A Widower Finds Joy

Joy is the last unmarried woman in her household, so when a family falls in her lap, she thinks it is too good to be true. However, when Gilbert's twins found Joy, he realizes that he found a treasure. What must he do to convince her to take a chance on him and his two turtle doves? This is an entertaining Regency romance I finished in one sitting. I look forward to reading the next one in this lighthearted series of holiday novellas.

The eleventh installment of The Twelve Days of Christmas brings us the story of Joy Fitzroy and her happily ever after, although she is not easily ready to believe it. She longs for a family of her own, but has just not had much luck in finding a husband and she is tired of being the focus for her family's pity. When Joy decides to escape for a while to the park, she doesn't know what to think when she meets Gilbert and his two twin daughters. Gilbert has been devoted to his daughters since the death of his wife in childbirth, and never thought he'd find love again. But something about Joy makes him think and feel otherwise. Now, all he has to do is convince her that her happily ever after is right here in front of her.
This is yet another entertaining and charming addition to a lovely series and I was glad to see Joy get her happy ending. One more book before the series ends, and I can't wait to read it!
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second to last book of the 12 days series and about Joy, the unmarried Bath Fitzroy, sister to Harmony. Of course, with so many other female Fitzroy relatives with their husbands and children running about during the holidays, it seems quite a lack for Joy to not have a husband and family of her own and she is sick of being confronted by this - then suddenly a child literally falls into her lap.

This child is part of a set of twins, twins belonging the the handsome widowed Guy Kitteridge, and he and Joy seem to have a sudden and searing attraction to each other, especially as they keep running into each other.

I think this was likely my favourite of the series as their attraction was so very steamy and strong, and I liked that he was finding love after widowhood.

My only quibble was that it was all from her perspective and I would have loved to have had some insight into what Guy was thinking/feeling. But that seemed to be a theme of the series - it was all from the perspective of the femme Fitzroy of the story at the time.

4.25 stars out of 5

Joy is unhappy - every woman in her family is married, even her cousins, except her. She has a hard time accepting the role of spinster aunt so she makes a wish, if only a child would fall in her lap. Unexpectedly, one does. The girl is Gilbert Kitteridge’s daughter and Gilbert just happens to be a widower. Is Joy’s life about to change?

This was hard to read, the heroine is so angry and bitter all the time. The writing is good but I could’´t stand Joy and children are never my favourite thing in books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Adorable found family story.

Wanting a family to fall in her lap she decides to take a walk..... and a family literally does. She is one of the last Fitzroys stills single. Wonderful tale of two turtle doves and true love.
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

There are three Fitzroy brothers, each with different interests, each the father of daughters, twelve in total. Rupert Fitzroy has two daughters. Harmony is happily and musically married. This story is about Joy and Gilbert Kitteridge. Joy says the only way she will find a family is if one falls in her lap. Well, it sort of did. While sitting on a bench in Sydney Gardens, a little girl popped into her lap. When Gilbert, a widower, came to retrieve one of his two turtle doves (twin girls), it was love at first sight, for both of them. Gilbert is determined to pursue Joy, and she is determined to let him. Another cute and steamy look at the Fitzroy girls. Isabelle made a short appearance in Bath. What is she up to?
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Joy Fitzroy is sick of her family walking on egg shells around her. Okay her younger sister has been married for 6 years, and has a child, but that doesn't mean anything. Joy longs for a family, but it's not as if one is just going to fall into her lap, is it? Well, when she storms out of the family home and seeks solitude in the park, she's taken aback when a child lands on her knee, and her more than handsome widowed father arrives with her sister. Gilbert Kitteridge never thought he'd find love, after his wife died in childbirth. He has spent his time utterly devoted to his twin daughters, his 'two turtle birds', but he does feel loneliness. Meeting Joy has awakened something in him, and he will do anything to have her, and keep her. I'm so happy for Joy, as I always felt like she was somewhat forgotten about, and she deserved to find happiness like so many of her family. Her and Gilbert were one of my favourite couples, and their story more than does them justice.

Joy Fitzroy will scream if she has to endure one more pity conversation about her lack of husband or marital prospects. After all, she’s still youngish, it’s not as though a family is going to fall into her lap.
Until a child does just that, bringing with it a dashing father. Gilbert Kitteridge is devoted his twin daughters, whom he calls his turtle doves. Then he meets Joy Fitzroy & a bolt of lightning strikes
Joy is the penultimate Fitzroy to find love & another entertaining, delightful read, which I read in a sitting. Sparks fly between Gilbert & Joy, they are attracted to each other & they seem to bump into each other everywhere they go & the attraction grows. I really liked sharp tongued Joy & greying haired Gilbert & thoroughly enjoyed their story, plus it was lovely to catch up with Harmony
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A single parent romance set in the regency period during the Holidays. It's a very sweet and spicy romance. with characters who have chemistry from the very first time they meet. I wanted to know more about Gilbert but as these are quick novella's this didn't happen but apart from this a great series looking forward to the last one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wishes really do come true...
The series continues with a feel good romance that flows well, emits a sweet warmth and has a hint of jealousy and a good spot of heat to pull you in and radiate an easy connection between Joy and Gilbert from meet cute.
Lonely and enviously craving a family of her own, almost spinster, Joy, glibly wishes for just that this Christmas ... a ready made family... and stumbles upon widower Gilbert and his delightful twin girls. Bringing so readily a spot of much needed affection and love as a heady, 'recognition of souls' come 'love at first sight' romance strikes and sparks instanteously.
This was a wonderfully enjoyable, quick read with a romance that flourished on being bold and honest enough to go after what you want and grab it tight. With the added bonus of getting to explore the sibling dynamic between Joy and Harmony and how much David truly cares and fits in as her brother-in-law.
I've really enjoyed getting to know and spending time with the Fitzroy ladies over the Christmas season, seeing how well the the twelve days of Christmas theme is entwined and ending each tale with a smile on my face - Can't wait for the next and last book of the series!

