Jack Skeffington is the logistical genius at the head of an international smuggling operation, but the brilliant widower struggles to manage his ten year old twins. He's come to the conclusion that it's time to find them an experienced governess who'll be firm with them, but instead he winds up with help from the lovely sister of his French business associates.

Desiree le Duc shares her elder brothers' dream of returning to France although she's no longer sure she'll fit in there. Before any of the le Ducs return to France, however, they must pay off a significant debt on their property in Cressmouth. To help with the repayment of the debt, Desiree accepts a well-paid position as temporary governess for Jack's children. But neither she nor Jack are quite prepared for how permanent their developing feelings become, especially when Desiree and her brothers' moving date is accelerated.

This quick, cute read really had everything I look for: the pace was fast, there was some steam that felt right for the couple, both Jack and Desiree stood boldly to proclaim their feelings to each other, even the children were cute. This was a lovely story of love and family and I loved it. Definitely one of my favorites if not the favorite of this series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A widower father with a pair of rambunctious twins, Jack Skeffington has vowed never to give his heart to another woman after losing his wife. His son and precocious daughter are in complete agreement with him. In fact, the twins are quite determined never to allow another woman into their lives under any guise, who might steal some of their father's limited attention from them. However, Désirée le Duc isn't just any woman. She is a friend that can outwit them, outrun them and outride them and she has their full respect. Thus, when Jack suggests that Désirée act as governess to his children on a temporary basis until such time as he can find a proper governess, the children make room for her in their hearts and lives. Despite Désirée's attraction for Jack, family is her first priority and she and her brothers are working hard to return to their vineyard in France and reclaim their inheritance. Having dissected feelings, Désirée battles with her love for the Skeffington family, but it is allure of Jack's wine cellar that ultimately makes her realise where her priorities lie. The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a delightful series, and the le Duc siblings appear in most of the stories, making this an interesting read. I loved this witty romance and the twins, in particular, made it a fun read. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Sweet, easy to read book. Very interesting book cover. The story is pretty straightforward, a widower with 2 kids in need of a governess. What the hero did not bargain for, was that it will be his friend, strong will and untouchable sister. Their interactions was sweet but I laughed a lot when the kids were involved.
Thanks the publisher and netgalley for this ARC. The opinions expressed here are all mine.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review. #12Dukes #NetGalley
-Lovely, lovely story.
-Any part of the book that had "wassail" around it was really witty and funny.
-The author skims around grief a bit here and there but in good taste, believable, touching.
-Jack is BFF with Désirée's older brothers and she should be off-limits. Désirée aspires to be noticed by Jack; he, too, should be off-limits. But love doesn't work that way, does it?
-Loved the twins; they were really acting as ten years old children and it was sweet.
-Redmire was an absolute hoot! But very practical in any ways.
-Always a pleasure to hear about all the other characters in the village that we've met before in other books.

I am a big fan of Erica Ridley's books.
They are short, entertaining and heartfelt. Perfect when you want a quick read.
The Duke's Bride was great!
A smuggler mastermind and devoted single father to a pair of rapscallion 10 year olds.
An on the shelf French emigres who is devoted to what remains of her family.
A need for a governess and the story begins.
Jack and his twins, Frederick and Annie, are perfectly fine on their own. They have no desire to replace their wife and mother. Jack realizes that his children need more education and looks into hiring a governess.
Désirée lives with and takes care of her older brothers, Lucien and Sébastien, who run the local blacksmith shop. They had to flee France when their parents were killed and ended up in Cressmouth, a small village in England. They've been there for 18 years working hard to help pay off the land for the man who helped rescue them. Once that is done they will return to France. The war is over and they may be able to get their land and heritage back.
Once Désirée starts spending more time with the children and Jack, she soon feels like they are becoming a new family to her.
I loved Jack and Désirée's moments together. Their times spent in the wine cellar talking. The children, Frederick and Annie, add such fun to the story as well as heartwarming moments.
Looking forward to the next story with Sébastien.
I received an advance reader copy for an honest review.

Another great book in this series! Love Jack and Desiree and their interactions with Annie and Frederick. Some sweet moments as well as laugh out loud moments. Ready for the next one!

What a lovely book!! I always enjoy Mrs Ridley's books and this one was not the exception! What a delightful story!!!! Keep them coming please!!!

This is the perfect kind of Christmas story for my gooey marshmallow heart. Jack and Désirée are utterly charming together. Jack’s a frazzled single father, but everything he does is for the best of his children Désirée pines for home, but is that home in France or England? The pair long for each other but they’re both protecting their hearts from being hurt again. I loved the low angst level in this story. I know some people will think it was too sweet, but for me it was just right. The best part of the comic relief comes in the for of Jack’s twins who are whirlwinds of precocious energy that kept everyone on their toes. Already I’m looking forward to the next book which might enlighten us with even more of the le Duc siblings’ history.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGalley.

Another cute romance in the Christmas village of Cressmouth, featuring a French refugee, a smuggler and two rambunctious children.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thought that this was a fun read. A entertaining plot, likable characters and a bit of holiday charm are brought together into a very enjoyable book. I loved the chemistry between Jack and Désirée as their often funny and heart melting romance unfolds.

Mademoiselle Désirée le Duc feels more at home in England than France, since she's been here most of her life. She's also more than a little interested in confirmed bachelor Jack Skeffington.
She offers to help him in order to help her brothers raise the money they need to be able to return to France, and falls deeply in love with him and his twins.
The tale is woven around the efforts both make to fight the attraction and the twins efforts to play cupid. Sweet and humorous, it turns downright steamy when the couple give into the lust they feel. This is a feel good novelette.
I requested and received a NetGalley copy to peruse and offer my opinion freely.

