Another wonderful visit to magical Cressmouth village, and this time with a feuding families, the Harpers and the Westons and their wonderful offspring Olive and Elijah

Olive Harper knew her purpose in life and excelled at it. The Harper horses she and her father raised filled all her needs and being a spinster was least of her worries. That was until her father said (in sign language) "I've decided on a husband for you." Then he said his name.. No!! Elijah Weston, the boy who had humiliated her years ago!

Yes, Elijah was even more handsome than before, but no, he would have to win her and he had ten days. To say Elijah was shocked at her stipulation, is putting it mildly! It seemed "He had ten days to win the affection of a duke."

Oh yes, humor abounds as these two face off, but what a marvelous ride they will have!!

This is a funny and romantic story. Eli and Olive when they were 16 and 14, they met after each had been in a horse race. Eli was hiding from his father, knowing he would be berated for not winning, especially since his biggest rival's daughter, Olive, won her race. Eli was enraptured by her, so he kissed her. They were caught by his father, who ruthlessly humiliated her, and made Eli do it too. 10 years later, Eli is sent to end the feud by marrying Olive. Olive wants no part of it, but agreed to seriously consider the offer, if Eli could get her horse, Duke, to let Eli ride him. Duke was notorious for only allowing Olive to ride him. Eli is determined to try to win Olive, even though he's terrified of horses. Olive was determined to get a little revenge against Eli, and still turn him down. They are both surprised by who the other really is, which is nothing like what they each thought. Eli the nerd shows Olive that he's not completely useless, and Olive shows Eli that she can still be a caring person with someone she hates. The storyline is great, and there were a few twists I didn't see coming. I love this series.

I have to admit this is not my favourite. It purely down to the description of The heroine being humiliated as a teenager and being set up to some similar again The idea that a father even considers that his son does to such an atrocious act ... and the fathers then be accepted back into the fold?! It made me a bit uncomfortable. As always the characters are well written and I managed to read the whole book, but it’s not going to be a favourite.

So we are back in Cressmouth aka Christmas where we have a horse ranch that that we have we have heard about before as they supply the horses that pulled the sledges up the very steep High Street; and of course Prinnie, the Prince Regent, wanted to buy Duke the amazing stallion who doesn't like anyone to ride him - apart from one person - that is the person who nursed him through his foal- hood, who bottle fed him and who trained him. Our heroine in other words.
However as we know, in Regency times we have come across this problem before - women cannot inherit or own property - they need a man, and so it's necessary for our heroine to find a man. Also her father thought she should be married so that she could then own the horse farm through him, or at least that's what he told her.
He had long ago had a major argument with his partner which had led to the horse business being split into 2; one part in Christmas and the other part in London. He now contacted his ex-London partner to facilitate a rapprochement, and suggested that his son might marry our heroine and this is where the Story starts. There is one problem however with the London son - he's a botanist doesn't really like horses. He is concerned with a major avenue of research – finding a herbal remedy for when the placenta is retained in childbirth – as this leads to the mother bleeding out – as his own mother had. Of course, this does not please his father, but he continues, and is in need of money to hire the necessary scientists for his project. He thus agrees to woo the heroine in =exchange for funding from his father.
I've looked into some of the plants that are mentioned here in the book to see which ones do have some medicinal impact and some of them certainly do, others are really just decorative. The first one mentioned is nelumbo nucifera also known as the sacred Lotus or Indian Lotus. It is completely edible in all its parts and may be an antidepressant or anti diabetic; the second plant mentioned is olea sylvestris which is in fact the wild olive and as we know olives are very edible indeed. There is a mention of the grass that the horses have in their pasture - phleum pratense, this is a perennial grass and actually isn't all that good for horses to eat when it is still green. It is sometimes called cats tail and is especially good when added to hay as it produces fibre and is good for the horses teeth as it is rather tough.
One of the things being researched into are plants that can induce Labour. Sometimes midwives will recommend castor oil or raspberry tea, or blue cohosh tea. However, there are no reliable studies to support that any of them actually work.
There are two orchids that are also mentioned, a Costa Rican orchid also called the Easter orchid - cattleya mossiae - and an epiphytic orchid from the Asian Sub Continent which is miniature and very floriferous called vanda ampullacea.
This series is fun and the Dukes in question are often unexpected. In this particular book, the Duke is a horse. I always enjoy this writer and is interesting to see that she has brought into the story plants from the part of the world in which she lives – Costa Rica. Which is a wonderful plant friendly part of the world!

