Scan barcode
pawsomereads2's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rlisaacs's review
3.0
This was a very quick, satisfying first story to a series. Don't let the three stars fool you, I did enjoy the book. It was quick, the romance satisfying. The steaminess of it wasn't in vast amount, but what was there made me smile. I'm not in a hurry to read the books after it, but I have added them to my to-read list so I don't forget about them.
To my understanding, this book was about Nicolas, who is the father of three daughters that will be the focus of the following three books. And while I'm not sure my interest in Rebecca can be saved, I do love Jessica and what I saw of her in this book, and so I do want to read the next book at some point, which is about her.
More on this book, Nic and Gillian make me smile. The flirtations and the steam (though in short supply) satisfied me and my romantic heart to pieces. I stress again that this is a short book. So, you know, everything happens kind of quick and you have to be okay with that up front. But I didn't mind the quick. There is actually technically a gap, so it isn't actually insta-love, which I know some people hate. It's just that we don't actually get to read about any of the time period before these two start coming together. They meet, Gillian becomes hired as a companion, and then boom!, we fast-forward to nine-months in the future.
The whole danger with the ice bit (trying not to be spoilery) was unnecessary in my opinion. I didn't mind it, but it didn't really add anything to the story. It didn't drive the romance to increase or become more desperate in my opinion. It didn't make anybody realize just how lucky they were or force anybody to realize they were in love, like some dangerous or near-death experiences do. It was just... there. So I didn't mind it, but it was wholly unnecessary.
And this needs to be stressed. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (really, I hate it) the miscommunication trope in stories. Hate it with a passion. And that happens here. (Part of why I really don't like Rebecca. She was freaking rude as hell, and trying to run everybody's lives, being all up in everybody's business like she was born with the right to do that. Yeah, really don't like her. Not sure how there's any chance of redemption there yet, but if I get around to reading the second book, maybe I'll change my mind. Maybe.) Anyway! So there's that moment when the two main characters aren't in sync. Rebecca spouts off and Gillian begins thinking one thing which is in the complete opposite direction of what Nic is thinking. This is resolved quickly though. Like, within a couple days, it's fixed. So... I still hate this trope... but I still liked this story. (In all likelihood, this is why this book is getting three instead of four stars though.)
I'm satisfied. I don't feel like I wasted my time. I found one typo, and it was early in the book and I can't even remember where it was. So kudos for that. This book was also free when I got it, but the rest are not and I'm still thinking about reading them eventually, which is always a good sign from me.
Three solid stars. :)
To my understanding, this book was about Nicolas, who is the father of three daughters that will be the focus of the following three books. And while I'm not sure my interest in Rebecca can be saved, I do love Jessica and what I saw of her in this book, and so I do want to read the next book at some point, which is about her.
More on this book, Nic and Gillian make me smile. The flirtations and the steam (though in short supply) satisfied me and my romantic heart to pieces. I stress again that this is a short book. So, you know, everything happens kind of quick and you have to be okay with that up front. But I didn't mind the quick. There is actually technically a gap, so it isn't actually insta-love, which I know some people hate. It's just that we don't actually get to read about any of the time period before these two start coming together. They meet, Gillian becomes hired as a companion, and then boom!, we fast-forward to nine-months in the future.
The whole danger with the ice bit (trying not to be spoilery) was unnecessary in my opinion. I didn't mind it, but it didn't really add anything to the story. It didn't drive the romance to increase or become more desperate in my opinion. It didn't make anybody realize just how lucky they were or force anybody to realize they were in love, like some dangerous or near-death experiences do. It was just... there. So I didn't mind it, but it was wholly unnecessary.
And this needs to be stressed. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (really, I hate it) the miscommunication trope in stories. Hate it with a passion. And that happens here. (Part of why I really don't like Rebecca. She was freaking rude as hell, and trying to run everybody's lives, being all up in everybody's business like she was born with the right to do that. Yeah, really don't like her. Not sure how there's any chance of redemption there yet, but if I get around to reading the second book, maybe I'll change my mind. Maybe.) Anyway! So there's that moment when the two main characters aren't in sync. Rebecca spouts off and Gillian begins thinking one thing which is in the complete opposite direction of what Nic is thinking. This is resolved quickly though. Like, within a couple days, it's fixed. So... I still hate this trope... but I still liked this story. (In all likelihood, this is why this book is getting three instead of four stars though.)
