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Twelve Days of the Duke's Disguise
Known for being a handsome, devil-may-care rake, the Duke of Carlisle has never given much thought to the daughter of an earl he's been betrothed to since childhood. But as their impending marriage draws nearer and he realizes it will mean the end of his pleasure-seeking days, he decides to join his unseen bride's family for the holidays disguised as a gentleman farmer to find out what she's really like.
One person sees through his disguise immediately: his betrothed's lovely paid companion, Miss Elinor Stafford. Reluctantly convinced that Carlisle's ruse is a harmless prank, Elinor consents to keep the duke's secret and help him learn whether his bride-to-be is someone he can happily spend the rest of his life with. Two problems: as it turns out, she isn't, and Elinor is.
They both know their union would never be allowed — but Christmas is a time for miracles, and sometimes, if none are forthcoming, you just have to make your own.
One person sees through his disguise immediately: his betrothed's lovely paid companion, Miss Elinor Stafford. Reluctantly convinced that Carlisle's ruse is a harmless prank, Elinor consents to keep the duke's secret and help him learn whether his bride-to-be is someone he can happily spend the rest of his life with. Two problems: as it turns out, she isn't, and Elinor is.
They both know their union would never be allowed — but Christmas is a time for miracles, and sometimes, if none are forthcoming, you just have to make your own.
4 pages, Audiobook
Published December 22, 2020
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Riley E. Smith
21 books31 followersRiley E. Smith is an author and comedian who brings warmth and wit to a variety of genres. She loves crafting colorful characters to be your new best friends, and describing whole worlds so distinctly you could fall into them.
Riley was raised in the Arizona desert, where she developed a fondness for pretty things that could kill you if they felt like it. She earned her BA in English Literature from Rice University with a Distinction in Research on the strength of her thesis, an overly long exploration of Bugs Bunny’s performance persona.
She sojourned for a semester’s study at Cambridge University, where she climbed castle towers to discuss poetry and comedy with preeminent scholars in between improvising musicals and getting lost in gardens.
Since college, Riley has worked diligently at whatever took her fancy, including poetry, plays, and novels. She is an award-winning improv comedy player and teacher, and a budding clown, because in order to face our fears, we must become them. She brings her sense of humor to all her projects, even when putting your favorite characters into dire circumstances (she’s sorry about that, but not too sorry).
Riley lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her rarely-mad scientist partner and so many full bookshelves it’s an earthquake hazard. She’s hard at work on another book right now, or at least she should be. She might be playing the Sims.
Riley would love to conduct your next grand adventure, whether you want to solve a murder, fall in love, topple an empire… or have an elegant afternoon tea. Find her books on Amazon, or follow on Patreon for more!
Riley was raised in the Arizona desert, where she developed a fondness for pretty things that could kill you if they felt like it. She earned her BA in English Literature from Rice University with a Distinction in Research on the strength of her thesis, an overly long exploration of Bugs Bunny’s performance persona.
She sojourned for a semester’s study at Cambridge University, where she climbed castle towers to discuss poetry and comedy with preeminent scholars in between improvising musicals and getting lost in gardens.
Since college, Riley has worked diligently at whatever took her fancy, including poetry, plays, and novels. She is an award-winning improv comedy player and teacher, and a budding clown, because in order to face our fears, we must become them. She brings her sense of humor to all her projects, even when putting your favorite characters into dire circumstances (she’s sorry about that, but not too sorry).
Riley lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her rarely-mad scientist partner and so many full bookshelves it’s an earthquake hazard. She’s hard at work on another book right now, or at least she should be. She might be playing the Sims.
Riley would love to conduct your next grand adventure, whether you want to solve a murder, fall in love, topple an empire… or have an elegant afternoon tea. Find her books on Amazon, or follow on Patreon for more!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 7, 2021
*audiobooked*
This was a quick cute listen. The 2 main characters had fun banter and I liked that the duke was more forward thinking than most regency male characters I've come across. I'd like to thank the Bridgerton books for getting me into this particular genre as of late. I'm all for the cheeky kisses and rakes with a heart of gold. At least there wasn't a marriage of necessity in this one!
