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Wicked Dukes Club #3
Eine Nacht aus Leidenschaft (Der Club der verruchten Herzöge 3)
Meet the unforgettable men of London's most notorious tavern, The Wicked Duke. Seductively handsome, with charm and wit to spare, one night with these rakes and rogues will never be enough…
Lifelong romantic Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. He hopes to find a woman more attracted to him than to money. Instead, he finds himself drawn to a spitfire who isn’t interested in him at all! At least, that’s what she says when she’s not kissing him beneath the stars...
Miss Priscilla Weatherby will inherit a fortune… provided she remains unwed and scandal-free. Easy enough, until she meets a man more dangerous than haughty lords and heartless rakes. Thad is a sweet, sexy delight, whose passionate embrace will ruin everything—including her! She’ll sacrifice anything for independence. Even love…
Lifelong romantic Thaddeus Middleton is on the hunt for a wife. He hopes to find a woman more attracted to him than to money. Instead, he finds himself drawn to a spitfire who isn’t interested in him at all! At least, that’s what she says when she’s not kissing him beneath the stars...
Miss Priscilla Weatherby will inherit a fortune… provided she remains unwed and scandal-free. Easy enough, until she meets a man more dangerous than haughty lords and heartless rakes. Thad is a sweet, sexy delight, whose passionate embrace will ruin everything—including her! She’ll sacrifice anything for independence. Even love…
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2019
299 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Erica Ridley
133 books2,204 followersGet freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, 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!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, 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!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
June 13, 2019
*3.5 stars*
I read almost everything that Erica Ridley writes, and though my all-time favorite of hers is Never Say Duke, all of her stories are consistently well done. I know I can count on her for a good (sometimes great) story, and One Night of Passion fits the bill.
One Night of Passion had an interesting, well-conceived female MC. I actually loved her and understood her obsession with adventure and connecting to her relatives, and I thought that Erica Ridley delivered with her. The male MC was more... irritating? He was too nice, too sappily romantic, and though he was perfectly fine (I'm being picky), I just had a harder time with him. He talked about "the one" incessantly, and felt like a tween-age girl.
The story was sweet and a super fast read (I read it in less than a day), and it was another dependable book from Erica Ridley.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I read almost everything that Erica Ridley writes, and though my all-time favorite of hers is Never Say Duke, all of her stories are consistently well done. I know I can count on her for a good (sometimes great) story, and One Night of Passion fits the bill.
One Night of Passion had an interesting, well-conceived female MC. I actually loved her and understood her obsession with adventure and connecting to her relatives, and I thought that Erica Ridley delivered with her. The male MC was more... irritating? He was too nice, too sappily romantic, and though he was perfectly fine (I'm being picky), I just had a harder time with him. He talked about "the one" incessantly, and felt like a tween-age girl.
The story was sweet and a super fast read (I read it in less than a day), and it was another dependable book from Erica Ridley.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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May 10, 2019
5/5 stars.
What a novella!
This was me for the entirety of this book:
I received this book from the author and publisher for an honest review. Thsi does not in any way affect my opinion of the story or character.
I have read Erica Ridley before and found her books enjoyable, but never did I expect to have such a reaction to this novella. It is truly one of my favorite ARC's of all time! This book combines brilliant dialogue work, unique and relatable characters with a beautiful love story. I'm floored!
Thaddeus Middleton isn't titled, or rich or looking to get either one of those. He has his eye on something even more revolutionary. True Love! Yup, that whole hallmark-y, tropey stuff we're wired to expect from the female leads. So refreshing to see the Hero as the character who believes, wishes and works towards finding a perfect match - not one to further an agenda - but someone he truly loves and wishes to spend his life with. And all this was done without once making Thad too campy or cheezy, which instantly ruins the feel of the book.
Priscilla is a beautiful character, and I felt so sorry for her at times. The internal struggle she's lived through is palpable and definitely makes you feel for her. But she doesn't turn into a watering pot or whine about her misfortune and pain. She's resiliant and take's fate into her own hands.
Thad falls head over heals for her, and she can't help but fall in love with this wonderful man who cherishes, respects and takes the effort to understand her. But, they both want different things in life and can't decide if they must sacrifice what they've always wanted for each other.
Of course in a fully fleshed novel we could have had more time on this particular conflict, but for a novella I truly loved the way the author dealt with this. A delight to read!
Do yourself a favor, and just read this on one of those days when you want to murder your boss. Thank me later!
What a novella!
This was me for the entirety of this book:
I received this book from the author and publisher for an honest review. Thsi does not in any way affect my opinion of the story or character.
I have read Erica Ridley before and found her books enjoyable, but never did I expect to have such a reaction to this novella. It is truly one of my favorite ARC's of all time! This book combines brilliant dialogue work, unique and relatable characters with a beautiful love story. I'm floored!
Thaddeus Middleton isn't titled, or rich or looking to get either one of those. He has his eye on something even more revolutionary. True Love! Yup, that whole hallmark-y, tropey stuff we're wired to expect from the female leads. So refreshing to see the Hero as the character who believes, wishes and works towards finding a perfect match - not one to further an agenda - but someone he truly loves and wishes to spend his life with. And all this was done without once making Thad too campy or cheezy, which instantly ruins the feel of the book.
Priscilla is a beautiful character, and I felt so sorry for her at times. The internal struggle she's lived through is palpable and definitely makes you feel for her. But she doesn't turn into a watering pot or whine about her misfortune and pain. She's resiliant and take's fate into her own hands.
Thad falls head over heals for her, and she can't help but fall in love with this wonderful man who cherishes, respects and takes the effort to understand her. But, they both want different things in life and can't decide if they must sacrifice what they've always wanted for each other.
Of course in a fully fleshed novel we could have had more time on this particular conflict, but for a novella I truly loved the way the author dealt with this. A delight to read!
Do yourself a favor, and just read this on one of those days when you want to murder your boss. Thank me later!
June 13, 2019
My absolute favorite of the series so far! It was sweet, drama-free, and absolutely delightful, exactly the kind of romance I love (and which, in all fairness, most other people find boring, so.)!
What I love most about this series is that it seems to be a competition between Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke and who can write the nicest hero. All three heroes so far have been the nicest, kindest, sweetest, best beta heroes ever. I'm not kidding, all heroines say at one point that her hero's reputation is that of a genuine nice guy, with no scandals, tales of womanizing, or anything. And Thaddeus is the nicest so far. He is an actual head-in-the-clouds romantic, a guy who believes he will find true love with a little help from the universe, which will surely send him some sort of sign when he meets his perfect match. He's also the kind of person who adopts kittens and spends his time cuddling with them and taking them on morning calls to the heroine, protesting that his kitten is the most well-behaved genteel cat of all. Did I mention he is absolutely adorable? It bears repeating.
"Fate isn't life," she interrupted. "Fate is waiting around for the future to come to you, rather than going out and making it happen. Fate is in the palm of your hands."
Our heroine, on the other hand, is the pragmatic one. The one who was promised by her famous adventurer of a father that if she is still unmarried at a certain age, she will inherit a trust that will allow her to be independent. Since all she has dreamed about since she was little was to not be left behind again and seek her own adventures, she is determined to stay far away from the nicest guy she has ever met. But soon she comes to realize that the adventure she truly wants might be found a bit closer to home. If only she will take a chance and fight for it...
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
What I love most about this series is that it seems to be a competition between Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke and who can write the nicest hero. All three heroes so far have been the nicest, kindest, sweetest, best beta heroes ever. I'm not kidding, all heroines say at one point that her hero's reputation is that of a genuine nice guy, with no scandals, tales of womanizing, or anything. And Thaddeus is the nicest so far. He is an actual head-in-the-clouds romantic, a guy who believes he will find true love with a little help from the universe, which will surely send him some sort of sign when he meets his perfect match. He's also the kind of person who adopts kittens and spends his time cuddling with them and taking them on morning calls to the heroine, protesting that his kitten is the most well-behaved genteel cat of all. Did I mention he is absolutely adorable? It bears repeating.
"Fate isn't life," she interrupted. "Fate is waiting around for the future to come to you, rather than going out and making it happen. Fate is in the palm of your hands."
Our heroine, on the other hand, is the pragmatic one. The one who was promised by her famous adventurer of a father that if she is still unmarried at a certain age, she will inherit a trust that will allow her to be independent. Since all she has dreamed about since she was little was to not be left behind again and seek her own adventures, she is determined to stay far away from the nicest guy she has ever met. But soon she comes to realize that the adventure she truly wants might be found a bit closer to home. If only she will take a chance and fight for it...