I'm satisfied. I don't feel like I wasted my time. I found one typo, and it was early in the book and I can't even remember where it was. So kudos for that. This book was also free when I got it, but the rest are not and I'm still thinking about reading them eventually, which is always a good sign from me.
Three solid stars. :)
mefromson's review
5.0
Great book! Whirlwind from the very beginning, very good! I enjoyed the seemingly-simple problems each character faced and how they conflicted with the others. Christmas theme wasn't overblown, just tastefully used to prod them in the right direction. The daughter's plotting made me laugh. Definitely recommend this story!
loe_ming's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps the characters are too old thus I can't feel connection at all
alexlcriddle's review against another edition
4.0
Do you ever read a book that just sucks you in and makes you happy? This was one of those books for me. It was a quick read and I enjoyed every minute! The characters were charming and the holiday setting was perfect for this time of year. I loved the part mistletoe played in moving the plot along. I haven’t read many regency romances with steamy scenes, so I wasn’t sure how I would feel, but I quite liked the spice and definitely want to read the next book in the series.
If you like regency romances with some spice, I would highly recommend this as a quick, enjoyable holiday read!
If you like regency romances with some spice, I would highly recommend this as a quick, enjoyable holiday read!
pgchuis's review
1.0
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
Nicolas appoints Gillian, a down-on-her-luck governess, to be his daughter Jessica's companion. He also anticipates that she will prepare Jessica for her coming out/season and explain the facts of life to her. He chooses Gillian for this task because he likes her and she is a widow, despite the fact that he has just met her, and despite the fact that Jessica has numerous siblings and (presumably) other relations.
I really didn't get on with this novel: I only managed to get to the end because I felt obliged to review it. I was distracted by the way the ages of the various characters didn't quite work (Nicolas needed to be at least 51 by my reckoning, rather than 49), the way the oldest of Jessica's sisters was sometimes Rebecca and sometimes Fanny, the totally inappropriate-for-the-period way Nicolas and Gillian spoke to and treated one another, the way no one even commented on the fact that Nicolas had daughters older than Gillian etc etc.
The characters were superficial - Nicolas reflects at one point that he knows little of Gillian's past, despite his having a (presumably slim) "employment file" for her, and this is how I felt about her too. She was happy to sleep with her employer with seemingly no concern about a possible pregnancy or worries about her long term prospects or even a moral qualm. I think there was one fairly humorous line, and otherwise every one took themselves deadly seriously.
Not for me.
Nicolas appoints Gillian, a down-on-her-luck governess, to be his daughter Jessica's companion. He also anticipates that she will prepare Jessica for her coming out/season and explain the facts of life to her. He chooses Gillian for this task because he likes her and she is a widow, despite the fact that he has just met her, and despite the fact that Jessica has numerous siblings and (presumably) other relations.
I really didn't get on with this novel: I only managed to get to the end because I felt obliged to review it. I was distracted by the way the ages of the various characters didn't quite work (Nicolas needed to be at least 51 by my reckoning, rather than 49), the way the oldest of Jessica's sisters was sometimes Rebecca and sometimes Fanny, the totally inappropriate-for-the-period way Nicolas and Gillian spoke to and treated one another, the way no one even commented on the fact that Nicolas had daughters older than Gillian etc etc.
The characters were superficial - Nicolas reflects at one point that he knows little of Gillian's past, despite his having a (presumably slim) "employment file" for her, and this is how I felt about her too. She was happy to sleep with her employer with seemingly no concern about a possible pregnancy or worries about her long term prospects or even a moral qualm. I think there was one fairly humorous line, and otherwise every one took themselves deadly seriously.
Not for me.
More...