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This was an okay anthology, but I never expect perfection when we just have space for a small story! The second one was my favorite-- I loved the beginning scene when she was focused on the Earl's warm wool coat in the freezing weather and totally missed the conversation that he was trying to have with her. There was a love scene in the first one, just mild kissing in the others.
Overall, an enjoyable trio of holiday stories. I liked the first one the best.
In A Mistletoe Kiss for the Governess by Christine Merrill, Major Frederick Preston is stunned when his daughters' governess is not the stern matron he expects but a beguiling miss who challenges and tempts him!
After five years at war, Frederick looks forward to spending time with his daughters. He's shocked when he discovers the governess he hired (sight unseen) isn't the older woman he expected but a much younger one. He's uncomfortable with his immediate attraction to her, which causes him to behave rudely at first. I liked that Charlotte stood up for herself and her actions with the girls. However, Frederick and Charlotte had gotten to know each other reasonably well through the letters they exchanged over the years, which helped Frederick readjust his expectations. During that same period of letter writing, Charlotte developed feelings for Frederick that translated into romantic dreams. Frederick fights his feelings until he finally realizes that Charlotte has had his heart all along.
In The Earl's Yuletide Proposal by Liz Tyner, delivering the news that her cousin is calling off her engagement should be simple for Adriana. Until the earl proposes to her instead!
Adriana is the poor cousin who acts as her wealthier cousin Velma's companion. Velma is spoiled and manipulative. As the story opens, Velma hears a rumor that her fiancé isn't as wealthy as she thought, so she sends Adriana to end their engagement. Adriana is stunned when he proposes to her instead. However, she has strong opinions on marriage and love and turns him down. Lord Philbrook, once he has an idea in his head isn't going to let go of it easily, and persists. Adriana's relationships with the other servants at her cousin's make her reluctant to leave them. Meanwhile, Philbrook quickly realizes he had a lucky escape and won't give up on convincing Adriana to marry him. I liked the ending and the unexpected help he received.
In Lord Grange's Snowy Reunion by Elizabeth Beacon, years ago, Juno fell in love with Lord Nathaniel Grange, then war tore them apart. Will a snowbound night lead to a second chance?
Juno fell in love with the newly divorced Lord Nathaniel Grange five years earlier. Fearing that his scandal would reflect poorly on her, he went to war, hoping the gossip would fade while he was away. But as time passed, his insecurities convinced him he was unworthy of her, so he stayed away, expecting her to move on and marry someone else. Juno never forgot Nathaniel and has never married. When Juno makes an impulsive trip to visit family, a snowstorm strands her at Nathaniel's home. Forced together for several days, they have the opportunity to deal with their pasts and clear the air. Their feelings for each other are as strong as before, but it takes some effort for Nathaniel to let go of his fears.
Winter wedding bells are ringing… For three Regency couples!
A Mistletoe Kiss for the Governess by Christine Merrill, 4.5 stars: After years away at war, Major Frederick Preston is finally coming home and is looking forward to meeting the governess he hired five years ago through an agency. He has never met Charlotte Lewis in person, but has gotten to know the widow through letters. He thought he knew what to expect, but Mrs. Lewis is not the dowdy, old lady he imagined and he isn’t sure how to deal with the overwhelming attraction he feels. Charlotte fell in love with Fredrick years ago through his letters and perhaps fantasized that he might fall in love with her too, but his reaction to her makes it clear that her feelings are one-sided. But are they? This was by far my favorite of the three novellas.
The Earl's Yuletide Proposal by Liz Tyner, 3.5 stars: When Adriana Armstrong delivers the news that her cousin (and employer) Lady Velma is jilting Lord Philbrook, he shocks her by proposing to her. She declines, but Lord Philbrook isn’t taking no for an answer and the more time he spends with Adriana, the more he realizes that he courted the wrong cousin and he isn’t going to let Adriana go without a fight. This was OK, I thought Adriana was a bit odd, but I was happy they got their HEA.
