Daffin and Regina are not a match you would expect. But Regina is attracted to him, and she has decidedly *not* been attracted to any of her previous suitors. So Regina propositions him.

Daffin has a complicated background, and revealing its details would be major spoilers, but it is clear from the outset that there is more to this man than he acknowledges. His respect for Regina’s cousin assures that he will reject her proposition, but he is more than tempted.

When Daffin is signed on to protect Regina and their friend Nicole from an unknown threat, it is clear that Daffin’s principled refusal of Regina will be challenged.

This is a fun-filled adventure, with lovely characters, and a Christmas setting.

I am not a lover of Christmas stories and was not sure what to expect with this story but I loved it. It had adventure, mystery, action, suspense and romance. I enjoyed the interaction between all the characters. They were well developed and worked together beautifully. Having not read the books before, I now want to go back and read them and the one to follow as the setup has me intrigued. It was a quick and easy page turner. There was a couple of sex scenes and this reviewer skipped them as always but it did not affect my enjoyment of the book. I received this as an ARC and will be reading more from this author.

Regina is determined to lose her virginity. At 30, she is considered on the shelf and has limited options for marriage. She wants to experience one night of passion. One night where she can experience what married women experience. She decides that Daffin Oakleaf would be more than able to fulfill her fantasy. Set back by his refusal, Regina soon finds herself back in his orbit when she becomes the target of an assassin. Can Daffin protect Regina from whoever is trying to kill her? Will he agree to be her lover for one night?

I am going to start this review off with the cover. Look at it. It shows Daffin and Regina’s chemistry off. What I also liked was the male model looked exactly how I thought Daffin would look. It is rarely I can say “Hey, look at this awesome cover. The models look like how I imagined.” So, yeah, the cover was a huge hit with me.

I was excited when I saw that Daffin was getting his own story. He caught my eye in A Duke Like No Other. I wanted to know his backstory and man, was it a sad one. I couldn’t even begin to imagine living through what he did and at such a young age. I liked how he fought his growing feelings for Regina. I loved him. He was everything that a romance novel hero should be.

I loved Regina. She was a woman who knew what she wanted. She put herself on the shelf because she couldn’t find a man who she couldn’t live without. But, she was going to marry the Earl of Dryden if she couldn’t find someone by the end of Christmas. Her reaction to Daffin’s explanation about why he hated Christmas was telling. She was unconventional. She was one of the more real romance characters I have read in a while.

The chemistry/sexual attraction that Regina and Daffin had been insane. I had noticed it when they were introduced in A Duke Like No Other. The author did a great job of carrying it over into this book. The fact that he could get turned on by her scent was awesome. As with her when she was in his presence.

That chemistry they had led to some hot sex scenes. Talk about fanning myself after a few of those scenes. Holy moly. I liked that the author wasn’t afraid to have Regina know what she liked. Such as Daffin’s handcuffs.

I was a little disappointed with the plotline about who was trying to kill Regina. Let me rephrase that. I was disappointed by the ending of it. It was left hanging. We know who it was and the reason (which was silly). But no resolution. I am hoping that it gets resolved in book 11 (yes, 11!!!)

The end of Kiss Me at Christmas was exactly what I hoped it would be. I was so mad at Regina’s great-uncle. I was whispering (because I was in bed) not so nice words when he did what he did. But, Regina set that straight when she found out. Oh boy, did she. The author did a great job of wrapping up all the secondary plotlines. The main plotline, not so much (see above). There was some foreshadowing about who the next book will be about.

I gave Kiss Me at Christmas a 4-star rating. This was a fun, sweet and sexy read. The plotlines were intriguing. The characters were well fleshed out and I loved them. I did not like how the main plotline ended but I am hopeful that it gets resolved in the next book. This is a great book!!

I would give Kiss Me at Christmas an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is violence. There is mild language. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book. I would also warn that some of the sex scenes do include light bondage (handcuffs).

I would reread Kiss Me at Christmas. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Paperbacks, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Kiss Me at Christmas.

All opinions stated in this review of Kiss Me at Christmas are mine.

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Have you read Kiss Me at Christmas?
Love it?
Hate it?
Meh about it?
Let me know!!

