A delightful romance to savor and enjoy filled with witty dialogue and amazing characters as Erica Ridley so artfully pens! 
On her way to Cressmouth and Marlow Castle with her mail Ursula, Lady Isabelle  is force to stop and take refuge at the Inn due to Ursula's sickness.  Posing as widow, Mrs. Lepine due to her being the daughter of a Duke, Belle tries to make the best of things until the can get to her brother's house. 
Calvin McAllister is also on his way to Marlow Castle. He is a talented tailor and hopes to meet with The Duke of Nottingvale, Belle's brother, during Christmastide.and get some backing.
When these two meet they seem to be pulled together and Belle helps him with his designs to be presented.  The plot thickens and as the two work together they grow closer.
Loved this addition to this wonderful series and as always the author wraps us up in a story that brings humor and a little intrigue that leaves us only wanting more!

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at www.hookedbythatbook.com -- 

Lady Isabelle has made peace with her lot in life as a duke’s sister – keep quiet, smile a lot, and marry well. But obviously there is more to the lady, and she isn’t extremely excited about this future. So when our beleaguered lady finds herself stranded at an inn, because of her maid’s flu, she makes the best of the situation at hand. She styles herself as a widow, and befriends the unsuspecting Calvin. Calvin is on a mission to convince a duke to invest in his clothing business. And his potential investor is none other than Isabelle’s brother. Gasp!

Well, the two of them hit it off spectacularly, but are they destined to only share a few days together?

This is a great series, and thankfully you don’t have to read them in order. This book is another light, fun, romantic read, with interesting characters. Calvin and Isabelle both act like the mature adults that they are, and are therefore able to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings (well, maybe not all of them). 

Do yourself a favour, and add it to your to-read list, and read it on a day where you need a pick-me-up, or any other day will also do. 

Thank you to Webmotion and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness, was this amazing!!! Where do I begin!! Calvin and Belle make the perfect couple!! So much sweet but secure tension...and a lovely winter, Christmas romance!! From the opening paragraph, I was hooked! Erica Ridley has a great way with words, and I am drawn into time and place immediately. I started reading this book last night at 1 am and could not put it down. I had to do after about 100 pages, as I needed to sleep, but I practically flew through the rest of this. The dialogue is perfect and conveys not only the frustrations of each character but also serves to illustrate a building relationship. As an aside, I am a huge fan of actor Daniel Day-Lewis, and I loved him as well as his character in 'Phantom Thread.' This book reminds me a bit of this movie...which is also one of my favorites! Now this book is one of my favorites as well! :)

My oh My Erica just keeps getting with this series. I've loved them all but this one was really special.
Lady Isabelle is the daughter of a Duke, and now the sister to a Duke. The most powerful, handsome most wanted Duke. All of her 24 years she has been told what to think, do and how to act. Lessons began very early so she could marry just the right ton man. One with the proper title so her mother
would not be shamed. She has been told by her father, women don't think, and cannot do anything.
They are to look pretty and marry well. WOW... Isabelle is different than most ton Lady's she doesn't really like doing nothing, going to balls, making small talk about nothing. She loves painting and does so when her mother isn't making her walk in the park to be seen, visiting other ton women to be seen and balls every night to be seen... She decides to go to her brothers for the Christmas ball he has every year to just get away. She has friends in Cressmouth. The best laid plans don't always work out, or do they?? On the way her best friend, almost a sister and her maid Ursula fall sick with influenza. They are forced to stop at The Hoot & Holly Inn. As the storm gets worst, and with her maid unable to help her she is in deep trouble.
She meets another traveler one Calvin McAlistair. He is undeniably handsome and perfectly Dressed as any Gentleman she had ever seen.
Looks are not always what they seem. Both Calvin and Isabelle have always felt like they don't belong anywhere. Calvin can pass as a ton gentleman but he really isn't. Isabelle has been raised in the ton and never feels like she is good enough.
As they spend time together, learn about and fight the attraction they both feel. Many secrets are shared.
This is a wonderful love story about what love can overcome if you give it a chance.
Will these two fight for what they want or do what is excepted for both their classes ?
I don't want to say too much as will ruin the story for you. The secrets and surprises make the store
so wonderful. Trust me the ending is beyond amazing....
Be sure and get you copy you will not able to put it down...
I received an ARC from the author and want to thank her.
This is my honest opinion and am voluntarily giving it.

What happens when Lady Belle gets the chance to just...be? She finds true love, but more importantly, herself. Being the sister of a duke can be lonely--something that Ridley points out in several previous stories in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series--but Belle seems to be even more so. And it was easy to connect to her feelings about society, herself, the world, and being invisible. I feel like Lady Amelia would be a fantastic friend for Belle.

Ridley brings a lot of depth to Belle's journey, outside of the romance. Her worry over Ursula--companion, maid, and friend all in one. What really works best is that Calvin, the hero, offers support beyond desire. For a non-titled gentleman, he shows far more pragmatism in relationships and love. It's more than a distraction. And he treats Belle fairly. Consent is important in their communication, a common Ridley element. Sexy times with a lot of intimacy. The scenes were believable but no less filled with heat. 

