This was super cute! I love an enemies to lovers, and this was a complex take on that. Her Dad playing matchmaker was pretty adorable, and I loved the ending. I definitely need to go back and read the rest of the series now!

Such sweet, adorable romance. Eli was a really great hero, I loved his passion for botany and for helping women have a safer labor. I am sad that this is the second to last book in this series, because I really have enjoyed it. Especially these last couple of books, they have been so great! Can't wait for the last book!

I received an advanced reader's copy of Ten Days with a Duke by Erica Ridley.

Olive and Elijah both had experiences that deeply impacted them growing up. Despite the challenges they each managed to excel in their respective fields. I loved how Olive and Elijah interacted throughout the story. I felt they complemented each other.

Olive is able to look at herself and admit where she has held herself back. Elijah also changes and it was wonderful to see his transformation.

I have enjoyed all the stories in this series and this latest story is one of my favorites.

I'm looking forward to the last book in the series.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
-First and best LOL moment: "Eli burst out laughing and chucked the last bits of carrot at Rudolph. "She's not coming back, is she?" Rudolph shook his head with a disgruntled snort...". One Olive, zero Elijah.
-This book made me laugh, cry, hope, despair, laugh some more and cry from joy.
-When Elijah said no the first time to Lord Milbotham, I suddenly had hope, because I've been crying for the last chapter or two.
-I loved how Elijah told the truth (the whole truth and more) to Olive. She then had a choice to make and I think she made the correct one. She also reciprocated to him.
-I really liked the end, especially with the nice twist.
-I was glad to see Duke's fashion popping up again. We haven't heard about it since Lord Nottingvale agreed to finance both Calvin and Jonathan.
-In Ridley's notes at the end, she wrote "It's important to note that reading lips is not easy". In one of the last Christmas I spent with my brothers, one of them noted that any one of us at that table during the evening did read lips to know what was going on. True. We all did. Our father, who was deaf from one ear and couldn't understand much from the other, taught us well. It just becomes awkward when you're reading lips from a guy you really like in school and get caught doing it...

I am thankful to Erica Ridley and Netgalley fot giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this fabulous story. "Ten Days with A Duke" is another romantic love story set in the town of Cressmouth. Olive Harper has been told by her father to marry Elijah Weston, but their two families have been enemies for the past 30 years. This may be the best story of hurt, betrayal, revenge and a coming together that I have read in a long time. I was fascinated by the characters and their fears and desires and their overcoming these emotions. A must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Erica Ridley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book!

I continue to adore this funny and romantic series, and I am also selfishly happy that this book returned to steaminess after the last one, which while adorable and sweet in nature, was also a "sweet romance" in heat level as well.

One of the best running jokes in the series is that every book is about a duke, but it's not always a human aristocrat. We learn at the end of chapter two what this book's twist on "duke" is, and it's hilarious.

Olive is so smart and competent, and Eli is so smart and adores Olive for how smart she is. He's been a real jerk to her in the past because of daddy issues (I mean, standard issue for romance heroes, haha) but I still couldn't help but swoon over how much he's always pined for her, especially when he has thoughts like "Nothing was more attractive than a clever mind."

Our secondary characters are a delight as well -- since this is kind of a forced-proximity story, mostly we just see Papa Harper and the horses. Papa is Deaf and signs with Olive while Eli needs to have a spoken translation, which not only leads to some funny miscommunications (and Papa's snoopy lip reading) but enforces this theme of mix-ups and misunderstandings. We also have some great horse antics, including a completely hilarious, over-the-top romantic comedy climax that I could see in my head like a movie.

Also, Eli's mission to use plants for public health is truly admirable and it's such an interesting concept as well, centered around women's health. I'll warn you that the word "placenta" is used a LOT. But it's so inspiring and again, even though he definitely has a lot of inner conflict about stuff he's doing and has done, you can see exactly why his mission is so important to him.

Don't forget to read the author's note! She talks a little about the history of sign language, but also about her personal experience with translation as she speaks Spanish at home but English professionally.

Finally, even though this is *10* Days with a Duke, it is book 11 of 12. Next book we'll finally get the Duke of Nottingvale's story! I'll be sad to see this wonderful series end, though I actually have quite a few of the earlier books to catch up on.

By the way, for those who are curious -- this is much less Christmas-y than book 10, One Night with a Duke, and is more similar to book 9, Dawn with a Duke, because the characters have things to get done that are not directly related to the Christmas celebrations.

