Reviews

An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James

le_corbeau_romantique's review against another edition

4.0

I liked it better than the first. Poppy was a more compelling character to me than Roberta. She is a woman who was told negative things about sex and her journey through the book is her REdiscovering her sexuality and becoming comfortable with it, and enjoying it. It is a theme that I haven't really read ever, so it was an interesting read. The mother-daughter relationship was also great to explore in this installment. The series characters and plots pick up and I will definitely be reading the next. The curiosities and naturalism was a great Georgian touch.

adelita18's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

"An Affair Before Christmas" is a strong sequel, and in my opinion, much more enjoyable novel than "Desperate Duchesses". I found the character development to be much stronger and the plot to jump around less/was more cohesive than the first novel in the series. Poppy's growth and process of self-discovery once she is out from under her mother's intense control is wonderful and very inspiring. John/Fletcher's patience, love, strength, and recognition of his wife's needs is incredibly powerful and compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what happens next in this group of Regency women. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse

cloverminereads95's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the Fletch and Poppy Parts.

I couldn't care less about everyone else

However the stories were disconnected enough that I could skim the not FxP parts and still had fun.

I wish they had more time a part and the second half focused on reconnecting after an extended period of time.

spookysierra's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jena_33's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

freckleduck's review against another edition

2.0

This book was ridiculous in premise and characters and scenarios. I do find that the numerous characters while unique can be a bit too many to keep track of.

jody_diou's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

klmoran's review against another edition

5.0

So many stories swirling together...

What is happening with Jemma and Elijah? The Duke of Villiers? Tidbits of their stories weave in and around of he main characters in this series. Come join the characters in this beautifully constructed world set in the Georgian period.

nlfrey's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lectorliber04's review against another edition

5.0

I'm really enjoying this series. The banter, the double meaning conversations and of course the trials and tribulations of these Desperate Duchesses make for a wonderful reading.