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 28, 2019
So cute! I adored Thad and Priscilla! Thad was so sweet and I loved that he wasn’t a lord or super rich. I also loved how much he loved love! It was a refreshing change from the dark brooding hero who runs from love. Priscilla was sweet and I felt sad for her. I loved Koffi and Wednesday too. An enjoyable read!
May 10, 2019
I just love Erica Ridley’s books and this one was no exception!
Thaddeus Middleton has always believed in true love and won’t marry for anything less. Miss Priscilla Weatherby is determined not to marry at all in order to claim an inheritance and travel the world.
Erica Ridley’s heroes are always a mix of sweetness and confidence, and Thad is no exception. I loved him from the fb start and he never disappointed me. I liked Priscilla but felt her inability to realize the kind of men her father and grandfather were was very naive and got kind of annoying.
As always with Erica Ridley’s writing, there was plenty of humor in this title. I found myself laughing several times at Thad and Priscilla’s interactions.
I thought the plot was very believable and that Priscilla had a good reason NOT to want to get married. I also felt it was relatively unique to have a heroine not wanting to get married for some reason other than being a widow that had a bad marriage.
I will, of course, be reading the next installment in this series.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2019
Thaddeus Middleton has decided that he is ready to take a wife, so like any respectable gentleman of means, he begins his search at Almack's. Thad is a romantic at heart and is sure that he will recognize the love of his life at first sight - there will be a sign, a spark, a bolt of lightning - something to let him know that he has found "The One". But this night what he finds is Miss Priscilla Weatherby - most definitely not "The One", but he asks her to dance is shocked when she turns him down.
Priscilla has a plan and it does not include marriage - her father and grandfather are adventurers and she longs to join them on their journeys, she hasn't seen her father in years, but when her mother died he told her that he set up a trust for her - ten thousand pounds will be hers on her 25th birthday if she has not married. But there are conditions, she must not avoid the marriage mart, attend 3 events week, no scandal, she can't ruin herself and she can tell no one of the trust. Priscilla knows exactly what she will do with the money - join her father in Africa - so she has followed the terms to the letter and perfected the art of attending without participating! But if she was looking for a husband, Thad would be exactly what she would want. He is intelligent, kind and handsome. When the meet again in the park and they chat, she really likes him but refuses to risk her heart and again shuts him down.
Thad wonders if insisting on a love match is just prolonging his loneliness, he misses his cousin Diana and when she comes to visit him, he wonders if he has missed "The One" - he does mention Priscilla to Diana and she is surprised that she was rude to Thad - he says it doesn't matter, because she is not "The One" - Diana askes how he knows that and he says there was no sign. Diana tells him to try to get to know her before he decides that she is not "The One", he receives similar advice from his friends at the Wicked Duke. And sets out to befriend Priscilla. When he arrives at her house, the weather clears and he sees a rainbow. He thinks he might have been wrong and decides that he needs to get to know her.
Priscilla is surprised to see Thad, she thought she made it clear that she was not interested, but as she gets to know him, her desires become blurred. And when her father returns unexpectantly and offers to take her with him on his travels, she will have to decide if she should go or if loving Thad is the real adventure.
This was a very sweet story, more emotional than I expected, but a true delight to read. The characters are engaging, the love scenes mild and the ending is wonderful. This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title. I truly enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Priscilla has a plan and it does not include marriage - her father and grandfather are adventurers and she longs to join them on their journeys, she hasn't seen her father in years, but when her mother died he told her that he set up a trust for her - ten thousand pounds will be hers on her 25th birthday if she has not married. But there are conditions, she must not avoid the marriage mart, attend 3 events week, no scandal, she can't ruin herself and she can tell no one of the trust. Priscilla knows exactly what she will do with the money - join her father in Africa - so she has followed the terms to the letter and perfected the art of attending without participating! But if she was looking for a husband, Thad would be exactly what she would want. He is intelligent, kind and handsome. When the meet again in the park and they chat, she really likes him but refuses to risk her heart and again shuts him down.
Thad wonders if insisting on a love match is just prolonging his loneliness, he misses his cousin Diana and when she comes to visit him, he wonders if he has missed "The One" - he does mention Priscilla to Diana and she is surprised that she was rude to Thad - he says it doesn't matter, because she is not "The One" - Diana askes how he knows that and he says there was no sign. Diana tells him to try to get to know her before he decides that she is not "The One", he receives similar advice from his friends at the Wicked Duke. And sets out to befriend Priscilla. When he arrives at her house, the weather clears and he sees a rainbow. He thinks he might have been wrong and decides that he needs to get to know her.
Priscilla is surprised to see Thad, she thought she made it clear that she was not interested, but as she gets to know him, her desires become blurred. And when her father returns unexpectantly and offers to take her with him on his travels, she will have to decide if she should go or if loving Thad is the real adventure.
This was a very sweet story, more emotional than I expected, but a true delight to read. The characters are engaging, the love scenes mild and the ending is wonderful. This is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title. I truly enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend it!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an e-ARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
May 2, 2019
One Night of Passion was another delightful installment in the Wicked Dukes Club series and I really enjoyed it.
Thaddeus Middleton is ready to find the woman he hopes to spend the rest of his life with, but he’s finding it harder than he thought since he’s determined to have a love match. When Thad meets Miss Priscilla Weatherby at a ball, he is immediately intrigued but she rebuffs his efforts. Priscilla is set to inherit a fortune on her twenty-fifth birthday provided she remains unmarried and she isn’t going to let any man jeopardize that, no matter how much he may interest her.
Thad is an unabashed romantic and has spent his life trying to meet as many people as possible as you never know where you will find your true love. In addition to wanting to meet people to find his true love, Thad is also just interested in people in general as he finds people’s life stories to be fascinating. He has aspirations to one day become a biographer and as practice, he spends his time filling journals with details about all of the people he meets.
Priscilla has spent the bulk of her life with only her grandmother for company as her mother died when she was young and her father and grandfather are adventurers who are never home. Priscilla was promised a chance to adventure with her father and grandfather when she was old enough and as a result she became obsessed with the idea. Everything Priscilla does is to ensure she will be able to travel with her family and no longer be left behind.
Thad and Priscilla’s relationship gets off to a slow start as despite Priscilla’s interest in Thad, her heart is set on becoming an adventurer. Eventually the two form a friendship of sorts with tons of banter and wonderful conversations. I loved that the two got each other and had similar senses of humor. Eventually they give in to the attraction between them, but Priscilla holds herself back a bit as she’s still holding on to the idea of adventure which means not marrying. Priscilla’s reluctance to be honest with herself and Thad was frustrating at times, but completely understandable given her abandonment issues. I loved that in the end, it was Priscilla who realized she had a new dream and the choice wasn’t forced on her.
Overall I thought One Night of Passion was an amazing read and I’m really enjoying the Wicked Dukes Club series thus far. I would definitely recommend the series if you’re looking for some shorter, fantastic historical romances.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Thaddeus Middleton is ready to find the woman he hopes to spend the rest of his life with, but he’s finding it harder than he thought since he’s determined to have a love match. When Thad meets Miss Priscilla Weatherby at a ball, he is immediately intrigued but she rebuffs his efforts. Priscilla is set to inherit a fortune on her twenty-fifth birthday provided she remains unmarried and she isn’t going to let any man jeopardize that, no matter how much he may interest her.
Thad is an unabashed romantic and has spent his life trying to meet as many people as possible as you never know where you will find your true love. In addition to wanting to meet people to find his true love, Thad is also just interested in people in general as he finds people’s life stories to be fascinating. He has aspirations to one day become a biographer and as practice, he spends his time filling journals with details about all of the people he meets.
Priscilla has spent the bulk of her life with only her grandmother for company as her mother died when she was young and her father and grandfather are adventurers who are never home. Priscilla was promised a chance to adventure with her father and grandfather when she was old enough and as a result she became obsessed with the idea. Everything Priscilla does is to ensure she will be able to travel with her family and no longer be left behind.
Thad and Priscilla’s relationship gets off to a slow start as despite Priscilla’s interest in Thad, her heart is set on becoming an adventurer. Eventually the two form a friendship of sorts with tons of banter and wonderful conversations. I loved that the two got each other and had similar senses of humor. Eventually they give in to the attraction between them, but Priscilla holds herself back a bit as she’s still holding on to the idea of adventure which means not marrying. Priscilla’s reluctance to be honest with herself and Thad was frustrating at times, but completely understandable given her abandonment issues. I loved that in the end, it was Priscilla who realized she had a new dream and the choice wasn’t forced on her.
