karentje's review against another edition
5.0
I’m such a fan of Erica Ridley’s writing style, especially of the wonderfully quirky and sometimes even absurd humor that is such an important part of every story. Hiding wisdom and insight behind a laugh. Love it! Her books are also always well-researched, case in point all Penelope’s scientific knowledge, making her characters well-rounded and so very interesting.
I adored Penelope and Nicholas both. They each have their reasons for not believing in love, or rather for being afraid of being unlovable. I always love stories where “non-believers” find love and Penelope and Nicholas were very much in need of some loving, I rooted for them from the first. Love creeps up on them, and Nicholas is slightly more honest with himself than Penelope who insists on hiding behind her science. Nicholas is more cognizant of “the danger” of what’s happening, and still he consciously decides to stay the course and ultimately risk heart-break. He’s a bit more vulnerable than Penelope, because of that.
One of the (many) great things about this story is that both main characters are in their mid-thirties, because it’s rather unusual for a regency romance to feature a heroine of that ripe old age… So seeing a spinster who’s been “on the shelf” so long still find happiness was very refreshing, and it made the happy ending even more satisfying.
Another wonderful thing about this book is that we get a great cast of supporting characters, some of whom we already met in book 1 in this series, and hopefully all destined to find their own HEA in following books. My favorite one is without a doubt Virginia and her amazing advice and metaphors. Turr Turr. I wonder if she’ll be this wise and aware when it’s her turn.
I adored Penelope and Nicholas both. They each have their reasons for not believing in love, or rather for being afraid of being unlovable. I always love stories where “non-believers” find love and Penelope and Nicholas were very much in need of some loving, I rooted for them from the first. Love creeps up on them, and Nicholas is slightly more honest with himself than Penelope who insists on hiding behind her science. Nicholas is more cognizant of “the danger” of what’s happening, and still he consciously decides to stay the course and ultimately risk heart-break. He’s a bit more vulnerable than Penelope, because of that.
One of the (many) great things about this story is that both main characters are in their mid-thirties, because it’s rather unusual for a regency romance to feature a heroine of that ripe old age… So seeing a spinster who’s been “on the shelf” so long still find happiness was very refreshing, and it made the happy ending even more satisfying.
Another wonderful thing about this book is that we get a great cast of supporting characters, some of whom we already met in book 1 in this series, and hopefully all destined to find their own HEA in following books. My favorite one is without a doubt Virginia and her amazing advice and metaphors. Turr Turr. I wonder if she’ll be this wise and aware when it’s her turn.
karinaluetjen's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
slovenianbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this book was so much better than the previous one!
I love how the pages turn basically themselves, I was so engrossed in the story, I couldn't stop reading!
Nick came into the village to stop the spreading and produce of the cologne named Duke. He's immediately smitten by the lovely chemist and can't stop visiting her. Penelope wants to test the new cologne before it hits the market and what better than to test it on Nicholas?
Such a charming story that for a moment, I forgot this all happens in the village called Christmas! (where they celebrate Christmas all year long according to the first book)
I was very much relieved this book wasn't so story focused on Christmas as book one. If you need a great, fast read that will make you swoon, I recommend this one!
4.5 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/2019/10/26/kiss-of-a-duke-by-erica-ridley/
I love how the pages turn basically themselves, I was so engrossed in the story, I couldn't stop reading!
Nick came into the village to stop the spreading and produce of the cologne named Duke. He's immediately smitten by the lovely chemist and can't stop visiting her. Penelope wants to test the new cologne before it hits the market and what better than to test it on Nicholas?
Such a charming story that for a moment, I forgot this all happens in the village called Christmas! (where they celebrate Christmas all year long according to the first book)
I was very much relieved this book wasn't so story focused on Christmas as book one. If you need a great, fast read that will make you swoon, I recommend this one!
4.5 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/2019/10/26/kiss-of-a-duke-by-erica-ridley/
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Smart women are the best
And the men that support should be treasured.
5 stars
And the men that support should be treasured.
5 stars
shameless505's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I think this was my favorite Christmas themed book this season. I’m definitely planning to reread around Christmas time again. It was so cute. I loved the FMC and MMC. This book was chocked full of interesting characters. The banter between the leads was fun and the FMC was a dorkablely charming. I can’t say how much I enjoyed this book.
hammock_and_read's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this one, it had Miss Chemistry and the most well known rake at heads. I loved Penelope's character with her new perfume but her sassy smart baking self. There were many LOL moments and as a fellow scientist I loved it! I liked how she made Nick work for it even if she thought it was the perfume at work, and how they came together.
Really loved this one! Overall, I give it 5 stars and 2 steams
Really loved this one! Overall, I give it 5 stars and 2 steams
librarypatronus's review against another edition
4.0
This was so cute and fun! I see some people mentioning it’s not historically accurate, and honestly I didn’t even notice. I love a love potion trope, and I loved these characters.
ctsquirrel's review against another edition
5.0
Very cute. I enjoy a rake with an appetite...for biscuits. They go from enemies to friends to lovers and the chemistry is amazing (pun not intended).
I hadn't planned on reading the whole series, but after the first book all the secondary characters are growing on me (even the bird lady). And I want to see how all 12 "dukes" are represented. The dukes in this are:
I hadn't planned on reading the whole series, but after the first book all the secondary characters are growing on me (even the bird lady). And I want to see how all 12 "dukes" are represented. The dukes in this are:
Spoiler
the name of Penelope's men's cologne and Nick is a duke's heir presumptive (Silkridge who just got married).alisonalisonalison's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up for free to try the author and it was quite enjoyable. It was entertaining sweet fluff, pure and simple. It's definitely historical-lite (fantasy historical?), where historical accuracy is not at all important, but it was light and nice and upbeat and that aspect didn't bother me. It almost could have been a contemporary if people dressed differently. It was free and pleasant and short and really nice and the writing was solid, so I can't complain much. Nice, pleasant, upbeat, easy books are necessary sometimes. There's a lot of baking in this book, so it definitely made me hungry for treats. I enjoyed the MCs--a focused chemist who's always ready for an explosion and a fake-rake artist. I quite liked the secondary characters, so I may read the second book.