Book Review: The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

The Wild Wynchesters Book 1

A NYT bestselling author kicks off a new Regency series of "irresistible romance and a family of delightful scoundrels" as a woman looking to recover a stolen painting accidentally kidnaps a duke instead. (Eloisa James)

Chloe Wynchester is completely forgettable -- a curse that gives her the ability to blend into any crowd. When the only father she's ever known makes a dying wish for his adopted family of orphans to recover a missing painting, she's the first one her siblings turn to for stealing it back. No one expects that in doing so, she'll also abduct a handsome duke.

Lawrence Gosling, the Duke of Faircliffe, is tortured by his father's mistakes. To repair his estate's ruined reputation, he must wed a highborn heiress. Yet when he finds himself in a carriage being driven hell-for-leather down the cobblestone streets of London by a beautiful woman who refuses to heed his commands, he fears his heart is hers. But how can he sacrifice his family's legacy to follow true love?

"Erica Ridley is a delight!" --Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of the Bridgerton series

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My Review:

I loved this book wholeheartedly. From my own experience, I recommend keeping the tissues handy, because my tender heart turned into a weepy, bawling mess over this story. It was so easy for me to connect with Chloe and her desire to be seen for herself. My heart broke for Lawrence and every ounce of his personal happiness he was prepared to sacrifice to do what was best for his people. This pair have so much in common even though they’re coming at the problem from different directions. The story sucked me in and kept me reading. And the biggest force behind that was how badly I needed to know how the author was going to get them to the ending I so desperately wanted them to have.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author through Netgalley.