I received "Mistletoe Christmas" from Netgalley and the amazing and fabulous Janna MacGregor. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. There are four spectacular authors in this book who have dazzled us with their mesmerizing story telling.

"A Mistletoe Kiss" by Eloisa James
Lady Cressida, youngest daughter of a Duke, and Lord Elias Darcy De Royleston are at a highly sought after get together called the Revelry that Cressida organizes annually for her father. The Duke is on his deathbed and wishes that his heir, a nephew,  continues the tradition of the Revelry with Cressida's help. Lord Elias soon begins to see Cressida as more than a dull dowdy spinster as the story progresses, and love blooms. A charming love story!


"Wishing Under The Mistletoe" by Christi Caldwell
Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, a Duke's granddaughter and Cyrus Hill, a stable master's son, were childhood friends, then with time, they were engaged but after  almost 3 years, Isabelle thought that Cyrus' love for making money was more important than her and their upcoming marriage, and she ended the engagement by walking out on him. For ten years, they both pursued their individual dreams, but they meet again at the Revelry. She, a playwright, and he, a business genius, have to work together to create the best play possible for the Revelry guests. Old flames burn again when they meet, but is it enough? A beautiful story!


"Compromise Under the Mistletoe" by Janna MacGregor
Caroline Whitmore was only married to Lord Stephen Whitmore for one year when she left him because she believed him to be ignoring her and not giving her the importance a spouse deserved. They attend the Revelry together, pretending to still be in love, so that her Uncle can give her her trust fund's portion of $20,000 as long as she can convince her Uncle, his solicitor, and some of the attendees that hers and Stephen's marriage is real and not in dire straits of separation. She has plans to give half to Stephen and use her half towards creating an artists'retreat and studio in London, away from Stephen. She soon begins to see Stephen for who he really is at the Revelry and the importance of verbal communication as well as that of silent communication and actions that speak just as loudly become vibrant. Beautifully written!

"Mischief and Mistletoe" by Erica Ridley
Miss Louisa Harcourt and Mr. Ewan Reid are both attending the Revelry as well. Louisa needs to marry well, and Ewan needs gossip for his grandfather's press. However,  great minds meet and this growing attraction and appreciation for the other develops in to something neither can afford or desire. Charming!

A large country Revelry at the home of a dying Duke is the setting of four holiday novellas by leading historical romance writers. Each story features a woman who feels overlooked in pursuit of love. Yet each finds her true love over the 12 days of Christmas. Love finds a way through forgiveness and acceptance. Each woman learns to love and accept herself on the path to learning to accept love from others. The stories are aspirational and heartwarming. Eminently rereadable.

A package of 4 fab books but 4 authors. All of the books are based around a ten day Christmas festival organised for the great and good of society. The romance is beautiful in all the stories and whilst the HEA is of course guaranteed there are some excellent relationships being built and strengthened in all 4 plots. There is a little overlapping of the characters to link the books together and they all weave beautifully together for a Christmas love fest.

I may have audibly squee'd when the invitation to read and review an ARC of this anthology appeared in my inbox. Four powerhouse authors in one place? Yes, please! And overall, it is a winner.

The four stories (too long for novellas but too short to be called novels) all take place during the Duke of Greystoke's annual Christmas Revelry, an event where invitations are both rare and coveted. The stories are neatly--if tangentially--interconnected.

The first, A Mistletoe Kiss by Eloisa James, is about the Duke of Greystoke's youngest daughter Cressida. Unbeknownst to most of the ton, Cressida is really the genius behind the revelry. In this Cinderella-esque story, she works so hard at planning the yearly event that she has stopped considering a future of her own. Enter Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston. He's open to taking a wife, and his friend Val, Cressida's cousin and the duke's heir, convinces him that Cressida is as good a choice as any. The two have met upon occasion, but only rarely and not for years. Their courtship is sweet and fast, and while I'm okay with fast in fictional romance, their realization of love was not super realistic. I think they either needed more time (i.e. a full novel), or they needed a more established mutual past. I also think this story needed to come last; though the author is clearly the main draw to this anthology, closing out the anthology with Cressida's story would have been more logical and satisfying. 4 stars

