Book review : Christmas in Stickleback Hollow by C.S. Woolley

Christmas in Stickleback Hollow
The Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow Book #11
by C.S. Woolley
GENRE: #Cozy-mystery-romance #Christmas-novella

My rating: ★★★★☆
Real rating 3.8 rounded up to 4 stars

Really charming Christmas short story! It’s part of a light mystery-romance series set in Victorian England. Even though this is #11 in the series, you can totally enjoy it on its own.

Don’t worry about the bunch of characters (I actually think there are a lot for a short story, but they’re all from the series and somehow manage to celebrate Christmas Eve together). I never got confused about who’s who or what their connections are. The author did a great job sparking my interest in their lives and making me curious about what happened before and what might come next, so much so that I’m now diving into the whole series, starting at book 1!


__ QUICK PLOT SUMMARY __

Lady Sarah is an orphan who grew up in India and is now in England, living under the care of the owner of Grangeback Estate. He’s away dealing with political and military stuff, so it’s up to her to run the house staff and plan the Christmas party. It’s a tough gig emotionally—not just because her guardian is gone, but also because her lover ran off after they lost their baby. While all this is happening, the folks in the house and the nearby village of Stickleback Hollow rally around her, both as friends and to figure out what happened to two missing girls. The mystery leads to a murder tangled up with politics, old enemies of Lady Sarah, and the girls’ disappearance.

____ **************** _____
_________ MY OPINION: _________
___ THE MYSTERY ___

If you made it through the plot summary, you’ve probably noticed there’s a lot packed in here—too much for a short story to fully explore.

The Christmas party is just a brief pause between the wild events of the last book and what’s coming next. The mystery itself is light, but the author’s smart. She gives us a little puzzle to solve (a man’s murder) while hinting at a bigger conspiracy with plenty of clues and sneak peeks that leave you wanting way more.


__ CHARACTERS AND ROMANTIC SUBPLOT __

There’s a big cast, so they don’t get super deep development here, but each one has a standout trait that sets them apart and shows their feelings for the others.
Even without deep dives, you can’t help but form opinions about them, pick favorites or not, and hope for their futures. In just a few lines, we step into their world and start to care, laughing, worrying, and celebrating alongside them.

We get glimpses of Lady Sarah’s past romance with the gamekeeper and hints of a new suitor, making you wonder who she’ll pick. Meanwhile, other love stories bubble up among the village youth, along with their dramas.

By the end, I was hunting down all the earlier books because the little breadcrumbs the author left weren’t enough, in fact I want all the adventures this series has to offer.


__ HISTORICAL NOTES BY THE AUTHOR __

I’m a sucker for historical tidbits, and I didn’t expect any in a light short story like this. But surprise! At the end, the author briefly explains the European political scene and how it caused Irish and Eastern Europeans to migrate to England.

There’s even a real ambassador character, with some background from the author.
Nothing is random here, the vicar is inspired by the author’s research too.

I also liked the nod to the Victorian Christmas tree tradition, brought from Germany and popularized by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. English readers might already know this, and I first saw it in the TV show *Victoria*, but it’s great that even fun, light books connect to real history. That definitely boosted my rating.


__ CHRISTMAS VIBES __

I hate it when a book has “Christmas” in the title but doesn’t really feel Christmassy. No worries here, this one’s packed with that warm, lively holiday spirit.
You get all the classic preparations: seasonal foods, mistletoe hunting, kids decorating with the grown-ups, and a friendly dog wagging its tail to make everything feel cozy and family-like.

So, a solid 5/5 for Christmas atmosphere, which matters a lot to me in a holiday story.


__ ONE SMALL CRITIQUE __

I’m Italian, so maybe it’s just me, but sometimes the vibe felt more like an American TV show than England. Even the village name, Stickleback Hollow, didn’t sound very English—it reminded me of Stars Hollow from *Gilmore Girls*.

Also, even though the story ends on a happy note, there’s a hint that a beloved character will die in the future, which bummed me out.
The author started the series out of order, so we already know from earlier books this character’s fate. No hope of seeing him again, sadly.


__ TO WRAP UP __

I found this a really pleasant read and would recommend it for the Christmas feel alone.

As for the mystery, it’s more for those like me who want to explore a new historical mystery series with a dash of romance. If you’re after a real suspenseful thriller, you’d be better off with the full-length novels, they offer a deeper, more gripping adventure.


Thanks for stopping by and reading my thoughts.


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Book review : A Match Made in Mistletoe by Anna Campbell

A Match Made in Mistletoe by Anna Campbell

GENRE: #Regency-Christmas-novella
#Standalone

My rating: ★★☆☆☆

I hate to kick things off like this, but honestly, this one just didn’t work for me. It started off kinda cute, but pretty quickly it got annoying and boring.

I’ll give you a quick rundown of the plot, then I’ll explain exactly what rubbed me the wrong way (and what other readers might actually enjoy — just my personal take here).

__ IN A NUTSHELL: Regency England. Serena Talbot has been crushing on her neighbor, Paul, for years, patiently waiting for him to notice her as they grew up.
She’s convinced that this Christmas party is finally the moment Paul will see her for who she is and ask her to spend forever with him.

While waiting for Paul to show up, Serena decides to try out an old superstition. She slips some mistletoe under her pillow, hoping to dream about her future hubby. But instead of dreaming about Paul, it’s Giles Farraday ( her brother’s best friend and Paul’s best bud ) who shows up at the altar in her dream.

When guests start arriving, Serena can’t shake off that weird feeling from her dream, and suddenly she notices Giles in a way she never has before.

Giles, who’s secretly loved Serena for years and knew she only had eyes for Paul, never made a move because he figured it was pointless. But now, with Serena’s gaze on him, he catches a spark of sensual curiosity.
Serena convinces herself she just wants Giles to teach her how to kiss so she’ll be ready when Paul finally kisses her. But Giles’s kisses hit different, and Serena can’t stay away.