The only really downside I had was some of the phrase repetition in some scenes. I would have liked a little more in the scenes inside and around the Hoot & Holly (terrific name!), not just their rooms. Belle's love of nature would have been a great scene. Playing in the snow, seeing the world, as she re-envisions it on the page.

Highly recommend!

It was a cute read, but it was not a "laugh-out-loud", as the description of the book promised. 

It was for sure a heartwarming romance between a lady and a tailor, but this all "let´s put duke in the title thing..." it's starting to be ridiculous. 

I personally prefer books that innovate with a tailor and more diverse characters and for sure I preferer male protagonists that are not alpha-male, arrogant, but elegant and (realistically) socially awkward, like Calvin McAlistair.

A lovely read.

Dawn with a Duke. Beautiful story. Perfect book cover! Erica Ridley has created a beautiful story of Belle (Mrs. Lepine) and Calvin, as they enjoy a world of their own for a few days, with no pressure from society. Truly wonderful 9th book in The Dukes of Christmas Series.  On a personal note, I love who the 'Duke' is in this story.

Lady Isabelle and Calvin McAlistair meet when a blizzard strands them at an inn just outside of Cressmouth, the Christmas town.  Isabelle to pretend to be a wealthy widow to protect her reputation.  Isabelle and Calvin have a lovely dinner. When they go upstairs to retire, Isabelle realizes that with her maid ill with the flu and the inn is short of staff for the same reason, she is going to need help with her buttons.  She turns to Calvin for help, and the fun begins.  Calvin is a brilliant clothing designer and Isabelle is an extremely talented artist.  They work together to produce a catalogue of clothing for Calvin’s new (hopefully) business.  The more time they spend together, the stronger their attraction grows.  Everything is absolutely wonderful until the snow stops and Isabelle reveals who she really is.  What happens now?

This is a charming story filled with humor and warmth. The main characters are from different stations, but are perfect for each other.  Each of them appreciates the talent of the other.  They work and laugh together and make each other feel good.  There is no nasty villain and not much angsty drama.  I enjoyed and recommend this delightful romantic tale in the spirit of Christmas and Cressmouth, a lovely addition to this happy series.  Oh, yeah, there are nine drummers drumming.  You and Calvin have to look closely to find them.  

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  My review is voluntary.

I liked the plot of the story and was hoping for a more developed story and characters. As a reader I'd appreciated for more details as the story unfolded. Without these details the story felt unbelievable or rushed.

Another great one with this series. Loved the leading lady- smart- strong- creative! The leading man was fun as well and into fashion! Love the setting, HEA, and Erica knowns how to write this time period so well. 
can't wait for more of them!

This is romantic, sweet and entertaining. On the way to Cressmouth, Lady Isabelle's maid gets sick, so they have to stop at a posting house. With no one available to help her (except the man in the next room), Belle sleeps in her clothes the first night. After learning that her maid was going to be in the sickroom for several days, Belle asks the man next door, Calvin, to help unbutton her at night, and button her up in the morning. She has him sign a contact that said that was all the contact they would have. Until he shows her what he's doing in his room, then she asks to help. They have a chaste relationship, drinking tea, watching the sunset and working on the clothes that Calvin was designing. They fell in love, but she knew that she had to go home after Christmas and marry a lord. He wasn't interested in having a wife yet, he wanted to concentrate on the business. They make a spectacular couple, both are caring, quiet and talented. The end of the story was satisfying and shocking.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
-I really liked how the relationship between Calvin and Belle crept up slowly without anyone noticing. It was also unexpected to them because that wasn't the goal of them being together.
-Fun and sinful all in one, Belle shouldn't be in a man's room and Calvin has other things on his mind, like impressing a Duke, one with high standards.
-A bit of history into their past and a bit of dreaming into their future together or separated. It gave us a good idea of they were and what they could be.
-I thought some information/idea/sentiment was rehashed every few chapters which is why it didn't get a 5-star review.

Lady Isabelle Borland’s chaperone has taken ill and her reputation is put at risk.  She decides to stay at an inn on the to her brother the Duke of Nottingvale’s Christmas party at Cressmouth.  She encounters Calvin McAlistair and they are snowbound together at a posting-house. Calvin is a man trying to earn his way and start a new business venture that he hopes the Duke will invest in. Belle poses as an independent widow and Calvin becomes intrigued by her, the two have an instant attraction and romance, but will the lies and deception keep them apart when they meet again at the Duke’s estate? I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

Cressmouth - near Marlowe Castle  -  December 1814

Lady Isabelle (Belle) Borland is traveling by carriage with her lady’s maid, Ursula, to spend Christmas with her brother, the Duke of Nottingvale.  Ursula has come down with influenza and is quite ill.  Worried for her, Belle decides to stop at an inn and get a doctor for Ursula.  As it is starting to snow, the inn is nearly full, but Belle is able to claim a room and the proprietor has a room set aside for others stricken with influenza.  A doctor is expected to attend the patients.

