These short, charming. romantic reads have really grown on me lately. I love discovering a reliably good author that I can go to for great entertainment in between heavier reads. I also like when books in series can be read independently of each other. Thumbs up!

I gave this a 4 stars or 8/10.  This book was a NetGalley copy that I was sent in exchange for an honest review.  My thanks to the Author via the Publishers for the opportunity to read this.

Out of the first 6 books in this series, this one is my favourite. This time the Duke in question is a female with the surname le Duc. As Desiree takes up a position as a temporary governess to the 10 year old twins of Jack Skeffington, single father and confirmed bachelor.  As time progresses Desiree realises that she is developing feelings for the children in her care and not only just them.  As she has major reasons for having accepted the temporary position, her loyalties are torn between her family across the channel and the one family that she finds herself living with.  Which family will she choose and more importantly how can she make that choice?

Grab a copy yourself and immerse yourself in the lives of Desiree and Jack.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short novella and while a quick read it is enjoyable.
Jack has been raising his twins alone since his wife passed but now it is time for them to have a governess.
Desiree and her brothers had to escape France but now that the war is over all they want is to return home.  With the salary she can earn as a temporary governess, they can go home sooner.
There isn't a lot of action or character development in light of how short the novella is but the relationship between jack, desiree, and the twins is sweet.
An uncomplicated HEA.

This is a cute story. It isn't as funny as the other books in the series, but it is entertaining. Jack is a former privateer, and a current smuggler, with 10 year old twins. The twins are smart, precocious and competitive. When Jack realizes that it was time for the twins to have a governess, he has no idea how to go about it, so he asks his friend and neighbor Desiree to help him find one. Desiree is a French aristocrat who, along with her two older brothers, fled from France after their parents were killed during the French revolution. They've been in England for 18 years and were waiting until they helped the man who rescued them pay off the lien on his home. Desiree thinks that she'd like to be Fred and Annie's temporary governess while she helps Jack find a permanent one, so he agrees. Neither of them realizes that their secret crush is returned, until Desiree moves in with Jack. Even after they realize that their crushes are in fact mutual, they're both against any relationship. Jack has had his heart broken once already and Desiree is moving back to France. Unfortunately for them, the four of them slip into a routine that is very family-like, and resisting temptation becomes increasingly harder. Jack is a relaxed, confident man with no regrets about his life. Desiree is a bundle of energy trying to stay busy and help her family any way she can. Fred and Annie are firecrackers. This is a heartwarming story that began with tragedy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

My favorite of the series! It was enchantingly heartwarming. To watch love grow. When I sigh at the end of a book... Just saying, a must read. Book provided by NetGalley.

The twins dialog and banter made this book and the love their smuggler father Jack has for them sweetened the pot. The love story between Jack and Désirée wasn't what I'm accustomed to reading. It wasn't very romantic. Stolen kisses and a bit encounter isn't romance to me. However, the children are the stars of this book. I enjoyed it and can't wait to begin The Duke's Embrace with Désirée 's brother Sébastien.

Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

Such a fun read.  Desiree and Jack's story fits perfectly with the light-hearted feel of this series..  I love the character with their quick wit and laugh out loud banter.  I really enjoyed the playful weave of cast and plot together to create a great read.

The Duke’s Bride by Erica Ridley is book 6 of the 12 Dukes of Christmas Series. An historical romance set at Christmastime is always a fun read. A classic tale of a man who has closed his heart when his wife dies but has two children to take care but does not know how. Enter the heroine to help take care of the kids until he finds a suitable tutor. This leads to friendship and confidentiality between two strong people. They finally heal through the love that is built on trust and admiration. While this is the first book I have read in this series, I will go back and read the others ASAP!

I really loved this book - it was so sweet and just a really heartwarming story - I totally needed it.

Another fun book from Erica Ridley, the Dukes series is almost ridiculous but in a good way. I particularly enjoyed the kids in this one.

This is a well-written book which kept my attention throughout  ,I enjoyed reading this entertaining series

Take one single father , with a secret and one French Madmoiselle also with a secret...………  plus a full wine cellar and you get an highly entertaining romance .

A great book for a rainy Sunday afternoon

I was given an ARC of this book by Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 4
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e-Book/ Netgalley/ December2019
<i>Thank you Netgalley and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.</i>
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I am a huge fan of Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series and it is no surprise that I have come this much into a series!. Historical Romance will always be my feel-good guilty please reads and this one is definitely not an exception ❤️
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This book follows a stern mastermind & a single father to twins, Jack Skeffington, who is in dire need of a strict governess, and a determined & witty Désirée le Duc, who just happens to be Jack's business partner's sister. How these two confront what is happening and their feelings towards one another is the main plot.
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First, as usual, I loved the writing and the word choices used for the characters and it went really well with the personalities of them as well. I loved the contrast of personalities in both our main characters and the kids were absolutely amazing to read about! Especially the interactions between our main characters really made me root for them at the end and the ending was an absolute delight to read about!
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Overall, I am really glad I am continuing with the series and if you are looking for a short historical romance series, I definitely recommend this one!

Another good book to read from this author. Compared to other reads by her, this book could be summarized into one sentence : A fluffy historical romance with a lot if bubbly moments.

Always a winning author for me. Immersive world, steamy interactions, and a HEA. What more do you need? Im not usually a fan of French/English romances, I find they can be a bit heavy handed at times, which is just a personal preference, which pulls this rating down for me.

A light, happy Christmas romance. The perfect fun, light-headed read. 

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Duke's Bride by Erica Ridley - I finished it in one sitting and found myself smiling the entire time! It was the perfect light, happy romance to read in between the heavier ones and was very suited to the Christmas period. I personally loved how well the story line and characters were developed given it's length (only 200 pages), which is sometimes lacking in other similarly sized novels. Desiree was a fantastic, delightful, and all around fun heroine - and was the perfect partner for not only Jack, but the twins as well! Overall, this was a lovely, lighthearted story to read that I would recommend in a heartbeat.

Definitely not the best book in series... However, it is an enjoyable novella that is more about feel good then a deep story. You will enjoy reading this for it is well written. Just not a lot of action or adventure in this one. Another good read for a rainy evening. I was given this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Duke’s Bride is the sixth book in the Dukes of Christmas series.  It is the first book in the series I have read. It is a stand alone, but makes you want to read the others.  After the death of her parents, Desiree le Dues, a French aristocratic,  with her two brothers, have come to England to escape the growing trouble in France. They are living with a family friend, but are working and saving to return to their homelands and reestablish their vineyard in France. After the death of his wife, Jack Sheffington, a private smuggler by trade, has the  need of a governess for his ten year old twins.  Jack visits with his friends and partners,  the Le Ducs, to get a suggestion of who he could hire to help care for his children. Desiree hears about the offer and jumps at the chance to work for Jack so she can make money to help her family return to their homeland of France.  Desiree and Jack both value family over everything so the question is, “Will the two find love , or will they each choose family first?” Good read. Love the twins. Hope there is a story about them.

writing and storytelling is great, descriptive, and flowing. jack was a great, wonderful hero. and Desiree was witty, charming.