Wishing Under the Mistletoe, by Christi Caldwell, is our second story. The protagonists here are Isabelle, the duke's granddaughter (and talented playwright) and Cyrus, her betrothed. Friends since childhood and then sweethearts, they were engaged for three years. However, Cyrus, the stablemaster's son and financial wizard, became obsessed with growing wealth (he thought she needed/deserved it). Isabelle, who only wanted Cyrus, broke the betrothal and moved away. Ten years later, they both find themselves at the Revelry and are required to work together on a theatrical project. Their attraction is still strong, but Cyrus is as committed to his job as ever. Working together on the play means working through their past. Cyrus and Isabelle are adorable, and I loved being witness to their reunion, even as my heart ached for them. The only part that I needed more of is something to explain how a duke's granddaughter came to be betrothed to the stablemaster's son in the first place, especially since it seems that everyone approved. 5 stars

Janna Macgregor's Compromise Under the Mistletoe comes next. The basic outline for this one isn't all that different from Caldwell's story in that it is a tale of a couple who has grown apart and must find their way back to each other. Here, though, we have Caroline and Stephen, married members of the ton. Stephen's apparent disinterest if his wife (like Cyrus, he appears obsessed with his work) outside the bedroom drove Caroline away for a year. She returns to her husband to entreat him to attend the Revelry with her; they have to present a united front if Caro's uncle, the duke, is to agree to release her trust to her a year early. Both could use the funds, she for the women artists she sponsors and he for business, and they agree to split the 20,000 pounds if they can get the money. Stephen is determined to win his wife back (dreamy sigh), but time is limited. Witnessing the thawing of hearts in this story is a real treat. 5 stars

Mischief & Mistletoe by Erica Ridley is the final story, and this one made me laugh out loud at times. It's the only story in the anthology where the protagonists are not directly related to the duke or his family. Louisa, the duke's neighbor, is an unpublished poet who has been given one last chance to find a husband. She hopes to achieve this goal at the Revelry, which she attends with her mother. She's delighted to find Mr. Ewan Reid in attendance; he's a famous poet (though no one has ever seen a single stanza), handsome and broody. She wonders if she'll have the opportunity to speak with him about poetry while she's there. Ewan, however, is a ridiculous fraud and is attending the party with an ulterior motive. He quickly finds himself fascinated by Louisa, but he has his own secrets to protect. As he falls more and more in love, he wonders if their newfound relationship will survive the uncovering of those secrets.

For the most part, the four stories work well together. However, a handful of inconsistencies are a little bit distracting. The duke, for example, is a cruel man in some stories but more of an irrascible scamp in others. His heir, Val, is at turns your run-of-the-mill rake, concerned cousin, sneaky cupid (hello? Valentine?), and clueless side character of little import. When I first read about him in James' story, I was certain he'd be the protagonist in a later tale, but that never happened. Overall, though, this is a lovely anthology of tales by writers who always deliver. 5 stars

I received an ARC of this anthology from Avon and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Love, love, love this book with four heroines who are smarter and more creative than anyone gives them credit for.

I love an anthology by several authors that can seamlessly each write a book that flows into the next. The Christmas Revelry was full of excitement, romance and intrigue. Each story was as good as the last. I was swept away over and over. The characters were exquisite. I’m only sad it’s over. I will wait and hope for more! Book provided by NetGalley.

Eloisa James
*A Mistletoe Kiss
4*
Cressida and Elias what a lovely couple. A woman who saw herself of no worth and a man who was not looking for a wife.
Christi Caldwell
Wishing Under the Mistletoe
5*
I loved this second chance at love story. Isabelle and Cyrus’ return to each other made for a great short story.
Janna MacGregor
Compromise Under the Mistletoe
5*
I loved Caroline and Stephen! Another good second chance at love romance. A married couple who lost their way.
Erica Ridley
Mischief & Mistletoe
4*
Ewan and Louisa’s story was lovely and the perfect example of when people assume that they know what someone wants/needs.