Lord Grange's Snowy Reunion by Elizabeth Beacon, 3 stars: Five years ago a newly divorced Lieutenant Nathaniel Grange met and fell in love with Miss Juno Defford. But afraid of ruining her with his scandal, he left for war and hoped to return to her one day when the gossip has settled, but the more he thought about things, the more unworthy he felt and his experience with his first wife left him doubting Juno’s ability to love him once she really got to know him. So, he stays away, and when he finally returns, he assumed that she had moved on. So imagine his surprise when she shows up at his door seeking shelter during a blizzard and he learns that she has never married. Can he let go of his past hurt and trust his heart (and hers) or will his fear cost him the love of a lifetime?
None of the novellas are connected and can be read in any order. For the most part, they are low steam with just kissing (the first novella has one love scene, but it is very mild). I personally would have preferred a bit more spice, but enjoyed the stories nonetheless. Overall, this was a fun Christmasy anthology with three novellas each featuring a different trope and wonderful characters and I would be happy to recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
These stories didn’t appeal to me, though I’m sure others will enjoy them.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
Regency Christmas Weddings is an anthology with three regency period romances that occur during the Christmas season.
A Mistletoe Kiss for the Governess by Christine Merrill
Major Frederick Preston returns from the war to his two daughters, and their elderly (he thinks) governess, Charlotte Lewis. I loved that these two came to know each other through letters long before they met. Frederick was a bit of a snob after first returning home, but he soon warmed up. This was my favourite story in the book.
The Earl's Yuletide Proposal by Liz Tyner
Lord Phillbrook is thrown over by his fiancée, and decides that her cousin, Adriana, will make a suitable wife in her place. Adriana has feelings for him, but she refuses to marry him for some convoluted, illogical reasons. I didn't really enjoy this story all that much. I found the dialogue stilted, and the logic of the heroine to be confusing and nonsensical.
Lord Grange's Snowy Reunion by Elizabeth Beacon
In this second chance romance, Juno Defford is stranded with her former love, Lieutenant Nathaniel Grange, at his deserted home when a snowstorm prevents her from reaching her uncle’s home.
Over the few days they are stranded together, Juno and Nathaniel deal with some of their feelings and actions from the past, and Nathaniel finally comes to terms with some of his personal issues that were keeping the couple apart.
While I was disappointed by one of the stories, they were quick reads, and overall I enjoyed them, and the Christmas settings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Couldn’t resist dipping my toes a bit early into holiday novellas and anthologies, and Regency Christmas Weddings is a short but very satisfying collection of regency misses finding their loves. A governess, a poor relation, and an old flame all serendipitously encounter their true loves over the Christmas period, and these stories bring hope, a little humor and romance in spades.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin, for letting me read this title prior to release in exchange for an honest review.
Whet your appetite for the Christmas Season with 3 novellas from Harlequin Historical: 'A Mistletoe Kiss' by Christine Merrill, 'The Earl's Yuletide Proposal' by Liz Tyner, and 'Lord Grange's Snowy Reunion' by Elizabeth Beacon. At the beginning of each story, there is a Dear Reader letter from the author that will both introduce you to the story and hopefully add to your Holiday cheer.
Out of the 3 stories, I only really enjoyed 'A Mistletoe Kiss'. a governess-cinderella story that had good pacing and a believable plot. The other's plots, sadly, were very hard for me to get on board with. Merrill also knows her Regency Christmas traditions, so that's a great touch. Maybe 'Yuletide Proposal' should've been fleshed out as a full novel instead, as it had a lot of characters fighting for attention. There were a few times I felt the plot running too fast and tripping over itself, which added to it's lack of believability. Lastly, I actually struggled with 'Lord Grange' -it was kind of outrageous actually. The hot-cold drama that resulted from this couple (who but only had to have a proper shouting match, followed by a make-up scene [perfectly appropriate for this story length]), was really frustrating. I felt no real connection to either character, so that didn't help.
I'm rating this 3 Stars. The first story really does deserve to be read.
This anthology is more than just a collection of stories; it’s a heartwarming escape into regency romance where every page sparkles with festive joy and emotional depth. Each story left me longing for more, making this a must-read for anyone craving a dose of holiday magic and timeless love.