This was a quick cute listen. The 2 main characters had fun banter and I liked that the duke was more forward thinking than most regency male characters I've come across. I'd like to thank the Bridgerton books for getting me into this particular genre as of late. I'm all for the cheeky kisses and rakes with a heart of gold. At least there wasn't a marriage of necessity in this one!
August 30, 2022
This was an audiobook I found on scrib’d. I was searching for a book that fit a prompt for a reading challenge ( featured a duke.).
We meet and follow Carlisle and Elenor in this book. This banter was fun and cute. Which I haven’t found often, especially on this specific trope of book.
This was novella length, so short and easy to follow. It kept my interest, which isn’t an easy feat for an audiobook either. Haha.
I’d definitely read / listen to others by this author too!
We meet and follow Carlisle and Elenor in this book. This banter was fun and cute. Which I haven’t found often, especially on this specific trope of book.
This was novella length, so short and easy to follow. It kept my interest, which isn’t an easy feat for an audiobook either. Haha.
I’d definitely read / listen to others by this author too!
July 25, 2021
I did not expect this Novella to be as good as it was. The ending seemed a tad bit far fetched but I liked it regardless (what can I say, I enjoy a bit of cheesiness🤷🏽♀️😆). The romance was sweet and enjoyed getting to know Eleonor and Carlisle. Super fun plot, engaging characters and hilarious dialogue.
Content: Squeaky clean, sweet kisses
Content: Squeaky clean, sweet kisses
September 8, 2021
Extremely predictable, not my usual type of books I read but it was a nice short story while I was looking for something else
November 25, 2023
While a touch farfetched towards the end I picked the perfect book to start my holiday reading with!
There is nothing I love more than a handsome rake who can't be stopped until he meets the woman who is destined to be his. In this story though our rake was on a mission to meet the woman that would be his wife when he fell head over heels for the one woman he shouldn't. His betrothed's companion.
There were sweet swoony moments and stolen kisses between the two that were just too sweet to even describe and then of course, drama! Because while our duke was falling in love with his betrothed’s companion someone was falling in love with her companion as well. Which made for some delicious "oh snap" moments.
While I always prefer a duet/dual narration Courtney Bailey did an incredible job of bringing all the characters to life. And I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything but the single narrator.
This was just one of those short & sweet holiday novellas that give you just an extra dose of feels during the holiday season.
There is nothing I love more than a handsome rake who can't be stopped until he meets the woman who is destined to be his. In this story though our rake was on a mission to meet the woman that would be his wife when he fell head over heels for the one woman he shouldn't. His betrothed's companion.
There were sweet swoony moments and stolen kisses between the two that were just too sweet to even describe and then of course, drama! Because while our duke was falling in love with his betrothed’s companion someone was falling in love with her companion as well. Which made for some delicious "oh snap" moments.
While I always prefer a duet/dual narration Courtney Bailey did an incredible job of bringing all the characters to life. And I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything but the single narrator.
This was just one of those short & sweet holiday novellas that give you just an extra dose of feels during the holiday season.
July 28, 2021
Nice quick read. I love those sappy love stories about "historical" England.
May 27, 2021
Cute 🤷🏽♀️ short, sweet, to the point... not much else to say.
December 30, 2023
I'm not gonna lie, If it was a completely subjective review, I would have given it a 4 stars cause this is my jam when it comes to romance.
All of the tropes, misunderstandings, and miscommunication issues work because of the social etiquette of the time, and any tension is justified.
Here we follow a Duke who is supposed to marry a girl he was promised to when he was a kid and she was a baby! Ah, regency times! But when he gets to her town to spend the holiday season with her and her family, he seems to have more in common with her companion/governess.
It does hurt that there's so many Jane Austen references.
If you like Jane Austen, Bridgerton, holiday romances, and overall quick reads, this is the book for you.
All of the tropes, misunderstandings, and miscommunication issues work because of the social etiquette of the time, and any tension is justified.
