Originally posted on Forever Young Adult on 2017 November 30.

BOOK REPORT for With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins

Deck The Halls: Private Party
Naughty or Nice List: So Nice It’s Naughty, Nice
Melt My Marshmallows: Utterly Melted
On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

Deck The Halls: Private Party

Looks like Viscount Wrotham has a special Christmas package hidden away in the parlor for Merry to unwrap privately after everyone else had gone to bed. Or maybe he’s just the kind of rich person who has a full-sized Christmas tree in his boudoir. I don’t know his life.

What’s Going On In Santa’s Workshop:

Merry hasn’t seen Alex, Viscount of Wrotham, since she unceremoniously broke their engagement five years ago on the advice of his evil grandmother. But on this chilly December day, she has no choice but to go a-knocking on his front door, because her BFF, Charlotte, just had a baby by Alex’s cousin and didn’t live through childbirth. With her last breath she asked Merry to find her missing husband and have him raise their little girl.

Alex was heartbroken when Merry up and left with just a note years ago, and he’s completely shocked to find her on his doorstep, though, thank God, that is not her baby. He knows exactly where his cousin is: already at The Keep, his ancestral home in the country, where his extended family is gathering for Christmas. He invites Merry to join them so she can deliver little Lottie to her father, and there’s no way he’s doing a snow dance behind her back, hoping she’ll have to stay through the holiday. No way at all…

Naughty or Nice List: So Nice It’s Naughty, Nice



Stop the presses! Put down your phones and give me your full attention because this. Is. News! Could it be—a male protagonist in a Regency era novel who isn’t a total dick with prick inadequacies? Alex seems to benefit from recently reconnecting with his runaway mother and also from just, ya know, being a decent person. He’s decided to push back on his jerk of a grandma; he got his cousin clean and sober; he wants to win Merry back, but not in, like, a gross manly way, but in a "she’s the love of my life and if she wants me too, then cool" way. Merry, honey, don’t resist. You won’t get this chance a third time. *fans self*

Although there’s one small Alex moment where I take umbrage:

“He stopped her mouth with a kiss. “We’ll have a lifetime for you to school me in grammar, Miss Parks. We are celebrating now. There’s no need for grammar.”

(Just like Jell-O, there’s always room for grammar, Alex.)



For her part, Merry had a Jane Austen character vibe-thing going on—in fact, the setup to her broken engagement with Alex tangentially reminded me of Persuasion. I liked her pluck and willingness to follow through on a promise to a dying friend, even when it caused her emotional turmoil. She also wasn’t willing to put her happiness with Alex above his relationship with his family, which shows she’s pretty selfless; perfect for a Christmastime protagonist.

Melt My Marshmallows: Utterly Melted

These two had just the right amount of intensely longing looks and sexy bits without being obnoxious. Since this was a novella that wasn’t thinly disguised as porn, we were only treated to one special hug moment, but it was plenty steamy without devolving into a lurid description of the mechanics of sexytime. I did love this moment near the beginning, while they were disrobing, and it’s been years since they’ve been in that position:

“Merry flushed under his gaze. “I hope you are pleased,” she said softly, though her nose tipped up a little with pride. “And if you aren’t...”

He kissed her before she could finish the sentence. “You are beautiful, and perfect,” he said against her mouth.”

Damn right she is, Viscount Wrotham.

We Got (Christmas) Spirit, Yes We Do!:



I’m pretty sure all Christmas romances need to be novella length. It’s the perfect amount of time to get to know the characters without making them too repetitive, as said characters rarely have super complicated problems that can’t be fixed by a snuggle by the fire or hot mug of wassail. Christmas—or, rather, winter, but we’ll take what we can get—played a large part in the book by trapping Merry at the Wrotham family home for the holiday. It also gathered up characters that normally wouldn’t have been there, like Alex’s gossipy cousin. I was definitely in the mood to go on a sleigh ride.

Mistletropes:



I forgot to mention this trope in my last review, but Christmas-y names should certainly be taken into consideration (in the previous book the MC’s last name was Frost, this one is Merry). We’ve also got the classic snowed-in so you have to hang out with us, awkward family dinners, sleigh rides, giving to the poor, a Christmas engagement, surprising someone with a person for a present, and babies are apparently especially important during the holidays (I guess because Baby Jesus?).

On A Scale from The Grinch to Buddy The Elf: Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

Alex's family didn't want to let Merry join in on any of their rich people games, but she proved to be just what they needed and certainly gave Alex a Christmas he wouldn't soon forget.

First a thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing us with a copy of this book, so that we may bring you this review.

