This was a lovely festive read, just perfect to get me ready for Christmas!

What I loved about With This Christmas Ring is that, although Merry and Alex's relationship was originally disrupted by nefarious outsider influences and there is the potential for further disruption from misunderstanding and miscommunication, the book doesn't entail frustrating missed chances and dragged-out conflicts over nothing like many books in this genre do. There's nothing more aggravating to me than a romance which has a plot that could be resolved if the characters just spoke to each other honestly!

Instead, we have two characters who are honest and accept that they have feelings for each other - but know that it's not as simple, or even possible, to just act on them. Merry is a brilliant protagonist who is morally and emotionally strong, and stands by her deathbed promise to her schoolfriend to unite her baby with the runaway father - who happens to be the cousin of the man Merry jilted five years ago, Alex Ponsonby.

Alex is the ultimate chivalrous hero - he never stopped caring for Merry, and regardless of their past and his broken heart, he's determined to do right by her, and keep her in his life. If only his cruel and meddling grandmother would stay out of it...

With a few disasters (natural and otherwise) to keep the road to reconciliation nice and bumpy, With This Christmas Ring is an interesting, passionate story which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, is dumb-founded to see Merry Parks on his doorstep, the woman who jilted him five years ago, with an infant in her arms. Merry makes true to her promise to a friend on her deathbed, that her infant daughter will be taken to her father William, cousin to the Viscount.

When father and the baby were united at Wrotham Castle, where the entire Ponsonby family has assembled for Christmas, Merry couldn't leave due to the snowstorm. Alex and Merry's affection for each other didn't waver despite the five-year separation. They reacquainted and resolved the cause of their painful separation.

It's a lovely, sweet tale of Christmas reunion.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. This is my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Alex and Merry's story. The way they came together was just what every Christmas romance should be.

A charming and romantic Regency romance. The novel is short but fully developed enough that the story feels complete. I loved all the characters and the second romance story that developed alongside Alex and Merry's.
I felt that the grandmother did a u-turn in her personality a little too suddenly and I would have liked in the end for her to have been kicked out to the dower house, completely bitter and miserable because that is what she deserved. The Christmas theme doesn't really lend itself to that so we have an all round happy ending for everyone.

This was a very nice Christmas regency romance and one I'd definitely recommend adding to your Christmas reading list.

This was a sweet, quick read! I love reunion stories and I spent an enjoyable evening reading this one.

Merry and Alex had been separated by one of his family member's actions, but they are given a second chance at love when Merry gives a promise to one of her friends. I loved that their feelings for each other had not changed over the years. They knew that they had issues to overcome, but were willing to do what needed to be done for it to work this time.

If you are looking for a quick read this holiday season, this is the story for you!

I liked it, though I thought it was a little uneven. The premise is interesting, but I think that the pain between the two characters was rather glossed over and solved too quickly. Which then lead to the need to create a big dramatic moment where a character on the periphery loses her sanity and attempts murder. Why? Because plot device. At the very least, there should have been some foreshadowing that this person was batty and that our heroine was in danger. THAT would have made a better story and would have given the hero a better motivation to forgive the heroine. In addition, I have a quibble with the ending. The grandmother's motivation didn't make sense. Or at least not in a forgivable way. I can think of several ways to convince your daughter-in-law to leave your son when her life is in danger and none of them involve bullying her when her husband finishes beating her and hope that she gets the guts to leave. That makes me think that grandma IS a bully and deserves to be shunned and this is just her "excuse" for her bad behavior.

Manda Collins is a gifted and talented writer of historical romances and she has penned an enjoyable and enchanting Christmas novella guaranteed to charm and delight readers everywhere: With His Christmas Ring!

When Miss Merry Parks had promised her friend Charlotte on her deathbed that she would look after her infant daughter and care for her as if she were her own child, she never imagined that she would come face to face with the man she had jilted five years ago, Alexander Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham. Fate had torn the two of them cruelly apart and left them regretting the cruel twist of destiny that had destroyed their chance at happiness, but could a Christmas miracle succeed in bringing the two of them together again? Or should their relationship be consigned to the past for good?

When Alex comes face to face with Merry after five long years, he is stunned not just by the overwhelming feelings that threaten to consume him, but by the shocking streak of jealousy that sears through him when he sees her cradling another man’s child. When Merry explains that the child in her arms is not hers, but her best friend’s and she needs Alex to help track down his cousin, the baby’s father, he feels duty bound to ensure that propriety is adhered to and reunite the child with it’s Papa – and win Merry’s heart back in the process!

As old feelings and long-buried emotions resurface, will Merry and Alex find their way back to one another again? Or is a Christmas reunion completely out of the question for the two of them?

