Another one of Manda Collins' stories that hits the mark! Short and steamy--however, not too much of either. Great characters. Good Christmas read.

unfortunately, this one wasn't for me! I just wanted things to pick up quicker and this one was a little bit slower. I wanted more angst as well.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I don't usually read historical, but the description of this one got my attention. A short read about a second chance at love at Christmas? Sign me up. This one had all the drama you'd come to expect from a historical romance plus a little intrigue, a cute baby, and some heat for good measure. A really fun read.

A fun, charming, and entertaining read that'll give you all the feels.

You're really going to enjoy this second chance romance that takes place during the holiday season. Alex and Merry's story is absolutely captivating.

ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A heart-warming Christmas story. I enjoyed reading Merry and Alex's story even if Alex was a little bitter at first because of being jilted. They found their way to each other again.

This is a lovely sweet second chance romance for a couple who never forgot about each other. Merry has promised her best friend on her deathbed that she'll make sure her friend's infant daughter will be delivered to his father. It just so happens the father Will is cousin to Merry's first and only love Alex. Merry has no choice but to approach Alex who agrees to help. Of course, a timely blizzard means that once Merry has introduced Will to his daughter at the family's country estate, she's got no choice but to stay there and get re-acquainted with Alex again. Alex soon figures out why Merry broke things off with him in the first place and endeavors to convince her to give them another try. It's a lighthearted and gentle romance with a touch of drama and some secondary characters who try their best to keep the couple apart - but to no avail. A happy ending is had for the baby now with her father and the reunited couple. No matter the season, this is a delightful afternoon read!

This is the first I have read by this author and it certainly won't be the last, I really enjoyed her fun and classic writing style, she has wonderful way with words and can really capture the readers attention with each scene. I love a good Christmas book and this is a really good one, it's fun, flirty, sexy and exciting. The chemistry between the character's is wonderful, it's genuine and realistic and such fun to watch as they get to know each other. The plot is written so well, it really takes the reader on a festive adventure.

very enjoyable but a bit predictable, gave a nice sense of the holiday season. the cover is beautiful and the secondary characters were a lot of fun

A wallflower determined to fulfill a dying promise, the rogue she jilted years ago, and an orphaned baby are all brought together amidst the magic of Christmas in this new novella from Manda Collins.

Miss Merry Parks makes a deathbed promise to a schoolfriend that her infant daughter will be taken to her absent father. There’s only one problem—to find the baby’s father, she’ll have to consult his cousin, Viscount Wrotham, the man she jilted five years ago. The man she couldn’t forget.

Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is stunned to find Merry Parks—looking more lovely than ever--on his doorstep with an infant in her arms. His shock soon turns to dismay when he learns his own cousin William is the man who abandoned his wife and child. As head of the family he’s duty bound to see right is done. But he can't let this opportunity pass. He’ll take Merry and the baby to his cousin, but he’ll woo her back in the process.


Merry agrees to travel with Alex and the baby to Wrotham Castle, where the entire Ponsonby family has gathered for Christmas, but her plans to see the baby settled then leave are ruined by a snowstorm. After five years apart, Alex and Merry will spend the week getting reacquainted. Perhaps it’s the spirit of the holiday, or the magic of the season, but there could be something else in the air this Yuletide…A Christmas Reunion.

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REVIEW

I adore Christmas stories and this was no exception...the only problem is that it wasn't long enough. I loved the characters, the storyline was very engaging, and the plot was smooth. I just didn't like how short it was. Otherwise, I think anyone who loves Christmas stories will love this one.

Short story, but a sweet second chance Christmas romance

Sweet and emotional second-chance historical novella. I really enjoyed this story!

A sweet Christmas story about second-chances. It's nice to see a historical romantic hero who isn't all sharp edges and gruff domineering attitude (although I do love those as well). Their love burns bright, and I have no doubt that the romantic reader will love this story. I felt like the sub-plots weren't as fully developed as I would have liked. A longer story and it would have gotten give stars!

A sweet feel good Christmas story...with all of the trimmings.

A very beauty and intricate life-story the one created by Manda Collins an author in love for the past and for historical romance.



In her latest Christmas book, With This Christmas Ring , readers will find a warm and at the same time engaging story, written beautifully well and in grade to capture the attention of the most romantic readers 'til the end.



The story is this one: Merry Parks makes a promise at a dying friend: she will bring the little and soon orphan daughter of this girl at her biological dad.

Just, Merry doesn't know that the dad of this girl is the cousin of Viscount Wrotham a man the girl can't still forget although a lot of water passed under the bridges.

But she must do that. She must search for this man because this daughter must reaches her dad.



