This is a not too long holiday story that packs a wallop in a short tale. After a deathbed promise to her school friend that she will take her infant daughter to her absent father, Miss Merry Parks begins her mission. However, there is one big glitch in the mission: she must go to Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, whom she cannot forget since she jilted him five years ago, since the little girl’s father is his cousin, to find out where the father is. When he learns that his cousin, William, abandoned his child and wife, Alex, with a sense of family honor, agrees to take Merry to William—while, at the same time, he persuades Merry to come back to him. Along with Alex, Merry and the little girl travel to Wrotham Castle, where the family has gathered for the holiday, to find William. A snowstorm interferes with Merry’s plan to leave as soon as the girl is delivered, and Merry and Alex spend the next week getting acquainted. Can Alex succeed? The holiday season make this wish of Alex a reality?

This is a nice, holiday romance of love lost and found again. It was interesting to watch the dynamic between Merry and Alex, as they moved through their reunion. The story captures the true spirit of this holiday season well. The writing is likewise well done, with the story moving smoothly and easily along from start to finish. I enjoyed reading it, and it definitely made me feel “Christmassy”, though right now, in September, it is a bit early for that. This is a short work that will make the reader also get into the spirit of the Christmas season, I think. I recommend it as a quick interlude read for this reason, or, if the reader wants something short and sweet, filled with the holiday spirit. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

A sweet Christmas historical romance-a perfect, quick, read for the holidays!

I really enjoyed With This Christmas Ring, which was the first book I was able to get into after a month-long book slump. Ms. Collins’s writing style pulled me in from the first page and held onto me until the very last sentence. Her characters were fun, and I especially liked the female friendship that sprouted up about half-way into the book. I also enjoyed the interactions with both the hero and the heroine, and I was glad that for the most part, it did not fall prey to the novella-curse — the idea that a book would work better as a full-length novel because the themes are too heavy or the conflict too complicated to be worked out in a shorter form. However, there were some minor issues that keep this from being a five star narrative.
The first issue I had was the heroine’s name, Merry. One of the things that always bothers me in Christmas themed romances is when the author insists on giving their characters cutesy Christmas names. I would probably be okay with Merry being the heroine’s name if this took place in the US, but it doesn’t. People in the UK don’t even say Merry Christmas — they go with Happy Christmas instead, so calling the heroine Merry in a UK-based story doesn’t even make sense. Obviously, this is a personal issue and won’t bother other people as it does me, but I really needed to get that off of my chest.
The other main criticism I have with this book is that one of the characters suddenly becomes a sociopath about 70% of the way through the story. This development and the subsequent conflict it causes felt out of place with the rest of the plot and was simply a deus-ex-machina used to get the rest of the characters on the same page. It felt as if Ms. Collins had written herself into a corner and couldn’t figure out any other way to get out of it. Plainly speaking, this was lazy writing at its worst. I’m sure she could have figured out another way to wrap things up, but for some reason this is what she chose to do. Sigh.
I do have to hand it to Ms. Collins for including what I like to call a Christmas Deep-Cut — Lo How a Rose E’re Blooming. I don’t think I’ve heard that song in close to 20 years (my school chior used to sing it during Advent), so I got a real kick out of seeing it here.
3.5 Stars

This was a fun & enjoyable book to read. If you are looking for a nice romance to read over the holidays, then check this book out!

I enjoyed With This Christmas Ring, a wonderful novella written by Manda Collins. This tale revolves around a couple, who five years earlier had been engaged for a short period of time. When they meet up again their HEA is going to come true, no matter the obstacles ahead.

Even though this story was a quick read, Manda Collins developed wonderful characters. The second chance story has an adventure, drama, meddling relatives, humor, and of course a delightful courtship. After reading With This Christmas Ring I was left with a warm sense of contentment.