Overall I thought One Night of Passion was an amazing read and I’m really enjoying the Wicked Dukes Club series thus far. I would definitely recommend the series if you’re looking for some shorter, fantastic historical romances.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
May 19, 2019
2.5/5. It took me an inordinately long time to finish what is an essentially short book/novella. Nope. Just didn't feel what other people were feeling. This insta-love/lust thing, I just did not get. The characters both annoyed me.
The heroine is woman just biding time till her coming 25th birthday when she is promised access to the 10 thousand pounds set aside for her by her absent father. She has an illogical and childish conviction that the road to happiness is through adventuring abroad and hopefully to do so in the company of her father and grandfather, who abandoned her, her mother and grandmother in their selfish search for stimulation in faraway places. Instead of resenting them, she idolises these undeserving men who caused her mother's premature death by suicide and who hardened her grandmother's heart. It's a simplistic and immature notion to have at her age that travelling with them would gain her their attention and affection.
The hero is a bit of an airy-fairy dreamer himself. A hopeless romantic who literally searches for "The One" and who after a set down by the heroine suddenly becomes convinced that she is this person. He also has the lofty ambition of being a biographer, a strange and underdeveloped aspiration when all he has done to date is just to jot down notes about random people he meets. Spoilers coming up. He eventually writes the first part of the heroine's autobiography and gifts it to her. How one can write chapters about a person, one doesn't have any detailed knowledge of and who has not left London or done anything unique or notable, I don't understand.
The repetitious mention of "The One" (31 times when one was enough for me to roll my eyes and the other 30 times gave me nystagmus and a severe case of vertigo) and "Marriage Mart" made me grind my teeth. To me, his fatalistic attitude equals to spinelessness and lack of character strength. I prefer a hero (and heroine) who has the balls and conviction to seize/make their own moments and not be subject to the whims of fate. Then there's their bedding. She loved and was certain of his love for her enough to sleep with him but not certain enough of its longevity to marry him. Well, let me tell you something girl, sleeping with him might result in consequences that have longevity!
The author has written better. There were a couple of decent lines, but for the most I was just annoyed - and bored. If I had known, it's a novella (albeit a longish one), I would have stayed clear of it. This was an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The heroine is woman just biding time till her coming 25th birthday when she is promised access to the 10 thousand pounds set aside for her by her absent father. She has an illogical and childish conviction that the road to happiness is through adventuring abroad and hopefully to do so in the company of her father and grandfather, who abandoned her, her mother and grandmother in their selfish search for stimulation in faraway places. Instead of resenting them, she idolises these undeserving men who caused her mother's premature death by suicide and who hardened her grandmother's heart. It's a simplistic and immature notion to have at her age that travelling with them would gain her their attention and affection.
The hero is a bit of an airy-fairy dreamer himself. A hopeless romantic who literally searches for "The One" and who after a set down by the heroine suddenly becomes convinced that she is this person. He also has the lofty ambition of being a biographer, a strange and underdeveloped aspiration when all he has done to date is just to jot down notes about random people he meets. Spoilers coming up. He eventually writes the first part of the heroine's autobiography and gifts it to her. How one can write chapters about a person, one doesn't have any detailed knowledge of and who has not left London or done anything unique or notable, I don't understand.
The repetitious mention of "The One" (31 times when one was enough for me to roll my eyes and the other 30 times gave me nystagmus and a severe case of vertigo) and "Marriage Mart" made me grind my teeth. To me, his fatalistic attitude equals to spinelessness and lack of character strength. I prefer a hero (and heroine) who has the balls and conviction to seize/make their own moments and not be subject to the whims of fate. Then there's their bedding. She loved and was certain of his love for her enough to sleep with him but not certain enough of its longevity to marry him. Well, let me tell you something girl, sleeping with him might result in consequences that have longevity!
The author has written better. There were a couple of decent lines, but for the most I was just annoyed - and bored. If I had known, it's a novella (albeit a longish one), I would have stayed clear of it. This was an ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 15, 2019
Series: Wicked Dukes Club #3
Publication Date: 5/14/19
Number of Pages: 200
I’m loving this series so far and each book just gets better – can you imagine how good the last one will be! It was an absolutely delightful read – no drama, no angst, just a wonderful romance between the sweetest hero you’ll ever meet and a lovely heroine who has always wanted someone to love her but didn’t know that was what she wanted.
Thaddeus Middleton is a romantic in the truest sense of the word and he’s been looking for ‘The One’ for ten years. He faithfully attends Almacs on Wednesdays, dances with the ladies and flirts with them. Not a single one of them has made him see rainbows. Now, there is Priscilla Wetherby – and she makes his heart beat faster – and she wants nothing to do with him.
Priscilla Wetherby wants to be an adventurer – just like her father and grandfather. Her father promised her there was a £10,000 inheritance waiting for her when she turned five and twenty. All she had to do remain scandal free, remain on the marriage mart and if she was still unmarried at five and twenty, the inheritance was hers. She’d be free to travel the world and become an adventurer.
When Thad approached her for a dance, she felt the sparks, but she couldn’t allow him to become close. She had to become an adventurer and have a happy life. When he persists, she runs – then thinks maybe . . .
It is quite a lovely read and I highly recommend it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 5/14/19
Number of Pages: 200
I’m loving this series so far and each book just gets better – can you imagine how good the last one will be! It was an absolutely delightful read – no drama, no angst, just a wonderful romance between the sweetest hero you’ll ever meet and a lovely heroine who has always wanted someone to love her but didn’t know that was what she wanted.
Thaddeus Middleton is a romantic in the truest sense of the word and he’s been looking for ‘The One’ for ten years. He faithfully attends Almacs on Wednesdays, dances with the ladies and flirts with them. Not a single one of them has made him see rainbows. Now, there is Priscilla Wetherby – and she makes his heart beat faster – and she wants nothing to do with him.
Priscilla Wetherby wants to be an adventurer – just like her father and grandfather. Her father promised her there was a £10,000 inheritance waiting for her when she turned five and twenty. All she had to do remain scandal free, remain on the marriage mart and if she was still unmarried at five and twenty, the inheritance was hers. She’d be free to travel the world and become an adventurer.
When Thad approached her for a dance, she felt the sparks, but she couldn’t allow him to become close. She had to become an adventurer and have a happy life. When he persists, she runs – then thinks maybe . . .
It is quite a lovely read and I highly recommend it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 29, 2019
I liked this one a lot. The grandmother was spunky or should I say feisty. Poor Priscilla's Dad and Granddad are terribly neglectful and selfish. She grew up abandoned and lonely. Both her and her grandmother were abandoned. Thaddeus needed someone to love and Priscilla needed to be loved. They both needed attention and companionship. Priscilla wanted adventure without restriction. In months she'd have her inheritance and freedom as long as she stayed single, but will she? I highly recommend this book. I think, this is my third read by Ms. Ridley and it definitely won't be my last. Her books are angsty and entertaining. I enjoy her plots and characters.
Quick unedited thoughts
Thank you to WebMotion for the eARC of this book.
Quick unedited thoughts
Thank you to WebMotion for the eARC of this book.
May 14, 2019
Une histoire toute mignonne avec un humour léger qui m'a fait sourire presque tout le livre et un amour de héros !! Peut-être que j'ai été influencée par des lectures moyennes mais c'était un vrai régal à lire.
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Avis complet https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 18, 2019
Considering that Erica Ridley turns out romances almost as fast as Mrs. Fields does chocolate chip cookies, the quality of them isn't too bad. (Those cookies are darned good also, something my hips can attest to.) Although I've read less than a handful of her books, I heard good things about this one, so...
Well, it's not bad at all. And the hero here is a sweetheart and not one of those annoying misogynists who will never marry because all women are lying, deceiving, manipulating witches, all the while bedding as many of them as he can. No, he really, really wants to marry and wants to marry for love, for forever love. Another great thing he has going for himself is the lack of a title and the absence of super wealth. He has enough for an okay life but not enough for a yacht, so to speak. It was so nice not to have a wealthy, powerful duke as hero for a change.
Then we have our heroine. She's the one against marriage. Now, that's not unusual in HRs. Lots of romance females say they'll never marry only to watch their money and their lives be controlled by a man (and then, of course, they get all weak-kneed and stupid around the hero of the novel). No, the reason this heroine doesn't want to marry is that she wants to travel and have adventures, like her (a$$wipe absentee) father and grandfather do. If she remains unmarried to the age of 25, she'll receive 10,000 pounds, which she intends to use for freedom, travel, and adventure.
But the hero is so, so charming and truly adorable. It's hard to resist and keep her eye on the ultimate goal. So we all wonder what will happen. Well, maybe we don't wonder, but the way her dilemma is resolved is pretty good. This plot and its development did not annoy me.
