Undressing the Duke by Erica Ridley Published by Erica Ridley on June 15, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian, Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Gay, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 200
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
Buy on Amazon
When the notoriously buttoned-up Duke of Southbury is forced to attend a matchmaking festival, he knows it will end in solitude—just like every soiree and ball. The duke doesn’t want a bride. He wants his charming French valet, Vachon. An untenable situation the duke refuses to admit, even to Vachon. The only way to avoid scandal—and the pull of temptation—is to dismiss his handsome valet before Southbury says or does something that cannot be taken back.
But Vachon has pined for his taciturn employer since the moment they met. When the duke announces his impending dismissal, Vachon has only a fortnight to change his mind… and convince the ton’s model of propriety love is worth breaking all the rules!
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Book #7 of the Lords in Love series, this worked great as a standalone.
This was a shorty, easily read in a couple short sessions and enjoyable although not earth shattering. Cozy, would be a better description, albeit there is some internal angst in the set up reflecting the Duke’s internal struggle with his sexuality and near obsession with his valet.
I debated whether or not to add a CW, because if you are looking for a m/m romance with absolutely no inner turmoil or concern about public perception, this isn’t it. But there is a nice resolution, particularly with the Duke’s family that provided balance.
Due to the page limit, there is a not a lot of action and a fairly simple plot. The romance has really been building before the open for twenty years, so what you are reading is two MCs who finally admit their feelings and figure out how to have a HEA.
There are a few intimate scenes, but Ridley sticks true to her style of keeping those scenes fairly light on details. There was no violence and not much in the way of mature subject matter.
I did like the snippets of the marriage festival in Marywell for a change of scene.
I won’t re-read, but generally recommend for readers looking for a m/m novella on the soft side.
