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lynguy1's review
3.0
A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is the second book in the Code Breakers series but it works well as a standalone novel.
The novella takes place in England during the Regency period. Viscount James Ashworth has one more assignment before he retires from being a spy. He needs to protect the Prince Regent who plans to attend a holiday party in the countryside. His childhood friend, Lady Gwyneth Beaumont, is his boss' sister. She plans to attend the party as well. She wants to prove herself in more than one way. Her spying uncovers a secret and the plot unfolds.
The book is well written and you do get a feel for the times. I also learned more about how herbs and spices were stored during the times as well as how many of the aristocratic houses had a conservatory. There are also a number of secondary characters that play pivotal roles in the story. However, due to the shortness of the book, it felt a little rushed to me.
Will the Prince Regent survive? Who are the potential assassins? Will Lady Gwyneth make a good spy? Who finds romance? Read it to find out? While I felt the author's book Mission: Impossible to Surrender was a much better book, this is an entertaining holiday historical romance/suspense.
The novella takes place in England during the Regency period. Viscount James Ashworth has one more assignment before he retires from being a spy. He needs to protect the Prince Regent who plans to attend a holiday party in the countryside. His childhood friend, Lady Gwyneth Beaumont, is his boss' sister. She plans to attend the party as well. She wants to prove herself in more than one way. Her spying uncovers a secret and the plot unfolds.
The book is well written and you do get a feel for the times. I also learned more about how herbs and spices were stored during the times as well as how many of the aristocratic houses had a conservatory. There are also a number of secondary characters that play pivotal roles in the story. However, due to the shortness of the book, it felt a little rushed to me.
Will the Prince Regent survive? Who are the potential assassins? Will Lady Gwyneth make a good spy? Who finds romance? Read it to find out? While I felt the author's book Mission: Impossible to Surrender was a much better book, this is an entertaining holiday historical romance/suspense.
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
I love old timey romances and I love holiday reads so an old timey holiday read is the best! A Christmas Code had all of the old timey fun I love as well as some Christmas magic to make it that much better. This is the first I have read from this author, but I am going to check out more of their work as this was a lot of fun to read.
Gwyneth has always had a huge crush on Ash. They grew up together, but Gwyneth wants to show him that she is not that little girl anymore. That they are meant for each other. Every single guy seems to want her attention, but she only wants Ash. Ash who is a spy. Ash who doesn't want Gwyneth anywhere near the dangerous missions he is on. Ash who wants to keep her safe.
Ash was definitely protective of Gwyneth. He knows she is smart and capable, but he doesn't know what he will do if she would get hurt because of him. She was so fun. She wants to be a part of Ash's life and wants to help with his spy work. She notices a lot, no one would suspect her, she could be good at it if she learns what to do. When these two get mixed up in an assassination attempt things get a little tricky. Luckily they are both there for the other and with a bit of Christmas magic maybe everything will work out the way they both want.
I really enjoyed this read. I love the spies, I love Gwyneth and Ash, I loved everything about it. It was just a really fun holiday adventure.
I love old timey romances and I love holiday reads so an old timey holiday read is the best! A Christmas Code had all of the old timey fun I love as well as some Christmas magic to make it that much better. This is the first I have read from this author, but I am going to check out more of their work as this was a lot of fun to read.
Gwyneth has always had a huge crush on Ash. They grew up together, but Gwyneth wants to show him that she is not that little girl anymore. That they are meant for each other. Every single guy seems to want her attention, but she only wants Ash. Ash who is a spy. Ash who doesn't want Gwyneth anywhere near the dangerous missions he is on. Ash who wants to keep her safe.
Ash was definitely protective of Gwyneth. He knows she is smart and capable, but he doesn't know what he will do if she would get hurt because of him. She was so fun. She wants to be a part of Ash's life and wants to help with his spy work. She notices a lot, no one would suspect her, she could be good at it if she learns what to do. When these two get mixed up in an assassination attempt things get a little tricky. Luckily they are both there for the other and with a bit of Christmas magic maybe everything will work out the way they both want.
I really enjoyed this read. I love the spies, I love Gwyneth and Ash, I loved everything about it. It was just a really fun holiday adventure.
guatedina's review against another edition
3.0
Spies, murder plots and star crossed lovers- what could be better at Christmas?
librarygirlreads's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heatherj818's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
booksuperpower's review
4.0
A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is a 2014 Smashwords release. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This novella is centered around Lady Gwyneth Beaumont and Viscount James Ashworth. Ash is a close friend of Gwyneth's brother and he has known Gwyneth since her childhood days. However, she is now a grown woman living in a world of spies. Gwyneth wants to do her part to help her country and has some valuable skills. When it becomes apparent there could be a plot afoot at an upcoming Christmas ball, a ball where the King's son is set to make an appearance, Ash is adamant that Gwyneth not attend the party for her own safety. But, Gwyneth is determined to show Ash how useful she can be and finagles a way into the party anyway, despite Ash's objections. However, the danger is far more serious anyone could have guessed as the deadly holly berry and other poisons seem to be in abundance.
I really enjoyed the games and intrigue in this story. Gwyneth is a very strong character and I loved her insistence on being involved in things. I loved seeing Ash finally realize that he was stifling her with his overprotective nature and if he didn't stop thinking of her as a child he could very well lose her. He has to work hard at changing his view of Gwyneth, but in the end he sees her in a whole new light . As a result he no longer has to keep her at arm's length.
This is a great book to fit into your holiday reading schedule. It's short so you could read it very quickly and since it's not the usual over emotional sentimental type of Christmas themed romance, it is a nice , light chance of pace, offering intrigue, danger, mystery, and a sweet romance to top it all off. This one is 4 stars.
This novella is centered around Lady Gwyneth Beaumont and Viscount James Ashworth. Ash is a close friend of Gwyneth's brother and he has known Gwyneth since her childhood days. However, she is now a grown woman living in a world of spies. Gwyneth wants to do her part to help her country and has some valuable skills. When it becomes apparent there could be a plot afoot at an upcoming Christmas ball, a ball where the King's son is set to make an appearance, Ash is adamant that Gwyneth not attend the party for her own safety. But, Gwyneth is determined to show Ash how useful she can be and finagles a way into the party anyway, despite Ash's objections. However, the danger is far more serious anyone could have guessed as the deadly holly berry and other poisons seem to be in abundance.
I really enjoyed the games and intrigue in this story. Gwyneth is a very strong character and I loved her insistence on being involved in things. I loved seeing Ash finally realize that he was stifling her with his overprotective nature and if he didn't stop thinking of her as a child he could very well lose her. He has to work hard at changing his view of Gwyneth, but in the end he sees her in a whole new light . As a result he no longer has to keep her at arm's length.
This is a great book to fit into your holiday reading schedule. It's short so you could read it very quickly and since it's not the usual over emotional sentimental type of Christmas themed romance, it is a nice , light chance of pace, offering intrigue, danger, mystery, and a sweet romance to top it all off. This one is 4 stars.
sillynicole's review
1.0
Can't stop rolling my eyes!
I did not care for this book. The characters were poorly written. One minute, she's a sweet innocent that he wants to protect from the world, the next she's a lusty minx. And he is supposed to be a top spy but she solves everything without any help or direction from him. I can't count the number of times I rolled my eyes while reading his inner dialogue and thoughts. I speed-read through the last chapters and still was annoyed at the time I wasted thinking this might be a fun Christmas romance. Just dumb!
I did not care for this book. The characters were poorly written. One minute, she's a sweet innocent that he wants to protect from the world, the next she's a lusty minx. And he is supposed to be a top spy but she solves everything without any help or direction from him. I can't count the number of times I rolled my eyes while reading his inner dialogue and thoughts. I speed-read through the last chapters and still was annoyed at the time I wasted thinking this might be a fun Christmas romance. Just dumb!
dianed's review
4.0
I love story where the heroine is allowed to to be a strong smart woman. Jacki Delecki has created series where woman are allowed to use their brains and aid in protecting the British Empire by working as spies. Lord Ashworth doesn't want to involve Gwenyth in his operation (because she is a woman who needs to be protected). Fortunately for her, her sister-in-law and brother have already walked this path in Book 1 and with her brother's agreement, she is allowed to go to a house party and use her gifts of observation to help solve a plot to murder the Prince Regent.
The characters are well written, The story is fast paced and fun and of course there's the Happily Ever After in the end.
The characters are well written, The story is fast paced and fun and of course there's the Happily Ever After in the end.