However, some things about the writing, which overall is better than that of many other HRs, did. There's a good bit of strange, stilted vocabulary and syntax, such as "a list of brides from whence to choose", "the timing was prescient", "wrench a hole in his chest", or "the specter of having to exit his embrace." Choices like that disturbed the flow as I was reading. Especially when Ridley also puts in modern phrasing, such as "If you like her...put a ring on her" or "footwear optional". Is the stilted/modern juxtaposition purposeful? To what purpose?
Yes, I'm sounding old, crochety and pompous again. I don't care. I will continue to complain about consistency and quality in HR writing until they pry my computer from my cold, dead hands.
Well, it's not bad at all. And the hero here is a sweetheart and not one of those annoying misogynists who will never marry because all women are lying, deceiving, manipulating witches, all the while bedding as many of them as he can. No, he really, really wants to marry and wants to marry for love, for forever love. Another great thing he has going for himself is the lack of a title and the absence of super wealth. He has enough for an okay life but not enough for a yacht, so to speak. It was so nice not to have a wealthy, powerful duke as hero for a change.
Then we have our heroine. She's the one against marriage. Now, that's not unusual in HRs. Lots of romance females say they'll never marry only to watch their money and their lives be controlled by a man (and then, of course, they get all weak-kneed and stupid around the hero of the novel). No, the reason this heroine doesn't want to marry is that she wants to travel and have adventures, like her (a$$wipe absentee) father and grandfather do. If she remains unmarried to the age of 25, she'll receive 10,000 pounds, which she intends to use for freedom, travel, and adventure.
But the hero is so, so charming and truly adorable. It's hard to resist and keep her eye on the ultimate goal. So we all wonder what will happen. Well, maybe we don't wonder, but the way her dilemma is resolved is pretty good. This plot and its development did not annoy me.
However, some things about the writing, which overall is better than that of many other HRs, did. There's a good bit of strange, stilted vocabulary and syntax, such as "a list of brides from whence to choose", "the timing was prescient", "wrench a hole in his chest", or "the specter of having to exit his embrace." Choices like that disturbed the flow as I was reading. Especially when Ridley also puts in modern phrasing, such as "If you like her...put a ring on her" or "footwear optional". Is the stilted/modern juxtaposition purposeful? To what purpose?
Yes, I'm sounding old, crochety and pompous again. I don't care. I will continue to complain about consistency and quality in HR writing until they pry my computer from my cold, dead hands.
May 3, 2019
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Great read.
Thaddeus is so sweet and wonderful , the sort of man to take home to your family.
Priscilla is just waiting for her 25th birthday, so she can escape her life for one of adventure in Africa, with her father and grandfather .
The two are made for each other but she won’t give in, she fights love and destiny all the way .
Will Thaddeus finally get through to her ?
Lovely book and addition to this series.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Great read.
Thaddeus is so sweet and wonderful , the sort of man to take home to your family.
Priscilla is just waiting for her 25th birthday, so she can escape her life for one of adventure in Africa, with her father and grandfather .
The two are made for each other but she won’t give in, she fights love and destiny all the way .
Will Thaddeus finally get through to her ?
Lovely book and addition to this series.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
June 22, 2019
Priscilla is a young women looking for independence and adventure; Thaddeus is a cautious planner who wants a love match and has been saving since he was a child to be able provide a warm cosy home for his future family. I love how they spark off each other at first meeting and enjoyed their story.
May 9, 2019
All Priscilla Weatherby had to do was stay single until she reached twenty-five. Making herself les than desirable should do the trick, until hopeless romantic Thaddeus Middleton finds himself drawn to the prickly woman like a moth to a flame. He is everything she could ask for in a man, hardly the rake she envisioned him to be, but will the lure of money and the dreams of adventure stand a chance against love?
ONE NIGHT OF PASSION by Erica Ridley puts a little different twist on the “Rake falls for the lovely young woman” theme and trust me, it is marvelous! Priscilla has big dreams, big goals, but are they realistic or part of a child’s dreams? Thaddeus is swoon worthy, period.
Historical romance with heart, some humor and a few moments of clarity that speak to the soul!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Erica Ridley & WebMotion!
Series: Wicked Dukes Club - Book 3
Publisher: WebMotion (May 14, 2019)
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
ONE NIGHT OF PASSION by Erica Ridley puts a little different twist on the “Rake falls for the lovely young woman” theme and trust me, it is marvelous! Priscilla has big dreams, big goals, but are they realistic or part of a child’s dreams? Thaddeus is swoon worthy, period.
Historical romance with heart, some humor and a few moments of clarity that speak to the soul!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Erica Ridley & WebMotion!
Series: Wicked Dukes Club - Book 3
Publisher: WebMotion (May 14, 2019)
Publication Date: May 14, 2019
Genre: Regency Romance
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 17, 2019
4.5 stars
One Night of Passion is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club and it's written by Erica Ridley. Thaddeus and Priscilla are the main characters. The hero of our story is Diana's cousin and she was the heroine of the first book. He doesn't have a title and he is looking for love. Our heroine is not looking for love and looks forward to her 25th birthday in order to claim her inheritance and go on adventures like her father and grandfather did. She has lost her most and lives with her grandmother only.
Once again in the series, we had a strong and maybe a little forward for her time heroine. I liked that. All Thaddeus wanted to do is settle down and have a family, while his future lady wanted to explore the world. That was a problem since they wanted different things. I will admit that I am still torn about how I felt with the way the author resolved their problems. On one hand, I liked it and on the other, I feel like they would have done what the other party wanted without causing too much trouble. That was the only thing that made me doubt the book and my feelings about it. Otherwise, the book was good and easy to read. I was happy to have Thaddeus as a hero because he was different from most of the book heroes we get lately.
One Night of Passion is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club and it's written by Erica Ridley. Thaddeus and Priscilla are the main characters. The hero of our story is Diana's cousin and she was the heroine of the first book. He doesn't have a title and he is looking for love. Our heroine is not looking for love and looks forward to her 25th birthday in order to claim her inheritance and go on adventures like her father and grandfather did. She has lost her most and lives with her grandmother only.
Once again in the series, we had a strong and maybe a little forward for her time heroine. I liked that. All Thaddeus wanted to do is settle down and have a family, while his future lady wanted to explore the world. That was a problem since they wanted different things. I will admit that I am still torn about how I felt with the way the author resolved their problems. On one hand, I liked it and on the other, I feel like they would have done what the other party wanted without causing too much trouble. That was the only thing that made me doubt the book and my feelings about it. Otherwise, the book was good and easy to read. I was happy to have Thaddeus as a hero because he was different from most of the book heroes we get lately.
May 10, 2019
*I received a free copy of One Night of Passion. This has in no way influenced my review which is honest and unbiased*
Ridley wooed me with her characters in this story. I loved that Priscilla had this one dream, and that when she could have it - she realized that her real dream was something else all together :)
Ridley wooed me with her characters in this story. I loved that Priscilla had this one dream, and that when she could have it - she realized that her real dream was something else all together :)
May 11, 2019
I thought I had loved the two previous books in this series but this third is even more astounding.
There is no bad guy in this story, just the limitations people put around them, Priscilla Weatherby has shaped her future because of her past, while Thaddeus Middleton has none, he won’t settle for less than he thinks deserving.
« Extensive research into the art of ‘happy ever after’ indicates I should either paint my horse white, build a library with a ladder, or seek a vengeful sorceress to enchant me via rose petals and ill-tempered rhymes. »
Thad is a hero as there are so few, no rogue nor rake nor cad. He is just looking for love, but not the easy one, he wants the whole package, he wants to be his bride-to-be only and first choice.
I loved he refused to compromise, he thought too but knew it would be a wrong decision.
He is such a magnificent man, happy with what life has to offer to him, pleased to meet everyday his friend or new people, delighted by all the tiny things life provides. But his world is turned upside down upon his sighting of Miss Weatherby, next to her he felt something, not the strike from a lightning bolt nor birdsongs but a spark of interest because after an entertaining discussion she gave him the cut direct.
But he is not a man to be deterred but some rebuffs when he fells the other part was as much interested as himself.
Priscilla devotes her whole life to become the perfect companion for her estranged father and grandfather, for this she just have to remain unwed until her twenty fifth birthday. She thinks then she will win his respect and maybe love.
At some points, I was upset with her but at the same time, it was what she has always known, the memories of her absentee father who left her behind her whole life, just coming back after her mother’s demise when she was nine. The little girl in her has engraved this vow in her soul, that by her twenty fifth birthday, she will be enough, she will matter enough to be able to follow her father.
In some way, Thad and Priscilla have the same goal, to be enough, but when Thad wants to be the first and only choice, Priscilla wants to be un-leave-able.
