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melissadegraffbooks's review
3.0
I liked the H&h and the plot. The point of view kept changing from one paragraph to another which made it a little hard to read. There were a few steamy scenes in here that I skipped.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
2.0
I picked [b:A Countess by Christmas|9427063|A Countess by Christmas (Harlequin Historical, #1021)|Annie Burrows|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Z4BMGed5L._SL75_.jpg|14311513] for a challenge at RRRC group. I needed a Christmas theme read so I searched for a book on Goodreads with a word 'Christmas' in tittle and from results I picked this one. I should have payed better attention to the rating of this book.
The idea is nothing new, you have probably read a historical romance with the same plot before. Love story is very shallow, attraction between characters is rationalized and thought over so much, that it does not seem like nothing special. And when they end up in bed at the end - nothing special either. No heat whatsoever...
I gave it a 2 star rating only because the description of the Christmas party and the amusement and games arranged for children woke up my holiday spirit a little bit, so I wanted to be generous.
The idea is nothing new, you have probably read a historical romance with the same plot before. Love story is very shallow, attraction between characters is rationalized and thought over so much, that it does not seem like nothing special. And when they end up in bed at the end - nothing special either. No heat whatsoever...
I gave it a 2 star rating only because the description of the Christmas party and the amusement and games arranged for children woke up my holiday spirit a little bit, so I wanted to be generous.
hsteel's review
lighthearted
medium-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
readersincealways's review
5.0
Sweet seasonal read. Well drawn characters and wonderfully descriptive.
shiveryteacup's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual harassment
55bookworm63's review
2.0
I was disappointed. It was fairly predictable and got tiresome quickly. The beginning meeting of Helen and the Earl was great, but it started to fizzle out. So much could have happened but didn't. This could have been better if it was made into a longer story. There was much that could have been added to the plot to make it better if it had been so.
robinwalter's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
The FL was a bit OTT for much of the book, but in the end it was an enjoyable story
simplyparticular's review
1.0
Good start, soft middle, dragging ending to the point where you no longer cared for the payoff. And my personal pet peeve, pages of internal monologue in the middle of what is supposed to be snappy dialogue. I need to stop reading the Harlequin historicals - the marketing blurbs are better written/edited than the books.
ssejig's review
3.0
Helen Forrest was lucky to be taken in by her mother's, sister's, husband's sister when her parents died. No one else wanted her. But now her adopted aunt has lost her inheritance and has to go to the head of the family for help.
The Earl of Bridgemere only lets his family come at Christmas time. Otherwise the greediness and grasping makes him too sick to his stomach. The first meeting between the two does not go well. He thinks she's a paid companion and she thinks he's a footman.
His first marriage was a disaster that left him cold and now the Earl just wants to live his life in peace. But something about Helen captures his attention. Mostly the way that she doesn't suck up to him and seems determined not to ask him for anything.
The Earl of Bridgemere only lets his family come at Christmas time. Otherwise the greediness and grasping makes him too sick to his stomach. The first meeting between the two does not go well. He thinks she's a paid companion and she thinks he's a footman.
His first marriage was a disaster that left him cold and now the Earl just wants to live his life in peace. But something about Helen captures his attention. Mostly the way that she doesn't suck up to him and seems determined not to ask him for anything.