Here we follow a Duke who is supposed to marry a girl he was promised to when he was a kid and she was a baby! Ah, regency times! But when he gets to her town to spend the holiday season with her and her family, he seems to have more in common with her companion/governess.
It does hurt that there's so many Jane Austen references.
If you like Jane Austen, Bridgerton, holiday romances, and overall quick reads, this is the book for you.
December 13, 2023
Cute. Sweet. Slightly predictable, but also not.
August 17, 2021
3.5 stars. A quick, sweet, completely unrealistic romance, . Still enjoyable, though.
August 15, 2021
Quick, cute little audiobook.
September 17, 2022
3.75 ⭐️- Initial read
4⭐️ ‐ Re-read
4⭐️ ‐ Re-read
February 7, 2023
I loved this story
July 5, 2024
Tropes: Hidden Identity, Holiday (Christmas), Lords & Ladies, Opposites Attract: Class Warfare
Genres, settings, categories, themes: historical romance (M/F), novella
POV: 3rd person, dual/alternating
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone
Overall ratings
Heat level: (from Susanna Carr's categorizations – wholesome/clean, sweet, sensual, sexy, erotic)
Heroine (Elinor) 4/5
Hero (Carlisle) 2/5
Side characters 2/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot 2/5
Romantic connection 2/5
Writing 5/5
Review/Notes
The writing was good, but I just didn't like the snobbery, in particular how obnoxious the Duke was in the beginning. Didn't really believe the romantic connection, although the author did make them cute enough together. Not a lot of depth developed or interesting storyline, but I suppose that's to be expected in a shorter story / novella (why do I keep trying with these when I know they're not for me?)
Genres, settings, categories, themes: historical romance (M/F), novella
POV: 3rd person, dual/alternating
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone
Overall ratings
Heat level: (from Susanna Carr's categorizations – wholesome/clean, sweet, sensual, sexy, erotic)
Heroine (Elinor) 4/5
Hero (Carlisle) 2/5
Side characters 2/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot 2/5
Romantic connection 2/5
Writing 5/5
Review/Notes
The writing was good, but I just didn't like the snobbery, in particular how obnoxious the Duke was in the beginning. Didn't really believe the romantic connection, although the author did make them cute enough together. Not a lot of depth developed or interesting storyline, but I suppose that's to be expected in a shorter story / novella (why do I keep trying with these when I know they're not for me?)
March 7, 2023
I enjoyed this one much more than the average Regency novella. I appreciated the wit, which made the story feel a little more true to its time than other similar books. I felt like the reader got to see a little why the duke fell for Elinor, but there wasn't really anything for her to fall for. I was a little disappointed in the end when an old trope was implemented. < spoiler > questionable parentage is answered and found to make the love interest worthy of marriage by someone of high rank < / spoiler >
January 2, 2021
2.75 stars
This was not supposed to be my first read of the year. I started it on New Year's Eve, thinking I would finish it before the end of the night, but that did not happen. It was impossibly unrealistic, with the Earl & his daughter being absolutely insipid, and the Duke & Ms. Stafford being incredibly obnoxious. There was an attempt at a last-minute plot twist that made my eyes roll. I'm so glad it was a quick read.
This was not supposed to be my first read of the year. I started it on New Year's Eve, thinking I would finish it before the end of the night, but that did not happen. It was impossibly unrealistic, with the Earl & his daughter being absolutely insipid, and the Duke & Ms. Stafford being incredibly obnoxious. There was an attempt at a last-minute plot twist that made my eyes roll. I'm so glad it was a quick read.
February 19, 2024
A cute and fun short read! Clean, wholesome fun - one minor profanity, one unlikeable character saying something somewhat blasphemous, a couple minor kisses, no sexual content.
December 10, 2023
Out now in ebook format on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TZVJ45M
This is adorable, but don’t read the version on Everand, read the one on Amazon because it is edited better.
This is adorable, but don’t read the version on Everand, read the one on Amazon because it is edited better.
January 1, 2025
2024: Here's to my last book of 2024, #146
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews