lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free copy of Dawn with a Duke via NetGalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
Dawn with a Duke is romantic, sweet, and filled with humor. I love Ridley's historical romances, partly because the heroines are deliciously anachronistic!
Dawn with a Duke is romantic, sweet, and filled with humor. I love Ridley's historical romances, partly because the heroines are deliciously anachronistic!
karentje's review against another edition
4.0
I adored the humor in this story, and the utter sweetness of the connection between Belle and Calvin. I was so happy to have a working man as a hero in a regency! I loved that Calvin is a tailor and so dedicated to his craft. All the little fashion and fabric details throughout the story were an absolute joy. Belle is a wonderful character as well, very easy to relate too, maybe because she is not the typically feisty heroine or an overt rebel, but still she stands up for herself, at long last, and it was glorious! I also liked Ursula very much, we didn’t get to see a lot of her, but she still made quite the impression as a loyal and supportive friend. I wouldn’t mind seeing her get a HEA herself. Our two main characters carry the story very well, not easy, as they have almost no interactions with other characters throughout the main part of the story.
thereaderandthebeast's review against another edition
3.0
An absolutely heartwarming, funny, refreshing love story... where she is the one who has the highest social status.
The characters were delightful and the festive spirit of the occasion the perfect companion.
I enjoyed every page in this book, I'm so sorry I didn't read it sooner.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Una historia de amor tierna, divertida, refrescante... donde para variar: es ella quien ocupa el escalón social más alto. Los personajes fueron una delicia y el espíritu festivo de la ocasión, el acompañante perfecto. Disfruté este libro de principio a fin, lamento no haberlo leído antes.
The characters were delightful and the festive spirit of the occasion the perfect companion.
I enjoyed every page in this book, I'm so sorry I didn't read it sooner.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Una historia de amor tierna, divertida, refrescante... donde para variar: es ella quien ocupa el escalón social más alto. Los personajes fueron una delicia y el espíritu festivo de la ocasión, el acompañante perfecto. Disfruté este libro de principio a fin, lamento no haberlo leído antes.
hammock_and_read's review against another edition
4.0
Another great one with this series. Loved the leading lady- smart- strong- creative! The leading man was fun as well and into fashion! Love the setting, HEA, and Erica knowns how to write this time period so well.
can't wait for more of them!
can't wait for more of them!
mystic_dragon's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this novella, but would have love to have read this in a longer format which allowed for the romance within it to develop a bit further, and to avoid the perfect clean ending that ended up happening! The romance between Belle and McAlistair was really sweet, and I enjoyed seeing how their initial 'meet-cute' unfurled to become a friendship and then into a love story. However, the primary conflict between them just resolved itself way too easily and quickly, and, as much as I hate OTT angst in romance novels, this novella could have done with a bit more drama in those last few pages, if only to make the story feel more plausible and realistic. I imagine it ended like this as like a Christmas thing, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt, but I really do feel like the novella would have been strengthened by developing the story further with the parts after their time in the inn together, and a more realistic ending. 3-3.5 stars :)
This book was kindly given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
This book was kindly given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
laureading's review against another edition
3.0
An absolutely heartwarming, funny, refreshing love story... where she is the one who has the highest social status.
The characters were delightful and the festive spirit of the occasion the perfect companion.
I enjoyed every page in this book, I'm so sorry I didn't read it sooner.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Una historia de amor tierna, divertida, refrescante... donde para variar: es ella quien ocupa el escalón social más alto. Los personajes fueron una delicia y el espíritu festivo de la ocasión, el acompañante perfecto. Disfruté este libro de principio a fin, lamento no haberlo leído antes.
The characters were delightful and the festive spirit of the occasion the perfect companion.
I enjoyed every page in this book, I'm so sorry I didn't read it sooner.
