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readwithpitties's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! i read it in 2 sittings by the tree (so perfect! ) and it was my first Mary balogh Christmas story, i have 3 more that i have borrowed to read by Christmas of hers and i have to say i enjoyed it so much! Ellie couldnt cry, but i sure did reading this book! First off this book hits you right in the emotions from the very spot, where we meet the heroine and hero.
The Heroine is a young lady named Ellie, (Eleanor as Randolph would call her;)) she is a cole merchants daughter, who has been raised with grace and every thing a proper lady would have. She is being raised by her father, who has worked hard for his money over the years but sadly his life is coming to an end due to sickness.All he wants for his daughter is to be looked after for the rest of her life. so with his wealth he buys all this single Earls debt and tells him it will all go away if he marries his daughter. As much as the Earl (Randolph) wants to not accept this deal, he sees he has no other chance. Both of them go into the marriage thinking the other one is looking for something thats not true. He thinks she is a social climber, and she thinks he is play boy with a life that lead up to all the debts. Ellie only agrees to this as it is her dads dying wish.
They Mary and then of course they go to the country for Christmas (as all romance Christmas novels seem to do;) Ellie invites all her common folk family to Christmas as a spiteful thing after she finds out about her husbands mistress, thinking he would hate to spend Christmas with a loud vulgar common people. but over the days leading to Christmas they put off mourning as her father wished they do and they enjoy Christmas again almost kid like. Randolph always had lonely Christmas as a boy and all this family Christmas joy is bring out a softer side and him and he is seeing the softer side of his wife. Ellie lets down her guard all the feelings she was feeling with her father sickness and death, and the unhappy marriage she thought she married into and they both see another side to each other! a side they both seem to like.
The Heroine is a young lady named Ellie, (Eleanor as Randolph would call her;)) she is a cole merchants daughter, who has been raised with grace and every thing a proper lady would have. She is being raised by her father, who has worked hard for his money over the years but sadly his life is coming to an end due to sickness.All he wants for his daughter is to be looked after for the rest of her life. so with his wealth he buys all this single Earls debt and tells him it will all go away if he marries his daughter. As much as the Earl (Randolph) wants to not accept this deal, he sees he has no other chance. Both of them go into the marriage thinking the other one is looking for something thats not true. He thinks she is a social climber, and she thinks he is play boy with a life that lead up to all the debts. Ellie only agrees to this as it is her dads dying wish.
They Mary and then of course they go to the country for Christmas (as all romance Christmas novels seem to do;) Ellie invites all her common folk family to Christmas as a spiteful thing after she finds out about her husbands mistress, thinking he would hate to spend Christmas with a loud vulgar common people. but over the days leading to Christmas they put off mourning as her father wished they do and they enjoy Christmas again almost kid like. Randolph always had lonely Christmas as a boy and all this family Christmas joy is bring out a softer side and him and he is seeing the softer side of his wife. Ellie lets down her guard all the feelings she was feeling with her father sickness and death, and the unhappy marriage she thought she married into and they both see another side to each other! a side they both seem to like.
emilydehaven's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jenc5309's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
joth's review
5.0
At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy 'A Christmas Promise' as it starts with illness and death, two subjects I avoid in books for personal reasons. I am delighted I carried on with it though as I ended up loving it! Ellie's family are adorable and such fun. The book worked as a reminder to let my inner child come out and play at Christmas. I also loved the way the romance developed through the story. I will definitely be reading it again.
crystald14's review
3.0
At the outset, I must say that I was excited to read this one after [b:Christmas Beau|1401173|Christmas Beau|Mary Balogh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1350421355s/1401173.jpg|1391366] and thought it would be heart warming. In a sense, it was towards the end. But there were a whole lot of facepalms from me before I got there.
Mostly it was because of Eleanor. Granted she knew nothing about Randolph and thought he married her for money, but she doesnt even bother to listen to him and not just be so prickly about everything. Even when Randolph is nice to her, she is mean at times for no reason at all. And she just believes in every cliche of a supposed aristocrat. In the beginning, it is justified, but afterwards she purposely puts up a defence mechanism of it. And thank God Randolph sees through that. He gets better as time goes. And is more open and willing to give his marriage a chance. Only I didnt like the fact that he did
The Christmas with the Transomes, the interactions between Ellie and Randy *sic* are better and the book leaves you happy in the end. It does make me happy for Christmas :)
Takeaway: Work on any relationship you've undertaken and start with a clean slate. Let go of misconceptions and communicate at all times.
Mostly it was because of Eleanor. Granted she knew nothing about Randolph and thought he married her for money, but she doesnt even bother to listen to him and not just be so prickly about everything. Even when Randolph is nice to her, she is mean at times for no reason at all. And she just believes in every cliche of a supposed aristocrat. In the beginning, it is justified, but afterwards she purposely puts up a defence mechanism of it. And thank God Randolph sees through that. He gets better as time goes. And is more open and willing to give his marriage a chance. Only I didnt like the fact that he did
Spoiler
cheat twice with his mistress after marriageThe Christmas with the Transomes, the interactions between Ellie and Randy *sic* are better and the book leaves you happy in the end. It does make me happy for Christmas :)
Takeaway: Work on any relationship you've undertaken and start with a clean slate. Let go of misconceptions and communicate at all times.
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas novella. Its an arranged marriage between two strangers from different classes. Randolph Pierce is the impoverish new Earl of Falloden and Eleanor Transome, is a wealthy coal merchant's daughter. They are both blackmailed by Ellie's father into marriage. They don't understand one another and their marriage gets off on the wrong foot. But a Christmas promise to the dying Mr Transome offers some hope and family may solve everything.
I adored this story. Ellie and Randolph both have misconceptions of each other and at first do very little to get over them. Randolph starts to soften first and eventually Ellie catches up. It was sweet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmas novella. Its an arranged marriage between two strangers from different classes. Randolph Pierce is the impoverish new Earl of Falloden and Eleanor Transome, is a wealthy coal merchant's daughter. They are both blackmailed by Ellie's father into marriage. They don't understand one another and their marriage gets off on the wrong foot. But a Christmas promise to the dying Mr Transome offers some hope and family may solve everything.
I adored this story. Ellie and Randolph both have misconceptions of each other and at first do very little to get over them. Randolph starts to soften first and eventually Ellie catches up. It was sweet.
attytheresa's review against another edition
3.0
This one gets major stars awarded because it really delivered on the whole Regency Christmas at the snowbound family country house theme. Absolutely delighted in all the scenes and descriptions of gathering greens and yule log, decorating the house, sledding, caroling, even a children's Christmas pageant! However, it had other problems.
A bankrupt Earl, inheritor of crippling debt and a decaying family estate from a dissolute cousin, is coerced into marriage with *gasp* a Cit's daughter, sight unseen. Joe, the Cit, is a coal dealer, and has a fortune to rival Midas. He also has a beautiful 19 year old daughter he desires to see settled in marriage to a title, the sooner the better because Joe is dying of cancer. Joe will see his daughter settled before he dies. And so Eleanor, who will not say no to her father especially as the man she loves has 'freed' her because he will not force her to live the impoverished life he can only offer, and the Earl are married after only one meeting with each other. It does not go well.
There are a number of sex scenes, all but one where the Earl forces Eleanor to perform her conjugal duties and Eleanor complies in a manner that brings to mind that old trope 'just lie there and think of England." It was quite distasteful in truth. And the one intimate scene that is provided has our heroine not fully awake! Ugh.
Ultimately the Earl and Eleanor come to realize they had misconceptions about each other and fall in love during the Christmas festivities that actually salvaged this regency romance. As well as did the deftly drawn variety of side characters. Eleanor is no tepid miss either but a very strong personality coping with a great many difficult moments in her life, fighting back as best she can. And the Earl is actually quite likable. I just have a problem with the author's treatment of sex.
A bankrupt Earl, inheritor of crippling debt and a decaying family estate from a dissolute cousin, is coerced into marriage with *gasp* a Cit's daughter, sight unseen. Joe, the Cit, is a coal dealer, and has a fortune to rival Midas. He also has a beautiful 19 year old daughter he desires to see settled in marriage to a title, the sooner the better because Joe is dying of cancer. Joe will see his daughter settled before he dies. And so Eleanor, who will not say no to her father especially as the man she loves has 'freed' her because he will not force her to live the impoverished life he can only offer, and the Earl are married after only one meeting with each other. It does not go well.
There are a number of sex scenes, all but one where the Earl forces Eleanor to perform her conjugal duties and Eleanor complies in a manner that brings to mind that old trope 'just lie there and think of England." It was quite distasteful in truth. And the one intimate scene that is provided has our heroine not fully awake! Ugh.
Ultimately the Earl and Eleanor come to realize they had misconceptions about each other and fall in love during the Christmas festivities that actually salvaged this regency romance. As well as did the deftly drawn variety of side characters. Eleanor is no tepid miss either but a very strong personality coping with a great many difficult moments in her life, fighting back as best she can. And the Earl is actually quite likable. I just have a problem with the author's treatment of sex.
katevaliant's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet Christmas romance about a couple learning to love each other despite their different backgrounds and standings.
haewilya's review
3.0
It was ok. It's a marriage of convenience story set during Christmas time. I love the Transome family.