--- ************* --- Reading the plot, it might sound like a classic Regency fairy tale: unrequited love, then the heroine falls for the guy who’s loved her silently all along... But there are some things I really didn't like here!

1)At first, Serena asks for kissing lessons by Giles (after he had proposed it to her), but then ____ WARNING IT MIGHT BE A SPOILER ___she full-on embraces a situation that lights up all her hormones and can’t wait to get “the full experience,” all while still claiming she wants to marry Paul.____ SPOILER END ___

Right away, I disliked her, she comes off like a careless girl who doesn’t care about the guy she’s kissing or about hurting the boy she says she loves.
I’m not trying to be prudish, but she seems like someone who wouldn’t hesitate to cheat once married. And in a Regency novel, that’s a heroine I’m just not into.

On top of that, Serena felt immature, spoiled, and fickle. There’s honestly no good reason two guys should be fighting over her other than she’s probably pretty.


Since this was a novella ( short enough then ) maybe that’s why the characters felt flat and underdeveloped, but based on what I saw through their actions, I wasn’t impressed.

--- ***** ---

2) Now, about the hero: Giles, who’s been loving Serena from afar, vents his frustration by having lots of flings, earning a “libertine” label (fair enough, if the love of your life loves someone else, you’re gonna need an outlet).

What bugs me is that behind his best friend Paul’s back, Giles comes up with the idea to give Serena kissing lessons, even though he knows Paul wants to marry her.
Paul even confided in Giles about planning to propose, and Giles sneaks around acting sly. Is that a friend? Not in my book.

Giles justifies it as “all’s fair in love and war,” but I say fair means competing openly. Sneaking around like that is just cowardly and lazy. Sorry, but there’s no real friendship there !

He could have told Paul he loves Serena too, and they could’ve both tried to win her honestly. Instead, Giles keeps lying behind his friend’s back, especially after realizing Serena’s sexually attracted to him.
That couple, Giles and Serena, just grossed me out. I only finished the book so I’d have the right to review it, but I would’ve quit halfway otherwise.

--- ***** ---

3) Also, I was seriously bored reading this.
Up until halfway through, all we got were kisses and descriptions of every tiny gesture and movement. Instead of being sexy and making me feel something, it left me yawning and hoping for something to happen.

I get that lots of readers probably love that kind of slow, sensual detail. Me? I want twists and turns, not a flat plot that tries too hard to be sexy but ends up just repetitive.

--- ***** ---

4) Finally, in a decent novel, the rival who loses (and we all know from the start who’s losing, right?!) is usually a jerk who deserves it. But here, Paul is painted as not just handsome and cheerful, but genuinely a good guy.

His only real flaw might be waiting too long to declare his love for Serena, but that’s understandable since Serena was younger and saw him more like a friend or a brother. His real mistake was assuming she’d say yes and that his best friend was really a friend.

--- ***** ---

In this story, in my opinion, sexual desire is particularly emphasized, but there is no real substance to the tale.
Overall, it was a letdown for me.

There you have it. My honest, no-holds-barred thoughts.
That said, this is just my personal take. So, no matter what I think, I always say give it a shot yourself (and if you check Goodreads, it’s got tons of 4-star reviews).

It was my first time reading this author, so maybe her other books will work better for me, but this one definitely wasn’t my cup of tea.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my opinion.:-)
Merry Christmas and Merry Reads everybody !!

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Book review : A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

GENRE: #Victorian-Christmas-novella #clean-romance
My rating: ★★★★★

I loved it!!
It deserves a full 5 stars because it's a sweet love story, full of Christmassy atmosphere and somehow connected to real historical facts, events, and fashions of the Victorian era.

Before telling you about my feelings about reading it,
here are a few words ABOUT THE PLOT:

Sophie Appersett's father is nearly bankrupt due to his ambition to renovate his manor with all the modern conveniences of the Victorian era, starting with gaslight.
Therefore, he has accepted the courtship of Sophie by Ned Sharpe, a very wealthy young man thanks to his trade, but not of the noble class.

Sophie is willing to sacrifice her happiness to help the family, but after two months of courtship by the charming, yet silent and shadowy Ned, she no longer feels at ease and decides to break off the engagement. But something shines through his hurtful and harsh words...
Perhaps she is mistaken about his lack of feelings for her? And will he be able to win her sensitive heart?

___________ ********* ____________
MY OPINION:

I loved everything about this short (but thankfully not _too_ short) Christmas story set in a Victorian setting.

____ MAIN CHARACTERS:

I find Ned and Sophie to be a truly well-matched pair, although the initial lack of communication might make our heroine _seem_ otherwise.

NED managed to make me fall in love. Sure, he's tall and handsome, but what touched my heart was his almost childish desire to behave exactly as etiquette dictated, just to make a good impression on the girl who had struck him from the first time they met.

I was touched by his hurt feelings, as a boy who grew up working, who is now a very rich young man, but knows perfectly well that he will never be accepted and valued equally by people of aristocratic rank who mistakenly believe themselves better than the working class.

I was struck by the delicacy with which he approached Sophie – the kind gestures, the smiles, a candid kiss first, then with more passion... he was very sweet even in the moments when he withdrew into himself and was worthy of our heroine from the beginning to the happy ending.

SOPHIE is the classic beauty who doesn't believe she's as beautiful as her spoiled and pampered younger sister, for whom she sacrifices herself, skimping on her clothes and other things, so that her sister can have a fantastic season in London marrying a titled man.

Even though she agreed to marry a wealthy merchant to help her family, she's not at all interested in the life of the noble circle and certainly doesn't judge her suitor disparagingly. Rather, she's disappointed by the lack of warmth and communication that the silent Ned has shown her over two months of formal communication, strictly following the strict rules of good society.