Greystoke Manor, Cheshire - December 1815

A MISTLETOE KISS - Eloisa James

The Duke of Greystoke's annual Christmas Revelry is the highlight of the year for the ton. Anyone who is anyone hopes to be on the invitation list. But will the Revelry carry on? The old duke is purported to be on his deathbed and is only hanging on long enough for his last event. Well, if the curmudgeon has his way, and he usually does, his heir, his nephew, Valentine Snowe, Viscount Derham, has agreed to keep the extravaganza going for another ten years after having the Scottish estate bestowed to him. However, the duke's youngest daughter, Cressida, known as Cressie, is devastated to learn this since the estate was her dowry. The duke expects her to stay on with Val and make sure the Revelry continues. To Val's shock, he discovers that it is Cressie who has organized this event since she was a mere thirteen years old, and that the duke has had literally nothing to do with it. Val, and his close friend, Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston, surmise that Cressie, being plain, and, at twenty-three, nearly ancient by Society's standards, shouldn't mind remaining at Greystoke Manor. Little do they know. Cressie has plans for her future, although she is well aware that marriage is out of the question.
Or is it?

WISHING UNDER THE MISTLETOE - Christi Caldwell

Ten years ago Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, granddaughter of the Duke of Greystoke, visited the office of her betrothed, Cyrus Hill, son of a stablemaster. Her intent was to extract a promise from him. After a three year engagement, Cyrus had still not set a date for their wedding. But all goes awry as they argue, and Isabelle walks away.

Isabelle, now one of England's most popular playwrights (albeit using a man's name), has torn herself away from her life of writing to attend her dying grandfather's famous Revelry. She's been asked to organize the play to be performed for the duke's guests. And the very person who has been assigned to help her by the duke's heir, Val, is Cyrus. Cyrus, who has, if anything, grown more handsome with age, and who still devotes his time to his business, even as lucrative as it is. Isabelle is determined that the play will be the best ever, but she must control the fact that the love she had for Cyrus ten years ago has not diminished.

COMPROMISE UNDER THE MISTLETOE - Janna MacGregor

It has been a year since Caroline Whitmore has seen her husband, Lord Stephen Whitmore. Why? Because last Christmas Caroline left him and went to London. She had had enough of Stephen's steadfast dedication to his estate work, ignoring her except at night in their bed. Caroline had moved into a building in London, set up an art school and art gallery, and now has hopes of purchasing the building to support female artists, and keep the gallery going. But that can only happen if the trust money from her uncle, the Duke of Greystoke, is released a year early. And for that to happen, she must convince the duke, on his deathbed, that she and Stephen are happily married. Can she convince her estranged husband to pretend he still desires her? For Stephen, who has yet to understand why Caroline left him, this could be the opportunity to reclaim the woman he loves, if she'll let him. With Christmas being Stephen's favorite time of the year, and attending the duke's famous Revelry, how could Stephen lose?

MISCHIEF & MISTLETOE - Erica Ridley

Lady Harcourt and her daughter, Louisa, have been invited, once again, to the Duke of Greystoke's annual Christmas Revelry. Of course, they are always invited because they are neighbors. But this Revelry is different. Louisa, a budding poet, and on the verge of spinsterhood at twenty-two, is under strict orders from her mother to find a husband now. And he'd better be able to give her a title. All Louisa wants is to hide from the crowd and write poems. While Lady Harcourt has her eye on the Duke's heir, or even the rather odious Lord Paxborough, whose father has demanded he marry within a year, Louisa meets a man who is rumored to be a fellow poet, Mr. Ewan Reid. They meet and seem to have much in common. But Louisa, who was the victim of some salacious gossip in a London rag, knows that her mother would never allow a mere poet to court her. And Ewan, who is at the Revelry for more than just enjoyment, must control his infatuation for the lovely Louisa.

MISTLETOE CHRISTMAS is a delightful compilation by four terrific authors. Enjoy!

Four stories centered on couples attending of the Duke of Greystoke’s annual Christmas Revelry—all with unresolved issues that find the most satisfying of resolutions at the Revelry! Unique, engaging stories that hold the reader’s attention.