After devouring one feel good Christmas book I was quite ready for the next. And oh home much better can you get than a regency lost love and second chance book, like the one that Manda Collin's shares with us. The fact that Merry is doing something so selfless for a friend that she just lost and her friends precious little girl is beautiful. Though this book did have one character that I hated more than I should have the one that you least expect is the one that hurts everyone the most. I loved though that Alex works so hard to get Merry back and to show her that he will always pick her first. I also enjoyed the fact that William grew as a man throughout this book and through time. Though he didn't get to see his wife before she lost her life at least he steps up and takes care of his little girl. And its aways a pleasure to have positive things happening during Christmas.

Before Merry Parks' best friend dies, she asks Merry to promise to find her baby's father and make sure the child is taken care of. Merry, being the good friend she is, means to honor that promise. She sets out with baby in tow, not giving a fig about how it might harm her reputation as a lady. In order to locate the father, Merry must first come face-to-face with her ex-betrothed, Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham.

Alex is shocked when Merry arrives on his doorstep with a baby. Imagine his relief when he discovers it is not hers. Alex cannot deny the attraction remains between them and he does not see why they don't just pick up where they left off. Alex still wants Merry for his wife and he will do everything within his power to help her honor her oath to her friend and to make her realize that ending things with him all those years ago was the wrong choice.

Happily ever afters do exist! Second-chance loves are not usually my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed author Manda Collins' latest novel, WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING. This story grabbed me right from the start. I love how Merry's deceased friend and her baby are incorporated into this story. Although Merry loses a friend, she gains a connection to the love she thought she'd lost. I wept for Merry, her friend and the father of the baby. That is a touching story all on it's own. Merry is a fighter and seeing her come into her own is wonderful. WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING is a magical and emotional tale historical fans will not want to miss.

Merry left Alex five years ago without an explanation. He’s longed for her since then, and although she’s never told him, he’s sure his controlling grandmother had something to do with Merry leaving. When Merry returns to try to find Alex’s cousin, who married and fathered a child by Merry’s now deceased friend, she has no choice but to come face-to-face with the only man she’s ever loved.

This is a nice holiday tale with some interesting characters. There’s a little mischief and a lot of love. Although I’m happy he was as forgiving has he was, I would’ve liked it better if Alex had stood up for himself. Merry left him after having professed her love and promising to marry him, so I think he should’ve held out for an explanation before he made the decision, let alone told her, that he wanted to court her again. I felt that even though this is a novella, the rekindling was a little rushed in that regard. He was too trusting for someone who’d been jilted without an explanation.

I liked Alex’s cousin. I was glad there’d been a reason that he’d abandoned Charlotte and their unborn child. It made it easier for me to forgive him. I was pleasantly surprised at the uncovered secrets of the grandma. I didn’t see that coming at all, and a shock or twist or turn is always welcome in my reading world.

I recommend it.

This was a relatively short story but it was packed with all the elements of a great romance. In order to keep a deathbed promise, Merry sets out to reunite a baby with its father. Nobel idea until she must lean on a lost love for help. Alex is surprised to find not only Merry but a child too on his doorstep. Knowing that he never overcame his love for her, Alex vows to win her back while helping her on her journey. I love a good historical romance and this one was one of the best. There was times that I wondered how these two were going to work out their past and find their happiness but I was not disappointed. The romance was sweet-natured and kept me enchanted until the end.

I enjoyed this holiday read. It had fun characters and a well paced plot.

I love Manda Collins and this book is no exception. Rich and delightful - the perfect holiday read!

Enjoyable, but not one I'll read again next year - but intriguing enough to seek out more in the series.

An enjoyable Christmas story! Merry Parks ask her ex-betrothed Alex, Viscount Wrotham, to help her with a hard task: find the father of her friend Charlotte's baby. Merry and Alex have been apart for five years, but are still in love. Alex is determined to know why he was jilted and to win Merry back, while Merry is torn between her duty and her feelings for Alex.

This historical romance isn't my preferred genre, but it was really good. Merry is left with her good friend's baby upon the woman's death. She promised to take the baby to his father, who just happens to be the cousin of the man she jilted several years ago. Alex is determined that while he helps Merry find the baby's father, he will also win her back.
This book dealt with some interesting family dynamics and also had a little bit of mystery and danger thrown in for good measure. The characters were interesting and their interactions weren't predictable in the least. A very well written story that had me reading with great interest and not wanting to put it down. I'm definitely going to look for more from this author!

Merry’s Heart was broken years ago. She sought solace with her friend Charlotte as she tried to take the next steps forward. Time slowly passed and Charlotte passed away leaving her newborn daughter behind. Making a promise she encounters the one man that held her heart. Seeing Alex again is the on,y thing that makes her feel alive. Finding the other half of her heart was all she needed to be happy. Great story about second chances.

I have chosen not to finish this title. I was not able to connect with the hero or the heroine in the story.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a sweet heart warming story for Christmas. I enjoyed it a great deal.

With This Christmas Ring is a historical romance novella written by Manda Collins. I’m a big fan of her Studies in Scandal series, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read this book.