What I liked most about her is the courage she showed in taking a step back from her decision and, ignoring the rules, coming forward, demanding honesty and complete openness from him so they can get to know each other better.
Sophie is not only a good daughter but also a good sister. She knows perfectly well how spoiled and often insensitive her sister is, yet she continues to protect and help her.

A classic trope of Renaissance and Victorian romances, that of the bitchy, selfish, and self-centered sister.
I confess that even though it's Christmas, for once I would have liked to see the younger sister, the spoiled one, considered by everyone to be the prettiest, _not_ have a happy ending, but be punished, while the heroine enjoys true happiness.
Mimi Matthews, the author, is kinder than I am and has given the story a happy ending even for the undeserving sister.

The growth of Ned and Sophie's feelings for each other is gradual, but I enjoyed it, and it moved me.


____ HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS:

I love historical fiction, but let's face it, in Regency or Victorian romances, there's usually little or nothing historical, except the descriptions of hairstyles and clothing.
The pleasant surprises of this story were the small connections to the real situation of the time: modernization with the advent of gaslight and running water, the death of Prince Albert and the custom of Christmas trees he introduced, the marriages between the titled poor and the nouveau riche.
You'll find some further explanation in the author's historical notes.


_____ CHRISTMAS ATMOSPHERE:

5 stars also for this unexpected aspect (I hate it when they put the word "Christmas" or something related in the title, but then there's nothing Christmassy about it, except that the story takes place during the Christmas season).
Here you'll find the decorations, the hikes through the snow to find mistletoe, the games among the guests, the Christmas ball, and the sleigh ride.
It's a short story, so unfortunately everything is described briefly, but it's enough to let the reader savor a sweet and sparkling Christmas atmosphere.


_____ IN CONCLUSION:

A decidedly Christmassy clean romance and highly recommended.
This is my first time reading Mimi Matthews, but I can't wait to read more by this author!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my opinion.


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Book review : Worth More Than Rubies by Grace Burrowes

Worth More Than Rubies by Grace Burrowes

GENRE: #Regency-Christmas-novella #clean-romance
My rating: ★★★☆☆

This is a nice regency holiday novella that offers a cozy, heartwarming escape ( even if, I have to admit, it doesn’t quite dazzle from start to finish).

Right from the opening pages, the story sets a delightful tone:
the Duke of Dunfallon, weary of matchmaking mamas and society’s schemes, ducks into the West Bartholomew Street Lending Library to hide, only to be mistaken for a curate by the spirited librarian, Emerald "Emmie" Armstrong.
This charming mix-up kicks off a gentle, bookish romance that celebrates quiet strength, kindness, and the magic of human connection.


___ WONDERFUL SETTING for BOOK LOVERS:

The library isn’t just a backdrop, it’s practically a character in its own right.
Filled with creaky shelves, whispered stories, and the soft purring of a resident library cat (who totally stole my heart), it becomes a sanctuary not just for Emmie and the duke, but for a group of orphaned children who gather each week to hear Christmas tales.

There’s something deeply heartwarming about these moments: the children wide-eyed with wonder, the cat curling up by the hearth, the twinkle of handmade decorations going up as everyone joins in to prepare for holiday festivities.

The scenes where all the characters in the library do the decoration work together ( stringing garlands, squabbling good-naturedly over tinsel placement, listening to stories of brave cats who saved children from fires or faced down highwaymen ) made me feel good.
Even the two irascible old gentlemen who bicker like an old married couple while stubbornly helping with the decorations are adorable.
The festive final party, with mulled wine, laughter, and stories shared by the fireplace is utterly heart-melting.
These moments infuse the novella with a warmth and inclusivity that feel genuinely special, a celebration of chosen family, quiet generosity, and the joy found in simple traditions.


___ MAIN CHARACTERS :

Emmie herself is intelligent, principled, and refreshingly unimpressed by titles and wealth. She cares deeply for her community and stands by her values, which is admirable. And the Duke of Dunfallon, despite his lofty title, is portrayed with a quiet vulnerability that makes him endearing, especially as he begins to rediscover his own humanity through his time at the library.

That said, I’ll be honest, while the atmosphere is enchanting, the plot unfolds a bit too slowly. After the charming setup, not much happens for a good 70% of the story. The misunderstanding that kicks things off is sweet, but it could have been mined for more humor and playful banter.
Instead, the pages drift by in a peaceful, almost sleepy rhythm, pleasant, but not particularly gripping.

And then, just when you’re settling into the calm, the story introduces a major dramatic conflict, one that arrives quite late and, frankly, feels underdeveloped and a bit silly.

Without spoiling too much, Emmie’s reaction to a personal revelation feels inconsistent with her otherwise thoughtful nature and made her come across as judgmental and somewhat immature.

It’s a turning point that strains believability, especially in how quickly things are resolved afterward. Still, I appreciated the message that emerges: that love means listening, not demanding; that we shouldn't push others to conform to our expectations, no matter how well-intentioned. That’s a lovely and timely Christmas lesson.

I also found Emmie’s openness about past romantic experiences a bit anachronistic for the Regency era. While I didn’t mind the topic being addressed, her casualness felt more modern than historical, which momentarily pulled me out of the time period.

In the end, Worth More Than Rubies is a pleasant, feel-good holiday read, not one of the most memorable Regency romances I’ve encountered, but one that radiates warmth, kindness, and the quiet magic of a community coming together.
---> The library, the children, the cat, the festive spirit, these are the real stars of the story, and they shine brightly.

