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jillmlong's review against another edition
4.0
This was another good addition to the 12 Dukes of Christmas series by Erica Ridley. As with the previous books, Erica Ridley always has a strong female character as the heroine, this book was no exception. I read this book in one sitting.
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
I can always count on Erica Ridley for charming, heartwarming, low-angst novels. And this one is perfect for the holidays!
Olive is determined to stay unmarried and run her father's horse farm. Her father has other ideas. He arranges a marriage between her and the son of his former best friend in hopes of healing the rift between the families. But he doesn't tell Olive this until Eli is about to show up on their doorstep. And her father threatens to withhold his shares in the farm from her if she doesn't comply.
Eli is terrified of horses. His interest is in Olive, not the farm. He's had a crush on her since they were teenagers. But he humiliated her then, and she still hasn't forgiven him. Can he win her heart despite the past and the machinations of their fathers?
Ridley excels at characterization, and that's certainly true here. Olive and Eli are adorable separately and together. They're perfect complements for each other, and it's easy to envision what their future together will look like. The stakes are high in this story, and there's plenty of action to hold the interest. But it's also a joyful thing to see how these two characters bring out the best in each other.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.
Olive is determined to stay unmarried and run her father's horse farm. Her father has other ideas. He arranges a marriage between her and the son of his former best friend in hopes of healing the rift between the families. But he doesn't tell Olive this until Eli is about to show up on their doorstep. And her father threatens to withhold his shares in the farm from her if she doesn't comply.
Eli is terrified of horses. His interest is in Olive, not the farm. He's had a crush on her since they were teenagers. But he humiliated her then, and she still hasn't forgiven him. Can he win her heart despite the past and the machinations of their fathers?
Ridley excels at characterization, and that's certainly true here. Olive and Eli are adorable separately and together. They're perfect complements for each other, and it's easy to envision what their future together will look like. The stakes are high in this story, and there's plenty of action to hold the interest. But it's also a joyful thing to see how these two characters bring out the best in each other.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received.
vasbel's review against another edition
4.0
Olive Harper is the daughter and hopeful heiress of a horse raising and training facility. Her antics and prowess with the horses are well-known, leading to the success of her family's company. All seems well until her father drops a bomb on her: in order to inherit the horse farm, she must marry her enemy. Elijah Weston gravely wronged Olive as a child, the most recent act of war in a long family feud between the fathers. Mr. Harper and Mr. Weston were once partners, working together to build a horse farm empire, but that has long since been dissolved. Her father thinks a union between the farms by marriage of their offspring would right the wrongs of the past. Olive, the beautiful feminist that she is, rightfully immediately refuses. However, to appease her father, she decides to give Eli a chance. Thus the premise of the novel is set up; Eli gets 10 days to convince her to marry him. One loves plants, the other loves horses, but can they love each other?
One thing I very much appreciated as a reader was the distinction between the two characters when in their POV. Each character has a distinct voice and thought process that adds to the immersion of the story. I enjoyed all the botanical references when in Eli Weston's POV. The effortless incorporation of sign language and disability is a breath of fresh air. It was a heartwarming novel. It ticked off many of my boxes for a quality romance. I felt immersed in the 1800s but with hints of modernity, which I appreciate. The chemistry between the characters was palpable and made for a quick read to get to the end and see what happens! This is my first book I've read from this series, and I cannot wait to check some more out. It is a perfect read for going into the holiday season.
*review of an ARC from NetGalley*
One thing I very much appreciated as a reader was the distinction between the two characters when in their POV. Each character has a distinct voice and thought process that adds to the immersion of the story. I enjoyed all the botanical references when in Eli Weston's POV. The effortless incorporation of sign language and disability is a breath of fresh air. It was a heartwarming novel. It ticked off many of my boxes for a quality romance. I felt immersed in the 1800s but with hints of modernity, which I appreciate. The chemistry between the characters was palpable and made for a quick read to get to the end and see what happens! This is my first book I've read from this series, and I cannot wait to check some more out. It is a perfect read for going into the holiday season.
*review of an ARC from NetGalley*
sharonhof's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first Erica Ridley book. I enjoyed it, a cosy read, but for me the personalities and traits of the main characters seemed a bit too modern. I enjoyed that one of the characters was deaf, and would definitely read more by this author.
This review is in exchange for an e-arc from NetGalley.
This review is in exchange for an e-arc from NetGalley.
hookedbythatbook's review against another edition
4.0
-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at https://hookedbythatbook.com --
Olive and Eli are at odds with each other and their fathers are engaged in an all-out feud with each other. The two old men manipulate their offspring into a marriage agreement. Well, Eli and Olive are not so easily controlled. Olive lives and breathes her horses and Eli is deathly afraid of them. Olive makes an amendment to the agreement between their fathers and allows Eli ten days to convince her.