Cruelty to a young teen girl convinced her that she would never be accepted for herself because not only was she a horsewoman (and a very fine one!) but remarks about her appearance left emotional scars that still carried. Most of this series has been a bit whimsical but sweet romance. This had some family feuds and bitterness that affected not only their fathers but their adult children Elijah and Olive. In some ways both fathers used their children to get even with their former partner. But honesty and love win the day. And the Duke? not what you expect at all! This story is quite emotional as the characters are pulled into the plots of their fathers and they have 10 days to fall in love or Elijah and win over the Duke. But Olive keeps reminding both Elijah and herself that nothing matters and nothing will change her mind. She's not marrying anyone!

A short Christmas time romance about a young woman obsessed with horses and a young man who is a botany scholar. Unique for its use of sign language with the daughter's deaf father. There is an unseemly arrangement of revenge at play but kisses turn to more sensual pursuits. Can love prevail?

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Just in time for a Holiday curl up by the fireplace for a lighthearted read!
Erica Ridley does not disappoint with this book! The deception is rampant and who do you trust when it’s like the Hatfields & the McCoy’s! The Harpers and the Westons have been feuding for so long that you wonder if they remember what set off the original conflict.

Olivia and Elijah have been put in the middle of the tussle since they were children and now they are expected to marry! Watch out for the fireworks to begin because Olivia is not about to be waltzed down no aisle with someone who humiliated her! Plus, she is not giving up her horse farm inheritance.
Elijiah is being given a chance to make things right because he has always loved Olivia. It’s his father that has evil intentions, but is there truly no subterfuge behind Elijah all of a sudden announcing his love for Olivia?

The author does a superb job in keeping the flow of the storyline moving the forward? As a result I wanted to know what happens next with these two young people at the mercy of there tug of war fathers! .

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

The future Duke has ten days to charm the strong-willed Olive Harper into marrying him, yet he’ll be lucky to get her to tolerate his presence. A sturdy horsewoman who stands as the only heir to her father’s stud farm, she has no interest in giving her entitlement over to a husband, especially not Elijah Weston for numerous reasons. But sometimes, there is more to a story or a man than meets the eye…

TEN DAYS WITH A DUKE is Erica Ridley’s latest in her historical romance series revolving around the holidays and a special village where the Christmas spirit is alive and well year round. Delightfully sassy, boldly endearing and not quite what you are expecting, this time out, Ms. Ridley has a slight change in tone, but never a change in her engaging character development or the romance you are sure will bloom!

I was invited to receive a complimentary ARC edition from WebMotion and Erica Ridley! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Beautiful story of love and forgiveness

Olive knows from her father's feud with his father that she cannot trust Elijah Weston, so when their fathers agree to end the feud if the two of them will marry, she's more than a little hesitant. Having no other choice if she wants to keep the family farm, she challenges Elijah to a dare: he has ten days to convince her famous (and very temperamental) horse, Duke, to allow him to ride.

It took me a while to like Eli - about as long as it took him to grow a pair and stand up for what he knew was right. Olive's character was strong and resilient right from the start, and I loved seeing her blossom beyond her self-imposed limitations. Theirs is a sweet romance with a satisfying HEA.

I really love the way the author has put all these different twists on the name, Duke, and how she's connected all the various characters from all the previous books in the series. While each one is a standalone romance, seeing everyone interact together adds a richness and vitality to the little mountain town. I highly recommend binging on this entire series every holiday season. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

“If the only way to be together is on your terms, then I accept them, whatever they are. I would rather have a little piece of you than nothing at all.”

Olive Harper has proven herself an expert when dealing with her beloved horses…but when it comes to matters of the heart, she’s not willing to allow herself to be once again hurt and humiliated. So, when the one person in her life that managed to turn her heart to ice shows up with a marriage license in hand, Olive swears to never yield…but little by little, her cold heart starts to thaw for a man that has just as much to lose…

Elijah Weston is once again staring into the eyes of his one and only love. After years of abuse and humiliation from his father, he’s being forced to do the very thing he swore against…hurt his beloved Olive…again…

Olive and Elijah start their rocky romance as enemies, but little by little, they grow to know each other and see the truth behind the actions of long ago…and together, their love affair may be the very thing to heal the rift between their families.

Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas is such a heart-warming series, and this latest installment may be one of my favs! Loved and highly recommend!