SETTING:
The Duke of Greystoke’s annual Christmas Revelry
Greystoke Manor, Cheshire December, 1815

1. A Mistletoe Kiss - Eloisa James

Lady Cressida (Cressie), the youngest daughter has, again, taken charge of planning the party and all it’s accoutrements. This year, she is the one about to be enchanted!

Critique: a wonderful duck turning-into-a-swan-type story!


2. Wishing Under the Mistletoe by Christi Caldwell

Lady Isabelle Wilkshire
-her cousin Val Snowe, the Viscount Derham, heir to the Duke of Greystoke.
-her grandfather, the Duke of Greystoke.

Cyrus Hill, the stablemaster’s son

Tender childhood friends of different classes, separated when young, then brought together at the Christmas Revelry, for their own HEA.


3. Compromise Under the Mistletoe - Janna MacGregor

Caroline Whitmore, who felt ignored (except in bed) by her husband Lord Stephen Whitmore, left him for London a year ago. Her father’s brother, the Duke of Greystoke, has refused to release her dowry until he sees proof she and her husband have reconciled, such proof to be displayed at the Revelry.

They had to learn ….”marriage takes work from both sides…[each] encouraging [the other]to share worries with each other… the path to [opening] their hearts” to each other.

4. Mischief & Mistletoe - Erica Ridley

Miss Louisa Harcourt, 22, granddaughter of a Baron, daughter of a mere Mr., has been the focus of her mother’s aim to marry her to a title. Louisa, however, is a poet, and longs only for a life free to write. At the Duke’s annual Revelry, Louisa meets with interest from one of the worst of the ton’s highest ranking bachelors, but ends up with the life of which she has always dreamed.

For the stories overall:

Storyline and pace: 5
Originality: 5
Ability to engage the reader: 5
Intended audience: young adults and older readers, due to steamy content.

This is a fun compilation of regency romances, specifically novellas. I really enjoyed them and especially, how they were intertwined around a singular event, which is the Christmas Revelry. I always find it wonderful when multiple well known authors are able to create a cohesive set of stories using a singular element and they did a great job.

I liked the second-chance romances the most (the 2nd and 3rd stories) because they felt the most realistic for novellas. The first story, particularly, felt rushed and a bit unrealistic (love develops in literally a few hours) but all the characters across the stories were well written, leaving positive opinions. The second chance romances were especially sweet as these stories highlight that a relationship really hinges on both people fighting for the relationship.

Overall a wonderful holiday read that brought a smile to my face. I only wish that the incoming Duke, Valentine, got his HEA as well! Thanks to NetGalley, the authors and the publisher for the early copy.

So happy to get this from NetGalley. Four stories from awesome authors.

I would like to say that my favorite would be Eloisa James’ Mistletoe Kiss and Janna McGregor’s Compromise Under The Mistletoe.

Eloisa James
This is more of a childhood friend who suddenly realizes the heroine is extraordinary kind of romance. The heroine is the brilliant and creative mastermind behind this famous house party. The hero is a friend who settled into the idea of marrying her for the convenience of it. But during the party he truly saw the heroine for the pretty genius that she is. It took a lot of effort from the hero to convince the heroine to marry him. It was just such a romantic story.

Christi Caldwell
This is a second chance romance. I did not quite enjoy it as much as the other stories because of the premise of separation and distance and the length of time of separation. Ten years is just a bit too long for two people who supposedly were crazy for each other, got betrothed and due to the hero’s drive to succeed in his trade and the heroine’s inability to communicate with the hero her needs led to a broken engagement. Ten years after they meet at the party. The ending felt a bit contrived for me.

Janna McGregor
This is also a second chance romance. But it’s between a husband who shows no outward affection but has deep feelings for his wife internally and a wife who felt neglected. Thankfully, the separation is only one year. Well justified and the story has a good flow to it. I loved how the hero fought to win back his wife. Just made me sigh.

Erica Ridley
This is between a reclusive heroine and a hero with a secret identity. The main plot revolves around trust and openness. I like how well written the story is and how it just flowed. Also, the point of view of the hero is refreshingly expressed in this story.