I loved Eli. I just want to wrap him up and take him home with me. The two of them together were a lot of fun to read. And I think this was the best Duke of them all so far.
This was quick, and super fun, and will fill all those romance cravings you might have. I have been enjoying this entire series so far. You don’t need to read them in order, each one stands very well on its own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Olive and Eli are at odds with each other and their fathers are engaged in an all-out feud with each other. The two old men manipulate their offspring into a marriage agreement. Well, Eli and Olive are not so easily controlled. Olive lives and breathes her horses and Eli is deathly afraid of them. Olive makes an amendment to the agreement between their fathers and allows Eli ten days to convince her.
I loved Eli. I just want to wrap him up and take him home with me. The two of them together were a lot of fun to read. And I think this was the best Duke of them all so far.
This was quick, and super fun, and will fill all those romance cravings you might have. I have been enjoying this entire series so far. You don’t need to read them in order, each one stands very well on its own.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
yourkindredreader's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley in exchange for honest feedback.
Ten Days with A Duke is part of Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series, though all can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the previous books that came out, but now that I read this book, I plan on checking out the books in this series.
This book centered on Olive Harper and Elijah Weston. Their family had been feuding for years. Except for that one moment they shared together when they were younger, they had never seen each other. Until years later when their fathers demanded that they marry. Olive, with good reason, was adamant that she would not marry him. She was not willing to share their famous stud farm with Weston's family. Especially after they had mocked and ridiculed her for years. Elijah, a scholar and botanist, had always been in love with Olive but ruined their moment together once and had been in remorse ever since. But with Elijah's father's schemes, his research, and his shame, and Olive's distrust, it would be an unforgettable 10 days.
This book is really well-written. The pacing is good too. I love both Olive and Elijah, both skilled in each other's profession and were proud of it. I like how I don't feel frustrated with how both characters act out sometimes because I understood why they acted the way they did with how the author has written it well. I also like that they talked about their conflict almost immediately, rather than spending an awful lot of time sulking. They act like the adults that they are and I appreciate it.
I enjoyed this a lot and looking forward to reading Erica Ridley's other books too.
Ten Days with A Duke is part of Erica Ridley's 12 Dukes of Christmas series, though all can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the previous books that came out, but now that I read this book, I plan on checking out the books in this series.
This book centered on Olive Harper and Elijah Weston. Their family had been feuding for years. Except for that one moment they shared together when they were younger, they had never seen each other. Until years later when their fathers demanded that they marry. Olive, with good reason, was adamant that she would not marry him. She was not willing to share their famous stud farm with Weston's family. Especially after they had mocked and ridiculed her for years. Elijah, a scholar and botanist, had always been in love with Olive but ruined their moment together once and had been in remorse ever since. But with Elijah's father's schemes, his research, and his shame, and Olive's distrust, it would be an unforgettable 10 days.
This book is really well-written. The pacing is good too. I love both Olive and Elijah, both skilled in each other's profession and were proud of it. I like how I don't feel frustrated with how both characters act out sometimes because I understood why they acted the way they did with how the author has written it well. I also like that they talked about their conflict almost immediately, rather than spending an awful lot of time sulking. They act like the adults that they are and I appreciate it.
I enjoyed this a lot and looking forward to reading Erica Ridley's other books too.
librarypatronus's review
4.0
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!
ladyandscholar's review
5.0
I adored this book. It captured my attention from the start and I felt all the good Hallmark type feels as it progressed. At one point I had to remind myself that it was not a biography, but my heart was still warmed by the story.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. The opinions are my own.
a_devine_read's review
5.0
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.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
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.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
mrsbooknerd's review
2.0
Sure this was an okay regency romance. It had a good obstacle to the romance and some standard cheese but it was a bit too nice and safe for me. I prefer sass and spark and banter.
I prefer my heroes more charming and confident than Eli, he didn't just own his attraction to Olive, he didn't try and stand up to his father but then he didn't just own the duplicity for this good and worthy cause. Eli mate, man up a bit.
It was a fine afternoon read but I probably won't remember it in a few weeks.
I read this via Netgalley.
I prefer my heroes more charming and confident than Eli, he didn't just own his attraction to Olive, he didn't try and stand up to his father but then he didn't just own the duplicity for this good and worthy cause. Eli mate, man up a bit.
It was a fine afternoon read but I probably won't remember it in a few weeks.
I read this via Netgalley.