One Night of Passion

Loved the Hero I have read this author for some time and truly enjoy her books. I have read other books in The Wicked Duke series, but not some of these earlier ones. I found this one to be a delight. The hero is so much fun. He's just a decent “mister” (not a lordling) who believes in romance and true love even though he didn't witness it firsthand with his parents. He keeps showing up at society events hoping to find The One. He's kind and gracious... and perhaps a little naïve about true love and romance. In other words, he's a total sweetie and an utterly swoon-worthy hero. Our heroine has an agenda as well, needing to stay in the society mix without making a match so she can inherit and be independent. The meet-cute was funny and charming—and you could certainly see the interest on his part right away. The author imbues this book with a fair amount of humor—which I would call a hallmark of this author's writing style. If you like a well-written Regency that's a little different from the normal with a sweet, unjaded hero, you may enjoy this book as much as I did. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

One Night of Passion is the 3rd book in the new Wicked Dukes Club series, a joint project produced by Erica Ridley and Darcy Burke. One Night of Passion is Ridley’s work. It is an amazing story with layer upon layer of complexity. Ridley is a master at giving her characters depth and believability. She has outdone herself with this story. I loved the hero in this Thaddeus Middleton - sweet, cheerful, fun and kind hearted. “As if he felt the whisper of her breath upon his skin, Mr. Middleton abruptly lifted his head and turned in her direction. His gaze locked with hers, too far away to see the golden flecks in his dark brown eyes, but hot enough to warm her to her toes all the same.” I don’t know if Ridley is a psychiatrist as well as an author..but her insight into people and their reactions to their environment is spot on. Her stories peel back the human condition layer by layer - everyone’s longing to be loved and belong. Amazing story. I was gifted a copy of this book.

Erica Ridley has outdone herself on this latest addition to the Wicked Dukes Club series, which is alternately authored by her and Darcy Burke. The previous offerings in the series were very good but One Night of Passion, the third offering in the series, is the sundae with the cherry on top, the one I will reread time and time again. The characters of Thaddeus (Thad) Middleton and Priscilla Weatherby were right on. The dialogue was wonderful. The romance was so endearingly sweet. Thad is looking for a wife. He wants a perfect love match. He is told by someone that there will be signs of who is the right one. Priscilla doesn’t want to marry. She wants to go on adventures and plans to join her father and grandfather on their journeys after she gains her inheritance. Thad has his work cut out for him in convincing Priscilla that she is “The One,” his perfect match. This was such an engaging read and I highly recommend. I was gifted an advance reader copy of this work and offer this voluntary review. All opinions stated are my own.