I read this book at the beginning of 2021 but just realized I forgot to review. This was a very enjoyable read, especially because of the hero and heroine characters and interactions. I will definitely continue reading this author and this series.

Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋
Intimate Scene Length: 🍑 (based on kisses, which were short)
Steam Scale (Number of Scenes): 0
Humor: Yes!
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
When mains are first on page together: A few chapters in (about 14% but this is novella length)
Cliffhanger: No, ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: Yes

Should I read in order?
I don’t think it’s necessary? But it might be fun! I have only read books 10 and 12 of this series and enjoyed them both.

Basic plot:
Cynthia Louise is determined to get her cousin Gertie married at the matchmaking house party the Duke of Nottingvale is hosing...determined to push aside her own feelings for the duke.

Give this a try if you want:
- Regency (1814)
- Christmas/Holiday romance
- novella length
- Duke hero
- class difference (Duke and an ‘inappropriate’ Miss pair)
- matchmaking house party
- hero wants a wife
- putting on a play
- unrequited love
- no steam – just kisses on page

Ages:
- both mains are 30

First line:
As her cousin’s carriage rounded another hairpin turn up the snow-covered mountain, Miss Cynthia Louise Finch did her best to keep the playing cards and gambling chips from sliding off the squab in front of them.

My thoughts:
This book was so utterly delightful to me. I just loved it! It’s such a cute novella.

There was so much humor and heart in this story. I had so much fun while reading it. Cynthia was a true delight. Just a bright star of a heroine, joyful, spontaneous and one of those people you cannot help but feel the life exuding off of her. Alexander needs some help coming out of his starchy ducal shell and she is the perfect person to do that to him. I love how in awe of her he is – how he just basks in her presence. You cannot help but love Cynthia Louise and while the ending was a bit abrupt I feel like these two will be perfect for each other.

Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this last instalment in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series from Erica Ridley. Telling the story of the Duke of Nottingvale who hosts a Christmas house party that is also a way of him trying to hunt out a suitable young lady debutante to be his bride.

Step in Miss Cynthia Louise Finch a spinster who has known the Duke for some time, their paths crossing occasionally. She has a younger cousin who may be a more than eligible match for his hunt. However, she has always been drawn to the Duke a little, but he has never shown any interest in her until NOW. For some reason his sights may be on her, rather than the young ladies he had been originally considering.

He wouldn't be breaking with tradition and sneaking away from his duties to go in pursuit of Cynthia would he?

This was a quick read that was full of will they, won't they situations as the Duke and Cynthia meet in various places at various times of the day. It was a great addition to the series of books and they are well worth grabbing if you ever come across them.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was book 12 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. I have read a couple of the others in the series and was looking forward to this one. This was a good addition to the series. I enjoyed the characters and how they grew. A good ending to the series.

This is the last book in Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series is about the Duke of Nottingvale. It was a nice, easy enjoyable read. Thanks NetGalley for the eArc.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good historical romance novel. Perfect for a good weekend read.

Great romance to read to fall back in time. I love Erica Ridley’s stories. She does an excellent job making it easy to imagine while reading.

Really enjoyed this novel, my first read by the author. Follows a 30yo spinster Ms Finch, her cousin young Gertie who is looking for a husband to prevent been married off by her father and Max her mischievous puppy. The trio find themselves at a yuletide celebration where the Duke of Nottingvale will announce his bride from the chosen attendees on the last night. With duty and expectation at the heart of the Duke's decision who will he choose? Quick easy to read romance will have you hoping this unlikely pair will get together! Perfect cover. Thanks to Netgalley!

A highly entertaining, heartwarming and fun adventure filled with witty and engaging charters, heart racing twists and exciting emotional turns. An edge of your seat emotional roller coaster from beginning to end.

All Cynthia has to do was to make sure her cousin Gertie makes a suitable match with Alexander, Duke of Nottingham. She may be shunned by most of the ton but after matching Gerties older two sisters she is sure she can manage that for Gertie.