Belle’s room is very small but she will try to make do until Ursula has recovered and they can resume their trip.  Downstairs, Belle looks for an empty table for dinner and there are none.  However, a gentleman asks her if she would like to join him and she agrees.  She says that she is Mrs. Lepine, a widow and he is Mr. McAlistair.  

Calvin McAlistair is a quiet man who enjoys his solitude.  He is staying at the inn waiting for a friend to join him.  They have formed a company called Fit for a Duke.  It sells ready made clothing for people that is of excellent quality and much less expensive than made to fit clothing that is enjoyed by the ton.  When ready, the presentation will be made to the Duke of Nottingvale as an investment.

The snowstorm turns into a blizzard meaning the people at the inn will be stuck for several days.  Without the help of her maid, Belle shyly asks Calvin to unbutton and button her dresses in the morning and at night.  She is embarrassed by it, but he is a total gentlemen and helps her.  When she learns what he is doing, she, being a good watercolorist, requests to help him.  Seeing her talent, he agrees.

As they spend time together working on his collection, they enjoy one another’s company.  Belle loves sharing tea with him and painting as she watches Calvin work on his collection.  Soon they begin to share kisses.  When Belle realizes that the snowstorm has stopped and Ursula is recovering, she knows that kisses are not enough.  How far will things go?  Is there a future for her, a lady, and him, a commoner?

I really liked this book.  Belle is a sensible woman with lots of talent that has yet to be recognized properly.  Calvin is an extremely gifted tailor with the ability to makes both men’s and women’s clothes.  Both are open to one another and don’t put on airs.  The plot is quite unique and I enjoyed it very much.

Copy provided by NetGalley, Goodreads, and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Short and sweet, it's the kind of book I'd like to read while curled up on a comfy sofa. It has the right amount of fluffiness and chemistry, but it slowly fizzled out during the climax to the denouement. Still, I enjoyed reading this.

It tells the story of ambitious tailor Calvin McAlistair and Lady Isabelle, a daughter of a duke, who were trapped in an inn due to a snowstorm. Being a respectable lady in society, Belle poses as widow "Mrs. Lepine" to avoid gossip when she sought shelter at the inn, while Calvin just wants nothing but finish his designs in time to meet his investor. Of course, they cross paths, sparks fly, conflict ensues, grand gesture is made and voila! Happily ever after.

While some circumstances were too convenient for our couple, I love that the author explored more about Calvin and Belle's personalities despite the short length of the book. Calvin isn't the typical brooding, aloof alpha male. He's brooding, all right... but only because he enjoys his solitude. He's used to being alone, but he's also not the type of hero who detest companionships. He's ambitious and wants to make a name for himself -- not in high society, but in his "commoner" world. 

Belle is also a lovely character. She appreciates her privilege, but she wants to explore life beyond the material possessions she has. Like Calvin, she wants to make a name for herself as an artist, not as some male pseudonym behind her artworks.

Overall, this is the type of feel-good book I'd like to pick up especially when on a reading slump.

Loved it! Set in a snowbound inn a few miles distance from Cressmouth (the village that celebrates Christmas all year round), Lady Isabelle finds herself assuming a fake name and identity to protect her reputation. After one night of sleeping in her clothes with her stays sticking into her tender flesh, she agrees to the assistance of a handsome young tailor in loosening her clothing but she does make him sign a contract that he must never in future divulge that he knows her. Over the course of two weeks their mutual admiration for each other’s talents deepens into romantic feelings. But Belle has been brought up to know her duty as a Duke’s daughter is to marry well and Calvin has no idea that she is from the highest echelons of the aristocracy. Things can not end well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this book. Both of the main characters were wonderful and the chemistry between them was so fantastic that even the scenes where they were just talking were steamy. I highly recommend this book!

Glad to slip into this one in a time long gone but still fun to read. Isabelle will give us quite the adventure on the way to a party. What she thinks will be innocent will take a different path which is the fun in it. The standards of the day made for stringent for the women. Thinking she is being clever it will show her the after effects which gives us delightful reading. The other fun thing is other than the fun they have is what Calvin thinks he does not have time for but haha. Things will take a twist with us taking it all in but this relationship give us the enjoyment we crave.

this was an interesting novella, I enjoyed both Belle and Calvin's characters and their banter and growing feelings, i enjoyed both backstories and the setup. Solid romance.

Dawn with a Duke by Erica Ridley was just a delight to read. Out of all the 12 Dukes of Christmas, this one is by far my favorite. Thank you to the author and publisher for the book through NetGalley for this copy. This review is my own opinion. 

Lady Isabelle  is snowbound at an inn. She in on her way to her brothers home in Cressmouth where she will spend Christmas. She is stuck at the inn along with her sick maid. She meets Calvin McAlistair who is also stuck at the inn. He is a tailor preparing a presentation to a Duke residing at Cressmouth. Turns out the Duke he is supposed to meet is none other than Lady Isabelle's brother.

This fun book has a snowstorm, paintings, tailoring, sick maids and lots of fun. It is definitely worth the read.