I really enjoyed Pippa and Lucas' story!

Pippa has been in seclusion since her best friend ruins her reputation (what a friend...) and is awaiting her parent's return to their home. She is awaken in the middle of the night to a pounding on the door. Lucas has been stranded on the way to a house party and is seeking shelter. Pippa reluctantly allows Lucas and his servants to stay. Since they are snowed in, there isn't much to do but to get to know one another. Which, of course, leads to their HEA. I really enjoyed the bantering between the two of them. It had me laughing out loud at times. This was a quick, enjoyable read and a great start to the Connected by a Kiss series!

“Life – and love – are much like a storm. The clouds, the wind, the rain may make it impossible for you to see a clear path to your fated destination, but with time and a lot of faith, you will find the correct path once more – or a better path, one that could not be seen before the storm made it visible.”

A Kiss at Christmastide is a charming historical holiday read. The cover is gorgeous and drew me in right away. The story is well-paced with a few surprising twists. It’s the first book in a three-book series of standalone - but connected – holiday novellas set in Somerset, England. The other books in the series are by Amanda Mariel and Dawn Brower.

Lucas Hartfeld, the Earl of Maddox, has been betrothed to Lady Natalie - sight unseen - by his parents from whom he is estranged. His trip to meet Lady Natalie at a holiday party and to have their betrothal announced is sidelined by a raging thunderstorm which breaks the wheel of his carriage. He unhappily seeks and takes refuge at the home of Lady Pippa Godfrey who is home alone save for her servants. Lucas does not make Pippa privy to his betrothal and she remains entirely unaware that he is betrothed for most of the story.

Pippa and Natalie were previously best friends and confidants. However, they had a falling-out when Natalie decidedly ruined Pippa’s first season by perpetuating lies about Pippa. Lucas’ and Pippa’s chemistry grows hotter as the storm continues to keep them sequestered inside growing to where Pippa enjoys a first kiss with him fulfilling a Christmas legend: Kiss under the kissing bough and a lady is guaranteed to be wed before the following Christmastide. Will the legend hold true?

Here’s a short favorite snippet from A Kiss at Christmastide:
“Lucas,” she started again. “You may release me now.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then we shall be found in short order in a position most scandalous by my servants.”
“And we do not want that to happen?” This time, it was a question, not a statement.
Pippa wanted nothing less than to be released. “Surely, the wisest decision would be that.”
“Are you a wise woman, Pippa?” he asked, his breath fanning her face. “Because, I assure you, at this very moment, I do not feel like a wise man.”

A Kiss at Christmastide is a sweet, easy read. While it is a Regency novella, it doesn’t strictly adhere to historical facts. Since I just wanted to escape into a festive romance for a short time, I ignored those aspects that I knew to be untrue and just enjoyed the tale. If you are looking for a quick, magical Christmas read with a delightful warm-fuzzies happy-ever-after at the end, you may want to check out A Kiss at Christmastide.



Suggested Reading Order:
• A Kiss at Christmastide - Book 1 by Christina McKnight
• How to Kiss a Rogue - Book 2 by Amanda Mariel
• A Wallflower's Christmas Kiss - Book 3 by Dawn Brower

A Kiss At Christmastide by Christina McKnight is a wonderful Christmas story. Pippa has just been betrayed by her best friend and just wants a peaceful family Christmas. Lucas is traveling to meet his family when a storm hits and he seeks refuge at Pippa’s home. Pippa fines him to be rude at first but soon they begin a friendship that will lead to love.

I found this to be such a sweet and unpredictable Christmas story. It starts off with the first season recital of two best friends. Both daughters of dukes, Lady Natalie introduces her best friend Lady Pippa to a waiting audience - all members of the ton, no less. While Pippa waits in the wings, her stomach churning with anxiety over having to perform in front of such an audience, her trusted and devoted friend suddenly turns on her out of the blue. Natalie introduces Pippa to the audience with a horrible lie, scandalously tying her trusting friend Pippa to their devoted and witty music instructor. This vicious attack abruptly ends a lifelong friendship, and comes with no warning at all. Pippa, hurt and not understanding what made her best friend do such a thing is devastated. She cuts her season short. She and her family leave London and head to their country estate. Pippa turns to her books as a means to work through the pain.

While waiting for her parents' return from a trip, Pippa quietly reads Christmas stories and fables in her father's study. The storm interrupts her reading when it forces a visitor to her doorstep in the late evening, seeking shelter. This same storm delays her parents' return home. While they are stormbound together in her home for several days, Lady Pippa gets to know her guest, the handsome and rakish Earl of Maddox. Time and circumstances, however, give them an opportunity to know one another. Both find that there is more to the other than their original opinion on that stormy introduction led the to believe. Lady Pippa proceeds with the decorating her home and getting the gifts ready that she and her mother usually give to the children and the households of the villagers. She wants all to be in place for her parents' homecoming. It is Christmastide and time miracles happen during the season.

Christina McKnight has given us another wonderful Regency story. Her Christmas novella is well written; the characters are complex and fun. As I closed the last page, I found myself longing for more of their story. However, I won't spoil the story for you. I found it to be original in its conflicts, and the storyline somewhat unpredictable. It is imaginative and wonderfully engaging! I cannot wait for Natalie's story!

n an Oyster Shell – A quaint novella that has a spicy sweet romance.

The Pearls – The length of this novella is short, so it can be devoured in one sitting. It’s a nice holiday read.

The romance is steamy but fairly clean. I love Lady Pippa’s reluctance at first, makes Lord Lucas work hard to charm her. The conflict makes for a more spicy romance.

The setting was quaint and believable. I love regency settings of estates. It felt like you were right there with the apt descriptions. Lady Pippa getting ready for the Christmas season gives the story it’s festive feel.

The Sand – It was too short and could have used more substance.