« He would be destroyed if he married the girl he adored only for her to fall out of love because he couldn’t be what she needed. That was not a road he was willing to travel. He tightened his jaw with determination. For the right woman, he would be the best option. That was what would make her The One and lift her above any other. »
But this was not a sad story, Thad’s personality elevates the mood of their tale.
I had a goofy smile for most of my reading with their nonsensical witty and funny banters and him searching for proof he was on the right path.
A 10 stars story.
There is no bad guy in this story, just the limitations people put around them, Priscilla Weatherby has shaped her future because of her past, while Thaddeus Middleton has none, he won’t settle for less than he thinks deserving.
« Extensive research into the art of ‘happy ever after’ indicates I should either paint my horse white, build a library with a ladder, or seek a vengeful sorceress to enchant me via rose petals and ill-tempered rhymes. »
Thad is a hero as there are so few, no rogue nor rake nor cad. He is just looking for love, but not the easy one, he wants the whole package, he wants to be his bride-to-be only and first choice.
I loved he refused to compromise, he thought too but knew it would be a wrong decision.
He is such a magnificent man, happy with what life has to offer to him, pleased to meet everyday his friend or new people, delighted by all the tiny things life provides. But his world is turned upside down upon his sighting of Miss Weatherby, next to her he felt something, not the strike from a lightning bolt nor birdsongs but a spark of interest because after an entertaining discussion she gave him the cut direct.
But he is not a man to be deterred but some rebuffs when he fells the other part was as much interested as himself.
Priscilla devotes her whole life to become the perfect companion for her estranged father and grandfather, for this she just have to remain unwed until her twenty fifth birthday. She thinks then she will win his respect and maybe love.
At some points, I was upset with her but at the same time, it was what she has always known, the memories of her absentee father who left her behind her whole life, just coming back after her mother’s demise when she was nine. The little girl in her has engraved this vow in her soul, that by her twenty fifth birthday, she will be enough, she will matter enough to be able to follow her father.
In some way, Thad and Priscilla have the same goal, to be enough, but when Thad wants to be the first and only choice, Priscilla wants to be un-leave-able.
« He would be destroyed if he married the girl he adored only for her to fall out of love because he couldn’t be what she needed. That was not a road he was willing to travel. He tightened his jaw with determination. For the right woman, he would be the best option. That was what would make her The One and lift her above any other. »
But this was not a sad story, Thad’s personality elevates the mood of their tale.
I had a goofy smile for most of my reading with their nonsensical witty and funny banters and him searching for proof he was on the right path.
A 10 stars story.
May 12, 2019
One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley is book Three in the Wicked Dukes Club Series. This is the story of Thaddeus 'Thad' Middleton and Priscilla Weatherby. I have read the previous books (and Loved them!) but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Priscilla wants to be independent but also wants to go on adventures and travels with her father. Priscilla's father also took to traveling just has his father did. But she has to go through hoops that are in place to get that independence. Priscilla must attend at 3 weekly events, have no scandals, to not marry and when she turns 25 she will inherit the money she feels will help her goal of being independent and to travel.
Thad feels that its time to marry and goes forward to meet the women that is to be his..."The One". But the only person he is attracted to is Priscilla who is the opposite of what he thinks he wants in a wife and he sure that she can't be the one for him. Priscilla knows that Thad would be the perfect husband for her if she was looking for one and goes forward to turn him away and resist her feelings. When Thad is encouraged by his friends and family to looking further into getting to know Priscilla he start to become aware that she might just be what he always wanted.
Loved their story and this series!!!
Priscilla wants to be independent but also wants to go on adventures and travels with her father. Priscilla's father also took to traveling just has his father did. But she has to go through hoops that are in place to get that independence. Priscilla must attend at 3 weekly events, have no scandals, to not marry and when she turns 25 she will inherit the money she feels will help her goal of being independent and to travel.
Thad feels that its time to marry and goes forward to meet the women that is to be his..."The One". But the only person he is attracted to is Priscilla who is the opposite of what he thinks he wants in a wife and he sure that she can't be the one for him. Priscilla knows that Thad would be the perfect husband for her if she was looking for one and goes forward to turn him away and resist her feelings. When Thad is encouraged by his friends and family to looking further into getting to know Priscilla he start to become aware that she might just be what he always wanted.
Loved their story and this series!!!
May 8, 2019
One Night of Passion was just Not my Cup of Tea!! Sorry I usually love Erica Ridley's stories but I had a hard time even finishing One Night of Passion.
Thaddeus Middleton is what I call not poor but not rich. Today he would be consider upper middle class Nor is he titled. Personally I read Historical Romance for the fantasy of it all. I Like Very Rich Titled Lords and Dukes. I like reading about the castles and Manor Country estates they live in. The beautiful clothes and the wonderful balls and dinner. I like to read even what they are eating at the elaborated dinner parties. There is not a good description of Thaddeus or Priscilla either. What do they look like. Brown hair and broad shoulders brown eyes just is just to basic. Oh I am sick of Spinster heroines.
I RECIEVED THIS ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
Thaddeus Middleton is what I call not poor but not rich. Today he would be consider upper middle class Nor is he titled. Personally I read Historical Romance for the fantasy of it all. I Like Very Rich Titled Lords and Dukes. I like reading about the castles and Manor Country estates they live in. The beautiful clothes and the wonderful balls and dinner. I like to read even what they are eating at the elaborated dinner parties. There is not a good description of Thaddeus or Priscilla either. What do they look like. Brown hair and broad shoulders brown eyes just is just to basic. Oh I am sick of Spinster heroines.
I RECIEVED THIS ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
May 7, 2019
I loved the character of Thaddeus, he was such a kind and thoughtful man. He was adept at writing and would love to be a biographer, however, now he is looking for true love in the form of a wife. Priscilla hasn’t had the conventional family life as she hasn’t seen her father for many years as he is an adventurer. She wants to travel and has avoided marriage. She is attracted to Thad but doesn’t want to be as she has plans of her own. I enjoyed their interaction but there are a few disappointments for Priscilla and some realisations. A very satisfying read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 23, 2020
“Io non so quale sia il mio posto,” disse Priscilla, il mento alto, “perché non ho intenzione di averne uno.
Trascorrere il resto della mia vita andando all’avventura, svegliandomi ogni mattina di fronte a un giorno pieno di meraviglie e di sorprese.”
“Tu odi le meraviglie e le sorprese,” disse la nonna in tono sprezzante. “Sostieniche l’idea dell’ignoto ti piaccia, ma hai fatto di tutto per conoscere e predire ogni singolo elemento del tuo ambiente.”
Un po' troppo dolce per i miei gusti. Però almeno ho imparato il significato di "spillatico"...
Trascorrere il resto della mia vita andando all’avventura, svegliandomi ogni mattina di fronte a un giorno pieno di meraviglie e di sorprese.”
“Tu odi le meraviglie e le sorprese,” disse la nonna in tono sprezzante. “Sostieniche l’idea dell’ignoto ti piaccia, ma hai fatto di tutto per conoscere e predire ogni singolo elemento del tuo ambiente.”
Un po' troppo dolce per i miei gusti. Però almeno ho imparato il significato di "spillatico"...
July 27, 2021
3.5 stars
This is my fourth story from Ridley's and I think I recognize some familiar plots of hers. It doesn't mean that I don't like it though.
IN this one, I think what charms me the most is Thaddeus Middleton - he is self-proclaimed romantic. He wants to find THE ONE, the Princess Charming. He wants bluebirds and rainbows and ray of sunlight as a sign. And Thad dreams to live peacefully at home with his future wife. I mean, I don't think I find MANY male heroes like Thad!
Unfortunately (maybe), who attracts Thad is Lady Priscilla Weatherby who wants a lifetime of adventure. She doesn't dream to stay put, she wants to travel, far away to Africa. She wants to follow the path of her father and grandfather. For Priscilla, a man like Thad will never do, because Thad wants to find root at home, while she is ready to fly.
Of course, for the two to become a couple there should be compromise. I feel like it's staring US the readers in our face, the compromise they should make. And this comes from that "familiar plots" I mention in the beginning (
Still, all in all, this is a sweet quick shorter-side of a novel and I enjoy it
This is my fourth story from Ridley's and I think I recognize some familiar plots of hers. It doesn't mean that I don't like it though.
IN this one, I think what charms me the most is Thaddeus Middleton - he is self-proclaimed romantic. He wants to find THE ONE, the Princess Charming. He wants bluebirds and rainbows and ray of sunlight as a sign. And Thad dreams to live peacefully at home with his future wife. I mean, I don't think I find MANY male heroes like Thad!