Merry’s friend Charlotte died following childbirth, and Merry made a solemn promise to care for the tiny baby. Charlotte, who insisted that she was married, had been thrown out of her home when her husband failed to materialize. Now, it is up to Merry to track down the errant rogue, but doing so means that she must go back to a place she never thought she would. Five years ago, she broke off an engagement with Alex, the Viscount Wrotham, but given that his cousin is Charlotte’s alleged husband, Merry is left with little choice. Likewise, Alex is puzzled by Merry’s sudden reappearance in his life, and is determined not to let her slip away again.

This was a cute story and a quick read too. I wish it had been longer because I was quite interested in the secondary conflict. The resolution was a little rushed in the name of brevity, but it would have been nice to see it drawn out a little more.

I would recommend With This Christmas Ring to fans of historical romance. This is a sweet story, and the desire of multiple characters to fix their previous mistakes goes well with the Christmas theme.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyable, if only because the author had a new take on a holiday historical romance. So many of the books follow the same basic story line -- this one was different and it was a pleasant change of pace. Particularly when the apparently psychotic woman locked the heroine and her friend (and the infant the heroine has brought to its father) in an ice house to die because she was jealous (?) I wish they'd done more with that trope! You won't regret reading With This Christmas Ring.

Cute historical holiday romance. This was an engaging, quick read...wish it were longer.

I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Merry promises her dying friend to take her daughter to her father. In order to do this, Merry needs to go back to her jilted fiance. Alex has no idea why Merry threw away their relationship but he is desperate to find out. And as new secrets about his family and past come to light, he is determined to rekindle their relationship.
This was a really short but really sweet book. I loved reading this book and thought that it was the perfect Christmas read. It's heart-warming, there's romance and family and even a bit of drama. This book is a Christmas must-read.
I loved the mention of the bluestockings from Collins" "Studies in Scandal" series but ***SPOILER ALERT*** hated that they never showed up. WHY??? WHERE WERE THEY?***END SPOILER***
This book was great to hold my attention until the next "Studies in Scandal" book and I definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book to get them in the Christmas spirit.

A wonderful 2nd chance story! And don't let the small size fool you. It's a sweet, heartwarming Christmas tale you won't want to miss!

A very fun holiday read. Christmas cheer and some romance. There was a part of the book I found upsetting but all ends well. I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed the characters interacting with each other. Lots of drama

Merry Parks has just said a final farewell to her dear friend, Charlotte, who died shortly after giving birth to a daughter. Charlotte swore that she and the baby's father were legally married, and begged Merry to deliver the baby to her father to raise. Merry promises her friend that she will do this, even though it will bring her to the home of a man she never wants to see again, her former fiancé, Alex.

Alexander Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is shocked when his former fiancée, Merry, shows up at his home with a child, claiming that his cousin, Will, is the baby's father. Five years ago, he and Merry were wildly in love and engaged to be married, when Merry abruptly ended their engagement. Alex never received a satisfactory explanation why, and Merry refused all further contact with him. Seeing Merry now brings back his feelings of love and longing, and he's determined to find the reason Merry chose to leave him. He requests that Merry bring the baby to Wrotham Castle, where Will and the rest of his family will be celebrating Christmas.

With much trepidation, Merry agrees, though she refuses to stay, only planning to see the baby properly acknowledged and settled in before she returns home. It's very painful seeing Alex again, as she never stopped loving him. She only ended their engagement due to pressure from someone in his family, and didn't tell him the true reason why because she didn't want to cause a family rift. She is barely through the door when she begins to be the target of veiled (and not so veiled) insults from some of his family. Thankfully, Will acknowledges the baby as his, and Merry begins to make arrangements to leave, only to find that the weather has other plans.

Alex thanks his lucky stars for the snowy weather, because he has decided that not only will he have answers from Merry, he intends to win her back. He is very forthright with Merry, letting her know his intentions almost from the beginning, and I loved this. Alex isn't stupid, and he had his suspicions all along about why Merry left, and if his belief is true, he's ready to make some changes.

I can admire Merry's good intentions in not wanting to cause a breach between Alex and his family, yet at the same time, I was disappointed that she was unwilling to confide in him, and was willing to let such a strong love go. She's a stronger person now, and I cheered as she stood up for herself and decided to reach out for happiness. Alex is stronger now, too, and nothing is more important than building a future with the woman he never stopped loving. Their reconciliation is sweet and steamy, with Alex showing how honorable and passionate he truly is.

WITH THIS CHRISTMAS RING is a warm and romantic story with a second chance at love for two very deserving people. I loved seeing how Merry and Alex changed from five years ago, yet their love remained steadfast. Author Manda Collins showed the villain trying to paint himself/herself in a more favorable light, and offering rationalization for their actions, but I didn't completely buy it. This did, however, allow for there not to be a total breach in the family, which was Merry's initial fear, and neatly wrapped up any loose ends. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging read with the Christmas happy ever after for Alex and Merry.