Scan barcode
bhavani's review against another edition
3.0
This is certainly one of those stories that improve on second reading. As I read it for the second time, I vaguely recalled certain scenes but for some reason, enjoyed it more this time.
Lady Amelia Pembroke needs a husband. Not for the want of money but because if she doesn't marry and move out of her brother's household, of which she is currently the mistress, she thinks that he won't marry and beget an heir. Amelia is a genius and as a woman living in early 19th century England, there aren't many ways for her to use her intelligence and so she resorts to managing everything and everyone around her. This part made me feel sad for Amelia. In a different later century, she could be so much more without raising an eyebrow.
Back to the story, Amelia decides on a few criteria that she thinks a husband must fulfill one of which is that he must be titled as such that any future offspring of theirs can be a lady or a lord (viscounts and barons need not apply). She even decides to conduct her husband hunting during the Sheffield's annual Christmas Eve ball, the event of the season attended by all aristocratic men. Upon hearing that the traditional venue for the ball had burned down and as such, the ball is canceled, Amelia decides that the ball must go on, even if she has to pay for it herself and sets off to convince (read: maneuver) Lord Sheffield into agreeing with her. Enter Benedict, Viscount Sheffield, who is more than happy to let the tradition lapse. As they scout for an ideal new location for the ball, they find themselves falling for each other. What makes this story interesting is Amelia's keen intellect and the witty conversations between Amelia, her brother, and Benedict. She is unapologetically intelligent and the men around her find her wonderful. Her staff regards her with respect for her kindness and efficiency. It's a short story and you can probably finish it in one sitting.
Lady Amelia Pembroke needs a husband. Not for the want of money but because if she doesn't marry and move out of her brother's household, of which she is currently the mistress, she thinks that he won't marry and beget an heir. Amelia is a genius and as a woman living in early 19th century England, there aren't many ways for her to use her intelligence and so she resorts to managing everything and everyone around her. This part made me feel sad for Amelia. In a different later century, she could be so much more without raising an eyebrow.
Back to the story, Amelia decides on a few criteria that she thinks a husband must fulfill one of which is that he must be titled as such that any future offspring of theirs can be a lady or a lord (viscounts and barons need not apply). She even decides to conduct her husband hunting during the Sheffield's annual Christmas Eve ball, the event of the season attended by all aristocratic men. Upon hearing that the traditional venue for the ball had burned down and as such, the ball is canceled, Amelia decides that the ball must go on, even if she has to pay for it herself and sets off to convince (read: maneuver) Lord Sheffield into agreeing with her. Enter Benedict, Viscount Sheffield, who is more than happy to let the tradition lapse. As they scout for an ideal new location for the ball, they find themselves falling for each other. What makes this story interesting is Amelia's keen intellect and the witty conversations between Amelia, her brother, and Benedict. She is unapologetically intelligent and the men around her find her wonderful. Her staff regards her with respect for her kindness and efficiency. It's a short story and you can probably finish it in one sitting.
jaclynder's review against another edition
3.0
The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation is a cute little holiday read, which is a prequel to a new series by Erica Ridley.
Lady Amelia Pembroke is a managing young woman, and has been content to manage her brother’s home. However, she realizes that her brother will have to marry and she does not want to be in the way when that happens, so she plans to select a husband. The problem is, the annual holiday ball where she would make her selection has been cancelled! Luckily, she’s quite good at planning and approaches Lord Benedict Sheffield with her plan.
Sheffield was quite content not to have his annual holiday party, and does not feel the need to make alternative arrangements. However, he finds himself reluctantly intrigued by Lady Amelia. He recognizes that she, like him, is dedicated to her duty, but he also sees that Amelia needs to have a little fun in her life. While Amelia plans Sheffield’s new holiday party, Sheffield plans to ruffle Amelia’s feathers and get her to let loose, a least a little.
Christmas Temptation was a cute read, but readers should keep in mind that it is a novella, meaning a romance relationship develops at a breakneck pace. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I did feel that the believability of the happily ever after was stretched a bit thin because of the length of the story.