**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

I love regency romances so much, and this one was no exception. Where this story really shone was in its main female Character, Olive. She felt so real because her struggles with acceptance and body image are things I’ve experienced myself and that she came out stronger for them was super admirable. This book was like 4/10 on the spicy scale so if you’re looking some something with a few steamy scenes but an overall very wholesome and sweet story, this may be the book for you.

I really enjoyed this book. Had me gripped from beginning to the end. Can’t wait to read the next one. I’m going to read all the books in this series. I’m new to doing reviews. This is my 1st one. So please be patient with me. It’s based on Olive, a young lady who lives with her dad on a farm. She loves horses and was hurt by the boy she had her 1st kiss with. Only to go on later to have to agree to marry him to end the feud with their fathers. Before she would agree she gave him 10 days to prove he would be worthy of her hand.

This was a subtle slow burn regency romance all about revenge, mistrust, redemption and a love that conquers all in the end. Olive and Eli come from feuding families, brought together to forge a marriage alliance based on revenge and lies. They have great chemistry between them and this is a well written and paced story by Erica Ridley.

An old feud between two men who used to be business partners is still going on. Olive’s father would like to extend a white flag and invite Elijah to court his daughter. Since Eli embarrassed her years ago, she is not interested in him at all. She sets an impossible task before Eli and gives him ten days to achieve it.
Opinion
This book was so good that I stayed up WAY past my bedtime to finish it. Erica Ridley knows how to keep the reader interested in her stories. I’m not normally a fan of historical but if Ms. Ridley writes it, I read it.
The push/pull of animosity and attraction is captivating. Eli is an honest character who really wants to protect Olives heart. Olive also wants the same thing. I was mesmerized by this book and simply cannot wait for the next (last?) book in this series.

Another fantastic story in this series. Can also be read as a stand alone. Olive and Eli’s tale, meddling father’s and mixed messages, result in a happy ever after.. Great read.

This is the second book in this series by Erica Ridley that I have read. All the books feature dukes. The one we're meeting in this book is a horse. Eli and Olive shared a kiss a long time ago but their fathers are feuding and it ended in a disaster. Olive got shunned and traumatized but now she has grown into a famous horse whisperer. Eli wants to study botany for medical purposes and is somewhat afraid of horses. Olive's father tells her that he wants her to marry Elijah to patch the old feud up. They agree to spend ten days getting to know each other and Eli is challenged to court the favour of the horse Duke. Eli's father is pressuring him to do something despicable that casts a darker, unethical shadow over everything. Will he be able to defy his father and make things right?

I enjoyed the budding romance between Eli and Olive, the way they each deal with their fears, and the eventual resolution, although the happy end with the fathers seems a little surprising after hearing so much of previous cruelty.

There seems to be some historical confusion about how hereditary titles worked, and a bit more research would not have gone amiss.
Eli's father is a marquess but we are told that it's just a courtesy title. that the marquess is desperate for a real title, and that he is fifth in line to inherit an earldom, after his nephews, This doesn't make sense. An earl is a lower ranking title than a marquess so an heir apparent to a marquess might get the courtesy title earl but not the other way around. If you're the fifth in line to inherit the subsidiary titles, if any, aren't going to be yours. If you're the oldest son of an earl you might get the courtesy title viscount or baron, but if Eli's father was the oldest son his nephews wouldn't stand to inherit the earldom before him. If he is the younger son of an earl he would be the Honorable Something Something, and if he's the son of a younger son of an earl he'd be just a plain mister, The only way you would get the courtesy title marquess is if you're the heir apparent of a duke who has marquess as one of his subsidiary titles.

(The post review to Goodreads button doesn't work,)

Another fun title from the series. Scheming parents, misunderstandings, lifelong enmity, betrayal, and steamy romance all come together in another sweet and sexy easy-to-read romp from Erica Ridley. Enjoyable as a standalone but richer as part of the series. Again, I enjoy these as a distraction so much I wish they were fleshed out into a full length novel.

Olive and Eli might just be my favorite couple in this series. Their backstory is intriguing and the love he has carried for so many years is a delight. His motivation in trying to do his father’s dictates is noble, if misguided. Olive is an original and I enjoyed her thinking she was indulging without it meaning anything. Ms. Ridley, as always, creates the most intriguing characters and her town of Christmas and it’s characters might be the most delightful of all.