Scan barcode
thenia's review
4.0
An embarrassing incident and time have helped "cure" Cece's unrequited love for Finn, Viscount Edgerton, but a common circle of friends brings them together again for a wedding.
When Finn learns that "Miss Mistletoe", as Cece was dubbed after the incident, will also attend his friend's wedding, he's less than thrilled, but the woman he meets is almost nothing like the one he remembers.
Cece is determined to be polite and civil, but avoid Finn as much as possible, something that he makes nearly impossible when he starts to pursue her.
A sweet story of a second chance at love for a couple that deserve it. The series continues with [b:A Taste for Scandal|13507410|A Taste for Scandal (Sealed With a Kiss, #2)|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1380760831s/13507410.jpg|19058817] next.
Previous book reviews:
✦ More Than a Stranger (Sealed With a Kiss #1)
When Finn learns that "Miss Mistletoe", as Cece was dubbed after the incident, will also attend his friend's wedding, he's less than thrilled, but the woman he meets is almost nothing like the one he remembers.
Cece is determined to be polite and civil, but avoid Finn as much as possible, something that he makes nearly impossible when he starts to pursue her.
A sweet story of a second chance at love for a couple that deserve it. The series continues with [b:A Taste for Scandal|13507410|A Taste for Scandal (Sealed With a Kiss, #2)|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1380760831s/13507410.jpg|19058817] next.
Previous book reviews:
✦ More Than a Stranger (Sealed With a Kiss #1)
joreadsromance's review
4.0
Pleasant tale to pass the time
4 stars
This novella is part [a:Erin Knightley|5337352|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325967993p2/5337352.jpg]’s Sealed with a Kiss series. I didn’t realise this until I’d finished the book so you obviously don’t need to have read the first book ([b:More Than a Stranger|13073214|More Than a Stranger (Sealed With a Kiss, #1)|Erin Knightley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327127735l/13073214._SY75_.jpg|18239654]) to understand and like this one. This book does take place during the couple from the first book’s wedding but you see so little of them that if you’re reading this story in the hope of seeing more of them, I feel you’ll be disappointed. Richard (Cece’s cousin) appears in the next book in the series, [b:A Taste for Scandal|13507410|A Taste for Scandal (Sealed With a Kiss, #2)|Erin Knightley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380760831l/13507410._SY75_.jpg|19058817], which I now realise I’ve read and enjoyed a lot.
Both main characters are pleasing and likeable. Cece (Cecelia) is someone you can really understand - trying to get over her childhood fancy while constantly being forced into his presence. I felt that could have been played up a wee bit more. After a couple of interactions the pair had a truce. I prefer a bit more irritation and banter. I could understand her feelings for Finn and how they developed.
I had a bit of a more difficult time with Finn - although there are extra points for a great name. He was understandably irritated with Cece and on their first re-meeting, he was wary of her motives. And then they have one snipey conversation and suddenly he’s remembering that he really liked her as a young girl and he wanted to get to know her better. I didn’t buy it. It wasn’t even believable that he was irked that she was ignoring him instead of fawning over him - there wasn’t enough time or interactions for that to be the case.
The story picked up for me, emotionally, once the house party had finished. It was more believable and I could get behind it a bit more. I could have done with a bit more than the 2 or 3 kisses that we got but there wasn’t really an occasion for it, unfortunately. I just like things a bit steamier.
The festive touches in the book are minimal. The ‘incident’ took place at Christmas and the ending takes place at Christmas but apart from a few passing mentions - and the mistletoe - there isn’t much else to pull you into Christmas and all the merriment of the season.
This book was pleasant, well written and a nice diversion for a couple of hours. It just lacked sparkle for me. There was no magic in the couple and none from the Christmas theme, sadly. I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars but since that’s not an option, and I’m feeling the effects of the season, 4 stars it is. Give it a go if you like short, historical romances at Christmas, you enjoy [a:Erin Knightley|5337352|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325967993p2/5337352.jpg]’s writing or are following the Sealed with a Kiss series.
4 stars
This novella is part [a:Erin Knightley|5337352|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325967993p2/5337352.jpg]’s Sealed with a Kiss series. I didn’t realise this until I’d finished the book so you obviously don’t need to have read the first book ([b:More Than a Stranger|13073214|More Than a Stranger (Sealed With a Kiss, #1)|Erin Knightley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327127735l/13073214._SY75_.jpg|18239654]) to understand and like this one. This book does take place during the couple from the first book’s wedding but you see so little of them that if you’re reading this story in the hope of seeing more of them, I feel you’ll be disappointed. Richard (Cece’s cousin) appears in the next book in the series, [b:A Taste for Scandal|13507410|A Taste for Scandal (Sealed With a Kiss, #2)|Erin Knightley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1380760831l/13507410._SY75_.jpg|19058817], which I now realise I’ve read and enjoyed a lot.
Both main characters are pleasing and likeable. Cece (Cecelia) is someone you can really understand - trying to get over her childhood fancy while constantly being forced into his presence. I felt that could have been played up a wee bit more. After a couple of interactions the pair had a truce. I prefer a bit more irritation and banter. I could understand her feelings for Finn and how they developed.
I had a bit of a more difficult time with Finn - although there are extra points for a great name. He was understandably irritated with Cece and on their first re-meeting, he was wary of her motives. And then they have one snipey conversation and suddenly he’s remembering that he really liked her as a young girl and he wanted to get to know her better. I didn’t buy it. It wasn’t even believable that he was irked that she was ignoring him instead of fawning over him - there wasn’t enough time or interactions for that to be the case.
The story picked up for me, emotionally, once the house party had finished. It was more believable and I could get behind it a bit more. I could have done with a bit more than the 2 or 3 kisses that we got but there wasn’t really an occasion for it, unfortunately. I just like things a bit steamier.
The festive touches in the book are minimal. The ‘incident’ took place at Christmas and the ending takes place at Christmas but apart from a few passing mentions - and the mistletoe - there isn’t much else to pull you into Christmas and all the merriment of the season.
This book was pleasant, well written and a nice diversion for a couple of hours. It just lacked sparkle for me. There was no magic in the couple and none from the Christmas theme, sadly. I would give this book a solid 3.5 stars but since that’s not an option, and I’m feeling the effects of the season, 4 stars it is. Give it a go if you like short, historical romances at Christmas, you enjoy [a:Erin Knightley|5337352|Erin Knightley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1325967993p2/5337352.jpg]’s writing or are following the Sealed with a Kiss series.
silvercal's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this novella! Cece and Finn were adorable together and I loved the attention to the horticulture details. Who knew a conservatory could be sexy and make your heart sigh? :) The holiday details are just right. Erin Knightley is becoming one of my favorite authors (even without the steam!) as I just love her writing and it shines even in this shorter length. A perfect story to curl up with as it blends love, holiday traditions, family and it is sure to leave a smile on your face. 4 stars
More...