How does one find the town of Christmas? Can someone please give me directions because this is the town every romance reader would love to live in. Ms. Ridley continues to capture the hearts of her readers with these wonderful stories of romance in this town. Jack and Desiree are no exception. Just when you think you don't fit in is when you truly discover you did all along.

I received a free ebook from Netgalley and the author. Erica Ridley always amazes me with her fabulous books and this one takes the prize as well. The wit, the humor, the love....WOW! Jack, Desiree and the children make for a beautiful story for the ages. Absolutely loved this story.

Erica Ridley writes delightful romances. We always buy her for our library. You don't have to read the 12 Dukes of Christmas in order, but you'll want to read them all.

A beautiful love story about hearts that need healing.

Jack realizes that his ten-year-old twins need a little more than he can offer, so he asks his friend, Desiree, to recommend a young woman who could be their governess. Desiree offers herself, at least until he finds someone more permanent, and thus begins the thawing of Jack's heart. Desiree isn't interested in any long-term arrangement, either, since she's just wanting to earn enough money for her family to shed their English obligations so they can return to their native France.

This was a beautiful, tender story of what makes a family, of country loyalty, of loss and risk and starting over again. I loved Jack's heart, how much he loves his kids and the sacrifices he's willing to make for them. Desiree is a terrific book heroine; strong in her own right, not at all looking to be defined by the man she chooses. Her relationship with her brothers was superbly written.

All this, and we get another visit to the wondrous Cressmouth, a lively debate about who exactly make up the twelve dukes, and a delightful exchange about who has the honor of being the Duke's Bride. The entire book is fun, romantic, and heartwarming. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is an enjoyable series to read but this one felt fluffier and less substantial than some of the others. That being said, Jack and Desiree were great characters and I absolutely loved the twins. Short and simple read, but a nice book for a quick, enjoyable read.

I love Erica Ridley's stories, but this felt diluted and lightweight. Not as much intensity as her other books. Saying that, it was a short and sweet read. Nothing against it, but she has written better.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Duke's Bride, by Erica Ridley, is available at booksellers on 10-12-19. We're already to book 6 of the 12 Dukes Of Christmas series. While a part of this series it's a nice stand alone story too. I've enjoyed the previous 5 books and now I can say #6 is no exception. Cressmouth village has been the setting for all our couples. In one way or another they're all connected to the village or castle. I think it's nice that I know some of the secondary characters and get to keep up with them. Cressmouth is a Christmasy place all year round, and the occupants all love it that way. The castle has a lending library, what's not to love.

Our couple du jour are Desiree le Duc and Jack Skeffington. Desiree is a French expatriate due to the awful war that's a backdrop for many historical romances. She & her brothers have been in Cressmouth for almost 2 decades and have always wanted to return home. Desiree has assimilated more than the 2 brothers and is torn about moving away. Jack is an upscale smuggler and widowed father to ten year old twins. I think I liked the kids best of all the characters. They're so well written and allowed to be children, not confined like most of that era. Jack has PTSD from watching his wife wither away, they were a love match. When Desiree agrees to help with the kids education, she needs the money, they're thrown together and a match sets off a flame that becomes a fire. Each must work through reluctance to get involved, and overwhelming knowledge that they belong together & are a family.

I look forward to book 7 in the series. Happy reading.

#Netgalley #EricaRidley #TheDuke'sBride #12DukesofChristmas #HistoricalRomance

Jack& Desiress falling in love is a delight to read.The beautiful town draws you in to each character the children the adults of the village ,I enjoyed every page.This is a perfect holiday read.#netgalley#webmotion

Jack Skeffington, widower, father of twins, wine connoisseur and smuggler is meeting with his ship captain, Capt. Redmire, trying to find a new smuggling route, when his ten year old son Fredrick bursts in the room upset that his sister Annie is beating him and his friends at hoops, Jack sends him off and picks up where he left off, after he maps the new route, the meeting is interrupted again, this time by his daughter Annie. Once he takes care of her, Redmire tells him that he needs a wife. Jack is clear, he had a wife, he loved her and lost her, he will not do that again and his children won’t accept another woman in their lives. But he will consider a governess.

Desiree le Duc is the sister to blacksmiths Sebastian “Beau” and Lucien le Duc and has many times been called the most beautiful woman in Cressmouth. Desiree and her siblings fled the French revolution after losing their parents and their lands, they settled in Cressmouth 18 years ago with an English family friend, who they lovingly call Uncle Jasper. She is content, but her brothers long to return to France and reclaim their stolen heritage. They have worked hard to pay off the lease on the property so they can leave Uncle Jasper taken care of and they are close to their goal – Lucien says another year at most. So when Jack offers an outrageous amount of money to be a temporary governess to his twins, she jumps at the chance.

Jack is attracted to Desiree, but he knows an affair is out of the question and he can’t offer her anything more, so he ignores the desire simmering in him and resolves to be friends with her – a friend he most definitely won’t be kissing.

Desiree fits right into their family and has to fight her own feelings, she can’t let herself fall in love with Jack or the twins since her time in Cressmouth is limited. But despite the best of intentions, that is exactly what happens and when she asks Jack to be her lover, she wonders how she will be able to walk away.

Jack finally admits he has fallen in love with her and knows that she wants to return to France, so he “helps” her brothers by paying them a huge payout for their help in the last smuggling run. He will let her go if that is her true desire, but he hopes she will choose to stay.
When her brothers announce that they will be returning to France immediately, Desire is torn, between helping her brothers win their heart’s desire and seizing her own.
This was a very well written novella with wonderful characters, amusing banter, steamyish love scenes, second chances and dreams coming true. This is the sixth book in the series, but it is easily read as a standalone with no issues.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the Publisher.*