Alexander Duke of Nottingham needs a wife suitable for a Duke, propriety must be upheld.

To help him make his mind up he decides that his annual Yuletide House party will be the event where he chooses his future bride, one that meets the ton standards, the only fly in the ointment is he shouldn't be attracted to Cynthia Louise Finch.

This was a really enjoyable book and it was great that there is no menacing characters waiting around the corner. The characters are well formed and really believable.

Definitely an enjoyable read for a wintery evening.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review

When an author can master how to balance the amount of fluff and swoon worthy moments with serious plot and multi layered characters, then she deserves to be known as a genius.
I loved every second of this book, the chemistry between the main characters was so powerful and you could just feel the love they both held for each other through the scenes.
The setting for this series in the snowy village and year long Christmas festivities was really awesome, the love the villagers shared with the main characters was really endearing.
The romantic scenes were really nicely written, not over the top cheesy and heart warming at the same time.
The characters were written so well, the way the author showed the insecurities they both had and how they got through them by the end was really good.
Definitely recommend ❤️
* I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher *

This book was my first one by this author. I loved the sweetness and fun that it brought to my life! The relationship between the two MC was lighthearted at first, but quickly transformed into something serious, and I enjoyed watching that play out. I loved the fun banter between them, but I also loved the gentleness and romance between them! I can’t wait to read another one of her books!

Erica Ridley is always my go-to historical romance author when I am in a slump because I know her books will pull me out of it. I finally had the time to pick this one up and was not disappointed.

Erica Ridley is my favorite historical romance author. This book was absolutely delightful and I enjoyed every moment of it. I love the witty banter and the will they/won't they tension. Cynthia and Alexander have such a fun relationship. I'm sad the series is over; I've loved spending time in Christmas.

Oh say it isn't so! The series has come to an end and this is the last installment of the 12 Dukes of Christmas and what an amazing series ot has been! In this twelfth and final installment, we return to Cressmouth and are introduced to the final Duke in this series. Alexander hosts a Christmas house party each year, and this year the house party will also serve as a means to find the Duke a wife. Cynthia is a feisty, strong-minded, brazen woman and is the opposite of the proper Duchess the Duke needs. Cynthia thinks her cousin would be the perfect match for him, but the only problem is she has held a torch for the Duke for some time and she has finally caught his attention. Will he follow his duty or his heart? A thoroughly engaging, sweet, and entertaining read, I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next series Ms. Ridley brings our way!

I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I really love this series of books, and the town itself is the main character, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. The use of the word Duke, the fun and the romance are all so cleverly intertwined and planned out. I did find reading them in order helpful, but only because I prefer to know every little detail.

Loved the story of Alexander and Cynthia Louise. Cynthia was overlooked for six seasons without a marriage proposal. Her Aunt did her best, but the ton wanted nothing to do with a woman of no title or fortune. Cynthia decided to be her own person. A spinster who lived and played by her own rules. She denounced their societal expectations and rubbed their noses in her overt antics.

Alexander, the Duke of Nottingvale, always followed the rules. He would never do anything that would bring Shane to his family or title. Unfortunately, his life would explode when Cynthia Louise accompanies her cousin Gertrude (Gertie) to Vale's Christmastide activities to persue the attentions and affections of Alexander, because this years party would conclude with a new Duchess.

I always read and review Erica Ridley as soon as I get my hands on a copy. I always review on other platforms but always forget to review here. FYI I cried at the end of this book because not only was it a great ending of a book, it was a great ending to one of my Favorite Historical Romance Series EVER!!!!

This was an enjoyable end to the series. I was surprised with how clean this book was. I would have preferred some spice, similar to the other books in the series. I really liked Cynthia Louise but felt the duke was one dimensional.

A Christmas party to match a Duke. Good characters and setting make this an enjoyable read. E-book from net galley and publishers with thanks.Opinions are entirely my own.