Once Upon a Duke

12 Dukes of Christmas, Book 1

By: Erica Ridley

Narrated by: Rosie Akerman

A heartwarming second chances, reunion romance from a New York Times best-selling author.

Due to the terms of an estranged relative's will, the duke of Silkridge must revisit the cold, unforgiving mountains where he lost everything he once loved. As soon as he restores his family legacy, he'll return to London where he belongs. He definitely won't rekindle the forbidden spark crackling between him and the irresistible spitfire he'd left behind....

Noelle Pratchett is immune to charming scoundrels like the arrogant duke. He stole her heart, stole a kiss, and then stole away one night never to return. Now he's back - and they both know he won't stay. But how can she maintain her icy shields when every heated glance melts her to her core?

The Twelve Dukes of Christmas is a laugh-out-loud historical romance series of heartwarming 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!

©2021 Erica Ridley (P)2021 Spotify Audiobooks

Redemption and Christmas.

Sometimes you have to get out of the way of your own past and finally look to a future, before you can find peace in the present.

Benjamin & Noelle's second chance at Christmas

The first book in the 12 Dukes of Christmas, a great start to this series. Benjamin Ward, the Duke of Silkridge goes back to Cressmouth Village for the Will reading after the death of his estranged grandfather to collect his inheritance, his mother's locket. There he meets Noelle Pratchett whom he kissed years ago. I enjoyed seeing their story come together and them get a second chance at a happy ending. I enjoyed listening to Rosie Akerman narrate their story.

Once Upon a Duke

Once Upon a Duke by Erika Ridley
12 Dukes of Christmas book 1. Historical romance with references to characters from historical Christmas characters. Second chance troupe.
Benjamin returns to his ancestral home for the reading of his Grandfather’s will. He only wants a locket but ends up staying to comply with the terms of the will. Noelle, as bookkeeper helps Ben while also trying to convince him that Christmas in Cressmouth is a wonderful place to live.

It’s a holiday story with references to Christmas characters that Noelle loves and Ben just wants to runaway from. As Ben and Noelle work together, their attraction reignites but Ben is adamant about going back to Parliament. He’s still hurt by the past and also knows that Noelle will never be accepted in society because of her abandoned orphan status.
A sweet holiday romance that all comes together in the epilogue.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version that was narrated by Rosie Ackerman. The performance was rich with humor and joy of the holiday season. Male and female voices were distinct and clear. I found the most conversational speed to be 1.3.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio. I also purchased a copy to keep.

Didn’t enjoy this one much

I’ve listened to other books by this author and enjoyed them, this one not so much. There was no chemistry or real background story to get me interested in the couple. And the narrator’s high pitched voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Her lower voice was great.