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notthemonalisa's review
3.0
This book was cute. I enjoyed my time well enough while reading it but I highly doubt it will stick with me forever. I was suprised to learn it was published by an LDS publisher because I don't feel "enriched" after reading it. Does that make sense?
The short story format got a bit repetitive, as did the theme of miscommunication between each couple in literally every story. But that also meant I didn't mind if I missed part of it while cooking or cleaning.
In summary: I was pleasantly entertained well enough and have a new book that is safe to reccomend at ward functions.
The short story format got a bit repetitive, as did the theme of miscommunication between each couple in literally every story. But that also meant I didn't mind if I missed part of it while cooking or cleaning.
In summary: I was pleasantly entertained well enough and have a new book that is safe to reccomend at ward functions.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
Four Regency-period novellas, all set during the December holiday season. The first, "Love and Joy Come to You" by Jennifer Moore, was my favorite, focusing on the difficulties of reconciling grief with celebration. Graham Montagu, Lord Covington, hopes that his mother will not fall into melancholy over the family members they have lost, as she tends to do during Christmas.But he's not at all pleased by how his mother has decided to cheer herself up: by inviting a family of four recently orphaned young people to stay at the estate over the holidays. But the three children and their pets make everything more cheerful, as does their eldest sister, Cassie Weatherby, whom Graham finds occupying more and more of his thoughts despite knowing his mother is playing matchmaker. Helping each other help their respective family members not to despair, and sharing their own ways of coping with loss, brings the two together.
In Chalon Linton's "A Christmas Courting," Keturah has to watch as the young man whom she's long loved comes to stay in London, purportedly to court a bride. Why, though, is he spending so much time at Keturah's house? The pleasure here is in knowing far more than the rather clueless Keturah does, a pleasure in which I didn't take much joy in indulging.
Alice, the heroine of Jen Geigle Johnson's "Mistletoe Memories," has long known she would marry Patrick, a duke. And when she is compromised by another man while Patrick is away in India, she believes that Patrick will come and rescue her. But he doesn't; only being jilted saves her from a horrible marriage. And Patrick isn't at all happy with her newly scandalous reputation. Bad writing, lots of well-intentioned but rather empty references to wanting to help the working classes through reform, and annoying protagonists made this a no-go for me.
In the final story, Heidi Kimball's "Second-Chance Christmas," Frances Lockhart encounters the man whose proposal she refused four months earlier, the "best friend" toward who she only feels "sisterly affection." But when visitors, including a pretty young lady, come to visit Gerard's family for the holidays, Frances suddenly realizes that she might not have understood her own feelings as clearly as she thought.
Very innocent heroines and only a little kissing make this a collection for those who prefer their holiday historicals sweet as plum pudding.
In Chalon Linton's "A Christmas Courting," Keturah has to watch as the young man whom she's long loved comes to stay in London, purportedly to court a bride. Why, though, is he spending so much time at Keturah's house? The pleasure here is in knowing far more than the rather clueless Keturah does, a pleasure in which I didn't take much joy in indulging.
Alice, the heroine of Jen Geigle Johnson's "Mistletoe Memories," has long known she would marry Patrick, a duke. And when she is compromised by another man while Patrick is away in India, she believes that Patrick will come and rescue her. But he doesn't; only being jilted saves her from a horrible marriage. And Patrick isn't at all happy with her newly scandalous reputation. Bad writing, lots of well-intentioned but rather empty references to wanting to help the working classes through reform, and annoying protagonists made this a no-go for me.
In the final story, Heidi Kimball's "Second-Chance Christmas," Frances Lockhart encounters the man whose proposal she refused four months earlier, the "best friend" toward who she only feels "sisterly affection." But when visitors, including a pretty young lady, come to visit Gerard's family for the holidays, Frances suddenly realizes that she might not have understood her own feelings as clearly as she thought.
Very innocent heroines and only a little kissing make this a collection for those who prefer their holiday historicals sweet as plum pudding.
blogginboutbooks's review
4.0
This is a warm, enjoyable collection of Regency romance stories set at Christmastime. LOVE AND JOY COME TO YOU and SECOND-CHANCE CHRISTMAS are my favorites, but all the tales are clean, upbeat, and swoony. If you need a diverting read to calm you during the chaotic holiday season, give this one a go.
