A promising story let down by lackluster sex.
___________
Donovan, the Duke of Southbury, is 36, and finally accepts he must bend to his mother's will and marry. He has no interest in women but vows that when he takes a wife he won't be unfaithful emotionally, which means that it's time to dismiss his valet, Geoffrey, who's been the object of his desires for the last 20 years.

He's convinced to accompany his brother and his wife for a week at Marrywell, a matchmaking festival, where he decides to make the most of Geoffrey's remaining time with him. After all, if he doesn't take a chance now, he'll never know...
___________

This got off to a good start. I really enjoyed both characters and the dynamic between them. Donovan, the gruff duke, hates everyone except Geoffrey who is not just an assiduous valet but his closest friend.

Initially I thought they had great chemistry together. Donovan seeks (and receives) as much touch from Geoffrey as he can: asking him to check that his shave is satisfactory results in a soft caress to his jaw, undressing him for a bath is a languid affair...

What I didn't realise going into this, is that Erica Ridley is a MF romance author, and unfortunately it shows in the sex scenes which were rushed and almost uncomfortable. Now, I don't have a point of comparison with her other books, but either way this would have worked better without those scenes.

Seriously, they were a cute couple, this could have been great!

This book is completely anachronistic which didn't bother me but it has to be said. It's also pretty unbelievable (though still appreciated) how everyone comes around in the end. I did like the little call-back to Geoffrey's joke of giving his regards to Donovan's mother.

I also think this was too short. In the copy I read, the book ends at 82% with a preview of another book, so this was probably only about 85 pages long. Because of this, some parts felt like they were skipped over and I would have liked more detail of their holiday scenes at Marrywell, as well as some peek into their future together.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Quick novella read. I haven't read any others in the series but didn't feel like I was missing out (or even know if they're in any way related or all a bunch of standalones). For something so short though, I liked the build up and the I was definitely rooting for them. Cute, fun, easy read. 4/5

Ridley is an expert at writing just the coziest, most lovely romances imaginable. Undressing the Duke is the perfect, softest example: A duke and his French valet who’ve been pining after each other for twenty years finally get their HEA.

I adored the desperate pining and anticipation between these two. Twenty years is a LONG time to be so close yet so far!!!! They were just so sweet and nervous and SEXY.

This was a cute, quick, queer read. I'm not usually one for historical romance, but this one was pretty enjoyable. It was very low stakes, not a lot of angst, and had a happily ever after. I haven't read any of the other books in the series yet, but I wouldn't say that, that impacted my understanding of the story at all. They are all separate stories that just happen to take place in the same point of time. A nice, quick read, perfect for Pride month!

This is the m/m Bridgerton-esque love storywe didn't know we needed. The Duke and his valet have been together and in love for 20 years. The only problem is, the Duke is expected to find a wife. Because he's reached the age of 36 and still hasn't we'd, hes sent to a festival to find a bride. He hopes to find a widow or a woman also uninterested in yet forced into marriage so they can have essentially a marriage of convenience.

This one is super short. Barely 100 pages. This isn't a problem if you are wanting a quick easy HEA, and trust me you definitely get one, it just doesn't leave enough time for us to actually get to know the characters and to learn much about their shared history. We're given glimpses into those things; their love of playing cards, drinking, chess, sport, etc together staying up all hours to have time alone. All while desperately trying to fight their growing affection. My only complaint is not realizing this was a novella until I was almost done. Unfortunately it wasn't advertised as such, so I was caught off guard with the speed of things and the quick ending. Definitely by no means a reason not to read this one, just be aware going into it this isn't a full novel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

I received an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you.to NetGalley and Erica Ridley for the ARC.

Excellent, short read where you’re rooting for both of the heroes. These guys have been together for 20 years, In a Duke and valet role, but in love the entire time. Will they ever communicate how they feel? You wish this was longer, a few years of their relationship to learn more about,, maybe even how they felt when they first met. Because you want to know the characters. But their HEA will make you smile.

Please note this is #7 in a series of books about a (fictional) matchmaking festival in Regency England, but the book works as a stand-alone (and is the only M/M romance in the series).

Donovan, the Duke of Southbury, having reached the age of 36 without marrying, is forced to attend this festival, despite having absolutely no interest in a wife. Donovan has been enthralled for the past 20 years by his burly French valet, Geoffrey Vashon. The two men play chess, cards, drink, play violin duets, and talk late into the night, as the Duke tries desperately to tamp down his lust.

Donovan's only hope is to perhaps marry a widow or someone willing to enter into a marriage of convenience "in which duke and duchess did each other the blessed courtesy of leaving one another the hell alone." But never fear, Donovan and Geoffrey explore their mutual desire and get their HEA.

As a short novella (118 pages), there isn't a lot of character development, especially for Geoffrey (we don't get his POV) and while the ending is satisfying, it relies on some improbable change of hearts. Overall, I would have liked perhaps a villain subplot or something that allowed us to get to better know and understand the MCs. 3 stars.

Undressing the Duke
Lords in Love Book #7
By Erica Ridley

From the get go, the two loves are adorable. This story is a quick read and it works because the author sets up their relationship, Duke and valet of 20 years. They enjoy each other’s company more than anyone else and with almost the exclusion of everyone else. They are on more than equal footing despite their roles in life. The Duke is supposed to marry and his valet move on. Angst, Steam, Love! HEA? You shall see. I would certainly read this author again.
4 out of 5 stars

In public the Duke of Southbury is dutiful, disdainful and distant, knowing that at thirty-six he should chose a bride and sire an heir. But once the door to his apartments closes, everything changes. For twenty years Donovan Sutcliffe has been pining for the one man who truly knows him inside and out.