Ahhhhh this was just such a great read. I just didn't want each story to end and I was sad to turn the last page. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

I found this such an interesting collection of short stories. They're all written by different authors, but are interconnected as they're about different characters at the same party. Just a word of warning, there are explicit scenes in some of the stories, so aren't for those looking for a clean read, but otherwise are so romantic and lovely. The only thing I think this collection misses, is a story about Val

An anthology that celebrates Christmas and love. Written by four amazing authors each story featuring a separate couple, with overlapping supporting characters, the setting is the same for all the stories, and all the stories occurring concurrently-it’s an intriguing method for an anthology.

The connecting theme for these romances is The Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry, which is a 2-week long house party, where all the most influential members of society gather to celebrate Christmastime. There are plays, dancing, magical grotto… not to mention scandals leading to the marriage licenses Greystoke hands out like confetti. The revelry has been known to make kings, gather great minds, and it is the most sought event of the year. You must be invited to the revelry. The elusive and grandeur location is made more intriguing this year as The Duke of Greystoke’s health is failing and he has lose ends to tie up, relations and acquaintances are called from near and far, at least 8 of these people will end up falling in love.

I enjoyed these stories and the amount of details that were included. The collaboration between the authors and editors should not be overlooked.

Lady Cressida, the duke’s daughter, is too busy managing the entertainments—and besides, her own father has called her dowdy. Her cousin, Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, is directing Cinderella and has no interest in marriage. Lady Caroline Whitmore is already (unhappily) married; the fact that she and her estranged husband have to pretend to be together just makes her dread the party all the more. But not as much as Miss Louisa Harcourt, whose mother bluntly tells her that this is her last chance to escape the horrors of being an old maid.

Needless to say it, but I would very much enjoy each author expanding their story. I fell in love with each unique character and loved that everyone got their HEA.

Overall, this is a fun anthology full of the holiday spirit and romance!!

4.5 Stars

Mistletoe Christmas is an anthology of four delightful Christmas themed novellas by Eloisa James, Christi Caldwell, Janna McGregor, and Erica Ridley. The stories by James and Ridley were perhaps my favourites because of the bantering dialogue but they’re all pleasant, engaging, well edited reads.
The novellas all stand alone and do not need to be read in any specific order but I would start with the first one by James because it gives the most background about the setting and some recurring characters. The Revelry is an annual ducal house party that is regarded as one of the most important society events, both by entertainment value and the connections that can be made there. The current duke considers it his legacy and wants to make sure his heir Val, the Viscount of Derham, and his unmarried daughter Cressida continue the tradition after he’s dead. This story makes the duke look like the villain of the piece as he treats Cressida rather like an enslaved house elf. Despite being a duke’s daughter she doesn’t think her marital prospects are great, and the duke sabotages her chances further by refusing her a dowry. But there is one guest in this house party who gets rather inamored of her very quickly once he gets to know her. I enjoyed the dialogue in this a great deal.
The second story by Caldwell is a second chance story. Isabella and Cyrus used to be engaged. He was born poor and wanted to be able to provide for her before they got married, but she broke it off because she thought he was too obsessed with his work. Now it’s been years and they meet again at the Revelry. They’ve been put in charge of a theatrical production together and learn to understand each other better. The pantomime scene is a delight.
The third story by McGregor is also a second chance story with a bit of fake relationship trope thrown in. Caroline and Stephen are married but estranged. She left him because she was jealous about a cow (yes, really) and because she felt they were unable to communicate. Now they’re at this house party because the duke is in charge of her dowry and wants to see them living together as a couple before giving her the funds. He is determined to get her back. This was quite sweet but it was a bit hard to reconcile the matchmaker duke in this story with the jerk duke wanting to keep Cressida a spinster aunt in the first novella.
For the last story, I was envisioning something that would give a resolution to Val and the future of the Revelry but instead I got the story of Louisa Harcourt. She is a secret poet whose first season was ruined by a scandal sheet that labelled her an undesirable wallflower but her mother is determined to see her engaged to a peer before this house party is at an end. She has two options, Val and another viscount, but she’s really interested in Mr. Ewan Reid who is a brooding poet with secrets of his own. I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll just say I really loved this story, especially the proposal scene. Her mother does a 180 regarding her marital future that seemed a bit abrupt.
On a historical side note, why are Val and Val’s father viscounts? Val is the current duke’s nephew so neither he nor his father who must have been the duke’s younger brother would have inherited a courtesy title from the current duke. Was the duke’s younger brother granted a viscountcy in his own right? This was never explained.
I finished this in a day or so, and after reading all of the novellas I was well pleased and would consider reading more from all the authors included in this collection. I have enjoyed books by Erica Ridley before, the rest of them were new authors for me.
Steam level: Some sexual activity takes place, including premarital, not very graphic.
I read an ARC I received from Netgalley and this is a voluntary review. The published version might contain some edits but what I read was well polished already.
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The above is what I posted in goodreads

