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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
I ordered this collection because I'm a big Carla Kelly fan. And so it wasn't surprising that I found her story the best of this volume of three Christmas-themed novella-length Regency-set romances.
Kelly's story, "The Captain's Christmas Journey," features a naval captain who, while his ship is in harbor for repairs, visits the family of one of his fallen officers to offer his condolences, only to discover that the family is in such financial straits that the remaining daughter is about to leave to become a governess. The Captain, Joe Everard, gets drawn into/agrees to accompany the daughter to her destination, in the guise of her husband to protect her reputation. But the deception may come to haunt them when a snowstorm strands them both at the home where Verity Newsome is to work...
What appeals to me about Kelly's work is that her characters always feel like grown-ups, not silly things that get into trouble over silly misunderstandings. And they're always nice and kind. Which is true of both Joe and Verity. 4 stars
Louisa Allen's story, "The Viscount's Yuletide Betrothal," also features a fake relationship—this one between an heiress, Eleanor ("Ellie") Jordan, who advertises for a gentleman to play her fiancé so she can assure her uncle that her brother will have an adequate male role model while he is overseas and so will not be sent away to serve in the navy; and Andrew ("Drew") Padgett Stanton, an army captain who has inherited a title but who has no family with whom to share it. As Andrew plays the role of gentleman to perfection, and because he and Ellie are immediately physically attracted to one another, ("it is not his fault that he is making me feel positively... wanton") and Drew is also attracted to Ellie's family (three other siblings) and their preparations for Christmas, their fake relationship begins to feel more and more appealing, in spite of their determination to not fall for one another. Because "magic happens at Christmas..." More conventional than Kelly's story, and more based on physical attraction than on the sense that these two people have truly fallen in love with one another. 2.5 stars
Laurie Benson's "One Night under the Mistletoe" relies on the past lovers reunited trope rather than the fake relationship trope. Lady Juliet Sommersby was prepared to run away to Gretna Green with Lord Montague Pearce after her guardian refused to allow Monty to court her after only a week's short acquaintance, but Monty thought better of the plan and told her he didn't love her. But fours years later, when the two get stuck in a library together during a ball, Juliet's current family insists that the two wed to avoid social ruin. Despite arguing against it, Juliet eventually says "OK, I'll do it." After marrying (but before consummating), the two get lost and stranded while searching for greenery with which to decorate the house for Christmas. And then what usually happens in a "stranded" romance does... 2.5
Kelly's story, "The Captain's Christmas Journey," features a naval captain who, while his ship is in harbor for repairs, visits the family of one of his fallen officers to offer his condolences, only to discover that the family is in such financial straits that the remaining daughter is about to leave to become a governess. The Captain, Joe Everard, gets drawn into/agrees to accompany the daughter to her destination, in the guise of her husband to protect her reputation. But the deception may come to haunt them when a snowstorm strands them both at the home where Verity Newsome is to work...
What appeals to me about Kelly's work is that her characters always feel like grown-ups, not silly things that get into trouble over silly misunderstandings. And they're always nice and kind. Which is true of both Joe and Verity. 4 stars
Louisa Allen's story, "The Viscount's Yuletide Betrothal," also features a fake relationship—this one between an heiress, Eleanor ("Ellie") Jordan, who advertises for a gentleman to play her fiancé so she can assure her uncle that her brother will have an adequate male role model while he is overseas and so will not be sent away to serve in the navy; and Andrew ("Drew") Padgett Stanton, an army captain who has inherited a title but who has no family with whom to share it. As Andrew plays the role of gentleman to perfection, and because he and Ellie are immediately physically attracted to one another, ("it is not his fault that he is making me feel positively... wanton") and Drew is also attracted to Ellie's family (three other siblings) and their preparations for Christmas, their fake relationship begins to feel more and more appealing, in spite of their determination to not fall for one another. Because "magic happens at Christmas..." More conventional than Kelly's story, and more based on physical attraction than on the sense that these two people have truly fallen in love with one another. 2.5 stars
Laurie Benson's "One Night under the Mistletoe" relies on the past lovers reunited trope rather than the fake relationship trope. Lady Juliet Sommersby was prepared to run away to Gretna Green with Lord Montague Pearce after her guardian refused to allow Monty to court her after only a week's short acquaintance, but Monty thought better of the plan and told her he didn't love her. But fours years later, when the two get stuck in a library together during a ball, Juliet's current family insists that the two wed to avoid social ruin. Despite arguing against it, Juliet eventually says "OK, I'll do it." After marrying (but before consummating), the two get lost and stranded while searching for greenery with which to decorate the house for Christmas. And then what usually happens in a "stranded" romance does... 2.5
bunrab's review against another edition
3.0
The Carla Kelly is good, as hers usually are. The second story was also good. The third one was just stupid - every dumb cliche about having to marry.