Loyal, attentive and caring Geoffrey Vachon has spent the last two decades serving his master. Dressing and bathing him, playing chess, learning the violin, talking, whatever the duke needed. Always there, always prepared and not afraid to bring him off balance every now and again.

The duke knows he has to let his valet go if he’s to have any chance at becoming an honourable husband and father. But not just yet…
He invites Geoffrey along to the Marrywell Festival. The final attempt at finding the woman who will bear his heir. Here they are friends. Equals. And spending seven days and seven nights in each other’s company, the men can no longer deny the attraction they’ve both been fighting for years…

📚 A novella; short, powerful, heartbreakingly beautiful and so incredibly moving, yet funny and light!
My heart nearly broke at the beginning. Severing the intimate work relationship and friendship these men shared for so many years seemed so cruel. Duty and what ifs paralyse Donovan. The mountain too high to overcome. But then there’s Geoffrey’s witty playfulness, luring him out of his comfort zone, adding a new dimension to their bond. And all this complemented by a family that notices more than he thinks. Touching and full of heart. To me this tale is exquisite, delightful perfection!
📚 MM romance, duke/valet, pining, steamy, open door, forbidden romance, unrequited love

Thank you Erica Ridley and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Love, desire and relationship fears comes in different than acceptable ways for the duke. He knows his duty is to find a wife and beget an heir. But it is not what he desires. The story is a lovely love dance as the duke must face his wants versus expectations. The story was well done.

A short, funny, sweet M/M romance.

The chemistry between Donovan and Geoffrey is palpable from page one. Donovan has been attracted to Geoffrey for 20 years but as a duke he has to find a wife and I quite liked the resolution to this conflict, I wish I saw this a little more in historical romance.

It was just maybe a tad short and the conflict felt almost non-existant, it left me wanting something. Still, another low-angst, funny, and very enjoyable one from Ridely!

Undressing the Duke was a novella and therefore a quick, one-night read. Despite the short length, I felt we got to know the two main characters well enough to care about them and their relationship. Meanwhile, the setting/time period was well portrayed with no glaring anachronisms. I felt there would have been potential for a full-length novel here, as the change in the characters' relationship could have been more gradual, perhaps halted by either the appearance of a potential bride or an antagonist set on keeping them apart. But as it is, it was still a delightful little read and I recommend it if you are looking for a quick MM historical romance fix. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

I was a little hesitant starting this book. To my surprise, I found it extremely heady. The romance between Geoffrey and Donovan felt so real that it lured me in and anxiously awaited the outcome. It was one of my favorites from this author. It was a page-turner from the onset. Book provided by NetGalley.

Undressing the Duke hits all the right notes - romance, conflict, humor, tension, and taboo (a servant with a duke? Unheard of!). Add to it that this is a quite literally forbidden romance for it’s time period (and still is in places) and the main character is a man of integrity and the author has written a story that is both heart wrenching and heart warming. This title is a very quick read and was lovely to enjoy in the garden.

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are mine.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

Yet another awesome Erica Ridley romance. So glad I saw and read it.

A short M/M Regency romance. The relationship between Donovan and Geoffrey developed over 20 years so it wasn’t an insta-romance so it fits for a novella. Knowing their history and knowing their “working relationship” was about to cease, there was a reason for them to hasten a change and perhaps act upon their feelings before they lost contact forever. To her credit Erica Ridley discusses the power imbalance since the relationship is between a duke and his longtime valet.

An enjoyable and entertaining read, just right for Pride Month.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Undressing the Duke by Erica Ridley was the perfect way to end the Lords in Love series! I appreciated that the series addressed same sex love in an historical romance. Love has always been love throughout time, regardless of how society might have tried to regulate it. This is a very fitting story to release during Pride Month.

Donovan Sutcliffe, the fifth Duke of Southbury, loved his valet, Geoffrey Vachon, in secret for twenty years. He was terrified that their existing relationship would be ruined if Geoffrey discovered his feelings. Donovan’s family exerted the pressure of stereotypical expectations that he marry and sire an heir which was the reason for their holiday in Marrywell.

Ridley masterfully expressed the angst and anxiety involved in revealing one’s true identity and feelings to those whose opinions matter most. I particularly loved a scene between the duke and his mother toward the end of the novella. I’m sad to see this series end, but I look forward to reading her next book.

I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley. The opinions expressed above are my own.

My first LGBT regency romance and it was lovely. The humour was well done, the tenderness came through and the small tit bits of life in the period made the book real and all the more touching.

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Intriguing novel that will be the perfect to lose yourself in. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

This is a great release to celebrate Pride month and definitely a departure for the genre. Sometimes there are gay characters in these types of stories but they are usually secondary or side characters that receive a few mentions but are never really fully developed. The only thing lacking from this story were Geoffrey's POV chapters. It would have been good to get things from his perspective because he sometimes came across as giving Donovan mixed signals. I can understand why he would be upset about being fired out of the blue, but he had to have known that eventually Donovan would be expected to wed at some point. I would have loved a scene between Donovan and his brother - did his brother know about his feelings for Geoffrey (or just men in general)? It's hinted at but never confirmed. It also would have just been really nice for Donovan to know his brother supported him and loved him no matter what.