Forever Your Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #12). By Erica Ridley. 2020. WebMotion (ARC eBook).

The word is out that this year at the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmastide house party and festivities, he will seek a wife. Always a stickler for propriety, Alexander should be engaging and assessing the eligible young debutantes whose mothers are parading around his home. But instead he is drawn to Cynthia Louis Finch, a hoyden of the first order. Forever Your Duke is a delightful read. Cynthia Louis and Alexander are opposites but the dynamic is good; with Cynthia Louise allowing the buttoned-up Alexander to step away from the pressure he puts on himself and live a little. Erica Ridley’s books are always fun and sweet reads.

Fluffy historical fiction? Christmas-themed series? A guaranteed hea in these turbulent times? Yes please!

Definitely highly enjoyable; I'm looking forward to going back and reading the other books in the series as I've not yet read them.


My thanks to Erica Ridley, WebMotion, and NetGalley. I received an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Erica Ridley is a solid romance writer who delivers an exceptional story. I enjoyed the book, the plot and pacing were on point. Another winner and I will continue to read Erica Ridley.

This was a solid conclusion to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, and was, as I've come to expect from Erica Ridley, brilliantly written. Overall, I think this series pales in comparison to Ridley’s greater works, like the Rogues to Riches books, but this story was one of the better ones of this particular series. I enjoyed the humor infused throughout and Gertrude’s stalwart support of Cynthia. Max was also an absolute, adorable joy. But my favorite part was the climax scene involving the skis. It was exciting, romantic, and very telling of Alexander’s feelings for Cynthia.

However, while this book was definitely more interesting that its predecessors, I had issues with some of Alexander’s behavior. It is wildly unattractive for a hero to find the heroine good enough to kiss but not good enough to marry, and Alexander held onto this belief through much of the story. Even though we were made to somewhat excuse his behavior, eventually, I tired of hearing his dedication to being perfect based on the pressures of his parents and society. Also, the part where he was so embarrassed to be seen with Cynthia that he tried to hide was extremely disappointing and not what I look for in a hero.

Nonetheless, I liked this book well enough and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read with some humor, romance, and heartwarming moments.

*I received an ARC of this novella. This is my complete and honest review.*

Alexander Borland, seventh Duke of Nottingvale, is having a month long Christmastide party. The party is an annual tradition and one that not only Alexander looks forward too but so do the villagers of Christmas. Miss Cynthia Louise Finch is chaperoning her cousin, Gertie to the party and it is planned for her to pair Gertie with Alexander despite that she secretly loves him. Cynthia has a lot to work with not only does she has to break Gertie out of her shell but help Alexander is more spontaneous. As Cynthia takes Alexander on trips and adventures that are not only scary exciting but might also be perilous. Cynthia slowly starts to fall deeper for Alexander but knows that he is not for her. Alexander also can’t believe it but he has feelings as well for Cynthia which he really shouldn’t.
This funny yuletide Regency romance might be the last in series of 12 Dukes of Christmas is possibly the best! The writing is superb, the story is entrancing and the characters are totally enthralling; even the side characters just heighten the tale keeping you smiling! Even the dog Max manages to be cute even though he seems to cause trouble for everyone. Cynthia the older spitfire heroine is just marvelous. It is a little difficult to believe that she has not been married and is a spinster. She just seems so fabulous that it seems as if everyone is a little small-minded or just is intimidated by her perhaps? Alexander the stiff scared to show his true self hero is easy to fall for too. The bad thing about the story is that it is the last of the series.

A great end to a fun series that is perfect for a bit of escapism these days! It works fine a standalone as well if 12 books seems overwhelming.

What a way to end this amazing series. I was wondering who would be the lady that steals the heart of Duke of Nottingvale. And who better for the job than Miss Cynthia Louise. They were like oil and water but they worked really well together. He needed her to soften him up and she need to be seen.

I felt in love with them easily and I didn't want to see this story to end.

***Review copy received from the author for an honest opinion ***

<b>* * * * * 5 stars!!</b>
I finished this book in just 2 days. Seriously, this story was really captivating! I'm falling in love with historical romance novels thanks to Erica Ridley.
Even though it's a romance <spoiler>and you *might* guess the ending, (HEA?)</spoiler> it was still very pleasant to read, specially with two main characters who are polar opposites but at the same time have so much in common.

Fun, light read that is easy to pickup. Erica Ridley has a talent for capturing the era, and all historical romance lovers will enjoy this story.

Erica Ridley is a favorite author of mine, especially when I'm looking for something light, non-angsty to read (which is most of the time right now). I've read several of the books in this series and enjoyed all of them. While the trope of the stuffy nobleman and free-spirited heroine is not new or unusual, in Cynthia Louise Finch Ridley has created a memorable heroine. The duke is clueless but discovers that he can have fun and wants more of it, with Cynthia Louise as his teacher. By the way, I thought of another much younger heroine with a similar name and character, Jean Louise Finch, aka Scout. Thanks to NetGalley for a "read now" advance reader copy.

