The Duke Heist was super cute! It was a perfect balm to what's been a somewhat stressful week for me. I loved Chloe and Lawrence, and found their relationship to be super sweet and I loved how it developed, Definitely one of my favorite regencies from this year.

This was my first book by Erica Ridley, and it certainly won't be my last.

I will be posting a longer review on goodreads and my blog closer to publication.

Thank you for the chance to read this wonderful historical romance.

I adore the Wynchesters. The concept of this close-knit family is so wacky and so utterly brilliant: A foreign wealthy Baron offers to adopt an orphan, then quickly follows with 5 more. The siblings are wealthy but live outside of society's strictures, practicing circus tricks, keeping a menagerie of animals, donning disguises and infiltrating the House of Lords and the houses of the Ton, and otherwise causing mischief. I want to be a Wynchester!

Chloe Wynchester is a former pickpocket and orphan who is so good at blending in and being unnoticed that she fears no one will ever remember her. She is determined to infiltrate the Duke of Faircliffe's townhouse and steal back the painting his father stole from her and her siblings. The Duke of Faircliffe is desperately searching for an heiress to pull his crumbling estate from ruin, but he *sees* Chloe. He has no choice but to see her when she accidentally kidnaps him, but unlike everyone else, he remembers her. Antics and Hijinks ensue.

This was such a lovely novel, with so much warmth and heart, and I heartily enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. I will definitely be snapping up any and all Wynchester books in the future.

Also, there are hints that a future Wynchester novel - perhaps the next one?? - will be an LGBT+ romance, and I am *here* for it. We need more brilliant historical romance authors adding LGBT+ romances to their repertoires. And Philippa deserves a good romance after all she had to put up with in this book.

What a fun book. It's got interesting characters and a great plot. Lots of fun. The heroine is terrific and I love her with the hero. The rest of the characters are great too. It's going to be a fun series. I finished this book all in one day because it was so good. :)

The Duke Heist is an intriguing story of six orphans with different personalities and talents who form a close, loving, but unconventional family with a now deceased bachelor duke. This story focuses on Chloe and her relationship with the financially challenged Duke of Faircliffe—and a stolen painting revered by Chloe and her siblings, The characters are interesting and well written, but the plot was a bit complicated and drawn out at times. The author definitely used a great deal of imagination when creating this story, which creates some fun moments, The inclusion of a bit of Tommy and Philippa’s story definitely make the reader want to read the next book in the series. I received an ARC copy for an honest review.

"The Duke Heist" by Erica Ridley
This first story in "The Wild Wynchesters" series can be read and enjoyed as a stand alone and without a cliff hanger. Well there is a hint of who the main characters will be in the next story. But back to the here and now. Yes, I loved this story, there was romance with a bit of spice but easily handled. And, I enjoyed the suspense in trying to guess what would happen next and just how the story would evolve. I do love the wild Wynchesters they will be a force to be reckoned with, I am sure. Happy Reading ! !
note: I receive an ARC of this story from the publisher. This is my honest review.

THE DUKE HEIST is the second book in the Wild Wynchesters series. Though this story will stand on its own, I predict you will want to read this series in the order of release. I have not read the prequel and I hope I do receive it.

The Wynchesters are a colorful, fantastic, whimsical family brought together by Bean Wynchester. Bean did not have his own children, so he adopted Chloe, but she wouldn’t come alone. She insisted that she would only come if Tommy (Thomasina) could also be brought along. Then Graham, and Leslie, and… until Bean had six children. They saw themselves as the six sprites dancing with their Puck in the Puck and Family painting above the parlor fireplace. The painting that was stolen by the Duke of Faircliffe shortly before he died.

Chloe is the leader of this eclectic group of young adults who have been twice-orphaned. Four young ladies and two gentlemen who are determined to retrieve the legacy art that represents their family and their beloved patriarch.

I love that this book isn’t just about Chloe being invisible. Women are used to being invisible. Lawrence is also invisible despite being in the House of Lords. He is only his title, not himself. They each learn to pursue their heart and bloom because of it.

I love the fun, the romance, and the pure family of the heart. I absolutely cannot wait to read more of this series. The animals, the family, and the fun-fun-fun are wonderful.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via NetGalley, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Title: THE DUKE HEIST
Series: Wild Wynchesters #1
Category /Genre: Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Erica Ridley (as an ARC gifted copy)

Erica Ridley never disappoints with her quirky characters, innovative plots and some anachronisms thrown in to keep the reader on her toes.

