together is on your terms, then I accept them, whatever they are. I would rather have a little piece of you than nothing at all.”

Olive Harper has proven herself an expert when dealing with her beloved horses…but when it comes to matters of the heart, she’s not willing to allow herself to be once again hurt and humiliated. So, when the one person in her life that managed to turn her heart to ice shows up with a marriage license in hand, Olive swears to never yield…but little by little, her cold heart starts to thaw for a man that has just as much to lose…

Elijah Weston is once again staring into the eyes of his one and only love. After years of abuse and humiliation from his father, he’s being forced to do the very thing he swore against…hurt his beloved Olive…again…

Olive and Elijah start their rocky romance as enemies, but little by little, they grow to know each other and see the truth behind the actions of long ago…and together, their love affair may be the very thing to heal the rift between their families.

Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas is such a heart-warming series, and this latest installment may be one of my favs! Loved and 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. **

I love regency romances so much, and this one was no exception. Where this story really shone was in its main female Character, Olive. She felt so real because her struggles with acceptance and body image are things I’ve experienced myself and that she came out stronger for them was super admirable. This book was like 4/10 on the spicy scale so if you’re looking some something with a few steamy scenes but an overall very wholesome and sweet story, this may be the book for you.

This was a subtle slow burn regency romance all about revenge, mistrust, redemption and a love that conquers all in the end. Olive and Eli come from feuding families, brought together to forge a marriage alliance based on revenge and lies. They have great chemistry between them and this is a well written and paced story by Erica Ridley.

An old feud between two men who used to be business partners is still going on. Olive’s father would like to extend a white flag and invite Elijah to court his daughter. Since Eli embarrassed her years ago, she is not interested in him at all. She sets an impossible task before Eli and gives him ten days to achieve it.
Opinion
This book was so good that I stayed up WAY past my bedtime to finish it. Erica Ridley knows how to keep the reader interested in her stories. I’m not normally a fan of historical but if Ms. Ridley writes it, I read it.
The push/pull of animosity and attraction is captivating. Eli is an honest character who really wants to protect Olives heart. Olive also wants the same thing. I was mesmerized by this book and simply cannot wait for the next (last?) book in this series.

Another fantastic story in this series. Can also be read as a stand alone. Olive and Eli’s tale, meddling father’s and mixed messages, result in a happy ever after.. Great read.

This is the second book in this series by Erica Ridley that I have read. All the books feature dukes. The one we're meeting in this book is a horse. Eli and Olive shared a kiss a long time ago but their fathers are feuding and it ended in a disaster. Olive got shunned and traumatized but now she has grown into a famous horse whisperer. Eli wants to study botany for medical purposes and is somewhat afraid of horses. Olive's father tells her that he wants her to marry Elijah to patch the old feud up. They agree to spend ten days getting to know each other and Eli is challenged to court the favour of the horse Duke. Eli's father is pressuring him to do something despicable that casts a darker, unethical shadow over everything. Will he be able to defy his father and make things right?

I enjoyed the budding romance between Eli and Olive, the way they each deal with their fears, and the eventual resolution, although the happy end with the fathers seems a little surprising after hearing so much of previous cruelty.

There seems to be some historical confusion about how hereditary titles worked, and a bit more research would not have gone amiss.
Eli's father is a marquess but we are told that it's just a courtesy title. that the marquess is desperate for a real title, and that he is fifth in line to inherit an earldom, after his nephews, This doesn't make sense. An earl is a lower ranking title than a marquess so an heir apparent to a marquess might get the courtesy title earl but not the other way around. If you're the fifth in line to inherit the subsidiary titles, if any, aren't going to be yours. If you're the oldest son of an earl you might get the courtesy title viscount or baron, but if Eli's father was the oldest son his nephews wouldn't stand to inherit the earldom before him. If he is the younger son of an earl he would be the Honorable Something Something, and if he's the son of a younger son of an earl he'd be just a plain mister, The only way you would get the courtesy title marquess is if you're the heir apparent of a duke who has marquess as one of his subsidiary titles.

(The post review to Goodreads button doesn't work,)

Another fun title from the series. Scheming parents, misunderstandings, lifelong enmity, betrayal, and steamy romance all come together in another sweet and sexy easy-to-read romp from Erica Ridley. Enjoyable as a standalone but richer as part of the series. Again, I enjoy these as a distraction so much I wish they were fleshed out into a full length novel.

Olive and Eli might just be my favorite couple in this series. Their backstory is intriguing and the love he has carried for so many years is a delight. His motivation in trying to do his father’s dictates is noble, if misguided. Olive is an original and I enjoyed her thinking she was indulging without it meaning anything. Ms. Ridley, as always, creates the most intriguing characters and her town of Christmas and it’s characters might be the most delightful of all.