I will share my notes in case it’s useful in the editing stage:
-the arc has both spellings theatre/theater. Pick one.
Kindle location 2818 in the arc: reverly
loc. 2887 “I had that more loving meaning can be conveyed ” - is there a word missing in this sentence?
3309 “Your first love will always be the theatre” – this was said to Cyrus and it’s untrue. Theatre was her own interest, she thought his first love was his work.
3484 realllly

First off, I've read each of these magnificient authors individually and loved most of their novels so I had high hopes for this anthology! Let me say that this Christamas themed anthology did not let me down. Each of the stories were entertaining, funny and witty with charm! I highly recommend this anthology set to each and every person who enjoy a well told story with spice!

An enjoyable anthology of Christmas stories centered around a holiday house party. There was nothing particularly original in these stories but I enjoyed every minute of them.

Such a fun Christmas anthology! I love that all four stories were based around the same Christmas revelry. Each story was charming and I loved the couples. I have to say that my favorite story was definitely the last one by Erica Ridley. I highly recommend this, it’s perfect for the holidays!

Mistletoe Christmas
Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry

The setting for each story is the infamous Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry. The first story introduces us to Cressie who has given her whole life to directing her father’s Revelry. Someone makes the offhand comment that the handsome and dashing Lord Elias marry the dowdy Cressie to keep her close so she can continue in her role. But the more Elias observes her, and experiences A Mistletoe Kiss the more he falls in love. As always, Eloisa James does a bang up job making us all fall in love.

In the second story Cyrus and Isabelle had once been betrothed but Isabelle ended the engagement because Cyrus was effectively ignoring her as he grew into a fanatical businessman. But 10 years later they meet at the Revelry and realize they are still in love. While Wishing Under the Mistletoe they are able to realize their love and come back together. Cristi Caldwell brings us alluring protagonists and redemption.

Next, Caroline left her husband Lord Stephen. But to get an inheritance she asks him to pretend to be happily married for the duration of the Revelry. She needs the inheritance to fund a building in London where she can support women artists. When he sees her he realizes just how much he loves her. But he must spend his time at his estate. As the days go by at the Revelry they realize how much they love one another. Is there a possibility for a Compromise under the Mistletoe? Janna MacGregor expertly brings us this sweet but saucy tale.

Last, shy, awkward Louisa has come to the Revelry commanded by her mother to find a match. Secretly a poet, she feels like an Automaton in Society. Ewan is at the Revelry posing as a poet while secretly jotting down info for a scandal sheet. Louisa secretly approaches Ewan because she would like to speak, and be heard, by another poet. Little does she know he was the one who called her insipid in his scandal sheet, thus ruining her prospects years ago. Ewan creates a getaway, a bit of Mischief & Mistletoe, for Louisa to write and they grow closer and closer. Of course the truth about the scandal sheet comes out, making Louisa feel betrayed. Can Ewan gain her forgiveness? Erica Ridley as always, provides a poignant and passionate tale.

I enjoyed how the stories were all set at the same party. My favorite was Eloisa James's story. I was hoping there would be a story about Valentine, but maybe in a future book by one of these authors? Sets of short stories frequently can be uneven, but these were all quality reads.