ARC Review: The Duke Heist by Erica Ridley

From the blurb:

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?

Heather's rating: 

 
I've been reading Erica Ridley for years, but The Duke Heist is next-level. I'm THRILLED to see what this series has to offer.

Erica Ridley usually writes sweet, low-steam romances, so it was exciting for me to find out that The Duke Heist was a longer, fast-pace whirlwind with plenty of steam. First of all, can we talk about Chloe's family?? I adored the motley band of multi-racial, talented adopted former orphans who are upending high society. They kept me on my toes and made me want to read everything and anything about them (and we are getting a F/F book next in the series- I CAN HARDLY BREATHE).
 
Lawrence was very interesting too, and I connected with him and his struggles immediately. I think he made a number of missteps, especially towards the end, but I liked his sweet and romantic relationship with Chloe and his love of children and pets. He was cool on the outside and melty on the inside, just how I like them.

I think the book's only flaws are in the way that Erica Ridley resolves conflicts too easily. This is something I've noticed in a lot of her books in the past, and it made everything feel a bit rushed in the end as well in this book. However, it still didn't dampen my enthusiasm for this lively, exciting story.

The Duke Heist is an exciting start to what is shaping up to be an excellent historical romance series. Book two can't come fast enough.

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