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flogigyahoo's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book less than a year ago and remembered nothing--not one word. I wrote the review below. Now, reading it again, I enjoyed it much more. The dialog is first rate. So is the character of Cicely who learns all about the bad side of the ton on her visit to London with the help of Lord Montaigne. She wishes to publish her book. He has also written a book to while away the hours nursing a bad ankle which Cicely hated. I liked this short novel a lot this time around.
Another terrible Joan Smith novel. Cicely, a 20 year old, has written a novel, but does not know how to get it published. A cousin, Lord Montaigne, 33 and wealthy, has also written a novel while recuperating from a broken ankle which has become the talk of London, but knows he will be laughed out of society if it becomes known. He asks Cicely to pretend it is her novel and he will take her to London to meet with publishers. She agrees. So begins a very dull but lavish week for Cissey in London and a very dull week for me. Not a fluffy, sparkling, witty Regency romance.
Another terrible Joan Smith novel. Cicely, a 20 year old, has written a novel, but does not know how to get it published. A cousin, Lord Montaigne, 33 and wealthy, has also written a novel while recuperating from a broken ankle which has become the talk of London, but knows he will be laughed out of society if it becomes known. He asks Cicely to pretend it is her novel and he will take her to London to meet with publishers. She agrees. So begins a very dull but lavish week for Cissey in London and a very dull week for me. Not a fluffy, sparkling, witty Regency romance.
takethyme's review
2.0
A CHRISTMAS GAMBOL was a quirky tale set in Regency England about a month prior to Christmas. Cicely 'Sissie' Caldwell was the childhood friend of 'Monty', the Marquess of Montaigne's younger sister, Meg. Monty was aware of their friendship but had little contact with the young lady beforehand. Raised in the country, we are led to believe that Sissie lacked the necessary filtering of what comes out of her mouth. She called people by their first name, said what was on her mind and liberally poked fun of the ton. And Montaigne.
Prior to the beginning of the story, Monty had thought he was in love. Instead, he was jilted when the woman chose a duke over him. Then he was involved in an accident and, because he had plenty of spare time on his hands, he wrote a book. Not just any book but a romance that reflected his recent love life. It was published and soon became a popular hit.
Montaigne found himself in a dilemma because he had told those concerned that his cousin had wrote the romance. To save himself from embarrassment, Sissie was convinced to stay with Meg and tell everyone that she wrote the book. Except she was not given the entire truth. I know, I know, this doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I wanted to love this story. Ms. Smith used plenty of her campy humor but it was a bit too much. The story started to wear thin and all of the characters became less enjoyable. If I didn't know better, I would think that the author was poking fun of all regency romance writers including herself. From the speech to the clothes to the common-place infidelity and vanity of the the ton, nothing was left untouched. I felt very little actual chemistry between Sissie and Montaigne and nothing of a Christmas theme.
By the time I had completed this light romance, I was glad for it to end. I know Joan Smith can do a much better job.
Prior to the beginning of the story, Monty had thought he was in love. Instead, he was jilted when the woman chose a duke over him. Then he was involved in an accident and, because he had plenty of spare time on his hands, he wrote a book. Not just any book but a romance that reflected his recent love life. It was published and soon became a popular hit.
Montaigne found himself in a dilemma because he had told those concerned that his cousin had wrote the romance. To save himself from embarrassment, Sissie was convinced to stay with Meg and tell everyone that she wrote the book. Except she was not given the entire truth. I know, I know, this doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
I wanted to love this story. Ms. Smith used plenty of her campy humor but it was a bit too much. The story started to wear thin and all of the characters became less enjoyable. If I didn't know better, I would think that the author was poking fun of all regency romance writers including herself. From the speech to the clothes to the common-place infidelity and vanity of the the ton, nothing was left untouched. I felt very little actual chemistry between Sissie and Montaigne and nothing of a Christmas theme.
By the time I had completed this light romance, I was glad for it to end. I know Joan Smith can do a much better job.
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