Publisher: Avon
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: September 28, 2021
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Eloisa James Reading Order
The Duke of Greystoke’s Christmas Revelry is famous throughout the British Isles for its plays, dancing, magical grotto… not to mention scandals leading to the marriage licenses he hands out like confetti.
But not everyone welcomes a visit from Cupid.
Lady Cressida, the duke’s daughter, is too busy managing the entertainments—and besides, her own father has called her dowdy. Her cousin, Lady Isabelle Wilkshire, is directing Cinderella and has no interest in marriage. Lady Caroline Whitmore is already (unhappily) married; the fact that she and her estranged husband have to pretend to be together just makes her dread the party all the more. But not as much as Miss Louisa Harcourt, whose mother bluntly tells her that this is her last chance to escape the horrors of being an old maid.
A house party so large that mothers lose track of their charges leads to a delightful, seductive quartet of stories that you will savor for the Season!
“A Mistletoe Kiss” by Eloisa James
Lady Cressida is the youngest daughter of the Duke of Greystoke and has been running the Revelry for years. No one knows that she is the brain behind her father’s infamous party; all they see is a dowdy woman no one would look twice at. No one, except Elias, Lord Darcy de Royleston…
Eloisa James kicks off the Revelry with “A Mistletoe Kiss”. Cressie is brilliant, talented, and heartbreakingly lonely. Her father has beaten her down emotionally in order to keep her under his thumb and running the Revelry. As a last straw, he’s given away her dowry and now Cressie feels like she’ll be trapped even after his death. She wants a home and family of her own, but how can she trust when Elias starts flirting with her? Elias sees Cressie for all that she is, though not at first. I liked that he fell for her as he got to know her (though it does happen fairly quickly) and he does have to prove it. More than the happily ever after, I was rooting for Cressie to break free of her father’s control. I won’t spoil what happens, but of course there’s a delightful, satisfying ending.
“Wishing Under the Mistletoe” by Christi Caldwell
It’s been ten years since Cyrus Hill has seen Lady Isabelle Wilkshire. Their last communication was her breaking off their engagement. But now that they’re thrown together at the Revelry, perhaps Cyrus has a chance to see where he went wrong all those years ago. And maybe even win back the woman who has always held his heart.
“Wishing Under the Mistletoe” has elements of A Christmas Carol, albeit with a much happier ending. Cyrus isn’t cold and cruel like Scrooge, but having been the stablemaster’s son in love with a lady, he was very aware with their differences in station and was more focused on working and growing his coffers than paying attention to Isabelle. Cyrus is still focused on growing his business when they are reunited, but Isabelle calls out to him as always. What I appreciated about this story is that Christi Caldwell didn’t make everything Cyrus’s fault. Isabelle had her own part to play in the falling apart of their relationship. She needed to listen to Cyrus as much as he did to her. I enjoyed watching them learn from their past mistakes and open up their hearts for a second chance at love. Isabelle and Cyrus have a natural chemistry that makes their story fly by and I enjoyed it immensely.
“Compromise Under the Mistletoe” by Janna MacGregor
It’s been a year since Caroline left her husband, but her uncle has demanded that she and Stephen make an appearance at the Revelry. If Caroline wants to claim her inheritance, she must pretend to be reconciled with her husband. She strikes a bargain with Stephen, but what she doesn’t expect is to find the man she left eager to win her back.
I adore a good second chance romance and Janna MacGregor has penned a great one in “Compromise Under the Mistletoe”. Caroline had her reasons for leaving Stephen, but it wasn’t because he was a bad person. Rather, she felt like she wasn’t important to him. Stephen is hoping to win her back by finding out what he did wrong. The sparks between them burn hot the instant they’re reunited, but in order to get the happily ever after they desire both Stephen and Caroline need to work on their communication.
It’s easy to root for this couple because they’re clearly meant to be. They have great chemistry, a natural compatibility in bed and out, but they just need to learn and grow a bit in order to make a life together. I loved watching them both come to understand each other and was delighted by “Compromise Under the Mistletoe” from beginning to end.
“Mischief & Mistletoe” by Erica Ridley
Louisa Harcourt is at the Revelry to catch a title and make her mother’s dreams for her come true. There are two available viscounts who may be amenable to marrying the woman society deems utterly forgettable, but it’s brooding poet Ewan Reid she can’t seem to stay away from…
“Mischief & Mistletoe is a delight. Erica Ridley delivers a tale of rather ordinary people on the fringes of society that warms the heart. Louisa has a dowry but after the scandal sheets dubbed her dreadfully dull, she can’t seem to catch a husband. Men don’t see her…until Ewan. Ewan is known for being brooding and handsome – he’s invited to house parties everywhere for just that reason. But the poet has a secret, one that is slowly tearing at his soul. Louisa, a poet herself, is delighted to meet someone who finally understands her. I loved their interactions and how Ewan supported and believed in Louisa’s writing. Both Louisa and Ewan have good hearts, though Ewan has made mistakes in the past which may haunt him now. I was rooting for them every step of the way and found their romance to be heartwarming and utterly charming.
Mistletoe Christmas features four stories of women who won’t settle for less than they deserve, which I loved. All four stories are charming holiday romances, but they’ve got added depth with characters who take charge of their future rather than bending to the whims of society. Janna MacGregor’s installment was my favorite of the lot, but there’s something for any historical romance fan to warm your heart this winter.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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