REVIEW The Earl's Defiant Wallflower by Erica Ridley

Book One in Erica Ridley's Dukes of War series, The Earl's Defiant Wallflower is set in the Regency Era after the war. As the series name implies it is about four friends who went to war and only three came back alive and the three all ended up with Titles on their return. Erica Ridley is a great storyteller she weaves a funny and seductive tale. My only complaint would be that the ending ended quickly and all tied up in a bow, but than again Romance novels are allowed to do that it's part of the fantasy.

Oliver York returns from war a changed man he also comes back to find his father dead and the finances non-existent, with nothing else to do but care for his only remaining friend who is in a catatonic-like state he must find a wife with a large enough dowry to take care of his land and tenants. Miss Grace Halton only came to England to find a husband because her mother wished it, but when Grace left her mother was very ill and when she got to London and her Grandparents saw how much she looked like her mother they became mean and started treating her like she was going to be just like her mother. Oliver and Grace stick up a friendship but know there can be nothing else between them, both needing to marry well. But one kiss and an ill timed entrance sees them married.

The story also introduces characters for the upcoming stories and reintroduces Ravenwood , whom we meet in the prequel. For a full length story it is short but very full and it really sinks it's teeth into you and reveals just enough about the other Dukes to leave you curious and anxious for the next story.