I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

This is a mystery plot set during Christmas with unique circumstances. I liked both the main characters.

I would read more from this author.

Such a charming story - with handcuffs. Lady Regina is almost thirty and still a spinster. She met Daffin Oakleaf a year ago during a murder investigation. He is a very good looking, Bow Street Runner. They had an attraction and a mild flirtation but due to their stations in life, it could never be more. She has thought of him so much and wants him at least once before she is forced to marry someone who is her equal. She puts this proposal to him, but he refuses because he is honorable. Lady Regina has had two attempts on her life and Daffin has been hired to protect her and her cousin Nicole. When Regina is kidnapped, he realizes how much he loves her. Who wants Regina out of the way? Secrets about Daffin that he wants to keep are revealed. Will Daffin get Regina back unharmed? Will love find a way? I really loved Regina and Daffin. I received book from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for a honest review and no compensation otherwise, The opinions expressed are my are my own.

Kiss Me At Christmas is a fun historical romance by Valerie Bowman. Ms. Bowman has provided readers with an outstanding holiday read inside this well-written book. The characters are stellar, kudos to Ms. Bowman for such a fabulous cast of characters. Lady Regina is being pushed into a marriage, but before that happens she wants to give her virginity to a man of her choice. Daffin is a Bow Street Runner and turns down Regina's request. Daffin and Regina's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. Their story held me hostage from start to finish. I loved this book and look forward to reading more from Valerie Bowman in the future. Kiss Me At Christmas is book 10 of the Playful Brides Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book series very much. This story is about Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf who does not like Christmas. But when one of his close friend calls on him for help, but when he learns the Lady Regina is the one in danger, and that he has to be her bodyguard. Regina only wants to find passion with a gentlemen for one night. She has given up on marriage. I really liked the story line and characters of this book.

4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book, which had a nice blend of humour, romance, steam and mystery. I personally found the mystery pretty obvious. This book reads as a standalone, though we do get to see a few different characters from the other books. I loved the chemistry between the H&h and the plot flowed well and was interesting. This story also had the right amount of Christmas details, not so much that it takes over the story, but enough that you don't feel like they added a Christmas detail or had it over the holidays just so they could put "Christmas" in the title. Overall, a great story. *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

I like reading historical romance stories that take place during Christmas. This one had an added bonus of having a suspense/mystery element play an important part of the story.
Our two main characters, Regina and Daffin, have met in a previous story and sparks flew between them as they worked together to solve the mystery of who had killed Regina's cousin. It is because of this found connection between them that Regina decides to make an indecent proposal to Daffin. Unfortunately for Regina it goes badly. Her proposal is turned down, I felt so bad for her. Later because of some threats Daffin becomes Regina and Nicole's bodyguard. It is because of this time that they spend together that they begin to fall for each other. They realize that they have many things in common, but their social status prevents them being together.
I love the element of suspense/mystery that the author included in this story. The finding out who was making these threats were some of my favorite parts of the book. It had some action towards the end that made the story very interesting. The person responsible for the threats to Regina and Daffin came as a surprise to me and I liked this. It's not very fun when you are able to figure out early in the story who it is.
Because this is number 10 in the series, and the first one I've read, all those characters that came in at the end felt a little overwhelming for me. In the end it was a very good story and I will look out for the next one in the series.

I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

This one started of with a bang but never really delivered on its promise. No real heat or passion, showing rather than telling. 2.5 rounded up. Skippable

I love Valerie Bowman. This is a really sweet romance about Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf who agrees to be a bodyguard for Lady Regina as she has had several attempts on her life. Regina meanwhile has been given an ultimatum by her uncle which is to find a husband over the Christmas holidays or marry the aging Earl of Dryden. She sets her sights on Daffin and the adventure begins.

Received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Christmas stories are always lovely and this one has so much going for it. Bow Street Runner is all I needed to read it. Daffin and Regina are characters that you root for and hope they can overcome all their obstacles. There is intrigue, love and kisses. Lots and lots of kisses and other things (shhh...not telling). This story is just a feel good read and when it ended I just sighed with pleasure.

This was my first read by this author, but I will be looking for others now. This was a delightful read. It happens to be set at Christmas, but can be enjoyed anytime. Lady Regina Haversham turned down many offers over the years in hopes of finding a love match, but her uncle has other ideas, so Regina seeks out Bow Street Runner Daffin Oakleaf and propositions him for a night of passion. The noble man turns down her proposal, only to be hired on as her bodyguard when someone appears to be threatening her and her cousin. I don't want to say more and risk spoilers but watching the feelings deepen between these two was delightful, as was Daffin's journey to appreciating his own self-worth. I'd definitely recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for the ARC!

Regina wants a lot more than kisses from Daffin. I've got to applaud the lady for knowing what she wants and going after it
Kiss Me at Christmas is a great addition to the Playful Brides, series.