Once again a great addition to this series. I admit I didnt really care for Nottingvale from previous book but this story showed a different side of him. Cynthia was just the one to bring the Duke down a few notches. Great read

This is the last book in a series about the town of Cressmouth, all the books can be read as stand alone but I feel it helps to have read some of the others. I had read three prior to this one so I was excited to see the duke finally get a book but I must admit I was disappointed. With the previous books I either loved them or was meh about them. This was a big no for me. First off, giving her a name of Cynthia Louise with a dog named Max from the town of Houville just stopped me cold. Really?! The character of Cynthia did not fit at all for someone like Alexander, a duke who played by strict rules. Yes they are opposites but I did not feel their attraction, it was not real. And she was so over the top snobby and rude that it really turned me off.
This is a short read, no passion, way too many Christmas references and scenes that are too far fetched. For wrapping up the series, I was disappointed because I actually like Erica Ridley's books and feel that she is a talented writer but this is not her best.
I was given an ARC in exchange for a review

Forever Your Duke is the twelfth and final book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. The books in the series can be read as stand-alones but are so much better if read in order. As always, the characters are charming, and the plot is solid. The author has woven all twelve couple’s courtships throughout the series and managed to capture our attention and our love.
The Duke of Nottingvale is hunting for a respectable bride during his Christmastide house party this year. He has in mind an image of the perfect bride and Miss Cynthia Louise Finch does not fit that image! Even though he knows his responsibilities to his title, he can’t seem to get her out of his head. Will he choose love or duty?
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Erica Ridley has done it again!! In this twelfth and final book in her Twelve Dukes of Christmas series we FINALLY see the Duke of Nottingvale get his own well deserved story. Cynthia Louise Finch, spinster extraordinaire is looking to save her young cousin Gertie from an odious match by presenting her to Alexander Borland Duke of Nottingvale as a potential bride. Things go awry though when Ms. Finch develops feelings for the Duke. This is the perfect conclusion to this already amazing series and is a MUST READ for those who enjoy regency romance. I received an ARC of this work from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Sincerely, Anna

This was such a charming holiday read. Cynthia-Louise was an absolutely delightful character so loyal and protective of her cousin Gertie but also furiously independent and just an absolute riot. I loved her adventures and how much she shook things up in Alexander's life.

Alexander's turnaround was also great. I was so proud of him, letting loose the way he did. I will definitely be reading more of this author in the future.

loved it! Funny, romantic, the odd over the top interjection to the story that added to the overall glorious madness!
I discovered the series through this book and am now furiously reading about all the Duke's.

I have loved the plot thread of the last of the books in the series and this is like the topper on the wedding cake. It was a wonderful novella where the outrageous spinster got her own HEA with a charming Duke. The series ends with the Duke of Nottingvale's annual Christmas Party. He has promised his mother to finally find a bride. Of all of the eligible young women, the woman that catches his attention is a spinster with outrageous behavior. He gets his HEA with the woman that makes him want to live.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

Forever Your Duke by Erica Ridley was a total Christmas extravaganza that made me smile.

This is my second book from the author and I think I’m getting some sense of her style now. As with Ten Days with a Duke, this book was a light easy read with rather charming characters. I quite enjoyed the author’s low-angst style and even though there was no bedroom scenes in this book, I honestly did not miss it as the MCs emotional connection was convincing.

I quite enjoy opposites attract books and here we have the charismatic and effervescent spinster, Cynthia Louise trying to marry off her shy introverted niece to the very starchy and proper Duke during a house party. They are of course unwillingly attracted, but will the monster-in-law and the Duke’s own stick up his bum win the day?

Overall, another fun easy read!

A great ending to the Twelve Dukes series! I thought that when Belle fell in love with a commoner, her brother would have to uphold the family honor. It’s nice to see someone who has been overlooked and relegated to the spinsters club to be seen by that special someone.

3.5 stars

Alexander, the Duke of Nottingvale, hosts a Christmas house party each year, but this year is a bit different as he’s decided to seek a bride from among the guests. He knows where his duty lies and is determined to find a bride who is as proper and respectable as he is.

Cynthia Louise Finch once adhered faithfully to all of society’s strictures. But since she was rejected by the ton anyway, she’s given up on respectability and embraced her new reputation as an unapologetically brazen spinster. Her beloved younger cousin, however, would be the perfect fit for the duke’s standards and Cynthia is determined to make a match of them to save her cousin from marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Unfortunately, Cynthia has always carried a torch for the duke despite being on the periphery of his notice for years. Only this year, he seems to be noticing her for the first time.

Alexander knows he must be respectable no matter what his true desires are and yet he finds himself falling for a determinedly inappropriate woman, leaving him to decide if he’ll continue to do what’s expected of him or follow his heart.

I enjoyed this book overall, although it did seem slightly anticlimactic as the finale to this series. I loved the festive setting and these two opposites as a couple. I just wish there had been some steam and that Alexander had stood up for himself, and Cynthia, a bit sooner and more thoroughly. It was nice to see these two choose each other and make a realistic compromise to be together. Overall, I enjoyed this one and this series of light and fun escapes.

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