Another hot and enticing story from Mastercraft woman Erica Ridley, it’s sizzling, enticing, and absolutely entertaining, entrapping you until the last page. Belle and Calvin’s story held you captivated and enthralled with its sexiness, making it one spicy must-read.

I was not able to finish this book, I just could not get into the story (I got to chapter 7). I have read one other book by Ms. Ridley from this series and it was okay, but I had to force myself to finish it. Between the so-so experience with that story and not feeling interested in this story, I'm going to move on to something else as its been several weeks and I cannot find the enthusiasm to finish.

The ninth book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. Lady Isabelle and Calvin McAlistair’s story of two people falling in love but keeping secrets from each other. I want to read more in this series. A story that was well worth reading.

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A standard yet sweet regency romance. It is rapidly paced with everything coming together with a bow by the end. Perfect for those looking for a fluffy light hearted read.

Thank you NetGalley and WebMotion for this arc.

I found this to be and easy bed-time read. A novella short enough to not keep me up reading too late as well as the only real tension in the book being only in Belle's mind made for a peaceable read. Yes, it was predictable and somewhat contrived at points, but then so are most Hall Mark Christmas movies. It ended maybe a little too neatly / rushed for me, but overall a nice escape from the evening news

2.5 stars

Lady Isabelle is the daughter of a Duke. She's shackled by her family and their demands. When she must stop at a Inn, she's forced to posed as a widow. She doesn't have any choice, her chaperone is ill. Little does she know that a blizzard will change her life forever. Here she meets Calvin McAlistair, a fellow traveler. Since their rooms are adjacent, he agrees to undo her gowns. They grow to be friends and Isabelle becomes the illustrator for his creations. It was nice to see Isabelle grow and want freedom. I hated her to sacrifice her happiness to please others. Calvin is wary of letting her into his life. He's lost people he's cared about before and he doesn't want to take risk his heart. I couldn't blame him. He's on the threshold of achieving his dream. However, life has surprises for these two. Even though they are from different social classes, they are perfect together. They are both so talented and creative. The truth devastates Calvin. Will the Lady fight for her chance to be happy? Will Cressmouth work its magic? I hoped so. Erica Ridley wrote an entertaining romance that made me smile which is what I needed.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley is an enjoyable read. The book quickly takes me through Lady Isabelle's an Calvin's romance tale. Two unlikely characters who meet at an inn during a snowstorm. They quickly make friends. Their relationship grows as they both end up needing each other. Love blossoms between them. However, Lady Isabelle is a higher station than Calvin. Thus, they cannot be together. This leads to a fight and secrets are revealed. Erica Ridley creates worlds that capture my whole attention. I immediately fell into this one and loved every moment. Irresistible characters and engaging dialogue-I was hooked.

I love the author’s books and writing. Ridley is a wonderful storyteller and I can trust to have a book to fall into for a while. This particular book was a quick read, and I love that the characters in Ridley’s writing are fierce, full of depth, and push for equality.

I’ve only read one other in this series, and it was actually after this one, so it’s not necessary to read the series in order. A run, romantic, adventurous story full of character. I look forward to continuing the series.

I look forward to each book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Erica Ridley knows how to deliver a steamy historical romance in a beautifully romantic setting. I enjoyed this story but didn't feel as invested in the characters as I normally do.

It was a quick read and I appreciated the attention to detail and historical accuracy, but I had a lot of trouble getting invested in the characters.

I'm a huge fan of the #DukesofChristmas ! Erica does an amazing job of adhering to the historical times while also creating interesting female characters. Belle is a dutiful Lady who is traveling home for a family Christmas celebration. She decides to leave a few weeks later for a bit of freedom an fun with a dear friend. However her companions sickness causes her to find an inn to stay in. With her maid in a secluded sick wing of the Inn Belle quickly pretends to be a widow to save her reputation since she will be in her room alone.
A literal snag however brings Belle to the attention of her handsome neighbor. She cannot remove her gown on her own.
Soon the pair have a contract. She will come to him every morning and lend her artistic skills to his project and he will help her by unbuttoning her dresses..

I found this development so funny and a unique way to throw the characters together. Their arrangement quickly reveals that the pair have a compatible view of life and art and a deep attraction.
Such a fun read ! Ridley always manages to tug at the readers heart strings. There is always that moment when you fear for the ending but her characters always make it to a happy ending. I also enjoy the interconnected stories of some of the #12 Dukes stories.