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Una historia de amor tierna, divertida, refrescante... donde para variar: es ella quien ocupa el escalón social más alto. Los personajes fueron una delicia y el espíritu festivo de la ocasión, el acompañante perfecto. Disfruté este libro de principio a fin, lamento no haberlo leído antes.
reading_my_life_away's review against another edition
2.0
I can see why a lot of people are giving a positive response to this book, but honestly what people saw as good points, i saw flaws..
Firstly, The female MC, she kept getting on my nerves with her thoughts towards everything, she wants to have a career and for her art to be published, but at the same time she can't stand up for her own wants and needs in front of her family, she thinks she deserves the world one minute, and thinks she has to mold her life per "her duty" the next minute, she was pretty hesitant.
Secondly, the male MC, i have mixed feelings regarding him, he was likable enough, his occupation as a designer was a refreshing change of the norm of historical fiction protagonists, but then, he had kind of inferiority complex, he kept talking about how we wants to blend in and help the common folks dress well, but i had a feeling he felt kind of inferior to the ton, especially towards the end of the book.
Thirdly, the storyline, i loved how the author picked two characters with artistic talents, the beginning of the book started powerful and had so much potential, but after around 50 pages, the story got so flat, it turned into a cliche of one of the characters to be from another social class, and one of them lying about their identity,,, it was pretty boring.
Lastly, the end, it was one of the tackiest ends I've read, the author wanted a happy ending, but didn't know to reach it, so she wrote one that doesn't make sense just to appease the readers love for a happily ever after, needless to say, i wasn't impressed.
Don't recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*
Firstly, The female MC, she kept getting on my nerves with her thoughts towards everything, she wants to have a career and for her art to be published, but at the same time she can't stand up for her own wants and needs in front of her family, she thinks she deserves the world one minute, and thinks she has to mold her life per "her duty" the next minute, she was pretty hesitant.
Secondly, the male MC, i have mixed feelings regarding him, he was likable enough, his occupation as a designer was a refreshing change of the norm of historical fiction protagonists, but then, he had kind of inferiority complex, he kept talking about how we wants to blend in and help the common folks dress well, but i had a feeling he felt kind of inferior to the ton, especially towards the end of the book.
Thirdly, the storyline, i loved how the author picked two characters with artistic talents, the beginning of the book started powerful and had so much potential, but after around 50 pages, the story got so flat, it turned into a cliche of one of the characters to be from another social class, and one of them lying about their identity,,, it was pretty boring.
Lastly, the end, it was one of the tackiest ends I've read, the author wanted a happy ending, but didn't know to reach it, so she wrote one that doesn't make sense just to appease the readers love for a happily ever after, needless to say, i wasn't impressed.
Don't recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*
ladyandscholar's review
4.0
I love the author’s books and writing. Ridley is a wonderful storyteller and I can trust to have a book to fall into for a while. This particular book was a quick read, and I love that the characters in Ridley’s writing are fierce, full of depth, and push for equality.
briarsreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Erica Ridley writes lovely romances that sweep me off my feet. I totally jumped at the chance to read this book on NetGalley because her books are just so sweet and whisk me away to another time and place. Who doesn't want a little escape with a dash of romance?
I like that this relationship builded over time and wasn't just suddenly there. The romance that eventually comes is absolutely beautiful and dreamy. The leads have legitimate flaws to make them feel real, but that's what makes this book so charming. They aren't perfect and their romance is one for the ages.
Add in the fact that this book isn't super long and that it moves at a fast pace = You've got yourself a real winner!
Overall, this regal romance is definitely on my must read romance list!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and WebMotion for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I like that this relationship builded over time and wasn't just suddenly there. The romance that eventually comes is absolutely beautiful and dreamy. The leads have legitimate flaws to make them feel real, but that's what makes this book so charming. They aren't perfect and their romance is one for the ages.
Add in the fact that this book isn't super long and that it moves at a fast pace = You've got yourself a real winner!
Overall, this regal romance is definitely on my must read romance list!
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and WebMotion for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.