When Viscount Wrotham discovers the reality, that his cousin created all this mess he accepts to reunite the little baby with her father, but he will also create the conditions for trying to re-conquer the heart of Merry during the Christmas Season thanks also to meteorological conditions in grade to trap them somewhere during the trip.



Enjoy this historical romance!



I thank NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for this ebook.

. I didn't liked the reason why Merry had to brake up the engagement with the love of her life. Overall a good short story.

A charming book about second chance love. 5 years ago, Merry left her fiancé, Alexander after she was manipulated into doing so. Now circumstances have left her to speak with him and they realize that they have not stopped loving each other. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher

My opinion is that everything borders on exaggeration here.

I love the preamble, one of my favourite type of plot is a second-chance love story. Even more, I adore when the hero is set on conquering back the heroine (I mean, my favourite 2017 HR is <i>The Day of the Duchess</i>) but really, why did she have to break the engagement? I don't get it. Ok, you are young, I can sympathise with that. Ok, your grandmother-in-law-to-be is a jealous hag who intimidates you and make you ditch your fiancé (with whom you are very much in love and who is very much in love with you, too)...but honestly the reason she has is not enough, I think.

The just mentioned old lady is a hateful woman for pretty much the whole story and then what happens in the end?? We find out she's actually a lovely person who has been acting like a b**** for her whole life because she has been indeed protecting others. I don't know if I like this development.

That said, the love story itself, the one evolving at the novel present days, removing the rest just mentioned, is lovely. Very sweet indeed. I definitely enjoyed it.

WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING - Manda Collins

SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE, REGENCY STYLE - 3.5 stars

Plot - 4 stars - Years ago when they first fell in love, Merry was allegedly coerced to leave Alex by his grandmother, for the "good of the family." He was devastated, but he moved on, thinking that Merry wanted to leave him, just like his mother did when he was a child. But when Merry contacts him after 5 years, to try to locate his cousin, they realize that their love never went away.

Writing - 3.5 stars - Collins caught my attention right from the first, with Merry's championing of her friend Charlotte and daughter Lottie. The story continued to be pleasant, with a smooth flow and some exciting and suspenseful moments amongst the sweet holiday scenes. However, it was a little quiet and quite put-downable. The big secret about Merry's leaving 5 years ago turned out to be a little disappointing. And the happy ending was a bit abrupt and too good to be true.

Characters - 3.5 stars - Merry is a strong character, as much as the times will allow. She is loyal to her friend Charlotte, and is trying to do the right thing on behalf of her and Charlotte's daughter. But she can't deny her feelings for Alex. For his part, Alex is a warm and loving man, but he's been left behind by the two most important women in his life, so he's a little gun shy. But he still cares about Merry and can't forget their love. There's a nice relationship between them, a little hot but mostly romantic and loving.

Title - 3 stars - Although the story is set during the Christmas season, there's really little reference to the holiday except that they are involved in a house party for the season.

Cover - 3.5 stars - Fairly typical Regency romance cover, although the deep colors and Christmas decorations add some holiday beauty.

Overall - 3.5 stars - This is a sweet story of a second chance at love, laced with the secondary stories of Alex's grandmother as well as William's daughter. But the main characters, Merry and Alex, are warm and loving and I was definitely rooting for their successful union.

I adore Christmas stories and second chance at love stories; how wonderful to get a twofer! That it is a novella makes it sweeter because the angst and tension are in the past as we can get right to the second chance. Ms. Collins does a lovely job of giving us just enough background to want to see Merry and Alex get together. As the past wrongs are righted the second chance is even sweeter. The pace is perfect with a bit of drama thrown in to stratify you that love is firmly entrenched and others have a chance at their own HEA. The surprise Alex had for Merry at the end had me misting up. Well Done!

The blurb for the book does an excellent job of giving you a good grasp of the story’s concept. The years lost because of manipulation and pride are explained in a straightforward manner. The courage Merry shows in the bearding of the dragon is fabulous. As the explanations come out we see a transformation in one of Alex’s loved ones that starts to make you NOT as angry or frustrated with their previous behavior. Alex and Merry’s second chance is sweet and there was an opening for another story that I am hoping we will see. This was a lovely afternoon’s read, thank you Ms. Collins.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
reviewed by Lisa For Buried Under Romance

Set in 19th century England at Christmas time, this is a very nice romance. Merry and Alexander had been engaged, but Alex's interfering grandmother convinced Merry to break the engagement. Now Merry needs his help to unite her late friend's infant with her father and so they must travel to Wrotham Kept. After five years have their feelings for each other changed? Will his "old biddy" grandmother be able to separate them again? Will little Lottie be accepted and recognized by her father? Those questions are answered in the tale. This is a quick, enjoyable read.