I love Christmas. And when you combine that with historical romance, it’s a match made in heaven.

I loved watching Daffin and Regina. They had this connection, from the first time they met, but never acted on it. And when they meet up again it’s under rather embarrassing circumstances that was awkward to watch. But true love has a way of working through embarrassments and making all things right.

I love when stories are interconnected. Seeing past characters join in make the stories much more enjoyable. And of course when the men step in, to put things to right, it’s quite fun.

I can’t wait to read the next book!

So Im fairly new to this author. This being my second book of hers and I can already say im a huge fan. I loved the forbidden romance between Regina and Daffin. It was sweet, compelling and beautiful. The perfect read for a cold fall day. I cant wait to read about the next Duke to fall in love and more for more books by this author. In the meantime i need to do a reread of this series.

**3.5 Stars**

In the wake of her approaching 30 year birthday, Lady Regina Haversham has embraced her spinsterhood. But her dying uncle has come to a different conclusion and has arranged a marriage for his niece. His love for her has driven him to make sure she will be cared for after he has passed on. Regina knows she must honor her uncle’s wishes, but she has a wish of her own…one that involves one very sexy Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf.

Daffin Oakleaf has had a time of it lately with the press making his case solving sound like he is a hero. Forever being hounded by young ladies, and curiosity seekers, Daffin is not completely surprised to see the cousin of his best friends, Lady Regina, knocking on his door. He is, however, more than surprised to hear her offer of him becoming her lover before she enters into an arranged marriage. Regina’s indecent proposal leaves Daffin both bewildered but also aroused and contemplating “what if?”.

Kiss Me at Christmas is an enjoyable holiday set theme. I did feel that the plot of the mysterious murder attempts to be a bit weak, and took away from the romance building between Regina and Daffin. Overall, Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman is a well written, sweet romantic historical read that I would recommend. While this is part of the Playful Brides series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

*Received an ARC copy via NetGalley for honest review*

A very good and enjoyable Christmas read. It was funny, entertaining and enjoyable.
It's full of humour, mystery and with an exciting plot.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to St. Martin Press and Netgalley for this ARC

This was a very good premise for a story. A spinster Regina who is about to get engaged proposition a Bow street runner Daffin. But the story was not just about that, there is a bit of mystery in there too. The writing was fantastic and the chemistry between the two leads electric. I thouroughly enjoyed this book.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and all the thoughts and opinions are all mine.

Love love love this one!

Daffin is too sexy for his shirt, and I want to be best friends with Regina.

Full review to come.

This romance was such a fun Christmas read! The characters were charming and I loved the mystery element. I felt that it was a little repetitive with keeping you up on what just happened. Almost like there was a situation that I just read and then Regina tells you what happened and then Daffin tells you what happened. I found myself skipping though some because I had JUST read that. Super cute story tho and I enjoyed it!

All the premises in this book are farfetched. We have a 29-year-old virgin propositioning a sexy Bow Street Runner. He turns her down because he is an illegitimate son of a duke and she’s the niece of a duke. Then there are threats on her life and he must protect her. So then he gives in and they do make love.

When we find out who hired the hit on her, it’s totally unbelievable that the person involved would know how to contact a hitman and that the hitman would turn out to be the same person who killed the Bow Street Runner’s mother when he was a child. And this child grew up to investigate and figure out who the hitman was when there was no evidence at all and get him put away.

I just didn’t buy anyone’s behavior in this book and it became rather irritating after a while.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

4.5 Stars - I have never found disappointment at the end of a Valerie Bowman romance, and I doubt I ever will. I could stop right there and that should be all you need to know, but I’ll elaborate.

In Kiss me at Christmas, the hero, a bow street runner ashamed of his origins, is smart, hard working, a fierce protector and sexy. The heroine is beautiful, well-liked, but lonelier than one might imagine and filled with passion and gumption that even surprises her. The attraction was instant and still lingers even though they haven’t seen each other for some time. There’s a proposition, refusal, scheme, danger, rescue and reckoning before we get our HEA, and it’s all quite good.

Just read it already. It’s worth it.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

So sehr ich Christi Caldwells Bücher liebe, dieses hat mich auf Deutsch leider gar nicht verzaubert, zudem muss ich leider sagen, dass mir in etwa ab der Hälfte des Buches die Protagonistin so richtig auf den Keks gegangen ist. Die Dialoge waren monoton - dank der Übersetzung - und auch die Handlung teilweise etwas platt.