WOULD I READ IT AGAIN? Probably not.
It lacks the depth or spark to truly stick with me.
BUT WOULD I RECOMMEND IT AS A COZY HOLIDAY DISTRACTION? Absolutely, especially if you're in the mood for cinnamon-scented nostalgia and a story where love grows not in ballrooms, but between the shelves of a humble lending library, surrounded by snowflakes, stories, and second chances. Merry reading, and may your holidays be full of books, cats, and a little bit of romance. 🎄📚😽


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Book review : The Theft Before Christmas by Cheryl Bolen

The Theft Before Christmas
The Regent Mysteries book #3
by Cheryl Bolen
GENRE: #Christmas-cozy-mystery-romance #Regency-novella

My rating: ★★★☆☆
Real rating 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars

Short story that combines mystery and romance in the Regency era.
I chose it as a read because I love this mix and the time of year it is set in is Christmas.

__PLOT IN SHORT __ Christmastide. Regency England.
Captain Dryden and his wife Lady Daphne are held in high regard by the Prince Regent, as they helped foil dangerous plans against the country and the crown.
Just as they are preparing to go and spend Christmas with her aristocratic family, they are called by her highness.
A famous statuette given to him by the King of Spain has disappeared and it is important to find it in time for the King's visit, to avoid a political clash.

Meanwhile, a friend of the captain and a young aristocratic girl under the protection of Lady Daphne remain alone and without a chaperone waiting for the Dryden couple. United by concern for their friends, they discover that they are very attracted to each other.
______________

This Christmas novella is book #3 in a series of mystery-romance novels ( THE REGENT MYSTERIES ), but the good news is that it can be read as a standalone, in fact the author has fully managed to illustrate to the reader the situation regarding the bonds between the various characters, their way of being/their way of think and how they got to where they are in the book.

The bad news however is that being a short story it should have focused more on one of the 2 themes and less on the other.
---> Let me explain better:

In a 230/300 page novel the author has plenty of time to develop a romantic bond between 2 characters and develop an intricate and well thought out mystery that keeps the reader on their toes.

Since the novella is much shorter than the novel, considering that a part of the pages must be dedicated to introducing the characters and situations of the previous books) everything is done more quickly and if the remaining space is divided between the budding love story and a mystery to investigate, each of the two themes will have even less chance of being developed.

The result is that the mystery is stupid and inconsistent, it lacks suspense, the investigative questions are boring and repetitive, the solution is obvious and the reader is left with the feeling of having read thin air.

The love story borders on the absurd. I admit that at that time engagements and marriages were decided much less quickly than in our times, but the fact that the two characters fall madly in love after just 2 days together does not give the reader any emotion.

There is no pathos in this story, neither in the mystery nor in the romance and perhaps it could still be a nice story to read for those who are already fond of the two protagonists of the series (a couple who are consolidated in this book, but who seemed equally unlikely), but I confess that if I were an avid reader of this series, I would still have been disappointed.

However, I'm still curious to read the novels of the series, the general plot is promising.
I will try to give book #1 a chance, to see if starting from the beginning I will have a greater chance of becoming attached to the characters and enjoying reading all the volumes.
This short story that is book #3 might help you to get to know a little about the protagonist couple of the series The Regent Mysteries.

Thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive my English ( not my native language ).
Happy holidays to you all !!

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Book review : A Fowl Christmastide by Sandra Sookoo

A Fowl Christmastide
12 Days of Christmas Book #3
by Sandra Sookoo
GENRE : #Regency-Christmas-romance #novella

My rating: ★★★★★

Such a lovely and sweet short story!
My rating is 5 full stars !!

It's a clean romance which includes a short kiss under the mistletoe and another longer and more conscious, but still very tender kiss.

The emotion of the story lies above all in the expectation and anticipation of the arrival of love for two people who by now almost no longer dared to hope for the radiance of a future with a life partner (wife/husband) and in the possibility of having children.

The happy ending is very nice and satisfying in all respects.

__NOT ONLY ROMANCE ___ This is a cheerful story that talks about budding love and the courage to take up the challenge, but also about brotherly love and unreserved sacrifice, acceptance, generosity and sharing.


__ THE PLOT IN SHORT __ England, regency era.
Miss Isabelle Fletcher and Evan Nicholas Radcliff, Baron of Hastings, have been neighbors for some years.
They meet almost every day because her chickens leave their henhouse and invade his garden. He usually reacts gruffly but actually lives for those brief meetings.

Belle also feels attracted to him, but is always put off by the fact that he speaks to her in a surly way.
Until one day, on Christmas Eve the little rebellious hens unknowingly unleash a small (but great) miracle...
___________________

The plot could suggest the usual romantic regency story, but in a delicate and light way it also addresses a very important theme: the difficulties that families of children with particular needs often encounter when they find themselves faced with a superficial and hypocritical society that does not accept the differences or the different emotional sensitivity of other people and who does not make the slightest effort to help these children integrate into the world.

In the Regency era, obviously there was no talk of autism, but the character description of Freddy, Nick's younger brother, closely resembles that type of mental and emotional condition.
So the story was very sweet and delicate in this sense too, giving relevance to the infinite affection and dedication that Nick has for his young brother.

The CHRISTMAS MAGIC of the story is completed with Nick's altruistic gesture for children without families and Belle's sincere admiration and her equally sincere desire to help.

The two MAIN CHARACTERS are both positive and pleasant to read.
Even though the story is short and the possibilities of description are few, through the vivid dialogues the two characters came to life in a believable way and the lively scenes kept me entertained with fun.

There are 2 SUPPORTING CHARACTERS:
Belle's father, a vicar who with faith and sweetness encourages his daughter not to stop hoping and Nick's joyful brother, who with the spontaneity of a child (despite already being an adult) immediately conquers not only Belle's heart, but also that of the reader.

*****_________ ******

This is book #3 in a series of Christmas stories (12 Days of Christmas Series) by different authors and therefore each book is a standalone story.

This is the first time I've read anything by Sandra Sookoo and I can't wait to read something else by her.

Thanks for reading my opinion and please forgive any errors in my text, English is a foreign language to me.

