Ten Days with a Duke (12 Dukes of Christmas #11) by Erica Ridley-a review

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Olive Harper’s family has been feuding with the Westons for decades. The Westons’ stud farm is the biggest, but the Harpers’ is the most famous… and she’s the sole heiress. Or was, until her father brokers a truce by offering the Weston heir the Harper farm. The only way to get it back is to marry the knave who kissed her and humiliated her, twice—or prove to her father that some rifts can never be healed.

Scholar and botanist Elijah Weston is dreadful at feuding. For one, he prefers horticulture to horses. For two, 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?

Welcome to a heartwarming series of fun Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

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REVIEW:Ten Days with a Duke is the next installment in the 12 Dukes of Christmas. In this historical romantic novella, author Erica Ridley has written a fast, but uniquely interesting tale of forgiveness and redemption.

The Harper and Weston families were friends. The fathers were close since boyhood. Even though one was in line for a title, both were wealthy and great friends. They began a stud farm together that became famous and horses that were sought after by everyone. However, a feud began, and the friends became dire enemies. The farm was divided, and each held title to their own farms. The Weston’s farm was successful and famous, but the Harper’s farm became the one with horses that even royalty wanted.

Olive Harper was a bit gangly and not as lovely as she would one day be. However, she was a brilliant rider and entered a horse race for her age group of girl riders. She won easily and was awarded a medallion. Elijah Weston was only slightly older than Olive and loved to watch her ride. He thought she was lovely. He spoke to her after her win, near the barn where no one was around. They laughed and talked, then Elijah leaned in and kissed Olive just as her father, his father, and his uppity friends came into the barn. Elijah’s father mocked her. Elijah (afraid of his father’s scorn) and his friends joined in making fun of her, saying she looked like a Harper’s horse…and more. A year later Elijah’s father had caricatures of her circulated that ruined her first London season. Secretly, Elijah actually liked her, even thought he loved her. Over the years he never changed his mind, but his father made any thoughts of a relationship impossible.

Ten years later, Mr. Harper sent a note to Mr. Weston, trying to put an end to the old feud. They proposed that Elijah and Olive would marry, and Mr. Harper would give all his shares in his farm to Elijah. When told about the proposal, Olive was furious. She made conditions of her own before she would submit to her father’s will. They would spend 12 days together, if Elijah could ride her rogue horse Duke, she would consider the proposal. If not, she kept the farm.

There is so much more to this wonderful plot, but I don’t do spoilers. The characters in this are well developed, the conversations and even self-thoughts are interesting. How can lifelong enemies just get over everything and marry? The challenges and secrets are plentiful. This story is almost impossible to put down. So, don’t put it down! Grab a drink of your favorite beverage and cuddle in for a wonderful and fulfilling Christmas miracle!

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Georgianna S.