Eine nette Sache, aber nicht das, was ich sonst von Caldwell gewöhnt bin!

*I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Kiss Me At Christmas was an amazing read featuring a woman determined to make decisions for herself for once and the man who tempts her as no other has.

Lady Regina is a month away from her thirtieth birthday and is considered firmly on the shelf. While Regina has given up on finding a love match, she does want to experience pleasure at the hands of a man of her choosing and she knows just the man for the job. Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf has been captivated by Regina since the moment he met her, but he knows she’s out of his reach in spite of the tempting offer she makes him. When a threat against Regina places Daffin in the role of bodyguard, sparks instantly fly enticing them to throw caution to the wind and give in to the passion between them.

Regina lost her parents in a carriage accident when she was twelve and was cared for by her uncle and grandmother from then on. Now that her uncle is reaching the end of his life, he’s insistent that Regina finally wed and he’s picked out a man Regina knows only wants the land and money that comes with her dowry. I admired how Regina was determined to experience some joy for herself before being forced to marry a man she didn’t like let alone love.

Daffin has become one of the most well known Bow Street Runners due his dedication to his work and some high profile cases he’s solved landing him in the papers. Daffin however never wanted to be well known, he simply wants to do his job and help those who cannot help themselves. I loved Daffin’s devotion to his work even if at times he was willing to risk everything, including his life, to get his man. It was nice to see he had morals when it came to his work and that he stuck to them.

Regina and Daffin’s relationship builds very slowly due to her almost engagement to another man and his hesitation due to his friendship with Regina’s cousin. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress from an easy flirtation into something more. It’s clear both of them admire and respect each other which I was happy to see as that’s not always the case. The chemistry between them is fantastic and I found myself really enjoying the buildup to their physical relationship when normally I like it to start sooner in the book.

In this book Mark and Nicole, the couple from A Duke Like No Other, feature heavily as Regina is staying with them and Mark is one of Daffin’s best friends. I loved getting to see the couple again as I adored their romance and I was happy to get more scenes of them. A few couples from other books also make appearances and we get to see the setup for the next couple in the eleventh book in the series, No Other Duke But You. I love how interconnected these books are and how we get little glimpses of past couples.

Kiss Me At Christmas is my favorite of the Playful Brides books I’ve read thus far and I can’t wait to read more books in this series in the future. I highly recommend this book and the series if you’re looking for some great historical romance.

Publisher's Description:

A spirited lady facing spinsterhood. A common man with a noble mission. And a surprise that just might be waiting for them under the mistletoe in Kiss Me At Christmas by Valerie Bowman.

Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman...

Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention…and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite. But how can a hired bodyguard find his way into Regina’s noble heart?

My Thoughts:

We have another winner!
Valerie Bowman never disappoints this reader. This newest book in the wonderful Playful Brides series is full of mystery, action, romance and risks taken.
I love this hero and heroine.
Who is Daffin, the Bow Street Runner really? Will the truth be the end to Regina's attraction to him when the secret is outed?
Regina and Daffin were meant for each other. We met them in a previous book in this series and now they get their own story.
Regina wants to have things her way and asks Daffin to be her lover for a night. She will be thirty years old on her next birthday and is considered to be firmly on the shelf.
Daffin is so taken aback by this request that he immediately refuses. Fate has other ideas and throws the two of them together when Regina's life is threatened. Together they must find where this threat is coming from.
This book is a page turner with cameo appearances by characters from previous books. This is book ten of eleven and although that sounds like a lot of books for one series none have been a disappointment.
I gave this book 4.9 of 5.0 stars (rounded up to 5) for story line and character development. The sensual rating gets 4.0 of 5.0 flames with sizzling intimacy that burns up the pages.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation from the publisher to read.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Kiss Me at Christmas by Valerie Bowman is full of action, mystery, risks, and romance. It was easy to fall in love with the characters. The bow street runner, is born in a position where most of society deems him unfit. But before that secret was let out, he was welcomed by all. That same man found his mom dead as a kid and knew his father and his wife were behind it. Daffin has proved himself in more ways than expected. Still felt like he has failed...only his heart's attention still thinks the world of him. And that is what mattered all along. Love for the young couple featured in this story was a rough journey. Both were determined, strong, and clever. Their attraction was hot and sent sparks flying everywhere. I enjoyed the humor and the fun banters between both characters. Their friends were great to follow along as well. Overall, I became an addict when I started the first chapter. Now, I highly recommend this tale and beg for more by Valerie Bowman.