Unfortunately (maybe), who attracts Thad is Lady Priscilla Weatherby who wants a lifetime of adventure. She doesn't dream to stay put, she wants to travel, far away to Africa. She wants to follow the path of her father and grandfather. For Priscilla, a man like Thad will never do, because Thad wants to find root at home, while she is ready to fly.
Of course, for the two to become a couple there should be compromise. I feel like it's staring US the readers in our face, the compromise they should make. And this comes from that "familiar plots" I mention in the beginning (
Still, all in all, this is a sweet quick shorter-side of a novel and I enjoy it
Read
March 25, 20223.5 stars
Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: A comfy chair and a roaring fire
Character Chemistry: They are soulmates
Plot: Sometimes jarringly abrupt
Overall: Mostly charming
As I was reading this book, my main emotion was low-key delight. The characters made me smile, and their interactions immediately showed their compatibility and capacity for friendship based on mutual respect.
Thaddeus, our hero, is a hopeless romantic, and I dug that minor gender role reversal. He is a mere mister – no title, no fortune, but comfortable enough to participate in some activities of the ton (mainly: Almack’s). And he’s looking for a wife in all the normal places, but not for dynastic legacy purposes, but because he wants to find a life partner (hence: Almack’s). However, he hasn’t had much success thus far. When another character asks him what he’s looking for, he declares: “Easy. There will be rainbows, and bluebirds, and a ray of shimmery, heavenly light, and… er…”
No wonder he’s not making progress in the marriage department.
But then, he meets Priscilla. Who rebuffs him. But there are sparks, so he visits her home, and a rainbow appears. It’s a sign! (She also has a bird! Another sign! No rays of heavenly light, unfortunately.) Ridley includes these extremely cliché fairy tale details with a wink, and her characters are fortunately self-aware enough to laugh at them, which is part of what makes this book so fun.
The roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she absolutely does not want to get married. In fact, she has dedicated the past 5 or so years of her life, ever since she came out, to not getting married. See, Priscilla’s father set up a trust for her. The stipulation: she gets the money when she turns 25, as long as she’s unmarried. But she has to participate in the marriage mart, and there can be no scandal attached to her name. So she has this whole game she plays where she strategically shows up at places like Almack’s, but never dances with truly eligible men. Her master plan is to take the money, and use it to travel to Africa to meet up with her adventurer father, who, I should mention, has visited her literally twice in her entire life (and doesn’t even write her letters – she follows his adventures in travel journals, which is indicative of how fucking terrible this dude is). So a bonus roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she has severe abandonment issues (well-earned), and therefore is also afraid of marriage.
But she can’t deny the sparks she feels with Thaddeus either, so they develop a friendship, and then a desperate longing for each other, but the whole issue of her inheritance stands in their way. Because she can’t give up the promise of freedom, even for love, and Thaddeus will not ask it of her because he is a true gentleman.
In Thaddeus and Priscilla, Ridley has created a pair of well-matched people, who build a relationship on respect and affection, and whose long-held dreams of a life well-lived are intrinsically in conflict, all of which makes for a compelling read as their story progresses.
The main problem with One Night of Passion is that there’s not a lot of build up or explanation. Things happen abruptly – and not just on the larger scale of plot, but on the smaller scale of how scenes are written. Here’s an example. Priscilla and Thaddeus are talking about Priscilla teaching herself French, and then this exchange happens:
Review also available at The Smut Report.
Heat Factor: A comfy chair and a roaring fire
Character Chemistry: They are soulmates
Plot: Sometimes jarringly abrupt
Overall: Mostly charming
As I was reading this book, my main emotion was low-key delight. The characters made me smile, and their interactions immediately showed their compatibility and capacity for friendship based on mutual respect.
Thaddeus, our hero, is a hopeless romantic, and I dug that minor gender role reversal. He is a mere mister – no title, no fortune, but comfortable enough to participate in some activities of the ton (mainly: Almack’s). And he’s looking for a wife in all the normal places, but not for dynastic legacy purposes, but because he wants to find a life partner (hence: Almack’s). However, he hasn’t had much success thus far. When another character asks him what he’s looking for, he declares: “Easy. There will be rainbows, and bluebirds, and a ray of shimmery, heavenly light, and… er…”
No wonder he’s not making progress in the marriage department.
But then, he meets Priscilla. Who rebuffs him. But there are sparks, so he visits her home, and a rainbow appears. It’s a sign! (She also has a bird! Another sign! No rays of heavenly light, unfortunately.) Ridley includes these extremely cliché fairy tale details with a wink, and her characters are fortunately self-aware enough to laugh at them, which is part of what makes this book so fun.
The roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she absolutely does not want to get married. In fact, she has dedicated the past 5 or so years of her life, ever since she came out, to not getting married. See, Priscilla’s father set up a trust for her. The stipulation: she gets the money when she turns 25, as long as she’s unmarried. But she has to participate in the marriage mart, and there can be no scandal attached to her name. So she has this whole game she plays where she strategically shows up at places like Almack’s, but never dances with truly eligible men. Her master plan is to take the money, and use it to travel to Africa to meet up with her adventurer father, who, I should mention, has visited her literally twice in her entire life (and doesn’t even write her letters – she follows his adventures in travel journals, which is indicative of how fucking terrible this dude is). So a bonus roadblock to true love with Priscilla is that she has severe abandonment issues (well-earned), and therefore is also afraid of marriage.
But she can’t deny the sparks she feels with Thaddeus either, so they develop a friendship, and then a desperate longing for each other, but the whole issue of her inheritance stands in their way. Because she can’t give up the promise of freedom, even for love, and Thaddeus will not ask it of her because he is a true gentleman.
In Thaddeus and Priscilla, Ridley has created a pair of well-matched people, who build a relationship on respect and affection, and whose long-held dreams of a life well-lived are intrinsically in conflict, all of which makes for a compelling read as their story progresses.
The main problem with One Night of Passion is that there’s not a lot of build up or explanation. Things happen abruptly – and not just on the larger scale of plot, but on the smaller scale of how scenes are written. Here’s an example. Priscilla and Thaddeus are talking about Priscilla teaching herself French, and then this exchange happens:
“How much do you know?”
“Vocabulary? Quite a bit of it. I’ve memorized every list I can get my hands on. Grammar? Just what I can puzzle out from books. I’ve never had a proper tutor, and poring over Voltaire and Beaumarchais line by line isn’t the best way to – “
“I’ll write you letters,” Mr. Middleton said without hesitation.
In the version I read, there was a page break between Priscilla’s explanation and Thaddeus’s response, and I initially thought I had skipped a page, because his response seemed like a non-sequitur. She has given no indication that getting letters would be welcome or helpful. Thaddeus makes no indication that these letters will focus on French grammar in any way. (Plus, her real stumbling block is pronunciation, since she’s only learning by reading, not by conversation, so I don’t understand how letters will help.) I get that this is a way to have them interact (a lot!) without seeing each other, and to develop their relationship, and give Priscilla some space for pining, but like I said: no build up or explanation. (The follow through on the letters is also weak and rushed – we are just told that they write letters, frequently. And that’s about it.)
This abruptness doesn’t make One Night of Passion less fun, necessarily, but it was jarring enough that it brought me out of the story. I would say: go for it if you want something light with likeable characters who are aristocracy adjacent. Skip it if you want amazing prose or a tightly continuous plot.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
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May 12, 2019
One Night of Passion is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. Erica is writing the odd-numbered books while Darcy is writing the even-numbered books in the series.
Thaddeus Middleton (Thad) is one of the very few men who are determined to marry for love. He is an absolute romantic. Realising that it is high time he got married he attends Almacks looking for the 'one'. Whenever he is at a ball he makes a point of asking the wallflowers to dance because he knows that once he has others are sure to follow. It's with that in mind, rather than his quest to find his true love, that he asks Miss Priscilla Weatherby to dance. He is utterly flabbergasted when she turns him down!
Priscilla would like nothing more than to dance with Thad, he sets her heart aflame. She has to ignore the attraction though because she is determined to become an adventurer and to join her father and brother in Africa. To enable the funds for the trip she needs to inherit an allowance set up for her by her father. If she remains unwed despite looking for a husband until her 25th birthday she will receive those funds. There are a few rules and stipulations she has to adhere to and so far she has had every success. She's never been tempted to break the rules, not until Thad shows an interest in her.
Thad talks to his cousin Diana about his situation, wondering if he should be holding out for the 'one' or if he should just marry a suitable woman. He's fed up of feeling lonely. He also mentions how he couldn't even get Priscilla to dance with him even though she definitely isn't the one. Diana knows Priscilla and is shocked at her unusual behaviour. She's normally such a lovely friendly woman. She suggests that Thad look for friendship with Priscilla because who knows, she could be who he is looking for. She said there would be signs.