Wow, this made me cry right from the start. I loved this story and the plot was really good. Alex and Merry (good Xmas name), have a past. It's nice to see them trying to work out that past. A great historical romance that will get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Miss Merry Parks had done what any good friend would do when at her friend’s deathbed, she had promised to take care of her friend’s baby and see that the infant daughter would be reunited with her father. There’s only one obstacle in the way of Merry keeping that promise, in order to find the baby’s father she’d going to have to speak with Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham. Alex is the cousin of the baby’s father but he is also the man that Merry had ended things with five years before but she’s a lady of her word and determined to take care of the child.

Traveling with an infant as a single lady is a bit tougher than Merry expected but she makes her way to Alex’s door and informs him of needing to find his cousin, William. As the head of his family Alex takes the matter very seriously and is determined to help Merry in her quest to reunite father and daughter but he also wouldn’t mind reuniting himself with Merry along the way. The two travel to Wrotham Castle where the family is gathered for Christmas and find themselves stranded by a snowstorm giving them time to rekindle the flame that once was between them.

With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins is a historical romance novella that of course takes place during the Christmas season. While this book is a relatively short read the author did pack a ton into the pages. It helped that the couple in question in the story had a background between them too so it didn’t feel as if it was a case of insta-love with having such a short space to establish a relationship.

Along with the idea of bringing a former couple back together the story had plenty of other content to the point that I wondered if it wasn’t bordering on maybe a tad too much for the length and could have benefited from being a bit longer. But on the flip side it certainly kept it a bit more interesting to not just rush the romance and be done with the story so I didn’t take too much off my rating as I did enjoy this little holiday historical novella.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a very charming and sweet holiday romance story.
I was interested in reading this for the premise, you have two lovers that couldn't be together but now are forced to work together for the sake if this baby, and they realize that their feelings are still there, the love is still there so it was really a delight to read about how they reconnect which is not easy because they have some things to face, so there's a bit of drama and tension but I was definitely rooting for our hero and heroine to overcome it all and that they could finally be together.

I really ended wanting to have a bit more, so I guess that shows that I really enjoyed "With This Christmas Ring". I think I definitely need to look for more of Manda Collins's books.

Like a perfect Christmas cookie: small, sweet, traditional, and a hint of spice.

I admit I'm not a big fan of Christmas romances - they are usually too treacly sweet and schmaltzy for me. Okay, there is a sweet baby, a sleigh ride, and a heroine named Merry, but it stops there.
The only ghosts of Christmas pasts here are from the heartbreak of Alex and Merry, who were happily engaged once until Merry abruptly broke it off. Now Merry needs Alex to find the father of her dead friend's baby; happily this happens without any signs of a Christmas miracle.

I loved that Alex and Merry were so tenderly drawn together again. There were no bitter recriminations or dramatic attempts to make the other feel bad. Merry and Alex are older, wiser, and sadder for having lost so many years. I'm a big fan of the grand gesture but it was so fitting that what Alex and Merry do to finally be together again are small, tender moments and words instead. This second chance story actually warmed this Scrooge's heart.

This is part of the Studies in Scandal series, but it can be read as a standalone.

This was a really cute and fun, second chance romance. I wish it was a little longer to give more character build but overall it was super sweet. I love Alex and Merry, I am looking forward to reading more stories by this author. Highly recommend!

This has all the elements an historical- A young woman who was betrothed yet pushed away by the dowager, breaking her heart and the Lord she loved. 4 years later, a young babe whose mother dies from birth causes our lady to cross paths with her past financee... Mix Christmas times and you have a mix of love again.