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Book review : Mrs. Holloway's Christmas Pudding by Jennifer Ashley

Mrs. Holloway's Christmas Pudding
A Below Stairs Mystery Novella #6.7
by Jennifer Ashley
GENRE: #Christmas-cozy-mystery #historical-mystery

My rating: ★★★★☆
Actually 3.8 rounded up to 4 stars

A short and very enjoyable Christmas mystery novella.

This short story is part of a mystery series ( indeed book #6.7 ) set in England at the end of 19th century, but it's perfectly readable as a standalone.

The peculiarity of the series is that the main character is not part of the rich and noble society, but is the cook in an aristocratic house, which is why the title of the series is:
" A Below Stairs Mystery Series".

___PLOT__ December 1882
When Cook Kat Holloway is blamed when a dinner guest mysteriously takes ill after eating one of her meals, she sets out to prove she had nothing to do with the gentleman’s sickness.

Helped by her closest friends, she investigates the patient's family and acquaintances, thus discovering that there are many who have a valid motive to kill.

In the meantime, Kat must also manage to prepare an impeccable Christmas meal and who knows what Christmas Day will hold for her together with her daughter and Daniel who cares so much about her...

________ ******** ________

Even though I hadn't read the previous books (which were mostly longer novels), I still managed to enjoy the story and understand the role of each character. The author was in fact very good at describing their personality and what binds them to the protagonist.

As I already said, the story is short and can be read in a couple of afternoons, but it is intriguing enough to make you want to read all the other books and find out more about the various CHARACTERS:
- Kat, a skilled cook, single mother with a great love for her daughter who is raised by another family.
- Daniel, her friend and lover, skilled in disguises and undercover operations and her young son James, affectionate and kind, skilled and cunning like his father.
- The terrible, grumpy and overbearing landlady and Lady Cinthia, her niece, modern, friend of Kat and kind to the servants, loves dressing as a man and is reckless.
- The rest of the staff under the stairs and other friends who never fail to help Kat in the investigation.

The final part of the story is reserved not only for the solution of the case but also for a sweet and convivial Christmas atmosphere, thus giving the reader that touch of goodness and magic that each of us seeks when approaching a story set at Christmas.

Thanks for reading my opinion and please be lenient with my English as it is not my native language.

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Book review : The Heiress Who Dared Me by Charlie Lane

The Heiress Who Dared Me: A Christmas novella
The Debutante Dares Book 8
by Charlie Lane
GENRE : #Regency-romance #Christmas-short-story

My rating: ★★★★★

5 FULL STARS WELL DESERVED!! :-D

A delightful read from start to finish !!!!

____ HERE THE PLOT IN SHORT___ Regency era, England.
A London heiress, Lady Georgiana Hunt, and the younger brother of an heir to the Earldom, Josiah Evans, meet at his family's party.

She is beautiful and he is enchanted by watching her while she eats a cake in a very sensual way.
Unfortunately Lady Georgiana is very bitter towards every man, she was taught by the aunt who raised her that suitors only chase her money and that it is better to keep it all away.

For his part, Josiah, although aristocrats usually don't work, has decided to dedicate himself to managing the lands that will be inherited by his brother and building every possible improvement for the villagers... therefore, he doesn't have time for a possible wife.

So when she addresses him harshly, he is not offended and responds in an ironic but also friendly and kind manner.
Georgiana, taken aback, laughs and as they continue to chat, teasing each other with irony, they lay the foundations for a solid friendship.
However, they don't see each other for a year and only in the following December will they meet again and make a pact: a sincere friendship through which they will make everyone believe they are courting each other, in this way she will be free from gold hunters and he from mothers, which will feature daughters looking for husbands.

******--------******

What follows is a nice and sweet story of friendship that slowly turns into love.

----> The FIRST PART of the novel could be defined as a CLEAN ROMANCE,
---> while in the SECOND PART there are more daring scenes and a LOVEMAKING SCENE, very sensual but NEVER ANYTHING VULGAR and that's one of the reason I really liked the story ( in fact I hate scenes that tell all the details of sex, mechanically without leaving room for emotions and true romance, turning only into a vulgar chronicle)

Another reason I like reading this little book:
Josiah and Gerogiana's relationship evolves progressively from friendship to love and every kiss and every love scene is described in the right way to make the reader dream.
Nothing too saccharine or far-fetched, on the contrary: every situation and every word is completely plausible even in reality.

The passion that slowly envelops them and the small jealousy that at a certain point touches Georgiana is completely normal in every person in love.

I hate when falling in love is described in a ridiculous way as if the couple has seen nothing else on this planet (the romance I read previously was like this and it was ridiculous!), I hate the ultra-possessive and jealous hero who takes it out on anyone who looks at the heroine.

I LOVED THIS ROMANCE BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS ARE NICE, SENSITIVE AND INTELLIGENT!!!

Yes, I really liked this couple!
Although it is not a long novel, the author was very good at making us get to know the characters in depth through dialogues and their small spontaneous gestures dictated by the heart.

OUR HEROINE : Lady Georgiana may seem cold at first sight, but in reality she hides the soul of a child wounded by her family and she's in need of sincere affection and to experience holidays and entertainment like any other person surrounded by a real family.

OUR HERO : Josiah is a good guy, willing, generous and enterprising, this can be seen immediately.
What prevents him from dedicating himself to the search for his own happiness is his sense of duty and the awareness that he loves living in the countryside and dedicating himself to work while Lady Georgiana is a city girl accustomed to every luxury and comfort.

Sometimes, however, it is enough to share small joys to understand that reaching compromises to enjoy happiness is not so impossible.

___SIDE CHARACTERS __
In the story we find other family characters, some of whom are protagonists in previous books, but this novella CAN ALSO BE READ AS A STANDALONE and I assure you that you will equally enjoy it.