keribopps's review against another edition
5.0
This book contains 3 short stories
The captains Christmas journey by Carla Kelly
Verity is starting her governess job and is being escorted by captain Everard, but for proprietys sake that means a convenient engagement.
Captain Everard is a royal navy captain returning from the battle of trafalgar. He travels to deliver fallen solders Davids effects back to his family where he meets Verity, David's sister. He then finds himself wondering what a life would be like settled down with Verity.
The viscount yuletide betrothal by Louise Allen
Eleanor advertises for a suitable gentleman to pose as her betrothed over Christmas.
Captain drew padgett is just back from the war and awaiting to collect his inheritance he has been left. In need of a place to stay and low on cash drew answers Eleanors advert. Drew has to help Eleanor convince her uncle not to send her brother to join the navy.
Being betrothed to Eleanor for real slowly starts to appeal to drew. Small touches and a kiss start to stir feeling in them both.
Julies one night under the mistletoe by Laurie Benson
A former lover, the handsome lord Montague and a marriage of convenience what's not to love. When juliet and monty are cought trapped in a room together they have no other option but to get married. However juliet and monty have a past. Although they both still have hidden feelings for each other can juliet ever forgive and trust monty again.
I really enjoyed these short stories. It is my first time reading anything from all 3 off the authors. If I had to choose a fravourite it would be juliet one night under the mistletoe. The way Laurie Benson writes drew me in more and her story was the one I couldn't put down. I loved the chemistry between juliet and monty.
I would definitely recommend this book. If like myself you are new to there work then short stories like these are perfect. After reading juliets one night under the mistletoe I then went and ordered more byou Laurie Benson as I enjoyed her writting so much.
The captains Christmas journey by Carla Kelly
Verity is starting her governess job and is being escorted by captain Everard, but for proprietys sake that means a convenient engagement.
Captain Everard is a royal navy captain returning from the battle of trafalgar. He travels to deliver fallen solders Davids effects back to his family where he meets Verity, David's sister. He then finds himself wondering what a life would be like settled down with Verity.
The viscount yuletide betrothal by Louise Allen
Eleanor advertises for a suitable gentleman to pose as her betrothed over Christmas.
Captain drew padgett is just back from the war and awaiting to collect his inheritance he has been left. In need of a place to stay and low on cash drew answers Eleanors advert. Drew has to help Eleanor convince her uncle not to send her brother to join the navy.
Being betrothed to Eleanor for real slowly starts to appeal to drew. Small touches and a kiss start to stir feeling in them both.
Julies one night under the mistletoe by Laurie Benson
A former lover, the handsome lord Montague and a marriage of convenience what's not to love. When juliet and monty are cought trapped in a room together they have no other option but to get married. However juliet and monty have a past. Although they both still have hidden feelings for each other can juliet ever forgive and trust monty again.
I really enjoyed these short stories. It is my first time reading anything from all 3 off the authors. If I had to choose a fravourite it would be juliet one night under the mistletoe. The way Laurie Benson writes drew me in more and her story was the one I couldn't put down. I loved the chemistry between juliet and monty.
I would definitely recommend this book. If like myself you are new to there work then short stories like these are perfect. After reading juliets one night under the mistletoe I then went and ordered more byou Laurie Benson as I enjoyed her writting so much.
darlenemarshall's review
3.0
It's just not the holidays without new Regency Christmas stories, especially when they're offered by veteran authors.
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