As always, Manda Collins is simply outstanding in With His Christmas Ring. A spectacularly written, wonderfully romantic and highly moving historical novella that is superb from start to finish, readers are sure to adore Merry and Alex and fall head over heels in love with this compelling, spellbinding and magical Yuletide romance they will not easily forget!

a wonderful historical romance with a super nice plot. Thanks!

I really enjoyed this whole book!  It was a genuinely delightful story that made me smile and I felt happier after I'd read it - it's a (not that short at 184 pages) and sweet novella that is set at a great pace, I really didn't feel like the book was that long as I read it in an afternoon.  The characters are great and believable, the plot is great as the romance builds up nicely and you feel it grow with the story - 4 stars from me, a feel good romance!

I found this book to be delightful. A sweet, loving story of second chances. I would recommend to friends and anyone that enjoys historical romance.

This is a delightful Regency second-chance romance. Betrothed five years ago for just one day, Miss Merry Parks left the home of her fiancé, Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, without explaining why other than leaving him a note. Now she has to face him again because her friend died giving birth and Merry promised the dying woman to take the baby to the child’s father who is the cousin of Alex. Alex certainly hadn’t anticipated Merry arriving on his doorstep with a baby in her arms! When he discovers the baby girl’s father is his cousin, William, he agrees to help Merry take the child to William - who is staying in the family home, Wrotham Castle - planning to win back Merry’s love whilst doing so.

This is a festive novella, packed with surprises along the way. A snowstorm leaves Merry staying in the Castle, along with a scheming grandmother, family secrets and potential wives for the man she loves! There’s danger from an unexpected quarter, a new romance and a romance rekindled in this lovely Christmas read. I found it a lovely story to escape into with great characters and a plot packed with intrigue and surprises - especially some of the explanations given! I have no hesitation in recommending this entertaining seasonal historical romance to anyone who enjoys this genre.

I was gifted copy of this novel, via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Miss Merry Parks is determined to fulfill the dying wish of her friend, get her friend’s newly orphaned daughter to the her father, who had deserted them. In order to do that, she must get into contact with Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, the man she jilted years before.
This was a really good book. I’m not too big on second chance loves, but I thought the author kept me interested enough that I wasn’t bothered by it. The story itself read really quickly. It does a great job to making you feel the holiday spirit. I really liked the characters. Their past situation really tug on the heartstrings. I highly recommend.

I’ve never read Manda Collins before. In all honesty, I don’t usually read historical romance either. Once in awhile I will, but it’s typically an author I’m familiar with and know that I already enjoy their writing. This book is opening my eyes to new horizons though.

This book is the definition of what a holiday romance should be. There’s love, second chances, snow, a sleigh ride, some family drama, Christmas. I have enjoyed other holiday books but a lot have felt forced or like it didn’t capture the magic of the season. This book captured that magic for me.

Merry’s friend, Charlotte, delivers a baby but dies after from complications. Merry’s final promise to her friend is to find the father of the baby and ensure she has a family to care for her. Unfortunately for Merry, she needs help from the very man she once was betrothed to, Alex Ponsonby.

A few of the things I really enjoyed about this book were both Merry and Alex’s characters. Even though they are both proper and appropriate to the time period, both are more than willing to stand up for what is right. Merry is nervous to have to turn to Alex for help, but she is selfless and does the right thing for the baby. Alex, who is still reeling from the hurt of Merry leaving him, puts aside his own resentment and vows to help Merry and the baby.

Another aspect I loved about this story is that while it’s definitely historical, there are moments of humor and a few twists. One twist is Alex’s Grandmother. She is a total witch. Then there is a slight touch of mystery with one of the holiday guests. It just the right amount of extra little elements to keep you interested but it didn’t overpower the actual fact that this is a holiday romance.

Historical Romance fans: this is the holiday romance for you. To be honest, I feel like the majority of readers could enjoy this book. It’s not overly heavy, the magic of Christmas remains throughout the story, and the great romance between Alex and Merry is the icing on the cake.

Circumstances throw Merry and Alex together after Merry ended their engagement five years ago. Merry was bullied by Alex’s grandmother, the dowager Lady Wrotham, to break things off unbeknownst to Alex. The moment they lay eyes on each other again the attraction and longing rush right back up, but Merry doesn’t expect Alex to give her a second chance. However, it doesn’t seem Alex is holding a grudge, he’s had some time to think about the past and suspects his grandmother had a hand in ending things so when Merry shows up in his life again, he’s determined to take this opportunity to set things right and find happiness with Merry at long last.

With This Christmas Ring was a sweet, second chance romance that warmed my heart. There’s no drama between Alex and Merry once they meet up again. They are truthful and bond over the loss and longing they’ve felt since parting. All conflict comes from outside sources and they meet those problems head on, as a united front.

The Holiday setting will get you in the mood to take a snowy sleigh ride, snuggling up to your loved one, staying warm under blankets and the heat of attraction.

