Category: Christmas

Regency Christmas Weddings Anthology by Various Authors

On By TracyIn Anthology, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Regency Christmas WeddingsRegency Christmas Weddings by Christine Merrill

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Anthology

Release Date: November 26, 24

Winter wedding bells are ringing… For three Regency couples!

A Mistletoe Kiss for the Governess by Christine Merrill, 4.5 stars: After years away at war, Major Frederick Preston is finally coming home and is looking forward to meeting the governess he hired five years ago through an agency. He has never met Charlotte Lewis in person, but has gotten to know the widow through letters. He thought he knew what to expect, but Mrs. Lewis is not the dowdy, old lady he imagined and he isn’t sure how to deal with the overwhelming attraction he feels. Charlotte fell in love with Fredrick years ago through his letters and perhaps fantasized that he might fall in love with her too, but his reaction to her makes it clear that her feelings are one-sided. But are they? This was by far my favorite of the three novellas.

The Earl’s Yuletide Proposal by Liz Tyner, 3.5 stars: When Adriana Armstrong delivers the news that her cousin (and employer) Lady Velma is jilting Lord Philbrook, he shocks her by proposing to her. She declines, but Lord Philbrook isn’t taking no for an answer and the more time he spends with Adriana, the more he realizes that he courted the wrong cousin and he isn’t going to let Adriana go without a fight. This was OK, I thought Adriana was a bit odd, but I was happy they got their HEA.

Lord Grange’s Snowy Reunion by Elizabeth Beacon, 3 stars: Five years ago a newly divorced Lieutenant Nathaniel Grange met and fell in love with Miss Juno Defford. But afraid of ruining her with his scandal, he left for war and hoped to return to her one day when the gossip has settled, but the more he thought about things, the more unworthy he felt and his experience with his first wife left him doubting Juno’s ability to love him once she really got to know him. So, he stays away, and when he finally returns, he assumed that she had moved on. So imagine his surprise when she shows up at his door seeking shelter during a blizzard and he learns that she has never married. Can he let go of his past hurt and trust his heart (and hers) or will his fear cost him the love of a lifetime?

None of the novellas are connected and can be read in any order. For the most part, they are low steam with just kissing (the first novella has one love scene, but it is very mild). I personally would have preferred a bit more spice, but enjoyed the stories nonetheless. Overall, this was a fun Christmasy anthology with three novellas each featuring a different trope and wonderful characters and I would be happy to recommend it.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

A Governess Should Never…Wager a Duke by Emily Windsor

On By TracyIn Book Publicity, Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Governess Should Never... Wager a Duke (The Governess Chronicles Book 5)A Governess Should Never… Wager a Duke by Emily Windsor

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Governess Chronicles, #5

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Once upon a time, Miss Charlotte Webster fell in love with her childhood friend Marcus Scarcliffe, the Duke of Shawdale, and when they danced together at the Christmas ball, she believed that he might return her feelings. But shortly thereafter, Marcus left for London and when he returned, he was a changed man, gone was the kind, happy boy, and along with him any hope of a happily ever after. Things went downhill from there, with the death of her father and the realization that she was penniless, but still had to care for her ailing uncle and her childhood home. Working as a governess, she barely keeps her head above water and when she learns that Marcus is in need of a governess for his ward, she jumps at the chance to be close to her home and if she is honest, to him. But when she learns that he doesn’t plan to be home for Christmas, she issues a challenge to him, if he still wants to go on his business trip after attending three Christmastide events with her, she will work for free until he finds a finishing school for Dinah, but if she wins, he will employ her until Dinah’s debut and pay to fix her roof. It is a bet she plans to win!

Unbeknownst to Charlotte there is a very good reason for the drastic change in Marcus, but even he can’t deny the feelings that seeing Charlotte again stirs in him. So against his better judgment, he accepts her challenge, fully intending to win. But somewhere between dancing at a Christmas ball, a winter wedding, long walks in the countryside, a very unpleasant dinner party, and some sage advice from a stranger, Marcus realizes that life is short and that love is more important than making money. But will Charlotte still have him when she learns the truth or will his past cost him the love of his life?

OMG, I loved this story and although it is a novella, it is a full story, never feeling rushed or skimpy. Written as a very loose retelling of Dicken’s Christmas Carol, this story is a lovely second-chance, friends-to-lover romance. I loved Charlotte and Marcus; their chemistry is undeniable and their interactions are delightfully witty and charming. The secondary characters, especially Dinah, are wonderful, and I loved the cameo of William Wordsworth! Originally published as a “A Governess Should Never…Kiss at Christmastide” in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology, this novella has been revamped with expanded scenes and an epilogue, I loved the original, but this version is even better (which I didn’t think was possible). Even if you read it in the anthology, I would definitely recommend grabbing this revised and updated edition!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *