Scan barcode
tea_tomes's review
5.0
Cute fun story. Reminds me of Downton Abbey a little, which made it all the better to read! Great read for the holidays!
robbynjreeve's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed listening to this book. I have a hard time paying attention when I listen and have realized that I listen better when it’s in a British accent.
I thought the love story was cute and the mystery was fun. I would call this “light” reading, but very enjoyable.
I thought the love story was cute and the mystery was fun. I would call this “light” reading, but very enjoyable.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Adapted from the book jacket: England, 1817. The chaos of the Yuletide season is in full force at the country estate of Shackleford Park, but lady’s maid Kate Darby barely has time to notice. Between her household duties, caring for her demanding mother, and saving up money to someday own a dress shop, her hands are full. Matt Harlow is also busy. He’s performing double duty, acting as valet for both of the Steeple brothers, who are holiday guests at the estate. Falling in love would be a disaster for either of them. But that is the least of their problems as they get caught up in an intrigue that begins with a missing footman.
My reactions
I picked this up because I was trolling the library’s shelves looking for a particular cover image. It sounded like a quick, fun read and that’s exactly what it was.
The romance plus cozy mystery makes for some interesting twists and turns in the plot, as well as satisfying tension between the two lead characters. I liked Kate; she’s intelligent, self-reliant, dedicated and persistent. I find that she’s a little too “fluttery” around Matt, but given the genre (YA romance), I’ll cut her some slack. Matt is equally intelligent, disciplined, dedicated and protective.
This is the second book in a series, the first being Suitors and Sabotage. I don’t feel I missed anything by reading out of order. The first book apparently deals with “Upstairs” – the relationship between Kate’s and Matt’s employers; while this one is decidedly “Downstairs.”
My reactions
I picked this up because I was trolling the library’s shelves looking for a particular cover image. It sounded like a quick, fun read and that’s exactly what it was.
The romance plus cozy mystery makes for some interesting twists and turns in the plot, as well as satisfying tension between the two lead characters. I liked Kate; she’s intelligent, self-reliant, dedicated and persistent. I find that she’s a little too “fluttery” around Matt, but given the genre (YA romance), I’ll cut her some slack. Matt is equally intelligent, disciplined, dedicated and protective.
This is the second book in a series, the first being Suitors and Sabotage. I don’t feel I missed anything by reading out of order. The first book apparently deals with “Upstairs” – the relationship between Kate’s and Matt’s employers; while this one is decidedly “Downstairs.”
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I have been dying to reach more Christmas themed books during the holidays, sadly the plot in this one wasn’t as exciting as I hoped.
I have been dying to reach more Christmas themed books during the holidays, sadly the plot in this one wasn’t as exciting as I hoped.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! What did we do to be blessed with TWO books from Cindy Anstey this year! *happy dance*
timvindigni's review against another edition
3.0
I wish there were more carols than chaos because damn…Kate and Matt couldn’t catch a break!
annemariep68's review against another edition
3.0
This was a sweet little Christmas story. A little romance, a little mystery set in 1817 in a small English village with the story mainly focused on those below stairs. Nice touches of Christmas traditions of the era made it a good read leading into Christmas. Would like to know what happens to Matt and Kate next!