The author's cunning was to complete the scenes with supporting characters, but without making them too intrusive in the story, so that the few pages available could give enough space to delve deeper into the protagonist couple and their feelings (doubts, hopes , old memories, dreams for the future and of course a new feeling that transports them more and more towards each other).

__CONCLUSION ___
Recommended for all those who love sweet and fun romances with a guaranteed happy ending.

This is the first time I've read a Charlie Lane romance and I'll happily read many more.

Thanks for reading my opinion, I hope it can be useful.
Please forgive any errors you may find in my text, I'm from Italy and English isn't my native language.

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Book review : The Christmas Tart by Mary Jo Putney

The Christmas Tart by Mary Jo Putney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a lovely Christmas novella !

___THE PLOT___ Nicole is wrongly accused of theft and fired a few days before Christmas.
Philip's friends try to cheer up their friend by giving him female company for the night. When they mistakenly mistake Nicole, who is wandering cold in Covent Garden, for a prostitute, they offer her money for a night with their friend. At first scandalized, shortly after Nicole accepts in order to have the money to feed herself and the little kitten she picked up on the street... but she is a good girl and when Philip realizes this he doesn't want to take advantage of her, he decides to help the young girl instead...


___MY OPINION___ Read it over two afternoons, it is a sweet and clean romance where are emerging feelings such as sharing ( with the people or even animals that are in need at moment ) and and of giving a chance without hastily judging by appearances.

In addition to this moral and the birth of a sweet love story, in the novel we slowly breathe in the Christmas air with the joy of preparing the decorations together, breathing in the scent of greenery in the air, savoring the mulled cider in front of the fireplace, while the cold rain pours down outside and...of course the kiss under the mistletoe.

I would like a series to be born from these two characters where their love is consolidated and both are involved in sparkling adventures and perhaps mysteries (since the novel was published recently, in October 2023, I hope that the author collects my suggestion...and I would also like the little cat Merkle included in the novels).

Thanks everybody for reading my opinion and please be lenient with my text since English is not my mother tongue :-)

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Book review : The Earl's Christmas Consultant by Bianca Blythe

The Earl's Christmas Consultant
by Bianca Blythe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A nice clean romance.

___THE PLOT___
Flora works as a duchess's maid, passing herself off as French. Once discovered by a friend of the duke, who is actually an old acquaintance of Flora, but he does not immediately recognize her, she decides to leave and find work elsewhere.
Through the employment agency she is hired as a Christmas consultant and by chance her new employer is precisely the former friend who had discovered that she is not French.
There's much more at stake than this, because Flora is actually on the run from a cruel murderer...

___ MY OPINION___
Light and unpretentious romance, suitable for those looking for a quick read (say a day or two), pure entertainment, without drama and with a guaranteed happy ending.

The side characters have very few lines, the whole story revolves around the dialogues and thoughts of the two protagonists. Said it this way it may seem boring, yet I gave 4 stars, because although it is not an unforgettable book, it kept me good and cheerful company for every page I read.

The story is also suitable for young adults as it is a clean romance. In fact the two characters spend the nights in bed together, but there is no description or even hot kisses. (so if you're looking for a love story hoping for this, don't read it because you'll be disappointed)

( Sorry for any errors in my review, English is not my mother tongue. Thanks for reading anyway :-) )

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Book review : A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep

A Tale of Two Hearts
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas #2
by Michelle Griep
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An engaging Christmas tale by Michelle Griep !

This is the second short novel in a series of three and I read the first one last year, it was also very good ! Each story is readable as a standalone.

____ THE PLOT___ London, 1853: Mina Scott, is the daughter of an innkeeper and dreams of living a life with more adventures like in the books she loves to read so much and dreams of becoming the wife of William Barlow, a regular guest at the inn, with whom she has become infatuated.

William is the son of a gentleman, but due to a dissolute past full of fun and zero responsibilities, he now finds himself working as an employee and longs to become his uncle's heir, also to be able to have the means to care for his very ill mother.
To achieve this goal he needs a wife immediately and must be able to unmask his wicked cousin's evil plans.

___MY OPINION ___ This is a second chance sweet tale.
The story is sweetly romantic in a clean way, so I don't recommend it to those looking purely for a Christmas love story, with passionate kisses or something more extreme, you won't find it here (nor obviously did I expect to find it).

On the Goodread page you will see that it is tagged as Christian fiction, but unlike other Christian fiction that, by chance, I happened to read, fortunately here there you'll not find mental prayers to God every 3 pages. The meaning of Christianity is given by the moral of the story:
forgiveness, the ability to give others another chance and the ability to appreciate what we have, without envy and without considering "the neighbor's grass always greener than ours".

Values that should apply to every good person of any religion (and therefore there is no need to read Christian fiction to be a good believer in God or a good person... sometimes I am shocked by the bigotry I read in some reviews of Christian fiction).

The second chance is given to many characters in the story :

1) to Mina who will be able to understand how much value family ties have and how lucky she is in her simple life.

2) to William who has already had a second chance in the past, but now he will have a second chance to find true love and show mercy towards those who they are hostile to him.

3) to William's uncle who opens his heart to his nephew WARNING SPOILER ___ he will also find the happiness of female company and a marriage to live his old age with love. SPOILER END

4) to Mina's elderly friend, who in her youth had lost her true love WARNING SPOILER ___ and will finally be able get married and be happy. ___ SPOILER END

5) WARNING SPOILER ___ second chance also to the wicked characters ___ SPOILER END .

__ANOTHER THING APPRECIATED __ The quotes from Dickens' novels at the beginning of each chapter and the interesting historical notes at the end of the novel.
I was already aware of many of the notions reported, but I nevertheless appreciated them and a couple of them were totally new to me (read the story to discover them).

___ THE FLAW __ The book involved me from beginning to end, but in reality I only rate it 4 stars instead of a full 5, because while at the beginning of the story, the reader can find a nice humor that makes the read cheerful and pleasant, from about 40 % of the story this humor disappears.