See my full review of A CHRISTMAS COURTING here: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2018/10/cozy-christmas-collection-provides.html
See my full review of A CHRISTMAS COURTING here: http://www.blogginboutbooks.com/2018/10/cozy-christmas-collection-provides.html
garnetofeden's review
3.0
A fluffy fun read for when you don't want to think too hard. Love and Joy Come to You is a classic Regency romance plot. A wealthy noble meets a young lady with a passel of endearing younger siblings who win him over. The other three short stories in the book (A Christmas Courting, Mistletoe Memories, and Second-Chance Christmas) are variations of the childhood sweetheart story. Being the genre it is, a reader can count on a happy ending, and no characters are so poorly written that they're not relatable.
Rating reviewed 12/27/2022.
Rating reviewed 12/27/2022.
shannonxo's review
4.0
I don't have the best of luck with novella collections. They always start with a phenomenal 5 star story, then it gets worse and worse until you're clawing through to the end. Like Saturday Night Live skits, if you know what I mean. I am pleased as punch to say this was not the case. This was an all-around solid collection of heart-warming Christmas regency romances.
Love and Joy Come to You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really, really liked this one. A typical regency romance where they meet, he likes the way she walks or something weird, and they're getting married within a week. I saw it all coming from a mile away and still adored every second. This one was dual POV and it was well done.
A Christmas Courting ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
My least favourite story, I think. It was one of those where you just want to shake the girl until her head rattles because it's so unbelievably obvious what is going down. I also struggled with the name Keturah for the main character. It is a biblical name, but it does not evoke the right image for this woman.
Mistletoe Memories ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
While I did enjoy the way this one unfolded, I did struggle a little bit with really rooting for the couple. He says he loves her so much, she's the only girl for him, but then some half-backed story reaches him of her fall from grace and, "Welp, guess that's it, Alice. See you never." Until, wait, it was all a misunderstanding because none of us talked.
Second-Chance Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favourite hands down. It's the kind of story I wish was drawn out into a full book. I very much adore the trope of best friends for over a decade before someone reveals their feelings and things get awkward until the other one figures themselves out. When it's done well, of course, and this absolutely was. The characters felt the most real in this one too, with proper chemistry.
Also, sidenote, I feel like it should be a drinking game where you take a shot every time Yule log, wassail and hessians were mentioned. Then you'll really be in the holiday spirit.
Overall, I grant this collection of Christmas festivity out of five stars! And good lord am I ready for it to be December.
Love and Joy Come to You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really, really liked this one. A typical regency romance where they meet, he likes the way she walks or something weird, and they're getting married within a week. I saw it all coming from a mile away and still adored every second. This one was dual POV and it was well done.
A Christmas Courting ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
My least favourite story, I think. It was one of those where you just want to shake the girl until her head rattles because it's so unbelievably obvious what is going down. I also struggled with the name Keturah for the main character. It is a biblical name, but it does not evoke the right image for this woman.
Mistletoe Memories ⭐️⭐️⭐️ .5
While I did enjoy the way this one unfolded, I did struggle a little bit with really rooting for the couple. He says he loves her so much, she's the only girl for him, but then some half-backed story reaches him of her fall from grace and, "Welp, guess that's it, Alice. See you never." Until, wait, it was all a misunderstanding because none of us talked.
Second-Chance Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favourite hands down. It's the kind of story I wish was drawn out into a full book. I very much adore the trope of best friends for over a decade before someone reveals their feelings and things get awkward until the other one figures themselves out. When it's done well, of course, and this absolutely was. The characters felt the most real in this one too, with proper chemistry.
Also, sidenote, I feel like it should be a drinking game where you take a shot every time Yule log, wassail and hessians were mentioned. Then you'll really be in the holiday spirit.
Overall, I grant this collection of Christmas festivity out of five stars! And good lord am I ready for it to be December.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review
4.0
I read the first 3 stories quickly and got sidetracked when it came to the last one. It was a great enjoyable read. I loved seeing the different Christmas elements. Novellas where well written leave you wanting more and that's how I felt after each story.
nurseshan24's review
4.0
Such a cute collection of stories. I love Regency Romances, and these authors delivered some great ones. I'm excited to read full length novels from each one of thrm!
alissabar's review
3.0
2019 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #44 Read a book during the season it is set in
melmo2610's review
4.0
A fun and enjoyable listen for me with several stories in this collection, all of which were very good. I laughed out loud several times during the read and there are several sweet moments as well. Really fun read.