Mistletoe & Mayhem

Four seasonal short stories, which are ideal to while away those cold winter days.

Merrily Mismatched by Virginia Brown

This Christmas, Miss Lily Jardine the middle sister of five is getting something any girl would want – a betrothal offer. The Jardine sisters are orphaned poor cousins to Roderick the Earl of Lockridge. They live with their Aunt Iris in Somerset. Aunt Iris has been plotting with her friend Mrs Lucy Crandall & announces that she has found two possibly three husbands for the eldest sisters. Too bad she’s falling for her soon-to-be fiancé’s brother instead. A sweet short story that was very charming. Alex & Lucy are likeable. Things of course don’t go to plan but the three sisters do get their HEA but just not as planned

The Snow Princess by Jo Ann Ferguson

Lady Lucia Crossclyffe is losing her sight & because of rumours has a tarnished reputation. Julian Riley, Marquis of Rillington is paying a debt to his cousin Lady Eloisa, Lolo & trying to stop Lucia’s arranged marriage to Martin Fleming. Julian arrives to meet Lolo but she’s not there & Julian gets caught on the causeway to Lucia’s isolated island home & is nearly swept away. Julian recovers but is loathed to leave because of his growing attraction to Lucia. Lucia is also attracted to Julian & no way does she want to marry Martin. Another short sweet story with likeable main characters, the secondary characters were annoying but were meant to be.

Christmas Truce by Karen Frisch

Lady Rosalie Partington has at last begun to ‘get on with her life’. It has been almost two years since Major Jeremy Stanhope, Earl of Debenham had been reported killed in the Peninsular wars. Her engagement to Richard Prescott is announced at the family gathering. Then Jeremy appears, he has come home from the war, he was badly injured & for months had lost his memory but he had to see Rosalie so that he could propose. Only Rosalie is already betrothed & to Richard Prescott the traitor who left him for dead. A short story full of intrigue & a heroine who wants to be honourable but still loves her first love. The pace was very good until the ending, which I thought, was rushed but that was probably due to the fact this was a novella not a full-length book.

Miss Montague’s Mistletoe Match by Sharon Sobel

Charles Hudson, the Earl of Westerly, was injured whilst serving in the Peninsular Wars & now wears the facial scars to prove it. His close friend physician Gregory Armstrong persuades him to write to Gregory ‘s cousin Lady Alys Tremaine. The pair correspond for a year & then Charles & Gregory are invited to Windermere for Christmas with the intention of offering for the woman whose letters have captivated him for the last year. Roselynn Montague is secretary to Lord Tremaine & was in fact the letter writer. A lovely heart warming story. The characters are well rounded & likeable, there’s the added humour of the pageant & of course Arthur. Ideal for a winter’s afternoon curled up in the warmth

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. My review is now live on my blog and on Goodreads. The full transcript is below:

Overall, Mistletoe and Mayhem was an enjoyable, quick read. All of the stories had something different to offer; although, by far, my favourite was Merrily Mismatched. I loved the characters and story idea in this one. I was a little put off Miss Montague's Mistletoe Match due to one scene in which the characters acted in a way that I did not feel was appropriate for the period. I don't want to spoil anything for readers by saying what happened, but I simply didn't believe someone in Miss Montague's position would do what she did. Otherwise, though, this is a pleasant read for fans of historical romances, and the stories are of a perfect size to read one per evening.

These short and sweet Christmas novellas are perfect for reading in short bursts. They are from established writers so the stories are well-done, with a bit more heft than you often get from short stories. Most enjoyable, with wonderful details about the holidays and swoon-worthy heroes. Not all fluff, though, with some dark edges -- traitors, schemes to ruin and unchecked gossip, making the tales more complicated than many shorter pieces.

These four sweet stories are the perfect choice to get in the mood for christmas and the holiday season. They are charming, well written and every one of them is just the perfect mixture of sweetness and some suspense. The problems "our" heroes and heroines encounter are not insurmountable and even though those problems arise the reader never fears that something really bad would happen.

Of course this may sound a bit …well, boring…but it isn't because this is exactly the kind of story that you want to read when you're sitting in front of a cozy fire in your most comfortable armchair with a cup of tea or hot chocolate at your side while the snow keeps falling outside. Something light and sweet, dependably positive and charming that reminds you of the spirit of christmas. No need for the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present or Future - you just need those stories to remind you what christmas feels like or at least what it should feel like -cozy, sweet and peaceful with the certainty that you can overcome all obstacles.

At least that's what I expect when I read a christmas story and that's definitely what I got when I read these stories!

4 stars...

Four sweet, romantic Christmas tales set in the regency period. I especially liked the first 2, "Merrily Mismatched" and "Snow Princess." Likable characters with fun personalities, they were quick and easy to read and caused this reader no stress. The perfect relaxing historical holiday reads. Recommended!

**Many thanks to NetGalley and ImaJinn Books for a copy to read and review!*

I liked this book a lot! Perfect read for the holiday!