A quality that I love about this author (and in authors in general) is precisely the sense of humor, the ironic and funny jokes, which are fundamental to me both in whodunits and in romances.
Here not only after a while the story has lost this precious element (precious to me ), but the author wanted even to reinsert it at the exactly wrong moment:
WARNING SPOILER ___ after I waited for the declaration of love and the consequent kiss, throughout the book, I read a scene, which should be very romantic, with 3 people, where the third person makes jokes that should make the reader laugh .
William declares himself under the incitement of the third person and even kisses Mina at the sarcastic suggestion of the third person. A very quick and flat kiss that gave me no emotion or thrill.

---> As I already said, I wasn't expecting hot scenes, but I've read many clean romances where with a simple kiss, the writer gave me butterflies in my stomach! ___ SPOILER END
In this the author miserably failed and made me angry. So only 4 stars.

FINAL NOTE : I'm from Italy, so you will probably have found some form/grammar errors in my text, but I hope I have still managed to convey my thoughts to you in the right way.
:-) Christmas has just passed, so I count on your forgiveness and I wish you a Happy New Year!

READ ALSO my REVIEW about BOOK #1:
12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep


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Book review : A Knight's Redemption by Catherine Kean

A Knight's Redemption
Knight's Series Book 6
by Catherine Kean
( this tale is also included in the Medieval Historical Romance Collection "Christmas Knights"
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very nice romance set in medieval time , I've enjoyed the read from the first word to the last one !

This is a " second chance " story, the #6 installment and last book in a series about medieval knights and their lovers, but you can easily read it as a standalone.
Even if the supporting characters were protagonists in the other books, at the beginning of this story they are all briefly introduced by the author.

___ THE STORY develops on 2 time planes during the Christmas period.

---> In the first part we see the 2 protagonists as just teenagers, their first meeting and the events that during Christmas day will lead to an estrangement that will last 6 years.

---> In the second part, 6 years later, our heroes have grown, matured and have never forgotten each other.
Their second meeting will give them the opportunity to settle their differences, while in the meantime they will also have to deal with enemies of the kingdom and child kidnappers.

___THE CHARACTERS__ I loved the characters although I must admit that the behavior of Holden, the hero of the story, when he was just a young squire, made me really angry.
Actually he is very sweet and the jokingness and sweetness with which he courts Mary when they meet again really moved me.
Mary is very unsure of herself and I think she was a little too stubborn in not wanting to listen to Holden's excuses, but in any case during the second meeting she manages to be more impartial, looking through the boy's true self.

I would have liked to read a real novel about the two of them and not just a short novella.

The story only has kisses ( no sex scenes ), but the emotions and gestures of the protagonists are described so well that they make you dream of falling in love again.
I will definitely read other books by this author. :-)

No violence scenes, suitable also for young adults.

( As always : English is not my native tongue, I hope you can forgive any errors in the text, thank you :-) )

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Book review : The Duke Who Hates Christmas by Bianca Blythe

The Duke Who Hates Christmas
Holidays for Spinsters Book 1
by Bianca Blythe
My rating: 3.7 of 5 stars

A very nice Christmas regency romance novella, quite light and funny.

The plot of the back cover had intrigued me, I wanted to read something romantic, but that wasn't a heartbreaking love story and the book did what it promised: a short, easy read that put me in a good mood.

___THE PLOT___ England is at war with France and fears that Napoleon wants to invade the coasts of the United Kingdom to the north, in Scottish territory.

Caspian is a duke who asserted himself in war but suffered rather serious wounds in his leg and for this reason, despite his desire, he will not be sent back to fight, but rather to a castle in Scotland to teach rookies and older men to fight newly enlisted.
What he doesn't know is that he will find himself in the way of a group of young spinsters (by choice, but they won't be so insensitive to male charm).

The leader of the spinsters is Miranda, who he had already met while she was running away from an arranged and loveless marriage.
A series of mischief and moments of attraction and unexpected kisses will follow, there will be some problems caused by her nasty uncle and aunt. Nice happy ending guaranteed.

___MY OPINION ___ I liked the story, I include it among those that I will gladly reread in the future, but it is obvious that if it had been a novel and not simply a short story, it would have been better because we would have had longer descriptions of the romantic moments.
The supporting characters would have had more opportunity to interact and other events would have been added and developed, which would have made the story more compelling and complete.

This is of course not a criticism, it's just an observation... there are very few short stories that manage to hit the reader's heart in every aspect in just a few pages.

However, I liked all the characters (except the bad aunt and uncle and I'm happy that in the end they got what they deserved) and in just a few pages I managed to become fond of both Caspian and Miranda.
I also loved the setting: a castle in Scotland and it made me want to visit it again!

---> This story is the first of a series of 3, the other 2 concern characters known in the first book and I really think I will soon read the other 2 installments too.

( Thanks for reading my review, please forgive me for any errors in the text, English is not my native language )

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Book review : The Christmas Knot by Barbara Monajem

The Christmas Knot
A Slightly Gothic Regency Mystery Romance Novella by Barbara Monajem
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WONDERFUL ! ___ I LOVE IT ! __I really really really really really really loved it !!
So 5 full stars plus a sixth GOLDEN STAR !!!

I can't say it was totally Christmassy ( but of course we have also Christmas atmosphere), but the story, although it might seem cliché, is beautiful and engaging from the first lines to the end.
I loved both the 2 main characters and the supporting characters, I loved the dialogues and the thoughts that the two protagonists expressed in their minds.
The ending of the book was fantastic, both from a romantic point of view and in terms of solving the mystery and eliminating the curse.