In this installment, we find Joy, older sister and spinster, who wants nothing more than a home and family. However, she feels that this is not something she will ever have. The she meets Gilbert and his two daughters whom he refers to as his Turtle Doves. Now, her wish for a family is no longer out of the realm of possibility. Definitely recommended as well as the 10 previous installments.
Thank you Emily EK Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Two Turtle Doves continues the Fitzroy romances, this time with Joy Fitzroy, who wants nothing more than a family but languishes as a spinster. When she unexpectedly meets Gilbert Kitteridge and his daughters, she finds passion she didn’t think she’d ever find, but will they overcome misunderstandings to find love?

A short, regency holiday story that delivers romance in spades.

Joy Fitzroy…older sister of Harmony, unmarried, feels disconnected from her family due to her marital status. Gilbert Kitteridge…father of twin girls, a widower, totally out of his element with his daughters. This was an adorable and steamy love story. I especially liked the h, I laughed each time she began mentally fantasizing. I almost felt sorry for the h, she had it bad. The H was nice but he didn’t hold my attention like the h. I really enjoyed reading this book. Oh my the steam is fire.

She is insecure because of her unmarried state but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Forces seem to place them together and things fall into place. Short and steamy light reading. Great for the holiday season!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.

5 stars

Sweet story. Joy is annoyed to be one of the last in her family to marry. She's also annoyed at the way her family has written her off. She flippantly wishes for a ready made family and whilst angrily walking through the park in Bath meets identical twins and their father Gilbert. Joy thinks this is a one off and is sarcastic a bit rude. Unbeknown to her Gilbert lives next to her sister Helena who is delighted that Joy seems to be warming to Helena's husband David's friend. Gilbert is an older hero with greying hair but still keen to make passionate love to Joy. Luckily Gilberts sister-in-law has acted as the twins governess after the loss of Gilbert's wife in childbirth. She whisks the twins off to the country estate and so Gilbert can have his passionate enounter.

Only one tale left. I think this has been an engaging series.

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

I am always excited to read a single parent romance and when it is set in the regency period during the Holidays - well - Sign.Me.Up. 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 was a delightful read. I enjoyed everything about Joy and Gilbert’s story. From their adorable meet cute to their off the charts chemistry, I was all in. I couldn’t read this Christmas novella fast enough! I’m giving 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗦 the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

Be careful what you wish for! Joy Fitzroy, sick to death of having her single state thrust into seemingly every conversation, tells herself that the family she secretly longs for will never just fall into her lap. And then it quite literally does.

I liked this penultimate installment of Emily EK Murdoch's 12 Days of Christmas series of novellas. I have grown used to the somewhat abrupt endings and continue to appreciate the little details of the members of the Fitzroy clan detailed in prior books. While this book calls itself a standalone, I think it would be hard to jump into the Fitzroy family here without having read the previous books. This is a nice little love story between Joy and Gilbert, The small amount of angst is entirely self-created and the story is essentially a drama-free tale of a woman learning that she deserves the love she seeks. Gilbert seems a decent man, though it is hard to know when he truly decided he was going to marry Joy versus simply bed her. Another one where I wish we had had some of the MMC's POV.

Overall a solid read. 4 stars. Thank you to Dragonblade and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.

Delightful story and lovely written romance. One of my favourites in this series. I liked the attraction between Joy and Gilbert and it built to a wonderful happily ever after.

Romances are all about wish fulfillment. You always find the best lovers in this genre. And thus, the 11th book in the series with the names taken from the song The Twelve Days of Christman, we learn that Joy doesn't want a man so much, as a built in family.

And there is the wish fulfilled, by finding a widower who wants the same.

And this being a novella, we get to the lusting and dirty bits fast and furiously. We find Joy kissing her gentleman in the alley way in Bath, pushing up against the wall, where he wants to do more, but fears he will be discovered.

I love this world that the author has painted of women who fear for their reputation more than getting pregnant, as reasons not to have premarital sex. All the books by her, so far, have that the theme that they desire sex, which is good and healthy, and the only thing keeping them back is their reputation.

So, while the themes running through these is not feminist, per se, it does point to the unfairness that the upper classes went through with their courting ways.

Another good quick romance.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>