This is the first book in a new series about the Wynchesters, a group of 6 orphans rescued and adopted by Baron Vanderbean (Bean), the children he'd always wanted but never had. Together they had purchased a painting Puck & Family, from the Duke of Faircliffe, a painting depicting Puck and 6 fellow spirits dancing around a fire. To them it was their family portrait, and considered their most cherished possession. It hung next to a portrait of Bean. But then the Duke came around demanding the painting back. When the family refused, he snuck into the house, taking the painting and leaving a vase behind as a trade. The Duke dies shortly thereafter, but the heir refused to even see Bean, or reply to any correspondance. Then Bean died and the family was bereaved of both their beloved father and the painting. They have vowed to get it back and with their many talents, learned on the street and from the education by Bean, they will.

The new Duke of Faircliffe is not at all how he appears. He disguises himself as a cold calculating man, because he too lost his mother at a young age and was basically ignored by his father, who frittered away their fortune, not caring about the estate, their employees and tenants. Duscal reputation is all he has. He was isolated at school because of his father's reputation, has no friends and does not know how to make them and the only way to save the estate is to marry an heiress. But once he notices Chloe Wynchester in her own disguise and for the first time since his mother died, finds joy with another person, can he really give that up for money?

I look forward to reading the rest of the series about the incomparable Wynchesters and how they will break down social barriers with the "modern" aristocracy. I read an ARC as part of the author's Review Crew. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

3.5 stars for this enjoyable series starter. The Duke Heist introduces us to the the Wynchesters - a found family (and a family of foundlings) gathered by a Dutch nobleman. Each Wynchester has their own specialty: ventriloquism, disguise, animal training, art... and they use their talents as Regency Robin Hoods, defending the downtrodden and underprivileged who can't defend themselves. This book, however, focuses on a crime against the family - their prized "family portrait" has been stolen back by the duke who sold it to them. They decide to steal it back... and so the story begins.

The focus of this novel is the pairing of Chloe Wynchester and the Duke of Faircliffe - a new duke, since the older one passed away on the night he stole the Wynchesters' painting. Chloe's talent is infiltration: she is such a blank slate that no one remembers what she looks like, allowing her to create innumerable false identities, but also keeping her from forming any lasting attachments outside of her family. Faircliffe has the opposite problem, but with the same result: as one of the most powerful men in England, he is so visible that he feels he must keep his true self hidden.

As the book progresses, our two protagonists gradually open up to each other. We were pleasantly surprised that the drama of Chloe's hidden identity did not form the nucleus of the conflict, and the resolution was just about as "grand gesture" as a romance novel can get. The Wynchesters are an appealing family, and the couple was well-suited. Pick this one up if you're looking for some light reading.

The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley is the first book in her new series, The Wild Wynchesters.

Chloe Wynchester, along with her five “siblings”, were adopted by kindly Baron Vanderbean years ago and created a wild and wonderful family. A cherished painting was taken from them and they have tried for months to get it back to no avail. So they plot out a way to get it back using all their individual skills. Chloe’s skill is the art of blending into her surroundings, never making a lasting impression. People overlook her which enables her to be everywhere and nowhere at once.

Lawrence Gosling, Duke of Faircliffe, has spent his entire adult life earnestly building his reputation and paying off debts from his father’s foolishly impulsive behavior. He must guard his reputation, so he cannot become involved in anything untoward. And every Wynchester is the very definition of untoward.

A foiled attempt to switch out their painting with a copy during a book club meeting leads to a botched kidnapping that leads to a promise to help Chloe gain access into “good” society, which is a ruse for her to investigate his home for real painting.

There are so many great scenes in this book. I liked the banter and camaraderie whenever the Wynchesters got together. Any scene with Great-Aunt Wynchester was delightful. Also when Philippa (a great character too) and her book club create names for their group. (Lusty Literature Book Coven is one to steal.)

The Duke Heist is a great start to a promising series.

An aside. I liked the cover and the font that Erica Ridley is using with this series.

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

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.

Erica Ridley does it again with another lighthearted, fun, engaging historical romance. The characters are a little peculiar, the premise a knot of tangled webs, and the attraction magnetic. You'll laugh and you'll love and maybe even roll your eyes a little as you make your way through this one.

The Wild Wynchesters are an interesting assortment of siblings. Only thing is, they aren't siblings, not really. They were all Orphans that were adopted by the same man. Their father, as they call him, had one wish when he was dying. This wish was to retrieve a painting that was stolen from their home.
They know who has the painting, it is the Duke of Faircliffe. His father stole the painting from their home one night, and left a vase in its place. Since his father is gone, the siblings try to speak to the Duke. They write to the Duke. They try to contact him in any way possible. He ignores them.
The 6 Wynchester siblings hatch a plan. In this plan, they get the painting back from the Duke.
Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable. No one takes notice of her, so she is able to come and go as she pleases.
Chloe is chosen to be the one to rescue the painting. When the Duke of Faircliffe takes notice of Chloe, Chloe's feelings start to change.
This book was definitely wild and in some parts unbelievable. However, it is a good story.
I did like this story, but it wasn't one of my favorites.