I enjoyed the writing style as well as the humourous moments in this one, and I find myself sufficiently intrigued for the next books in the series. Doing some investigative work on the author’s website, I have to say that the series looks quite good and exactly the kind of historical romance that I would read.
Ultimately, this was a nice holiday story but does lack the depth of a full-length historical romance. It’s fun, but it’s only a taste and I think readers will be left wanting more, which is good since the first full length book is out December 2014.
Lady Amelia Pembroke is a managing young woman, and has been content to manage her brother’s home. However, she realizes that her brother will have to marry and she does not want to be in the way when that happens, so she plans to select a husband. The problem is, the annual holiday ball where she would make her selection has been cancelled! Luckily, she’s quite good at planning and approaches Lord Benedict Sheffield with her plan.
Sheffield was quite content not to have his annual holiday party, and does not feel the need to make alternative arrangements. However, he finds himself reluctantly intrigued by Lady Amelia. He recognizes that she, like him, is dedicated to her duty, but he also sees that Amelia needs to have a little fun in her life. While Amelia plans Sheffield’s new holiday party, Sheffield plans to ruffle Amelia’s feathers and get her to let loose, a least a little.
Christmas Temptation was a cute read, but readers should keep in mind that it is a novella, meaning a romance relationship develops at a breakneck pace. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I did feel that the believability of the happily ever after was stretched a bit thin because of the length of the story.
I enjoyed the writing style as well as the humourous moments in this one, and I find myself sufficiently intrigued for the next books in the series. Doing some investigative work on the author’s website, I have to say that the series looks quite good and exactly the kind of historical romance that I would read.
Ultimately, this was a nice holiday story but does lack the depth of a full-length historical romance. It’s fun, but it’s only a taste and I think readers will be left wanting more, which is good since the first full length book is out December 2014.
librosamoralibros's review against another edition
4.0
Lo amé. Justamente el libro que necesitaba en ese momento, algo que fuera ligero, no tiene una trama muy compleja porque se centra más en los personajes y como estos poco a poco se van enamorando. Se lee sumamente rápido y al ser corto no te aburres en ningún momento, la protagonista me encanto, esa actitud es maravillosa.
cathepsut's review
3.0
Short, silly, predictable, entertaining. It feels like a much shorter story, although the print editions manage to be around 200 pages. Well plotted, believable characters, no big surprises. The ending feels a bit rushed. A little bit more build-up would have been nice. And maybe a twist or two. Good choice to get a glimpse into the series and to see, if you might like Ridley's writing for a bit of mindless Regency romance fluff.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
5.0
The Viscount's Christmas Temptation by Erica Ridley is a 2014 Intrepid Reads publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lady Amelia is a character I admired greatly for her ability to manage and organize everything. She could foresee problems in advance and was always prepared for them. When she realizes her single status is holding her brother back, she decides it is time to find a suitable husband. She approached this the same way she did everything else. With a list of names to go by she intends to meet all the eligible men of peerage at Lord Benedict Sheffield's 75th annual Christmas ball. But, for once she is taken aback to learn the ball will not be held this year due to a tragic fire. This is just the thing Amelia is best at. She will see to it the ball takes place no matter what.
Lord Benedict is a precise man, chained to his clock. He was relieved to have the annual ball canceled and now he can have a relaxing holiday. He is totally shocked to discover Lady Amelia has decided the ball will take place and even more surprised by his complete lack of control over her determined nature. Pretty soon he is completely tied up in plans for the ball, finding the perfect venue... and in Lady Amelia.
I loved this Christmas novella! This is a prelude to an upcoming series, “The Dukes of War” which, if this novella is any indication, will be one to watch for.