With that in mind, Thad finds himself at Priscilla's home where she lives with her grandmother and before the door is answered a rainbow shines after some rainfall. One of the signs that Thad always thought would happen when he found true love. Intrigued, he decides to see where things would lead if he has the opportunity to build at least a friendship with Priscilla.
And that is all that I am going to say about their story. You will have to read it yourself to find out about their friendship and perhaps budding relationship. Can they have any future together when he wants nothing more than a traditional marriage with cosy nights at home in front of the fire while she wants nothing but to adventure abroad with her father? She values her independence and doesn't want marriage.
This novella was an absolute pleasure to read. I loved how different Thad and Priscilla seemed to be when despite everything you could just tell they were perfect for each other. Thad is such a loveable character that you can't help but hope that he will get his happy ever after. It was a real joy to read as he got closer and close to that goal.
Priscilla goes through some emotional times which brought tears to my eyes. Then there were times with her grandmother that had me laughing out loud. This truly is a book that can make you run the gamut of emotions which for a novella is delightful!
I have loved every book so far in this series, although each can be read as a standalone one. This book is no exception and I am very happy to recommend it and the previous books! I also am very much looking forward to the next in the series.
Thaddeus Middleton (Thad) is one of the very few men who are determined to marry for love. He is an absolute romantic. Realising that it is high time he got married he attends Almacks looking for the 'one'. Whenever he is at a ball he makes a point of asking the wallflowers to dance because he knows that once he has others are sure to follow. It's with that in mind, rather than his quest to find his true love, that he asks Miss Priscilla Weatherby to dance. He is utterly flabbergasted when she turns him down!
Priscilla would like nothing more than to dance with Thad, he sets her heart aflame. She has to ignore the attraction though because she is determined to become an adventurer and to join her father and brother in Africa. To enable the funds for the trip she needs to inherit an allowance set up for her by her father. If she remains unwed despite looking for a husband until her 25th birthday she will receive those funds. There are a few rules and stipulations she has to adhere to and so far she has had every success. She's never been tempted to break the rules, not until Thad shows an interest in her.
Thad talks to his cousin Diana about his situation, wondering if he should be holding out for the 'one' or if he should just marry a suitable woman. He's fed up of feeling lonely. He also mentions how he couldn't even get Priscilla to dance with him even though she definitely isn't the one. Diana knows Priscilla and is shocked at her unusual behaviour. She's normally such a lovely friendly woman. She suggests that Thad look for friendship with Priscilla because who knows, she could be who he is looking for. She said there would be signs.
With that in mind, Thad finds himself at Priscilla's home where she lives with her grandmother and before the door is answered a rainbow shines after some rainfall. One of the signs that Thad always thought would happen when he found true love. Intrigued, he decides to see where things would lead if he has the opportunity to build at least a friendship with Priscilla.
And that is all that I am going to say about their story. You will have to read it yourself to find out about their friendship and perhaps budding relationship. Can they have any future together when he wants nothing more than a traditional marriage with cosy nights at home in front of the fire while she wants nothing but to adventure abroad with her father? She values her independence and doesn't want marriage.
This novella was an absolute pleasure to read. I loved how different Thad and Priscilla seemed to be when despite everything you could just tell they were perfect for each other. Thad is such a loveable character that you can't help but hope that he will get his happy ever after. It was a real joy to read as he got closer and close to that goal.
Priscilla goes through some emotional times which brought tears to my eyes. Then there were times with her grandmother that had me laughing out loud. This truly is a book that can make you run the gamut of emotions which for a novella is delightful!
I have loved every book so far in this series, although each can be read as a standalone one. This book is no exception and I am very happy to recommend it and the previous books! I also am very much looking forward to the next in the series.
May 7, 2019
It's a 3.5 for me because while I absolutely love sweet romances and I relate very much to characters who are lonely that are seeking love and happiness, this didn't have an emotional punch to it. It's more of a casual read that's warm and easy, rather than one that makes your eyes tear with joy.
In that sense, I did find The Mannequin to be a better read because I did tear up, though if you're after a sweet story in the same vein, this book will serve nicely!
Thaddeus is a great hero; sweet and loyal and thoughtful. He knows what he wants but is a good and conscientious enough person to realize the other person has to be on board too or his happily ever after won't happen. Priscilla is clever and amiable, with the story centering mostly around the crux of her realizing what she really wants and how she thought she knew, but was misguided.
In terms of historical accuracy and what not, I do feel like there wasn't total commitment to the language and mannerisms, it feels like they are intimate far too easily and that some of the language is modern vernacular trying to seem more antiquated, but nothing stood out as thoughtlessly out of place. I don't think the intent was to be a dead-ringer for historical accuracy or to pay enough mind to really drive home the details of London in the early 1800s, but to write an easygoing novel of Regency England romance and it did make me feel the setting enough that I can't complain.
The worst mistake outright that I saw in this book is probably that the bird is clearly saying "good-bye, my love" in Spanish "¡Adios, mi amor!" (I would know; my best friend is Cuban and he calls me "mi amor" affectionately) yet the character act as if he's speaking French. To say the same sentence in French is "Au revoir, mon amour!" I know they're somewhat similar but... yeet.
But I did read an ARC copy, so hopefully this is remedied in the final publication.
Overall a short, sweet, simple read that's romantic and happy. I got through it very fast, I think it took me about 2 total hours this morning in one sitting. It seems like a good little 99 cent or 1.99 kind of kindle romance. I checked and it's at preorder for $2.99 and isn't a KU title, so... in my humble opinion, it's a bit overpriced and I personally would not buy it for that amount. Wait for a 99 cent deal.
I have two more in the series (I skipped ahead to book #3 because its blurb appealed the most) and I'll probably read them. The reference to the "wicked dukes" of the series is the fact the everyone of the heroes is a patron or partner in a tavern; Thaddeus is neither a duke nor wicked. Since this is book 3, I probably missed out on some connections from the last two books, I believe Diana was married in one of them and another character mentioned found his love as well, but I wasn't at a loss for the context of things without them since this book is focused on a new character and doesn't have any complex overarching plot to deal with that would make prior books mandatory to get the full picture.
I received an advance reader copy of this title for free from NetGalley, but in no way does that fact impact my opinions, for better or worse.
In that sense, I did find The Mannequin to be a better read because I did tear up, though if you're after a sweet story in the same vein, this book will serve nicely!
Thaddeus is a great hero; sweet and loyal and thoughtful. He knows what he wants but is a good and conscientious enough person to realize the other person has to be on board too or his happily ever after won't happen. Priscilla is clever and amiable, with the story centering mostly around the crux of her realizing what she really wants and how she thought she knew, but was misguided.
In terms of historical accuracy and what not, I do feel like there wasn't total commitment to the language and mannerisms, it feels like they are intimate far too easily and that some of the language is modern vernacular trying to seem more antiquated, but nothing stood out as thoughtlessly out of place. I don't think the intent was to be a dead-ringer for historical accuracy or to pay enough mind to really drive home the details of London in the early 1800s, but to write an easygoing novel of Regency England romance and it did make me feel the setting enough that I can't complain.
The worst mistake outright that I saw in this book is probably that the bird is clearly saying "good-bye, my love" in Spanish "¡Adios, mi amor!" (I would know; my best friend is Cuban and he calls me "mi amor" affectionately) yet the character act as if he's speaking French. To say the same sentence in French is "Au revoir, mon amour!" I know they're somewhat similar but... yeet.
But I did read an ARC copy, so hopefully this is remedied in the final publication.
Overall a short, sweet, simple read that's romantic and happy. I got through it very fast, I think it took me about 2 total hours this morning in one sitting. It seems like a good little 99 cent or 1.99 kind of kindle romance. I checked and it's at preorder for $2.99 and isn't a KU title, so... in my humble opinion, it's a bit overpriced and I personally would not buy it for that amount. Wait for a 99 cent deal.
I have two more in the series (I skipped ahead to book #3 because its blurb appealed the most) and I'll probably read them. The reference to the "wicked dukes" of the series is the fact the everyone of the heroes is a patron or partner in a tavern; Thaddeus is neither a duke nor wicked. Since this is book 3, I probably missed out on some connections from the last two books, I believe Diana was married in one of them and another character mentioned found his love as well, but I wasn't at a loss for the context of things without them since this book is focused on a new character and doesn't have any complex overarching plot to deal with that would make prior books mandatory to get the full picture.