Excellent read! As always, Ridley brings the characters to life with such wit and such personality! Olive and Elijah's story is special in that Olive's father is deaf and sign language is a regular form of communication throughout the book - I just love that this author always includes something that everyone can identify with. I really enjoyed the read - I really hope we get a novella about how Olive & Elijah live their lives in the future!

Caught in a vise between feuding fathers, Elijah Weston arrives at the Harpers' home with a marriage license in his pocket. After thoroughly humiliating Olive at their previous meeting, Elijah is fully aware of the fact that he deserves her disdain and disgust. However, when she makes a pact with him, he overcomes his own fears to win the opportunity to make amends with her. Tension in this novel is created from the opening pages and one can only feel for both Olive and Elijah as they chart their course through troubled waters. The story is well written and emotive, laced with humour and wit, coming to a very positive conclusion. It highlights the fact that bullies can only get their way until someone stands up to them. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Eli and Olive’s story might just be my favourite in the series. Don’t get me wrong - there’s not a bad book in the bunch but these two are extra special.

Enemies to lovers with plenty of banter, great chemistry and loads of LOL moments. I absolutely loved this one.

Olive lives for Harper Farm noted for their horse breeding and trainers. . Her father started the farm years ago. When her father decides she needs a husband, he offers his shares to his enemy's son, Elijah Weston. When Elijah shows up with a special license, Olive says no with a stipulation that looks impossible for Elijah to fulfill, if she decides to say yes, he has ten day to try. There are underlying secrets that will force them both to trust each to make their own life together. A clever series set in the town of Cressmouth, known for celebrating Yuletide all year long.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is book 11 in the 12 Dukes of Christmas book series. It isn't necessary to have read the other books first to enjoy this one, although I intend to as I would like to know more about the town where Christmas is celebrated all year long. While every book in this series has the word 'duke' in the title, the duke in question may not be who or what you expect.

One thing I loved about this book is that not every major character is an aristocrat. Olive, the heroine, works on her father's horse farm, which she mostly runs now that he is older, and expects to inherit one day. Her father is deaf, and Olive and he communicate via sign language. Years before, he had a partnership with a nobleman who was also a close friend. They had a serious quarrel that resulted in ending both the partnership and the friendship. His ex-partner took the land, and he kept the horses. Olive is badly shocked when her father tells her that he and his ex-partner now want to mend their feud by the marriage of their children.

Elijah, the hero, is the son of the noble ex-partner, a marquess. Elijah isn't comfortable around horses at all. He is a botanist whose passion is developing medicines from plants and has been under his father's unkind thumb for his entire life. He and Olive had been close friends growing up, but he had hurt her very badly when he mocked her about her appearance when she was a young girl.

This is an excellent and unusual love story and I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book from the author and publisher via Netgalley. These are my opinions of the book.

‘Ten Days with a Duke’ is another great book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series. Whilst each book has been entertaining, you will still enjoy this book without having read the previous books in the series.
Olive Harper has fought long and hard to forget Elijah (Eli) Weston, who embarrassed her in front of the town, after he kissed her. The fathers were once close friends and business partners. Yet, it appears that Olive’s father would like to resolve their differences and has decided that if Olive would like to maintain the fathers would like them to maintain ownership of the family business, that she would marry Eli. However, Olive is mortified but the more time she spends with Eli, the more she fears the pain of rejection.
What made this such an enjoyable story was that as Eli and Olive spend time, her confidence in herself grows. The goodness in Eli is so obvious, with his respectful nature towards Olive’s father and his easy-going nature with Olive. Their behaviour towards each other and their painful past, becomes apparent as the story progresses and secrets are revealed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Olive Harper’s father has a scheme to marry Olive off to the son of their prime horse farm rival, the Marquess of Milbotham. The son of the Marquess, Eli Weston, has been secretly in love with Olive since they met as teenagers. Due to an unfortunate incident, Olive has vowed never to see or speak to Eli. When he turns up on the doorstep of her family home, will Olive fall victim to his charms once again? Find out in this scintillating, witty and somewhat scandalous tale set in Regency England.

Mr. Harper and Mr. Weston had been partners in raising and training horses; then something happened (we don’t know what), the business was split, and they have been feuding for decades. Now it appears they plan to repair the rift with a marriage between Elijah Weston and Olive Harper. Why, all of a sudden, do their fathers think this is a good idea. Elijah kissed Olive when they were younger, then he taunted and humiliated her. She will not let it happen again. She doesn’t know Elijah wanted to kiss her, but taunted her because he feared his father. She has no intention of giving in to this marriage, but she will take a bit of revenge with her “test.” Elijah, who is more interested in horticulture that horses, has ten days to make friends with Duke, Olive’s famous stallion. Can he do it? Maybe, but it may not make any difference. Things are not what they seem.

