Lady Regina wants to have a lover of her choice before her 30th birthday and a possible arranged marriage, and she chooses Daffin, a handsome Bow Street Runner. He tries to rebuff her gently, but then they're drawn together again when she requires protection. This is part of a series, but I was able to enjoy the story without having read the preceding books. The story between Regina and Daffin was great, and I enjoyed the side characters. The weak point for me was the source of the danger for them and how that was eventually resolved. It felt lacking and a bit anticlimactic.

What a delightful romance! Kiss Me at Christmas has all the great Valerie Bowman elements and a few of her former characters to aid Daffin Oakleaf attain his HEA. The fun, witty, lovely Lady Regina charms him into loving her. Their instant connection and flirtation from the previous A Duke Like No Other continues here with her brash request for Daffin to help her rid herself of her virginity. Like any gentleman, he politely turns her down.

As we find out quickly, someone is trying to hurt Lady Regina. Add in a very pregnant Nicole, an absent husband Mark to bring Daffin into the household for protection and you have a romance to stir. Ms. Bowman continually hints that something is not right in the ‘who is causing problems’ scenario. We just have to keep read to find out.

This will be a great Christmas holiday read to add your list. You will not want to put it down as the next in the Playful Brides series.

What a wonderful addition to the Playful Brides series! I love that Daffin Oakleaf finally gets his own story. Regina is perfect for him! Quick read, I just couldn't put it down. I had to know what happened. I'm bummed that the next story isn't out until May 2019, but I will definitely be reading it!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

such a great quick light read. made me laugh. such a fun play on words and love the Christmas theme.

I absolutely, positively loved KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS!! It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books this year and one of my all-time favorite historicals.

A historical mixed with a little suspense, I was literally on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen.

The characters - this cast of characters is definitely one of my favorites. It's refreshing to see smart females in historicals and males that support them rather than thinking they're frivolous and flighty.

And the attraction between Daffin and Regina is so strong I swear my Kindle was overheating from the sparks striking off the pages.

Kudos to Miss Bowman for an impeccably crafted story that has everything that I love in a book - an engaging storyline, lovable characters, and sweet and spicy sexual tension.

This is a love story of two characters who have must overcome societial expectations in order to have their happily ever after. . Daffin, a Bow Street Runner, and Lady Regina meet and flirt in an earlier book by Valerie Bowman and Kiss Me at Christmas is their story. Both main characters are fully drawn and very likeable. In spite of their class differences, they have a great deal in common. My only complaint really with the story line is that the manufactured ‘danger’ that is used to get the characters together is just too contrived and unbelievable. It didn’t hurt my overall enjoyment of the book; it just didn’t really add anything to the plot line and easily could have been eliminated.

I didn't realize this was book 10/10 in a series, but that didn't take away from the great story! I could tell a few times that there was probably some assumed knowledge, but as I said, it didn't take anything away from the story. It just made me want to go back and read the other books!

I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, interesting, exciting and kept me reading! The heroine was a great character with spunk, spine and spirit! And the hero was quite enjoyable and charming!

Valerie Bowman does a really great job of painting pictures with her words. I love when I feel like I've watched a movie after I've finished a book! I'm really looking forward to reading the previous books in the series now!

This is my first foray into the Playful Brides series and, well, I liked it. I might have gotten a teeny bit more out of the interactions between the background characters if I'd read the previous books, but I kept up. For the most part, at least. That said, seeing as how this is book 10, there's a pretty big cast of supporting characters and it took a little brainpower to keep them straight. Again, though, it wasn't insurmountable.

So. Lady Regina and Mr. Daffin Oakleaf. On paper, they don't necessarily sound like a perfect match, but they kinda are. She's determined to do things her way (up to a point) and he's pretty much the epitome of a successful rebel. While Regina want to spend at least one night with someone of her choosing and she takes steps to make that happen, she's also resigned to the fate she sees looming on the horizon.

Frankly, she's not enthused with the prospect her uncle has chosen for her. Especially not once she begins spending even more time with Daffin.

On his end, Daffin is attracted to Regina, but he doesn't think anything can come of it. It takes a pinch of danger and the risk of nearly losing the woman he's come to admire before he dares to take the leap and go all in.

Danger, intrigue and a wide cast of characters to keep things moving, I was thoroughly entertained.

Regina is a young lady who is nearing her 30th birthday. Her uncle, a duke, has announced that she must marry an earl. The gentleman is the right class, his property is near the family's country estate, and he is anxious for the marriage. In reality, the earl is anxious to enlarge his estate by acquiring property that is a part of Regina's dowry.,

Regina has refused marriage proposals for years because no one appealed to her. Her beauty and large dowry have attracted many men, but she has not found anyone who appeals to her.

Now she has determined she is attracted to Daffin Oakleaf, a Bow Street Runner. He helped investigate the death of one of Regina's cousins. He is good friends with another cousin and he is a very heroic and handsome man. He has even been written up in newspapers.

Regina and Daffin share an attraction for one another. They also share a strong sense of humor, intelligence and the enjoyment of solving puzzles and mysteries. Both had sorrow in their childhood when they each lost loving parents.

He is considered from a lower class and entirely unsuitable for Regina. In spite of the class difference, the attraction is still quite strong. Although Daffin considers himself unfit for Regina, she does not hold the same opinion.

When Regina becomes the target of an apparent assassin, Daffin is hired to protect her. He moves in with the family in order to keep her safe. He is not a fan of Christmas, and he is not certain how he will feel being immersed in a family holiday celebration.