This was my first time reading Manda Collins, and I was delighted to discover that she writes beautifully! Here we have a tale of two people in love who were thwarted by the meddling of a domineering family matriarch. When Merry's friend Charlotte dies shortly after childbirth, Merry vows to track down the man who got her pregnant and left her to make him take responsibility for his child, a child Merry is already becoming attached to. The problem is that in fulfilling her vow she has to turn to Alex, the man whose heart she broke five years earlier when she allowed his grandmother to convince her that she would make Alex a miserable match. But when she sees him again, all the feelings she's tried to squash for so long come rushing back.

When Merry shows up on his doorstep, Alex thinks fate has given him a second chance. Determined to discover why Merry left him all those years ago, he convinces her that spending the holidays at his country estate will be the best way to reunite the baby with her father, who happens to be Alex's cousin. And when a snowstorm makes it impossible for her to leave, the stage is set for him to win back the woman he never stopped loving. And what better time to do it than during the magic of the holiday season?

Novellas make storytelling a little challenging, and plot points and/or backstories often have to be detailed or resolved quickly. I would have liked to see more of Merry and Alex's courtship when they first fell in love so I could understand why their feelings had never faded over so much time apart, and I would have liked to see more personal interaction between them as they realized they still wanted a future together. As it is, they spend most of their time talking about other people (the baby, his cousin, his grandmother), so I did not get the sense that they were truly rediscovering what they loved about each other. I also would have liked a little more Christmas. We have lots of greenery and a sleigh ride, but that's about it by way of yuletide festivities and traditions.

But overall it's a sweet romance with engaging characters and a nice way to kick off the Christmas reading season.

Oh, I loved this book! And I was upset and furious when I learned what had happened all those years ago when Alex and Merry's betrothal was broken and...well, some other things. I mean...right, it is a very engaging story and I loved to see Christmas (and love) work their magic when those who were in love found each other and when a sweet little baby finds a loving father and maybe even a loving family. Christmas - the time for second chances - and wonderful, heartwarming books that are best read when you are sitting in a cozy armchair, with a cup of tea at your side and a roaring fire place in front of you.

This was an excellent historical romance novella with an exciting (yet different for this time period) plot. In this novel, we have a couple who were previously engaged but Merry had broken off their engagement without any rhyme or reason. To escape everything, Alex went overseas and in the process found his birth Mother and learned quite a bit of information about his family, his abusive Father and Grandmother.

He never expects to see Merry again so you can imagine his shock when she shows up at his door! Especially when she comes bearing an infant. We find out that his cousin had fathered a child and then left mother and child alone in the world. Together they travel to his family home (well a castle really!) to ensure that his cousin does the right thing by the child.

Quite quickly the sparks start to fly! The author is able to pack a lot in this novel and I expect it is because of the previous history this couple has shared. As they begin to get to know each other all over again, we find out the true reason that Merry had left. It leaves you feeling angry and resentful at his Grandmother. Then the plot begins to unfold even more and you understand her true motives.

This was a sweet story of lost love, hope and forgiveness. A great holiday time period romance!

What would you do to win your true love back? Alex though that he had lost Merry forever so when he lands up at his door he thinks that she is back for him. Merry never wanted to see Alex again it just hurt too much and she left so suddenly and he must hate her so. Can Alex get her to stay for good or will Merry return to her life once the baby is settled? Merry promised that she would deliver the baby to its father and so her time is up she has to go but Alex can't allow that to happen again. So he tells her where to find the child's father and that means that she will need to travel with him to the family home but she can't go back there it holds so many painful memories. But Alex needs to win her over he wants to marry her and he isn't taking no for an answer. So how can he win her again what will make her stay? Can Merry still him the truth about why she ran and can he forgive her? A great tender story of love and hope.

I love books about lost loves coming back together or should I say seeing each other again. It is always interesting to see their reactions to each other and how each has a misconception about what tore them apart.

In this story, the author does a phenomenal job with a very interesting plot including a dying friend, a promise, a newborn baby and a lost love. Even more exciting is how redemption comes into the storyline from multiple angles.

Right from the start the reader is drawn in with the deathbed promise between Merry and her best friend. Merry's character is determined and she worries about others that she loves to the point of self-sacrifice. This is exhibited throughout the story on numerous occasions causing the reader to instantly love her. An additional aspect of this book is how the author shows Merry's maturity on how she handles what happened in the past and its effect to both Alex and herself.

Alex is a very determined man. He wants answers and he wants Merry. His character shows persistence in how he handles the baby, his cousin, his grandma, the female houseguests who are trying to be his Viscountess and maneuvering Merry to win her back.

There is much in this book to keep the reader happy and satisfied. For this reason, I give it 4 STARS.