___ THE PLOT ___ We are in the Regency/early Victorian era.
Edwina White, desperate and destitute young and still beautiful widow, takes a position as governess in a remote village in the north of England—in what they say is a haunted house!
Of course she doesn't believe in ghosts, but there's a worse problem : her employer is the man who broke her heart 12 years earlier and whom she hoped to never see again.
Sir Richard Ballister, now father of 2 smart twins, a male and a female, inherited an estate with a ghost and a curse, and every governess he hires leaves within a week.
Finally, a woman desperate enough to stay arrives on his doorstep—but she’s the seductress who dropped him many years earlier for a richer man.

The last thing Richard and Edwina want is to work together, but they have no choice, because the ghost cast a curse, 2 centuries earlier, according to which every firstborn heir would die and so Richard's son too.
Will they overcome the bitterness of the past in time to unravel a centuries-old knot and end the Christmas curse?

__ ABOUT THE GHOST AND CURSE __ The story of the ghost and the curse was presented very well without seeming too absurd or stupid, because initially being reasonable people, the 2 main characters do not believe it, then the reader is left with doubts whether the phenomena that occur are just staged or there is also something true... great suspense and tension until the end!

___ CAPTIVATING CHARACTERS __ I liked the story of the book above all because the author managed to keep me in suspense not only for the mystery and the curse, but also for the personal story of the 2 protagonists and managed to make me fall in love with both of them, as individuals, but especially as a couple!

---> RICHARD: I like him, a little scornful and sneering towards her, due to the betrayal that he believes he has suffered in the past, however also capable of being kind, trying to bury the bad memories and being able to create beautiful moments, of renewed friendship for the love of his children. He is in fact a father full of love and focused on his responsibilities towards the two kids.
I also really liked the friendly relationship he has with the villagers who are simple people, but equally kind-hearted and benevolent towards him.
Furthermore, the fact that he is a handsome, tall, strong and virile man certainly doesn't hurt! :-D

----> EDWINA : she is also a beautiful, still young and with a sunny character, but not very submissive kind of woman, which adds that little spice that makes love skirmishes fun.
Edwina only has half a penny in her pocket and this forces her to accept a job when she would have liked to run away... but I love how despite her poverty and the feeling of humiliation she feels, she manages to pose as indifferent, with her chin tall and her nose in the air as he teases her with sarcastic jokes.

Edwina is convinced that she is the one who has been wronged and until they clarify the misunderstanding, the tension, made up of resentment and desire for the other, the small but constant evolution of their relationship and the discovery of their true feelings, is able to give chills and sweet emotions to the reader.

The children and other side characters are equally cute and captivating.

Descriptions make also easy to imagine the setting of the old manor and the beautiful garden which plays quite an important role in the book.
*_____________*
I have often found novellas unsatisfactory (especially with regards to mysteries) and I've often given only 2 stars to those by authors, whose novels I usually love. That's because being shorter than novels, they often fail to be well developed, sometimes they don't even have interesting themes and fail to involve me or excite me.

There are very few short stories that I include among "my favorites" and this is one of them!
It's the first time I've read this author and it's only been a year since I read the romance genre (I'm 52, but yes, I've only ever read mysteries, incredible but I used to find romances a little stupid and now I've find out that I love them, at least if there is a little bit of mystery too or they are comedy-romance), but I'll definitely try to read some others book by her.
I hope to find the same sweet feeling, the same sexual tension hidden between the lines and hot scenes, where little or almost nothing is described, but where emotions shine through between the lines.
As they say: less is more (----> it's a clean romance novella, but I warn you that there are a couple of words that you won't find in the cozy mysteries or in christian fiction... )

( As always : English is not my native tongue, I hope you can forgive any errors in the text, thank you :-) )

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____ How do I imagine Edwina and Richard.

As I usually do, while reading a novel I try to visualize the characters using a cast of actors, current or old, that I adore.
The book's descriptions were a perfect fit for a couple I love: Stuart Martin and Kate Philips, on-screen stars of the Victorian mystery-romance series "Miss Scarlet and the Duke."

(I also use the same pair for the Lady Emily mysteries series)

Edwina	Richard
I couldn't resist to insert also a shirtless Stuart Martin ... TOO HOT !

Book review : 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep

12 Days at Bleakly Manor
Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series
by Michelle Griep

My rating: ★★★★★
5 of 5 stars WELL DESERVED !

I LOVE IT !!
An amazing romantic mystery, I loved it from the very first page to the end !

___ THE PLOT ___
When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas 1850 at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.

Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on the unknown person who stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is blindsided by the anger of the woman he left at the altar.

Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the 12 Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

___ MY HUMBLE OPINION ___
I'm not a writer and I don't pretend to do a professional review, so I'll just write my humble opinion as a passionate reader :-)

I admit that I choosed to read it because I was attracted by the cover and by the name "Dickens" and although I considered my Christmas reading marathon just ended with the previous read book, I decided to read the same one more Christmas story (I didn't want to postpone it until next Christmas) and I decided so well ! :-D
I read it in only 2 days because I couldn't put it down!

I really loved the 2 main characters, I loved their story and I adored their way of relating to each other, with care for each other and also with witty jokes from which transpires the pre-existing complicity between them and existing again in the present.

I liked the strangeness of the side characters, truly worthy of Dickens's pen, I liked the unexpected twists and turns and if you think that the ending could be taken for granted, well if you read the book (and I recommend it) you will also find unexpected surprises there.

The only predictable thing was the villain of the story, but I assure you that this does not spoil the novel because there are several mysteries to solve.

Great job Michelle Griep, this was the first book I read among yours, but I will read many more, starting today you can count me among your fans !

___ MY FAVORITE QUOTE IN THIS BOOK ___

Worrying doesn’t stop the bad from happening.
It keeps you from enjoying the good.

NOTE : I'm an Italian old girl who use to read and now writing this post in a foreign language: please forgive me for the errors of form and grammar :-)

READ ALSO my REVIEW about BOOK #2:
A Tale of Two Hearts by Michelle Griep


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