I absolutely love this series. I guess it tru that opposites attract because Lady Isabelle and Calvin are totally that. I thought Isabelle was a bit forward as she tried to disguise herself as a widow. Calvin was a breath of fresh air and the perfect match for Isabelle. I felt the story was too fast and I wanted more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance and it was a great afternoon escape. I enjoyed the relationship between Calvin and Bella and their circumstances. It was a delightful story.
Many thanks to WebMotion and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Part of the Twelve Dukes of Christmas series, it is as good as all the rest. It was an engrossing short read that I highly recommend. Lady Isabelle and Calvin have immediate chemistry, but Lady Isabelle is posing as a widow which will cause her, as well as Calvin's, reputations to be ruined if it is found out that they spent two weeks at an inn, unaccompanied.
Thank you Erica Ridley, WebMotion and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Lady Isabelle is the sister of a Duke and the daughter of pretty shitty parents who didn't want her to think, breath, paint or be happy in general. Then, in her trip to the Christmas town were her brother gives his annual big party, she gets stuck, snowbound, in a humble inn. Since her maid is sick, she pretends to be a widow to protect her reputation. There, she meets and becomes friends with Calvin McAllistair.
Mr. Calvin McAllistair is a tailor. A really good tailor. He's in the inn working on a project that might change his life and the lifes of people like him. If he secures the big investor he searches to impress. He's not good at socializing and it's not fond of aristocracy, but he befriends Belle, ignoring her true identity.
I love the snowbound trope. And I love working class heroes in Historical Romance. Also, I love a woman who has dreams and complexity and wants to be free of her family's constraints. But, most of all, I love cute, cozy, lovely and funny Christmas reads.
I've already said it, but this series is IT for me, and I absolutely love everything I've read by this marvellous author.

This was such a nice sweet read! I was in the mood for an historical romance so when I saw this short one, I was excited to dive into it. In this book, you'll follow Lady Isabelle and Calvin. When Belle's maid becomes ill, she ends up being trapped (by a snowstorm and circumstances) without a maid to help her in and out of her dresses... Calvin, the gentleman next door is willing to help her.

No, he's not a rake or a scoundrel and I loved the simplicity and easiness of this romance. I found this book relaxing and I loved their interactions. The chemistry was there and subtle but it was great.

I feel like Erica Ridley is a popular author in this genre but I believe this is my first book by her. I can't wait to discover more.

(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

Tis the Season for holiday romance tropes, and Dawn with a Duke delivers the snowed in and needing to work together tropes in a lovely shorter book (its a bit longer than a novella).  It doesn't directly involve a Duke, so the title may be a bit misleading if you don't read the back cover copy.

The MCs are a Duke's sister, Lady Isabelle, and Calvin McAlistair, a tailor and aspiring fashion designer/mogul for pret-a-porter.  Both are talented artists in their own right.  Calvin struggles with social anxiety and Isabelle is really out of her realm fending for herself in a quaint country inn, while her maid is quarantined for influenza (although a fortnight seemed a bit excessive, I suspended my disbelief).

They are attractive, creative, and have instant chemistry based on a shared awkwardness.  I found this delightful and full of all the sweet romantic moments I adore when two nerds fall in love.  I don't think its a huge secret I prefer the more Beta type hero, and Calvin leans in that direction, although he is very focused on his ambitions.  Isabelle has the greatest amount of character growth, realizing her own power through the support of Calvin, and that adds an element to the romance which is sweet and empowering.

Overall, the book is low angst, with most of the premise surrounding their team up as a result of  blizzard/being snowed in.  Isabelle wants to help Calvin with his illustrations because she has the ambition of being recognized for her painting, and Calvin needs the help to prepare for an investor meeting where they pitch the idea of a men's catalogue for working and middle class men.

The MCs are from different classes, and the ending is a bit too neat, but I found myself absolutely believing it.  Its a comforting read, one where love triumphs and the holiday cheer makes you want to be a better person, so I think the magic of suspending disbelief over class differences was not hard (especially as Calvin is about to be very, very wealthy with his clever idea and designs).

Most of the intimacy is kisses, culminating in one intimate scene that is fairly light on details.  There is no violence, little mature content, and mostly a focus on a surprising detour that delivers holiday magic, love, and friendship.

I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.

5 out of 6  Snowed in, two artists share more than a meeting of talents

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC copy of this book!

I'm a *huge* fan of Erica Ridley, and this book did not disappoint. Calvin and Belle's story is wonderfully written, charming, and amazingly regent. While most historical romances go a little too far with an over-the-top, macho hero, this book was surprisingly refreshing with Calvin, who is full of so much emotion and softness.

Dawn with a Duke also isn't super long, so this was a quick, fun read -- perfect for anyone who wants a fill of their regency romances with an atypical male hero.

The Dukes of Christmas series has taken a turn and it is a little strange. In this book, the person isn't the Duke. The mannequin that, Calvin, the gentleman uses is called Duke.
When en-route to a party Lady Isabelle's ladies maid becomes sick. It is also in the middle of a snow storm. They stop at an inn. Lady Isabelle receives a room, but due to sickness already affecting the workers of the inn, her maid is whisked away.
The inn is short staffed and Lady Isabelle must figure out how to dress and bathe without the help of a servant. The only problem is that her garments were not made for her to dress herself.
Calvin is a clothing maker. He is a very skilled tailor who is working on making a new line of clothes. He is happy to help Lady Isabelle. Only, he thinks that she is a widow.
This book starts out with a simple meeting and over a two week period, an indescribable relationship is formed.
I loved this book, the characters grow together over time. This all takes place in an inn but is not boring. It is a very romantic book and I loved it!