4.5 Stars! Such a cute & sweet read! It had a few parts that were kind of surprising & other parts that were sad. It's a pretty short read but I still got pulled in & was rooting for Alex & Merry, the main characters! I think the story had the right amount of what happened 5 years ago & why they didn't work out & who was to blame(Grandmama)! I'm glad to see Alex put his foot down to his Grandmama over Merry! It takes until the ending to find out why his Grandmama spilt Alex & Merry up but it's a good reason, even if it was wrong to spilt the lovebirds apart! You can tell they loved each other & it hasn't stopped. I'm glad they are able to work it out & get their HEA! A cute story that's a perfect fast read near Christmas! (& not near Christmas too, since Christmas isn't really a big part of the story, just the reason they are all at the house party! Oh, & I loved the present Alex got for Merry!! He's so thoughtful!!)
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!*

An absolutely delightful second chance at love Christmas novella.

While this is billed as a Lords of Anarchy novella, it has a nice little tie into the Study in Scandals series as well.

Merry Parks was betrothed to Alex, Viscount Wrotham five years ago, but for seemingly no reason, she broke off their engagement and left Alex with no explanation.

Fast forward Five years, Merry's dearest friend Charlotte has passed away from a childbed fever, but she has made Merry promised to find the baby's father. The baby's father happens to be Alex's cousin. Willing to do whatever she must to find the father, she goes to see Alex.

Alex has never gotten over Merry and still doesn't understand why she left him. When they meet again he realizes that he still loves her and will use this opportunity to woo her again.

He invites her to his family's Christmas gathering, telling her the baby's father will be there, she reluctantly agrees to go. She thought she put her feelings for Alex in the past, but seeing him again, makes her realize that she still has strong feeling for him and she is not sure she can walk away again.

What follows is a well written, nicely paced, very sweet story of lost love found, secrets revealed, jealous harpies reeking havoc, a bit of steam and a very lovely HEA.

I would be happy to recommend this book, which is part of the LOA series, but could easily be read as a stand alone title.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for a copy of this book. A gripping regency tale of mystery, intrigue and romance. Fun to read. Recommend it

Merry's luck changes when she is asked by the Viscount's cousin Alex to stay at his huge home for a week because of the bad weather. This is five years after she jilted her lover, who is none other than him.
it is not through fortunate circumstances that she is even at to the house, though. Her friend Charlotte died in childbirth. She is there to comply with Charlotte's dying wish that her newborn daughter Lottie be looked after and returned to his father, Will .

I was drawn into the story from the first page and liked Merry's rapport with Alex as the story moved on, but felt that some of the other characters were very opinionated. We did get an insight into their relationships in the book and customs of the time that the book was written in. It is a story of secrets, revelations and relationships.

Alex wants Merry to be his wife. Alex has his own difficult past. His dad abused his mum and she left him and Alex when Alex was just nine years old.
Alex's Grandmother made his mum as unomfy as possible in the house, and she left.

There are conflicts lies and scandals. The grandmother, who is the one who is seems to rule the house, explains what she did and she claimed it was "best for the family" by sending Charlotte and then Merry. away.

Will is also looking for love. Potential brides for him, who we meet at a Christmas family gathering, include Lady Katherine and Emily Delaford. Merry, who is shocked to find Will has a passing interest in her, has a plainer appearance than Katherine, and she is not wealthy.

Lady Katherine, however, does not want to marry Will.

Merry keeps thinking about Lottie's well-being.

People have very deep rooted feelings and reactions to what happened all those years ago. Lottie is judged as illegitimate by some but she is legitimate.

Despite all the tension rumours and goings-on, there is a Christmas atmosphere as well as snow. There is sledding and excitement.

The novella is a great Christmas story and is well written with a good pace. Alex obviously wants to impress Merry. He is accommodating, welcoming and caring. When they all go house-to-house at Christmas, it is a good way for the reader to meet the other characters in the book.

It really shows the spirit of the season. Emily sounds manipulative towards Lady Katherine and Merry too.

There's tension and worry as well as concern for others. Emily is a liar. There is lots of action and working together to search for them. I suspected something would happen between her, Lady Katherine and Merry, but wasn't sure what. I thought it could be something involving jealousy, wickedness or lies.

The story had me interested as well is worried in some parts.
I hoped that Alex and Merry could work things out because of what they feel for each other.