This is a heartwarming story. There is drama and humor in equal parts. Olive and Elijah are so good together, before and after they realize they like and eventually love each other. The story has some interesting twists, thanks to the feuding fathers. A visit to Cressmouth is always a joy. Elijah’s visit is no exception. Miracles always happen in this happy Christmas village. If Elijah and Olive can escape their manipulations, maybe the scheming fathers can call a truce. This lovely story is a wonderful addition to the series. By the way, Olivia is one of the eleven ladies dancing at Nottingvale’s Twelfth Night Ball. One more Duke to go. Wonder who it is?

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

Each book has transported me back in time for a magical romance in a place that can only be a living dream. I am amazed when I see each one get better than the last. I’m sad to think there’s only one left, but extremely anxious to start it. Book provided by NetGalley.

Another great romance story ❣️. I enjoyed reading this book more than the previous one as I think that this book did well in the department of character development.

I enjoyed the strong, confident, wise and kind Olivia. I enjoyed the the ambitious, charismatic and kind Elijah.

Both of them did suffer because of the feud of their fathers. I just love how the story dwell more in the development of the romance although I just felt that some tiny parts were rushed (the last 20-15%) of the book (I think).

I definitely recommend this to those who are looking for a short and quick Christmas, historical romance themed book. This is such a lovely read ❣️.

One of the things I liked most about this book was how relatable Olive was. Her self-consciousness of her mouth/teeth and how a few moments of someone making fun of her looks when she was younger affected her into her adulthood. Many people can relate to that and for that reason, they are going to cheer for Olive. Once you get to know Elijah as the book goes along, you can also feel along with him with not being able to please his father and trying to do everything he can to avoid his father's machinations and anger. The characters' back stories were well developed and even though this is a novella, the depth of the character's stories come across well.

Another wonderful read from Erica. So far the best in the series. Loved the Christmas village and the people in it. Looking forward to the next one in the series

I just love this series of books and to my my mind this is one of the best because it has all the elements we have come to expect from Erica.
Two people who through the actions of other people hate each other but through all obstacles learn to love each other and become a force to be reconnected with.
Can’t recommend it enough

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Ten Days with a Duke is my favorite of the series so far (even if I have some issues with where it falls in the series, given that it would have been a perfect tenth entry with that title…but I can see why the over-arching plot made this order necessary, even though I haven’t read the entire series yet).

Prior installments have been more fun and surface level, but I like the way this one grappled with the emotional weight of the characters’ past actions, thus making the transition from mortal enemies to lovers feel more well earned. I deeply resonated with Olive, whose self-confidence is destroyed thanks to the Westons and refuses to associate with them again. And there’s also a great growth arc for Elijah, who knows from the beginning he did wrong and works hard to prove he’s changed and win her heart. And the fact that this is complemented by Olive‘s love of horses (her favorite being called Duke) and Elijah working to overcome his fear of them is also beautiful.

I enjoyed this installment, and given what’s been set up, I can’t wait to see what goes down in the final book (I’ll hopefully read the rest before then!) If you love historical holiday romance, this series has been a delightful, from the town of Christmas (actually called Cressmouth) to the wonderful, dynamic characters.

I loved this story, it was one of my favourites from the series although I have enjoyed the whole series. A strong heroine and a scholarly hero. Almost everything about this book I loved except for the sex. It was a lot hotter than the last for me (I always skip the sex and it doesn’t affect my enjoyment of the book). The characters were as usual well written with lots of emotion both humour and sadness. Each book covers a different occupation which makes it an interesting read and not just your usual Ton romance. I look forward to the next book, it will be sad to see the series end. Christmas is a town I would love to visit. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.

I like this book. The story is really sweet and romantic. It made me sad in different passages, but it was really enjoyable.
Olive Harper is a strong woman who suffered a public humiliation from Elijah Wenston and his father. Both families have been feuding for decades. Now both parents want them to marry each other and end the feud joining their land. But Olive doesn´t want to marry the rogue who kissed and hurt her twice.
Scholar and botanist Elijah Weston prefers horticulture to horses. He's been desperately in love with his mortal enemy ever since he kissed her—and, yes, publicly destroyed her—all those years ago. When he's given ten days to win Olive's heart, he arrives with marriage license in hand. But where lies and double-crosses abound, how can lifelong rivals learn to trust their hearts?
What I like most about the story is the chemistry between them. The sweet dialogs, the steamy moments. It has a lot to enjoy and quite a bit to learn about forgiveness and second chances. I highly recommend this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.