I received an advance reader copy of this title for free from NetGalley, but in no way does that fact impact my opinions, for better or worse.
May 14, 2019
What unusual characters inhabit this series written by two best friends, Erica Ridley & Darcy Burke. This on is about a hero who just wants to find a wife who loves him and a heroine who has no intention of ever marrying. It is a delightful weaving of two individuals looking in very different places for happiness and discovering the true adventure they weave together.
We met Mister Thaddeus Middleton in the first book, a welcome member of the Wicked Duke Tavern. He is an untitled gentleman of means who now that his ward, cousin Diana has found a husband, is looking for one himself. He wants a love match as his parents had and his cousin. He won't settle for less but is afraid he's waited too long and missed her. He's an extremely likeable former barrister, who knows everyone and holds the office of MP in Parliament like his father.
Miss Priscilla Weatherby has determinedly made herself a wallflower. Her explorer father and grandfather are off in the wilds of Africa and Priscilla is determined to join them when she receives her trust fund at 25. Her mother passed when she was 9 of a broken heart after being abandoned by Priscilla's father. Her grandmother is a bitter old woman after being abandoned by her husband, and rambles around in the old mausoleum of a townhouse with Priscilla. Priscilla is conforming carefully with the terms of her trust fund, attending social events at least 3 times a week, remaining unmarried and making sure no scandal is ever attached to her name. Her greatest fear is being left behind. At Almanacs one evening Thaddeus spies Priscilla and is intrigued. He find himself repeatedly seeking her because she rebuffs him at every turn. He finds himself attracted to a cleaver puzzle of a woman. This series is the first time I've read Erica Ridley and she's enchanted me with her smart strong heroines and story lines that are different from the norm. I find I'm looking forward to the next story she pens in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
We met Mister Thaddeus Middleton in the first book, a welcome member of the Wicked Duke Tavern. He is an untitled gentleman of means who now that his ward, cousin Diana has found a husband, is looking for one himself. He wants a love match as his parents had and his cousin. He won't settle for less but is afraid he's waited too long and missed her. He's an extremely likeable former barrister, who knows everyone and holds the office of MP in Parliament like his father.
Miss Priscilla Weatherby has determinedly made herself a wallflower. Her explorer father and grandfather are off in the wilds of Africa and Priscilla is determined to join them when she receives her trust fund at 25. Her mother passed when she was 9 of a broken heart after being abandoned by Priscilla's father. Her grandmother is a bitter old woman after being abandoned by her husband, and rambles around in the old mausoleum of a townhouse with Priscilla. Priscilla is conforming carefully with the terms of her trust fund, attending social events at least 3 times a week, remaining unmarried and making sure no scandal is ever attached to her name. Her greatest fear is being left behind. At Almanacs one evening Thaddeus spies Priscilla and is intrigued. He find himself repeatedly seeking her because she rebuffs him at every turn. He finds himself attracted to a cleaver puzzle of a woman. This series is the first time I've read Erica Ridley and she's enchanted me with her smart strong heroines and story lines that are different from the norm. I find I'm looking forward to the next story she pens in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 14, 2019
March 1817, Almack's London, England "Thaddeus Middleton, plain old "mister" in and endless line of plain old misters, considered himself the luckiest of men." Signing the dance card of a wide eyed debutante, he could only think they would both be lucky tonight. He was looking for more than a dance partner. He wanted a wife. The great part was he had a Choice. He thought he might actually run into Princess Charming!
I loved this opened few paragraghs! It was a reversal of roles because usually it is the lady looking for Prince Charming, but I absolutely loved Thad and his optimism to find love! "If Almack's was the Marriage Mart, he had a very specific shopping list: True love. What else mattered?" Yep I loved this guy!!
Then he spotted her. Miss Priscilla Weatherby whom he had met before several years ago at her come out. But when he approaches her, she really just rebuff him. You see Priscilla was playing a waiting game. She had to wait until she was twenty five to obtain her inheritence, but one stipulation was she had to be out socializing. Well, she did not have much longer to wait and she would be a wealthy spinster and do what she wanted!
But Thad is pushed by his cousin to try to get to know her and who knows? She might just be "the One".
This was such a delightful humorous story that I could not help but smile through most every page. Would these two get together and would Priscilla consider giving up her inheritance and indepence to fall in love? Erica Ridley always pulls me in with her stories and I just can never get enough! Luckily there are more books in this series that she is writing with the fabulous Darcy Burke and these two authors together are two of my favorites!!
I loved this opened few paragraghs! It was a reversal of roles because usually it is the lady looking for Prince Charming, but I absolutely loved Thad and his optimism to find love! "If Almack's was the Marriage Mart, he had a very specific shopping list: True love. What else mattered?" Yep I loved this guy!!
Then he spotted her. Miss Priscilla Weatherby whom he had met before several years ago at her come out. But when he approaches her, she really just rebuff him. You see Priscilla was playing a waiting game. She had to wait until she was twenty five to obtain her inheritence, but one stipulation was she had to be out socializing. Well, she did not have much longer to wait and she would be a wealthy spinster and do what she wanted!
But Thad is pushed by his cousin to try to get to know her and who knows? She might just be "the One".
This was such a delightful humorous story that I could not help but smile through most every page. Would these two get together and would Priscilla consider giving up her inheritance and indepence to fall in love? Erica Ridley always pulls me in with her stories and I just can never get enough! Luckily there are more books in this series that she is writing with the fabulous Darcy Burke and these two authors together are two of my favorites!!
June 9, 2019
One Night of Passion is the third book in the Wicked Dukes Club series. Thaddeus Middleton is no duke however. Nor does he come with a huge fortune or any entailed estate. He does have a generous income that leaves him comfortably off. In today’s terms he would probably be ranked among the middle class. All he wants from life is a wife who will love him for himself, not because of any great fortune or because a match with him would be advantageous. A certain Miss Priscilla Weatherby has caught his eye. What he doesn’t know though is she has a plan of her own. She’s under the impression that if she reaches the age of 25 and is still unmarried she stands to inherit a fortune which will allow her her independence to follow in the footsteps of her adventuring father and grandfather and explore the dark continent along with her pet parrot.
I loved the role reversal in this book with the hero being the one who wants to marry for love. He comes across as a genuinely nice guy who will love his wife and any children they have and never dream of cheating on them. After all a man who loves kittens can’t be bad can he? Part of me hated Priscilla for hurting him and for having her head in the clouds when it comes to the men in her family and being blind to their numerous faults. Thankfully she comes to her senses before it’s too late. I can’t wait to find out which ‘duke’ will be the next one to fall victim to Cupid’s arrow.
I loved the role reversal in this book with the hero being the one who wants to marry for love. He comes across as a genuinely nice guy who will love his wife and any children they have and never dream of cheating on them. After all a man who loves kittens can’t be bad can he? Part of me hated Priscilla for hurting him and for having her head in the clouds when it comes to the men in her family and being blind to their numerous faults. Thankfully she comes to her senses before it’s too late. I can’t wait to find out which ‘duke’ will be the next one to fall victim to Cupid’s arrow.
May 4, 2019
I love this series! Now in the third book, Thaddeus Middleton, is still looking for his Princess Charming. Thad is a kind, considerate and hopeless romantic who believes in marrying for love. However, year after year goes by without any one lady captivating him, that is, until he asks Miss Priscilla Weatherby for a dance. The set down she gives him should have discouraged him from further contact with her, but it has the opposite effect. Thad feels the spark with Priscilla and he's not willing to turn away. Priscilla doesn't want to marry. She's holding out until her 25th birthday when she'll inherit a fortune and realize her dream of being an adventurer, but is she missing out on a lifetime of happiness with Thad?
The characters in this story had so much depth--both Thad and Priscilla holding onto their dreams and finally realizes that a dream can change over time. There is no villain in this story. It's a sweet, lovely story of how sometimes what you think you want isn't the dream you think it is. Priscilla always wanted to travel with her father and thought he would want her now that she was grown, but what Priscilla finds out is that you don't need to go half-way around the world to enjoy new adventures. Ms. Ridley has written a wonderful story and I can't wait to read the next story in this series.
I voluntarily read this story and the opinions are my own.
The characters in this story had so much depth--both Thad and Priscilla holding onto their dreams and finally realizes that a dream can change over time. There is no villain in this story. It's a sweet, lovely story of how sometimes what you think you want isn't the dream you think it is. Priscilla always wanted to travel with her father and thought he would want her now that she was grown, but what Priscilla finds out is that you don't need to go half-way around the world to enjoy new adventures. Ms. Ridley has written a wonderful story and I can't wait to read the next story in this series.
I voluntarily read this story and the opinions are my own.
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