I have read MANY Erica Ridley books. I am on her newsletter list. And I have to say that this one is the best one she has written (so far)! Read this book. Right now. I cannot wait to read the stories of the rest of the Wynchester siblings.

A little about them: Chloe, our heroine, is an orphan who had the good fortune to be adopted by a wealthy baron, along with 5 other orphans. The father has died and they are along in the world with only each other. Society shuns them because of their births. They each have a special skill set that they use on their Impossible Adventures. Chloe's is that she can hide in plain sight, almost as if she is invisible, or merely utterly forgettable. The siblings are on a quest to steal back their family's painting that has great significance to the siblings. In the midst of her heist, she accidentally takes off driving a carriage with the Duke in it (whose father stole the painting from them but who couldn't be bothered to answer any of the siblings pleas to buy it back). The Duke is completely broke. He has sold off everything he can and his only hope is to marry an heiress, Philippa, who is not interested in him, but willing to "do her duty to her family." As Chloe and the Duke become more and more intertwined, Chloe and Philippa become real friends.

This book also has a queer character, who gets to be the heroine in the next book. Tommy, master of disguise, is completely enamored of Philippa, who is clever and kind. I can't wait to read their story!

This was definitely not your average historical romance. No shy heroines in sight. I loved the Wynchesters, the family they built for themselves. The Duke definitely didn’t know what hit him with Chloe.

It’s witty, kind of silly and still manages to be a sweet love story. I liked how much the female characters bucked the societal norms, it was refreshing. I am definitely looking forward to stories for the siblings.

What a delightful book! Chloe and Lawrence are perfect!! All her family is so cool! My favorite character of the book: great Aunt!!! She was hilarious. I am intrigued about Tomy's story. Not sure it will be my cup of tea but since I enjoyed her personality so much I will give it a try !!!

Looking for a stuffy Regency romance with a timid heroine and a swashbuckling hero ready to sweep her off to safety? Look away, because you won’t find it in Erica Ridley’s latest tale of misadventure and the romance that shouldn’t be, THE DUKE HEIST, kicking off what appears to be a fun series with some highly unlikely pairs fitting together like toast and jam.

She has spent her life blending into the shadows, being forgettable, learning to live on the streets until an eccentric and wealthy benefactor takes in a ragtag group of orphans and creates a family bound by love and loyalty. Chloe is not what any mother of the Ton would want for her titled son, but she doesn’t want a man, she likes her life just as it is, until the financially strapped Duke of Faircliffe becomes her unintentional captive.

Lighthearted, clever, and so upbeat and fun, Erica Ridley has turned the Ton on its heels where matches are usually made for political and financial gain. The outcast and quirky Wynchester family are considered beneath the stuffed shirts, but the siblings by design and circumstance are really don’t care, until Chloe’s subterfuge backfires and she finds herself wanting to be noticed by the one man she cannot have, the handsome Duke.

Clearly, they are unaware of the power of the mighty pen and Erica Ridley’s wonderfully wicked imagination! Simply delightful reading!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Erica Ridley and Forever! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Erica Ridley writes delightful historical romances. This is the first book in the Wild Winchesters series. They are described as a "family of delightful scoundrels", I can't wait for the next one! Witty, fun and there's a kitten! We always buy her books for our library.

Absolutely enchanting from the first page. Peerage, snobs and debutants swept me up into yesteryear. I felt like I was living a dream back in time and kept picturing myself in the middle of the story.

Orphan Chloe Wynchester had a lucky break as a child in Whitechaple. She had an encounter with a kind generous man who offered her a better life than the terrible one she had. Ever and rightly suspicious, she agreed, IF her friends could also come. They all became a close knit family with their savior Baron ‘Bean’ Vanderbean. They were all very happy together and lead a good life..until he passed, he provided well for them all and they still lived on his estate. The only thing that bothered them all was that their first purchase as a family was a picture...and the person who sold it to them stole it from them.
Together as a team they attempted to retrieve it, the heir to the thief, now deceased, wasn’t interested in communicating with them, so they hatched a plan. Nowhere in their plan did they think Chloe would fall for him.
Heir, Lawrence Gosling, Duke of Faircliff is in dire financial straits, due to his now deceased father’s actions and is looking for an heiress to get him out….but he fell for Chloe and after several disastrous mistakes, he finally comes up to scratch, resigned to live in poverty, but there is much he doesn’t know.
Ms. Ridley’s historical romance has humor, intrigue, angst and a variety of familial interactions. I enjoyed it and would recommend.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis and offer my opinion in the same spirit

Loved it!
Great start to a new series.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: The Wild Wynchesters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.