This is a story about family support, romantic love and mystery. Daffin has no family history but he becomes part of Regina's family. He is able to observe the caring and sharing of a loving family. He is also able to observe Regina as the charming and lovely woman she is.

Ms Bowman is a very talented author. She is a master at creating characters who draw the reader into the story. Although this book is part of a series, it works well as a stand alone read.

This story does not cover new ground, but it is a Christmas story which is warm, comforting and most of all fun.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am writing this review voluntarily and all opinions are completely my own.

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

This book has it all...historical romance, great characters, suspense, mystery and Christmas. I liked that this book had a strong female main character who was also thoughtful and sensitive. There was lots of suspense and intrigue trying to figure out who is in danger.

Kiss Me at Christmas (Playful Brides, #10) by Valerie Bowman ... Another hit by Valerie... I have read this whole series and love each one ... thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. This is Daffin (famous Bow Street Runner) and Lady Regina's (Granddaughter of a Duke) story. They are both orphaned at a young age.. She love Christmas he does not... this story has it all..so many laughs, tears of all kinds, adventure, some terror and violence, a strong hero and heroine, a parrot spy, steamy sex, lots of old friends and a very HEA. I hope there is book #11 ..there is a Duke who still needs a bride.

I liked the Bow Street runner aspect of the story, but does EVERY character have to be related to to the peerage?! I liked Regina, but didn’t really buy her being so forward-thinking as to lose her virginity wearing handcuffs. It wasn’t an awful story, however the mystery was unsatisfying and Lord Dryden was the typical potential husband. Worst of all was the name Daffin. Just couldn’t make that work for me. This is a weak 3.0.

A perfect Christmas romance from Valerie Bowman.

One would think Lady Regina Haversham was firmly on the shelf until her Uncle worked out a marriage arrangement with a peer. Regina knows the marriage will be void of passion so she decides to have one trist with a man of her choosing before she walks down the isle. She is set on Bow Street Runner, Daffin Oakleaf, who she has a flirtation with months before. As tempted he is by Regina’s proposition, he will not be one to love her and leave her, so his answer is a firm “no”.

When some odd ‘accidents’ put Regina in harms way, Daffin is hired to solve the case and stay close to Regina’s side. Can he continue to refuse her when she clearly desires him? Will the Christmas season bring Regina the gift of love that she wants more than anything?

I do love a Christmas themed romance and this had the charm I have come to expect from this author.

I am a big fan of Valerie Bowman. Not a fan of this book. The whole "Christmas" thing was weird to me. Made it seem like everyone in the town was crazy. Kept waiting for a Stephen King twist.

Though this read okay as a standalone, because so many of the characters were introduced in previous books in the series, I think I would've enjoyed it more if I'd read the previous books first. There were so many references to events and people that appeared in previous books; even though they were explained to an extent, I think truly connecting with the characters was difficult because their backstory wasn't established in this volume. That being said, I did enjoy the characters and the plot was unique and I think I'm willing to commit to starting from the first book and working my way through the series so that I can reevaluate my feelings about this one. I loved that the women played an active role in ways that are not common in historical romance. This was my first Valerie Bowman book, but I don't think it will be my last! 3 out of 5 wine glasses.

What a delightful Christmas romance. Lady Regina Haversham is approaching her 30th birthday and her uncle is forcing her to marry a man of his choice.

Sparks continue to fly between Daffin, a Bow Street Runner, and Regina (they have meet before) when he hired by her cousin to protect her when someone is trying to kill her.

Daffin believes he isn’t worthy of her because of their stations in life. Can love conquer all. Read this romance and I guarantee you won’t regret it.

4.5 Stars!! I really liked this book! Regina is a tough woman & I love strong female main characters! Daffin was a great main male character & I love how strong he is too! I wish the end had had more information on Daffins life & something more about what happens to the bad people in the book! This book has a lot of mystery & a few sexy scenes! It didn’t have a lot of Christmas things in it, that was really only mentioned a few times. I enjoyed this book & I definitely recommend it!
*I received this book at no charge from the publisher.*

This book was so good that I couldn't put it down! I love historical romances & this did not disappoint. I also love a good strong heroine, like Regina, & a sexy man, like Daffin developing a relationship & seeing where it goes. I highly recommend reading this book!!!

Lady Regina Haversham wants only one thing for her thirtieth birthday, and that’s for celebrated Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf to be her lover. She sets out to ask him and he turns her down. Humiliated she returns to her cousin’s house to lick her wounds. On the route home her coach is almost run off the road. This is the second time this has happened and doesn’t seem to be a coincidence.
Daffin Oakleaf found it hard to turn down Regina’s proposal. He couldn’t because she is the cousin of his best friend. Now that someone is trying to kill Regina he has to protect her and cool his attraction to her, to figure out why and who wants to kill her. As he investigates he has to defeat and old enemy to win Regina.
Daffin and Regina are two souls who have so much in common. Who had misconceptions of each other because of social status. Once they realize they are the same love blooms. Regina doesn’t care about Daffin’s status she cares for him.
Kiss Me at Christmas will have you smiling at the matchmaking Nicole tries and the parrot who repeats everything. We revisit some old friends and set up the characters for the next installment. I definitely recommend it.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Beautiful love story , set during the Christmas period.
Lady Regina offers Daffin a bow street runner , and a man not of her station b , the ultimate gift , but he can accept, the two of them have been flirting for months and now she’s destined to be married to a man she doesn’t love , however in Daffin she sees a lot to love .
This is their story , it a great seasonal tale that will have you on the edge of your seat and your brain all over the place trying to figure out the plot .
Really enjoyable read.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review