I could not believe how cruel Emily was. Effie seems a good caring maid, which is good.
Will wants to do everything he can for Lottie. Merry is brave. Her bravery and determination as well as resilience shows through. It is a story of love, scandal secrets lies and deceit but a good historical romance with some very sexy scenes in some parts of the book.

I hope to read more by Manda Collins . My heart was in my mouth at some parts. As a bonus, this title has an excerpt from the next book in the series. It is a great extra which seems to be based in the town of little Seaford which was mentioned in this first book.

Thank you to St Martin's press for an ARC of this book and also thank you Manda Collins for this excellent book. This is one of the books that will be featured in my SMP Romance Blitz post in October. The only reason why I gave this book 4 and not 5 stars was that it ended too soon....I'd have loved for it to be a full novel, but it is an increadibly well-thought-out festive read.

What a delightful Christmas story. Alex Ponsonby, Viscount Wrotham, has never recovered from his betrothed Miss Merry Parks leaving him suddenly five years ago. When she shows up on his doorstep carrying an infant, he is outraged at first thinking she's trying to pass the baby off at his, but soon calming down once he learns the baby belongs to his cousin, William. Merry is fulfilling a dying wish of her dear friend to find baby Lottie's father and the only way she knows how to do that is to confront Alex and ask for his help.

Ms. Collins weaves a powerful story about loss, grief and trying to move forward with one's life without the love they've left behind. I found myself connecting with both Merry and Alex and how they handled being ripped apart by Alex's grandmother before finding the courage to try again at their broken relationship. Dowager Wrotham is a complicated character and it takes the full story to learn her reasons for tearing Alex and Merry apart. If you looking for a heartwarming story at Christmas time, this book will certainly fit the bill.

With This Christmas Ring by Manda Collins is an awesome holiday read. This is a fairly short read, perfect for those with limited time for reading. Ms Collins has given us a well-written book and loaded it with amazing, lovable characters. Alex and Merry's story is a second chance romance that is heartwarming and entertaining. There is plenty of drama, action, humor and spice to keep readers invested in the story. I totally adored this quick Christmas read and look forward to reading more from Manda Collins in the future. With This Christmas Ring is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.

It is that time of year again…bring on the Christmas stories. A very sweet Christmas tale to warm your Sunday afternoon. Alex and Merry are wonderfully written characters who have a past and even though the story is short you get to know them. A little bit of intrigue about why Merry left and Alex’s determination to win Merry over makes this a wonderful addition to my Christmas library. I also like how it bridged the Lords of Anarchy and Studies in Scandal series just a little bit.

Merry Parks has just seen her best friend, Charlotte, die in childbirth. She has promised that she will take the infant Lottie to her father. The same father that deserted Charlotte right after the wedding. The difficult thing is that William Ponsonby is the cousin of the only man Merry has ever loved. Alex Ponsonby, the Viscount Wrotham was Merry's betrothed until she left him with no explanation.
Now Merry is taking Lottie to Alex's home to find his cousin William and introduce him to his new daughter.
When she appears at his home, all the old feelings between the two come to the surface.
This is a quick read with lovely characters. Alex and William have a grandmother who has ruled their world for such a long time and she has no intention of stopping. Some other secondary characters become quite important to the plot.
There is a classic country house party and the cast of characters are what one would expect. Young ladies and their parents are looking for an eligible man. Friends and family are sharing Christmas memories and starting new traditions.
Merry and Alex begin to relive the attraction they first felt for one another and their familiarity with one another helps that attraction grow.
Ms Collins has created a sweet Christmas story. But, in this sweet story there also appears a psychotic character who apparently gets off with no consequences for attempted murder. That did not seem quite to fit the story.
I received this story from the publisher, St Martins Press through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

A charming little Christmas novella. I liked that the leads had a past together so it wasn't "Insta-Love". That helps make these quick stories a little more believable.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**