Gah steaminess, hate to love and a duke? Loved it so much! Was thoroughly entertained from start to finish and makes me want to read more books by this author!

Ten Days with a Duke is another great addition to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The Harpers and Westons have been feuding for decades. In an attempt to mend the rift Olive Harper's father has agreed to a betrothal between Olive and Elijah. Elijah Weston has always been more interested in plants than horses undeterred by his father's attempts, and secretly in love with Olive despite what happened when they were kids. Now all Elijah has to do is convince Olive he only wants her and not her farm.

This series has been the perfect quick escape this holiday season when I haven't had the brainpower or emotional energy to devote to an entire novel. Ten Days with a Duke is my favorite so far, I adore Elijah's nerdiness and love of plants, and devotion to his cause. Olive is amazing, she's so strong and brave and I loved watching her come out of her shell. It's sweet and charming and left me with a warm fuzzy feeling. As sad as I am to see this series come to an end, I'm really excited for the 12th installment!

I've read all the books in this series and with each new one, it's my new favorite, but "Ten Days with a Duke' is my absolute favorite. I adored Eli. He was so honorable and even when he had to tell Olive of his deception, he didn't let her run away. He was determined to make sure she understood his motives and his subsequent actions. I felt bad for Olive and all she endured at the hands of Eli's father. The solution and the ending of the book was absolutely delightful. I would definitely recommend all the stories in this series.

Another Fun and Lighthearted Romance.
Olive’s enemy turns up on her doorstep with a marriage license in his pocket. Manipulated by her father, she makes the stipulation that Eli must earn her acceptance by winning the trust of her stallion Duke (who only allows her on his back) within ten days. And so begins a courtship of both woman and horse, but Olive whilst she knows her father’s reasons for wanting her betrothed, has no idea of the game being played by Eli’s father. Eli himself is caught between a rock and a hard place, further aggravated by the fact that he has been in love with Olive for the last decade.
Nearly the last book (No. 11) of these Christmassy tales set in the fictional town of Cressmouth but readers will have no problem in following along even if they have not read the other stories. Only one more book to complete the set, I can’t wait!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! I am blown away by this book. I love everything about this book it is my new favorite! historical fiction at its best with characters & a story line that every reader will love.

OH if only I could give this wonderful story more stars. I have read all of the Duke of Christmas books and loved them all but this one is by far the best yet. It is because of the characters and what they have gone thru. Both have had hardships to over come. Olive Harper is a horse woman. She had devoted her life to the raising and breeding of her famous Harper Horses. Even the Prince wanted to buy one and she turned him down. All she wants in life is to run her farm with her father. Her father is deaf and she as always helped him understand what is being said around him.
Elijah Weston is the son of another horse breeder Weston Horses . His father and Olive's use to be best friends and partners. They have been feuding for decades. Eli has never been what his father wanted him to be. He is afraid of horses thanks to his father. He is a scholar and a botanist. He is trying to use his knowledge to make medicine to help people. Now both fathers want the kids to marry for very different reasons. The kids are being used as pawns.
Eli and Olive met when they were younger and want could have been a great meeting went all wrong
again, thanks to Elis's father. His father is mean and revengeful person.
Olive wants nothing to do with Eli after he publicly humiliated before. She hates him for all the pain he causes her. She sets him up to fail by using Duke her horse. Duke lets no one ride him are get close to him but her.
Eli has always felt bad about what his father and him did, and has secretly admired her.
This is such a fun story; Eli is easy going and laughs at himself. His interaction with the horses is priceless even if you have never been around them you will be laughing out loud.
As much as Olive wants to hate him, she just can't say mad at him. There attraction is off the charts.
For those of you who don't like steamy romance this may not be the book for you. But I will say the love scenes are just that love scenes. These two have so much to work thru to any happy ending but the trip is a great read and the ending will leave you smiling for days.
I hope you get a copy , find a comfortable chair, grab a cup of coffee and be prepared to laugh, cry
shout at the fathers, and fall in love with one of the best books of the years. Enjoy.
I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.

Ten Days with a Duke is another delightful visit to the village of Christmas with yet another Duke. Olive Harper's family is one of the best horse breeding operations anywhere. Her father's feud with his former partner, Weston, has caused Olive nothing but heartache. Years ago, she kissed the Weston heir, Elijah, and was ridiculed by him and the ton for it. Now her father is determined for them to marry to bring an end to the feud but Olive is only giving Elijah twelve days to ride her headstrong horse and win her hand. Manipulating fathers and a painful past is all that stands in the way of a sweet HEA. I enjoyed Olive and her strength and spirit even in the face of cruelty. This is another great, feel good read in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series that will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling just in time for Christmas. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book by Erica Ridley. It is a solid romance with likable characters and a strong plot. I thought the interactions between the main characters was delightful and I look forward to more books from this author.