While I admired Amelia's talent at organizing and for planning ahead, I also saw she had little fun in her life. She was so busy managing everything for herself and others, she didn't stop to take it all in, see the hard work pay off and enjoy her success. Likewise, Lord Benedict is a slave to his pocket watch. After spending time with Amelia and seeing her inability to just relax and enjoy life, he is determined to show her how to have a good time. There are few subtle hints here we can all learn from. The holiday backdrop provides the perfect atmosphere for falling in love, and enjoying life to it's fullest, learning to prioritize our lives and to slow down and relax without managing everything to death. A sweet Christmas themed story that so far is one my favorite new holiday reads this year. 5 stars for this one.
Lady Amelia is a character I admired greatly for her ability to manage and organize everything. She could foresee problems in advance and was always prepared for them. When she realizes her single status is holding her brother back, she decides it is time to find a suitable husband. She approached this the same way she did everything else. With a list of names to go by she intends to meet all the eligible men of peerage at Lord Benedict Sheffield's 75th annual Christmas ball. But, for once she is taken aback to learn the ball will not be held this year due to a tragic fire. This is just the thing Amelia is best at. She will see to it the ball takes place no matter what.
Lord Benedict is a precise man, chained to his clock. He was relieved to have the annual ball canceled and now he can have a relaxing holiday. He is totally shocked to discover Lady Amelia has decided the ball will take place and even more surprised by his complete lack of control over her determined nature. Pretty soon he is completely tied up in plans for the ball, finding the perfect venue... and in Lady Amelia.
I loved this Christmas novella! This is a prelude to an upcoming series, “The Dukes of War” which, if this novella is any indication, will be one to watch for.
While I admired Amelia's talent at organizing and for planning ahead, I also saw she had little fun in her life. She was so busy managing everything for herself and others, she didn't stop to take it all in, see the hard work pay off and enjoy her success. Likewise, Lord Benedict is a slave to his pocket watch. After spending time with Amelia and seeing her inability to just relax and enjoy life, he is determined to show her how to have a good time. There are few subtle hints here we can all learn from. The holiday backdrop provides the perfect atmosphere for falling in love, and enjoying life to it's fullest, learning to prioritize our lives and to slow down and relax without managing everything to death. A sweet Christmas themed story that so far is one my favorite new holiday reads this year. 5 stars for this one.
amshofner's review
3.0
The Viscount's Christmas Temptation wasn't bad, by any means, but it seemed to skim the surface of what the story could have been. I was left wanting more.
gwenj's review
3.0
Great Characters
The author writes two great characters that I quickly came to enjoy. The rest of the novella? Kind of meh for me. Not great not bad. Really enjoyed the interactions between h&h. Cute ending.
The author writes two great characters that I quickly came to enjoy. The rest of the novella? Kind of meh for me. Not great not bad. Really enjoyed the interactions between h&h. Cute ending.
chiaroscuro's review
4.0
A managing lady of the ton marches into a workaholic viscount's home and demands that he un-cancel his family's annual Christmas ball. The story goes exactly as you expect and hope. It's utterly predictable and full of eye-rolling, reluctantly-smiling bingo-card historical romance novel moments -- so, naturally, I love it.
crazychriss93's review against another edition
3.0
I can't really pinpoint it exactly... Something was just not right for me...
Was it the main female character?
Well, she certainly is controlling and everything needs to be logical for her. While that was refreshing, it was also incredibly annoying because she really never enjoyed anything for the sake of it. Who does that?
Maybe it was the plot itself?
There were some funny incidents and scenes; I liked the Viscount and his effort in showing our controlling lady what it means to live and yet... it's just a novella in the end.
The ending?
The ending was of course not sufficient but with novellas, it hardly ever is so I can't really criticize that.
Anyways, this story wasn't for me ;)
Was it the main female character?
Well, she certainly is controlling and everything needs to be logical for her. While that was refreshing, it was also incredibly annoying because she really never enjoyed anything for the sake of it. Who does that?
Maybe it was the plot itself?
There were some funny incidents and scenes; I liked the Viscount and his effort in showing our controlling lady what it means to live and yet... it's just a novella in the end.
The ending?
The ending was of course not sufficient but with novellas, it hardly ever is so I can't really criticize that.
Anyways, this story wasn't for me ;)