This is a lovely romance set during winter. Regina and Daffin have met in a previous book and were instantly attracted to each other. Regina approaches Daffin Oakleaf, the famous Bow Street Runner and asks him to be her lover. Daffin turns her down but then gets recruited to protect Regina when someone starts making attempts to kill her. I found that the characters are well written and the romance is oh so sweet. The only part of the novel that I didn't like was the mystery behind the murder attempts. It wasn't as entertaining and felt mediocre. This is book number ten in the Playful Brides series but can be read as a standalone. If you do wish to read a little about Regina and Daffin's history, I would recommend reading the previous book, A Duke Like No Other.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

I am so very torn…

On the one hand, I absolutely adored the romance between these two extraordinary people! To begin with, I love that Daffin and Regina had already met and flirted in the book before, so already had an established relationship. It was nice to see them again and to have their story unfurl. I loved that Regina knew what she wanted - i.e. to not have to marry the boring aristocrat her family picked out for her just because she is almost thirty, but be cherished, and just ONCE get to make a choice for herself in a life that has been mapped out for her every step of the way by someone else. I loved that she was independent and strong without coming across as willful, selfish, or just immature. She was an amazing lead. And Daffin was, ok maybe not just as wonderful, but close. He's a Good Guy, a Bow Street Runner with a terrible past, but not just a clichéd hurt idiot who pushes the heroine away because he doesn't believe in love because of his tragic past. There was so much more to him, and I loved how they slowly got to know each other, peeling away the layers, and seeing the other person how they really are. It was such a wonderful story!!!

But then, there was the drama. Ok, I figure that kind of comes with this author's books, but this time, even the hero remarked that the bad guy's scheme just made absolutely no sense! And he was not wrong… The last few chapters were just one crazy thing after an other, and it was too much for me. I felt like the romance just fell short because things had to happen. And it didn't even bring them closer together or anything. I could have lived without all of it. Especially the explanation of the bad guy's motives. That was just too far-fetched for me, bordering on ridiculous.

So. Wonderful romance with truly amazing characters, but a second half that I just didn't enjoy. 3.5 stars! For anyone who needs some spy drama with their romance, go check this out. You will not be disappointed!

Another book where love is found out of the ton, so another good plot from one of my favorite author in one of my favorite series. Regina and Daffin are two good people and together they seem to be a good couple, but sparks are hidden under the ash and between the handcuffs ;)

Un altro libro regency dove l'amore si trova al di fuori dell'alta società e questo porta ad una storia in un certo senso innovativa, da parte di una delle mie scrittrici preferite. Regina e Daffin sono una bella coppia, ma le scintille si nascondono sotto la cenere e tra le manette ;)

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

4.5 Stars
Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf abhors Christmas. Carol singing and holiday cheer only remind him of a dark time. When a close friend calls on him for help, Daffin is happy to capitalize on the distraction. But when he learns the lovely Lady Regina is the one in danger, he’s to become bodyguard to the captivating woman. Regina has one mission: to find a night of passion in the arms of a gentleman. Considered firmly on the shelf, Regina has given up on marriage—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be denied the pleasure married ladies experience. Daffin has long captured her attention and when a threat calls him to her side, the sparks between them ignite.
Another very enjoyable book in the series of which this is the tenth. It could easily be read on its own, the books do feature characters from earlier books & there is always a link. Another well written well paced book that had me hooked from page one. In fact the opening of this book was so entertaining & unusual, a Lady offering herself to the gorgeous Runner & the knots she verbally tied herself in had me chuckling out loud. The characters have plenty of depth, Daffin & Regina are delightful & perfect for each other, their attraction to each other is very apparent but there are obstacles in their way. The road to their HEA wasn’t smooth but it made for a very good read.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read